Valley's News Observer 7.1.21 4C

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Volume 36 Number 33

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Ex-Cop Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Killing George Floyd

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent There will be no probation for former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

The ex-cop received more than a 22-year prison sentence on Friday, June 25, two months after a jury convicted him of three charges, including second-degree murder, in the death of George Floyd.

Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson had requested probation, but the judge rejected that plea.

Nelson filed a motion for a new trial just before sentencing, contending that Chauvin did not get a fair trial.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill also denied that request before sentencing the callous ex-cop.

Prior to sentencing, Floyd’s seven-year-old daughter, Gianna, provided a heartbreaking victim’s impact statement via video.

“I ask about him all the time,” the young girl noted in response to questions posed by someone off camera. She said she thinks about how her father got hurt.

“I want to play with him, have fun, and go on a plane ride with him,” Gianna said.

“We used to have dinner every single night before we went to bed. He used to help me brush my teeth,” Gianna added. She concluded that those “mean people did something to him.”

Three others gave emotional victim impact statements, including Floyd’s brothers Terrence and Philonise Floyd, and his nephew Brandon Williams.

“What was going through your mind when you had your knee on my brother’s neck,” Terrence Floyd asked?

Philonise said he was a trucker at the time of his brother’s murder and was thrust in the role of an advocate for justice. “I haven’t had a real night’s sleep because of the nightmares of hearing my brother beg and plead for his life,” he told the court as Chauvin sat masked and without showing any emotion.

“I’ve been lifting my voice so that my brother didn’t die in vain,” Philonise Floyd added.

Chauvin briefly addressed the court offering condolences to the Floyd family, but cryptically stated that “there’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and that I hope will give you some peace of mind.”

Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump called the sentence historic. “This historic sentence brings the Floyd family and our nation one step closer to healing by delivering closure and accountability. For once, a police officer who wrongly took the life of a Black man was held to account,” Crump asserted.

“While this shouldn’t be exceptional, tragically it is. Day after day, year after year, police kill Black people without consequence. But today, with Chauvin’s sentence, we take a significant step forward – something that was unimaginable a very short time ago. Now, we look for

Chauvin to also be convicted on the federal charges pending against him and for the three other officers to face consequences for their actions. That would represent important additional steps toward justice.”

Crump continued: “At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge how far we’ve come. Those who raised their voices to demand justice for George Floyd need to know that their activism made a difference. Not only were Chauvin and the City of Minneapolis held accountable, but cities and states across the country have passed meaningful reforms, including restrictions on chokeholds and better training and protocols. We need this sentence to usher in a new era of accountability that transforms how Black people are treated by police. To achieve that – real, lasting change in police departments from coast to coast – we need the U.S. Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act without further delay.”

Last month, Judge Cahill ruled prosecutors had proved four aggravating factors that warranted a lengthy prison sentence.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and prosecutors successfully showed that Chauvin abused his position of trust and authority, treated Floyd with “particular cruelty” and that the ex-cop committed a felony in the presence of children whom they said witnessed Floyd dying.

“It was particularly cruel to kill George Floyd slowly by preventing his ability to breathe when Mr. Floyd had Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin already made it clear he was having trouble breathing,” was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the Judge Cahill determined. murder of George Floyd. (File Photo) Chauvin pressed his knee in Floyd’s neck for nearly nine and a half minutes, even refusing to let up as EMT workers arrived to provide medical assistance. “[Floyd] was begging for his life and obviously terrified by the knowledge that he was likely to die but [Chauvin] remained indifferent,” Judge Cahill continued.

Three other former officers involved in the incident – J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, are awaiting trial on federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights and state-level indictments of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting seconddegree manslaughter.

Judge Cahill set a March 2020 trial date for those officers.

Chauvin also faces federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights, and a new indictment alleges that Chauvin deprived a 14-year-old of his civil rights in 2017.

If convicted of the additional charges, Chauvin could face stiffer punishment. According to federal law, violating someone’s civil rights could lead to life in prison or even the death penalty.

“This has been painful for Hennepin County, the state of Minnesota, and throughout the country and most of all for the Floyd family,” Judge Cahill stated.

Ben Crump (Courtesy Photo)

New Rent Law Benefits Landlords and Tenants

Winners and Winners Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 832, which updates California’s eviction moratorium rules and extends it.

“California is coming roaring back from the pandemic, but the economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to disproportionately impact so many low-income Californians, tenants and small landlords alike,” Newsom said last week after reaching a deal on the moratorium with lawmakers.

The governor said the agreement he reached with the Legislature also gives the state more time to provide the over $5 billion in federal rent relief funds for eligible tenants and landlords.

According to a spokesperson with the Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH), over 85,907 Californians have submitted rent relief applications to the state-run program and 37,189 of them are already being processed as of June 22.

15.79% of those applicants are identified as Black or African American.

According to the BCSH, $660 million in rental assistance has been requested and the state has paid a total of $61.6 million in back rent so far through the program.

“Our housing situation in California was a crisis before COVID, and the pandemic has only made it worse — this extension is key to making sure that more people don’t lose the safety net helping them keep their home.

While our state may be emerging from the pandemic, in

many ways, the lingering financial impact still weighs heavily on California families,” Senate President pro Tem Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) stated. “People are trying to find jobs and make ends meet and one of the greatest needs is to extend the eviction moratorium—which includes maximizing the federal funds available to help the most tenants and landlords possible—so that they can count on a roof over their heads while their finances rebound.”

AB 832 also prioritizes cities and counties with “unmet needs.”

Kendra Lewis, executive director of the Sacramento Housing Alliance, said the law will benefit families impacted by the pandemic that are still struggling.

“The pandemic showed us all how unequal housing is and how many renters are vulnerable,” Lewis said. “We need to do a better job at outreach and education because if you’re in a vulnerable community, or any situation regardless of your race or whatever, and the government has a program where it’s going to help you pay your rent, there’s going to be some apprehension.”

Lewis praised the eviction moratorium extension, claiming that many families will benefit from it.

“Imagine being in a vulnerable community, worried about losing your job or you’re a frontline worker with kids at home. The last thing you need is to be evicted,” Lewis said.

How Tenants Will Benefit From AB 832 · Allows a tenant to receive full amount due if the landlord doesn’t participate in the program so that they are not carrying it as consumer debt. · Permanently masks COVID rental debt civil cases, thus protecting tenants from having these cases impact their consumer credit. · Extends current eviction moratorium.

How Landlords Will Benefit From AB 832 · Increases rental assistance payments to give 100% of rent owed for eligible landlords and tenants. · Allows a longer timeframe for rental assistance funds, so more unpaid rent can be covered. · Authorizes rental assistance payments to be provided to landlords in situations where the tenant has moved out and now lives in a new place, but still owes rent payments to their prior landlord. · Requires a tenant to fill out the necessary paperwork for the rental assistance program within 15 business days of receiving notice of their landlord filling out its portion when a three-day eviction notice has been served. · These eviction protections do not apply to new tenancies beginning on or after October 1, 2021.

Free!

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Town Creates Fund to Pay Reparations

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) – A Massachusetts town has approved creating a fund to pay reparations to Black residents.

The Amherst Town Council on Monday voted 12-1 in favor of setting up the fund and requiring a two-thirds vote of the council to authorize any spending from it, The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported.

Town Manager Paul Bockelman said establishing the fund means the town can now begin accepting contributions for the effort and decide on a plan to finance reparations work going forward.

The council is weighing a proposal to designate more than $200,000 in surplus budget funds as an initial seed investment.

The council on Monday also approved creating the African Heritage Reparations Assembly, to develop the town’s reparations plan by Oct. 31, the newspaper reported.

It will be made up of six Black residents and one representative from Reparations for Amherst, a local advocacy group.

Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke voted against the fund because she said it was premature to establish it before forming the assembly.

Michele Miller, the cofounder of Reparations for Amherst, said Thursday her group hopes to establish a private fund to bolster the town’s efforts.

“We look forward to supporting the African Heritage Community to implement a robust and sustainable reparative plan,” she said.

Kobe Bryant’s Widow to Settle

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Kobe Bryant’s widow has agreed to settle a lawsuit against the pilot and owners of the helicopter that crashed last year, killing the NBA star, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others.

Vanessa Bryant, her children and relatives of other victims filed a settlement agreement notice Tuesday with a federal judge in Los Angeles but terms of the confidential deal weren’t disclosed.

If approved by the court, the settlement _ first announced by KABC-TV _ would end a negligence and wrongful death lawsuit filed against the estate of the pilot and the owner and operator of the helicopter that crashed into a hillside on Jan. 26, 2020.

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and six other passengers were flying from Orange County to a youth basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy in Ventura County. The helicopter encountered thick fog in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles.

Pilot Ara Zobayan climbed sharply and had nearly broken through the clouds when the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter banked abruptly and plunged into the Calabasas hills below, killing all nine aboard instantly before flames engulfed the wreckage.

The others killed were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser, who helped Bryant coach his daughter’s basketball team; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton. Alyssa and Payton were Gianna’s teammates.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a report in February that blamed pilot error for the crash.

The NTSB said a series of poor decisions led Zobayan to fly blindly into a wall of clouds where he became so disoriented he thought he was climbing when the craft was plunging.

The agency also faulted Island Express Helicopters Inc. for inadequate review and oversight of safety matters.

The settlement agreement would end legal action against Zobayan’s estate, Island Express Helicopters Inc. and its owner, Island Express Holding Corp. The suit alleged the companies didn’t properly train or supervise Zobayan and that the pilot was careless and negligent to fly in fog and should have aborted the flight.

Island Express Helicopters has denied responsibility and said the crash was “an act of God” it couldn’t control.

It countersued two Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers, saying the crash was caused by their “series of erroneous acts and/or omissions.”

The settlement agreement wouldn’t include the countersuit against the federal government.

Black Cops Seek $8M in Racism Claim SEATTLE (AP) – Five Black officers with the University of Washington Police Department have filed claims of racism against the department and are seeking $8 million in damages, alleging they were routinely insulted and demeaned by co-workers and supervisors.

Some officers said they were disciplined and denied promotions because of their race, KOMO-TV reported Tuesday.

Officer Damien Taylor said a white supervisor referred to him as “`(his) own negro’ on a call and later laughed at me when I confronted him about it.”

Officer Karinn Young said “a banana was put in front of my locker with a note reading, `Here’s your lunch, you (asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk) (asterisk)(asterisk) monkey.”’

The officers said University of Washington Police Chief John Vinson, who is also Black, was repeatedly criticized by white officers for hiring too many Black people.

“White officers called Chief Vinson the n-word on several occasions,” said Officer Russell Ellis said in the claim. Vinson was later reassigned to an administrative position at the university, KOMO-TV reported.

University spokesperson Victor Balta said the college is stunned by the allegations and that the institution has no record of complaints being filed with the allegations.

“Any one of the incidents described here would prompt an immediate investigation and appropriate disciplinary action based on the investigation’s findings,” Balta said. “We plan to initiate our own investigation into these allegations now that they have been brought to our attention.”

The University of Washington Police Department’s website addresses racism, saying it “must be addressed and eliminated, both in policing and from our community, so all of us can live without fear of discrimination.”

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Thursday, July 1, 2021

Calif. Atty Gen. Bonta Was Leading Force in Fight That Saved Obamacare Bo Tefu California Black Media Last week, the United States Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of keeping the core of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, intact.

That decision resolved more-than-a-decade-long Democratversus-Republican legal tug-of-war about the federal government’s role in health care coverage.

At the end of that grueling battle, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a former Assemblymember from Oakland, emerged a quiet victor.

In March, when Gov. Newsom appointed Bonta California’s 34th Attorney General, he stepped into a respected and carefully built legacy of successful legal advocacy and litigation against Conservative foes that his predecessor Xavier Becerra left behind.

Pres. Biden appointed Becerra Health and Human Services Secretary.

Bonta said the Supreme Court’s decision, “affirms, once again and hopefully for the last time, that the ACA is the law of the land.”

“Americans know health coverage can mean the difference between life and death, so families across the country should rest easy tonight knowing their healthcare is safe,” said Bonta.

Bonta led a coalition of more than 20 states challenging Republican efforts to undo the Obama-Era health care act. He was joined by governor of Kentucky as well as the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

The coalition successfully pushed back a lawsuit spearheaded by more than a dozen Republican states led by Texas and upheld benefits of the ACA including patient protections, affordability measures, and coverage expansions.

In the court case California versus Texas, Republican attorney generals tried to overturn a monetary penalty for individuals who fail to obtain minimum health insurance. The ACA, enacted in 2010, required individuals to get minimum health essential health insurance coverage and individuals who failed to do so would have to pay a penalty.

However, the requirement was amended in 2017 to cost $0 which voided the penalty fee.

Republican attorneys general filed a lawsuit in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals claiming that the amendments were unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court’s decision upheld the ACA provisions after Republicans were unsuccessful in

making their case.

“No one should live in fear of being denied the lifesaving care they are entitled to, especially as our nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bonta.

According to the California Health Care Foundation, 3.7 million out of the 12.5 million people covered by Medi-Cal have health insurance through the ACA. Health Advocates from community-based organizations across California say they are relieved by the Supreme Court’s ruling to keep the ACA but say that there is still room to make the law better.

Leaders from the California Black Health Network (CBHN), urged the state to focus on equity in healthcare.

Rhonda Smith, the executive director of CBHN highlighted that the court’s ruling helps reduce the lack of access to health care now that people get to keep their health care.

“One of the reasons why we have health disparities is because of the lack of access to healthcare services,” said Smith.

“It definitely plays a key role in trying to minimize health disparities, especially the impact of COVID on black and brown communities,” she said.

California Black Media’s coverage of COVID-19 is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

Attorney General Rob Bonta (Courtesy Photo)

New Study Reveals Depth of Police Violence and its Effect on Communities of Color Since 2015, more than 400,000 people have been treated in emergency rooms because of a violent interaction with police or security guards, according to the report that The Marshall Project published in conjunction with NBC News. “But there’s almost no nationwide data on the nature or circumstances of their injuries,” the report’s authors wrote.

of people who need medical care after officers break their arms, bruise their faces, or shock them with Tasers.”

The researchers noted the national conversation about policing over the past year, where public attention has focused on those like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tamir Rice, who die at the hands of officers.

“Few know that tens of thousands of people like Eliel Paulino end up in emergency rooms after run-ins with police,” the researchers penned in the study.

Paulino was less than a block from his apartment complex late one night in 2015 when “red police lights flashed in his SUV’s rearview mirror,” the researchers continued.

Officers told Paulino that lights on his license plates were out, and “within minutes, a routine traffic stop became a beatdown.”

An emergency room doctor needed four staples to close the wounds in Paulino’s battered right arm after officers mercilessly slammed him to the ground and viciously beat him with their batons.

The officers claimed that Paulino resisted arrest, but video from a security camera proved them wrong. The city of San Jose, California, paid Paulino a $700,000 civil settlement after a jury found the cops violated his constitutional rights.

According to a 2020 analysis, when police use force, more than half of the incidents end with a suspect or Officers are protectors of state, representing and enforcing immense state power, added Dr. Andrea Boyles, civilian getting hurt. The report authors also noted that a sociologist, and criminologist in the university’s Africana Studies Program. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) “most experts agree that injuries at the hands of cops remain underreported.”

By Stacy M. Brown “This data depends on the discretion of police, who NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent get to decide who is worthy or unworthy of an ambulance,” A new investigation by the nonprofit The Marshall Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve, an associate professor of Project and data from the Centers for Disease Control sociology at Brown University who has researched the and Prevention reveal the depth of police brutality and Chicago Police Department, told researchers. unpunished violence that continues to rock the nation, “It is absolutely an undercount.” particularly communities of color.

In an email to the Black Press of America, Tulane Since 2015, more than 400,000 people have been University professor Andrea Boyles said police officers are Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation on July treated in emergency rooms because of a violent interaction the most visible arm of the government.

2, 1991, Los Angeles Superior Court Decree, Case No. with police or security guards, according to the report BS007262, Government Code 6023.

Officers are protectors of state, representing and that The Marshall Project published in conjunction with enforcing immense state power, added Dr. Boyles, a NBC News. “But there’s almost no nationwide data on sociologist, and criminologist in the university’s Africana Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385 the nature or circumstances of their injuries,” the report’s Studies Program. authors wrote.

“This includes violence, which in turn, becomes akin Published every Thursday by The Observer Group Newspa“Many of the country’s roughly 18,000 law to professional or occupational hazards,” asserted Dr. pers of Southern California, Inc. enforcement agencies don’t tally or make public the number

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Boyles, who also serves on the faculty of Tulane’s Violence Prevention Institute.

“And since law enforcement acts as their master status, police violence is treated as inherently warranted and undeserving of prosecution regardless of exchanges across time and places.”

Dr. Boyles continued: “The bigger concern are the numbers of unreported and uncharged violent crimes committed by police daily. I argue that violent crimes committed by the police largely are not occurring as one-offs or in insolation. Rather, many are happening as build-ups of problems that manifest as dangerous and anticipatorily vindicated escalations. Thus, they become lead-ins to the more series cases like murder.”

San Jose, which has just over one million residents, tracks injuries and hospitalizations as part of reducing violent interactions between residents and the police.

However, researchers noted that about 1,300 people over the three years ending in 2020 still landed in the emergency room after an altercation with police.

Most of the ER visits involved officers using their hands on people, the analysis found.

“Control holds” — twisting arms or holding people down — played a role in 60% of the cases, The Marshall Project found.

Almost 20% of people who went to the ER were shot with stun guns.

Police hit 10% with an “impact weapon” such as a baton.

“In those four years, city data shows, encounters with San Jose police left 72 people’ seriously injured,’ which includes broken bones, dog bites, and internal injuries.

Nine more people died, all from gunshot wounds,” the researchers continued.

They said rough arrests had cost the city more than $26 million in lawsuit payouts for civil rights violations since 2010.

The Marshall Project found that police in San Jose, Denver, and Chicago has strict rules about seeking medical attention when someone complains of an injury.

“If [the victim] is not complaining of an injury,” Chicago Police Spokesman Sgt. Rocco Alioto told researchers, “And there’s no visible sign of injury, then there’s nothing that says that we have to call or take them to the hospital for clearance.”

Police, Trump Supporters Sued Over Texas Highway Incident

By ACACIA CORONADO Report for America/Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Civil rights organizations and people who were part of a Biden campaign caravan last fall that was surrounded on a Texas highway by Trump supporters filed two federal lawsuits Thursday, including allegations that local law enforcement failed to respond to efforts to intimidate them.

Videos shared on social media from Oct. 30 show a group of cars and pickup trucks _ many adorned with large Trump flags _ riding alongside the campaign bus as it traveled from San Antonio to Austin. The Trump supporters at times boxed in the bus. At one point, one of the pickups can be seen colliding with an SUV that was driving behind the bus.

The incident led Democrats to cancel an event later in

the day. Then-President Donald Trump criticized the FBI at the time after the agency said it was investigating.

The two lawsuits, filed by Protect Democracy, the Texas Civil Rights Project, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher, include former Texas Sen. Wendy Davis – a Democrat who attracted national attention for her 13-hour filibuster of an anti-abortion bill in the state Capitol – who was on the campaign bus that day.

“I really worry about the opportunity – if things like these go unaddressed – for this to be considered the new normal,” Davis said Thursday during a press conference.

One complaint alleges seven drivers involved in the so-called “Trump Train” violated an 1871 federal law often called the “Ku Klux Klan Act,” originally designed to stop political violence against Black people. The lawsuit accuses the group of participating in a “pre-planned vehicular assault” against the Biden-Harris caravan while driving through the college town of San Marcos. The Ku Klux Klan Act has also been cited in some injury lawsuits following the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, advocates said Thursday.

Timothy Holloway, who drove the Biden bus, said during the press conference that about 20 minutes after leaving San Antonio, he noticed some Trump-marked vehicles began to follow him and others tried to slow him down. He said he tried to focus on driving but that he feared for his life, especially when local law enforcement was called but didn’t respond.

“I wasn’t around for the civil rights era, but what happened in Texas felt like something that could have happened back then,” said Holloway, who is Black.

Another complaint was filed against San Marcos law enforcement and public safety officials and staff, who “turned a blind eye to the attack, despite pleas for help.”

A spokeswoman for the city of San Marcos told The Associated Press in an emailed statement that “due to pending litigation, neither the City of San Marcos nor the San Marcos Police Department will be providing a comment on this matter.”

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Entertainment

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Russell Simmons Collaborates with TOKAU to Exclusively Launch

‘Masterminds of Hip Hop’

Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons has collaborated with TOKAU to launch an NFT (non-fungible tokens) collection named “Masterminds of Hip Hop.”. (UniRush)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons has collaborated with TOKAU to launch an NFT (nonfungible tokens) collection named “Masterminds of Hip Hop.” A spokesperson for the music and business mogul said the collection is built alongside legendary musicians who were the original rappers of Hip Hop. According to a news release, the exclusive joint venture aims to give credit and compensation back to the original musicians who helped to create the multi-billion-dollar industry that Hip Hop has become.

Def Jam Records counts as the largest label under Universal Music.

TOKAU is the world’s leading platform that allows Celebrities and Influencers to interact with their fans using blockchain NFT technology.

“We are super excited to partner with Russell to create this one-of-a-kind NFT which will recognize the creators of Hip Hop,” Dennis Jia, the head of the Tokau family, noted in the news release.

“Our goal is to give credit back to the original artists,” asserted Tokau, who is also known as Dennis Tok. Simmons added that he regularly reminisces about the early days of rap music.

“I often think of the early days of pre-recorded hip hop when it was only a performance art. Some rappers and DJs pioneered the space and made it so popular that the recording of rap artists was eminent,” Simmons noted in the release.

“None of them has received the accolades that I believe they deserve, and this is my chance to use a new vehicle to revisit and repay these amazing artists while they are still living. Masterminds of Hip Hop aims to give credit back to the creators of the cultural movement,” Simmons continued.

As part of the venture, Simmons will work with Tokau to sign more than 15 of the original pioneers in Hip Hop responsible for establishing the culture.

“Masterminds of Hip Hop” will be a collector’s series broken into two phases – pre-recorded and early recording.

The collaborative promises to release at least 40 exclusive NFTs.

Each NFT will be a unique collectible co-designed and co-curated by Simmons, the artist, and the Tokau team and capture a piece of Hip Hop history behind the scenes with stories told by the artists.

Together, the entire collection showcases a wholistic story of the origins and development of Hip Hop that became the most potent part of global musical culture today.

“Artists now have a powerful way to distribute their art using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

This reflects a new phase of how fintech and blockchain technology merges with art for the benefit of all,” Miranda Tan, a spokesperson for Tokau, said in a statement.

Nobelist Wole Soyinka to Honor Henry Louis Gates at Pen Gala.

Lil Nas X Has No Time for Haters on His Already-Iconic 2021 BET Awards Performance The 22-year-old took the stage at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater Sunday night in a gold Egyptianinspired pharaoh look to perform his hit song “Montero (Call Me by Your Name).” The performance, influenced by Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time,” made waves on social media. It also likely raised goosebumps for more than a few viewers when, at the end of it, the singer made out with one of his male backup dancers.

Afterward, Lil Nas X asked fans on Twitter if they

liked the performance. In response to a clip from the show, one person remarked: “DONT USE AFRICAN CULTURE FOR SHITS LIKE THIS!!!!!!! RESPECT OUR ANCESTORS.” Not missing a beat, Lil Nas X fired back: “y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in african culture.”

Despite the pushback, the performance was also widely lauded even Sean “Diddy” Combs remarked that the singer “did that.”

Henry Louis Gates Will be Honored at PEN Gala

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) – Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka will be attending this fall's PEN America literary gala, flying in from his native Nigeria to help present an award to the author, scholar and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates Jr. “It means a great deal to Skip Gates and to PEN America that Wole Soyinka has decided to join us for what will be an unforgettable occasion,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement Wednesday.

“Wole Soyinka is a giant in world literature. His stature is proportionate to the momentous task of recognizing Professor Gates for his contributions to our understanding of history and culture.”

Oscar-winner Jodie Foster will also speak about Gates at the PEN event, either in person or through a taped message, the literary and human rights organization announced.

Gates, a Harvard University professor who directs the school's center for African and American research and has worked on a wide range of books and films, is to receive

the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award. He knows both Soyinka and Foster well. Foster was his student when she attended Yale University in the 1980s and he helped advise her on her senior thesis about Nobel laureate Toni Morrison. Gates and Soyinka, the 86-year-old novelist, playwright and poet, first met in 1973 when both were visiting Fellows at Clare College.

It was Soyinka, Gates said in a statement, “who told me that my fate was to become a professor of African and African American Studies, and it was past time to abandon my parents' dream that I become a physician. It took a bit for me to accept their advice, but soon I did and the rest they say.... !”

The PEN gala is scheduled for Oct. 5 at its traditional venue, the American Museum of Natural History, after being held virtually last year because of the pandemic. PEN previously announced that Walt Disney Chairman and former CEO Robert A. Iger will receive the PEN America Corporate Honoree award, and will be introduced by LinManuel Miranda.

Lil Baby, Kirk Franklin Kick Off BET Awards with Performance

By MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writer NEW YORK (AP) – Rapper Lil Baby and gospel performer Kirk Franklin joined forces to kick off the BET Awards with a performance that got Issa Rae, Queen Latifah, DJ Khaled and Zendaya bouncing in their seats.

The artists performed the anthemic song “We Win” at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

In all white, they were joined by dozens of background dancers and band members for the top notch performance.

The show is being hosted by actor Taraji P. Henson, who said the BET Awards will celebrate “the year of the Black women.” The event will include more epic performers, including Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X, H.E.R., DaBaby, DJ Khaled, Jazmine Sullivan and Migos.

Swizz Beatz is curating the tribute to DMX, who died in April at age 50. Performers include Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Griselda. And Grammy-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby, former collaborators who recently traded words online, are the top contenders with seven nominations each.

The “Savage” rapper, who won three Grammys this year, is up for best female hip-hop artist, album of the year for “Good News” and video of the year for “WAP,” her No. 1 hit with Cardi B. Megan Thee Stallion is also a double nominee for both the viewer's choice award and best collaboration.

DaBaby has four songs competing for best collaboration: “Rockstar” with Roddy Ricch; “For the Night” with Pop Smoke and Lil Baby; “Cry Baby” with Megan Thee Stallion; and “What's Poppin” with Lil Wayne,

Tory Lanez and Jack Harlow.

He's also nominated for best male hip-hop artist, the viewer's choice award and album of the year for “Blame It

on Baby.”

Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby were two of the big stars at last year's BET Awards _ the first awards show to air

during the pandemic. It was a critical success and featured highly produced and well-crafted pre-taped performances, with some centered around the Black experience highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement, civil rights and the lives of those lost because of police officers, including George Floyd.

This year's show will allow those who are vaccinated to register to be part of the live audience. The network said it is working closely with Los Angeles County to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

While press at the awards show will be limited, BET does plan to have a red carpet ahead of the live event, which will feature a number of big name presenters including Naomi Campbell, Regina Hall, Lena Waithe, Mj Rodriguez, Saweetie, Jill Scott, Marsai Martin, Chloe Bailey and Ashanti. Jennifer Hudson will also make a special appearance at the show.

Drake and Cardi B are the second-most nominated acts at the BET Awards, scoring five bids each, while four nominations went to Chris Brown, Chloe x Halle, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. All of those acts are nominated for video of the year.

Other nominees include The Weeknd, up for album of the year and best male pop/R&B artist, and late rapper Pop Smoke, who won five Billboard Music Awards last month and picked up two nominations at the BET Awards, including best male hip-hop artist.

Andra Day, Roddy Ricch, City Girls, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, Rapsody and Tyler, the Creator will also perform during the live show.

Day won best actress, the first honor handed out on the telecast.

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The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, July 1, 2021

U.S. Attorney General Sues Georgia Election Laws Specifically Targeted Black People

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Declaring that Georgia’s new election laws are intended to deny voting rights specifically to African Americans, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke announced a lawsuit against the Peach State.

“The rights of all eligible citizens to vote are the central pillars of our democracy,” Garland declared during a morning news conference on Friday, June 25.

“They are the rights from which all other rights ultimately flow. Today, the Department of Justice is suing the state of Georgia. Our complaint alleges that recent changes to Georgia’s election laws were enacted with the purpose of denying or abridging the right of Black Georgians to vote on account of their race or color.”

Georgia’s new law has frustrated and outraged many because of its voter ID requirements, restrictive mail-in voting, and other provisions that promise to make it more difficult for minorities to vote.

Signed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp earlier this year, the new law restricts absentee voting and places rigid rules on the use of drop boxes.

“Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits the enforcement of any voting practice or procedure that has the purpose of denying or abridging the vote on account of race, color or membership in a minority group and S.B. 202 [the new Georgia law] violates this federal law,” stated Clarke whom Garland has charged with overseeing the federal lawsuit.

Clarke also aimed at Georgia lawmakers banning anyone from providing food or drink to individuals waiting online to vote.

“It was unnecessary, and it passed with unlawful and discriminatory intent,” Clarke stated.

The action by the attorney general’s office comes just days after Republicans in the U.S. Senate refused to hear discussions on “The For the People Act,” which addresses voting rights.

“This lawsuit is the first of many steps we are taking to ensure that all eligible voters can cast a vote, that all lawful votes are counted, and that every voter has access to accurate information,” Garland insisted.

“The Civil Rights Division continues to analyze other state laws that have been passed, and we are following the progress of legislative proposals under consideration in additional states. Where we believe the civil rights of Americans have been violated, we will not hesitate to act.”

Although California Businesses are Open

The Coronavirus is Still in the Midst of the Black Community in California Lisa Olivia Fitch Our Weekly News Only 45.5 percent of the state’s Black community is at least partially vaccinated, according to California Department of Public Health data. This despite the fact that the virus death rate for Blacks is 9 percent higher than the statewide population.

“The vaccine is here to prevent severe illness and death from the virus,” said Sami Gallegos, press secretary for the state’s COVID-19 task force. “Just because California is open, does not mean that COVID-19 has disappeared.”

Last week, California retired its Blueprint for a Safer Economy and businesses can open at full capacity, with a handful of exceptions. And Gallegos, speaking at a media briefing hosted by California Black Media, suggested caution.

Continuing to wear a mask is just common courtesy, she said. Protecting us from increased COVID-19 surges.

Gallegos joined a panel of healthcare professionals who insisted that increased vaccination numbers are necessary to reduce hospitalizations and save lives.

“Vaccines are our most effective tools,” Gallegos said.

“This is our shot to improve the health of our state.”

Although Gov. Gavin Newsom chose the final winners for those inoculated residents who received cash incentives; other incentives from the state are still being offered, including $50 gift cards. Gallegos said a final drawing will be held July 1, when the state will give away six destination packages to lucky recipients.

Despite those incentives, LA County data shows that the percentage of unvaccinated Blacks exceeds that of the general public.

“We still have to be careful and cautious,” said Dr.

Despite incentives, LA County data shows that the percentage of unvaccinated Blacks exceeds that of the general public. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Jerry Abraham of Kedren Health, who noted that the national hospitalization and death rates are just as high as they were two months ago. “It’s been a difficult 17 months now, but that doesn’t mean it’s all over.”

Abraham said his organization has been getting out into the community and making home visits. They have encountered a host of questions and are working to dispel the variety of myths surrounding the vaccine.

“We engage, we educate and we vaccinate,” Abraham said, adding that the vaccines have gone through rigorous testing through the Food and Drug Administration; there were Black representatives in the vaccine s clinical trials, and the National Medical Association—a Black organization of doctors—has approved the vaccines through an independent review committee.

“All vaccinated persons are 100 percent protected from death due to COVID-19,” he said.

Abraham recommends that families talk up the vaccine to family members—young and old, men, women, and children, as shots are now available to those over the age of 12.

“The faster we all get vaccinated, the faster we all get back to life,” Abraham said. “June is Men’s Health Month and getting vaccinated is the manly thing to do.”

If unable to travel to a vaccine site, the DPH suggests checking with healthcare providers, the local health department, or local pharmacy. Additionally, If someone cannot leave home to get vaccinated, they can indicate this on myturn.ca.gov or when calling the state’s COVID-19 hotline at (833) 422-4255. If eligible, they will be connected with a local health jurisdiction to arrange for in-home vaccination services.

Reflections on America’s Independence Observance

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Because of where America stands today on the ever present issue of race, the following reflections are offered from the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776. First, the Preamble, which has much bearing on where we stand today as a nation: “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, they should declare the causes which impel them to separation...”

The Republican Party and all its state affiliates seeking to abolish voting and civil rights, have provided living proof that the political “Bands” they are connected to do not include us, as people of color. The voter suppression laws, murder of Black people by law enforcement and the

biased prision sentences for the murder of Blacks such as that given to Derrick Chavin, are clear proof that there is no belief that “that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Before we get too excited about the cookouts and holiday celebrations with fireworks across this great land, let us reflect on some of the words of Frederick Douglass which appear elsewhere in this issue as his Fourth of July Speech of 1852 in Rochester, New York. Let’s look at Independence as being incomplete because of the disparity that Douglass found between Black and White. Today such disparities exist at every level, in spite of the efforts of so many whites who have joined with Blacks in the struggle. Douglass asked in his speech: “Are the great principles of political freedom and natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence extended to us?” It would appear that in 160 years, many of his questions remain

unanswered.

The inequality of slavery still exists today in the minds and behavior of many Americans who cannot accept that America is a melting pot of all nations. ”Out of many, one”. That melting pot includes people of color. The key requirement is that we as people of color must never accept less than equality in all things. While we may not technically be slaves, as reminded by the recent declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, many of us are still mental slaves to mediocrity and the acceptance of less than what we should have. If some of us remain slaves to inequality and injustice, then the following question Douglass raised is appropriate today: “What to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your celebration is a sham, your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 132643 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: TONY MEGA VENTURES (TMV) at 17606 Rainsbury Ave., Carson, Ca. 90746 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): ANTHONY NKWUAKU, 17606 Rainsbury Ave., Carson, Ca. 90746 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: ANTHONY NKWUAKU, Owner The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 5/2021 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: June 14, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: (No Signature), Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION

17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on June 14, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 2021

to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.”

In conclusion: what should we do? We should review the America to whom Frederick Douglass spoke. We should weigh against his words how far we have come.

We should celebrate Juneteenth; the 13th,14th and 15th amendments; the Emancipation Proclamation, which had not been thought of when he wrote this speech; Civil rights, Voting Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity as well as an integrated armed forces. While we are remembering and celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court Decision of Brown vs. Board of Education, let us remember that our schools are more segregated now than ever before. Yes, we can take some time out to celebrate that which we should have already enjoyed, as stated elsewhere here.

What is the 4th of July? That which I must still fight for to make real in the lives of those who look like me.

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Cali-Born Steelers Rookie Joins Gov. Newsom’s Efforts Against Homelessness and Hunger

Bo Tefu California Black Media Rookie Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, who was born in Martinez and attended high school in the East Bay town of Antioch, came home last week to join Gov. Newsom in Santa Clara as he announced his efforts to address the state’s ongoing homelessness crisis and a new COVID-19-related rental relief program.

Harris, who was picked in the first round of the NFL draft about a month ago, is using his celebrity and resources to support low-income families experiencing homelessness and hunger through his nonprofit Da’ Bigger Picture Foundation.

At the press conference with the governor, Harris shared his personal experience with homelessness and how

that has inspired him to help others in similar situations.

“Me my family we were all once homeless, moving around the Bay Area,” said Harris at the press conference.

“San Francisco, Richmond. I lived in Pinole, Sacramento.”

“We were evicted numerous times and had to stay in homeless shelters, friends’ houses, cars. But as a family, we stuck together and made it through these tough times,” he said.

“Now I’m in a position to help out people. But a problem with no answer is just a problem,” Harris said referring to the state’s homelessness crisis.

Harris has dedicated personal time and resources to address poverty focused on education, homelessness, and food insecurity. He has also collaborated with

Oakland native and former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch to address similar issues through fundraising initiatives and events.

The state created Project Homekey, a California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) grant program that funded programs and institutions in cities and counties to secure shelter for unhoused people.

It was a state initiative created to expand the scope of its programmatic predecessor, Project Roomkey. That effort was a temporary housing program implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the state, it was created to comply with the state’s shelter-inplace orders, provide spaces for people affected by COVID to recover and to serve as a first stop on a pathway to more

permanent housing.

Through Roomkey, hotels and motels in California offered shelter for homeless people who were exposed to COVID-19 to recover and properly quarantine in an effort to minimize the strain on the healthcare system. Although Homekey provides interim housing, the state has secured over 6,000 additional housing units and bills that project as a pathway to permanent housing for homeless people.

Gov. Newsom said that the state acknowledges that homeless people are unable to live, “a good life in an unjust society.”

“You can sit there and point fingers or abdicate responsibility, but we have agency, we can shape the future decisions,” he said.

The Black Press:

Vanguards of Our History, Guardians of Our Future

By Nina Turner For decades, the Black press has been the vanguards of the Black community’s history and the guardians of our future. They have been one of the few institutions that have acknowledged our pain while making space for our promise. Both the journalists and the publishers who employ them have been critical in telling our stories in an accurate and balanced way. They have also forced larger outlets to pay attention to the issues of importance to our communities.

And now, as we sit at the crossroads of progress and retrogression, our hope lies in strengthening this storied institution. The challenges facing our community are serious. In multiple states there are attempts to roll back access to the ballot. In communities across the country, Black and poor people live under the daily threat of gun violence. Even in education, Black people and other marginalized groups are fighting for high quality instruction. Black educators and others are also being told that they cannot discuss this nation’s complicated history with race and racism with bans on Critical Race Theory.

The hope for our future lies, in part, on a thriving Black press.

What I am saying comes as no surprise to honest students of history. It is also not lost on Black people, who have long seen the arcs of their lives traced and covered by an activist-oriented Black press.

It is not just in the juxtaposition of the Black media and larger, non-Black media institutions that one sees the value of institutions that are anti-racist, culturally aware and committed to truth. But every community benefits when the people within it, become the architects of narratives that emerge about said group’s own past, present and future.

For too long Black communities, and other marginalized groups, have suffered when the people who tell their stories do not look like them. In fact, in seeking to understand the origins of the race riots in the summer of 1967, the Kerner Commission found that the lack of diversity in the news media was a contributing factor. The Commission was formed at the behest of President Lyndon

Baines Johnson and tasked with uncovering the roots of the riots. Among other things, they found that when it comes to media, Black people were not being hired in numbers proportionate to their population, and many people felt that the lens through which the media told and interpreted the Black community’s stories was inherently racist. Some even felt that the media was receiving their information directly from police, at a time of growing mistrust between the Black community and police.

The commission famously stated that America was moving toward “two societies, one white; another one Black.” The group recommended that policymakers “mount programs on a scale equal to the dimension of the problems, including closing the gap between promise and performance.” It understood that a big hole required a big shovel.

And while the Kerner Commission outlined ways to improve media coverage of Black communities, Black journalists and publishers have long lamented the need to have communities of color behind and in front of the camera. Long before the Kerner Commission report, the Black community knew and understood that the Black press was the key to fair representation and balanced coverage. It wasn’t just that the Black press traced and tracked the arcs of our and our ancestors lives, but it was the one place where both our struggle and triumph was chronicled. It was the one place where the people telling the news had a vested interest in telling it fairly; they experienced the same classist, racist, sexist, and homophobic treatment as the communities they were writing about.

It was also a home for Black journalists committed to not only telling the news but providing historical context.

From the first Black-owned and operated publication, the Freedom’s Journal, commitment to covering abolition to other publishers who viewed their role not only as mouthpieces for the movement but activists as well. They were a direct challenge on mainstream publications that attacked African Americans and gave cover for slavery.

From Ida B. Wells-Barnett’s Memphis Free Speech, Black journalists and publishers were on the frontlines of opposing slavery, lynching and the in-humane treatment

of Black people.

But the Black press has also provided context, explaining the context of our lives. For instance, the Chicago Defender chronicled with distinction the great migration of Southern Blacks to Northern cities. In search of “warmer suns” as author and journalist Isabel Wilkerson noted, Black people moved north, bringing with them their wounds, talents, and hopes for brighter days. The great migration then, is a lens through which we can understand modern immigration struggles.

In the same way that the Black community embraced our own long before other communities did so, the Black press has been an anchor, sharing news and commentary from a historically honest lens. When white publications refused to print the obituaries of Black people, ignoring us in life and death, the Black press was a dutiful companion. When white publications minimized or ignored our accomplishments and career highlights, our community took refuge in the media institutions that we not only created but sustained through subscriptions and advertising. EBONY and JET magazines became not only sources of pride, but dispatches from the field, reporting on our trauma, yes, but our triumphs too.

When mainstream media largely ignored the Black community, or positioned us in an unfavorable light, the Black press has been the lighthouse that has illuminated our paths. It is only reasonable then, that I honor not only Black journalists but the associations that have given them cover. The National Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Association of Black Journalists have supported the people – Black journalists and Black newspaper publishers – who have supported us.

Today, at a time when there are legitimate efforts to clamp down on the honest telling of our history and anything that threatens those in power, a thriving Black press is not just a ‘nice to have,’ it is a must have. From Texas to Florida, and outlying states, there is a movement in school boards and state legislatures to prevent the teaching of Critical Race Theory, a lens through which to understand America’s history with race.

This is why the emergence and/or growth of Black-

Nina Hudson Turner (born December 7, 1967) is an American politician and educator from Ohio.

owned and operated publications such as the Black News Channel, The Grio, The Chicago Defender, and the Call & Post newspaper is so encouraging. They help ensure Black people are the narrators of our stories.

In these times where we appear to be asked to relitigate the victories our ancestors won decades ago, we cannot meet this moment without a strong Black press.

As we think about what is needed for our communities to succeed, we cannot overstate the importance of investing in Black media. The investments include infusions of capital, giving Black press first rights of refusal when it comes to breaking news, and supporting Black journalists.

The Black press has been the vanguards of our history and the guardians of our future. For this reason, they deserve our salute and resources too.

Nina Hudson Turner (born December 7, 1967) is an American politician and educator from Ohio. Find out more at https://ninaturner.com/

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The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Courtside with Clippers – Western Conference Finals Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, left, and guard Patrick Beverley talk during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com 6/24/21 Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns WCF, Game 3 The Clipper returns home to the friendly confines of The Staples Center, where they will play in front of their home crowd for only the second time this season. They come into this game having lost 2 games in Phoenix by a total of 7 points, including a disastrous finish that included 2 miss free throws from Paul George that would’ve all but secured the game 2 for them. The reality of that opportunity propelled them to had the Suns their first loss in their last ten games, setting them up for a chance to tie the series up 2-2 in Game 4 of their first-ever Western Conference Finals.

After the Clippers push their lead up to 8 points, late in the first quarter. The Clippers’ second team, led by Rajon Rondo, surprisingly allowed the Suns to take a 2-point lead midway through the second quarter. However, it would be the defense that Patrick Beverley and Terance Mann played on Devin Booker and Chris Paul that became the focal point in this game. The Clippers backcourt duo held the Suns’ backcourt starters to 7 points apiece in the first half of this contest.

After Devin Booker and Patrick Beverley bumped heads in Game 2, Booker walked away with a broken nose after that collision. Therefore, Booker was essentially off his game for the majority of Game 3. The Clippers 2nd Round Draft pick of 2019 Terance Mann welcomed the 11-time All-Star and 4-time Assists Champion Chris Paul to the Western Conference Finals by locking him up for much of Game 3. Collectively Beverley and Mann forced the Suns’ backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker to shoot 10 of 40 with a combined six turnovers.

When asked about what they did differently to corral the Suns backcourt Terance Mann said, “Nothing differ-

ent. Just like I said be more aggressive, learning different spots, and stay in front of them. Learn different spots on how to contest their shots after watching the first two games. Seeing where they get to and what they like and things like that.”

Clippers Iron Man Ivica Zubac, who played in every game this season, dominated the boards with a game-high 16 rebounds complimented by his 15 points. Zubac would become the first Clipper with a double-double in the first half of a postseason game since DeAndre Jordan achieved this in 2017. Reggie Jackson also pitched in 23 points and 3 assists.

Paul George assisted Zubac by pulling down 15 rebounds of his own and combining those with his 27 points and 8 assists to lead the Clippers to their first-ever Western Conference Finals win. In his game post-game, media availability Paul George would say, “I knew I had to be better.

All my energy was directed toward a better game.” George would also say, “We had to match their scrappiness. We can’t allow this team to play harder than us.”

The Clippers responded like Champions in Game 3, this team has performed best all playoffs long with their backs against the wall. As they have a 6-0 record when playing with a series deficit, in these playoffs. In-Game 4 of these Western Conference Finals, the Clippers will be looking to defending their home court while extending that record to 7-0 to tie this series up at 2-2 before heading back to Phoenix and making this the best of a three-game series.

6/26/21 Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns WCF, Game 4 Some would say the Clippers had the Suns right where they wanted them considering their propensity to come back when down in their playoffs series as they did in the first and second round of these playoffs. Yet much more would be on the line this time around. They would also be with their best player for the fifth consecutive game, though they would have their home crowd to give them some energy.

The Clippers start with Jackson, Beverley, George, Morris Sr., and Zubac. It is surprising to me that Terance Mann is not starting. This may have allowed the Suns to jump out to a 10-2 lead, forcing Ty to call a timeout after only 2:15 minutes have gone by in the first quarter. The Suns would push their lead up to a 14-5 before the Clipper went on a 7-0 run to seemingly get back the game.

The Clippers scored only 36 points in the first half of Game 4, in front of a sellout crowd of 18,222, on 29.5% shooting from the field and 18.2% from behind the arc.

Though Paul George and Reggie Jackson would lead the way, they shot a collective 6 for 22 from the field and 2 for 12 from deep. With this putrid shooting, the Clippers found themselves down by 14 at the half.

Though Chris Paul and the Suns did their best to maintain a double-digit lead in this third quarter, the Clippers outscored the Suns 30-19 in the quarter to trail 69-66 the Suns going into the fourth quarter, by making 10 of 17 shots in that quarter. All this with Kawhi watching from a suite in Staples Center.

The Clippers poor shooting reemerged in the fourth

quarter. Multiple times they pulled to within one point, however they could not take the lead as they appeared to have nothing left in the tank to pull out this win. Clippers Head Coach Tyronn Lue would say postgame, “We had a chance to take the lead on 12 possessions and couldn’t do it. It just wouldn’t fall for us.”

This ended being the worse shooting game for the Clippers all season as they shot 32.5% from the field and 16.1% from the 3-point range. Though the Suns weren’t much better as they shot 36% from the floor and 20% from behind the arc. Understanding the challenges both teams endured, Suns Head Coach Monty Williams would say post-game, “At that point, you’re just relying on your defense and mental stamina.”

Early in the game, Paul George scored his 430th point of the playoffs. This was his career-high for total points in a single postseason. By scoring 20 points in this game, George joins Kobe Bryant (2008) and Kevin Durant (2012, 2018) as the only three players in the past two decades of NBA playoffs to score at least 20 points in their team’s first 17 playoff games.

This loss would put the Clippers behind the Suns 1-3 in these Western Conference Finals. As if their road wasn’t tough enough, they would now have to win three games in a row, with only one game at home. The Clippers also fall to 6-1 when playing from a deficit in the playoffs.

6/28/21 Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns WCF, Game 5 Not only would the Clippers be without their regular-season scoring leader in Kawhi Leonard for the seventh consecutive game. In-Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, they would be without their leading rebounder in this series Ivica Zubac who would be out because of a sprained knee. This being the case, Ty Lue would need to be creative when combating the Suns’ big man Deandre Ayton, who pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds last game.

Playing in their 18th game in 38 nights, the Clipper would start Patrick Beverley, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Paul George, and Marcus Morris Sr. down low.

These guys wasted no time jumping on the Suns, who were prepared to pop some champaign if they got the win and moved onto the NBA Finals for the first time in 28 years.

But the Clippers were content on bringing this series back to Los Angeles for Game 6.

The Clippers went up 7-0 before the Suns got the initial points from a Devin Booker three-pointer, they were up 20-7 before the Suns scored their first consecutive unanswered buckets. Marcus Morris Sr. would make his first six shots in the game to score 13 and Reggie Jackson would 2 for 3 from behind the arc to help the Clippers close out the first quarter with a 10-point lead.

Coming off the bench in replacement of Ivica Zubac, Bougie Cousins came in to score 10 points in that first half.

Morris Sr. continued his hot shooting to finish the first half with 20 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field. Devin Booker scored 19 in that first half on 4 for 5 from deep and 5 for 11 from the field to keep the Suns within striking distance of the Clippers.

Paul George was masterful as he erupted for 20 points in the third quarter of game 5. He joins his teammate Terance Mann as the only Clippers to score 20+ points in a single quarter in a playoff game. George also becomes the fourth player in franchise history to score at least 40 points in a playoff game. Where the Suns took a brief 1 point lead on a Chris Paul free throw, the Clippers won the quarter 32-26.

Paul displayed his complete arsenal of tools and with his game tonight to become the first Clipper to score 41 points 13 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 70%...

Lebron James, Patrick Ewing, and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other player to accomplish this stat line. PG’s stat line was boosted by him shooting 80% in the second half, making him the only player in NBA playoff history who has scored at least 40 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists while shooting at least 75% from the field.

Monty Williams showed his displeasure with his teams play in this game when he said post-game “we showed up in the first quarter, and they played with desperation simple as that!”

The Clippers had Marcus Morris Sr. got them started, Paul George carried them through most of the game, especially in that third quarter and Reggie Jackson closed the game out for the Clippers with a couple of big three’s and a dunk late in the fourth quarter. The Clippers have now won 7 games when trailing in the series, which is the most wins by any team in NBA playoff history.

On is able to get a sense of who Clippers HC Ty Lue is when he speaks so confidently about his team and what we should expect from them, “When we trust and play the right way, we’re a good team no matter who is on the floor.

I thought we did a great job of doing that tonight. We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well. But just the group of guys we got. I love those guys. They compete every single night no matter who is on the floor, 1 through 17. The work is not done, but we came into a hostile environment and got a gritty win without three starters. We have to do it again two more times.”

As resilient as this team has been all season, I was confident they would bounce back from that ugly game 5 performance. Now they come back home to Staples Center and the motivation to not let a team celebrate on their home court would be easy to understand. I’d be interested in knowing if you feel this would be motivation enough for the Clippers to win Game 6. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport to let me know what you think of the Clippers Western Conference Finals chances.

Also, forward any suggestions on what additional topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

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When you tune into our Podcast, you will hear passionate banter about various NBA storylines, while addressing the multitude of NFL topics.

Dodgers Back on Track

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw warms up in the bullpen prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Clayton Kershaw pitched eight strong innings limiting the Chicago Cubs to a run as the men in blue went on to a 7-1 win at Dodger Stadium. This helped turn the tide as they recently were swept by the Padres and were no hit in the first game of the series by the Cubs.

The veteran was in command all day as he struck out a season high 13 batters. He last accomplished that in July 2017 against the Royals.

“I was getting some swings and misses,” said Kershaw.

“I was able to use both sides of the plate.”

In one inning all Kershaw (9-7) needed was three pitches to retire the side. The Cubs were so eager to get to him the first three batters each swung at the first pitch. He gave up just four hits and walked just one. He now has 124 strikeouts third most in the National League. He had 70 of his 101 pitches go for strikes.

“Its hard to imagine him being any better,” said Roberts. “He was just in complete control, you saw that from pitch one.”

Phil Bickford came in for a one, two, three ninth striking out two of the three batters he faced.

A lot of damage was done in the second when Zach McKinstry also known as Z-Mack gave Kershaw all the runs he needed blasting his first career grand slam and second of the weekend. Later in the inning Cody Bellinger went uptown with a two-run shot that gave L.A. a 6-0 lead.

“I had a good count on me and that helped set things up,” Bellinger said. “Then I got a pitch I could drive.”

Later in the sixth with one out Mookie Betts tripled

and scored on a sac fly to right by Bellinger’s giving him his third RBI of the game.

The previous night Julio Uriaus had a career high 12 K’s while scattering five hits and issuing just one walk over 5-1/3 innings. He left with the game tied at 2-2.

He was followed by, Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger, Bickford, and David Priced who pitched two-thirds of an inning got the win.

It was Bellinger’s turn as he hit a 2-0 pitch over the right-centerfield wall for the first walk-off for the Dodgers this year.

The Dodgers rebounded from a no-hitter in the opening game of the series by beating the Cubs 6-2. It was a much needed win as they lost four straight. Z-Mack got L.A. on the board early with a solo shot.

Later in the game A J Pollack and Max Muncy both went to “Rip City” when each of them hit two-run blast in the eight inning.

Tony Gonsolin did well during his fourth start of the season. He struck out seven while allowing just one run in five frames. The right hander is still having soreness in shoulder.

He got help from Joe Kelley and Blake Trienen who worked his way through a jam in the seventh. Kelley has not allowed a run in his last six appearances.

ADD DODGERS: Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, Justin Turner, Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor are among the tops receiving votes. You can Google MLB All-Star Ballet and you can help them get to Denver for the Summer Classic.

Gervonta has made another case for pound-for-pound pundits by becoming a 3 division champion. Davis said before the fight “when I’m victorious, I should be up there” (pound for pound list). After the fight, Davis and his team refused to speculate on what is next for the fighter but we can be sure that whoever and where ever the event it’s sure to be another sellout.

In the other action on the night, Erickson Lubin (241, 17 KOs) scored a 6th round knockout of Jeison Rosario (20-3-1, 14 KOs). Lubin stunned Rosario to end the 2nd round with the fighter’s legs wobbling to the corner before he sat down. Lubin himself got stunned in the 3rd round but regained composure. Lubin knockdown Rosario with a nice body shot to the ribs in the 6th before he finished him for good after Rosario got back up.

In the preliminary bouts, Carlos Adames (20-1, 16 KOs) knocked out Alexis Salazar (23-4, 9 KOs) with a left hook in the 3rd round of their fight. Batyr Akhmedov (91, 8 KOs) got an 8th round TKO after Argenis Mendez (25-7-3, 12 KOs) was unable to continue due to a medical issue. Viktor Slavinsky (13-0-1, 6 KOs) earned a split decision victory over Leduan Barthelemy (16-2-1, 8 KOs).

Andres Gutierrez (38-2-2, 25 KOs) and Angel Hernandez (17-16-3, 11 KOs) fought to a split decision draw. Dalton Bodie (2-0, 2 KOs) got a 3rd round knockout victory over Trevor Bradshaw (1-1, 0 KOs). Stacy Selby (3-0, 3 KOs) scored a 2nd round knockout over William Smith (3-7-1, 3 KOs).

Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport to let me know if Gervonta “Tank” Davis is the new Pound-for-Pound king boxing as well as what’s the

next step for Mario “El Azteca” Barrios. Also, forward any suggestions on what additional topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

If you haven’t done so, kindly subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast.” It is available for you on most podcasting platforms Apple, and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and, iHeart Radio to name a few.

When you tune into our Podcast, you will hear passionate banter about various NBA storylines, while addressing the multitude of NFL topics.

Gervonta “Tank” Davis KO’s Mario “El Azteca” Barrios

By Damarus Stephens whatsgoodinsports.com, from Atlanta, GA One thing is for certain, two things for sure, Gervonta “Tank” Davis (25-0, 24 KOs) has a second home in Atlanta, GA. After another great outing, he is 2-0 with 2 KOs in State Farm Arena. Atlanta loves this kid as approval by the sellout crowds, the deafening roar when Davis began his ring walk, or whenever his face appeared on the jumbotron.

Davis gave up 4.5 inches in height and reach advantage to the then-undefeated Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs).

He also moved up two weight classes from 130lbs to 140lbs to challenge Mario’s title. I wondered how Davis would react to getting hit cleanly by Barrios and also if Tank’s power would move up with him. I’ll revisit that later.

The fight began with the usual feeling out process and with Barrios being the aggressor. The 3rd round is when the punches began to fly from both fighters with Davis beginning to come forward at times. Round 4 saw Barrios jab begin to find a home as he was in the busier fight. The fight in my opinion was going back and forth at this time with Tank landing some good clean shots in the 5th and Barrios going to the body. The 6th and 7th rounds had Tank becoming the aggressor landing straight lefts.

Fireworks in the 8th from Davis sent the crowd into a frenzy when he landed a counter right hook and put Barrios down for the 1st time. Barrios would get back up but go down again to a Davis left hook. Barrios showed tremendous heart and resolve to get up and finish the round.

The 9th and 10th rounds seem to me like Tank was taking them off and it gave Barrios a chance to regain composure.

Tank would assert himself in the 11th round by pressing Barrios and catching him with a devastating left uppercut to the body for the 3rd knockdown of the fight.

Once again Mario would get up but was immediately hit and staggered causing the referee to call a stop to the action. My questions were answered as Barrios did land some clean shots and Davis took them very well. I was impressed with both fighter’s ability to take a punch however, Tank’s punching power is transcendent. Even at 140lbs or higher, he will still be a knockout threat.

Gervonta Davis, left, hits Mario Barrios during the WBA Super Lightweight world championship boxing match on Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Atlanta.

Davis won. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Gervonta Davis celebrates after defeating Mario Barrios after the WBA Super Lightweight world championship boxing match on Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Thursday, July 1, 2021

The Valley’s News Observer A7

Local

Received Unemployment Benefits in 2021?

You Can Get Health Insurance Through Covered California for Just $1

By Covered California News California is making history through the American Rescue Plan by helping more people get quality health insurance at prices that have never been lower. The landmark pandemic-fighting law provides new and expanded financial assistance to help more people get covered and stay covered, and now it is helping Californians who recently lost their jobs.

A provision of the American Rescue Plan enables hundreds of thousands of people to get brand-name health insurance through Covered California, with companies like Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield, for just $1 a month if they or their spouse received unemployment insurance benefits at any time in 2021.

“The help for those who received unemployment benefits is big and not tied to their income — and the potential of a great deal is there for every Californian who needs health insurance,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “If you’re uninsured you should check your options, because hundreds of thousands are qualifying for the best coverage we offer for as little as $1 per month, while others are seeing reductions of hundreds of dollars per month on the plan they’ve already chosen.”

And that’s what Sheila of Indio did. Sheila is a current Covered California enrollee who lost her job as a college

professor during the COVID-19 pandemic. When she consulted with her insurance agent, Sheila discovered that she and her daughter now qualified for a Covered California Silver 94 plan, and their $221 monthly premium would be dropping to just $1 for the rest of 2021.

“We were so excited that’s even a thing. My first thought was, ‘I’m sure not me,’” Sheila told Covered California. “We spoke yesterday and heard that it would be me. I was floored; we were both astonished.”

The most recent data from the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD) shows that 569,000 Californians filed unemployment insurance claims in May 2021 alone. Currently, about 10 percent of Covered California’s enrollees — approximately 141,000 — have indicated they have received unemployment insurance benefits this year, meaning thousands more could be eligible for this new benefit. Covered California has partnered with EDD to inform unemployment insurance recipients through their online accounts of the new financial help available to reduce their monthly health care costs.

“The American Rescue Plan is making coverage more affordable than ever, and more and more Californians are getting high-quality coverage for just a dollar,” Lee said.

“The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can start saving and be covered. We do not want anyone to be uninsured or

leave money on the table.”

By law, you can only get this new financial help through the American Rescue Plan by enrolling in one of the 11 name-brand health plans offered by Covered California, which are: Blue Shield, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem BlueCross, Balance by CCHP, L.A. Care Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Oscar, Sharp Health Plan, Valley Health Plan and Western Health Advantage.

It was also recently announced that a record 1.6 million people have enrolled in a health plan through Covered California, as thousands of consumers sign up for coverage due to the lower monthly premiums provided by the American Rescue Plan. The announcement comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act. “It is time to stop making health coverage a political fight that has delayed progress and injected unneeded uncertainty into the lives of millions of Americans,” Lee said. “The law is here to stay, and our attention should be on effectively improving the health of Americans by making coverage more affordable, improving health care, and addressing issues of health equity and disparities.”

Consumers Can Quickly Find Out If They Are Eligible Consumers can check their eligibility for big savings on their monthly health care costs — whether or not

they have received unemployment insurance — by using Covered California’s quick calculator. They will need to input their household income, ZIP code, their household size and the age of each family member and note whether they received unemployment benefits. Once completed, they will see how affordable a health plan can be in their local area and the cost of their monthly premium.

Those interested in learning more about their health coverage options through Covered California and MediCal can also: · Visit www.CoveredCA.com. · Get local help and free and confidential assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller. · Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free. · Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

DMV filing follows Court of Appeal ruling

CA DMV Lifting 554,997 Improperly Imposed Driver’s License Suspensions SACRAMENTO, CA -- In compliance with a California Court of Appeal ruling, the California Department of Motor Vehicles reported to the court that it lifted 554,997 improperly imposed driver’s license suspensions. The DMV action was the result of a statewide lawsuit, Hernandez v. CA Department of Motor Vehicles, in which several Californians challenged the DMV’s suspension of licenses based on drivers’ failure to pay traffic citations or appear in court. The plaintiffs were represented

by Bay Area Legal Aid, Western Center on Law & Poverty, The ACLU of Northern California, East Bay Community Law Center, The USC Gould School of Law Access to Justice Practicum, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF), and the law firm of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. In June 2020, the Court of Appeal agreed with the plaintiffs that state law only allows a license to be suspended for a failure to appear in court when the traffic court notifies the DMV that the failure to appear was willful. In November 2020, the parties reached an agreement under which the DMV would clear failure-to-appear suspensions that did not include the required notification of a willful failure to appear. The DMV also agreed to change its policies going forward and now will only suspend a license where a court notifies the DMV that the failure to appear was willful.

The DMV reported to the court that it cleared 554,997 suspensions in December 2020. Previously during the plaintiffs’ lawsuit, California ended the legal basis for suspending a license based on a driver’s failure to pay a traffic fine, and in 2018 the DMV lifted several hundred thousand existing failure-to-pay suspensions.

“A driver’s license is essential to one’s economic security,” said Rebecca Miller, an attorney with Western Center on Law & Poverty who represented the plaintiffs. “In the majority of cases, California suspended licenses of people who could not afford to pay their traffic tickets. The result did very little to make our roads safer, but it imposed a severe penalty on drivers with low incomes, making it harder for them to work and care for their families.”

The lead plaintiff, Guillermo Hernandez, had difficulty paying a traffic ticket in 2016 for expired registration and failing to update his license with the DMV. The unpaid ticket then prevented him from renewing his driver’s license and impacted his ability to work and earn money to support his two kids. “I am happy that our lawsuit helped so many people like me who could not afford their traffic tickets get their driver’s licenses back,” he said.

While the result in Hernandez provided critical relief to hundreds of thousands of Californians, it is important to note the significant issues that remain.

End Failure-to-Appear Suspensions Despite the limitation affirmed by the Court of Appeal, California law still allows license suspensions based on a driver’s failure to appear in court before the due date on their traffic citation. The DMV’s filing stated more than 600,000 failure-to-appear suspensions remained as of January 2021.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, a driver’s failure to appear is the result of financial circumstances, for example, not being able to pay their ticket, afford legal assistance, or get time off work to go to traffic court. California should end failure-to-appear suspensions.

State law does not require courts to notify the DMV of a driver’s failure to appear. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some courts, including Marin County, have temporarily halted this practice. “The harms caused by California’s expensive traffic tickets and punitive license suspensions existed before and will continue to exist after the pandemic,” said Elisa Della-Piana, Legal Director at Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. “Now is the time to end this counterproductive practice.”

At a minimum, courts should use willful failures to appear sparingly in the small subset of cases where the driver is a repeat offender and the failure to pay traffic tickets or come to court is not due to financial circumstances. Traffic courts are not in a position to conclude that a driver’s failure to come to court is willful if the court is not providing drivers with information about how to request a fine reduction based on income and how to resolve their ticket online, or by mail.

End Civil Assessments In California, drivers who don’t go to court or pay their traffic tickets by the deadline are hit with $300 civil assess-

ments. This penalty and other later fees can exponentially increase the cost of a traffic ticket and can turn a $250 ticket into close to $900 within just a few months. While state law provides that traffic courts “may” impose this penalty “up to” $300, in most counties the full amount is assessed automatically by the court’s case management system with no consideration of the individual circumstances or the underlying violation. Advocates have also raised concerns about conflict of interest because most of the money from civil assessments goes to fund the courts. Trial courts that collect civil assessment revenue beyond a threshold amount are rewarded with an apparent proportional return of that money from the trial court trust fund.

“The widespread trial court practice of automatically imposing the full $300 amount reflects the questionable incentives set up by the current funding system,” said Novella Coleman, Litigation Director at Bay Area Legal Aid. Furthermore, the Judicial Council Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee acknowledged this problem as recently as April 2020 when it proposed changes to the current funding system to reduce the “perceived conflict of interest” and to reduce reliance on this “[u]nstable funding” stream, which “makes it impossible to provide fair, equitable and timely justice to all litigants.” The state Department of Finance rejected the proposal.

“We believe that it is essential to reform a funding system that is currently based on the racialized extraction of wealth from the most economically challenged Californians, predominantly Black and brown communities,” said William Freeman, Senior Counsel at the ACLU of Northern California.

Reform Driver’s License Suspensions for Child Support Arrears California has made important strides to end driver’s license suspensions that are not based on unsafe driving.

However, one significant area that still needs reform is driver’s license suspensions for child support arrears. California’s suspension process is one of the most punitive in the country and does not consider individual circumstances.

As a result, many driver’s license suspensions make it harder for parents to work and support their children.

“California should continue the moratorium on license suspensions for child support arrears until the process can be reformed,” said Michael Herald, Legislative Director for Western Center. “Suspending licenses to reimburse the government for public benefits, for example, causes unnecessary harm to parents and stresses family relationships without sending any additional money to the children whose well-being the system is supposed to protect.”

The ACLU of Northern California is an enduring guardian of justice, fairness, equality, and freedom, working to protect and advance civil liberties for all Californians.

Bay Area Legal Aid is committed to providing meaningful access to the civil justice system through quality legal assistance regardless of a client’s location, language or disability. As the only regional poverty law firm in the Bay Area, we work with 20,000 or more low-income Bay Area residents each year, opening access to the civil justice system and providing high quality legal assistance in areas of law that most significantly affect low-income people’s self-sufficiency: economic security/public benefits, housing stability and homelessness prevention, family law and domestic violence prevention, health care access and equity, and consumer law. Our litigation and advocacy practice extends this impact beyond our clients to improve health, safety, and stability for tens of thousands more low-income Californians per year.

The East Bay Community Law Center was founded in 1988 by Berkeley Law students committed to addressing the intractable social determinants that contribute to poverty and inequity. Today, the organization operates 8 nationally recognized anti-poverty clinics that provide free legal services to over 8,000 Alameda County households and train over 150 law students annually, while advancing policy solutions to disrupt systemic racism.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF), one of the West Coast’s oldest civil rights organizations, protects and promotes the rights of people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in California.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an international law firm with a particular focus on the technology & media, energy, financial, and real estate & construction sectors. The firm’s pro bono caseload is as varied as our

lawyers’ interests, ranging from affordable housing to civil liberties, advocacy for victims of abuse and voting rights.

The Access to Justice Practicum at USC Gould School of Law in Los Angeles provides a hands-on opportunity for law students to work as colleagues with public interest lawyers and supervising faculty on civil rights and anti-poverty

advocacy and litigation.

Through the lens of economic and racial justice, Western Center on Law & Poverty fights in courts, cities, counties, and in the Capitol to secure housing, health care and a strong safety net for Californians with low incomes.

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Thursday, July 1, 2021