VALLEY'S 7.16.20 4C

News Observer The Valley’s

Volume 35 Number 35

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 35 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Legendary Sportswriter Passes

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer You would see him anywhere and everywhere there was a sporting event. Dodgers, Lakers, Clippers, Rams, or even high school contests. Brad Pye Jr. was a fixture in Southern California sports and in the communities. He recently passed away at the age of 89 surrounded by family.

His life was filled not only with sports but leadership, the drive to assist his fellow man, kindness and humility. A native of Plain Dealer, Louisiana he attended Thomas Jefferson High in South Los Angeles.

He later became sports director of multiple stations including KACE, KJLH, and KDAY for more than 20 years. He was the first Black sportscaster in Los Angeles on KGFK radio with his patented “Switch Reels,“ his way of turning a page on a story while on the air.

He used his platform to promote the Black athletes, coaches and administrators. He paved the way for minorities to be credentialed to cover events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rose Bowl and The College Football Play-off in recent years.

He was a writer for several publications including the Los Angeles Sentinel, The Watts Times, L.A. 900, the Inland Valley News, The California Crusader News and Compton Bulletin.

He was a wiz with the pen, a great storyteller whether it was about the integration of the NFL or the Black quarterback (Keenan Reynolds) from the U.S. Naval Academy Pye would bring out little facts in his story.

“Switch Reels” – Pye worked as a deputy under L.A. County Supervisors Kenny Hahn and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. He created an Aquatics Foundation for Metropolitan Los Angeles for young people who loved swimming that ran year-round. He was the first Black President of the L.A. Department of Rec and Parks Board of Commissioners. He created a path for minorities to advance to higher level positions within the Department. That help lead to Algin Sutton becoming the first African American to become Assistant City Manager and Jackie Tatum to become the first Black City General Manager for the City of Los Angeles.

Pye and Kenny Hahn were tremendous supporters of High School sports. When a team won a title they were invited to have lunch with Supervisor Hahn. One of Brads favorite invite was when Morningside High won the basketball championship Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and her teammates joined Hahn and Pye for lunch. That year Leslie became the first female player to score 110 points in a game. ”Switch Reels”-In 1991 he ran for City Council and one fundraiser on Central Ave Muhammad Ali showed up to support.

Ali was just one of many professionals who was close to Pye away from playing field. MLB umpire Emmett Ashford was another.

Ashford was the first Black umpire in the major league baseball.

His picture along with Jesse Owens, Martin Luther King are some of many that deck the halls of Pye’s home.

“Switch Reels”-In July of 2015 the City of Los Angeles named the gymnasium at St. Andrews Rec Center the Brad Pye Jr Athletic Complex. It was a drive engineered by former LAPD Police Chief and City Councilman Bernard Parks. “Brad put ten Brad Pye Jr. (L) with Jackie Robinson (R). (Photo From Pye family)

Continued on page A5

HeroZona Foundation Establishes Nation’s Largest

COVID-19 Testing Site

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Like most of Arizona, Phoenix has suffered a tremendous spike in COVID-19 cases, and coronavirus testing has been limited.

In response to the rapidly expanding numbers of the virus in Arizona and the need for additional testing, Alan “A.P.” the HeroZona Foundation has partnered with the American Legion’s Travis L. Williams Post 65. HeroZona and the American Legion are hosting free drive-through COVID-19 screening in the parking lot of South Mountain Community College.

Florida-based genetics testing laboratory, Lab 24, has agreed to perform the testing at what’s now considered the largest testing site in the country.

According to reports, Arizona now has the highest per capita new case rate in the nation. HeroZona and the American Legion specifically selected the South Mountain Community College site to ensure that African Americans and other minorities could have access to quality testing.

They hope to mitigate the virus’s impact in a state with more than 120,000 cases and over 2,100 deaths.

Hospitals throughout the state are reporting overflows in their intensive care units, creating a shortage in available hospital beds.

HeroZona is a non-profit organization that empowers heroes in the community through entrepreneurship, employment, and education. HeroZona works with veterans, first responders and those that bring social good to or future generations and under-served communities.

A.P.” Powell, the founder and CEO of HeroZona, calls the recently established free drive-thru testing site “COVID City.” Funding for the site came via the CARES Act established earlier this year. “We saw high demand, so we acted,” said Powell. “While the [South Mountain] site was established because of the increase in local cases, others from outside the area are also welcome.”

According to Powell, 1,700 people are being tested each day. COVID City is open Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. “We are testing everyone in the car,” Powell declared, referring to a policy which ensures testing for every passenger in arriving vehicles. “You just need a valid I.D. and we’ll get you tested. We want to make sure that if you have to go out and work, you can get tested first.”

“We had a lady who wanted to see her daughter. She didn’t have health insurance and couldn’t see her doctor, but we gave her the test, and without it, she wouldn’t have been able to see her daughter,” Powell stated.

“We wanted to do something for this community to ensure that they have the same resources that every community in the state has. We wanted to give them something they can feel good about it, and keep their families safe,” Powell added.

Once tests are administered, Powell said it would take seven to 10 days before results come back. “If the test is

Free!

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Black Students Afraid to Return to School After Racist Tweet MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Many Black students at Kansas State University are afraid to return to school after a white student made a racist tweet about George Floyd, a Black man who died at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis.

Jaden McNeil, tweeted “Congratulations to George Floyd on being drug free for an entire month!’’

A statement that drew support from national white supremacist groups, The Kansas City Star reported.

Some people supported McNeil’s right to free speech, but many called for him to be expelled for his insensitive remarks.

Michaela Ross, a sophomore, said she feels that the school is not welcoming to Black students.

“And our administration has not taken actionable measures against racist incidents that have happened there, and this is not the first one,” Ross said.

Students even took to Twitter to share their experiences of racism on campus using the hashtag (hash)BlackAtKState.

“I think the tensions are very high, and I don’t think that it is safe at all,’’ said Amaya Molinar. She said she has been called a racial slur on campus.

Molinar said university officials are aware of students’ concerns because they have offered counseling.

“But we don’t want counseling. Instead of teaching us how to live with racism on campus they should focus their efforts on eliminating it.’’

Last week, President Richard Myers announced that the university would not expel McNeil.

“While these messages are disrespectful and abhorrent, we cannot violate the law,’’ Myers said.

Instead, the university provided a list of things it will do, including developing a social media policy for students and recruiting and retaining more students and faculty of color.

Floyd died after a white officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes. Floyd’s death sparked protests worldwide against racial injustice and police brutality.

Protest to Be Held After BLM Sign Painted Over MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) – Anti-racism protesters are expected to take to the streets Sunday in a San Francisco Bay Area city where two people were charged with hate crimes after allegedly defacing a citysanctioned “Black Lives Matter’’ mural.

The two were charged July 7, the same day that police in Martinez were called to investigate after someone painted “White Lives Matter’’ on a city street.

Activists organized Sunday’s march after police found flyers threatening Black Lives Matter supporters in the name of a white-power group, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Fearing violence, police asked the protesters and counter-protesters to postpone, but both sides declined, the newspaper said.

“Tensions are high – people are just on edge,’’ Che Travers told the Chronicle. She hung “Martizians for Black Lives’’ signs on the door of the art shop she owns down the street from the Black Lives Matter mural.

Police are investigating the “White Lives Matter’’ graffiti. Detectives were searching for witnesses and video surveillance, officials said.

Meanwhile the district attorney’s office announced it had filed three misdemeanors, including a hate crime charge over the alleged defacement of the “Black Lives Matter’’ mural on the Fourth of July. Nicole Anderson, 42, and David Nelson, 53, are both white and live in Martinez. It wasn’t known if they have attorneys.

A viral video showed the woman, identified as Anderson, dumping a bucket of black paint and rolling over the mural’s freshly painted yellow block letters. A man, identified as Nelson, says on camera that racism is “a lie’’ and that “all lives matter.’’

Martinez is a city of about 38,000 people 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco.

Video Shows Man Vandalizing NYC ‘Black Lives Matter’ Mural Hospitals throughout the state are reporting overflows in their intensive care units, creating a shortage in available hospital beds.

positive, you will get a call from a doctor,” said Powell, who recovered from COVID-19 earlier this year but has recently lost five friends.

“If it’s negative, you will get an email. We’re trying to make it more efficient, but the demand is high. However, we know it’s at least good to know you can get something back and that there’s some solution.”

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and the CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) emphasized, “The (NNPA) salutes the leadership of AP Powell and the HeroZona Foundation for effectively responding with a much-needed testing solution for Arizona’s COVID-19 crisis. HeroZona’s successful model for COVID-19 testing in Phoenix, should be urgently replicated across the nation.”

John Leon, a barber in the Pheonix area, recently got in line at 4:30 for a test after experiencing an itchy throat and other symptoms.

He told a local television station that he followed precautions during the pandemic. “I keep [the barbershop] sprayed down. I wipe everything down. I wear a mask and make everybody else wear a mask who comes into the shop,” Leon said.

Despite waiting more than two hours, Leon appreciated the organizers’ efforts. “I like the way they have this setup,” he said. “They set it up real nice so that they can take a lot of people.”

Powell again emphasized the importance of bringing testing to the South Phoenix community, which includes ZIP codes with some of the highest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Arizona.

“We wanted to make sure we do our part to keep veterans and citizens of this community safe and make sure that they feel like they’re going to get the same resources anybody else can get,” Powell said.

NEW YORK (AP) – Surveillance photos and video of a man who was seen splashing red paint on the “Black Lives Matter’’ street mural in front of Trump Tower was released Tuesday by New York City police.

The video shows a man in black shorts and a dark blue T-shirt pouring red paint on the giant yellow letters that Mayor Bill de Blasio helped paint last week in front of President Donald Trump’s namesake tower.

The vandalism occurred at about noon Monday, police said. De Blasio tweeted hours later, “To whoever vandalized our mural on 5th Avenue: nice try,” adding that the city Department of Transportation had “already fixed it.’’ De Blasio said the Black Lives Matter movement “is more than words, and it can’t be undone.’’

The words “Black Lives Matter’’ have been painted on streets in New York and elsewhere in recent weeks to show support for the movement demanding justice and reforms after the recent killing of George Floyd and other Black people at the hands of police.

Trump complained last month that affixing the words to Fifth Avenue in front of his building would denigrate “this luxury Avenue.”

A2

World & Nation THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, July 16, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 in Our Community:

Let’s Not Put Our Health at Risk

By J.C. Watts, Founder and chairman of J.C. Watts Companies Washington, D.C., city attorney George Valentine was Black, brilliant, and fit. But after contracting COVID-19, he became so weak, he had trouble moving and even speaking. When it got to the point where he could barely breathe, George called an ambulance and waited on the steps of his house for it to arrive. Every second he waited must have seemed like an eternity. Two days later, George died. He was 66 and had suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure before getting sick with the coronavirus.

New research seems to confirm that, across the nation, the coronavirus has disproportionately impacted Black people, with death rates more than twice as high as that for any other race. Why is this happening-and can we do anything about it?

There are several explanations for the disparity, and most have to do how we live, where we work, and our underlying health conditions. There are also factors that are within our immediate control that we can all do right now to protect ourselves, but that many in our community are failing to do.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cite several possible reasons that Black Americans are more affected. One is that many of us live in more highly populated areas where it’s more difficult to practice physical distancing from one another. Many of us also live in multi-generational households where it’s easier for younger family members to spread the virus to more vulnerable elderly members. This is especially true for lower-income households with smaller living spaces.

Another reason is that a large percentage of African Americans hold frontline service industry jobs as food servers, cleaners, and personal-care providers, and in fields such as nursing that are all considered essential during the pandemic, and they bravely continue to go to work each day.

One other big factor is that, sadly, our people also tend to have more underlying medical conditions-like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension-that make us more vulnerable.

While many of these factors are difficult to change in the near term, we can do some things immediately to

New research seems to confirm that, across the nation, the coronavirus has disproportionately impacted Black people, with death rates more than twice as high as that for any other race. Why is this happening-and can we do anything about it? (Photo: FDA.gov)

reduce our risks. In my own community in Oklahoma, I’ve witnessed many Black folks not wearing masks or practicing any degree of physical distancing in public. A lot of people just plain aren’t following recommendations to keep themselves and their families safe.

Let’s be real for a minute. Some of this stems from past

experiences with government that make people skeptical about what they’re hearing from public officials. For some, it’s the bitter memories of government-enforced segregation and other racist policies. For others, it’s the fact the young Black men have more negative encounters with the police, and people don’t want to wear masks and give anyone an

excuse for mistaking them for criminals. For others, it’s that politicians have made promises to us for decades and have failed to make good. Why trust them now?

Despite all this, please don’t put your health at risk.

We have to do all we can to protect our communities and our loved ones from being exposed to infection.

First, avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Being in the same enclosed room with somebody who has the virus can lead to infection. Second, keep at least six feet between you and others if you have to leave home. People can be infected even if they’re not showing symptoms.

Third, wash your hands or sanitize them often and for at least 20 seconds. Also avoid touching your face, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands.

I know the advice about wearing masks is a tough one for many folks, but perspectives have changed during this pandemic. So, cover your mouth and nose with a bandana or other face covering if you have to leave home. The mask provides some protection for others in case you’re infected and don’t know it.

Finally, be sure to get medical help if you have any flulike symptoms or have trouble breathing, persistent pain in your chest, a fever, or a dry cough.

As I write this, The Heritage Foundation’s National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, of which I’m a member, is wrapping up its final report offering recommendations to help us all recover from this pandemic. The commissioners are deeply concerned that COVID-19 has hit minority communities so hard and are urging medical researchers to look into how we can prevent this disproportionate impact in the future.

The commission is also recommending ways that our churches and community institutions can be a positive force for encouraging people to take preventative actions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

I’m hopeful that our nation will conquer this disease and that together, we will emerge from this chapter in our history stronger than before. But ultimately for that to happen, the cure must start with us.

J.C. Watts is founder and chairman of J.C. Watts Companies, chairman of Black News Channel, and a member of National Coronavirus Recovery Commission.

Thousands View NNPA’s First Virtual Convention

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent The first virtual convention in the 80-year history of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) earned a thumbs-up from partners and sponsors.

The successful event’s website, vitualnnpa2020.com, generated more than 55,000 pageviews to conference attendees in only two days. Several hundred thousand additional impressions were generated by social media posts and livestreams on Facebook and YouTube.

“We share in your excitement and applaud your efforts in successfully executing the first virtual NNPA Annual Convention,” Lester Booker, of General Motors Communications, wrote in a congratulatory email to NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. “Over the past two days, I’ve had the opportunity to view some of the convention and was impressed with its content, execution, and professionalism,” Booker continued, noting that GM officials continue to value and appreciate the company’s more than 50-year partnership with the Black Press of America.

Several other partners and sponsors joined General Motors, including Pfizer Rare Disease, RAI Services Company, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the NFL, Facebook Journalism Project, AARP, Black Hollywood Education Resource Center (BHERC), Hyundai, Wells Fargo, Molson Coors, Volkswagen, The United States Census, Comcast Universal, Compassion & Choices, API, Ascension, Nissan, and UAW. “The NNPA overall is pleased with the impact, the reach and the engagement across the United States and throughout the world for our first virtual convention,” NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., stated.

“This represents a tremendous step forward for the Black Press of America. We note that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Press of America has been able to overcome many of the obstacles that the pandemic continues to present. We plan to rebroadcast the virtual NNPA 2020 convention as soon as we conclude some post-production edits and additions.”

Chavis added that the NNPA remains most grateful to its corporate sponsors for helping to make the first virtual convention a success.

“We intend to let the world know that we appreciate our partners and sponsors and their support,” Chavis declared.

Claudette Perry, the NNPA’s executive administrator, stated that she’s breathing a sigh of relief that the convention

was well-received by so many viewers.

“I was very delighted that many of the celebrities whose stories have been conveyed through the Black Press for decades showed their appreciation for our publishers with their congratulatory sentiments on our first virtual convention as well as their recognition of 193 years of the Black Press,” Perry said.

“To the NNPA in-house production team, I say thank you for all the great content and design you brought to the convention virtual space. You are awesome. I thank also the young people on the technology panel who had great advice for us ‘beyond millennials.’”

Perry continued: “To our corporate partners and sponsors I extend my deepest appreciation for their support of our 2020 convention. The NNPA will continue showing its support for each of you, post-convention and throughout the year.”

Sparking the interests were several important topics and a host of celebrity guests, including livestream interviews and performances by Deniece Williams, Anthony Hamilton, Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana, Sandra “Salt” Denton, Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman, and journalist Jemele Hill.

“The livestreams were amazing with all of the big names that we had it really brought an element that you don’t always see at a conference, and it really has helped to shine a spotlight on our publishers,” NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards declared. “The shoutouts to the Black Press from people like Magic Johnson, Sen. Kamala Harris, Rep. Maxine Waters, Attorney Joey Jackson, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the others were simply delightful.”

Richards noted that she’s grateful to the partners and sponsors of the NNPA, and she’s elated that each continues to support the publishers of the Black Press of America.

“That’s who I’m so happy for today,” Richards said.

“Our publishers work so hard, and they have fought the good fight for so long, this conference and what NNPA has put together and accomplished with digital has let the world know how vital the Black Press is and always have been.”

Following opening remarks by Chavis, Richards, and NNPA Convention Chair Terry Jones, Wells Fargo presented a discussion titled, “Navigating Finances through COVID-19,” which was followed by a webinar titled, “Hope, Misinformation, Fear, Sickness and Death: Physicians Discuss the Impact of COVID-19 on Black Communities.”

That physicians’ webinar included nationally-renown African American physicians Ebony Jade Hilton, Leigh-

Ann Webb, Taison Bell, Cameron Webb, and Rochanda Mitchell who all are members of the NNPA Coronavirus Task Force.

Terry Jones emphasized, “The Virtual NNPA 2020 Annual Convention was impactful across the nation and throughout the world via print, online and social media.

The Black Press retains its relevancy as the trusted voice of Black America.”

A webinar about the Black Press of America’s future engagement and empowerment, included Mississippi Link Publisher Jackie Hampton, AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances Draper, Cincinnati Herald Publisher Jan Michele Kearney, “Make it Plain” host Mark Thompson, and Washington Informer Editor D. Kevin McNeir.

“I thought it was time we show the larger scale folks that we do the same kind of work they do,” McNeir stated during the webinar.

“I’ve been with the Black Press for 25 years. I believe we have a story that is unique and significant, and it has not gotten old. We give the Black story, that’s who we are.”

Day 1 of the conference concluded with the NNPA National Townhall titled, “Education and the Future of Black America, From Pre-K to High School and onto College.”

The education town hall panel included Dr. Peggy Edwards-Jones, Kathryn Procope, and Dr. Elizabeth Primas, program manager of the NNPA Education Public Awareness Program.

The second day of the convention featured webinars on “Technology and Innovation: The Challenges and the Opportunities for the Black Press,” that included data scientists Enchanta Jackson and Jamercia Gray, computer scientist Perry Busby, New York Beacon Associate Publisher Ashley Smith, and Westside Gazette Publisher Bobby Henry Sr. The final webinar of the convention was “Black Millennial Voices and Visions for Transformation,” hosted

by Houston Forward Times award winning Associate Editor and BlackPressUSA columnist Jeffrey Boney. The millennial panel included Micha Green, Editor of the Washington, DC AFRO; Lafayette Barnes IV, Editor of The Bridge and Assistant Editor of The Washington Informer; and Franklin Chavis, founder and curator of Black Millennial Voices.

The conference concluded with a star-studded awards ceremony and performances that included a stirring rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend,” by The Temptations, who dedicated their performance to the Black Press, two special songs by Supremes legend Mary Wilson and a prerecorded performance by Ziggy Marley.

Sparking the interests were several important topics and a host of celebrity guests, including livestream interviews and performances by Deniece Williams, Anthony Hamilton, Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana, Sandra “Salt” Denton, Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman, and journalist Jemele Hill.

Wilson received the NNPA Lifetime Trailblazer Achievement Award, and Marley received the NNPA Global Icon Award which he dedicated to his legendary parents, Bob and Rita Marley.

“I’ve received many awards throughout my life, but this one feels special to me,” Marley stated in accepting his award. “Music is a powerful tool. Human beings have powerful beings. We can achieve whatever we wish to achieve if we are willing to do what it takes to achieve it.

Standing up or kneeling down.”

Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Attorney Ben Crump, HipHop Legend MC Lyte and Congresswoman Karen Bass, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, were also among those receiving awards.

“Receiving the Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award, I am humble. The work that we have done together over the last few years have been so important to us as a nation, but also to me personally,” Representative Bass stated. “I will take this award and continue to work on behalf of Black America.”

Before concluding the night with a special recorded music mix by DJ D-Nice, hip-hop legend, actor, and entrepreneur Ice Cube received the Artist of the 21st Century Award.

“It’s an amazing honor and would like to thank everyone responsible for getting me this award,” Ice Cube stated. “This is a very cool honor from the Black Press of America. I’ve learned from some of the artist who’ve come before me that just being an artist and not trying to move the social landscape forward in some way, shape, or form is a waste of opportunity.”

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“Our publishers work so hard, and they have fought the good fight for so long, this conference and what NNPA has put together and accomplished with digital has let the world know how vital the Black Press is and always have been,” said NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards.

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Features

Thursday, July 16, 2020

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Civil Rights Lion Gets into Good Trouble in Porter Doc

By Nsenga K. Burton NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor As long as I have breath in my body, I will do what I can. – Congressman John Lewis Congressman John Lewis is known and revered worldwide for his social justice activism as a young man during the modern Civil Rights movement which sparked large scale civic and social change in America. Many have seen the horrible 1965 footage and photos of Lewis being clubbed in the head while attempting to march from Selma, AL to Montgomery, AL arriving at the

Described repeatedly as courageous, Lewis’ energy now is not very different from the energy on full display in the footage of the marches and Freedom Rides. Lewis lives and breathes the pursuit of freedom and all around him know it. To be in his orbit, one must hold that value if you are to be a part of his universe. (Photo: Still from film, John Lewis: Good Trouble)

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 20SMCP00171 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SANTA MONICA COURTHOUSE 1725 MAIN STREET SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 PETITION OF: FAISAL GHALEB SAAB TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: FAISAL GHALEB SAAB for a decree changing names as follows: Present name FAISAL GHALEB SAAB Filed a petition with this court Proposed name FASAL GHALEB SAAB THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: AUG 21, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: K The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER Date: June 16, 2020 LAWERENCE CHO JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Faisal Ghaleb Saab 11734 Wilshire Blvd. #C1016 Los Angeles, Ca. 90025 Phone: (951) 233-1800 In Pro Per LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: July 2, 9, 16, 23, 2020

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 20STCP02092 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE 111 N Hill St Los Angeles, CA 90012 PETITION OF: LUZILDA CARRILLO TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: LUZILDA CARRILLO for a decree changing names as follows: Present name LUZILDA CARRILLO Filed a petition with this court Proposed name LUZILDA CARRILLO ARCINIEGA THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Oct 29, 2020 Time: 3:00 p.m.

Dept: 20 Room: 310 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER Date: June 29, 2020 David J. Cowan JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Sherri R. Carter EXECUTIVE OFFICER/CLERK Stephanie S. Jordan DEPUTY Luzilda Carrillo 3603 W Washington Blvd Los Angeles, Ca. 90018 Phone: (510) 395-0222 E-mail: luzildacarrillo@gmail.com LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: July 9, 16, 23, 30, 2020

������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 20STCP01924 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE 111 N Hill St Los Angeles, CA 90012 PETITION OF: CARLA YESENIA VELASQUEZ TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: CARLA YESENIA VELASQUEZ for a decree changing names as follows: Present name CARLA YESENIA VELASQUEZ Filed a petition with this court Proposed name CARLA YESENIA SANDOVAL THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Sept 3, 2020 Time: 3:30 p.m.

Dept: 20 Room: 310 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER Date: June 17, 2020 David J. Cowan JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Nick Miramontes DEPUTY Carla Yesenia Velasquez 5212 Sunlight Pl Los Angeles, Ca. 90016 Phone: (310) 936-5421 E-mail: carly.sandoo9@gmail.com In Pro Per LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: July 9, 16, 23, 30, 2020 �������������������������������

Edmund Pettus Bridge to 150 police officers waiting to deliver violence and intimidation to the protesters marching for voting rights for Black Americans.

Then Alabama Governor George Wallace had outlawed protests and marchers, who were raising awareness about the plight of Black Americans, who had been made to pay poll taxes, take literacy tests or flatly denied their right to vote by intimidation and the threat of violence at the ballot box. At that particular time, Black Americans made up 57 percent of the population of Dallas County, which is where Selma is located, yet and still only 2 percent of Black Americans were registered to vote.

On what would be called Bloody Sunday, Lewis, who at the time was Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) along with other civil rights lions like Reverend Hosea Williams (SCLC) continued on their march despite then Governor Wallace’s threats and were attacked by the police, sending 58 people to the hospital.

Lewis, who suffered a skull fracture during the attack, left the hospital the following week to testify before Congress about what had happened to the protesters, resulting in the passage of the Voting Rights Act by Congress which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, giving Black Americans the right to vote and offering protections (National Guard) to marchers in pursuit of justice at the ballot box.

In Good Trouble, award-winning documentary filmmaker Dawn Porter (Gideon’s Army, Trapped, Spies of Mississippi) captures the many sides of John Lewis which are all connected to his quest for freedom. Porter shows his early desire to become a preacher eventually leading to a career in social justice and politics.

In the documentary, we see a young John Lewis from Troy, AL who aspires to be a preacher to such an extent, he preaches to chickens. His desires shift when at 15-years-old, the actions of Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King change his path, leading the civil rights lion to “Good trouble; necessary trouble to save our country, to save our democracy,” he says.

Lewis, who has been arrested 40 times, five of those times since being a member of Congress, allows viewers into the world beyond politics. Viewers learn how he met and fell in love with his wife, Lillian Miles Lewis, who died in 2012 and that he is still as heartbroken over the loss today as he was the day she passed.

Viewers see the fun side of Lewis, who loves to dance and crack jokes with his mentees and staff. John Lewis lights up any room her enters. Lewis is a man revered for his commitment to Civil Rights and viewers learn that all aspects of his life are tied to that pursuit. Lewis’ values as a human being are always at the forefront of every decision he makes in his personal and professional life.

Lewis’ major value is freedom. “When you lose all sense of fear, you’re free,” offers the activist who literally continues to traverse the country in pursuit of justice. Lewis, 80, who is battling pancreatic cancer stomps for Beto O’Rourke and Stacey Abrams during their high-profile bids for political change.

Colleagues and friends like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Congressman Jim Clyburn, civil rights icon Diane Nash and the late Congressman Elijah Cummings discuss Lewis’ legacy and impact today.

Described repeatedly as courageous, Lewis’ energy now is not very different from the energy on full display in the footage of the marches and Freedom Rides. Lewis lives and breathes the pursuit of freedom and all around him know it. To be in his orbit, one must hold that value if you are to be a part of his universe.

Underscored by a soulful and haunting soundtrack, the documentary also shows the difficult times and sacrifices that sometimes have to be made while in pursuit of justice for all, like Lewis’ damaged friendship with the late civil rights icon and politician Julian Bond. Their 1986 battle over a Congressional seat led to Lewis’ harsh words about one of his closest friends – painful words that Lewis could not take back.

Lewis won the seat and is now in his 17th term as a Congressperson but at what cost? Many of the people in the civil rights movement are passing on and Porter’s documentary begs

the question of who will replace these pillars of democracy who are willing to sacrifice so much of themselves for a far greater cause?

Lewis lights up the room wherever he goes. Like Moses, seas of people part to make a clear path for Lewis, who strides to the podium with personal stories and political messages that people need to hear. Lewis clearly understands there are more years behind him than in front of him. He is pained by the strategic and dubious attempts by Congress and the Supreme Court to undo the work of he and his ilk in a supposedly post-racial society.

Lewis knows the stakes are high as he has “lived it” and is now witnessing the dismantling of the protections for no reason other than plain old racism. Like many Black Americans in the United States, suffering from seeing such hard-fought freedoms rolled back, Lewis is broken hearted but not bowed. The 2013 Supreme Court decision dismantling the Voting Rights Act of 1965, allowing nine states, to change their election laws without federal approval, was another symbolic blow to Lewis and his generation of change agents but they remain unbowed.

Lewis is obviously troubled by what is happening in society.

“One of my greatest fears, is one day we wake up and our democracy is gone.” Chilling words coming from a man who has dedicated his entire life to protecting the rights of all Americans in an attempt to bring to fruition the ideals of democracy upon which America was founded. These are also profound words from a giant of change who even at this precarious time in his life, knows that the fight for justice is never over.

“As long as I have breath in my body, I will do what I can,” says the Presidential Medal of Freedom winner, reminding viewers our freedoms hang in the balance and there is more good trouble ahead.

Watch the trailer for the documentary here.

Good Trouble debuted Friday, July 3, 2020 OnDemand on multiple digital platforms.

The Shameful “Black Lives” Hypocrisy of Uber, Lyft and Other Gig Companies

������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 20SMCP00174 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SANTA MONICA COURTHOUSE 1725 MAIN STREET SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 PETITION OF: EMMA VIOLA PLATTER TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: EMMA VIOLA PLATTER for a decree changing names as follows: Present name EMMA VIOLA PLATTER Filed a petition with this court Proposed name EMMA VIOLA PLATTER OLCOTT THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: AUG 14, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: K The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER Date: June 17, 2020 LAWERENCE CHO JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT E. GOLDSTEIN DEPUTY EMMA VIOLA PLATTER 3725 Greenfield Ave. Los Angeles, Ca. 90034 Phone: (951) 876-1958 E-Mail: emmaplatter@me.com In Pro Per LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: July 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 2020

Cherri Murphy is a Lyft Driver and social justice activist.

Cherri Murphy Special to California Black Media Partners To executives at Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Postmates, and other gig companies: We are the workers who power the core of your businesses and we write in response to your recent comments on the Black Lives Matter movement. Your statements have included various platitudes about your commitment to racial justice and the Black community. We are not fooled. Your lip service in support of Black Lives is hollow, created by well-paid public relations teams, and absent of any promise of real change.

Lyft has been my primary source of income for the past three years and I’ve driven over 12,000 rides. A survey by the University of California Santa Cruz suggests 70% of rideshare drivers are African Americans and other People of Color, 50% are immigrants, and, because of company greed, only 31% say they could find $400 in an emergency.

Racial justice is economic justice. The conditions that make police killings of Black people possible and inevitable are the same conditions that make the exploitation of Black and Brown workers possible and inevitable. We reject your attempts to separate racial justice from economic justice and we see it as an attempt to dodge your responsibility for the exploitation of your

Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint. (Courtesy Photo)

Black and Brown workers everyday.

This fight is not only about police killings and terror — it is about every institution that exploits and abuses Black and Brown people in this country. When it comes to exploiting Black and brown people, you and your companies are experts.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, gig workers were faced with a devil’s choice: Continue working despite a deadly virus or risk losing the roof over our heads. When we attempted to secure masks, hand sanitizer, paid sick time off, unemployment wages, and other protective measures we found obstacles, opaque processes, and hand wringing. We had to turn to outside organizations — and each other — for safety during the pandemic. Where were you then?

The Black gig workers who have been on the frontlines of this pandemic have been the hardest hit economically and the most likely to die from the virus, yet your companies have done nothing to ensure our welfare. There are stories of drivers who have lost their lives, yet your companies once again, were nowhere to be found. Where were you then?

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Black gig workers already faced discrimination and abuse on the job.

Black gig workers already had no protection from racist consumers who file false complaints and do not tip. Black gig

workers already found less support and more discrimination from staff meant to “support” us. Black gig workers already were subject to more policing and harassment from law enforcement on the job everyday. Where were you then Then, as now, you were stealing from your workers. You pay us starvation wages while you and your executives return to million dollar homes that you built off our backs.

You deny us workers’ compensation and disability insurance if we are injured and you refuse to provide protection from discrimination and retaliation. We work late-night hours, weekends, and holidays away from our families for no overtime pay. You increase rideshare prices in predominately Black and Brown neighborhoods.

Today, until November, Californians will hear from the real experts — the drivers.

We believe from the very depth of our beings that there will be no peace until there is justice.

If you respect Black lives, as your corporate statements so proudly declare, you will respect Black voices and listen to your workers when they say that enough is enough. All labor has dignity. All labor has worth. We demand that you respect ours.

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint The number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in this country has now exceeded 3 million, and is increasing. Unlike the rest of the world, we have not been able to get control of this virus and not because we don’t have the ability. The real reason is that we have placed money over the loss of human life. There is a rush to reopen businesses, like the return to bars and dinein restaurants; the relaxation of freezes on rents and evictions although people can’t work; and the forcing of people in some industries, like meat processing plants where, in spite of the high number of worksite infections, people are forced to put their lives at risk, work to save their jobs and their company’s lost profits.

The whole idea of “reopening” the economy dominates the White House and many of the states with the highest number of infections. This conversation has become, for some, more important than the lives being lost daily.

The 130,000 plus lives lost in this country, with a daily infection rate that has exceeded 50,000 people, still does not seem as important to many as the idea of “reopening” businesses in spite of what is now a known risk. The emphasis on money

appears to have become more important than the pandemic itself.

The people dying each day are being reduced to statistics outside of their personal families and loved ones.

When one also looks at the elderly and people of color as the ones disproportionately dying, and the failure of the federal government and some of the states to make provisions for the needed additional supplies to help our healthcare workers on the frontline, it becomes clear that some have decided that those dying are “expendable” and, therefore, not a loss.

Now racism has entered the picture. Racism makes it easy to place profits ahead of people. Racism makes it easy to blame the pandemic for the loss of life and not our own prejudices. Racism makes it easy to be more concerned about ourselves than those we put at risk by not wearing a mask when asked to do so.

The inscription on our currency should be changed from “In God We Trust” to “In Money and Profit, no matter what the cost.” Perhaps when death hits those who think their businesses and personal rights are more important than the lives of those around them, people might once again become more important than profits, the pandemic and racism.

Profits, Pandemics, People and Racism

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Entertainment

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Stephanie Mills Talks Music, Social Justice and Her Son’s New Book

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Iconic Grammy and American Music Award winner Stephanie Mills is unapologetically pro-Black. On her social media pages, she often sends shoutouts to “talented Black men” and “Black Queens.” She observed Black Out Day and Juneteenth.

With one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music, the Grammy and American Music Award-winning recording artist has five best-selling albums and ten Billboard #1 singles.

With a career that spans more than 35 years, Mills has distinguished herself as an actress and performer whom her manager says is just as much at home on the Broadway stage as in the recording studio.

Her endless string of hit records include, “Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin,’” “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” “If I Were Your Woman,” “I Feel Good All Over,” “You Putting a Rush on Me,” “I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love,” “Something in the Way You Make Me Feel,” and “Home.”

She’s also known for her stirring duets with Teddy Pendergrass on “Two Hearts,” and “Feel the Fire.”

“You know, when I was recording with Teddy, he was like a brother to me, but I look back, and he was so phine…

He could have been my husband!” Mills laughed.

When BlackPressUSA reached out to her manager, Amp Harris, to invite the “Home” singer for an interview, her response was priceless: “BlackPressUSA, oh heck yeah, I’m doing it!” Mills declared.

Unfortunately, technology challenges prevented her from keeping our originally scheduled date. However, that didn’t stop Mills from tweeting, “I was scheduled to interview with BlackPressUSA and Stacy Brown. I had technical issues. However, I am a woman of my word. Plus, it’s a Black organization, so I had to make it right.”

Two days later, Mills more than made it right. She sat for an hour-long interview in which “The Wiz” star talked about her disgust over the police killing of George Floyd, her son’s new book, and her celebrated career.

“I’m crying now just thinking about that man who had his knee on George Floyd’s neck,” Mills stated, insisting on talking about police brutality and “that man in the White House.”

“I think there should be a federal law that has to be adhered to in Chicago, New York, and across the country when police do these things,” she proclaimed, adding that she’s working to help make that happen.

Mills is also promoting the 2020 Census. “Counting everyone helps ensure communities receive federal resources to support healthcare, education, accessibility services, and more,” Mills noted.

Her 19-year-old son, Farad J Mills, was also a fascinating topic of conversation. “He’s my greatest gift.

He’s smart, intelligent, funny, charming, charismatic, handsome, and a wonderful young man,” Mills declared.

Farad J, who has Down Syndrome, works with Mills and her manager, and he’s also written a book, “The Adventures of Farad J.” “He doesn’t know how much he has fulfilled my life,” Mills said of her son whom can be seen dancing with his mom to one of Mills’ hit songs in a video she recently posted on Twitter.

Disney World Reopens Even as Coronavirus Cases Surge in Florida

By TAMARA LUSH and MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – “The Most Magical Place on Earth'' has reopened after nearly four months with new rules in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are reopening Saturday, while Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios will follow four days later.

“It's the chance to come back and be in the magic,'' said Diane Watkins, a preschool teacher from Helena, Alabama, who visits the park about eight times a year. “Hot or not, mask or not, we're just happy to be here. I feel like everybody here is in the same frame of mind. Everybody is just so excited to be here.''

Watkins said that when she and her 16-year-old daughter walked into the Magic Kingdom on Saturday

morning, then saw all the cast members lined up and clapping on Main Street, she cried.

“It was very emotional,'' she said.

The reopening comes as a huge surge of Floridians have tested positive for the new coronavirus in recent weeks.

On Saturday, there were about 10,000 new cases reported, according to state statistics. Many cities and counties around the state have recently reinstated restrictions that had been lifted in May, when cases seemed to drop.

All of Disney's Orlando parks closed in mid-March in an effort to stop the virus's spread. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando closed around the same time but reopened several weeks ago after instituting similar rules to protect employees and customers from the virus.

Lori Lovell of Evansville, Indiana, strolled around Frontierland on Saturday morning with friends.

“I have missed coming here. It just feels really good to be back. This is where I've made so many memories.

It's kind of our second home. Not being able to come here was hard.''

Disney's new rules include mandatory masks and social distancing. Visitors will need reservations to enter a park, and they won't be allowed to hop between parks.

Both visitors and employees will receive temperature checks when they enter. Fireworks shows and parades have been suspended to prevent drawing too many people together.

Park-goers say that nearly everyone in sight wore masks on Saturday morning. Capacity is nowhere near where it is under normal circumstances, they said.

“I've been here on spring breaks where you can barely walk around. The walkways are very wide open,'' said Lovell.

There were lots of hand sanitizer stations around, and people were respecting the physical distancing cues and guidelines. Since the park is at lower capacity, there was only a five-minute wait for the popular Buzz Lightyear ride – normally it's about 90 minutes, Watkins said.

Some attractions and dining areas aren't yet open. Another change: visitors can't hug and greet the costumed Disney characters. Instead, the characters are in “cavalcades,'' or motorcades, as they make their way through the park.

Disney has been opening its parks back up around the globe for the past two months. In May, the company opened Disney Springs, a complex of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in Lake Buena Vista.

Sports

Thursday, July 16, 2020

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Brad Pye Jr. Legionary Sportswriter Passes Continued from page A1

Brad Pye Jr. (R) with the late Raiders owner Al Davis (L). (Photo From Pye family)

years of his life, volunteered his time into the City of Los Angeles while he still had another job with the County,” said Parks. “He made sure that our parks were well maintained, but what he did most of all he made sure there was representation of minorities at the higher ranks of Rec and Parks.”

“Switch Reels”- In 1961 he was joined the California Angels public relations staff making him the first Black to hold such a position in Major League Baseball. He was also the first Black administrator in the American Football League serving under then Commissioner Al Davis. They were really good friends when Pye retired after 24 years of working for L.A. County Al Davis attended his retirement party at the Proud Bird restaurant and presented him with a framed Raider Jersey #24. The jersey still hangs on the wall in his home.

Pye was a member of the Brookins AME Church and

volunteered for several church auxiliaries while also serving on the Board of Trustees member. In 2013 he was named “Man of The Year.”

He was honored by Dick Simpson and HBCU football teams on the Harvey Hyde Show. Hyde is the host of ‘Trojan Talk’ a weekly review of USC sports.

“He received a lot of awards,” said daughter Jenice “Nisie” Pye. “He was loved by a lot of people and he had a big heart.”

“Switch Reels”- Pye had spent more than 40 years with his wife Eunice who along with their son Brad Pye III preceded him in death. He is survived by daughters Janice Pye, Jill Pye, Jill White, Jan Pye and Sharee Hollis, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Pye gave so much to so many. “Switch ReelsThis reel has signed out” RIP to the great Brad Pye Jr.

Clippers’ Head Coach Doc River Challenges a US Senator

LA Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers challenges during his Zoom call with the media on July 11, 2020. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com Last Friday, Senator Josh Hawley wrote a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver maintaining the league had “crossed the line of sanctioning specific political messages.” Also questioning the league’s patriotism by approving messages for their players to wear slogans that didn’t include “Back the Blue” or “Support Our Troops.” Before the league responded to Senator Hawley, ESPN’s Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, who is widely known for breaking NBA news, often referred to as “Wojbombs,” had his best Wojbomb yet. Click here to see Woj’s response to the senator letter to the NBA Commissioner.

However, ESPN subsequently suspended Wojnarowski for his profane response to the Missouri Senator.

Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers was none too pleased with the Senator’s attack on the league and issued a challenge to Senator Josh Hawley during his Zoom Press Conference with the media on Saturday. During the Clippers media zoom call, I was able to ask Coach Rivers a couple of questions: “Would you mind sharing the best thing you learned about your coaching staff and the players over the last few months?” and, “What would be your message to society on improving, or even eradicating, racial inequalities in the country?”

This elicited this passionate response from Coach Doc Rivers, “I’ll start with, that, the first one is being more tolerant and listening and understanding. I mean, we have a senator that Tweets at Woj yesterday just because he was talking about what we were going to put on the back of our jersey. And they always try to turn it into the military or the police.” By clicking on this link you can hear what Doc added, “There’s no league that does more for the military than the NBA. But how that about that

Senator? I’ll make a challenge: We will do things for the troops as long as he acknowledges #BlackLivesMatter. I think that would be really cool for him to do.”

Coach Rivers also pointed out how politicians often changing the narrative: “You know, it’s funny, whenever we talk about justice, people try to change the message. Colin Kaepernick kneels; it had nothing to do with the troops. It had to do with social injustice, and everyone tried to change the narrative. How about staying on what we are talking about and dealing with that, instead of trying to trick us or change or trick your constituents?

How about being real? I guarantee you; we’ve done more for the military than probably that Senator. And I guarantee you this: We also are going to do things for #BlackLivesMatter. How about him? Maybe he should join into that!”

Doc then circled back to my initial question: “That’s what I’ve learned about our players and our coaches, who are just really involved. Obliviously, you learn about basketball, and that’s great.

But through the COVID and the times that we’ve done Zoom, I think what I’ve learned more is about our players as people, and what they stand for.”

As you can see, Doc Rivers is very approachable and has enough confidence, education, and experience to freely speak his mind. I like the fact that he was passionate enough to address these serious issues. Kindly, share your thoughts by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or forward your thoughts to info@whatsgoodinsports.com. Additionally, be sure to subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms; Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, Thank You for making our voice, your choice!

To Support Communities of Color and Level the Playing Field All 11 Pro Sports Teams in Greater Los Angeles Unite as Allies in a New Collaboration LOS ANGELES (July 14, 2020) – In a collaboration to pursue change in communities of color and develop meaningful programs, the 11 professional sports organizations in greater Los Angeles have joined together to launch The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles, a comprehensive five-year commitment to drive investment and impact for social justice through sport.

Following the recent protests nationwide, the 11 teams have united to address racial injustice, develop educational opportunities, and support other important issues facing communities of color, particularly Black communities. The 11 teams will advocate for social justice, address disparities and take actions to help end racial inequality. This commitment includes supporting the Play Equity Fund’s social justice movement in communities across greater Los Angeles, and in Orange County amplifying the work of Accelerate Change Together (ACT) Anaheim. These innovative cooperative response models of engagement are aimed to inspire similar actions nationally.

The 11 professional sports teams that form The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles include the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Chargers, LA Clippers, Los

Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Football Club, LA Galaxy, LA Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Sparks. The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles was formed in addition to the robust efforts of the teams’ community affairs departments and foundations, which will continue their charitable activities across the region.

“The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles has been forged specifically to create positive change in underserved communities, with an emphasis on Black communities,” said a spokesperson for The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles. “All 11 teams are united in their dedication to this effort and recognize driving change is a longterm commitment. Through sports and social programming, we aim to work in communities to affect structural changes on levels that have a lasting impact.”

The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles is partnering with the Play Equity Fund to manage this initiative in greater Los Angeles. A 501(c)3 public charity, the Play Equity Fund was established in Los Angeles to drive social change across communities through sport. It is the only nonprofit worldwide dedicated to Play Equity as a social justice issue to bring the transformative power

of sport and structured play to youth – regardless of their race, socioeconomic status or gender – who have been left behind by the current system.

The Orange County-based franchises will expand upon their established partnership of investing in organizations and programs making positive change. Formed in 2013 by the Ducks, Angels and Disneyland Resort, the Accelerate Change Together (ACT) Anaheim collaborative was created to address the urgent needs of Anaheim’s at-risk youth and families.

“The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles is an unprecedented collaboration by sports organizations recognizing the impact they can have by working together, and they should be commended for seeking to make significant changes in communities of color,” said Renata Simril, President of the Play Equity Fund. “The Los Angeles region is one of the world’s most competitive markets, and sports is one of the world’s most competitive industries. But these organizations are putting their competitive instincts aside to work collaboratively for social justice.”

The term social justice can be broadly defined as the degree of fairness or justice in the opportunities and access to resources,

wealth, political representation, and privileges within a given society. In neighborhoods with high poverty rates, opportunities to play – a globally recognized fundamental human right of childhood – oftentimes do not exist, particularly for kids of color.

Barriers include the elimination or reduction of enrichment of programs, budget challenges for afterschool programs including sports, safe passage to playgrounds, transportation, lack of trained and well-paid coaches and the rising costs of athletics and intramural programs. These factors severely limit access and opportunities for kids of color to build a pathway to lifelong wellbeing. The pro teams of the ALLIANCE: Los Angeles are united in their determination to combat this injustice.

The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles and the Play Equity Fund will hold a Sports for Social Justice Symposium on July 22, to coincide with National Youth Sports Week, which is July 20-24.

This webinar will include leaders from the sports organizations, as well as social justice leaders and sports commentators.

NFL Will Play Black National Anthem at Games The NFL remains at the forefront of the new understanding, and now they’ve taken that knowledge, and, in an unprecedented decision, the league announced it would play Lift Every Voice and Sing – the Black National Anthem – before every opening day game this year.

The performance of the song will occur before “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the NFL said. The league’s season opener is scheduled for September 10, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.

As noted in Sports Illustrated, Lift Every Voice and Sing has an extensive history since its first inception as a poem in 1899. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent When Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the playing of the national anthem to bring awareness to social and other injustices faced regularly by Black and Brown individuals in America, the National Football League, President Donald Trump, and others wrongly associated the quarterback’s actions as a protest against the U.S. flag and the nation’s military.

In the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd, protests and demonstrations have awakened America and most of the world to the plight of African Americans who long have suffered injustice, inequality, and an overall lack of understanding.

The NFL remains at the forefront of the new understanding, and now they’ve taken that knowledge, and, in an unprecedented decision, the league announced it would play Lift Every Voice and Sing – the Black National Anthem – before every opening day game this year.

The performance of the song will occur before “The StarSpangled Banner,” the NFL said. The league’s season opener is

scheduled for September 10, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.

“The league taking the opportunity to play “Lift every voice and sing” (the Black national anthem) is sweet. It’s a great way to honor those who started this movement year and years ago,” tweeted Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Chris Conley.

“For those who aren’t familiar with it, this song seeks to remind us of our past as a country and to strive to be better.

It speaks to all of us, not just Black people, even tho it became a rallying cry for Blacks in the Jim Crow era. It is a beautiful message birthed from pain,” Conley added.

“To those claiming the song is derisive, I ask which part?

Much like America the Beautiful is played to honor, this song is the same. It’s isn’t for “just Black people” it’s for all who acknowledge the past and press toward a better future.”

As noted in Sports Illustrated, Lift Every Voice and Sing has an extensive history since its first inception as a poem in 1899.

According to the NAACP, its lyrics were penned by writer and NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson (a Jacksonville native). It

was eventually adopted for music by his brother, John Rosamond Johnson. Years later, it was adopted by the NAACP as the organization’s official song.

According to the NAACP, the song was first performed in Jacksonville at a school where James Weldon Johnson was the principal. As part of a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, 1900, Lift Every Voice and Sing was publicly performed by 500 school children at the Stanton School.

The NFL has recently acknowledged it was wrong in how it handled Kaepernick, who has mostly been black balled from the game. Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he now would encourage teams to sign the former Super Bowl quarterback.

Because Goodell has reversed course and said he would allow kneeling, the league came under enormous criticism from President Donald Trump, who now is calling for a boycott of the NFL. Sen. Ted Cruz called the decision to play the Black National Anthem “asinine,” further fueling racial tensions that have already boiled over since the Floyd killing.

Local

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Thursday, July 16, 2020

Greater Los Angeles Prepares COVID-19 Recovery Agenda

to advance racial justice with USC/UCLA data to demonstrate effects of racism in connected systems

Zindzi Mandela with her father Nelson Mandela. (Photo: Nelson Mandela Foundation)

Rep. Waters Honors Memory of Zindzi Mandela WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, released a statement upon learning of the death of Zindzi Mandela in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Zindzi Mandela. Zindzi was the beloved daughter of anti-apartheid activists, President Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela, as well as an author, a diplomat, and a dedicated political activist like her parents before her.

“Zindzi Mandela was only 18 months old when her father was sent to prison by South Africa’s apartheid government. She endured years of harassment and intimidation as she was growing up, while her father remained in prison on Robben Island during the height of the struggle to end apartheid. Yet, through her own strength and courage, she grew to become a poet, a leader, and an advocate for social justice in her own right. When then-President PW Botha offered to release Nelson Mandela from prison with unacceptable conditions, it was Zindzi who read aloud her father’s rejection of the offer at a public meeting in February of 1985.

“Once the racist system of apartheid was abolished, Zindzi Mandela went on to serve as the First Lady of South Africa from 1996 to 1998, during her father’s historic tenure as South Africa’s first black president. She continued to advocate for social justice

and went on to serve her country as South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark from 2015 until her unfortunate death.

“My heart goes out to her husband, her four children, the entire Mandela family, and the people of South Africa, who have lost another of their brave heroines on this tragic day. I hope their memories of Zindzi’s life of activism, commitment, and service will bring them comfort at this difficult time.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters was a leader in the struggle to end apartheid in the United States and a friend to the Mandela family. As a member of the California State Assembly, she fought for the passage of Assembly Bill 134, which forced California to divest $12 billion in state pension funds tied to the apartheid regime in South Africa. In 1990, she chaired the committee in Los Angles that brought over 90,000 people together in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to welcome Nelson Mandela into the United States, and she traveled with the official United States delegation to South Africa in 1994 to attend his inauguration as President of South Africa. In 1998, she welcomed President Mandela to the United States once again, this time to receive the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. In honor of his 95th birthday in 2013, she organized an event called the “Celebration of the Life, Legacy and Values of Nelson R. Mandela” in Emancipation Hall of the United States Capitol Visitor’s Center.

COVID Prison Release: State to Start with Non-Violent Inmates Over Age 30 amplify concerns of the people incarcerated at San Quentin, the oldest prison in California. Some elected officials attended the press conference, including Senator Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymembers Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), and Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), as well as family members and friends of people currently incarcerated at San Quentin, which is located north of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, in Marin County.

According to the CDCR, San Quentin, which is a men’s prison, has had 1,880 positive cases among its incarcerated population and staff as of July 10. In June, Amend at UC San Francisco, an advocacy organization focused on changing negative aspects of correctional culture, and Berkeley Public Health released a memo calling for the state to reduce the prison’s population to below 50% of its current capacity.

During a press conference last week, Gov. Newsom acknowledged the problem at San Quentin.

“It’s a concern, always has been. We have not been shy about leaning in on this over the course of many, many months,” said the governor. “We still have a lot more work to do and we recognize our responsibility.”

As a longer-term strategy to reduce the state’s prison population beyond the San Quentin drawdown, Paul said decision makers in California’s criminal justice system should “assess the state’s prison population and identify low-risk or elderly inmates that could successfully do the minimum required time for their conviction and receive adequate rehabilitative support, while incarcerated.”

“Then they should be released based on good behavior and other suitability conditions for successful reintegration into community,” he continued.

California Black Media also spoke with James King, member of the #StopSanQuentinOutbreak Coalition and State Campaigner for the Oakland-based Ella Baker Center for Human Joe Paul, Managing Director of the Los Angeles Re- Justice. gional Reentry Partnership and Director of Political “We [the Coalition] continue to agree with the public and Civic Affairs, City of Refuge Church-L.A. (Cour- health experts who have said that at least a 50% reduction in the tesy Photo) incarceration rate is necessary for public health safety, not just for people inside the prison but people outside of prison,” the Quinci LeGardye activist said.

California Black Media But he says getting to the 50 percent goal will not be Prison officials announced July 10 that an estimated 8,000 immediate. incarcerated individuals will be eligible for early release by the “This is less than a 10% reduction, over the course of several end of August, in order to stem the COVID-19 outbreak in months. So it’s really modest. It’s an improvement, but it’s an California’s prison system. incremental one. We need bold decisive action here,” King said.

“These actions are taken to provide for the health and safety Previously incarcerated at San Quentin, King was released of the incarcerated population and staff,” California Department last December. For him, there are other ways the state could assist of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Ralph Diaz incarcerated people once they are released. said. “We aim to implement these decompression measures in a “According to the CDCR, about seventy percent of way that aligns with both public health and public safety.” people consistently have somewhere to go. Also, there’s Project Multiple prisons in California have become COVID-19 Roomkey, in which the state has paid for several hotel rooms,” hotspots in recent months. According to the CDCR, 2,286 King continued. “Our suggestion would be that they be allowed incarcerated people have tested positive for the virus and 31 have to go there for the first 14 days post-release in order to safely died across the state’s prison system as of July 10. quarantine, and then return to their families.”

CDCR prison population reduction guidelines prioritize the At the press conference, Assemblymember Levine called for release of incarcerated people who have 365 days or less to serve sustained action. in their sentences; are not currently serving time for domestic “We must sustain our attention here at San Quentin, and at violence or violent crimes; and have no convictions that require every facility where people are sentenced for time and locked up them to register as sex offenders. While individuals age 30 and across the state of California,” he said. “We need to sustain this over who meet these criteria are immediately eligible for release, attention because unfortunately COVID-19 is not going away. those age 29 or younger will be considered on a case-by-case basis. So we can’t let our guard down.”

“We have an unprecedented moment in time to actually Activists say they want the state to base inmate releases on augment the work of prison reform and the reduction of the data and best practices learned from past experience. already overcrowded conditions that have persisted,” said Joe “The science of people aging out of crime, as well as the Paul, Managing Director of the Los Angeles Regional Reentry CDCR’s own risk assessments that have identified tens of Partnership and Director of Political and Civic Affairs, City of thousands of people as low risk for recidivism or violence” should Refuge Church-L.A. be the criteria, King said. “And we stand by ready to help facilitate The announcement follows a July 8 press conference and use our resources to facilitate safe reentry.” organized by the #StopSanQuentinOutbreak Coalition to

LOS ANGELES, CA — As protests across the country force a long-overdue reckoning with the forces of structural racism, the Committee for Greater LA is assembling new data and personal testimony to paint a clear picture of what structural racism looks like in the Los Angeles region: a different, harder life for people of color, every hour of every day.

Created in the wake of the disparities made so visible by COVID-19, the Committee for Greater LA is a diverse group of civic and community leaders, in partnership with a joint USC/ UCLA research team and backed by local philanthropy, who share a vision that this moment of upheaval presents an opportunity to radically reshape the institutions and policies that perpetuate institutional racism. Week by week, the Committee is assembling the evidence that massive racial disparities pervade the region’s interconnected social systems, from policing to healthcare to homelessness to unemployment and underemployment. The ultimate goal, a report and advocacy agenda to advance racial justice through Los Angeles’s pandemic recovery plans, will be issued in late summer.

“The best day this system ever produced was the day before the coronavirus lockdown, and by every measurement that system failed millions,” said Miguel Santana, chair of the Committee for Greater LA. “By producing the definitive picture of how systemic racism weaves through health and housing, education and employment, jails and policing, we hope to force an admission that radical change to every single system must be on the table.

We can’t go back to the way things were before.”

“I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors in pursuit of freedom and equity,” said committee member Jacqueline Waggoner, vice president and Southern California market leader for Enterprise Community Partners and LAHSA Commissioner.

“Hundreds of years of discrimination against Black people have sewn institutional racism into the fabric of our society. But progress and meaningful action is absolutely possible as more and more communities begin to wake up and commit to more equitable work. This moment in history offers a real opportunity to not just talk about racial disparities, but to turn our knowledge, our data and our fight for equity into real policy changes and solutions that will pave an inclusive path forward – No Going Back.”

“Our economy was developed on Black pain, dehumanization and free labor,” said Lola Smallwood Cuevas, project director of the UCLA Labor Center. “Slavery evolved into a workforce that still doesn’t work for most people. What is happening now to Black workers in the economy -- the underemployment and underinvestment -- presents an opportunity to change what is not working in the economy overall. When we fix this for Black workers, it benefits everyone.”

The USC/UCLA research team’s key findings to date illuminate the legacy of decades of intentional policies that have excluded and marginalized communities of color -- especially Black people. That legacy is a life of disadvantage piled on disadvantage, from rising in the morning until sleeping at night: Where we wake up: Limited access to a home • The homeownership rate for Black households in LA County (33.3%) is more than 20 points lower than that for white households (54.2%).

• Black households are also far more likely to be rent-burdened, with 63.7% paying more than 30% of household income in rent, compared with 52.9% of white households.

• Thus, it should not be surprising that 1 in 33 Black people in Los Angeles experience homelessness, compared to 1 in 250 white people. In total, 34% are Black, compared to 9% of L.A.’s general population.

• And, being unhoused makes one 17 times more likely to be arrested by LAPD. • Even once they are housed, Black people are 3 times as likely to fall back into homelessness as formerly homeless individuals in other racial groups.

• 18% of Latino children in LA County who attend school in grades K-12 live in an overcrowded household, compared to 5% of Black children and 2% of white children.

Bias in the workplace: Limited access to opportunity • In the US, white median household wealth ($171,000) is nearly 10 times as great as that of Black ($17,500) households, with Latino household wealth ($20,700) only slightly higher, as of 2016.

• Among seniors (65 and over), 34% of immigrant Latinos, 23% of US-born Latinos, and 28% of Blacks live below 150% of the poverty level in LA County, compared to 19% of whites.

• 18 percent of Angelenos are undocumented (and thus ineligible for federal relief ) or live with someone who is. About 200,000 children have mixed-status parents, and thus can’t gain benefits from the federal stimulus. In immigrant-heavy Southeast LA, 24% of residents don’t qualify for federal stimulus relief because of immigration status.

Unsafe at school and on sidewalks: bias from police • In the LA Unified School District, Black children were 25% of contact between students and the LA School Police Department, despite being only 8% of the student population.

• In the City of LA, Black people constitute 46% of the arrests by LAPD’s Metro Division, and 31% of total LAPD arrests, despite constituting only 9% of the city’s populations.

Well-being: Limited access and bias in health care • COVID-19 mortality rates in LA County are roughly twice as high for Blacks (31 deaths/100,000 individuals) and Latinos (29/100K) as for whites (15/100K).

• Structural inequalities in health care have resulted in lack of access and/or lower quality health insurance in low-income communities of color (Medi-Cal pays lower rates than Medicare and commercial insurance) and underinvestment in outpatient care, prevention and disease management in low-income communities of color -- leading to a current shortage of 1,200 doctors in South LA (700 specialists and 500 primary care providers) • Nationally, Black women are 5 times as likely to die during pregnancy and labor due to complications as white women, and Black women ages 15-64 have significantly worse survival rates from breast cancer after three years (85%) than white women (91%).

• Blacks in the US -- especially Black women -- have significantly higher allostatic loads (a measurement of accumulated stress) than whites, even after accounting for socioeconomic status.

• Black patients are twice as likely to have police involvement in their first episode of psychosis as white patients.

Back at home, falling behind: The digital divide • 39% of Latino schoolchildren and 35% of Black schoolchildren in LA County lack access to a computer and high-speed internet at home, compared to 13% of white children -- this is the digital divide.

The committee believes that comprehensively addressing this deep-seated racism and the systems that perpetuate it will have positive effects for all Angelenos if the problems can be successfully attacked and neutralized.

“The only way to achieve immigrant integration is to center racial justice, because the othering of immigrants is deeply rooted in anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism,” said Manuel Pastor, the director of the USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE).

“These statistics are the results of specific policies and biases intended to exclude and marginalize,” said Isaac Bryan, director of public policy at UCLA’s Bunche Center for African-American Studies. “The legacy of redlining has deprived generations of black families from housing and wealth. Our separate and unequal systems of health care result in poor outcomes for the health of black people. Racial bias in policing puts black people in danger in their daily lives. We need the strength to admit our complicity, and the will to see change through.”

The Committee for Greater LA has launched its website at nogoingback.la and is actively seeking public input on solutions to advance equity. The Committee is also on social media on Twitter (@nogoingbackla) and Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/nogoingbackLA).

The Committee for Greater LA includes: Volunteer Steering Committee • Miguel A. Santana, Chair; President and CEO, Fairplex • Fred Ali, President and CEO, Weingart Foundation • Raul Anaya, President, Bank of America – Greater Los Angeles • Monica Banken, Family and Children’s Deputy, Supervisor Kathryn Barger • Charisse Bremond-Weaver, President and CEO, LA Brotherhood Crusade • Cynthia Buiza, Executive Director, California Immigrant Policy Center • Lian Cheun, Executive Director, Khmer Girls in Action • Fesia Davenport, Chief Operating Officer, County of Los Angeles • Debra Duardo, Superintendent, Los Angeles County Office of Education • Sarah Dusseault, Chair, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission • Anna Hovasapian, Legislative Director, Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez • Gita Murthy Cugley, CEO, Gita Cugley & Associates • Matt Szabo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor Eric Garcetti • Judith Vasquez, Senior Advisor to Supervisor Hilda L. Solis • April Verret, President, SEIU Local 2015 • Jacqueline Waggoner, Vice President, Enterprise Community Partners Academic Partners • Gary Segura, Dean, Luskin School of Public Affairs, UCLA • Manuel Pastor, Director, Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, USC • Rhonda Ortiz, Managing Director, Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, USC Funders • Annenberg Foundation • Ballmer Group • The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation • California Community Foundation • The California Endowment • The California Wellness Foundation • Conrad N. Hilton Foundation • The John Randolph Haynes Foundation • The Smidt Foundation • Weingart Foundation