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The Valley’s

Volume 35 Number 50

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 35 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Dodgers End 32 Year World Series Drought

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer After some 32 years, with a lot of setbacks and let downs the Los Angeles Dodgers came away with a World Series Championship at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

The Dodgers came away with a world Series win against the feisty Tampa Bay Rays. They never quit.

Holding a 3-games to two lead L.A fell behind 1-0 in the first inning as Randy Arozarena hit a solo homerun off starter Tony Gonsolin.

It was the rookies 10th homer in twenty post season games setting a play-off record. Rays pitcher Blake Snell was sailing along striking out nine and giving up only a couple of singles.

He appeared to be untouchable as Dodgers hitters struggled at the plate.

That all changed in the sixth with one out Austin Barnes singled and out came Rays manager Kevin Cash. The next three hitters Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Justin Turner were all 0-for 6 with six strikeouts between them. Cash still gave him the hook. A resistant Snell left the mound and headed to the dug-out.

Betts then doubled off new pitcher Nick Anderson. He then threw a wild pitch scoring Barnes to even the score 1-1 and moving Betts to third. Seager hit a hard ground ball to first and Betts shot towards home on contact that made it 2-1 Dodgers. When Snell left the game the Rays Catcher Mike Zunino appeared to be unenthusiastic behind the plate.

Dodger relievers Dylan Floro, Alex Wood, Pedro Baez, Tony Gonzalez (got the win), Brustar Gratertol, and Jose Urias shut out the Rays the rest of the night.

Urias showed his dominance giving up no hits while striking out 4 in the 2-2/3 innings to get the save. He finished this post season with a 4-0 record.

Mookie Betts led off the eight with a 417-foot homerun that made the score 3-1 and that’s how it ended.

“We didn’t need to go to a game seven,” said Betts. “We felt Continued on page A6

The Dodgers celebrate their big 2020 World Series win in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Propositions Cheat Sheet (Part 3 of 3 Part Series)

Quinci LeGardye California Black Media 2020 is a big election year. With all eyes on the presidential race, Californians can’t afford to lose sight of our state and local elections. These decisions need the same amount of consideration being given to the big race. They are the ones with the most -- and the most immediate -effects on you and your family’s safety, quality of life and finances.

This year, California as a whole is reckoning with some big changes. The 12 qualified propositions on the ballot cover many issues, including tax codes, voting rights, workers’ rights and affirmative action. The results of these ballot measures will affect every life in California in some shape or form, and it’s important that voters understand them and make informed decisions on how to vote.

Prop 22 - Exempts App-Based Transportation and Delivery Companies From Providing Employee Benefits to Certain Drivers. Initiative Statute Prop 22 is about employment classification for rideshare and delivery drivers, affecting the companies

Uber, Lyft and DoorDash, among others. If it passes, these companies will be allowed to continue to classify their drivers as independent contractors with benefits from those app-based companies, including a base wage and healthcare subsidies. Currently, these drivers are legally classified as employees under AB-5.

Proponents of the ballot measure argue it would allow gig drivers, who are majority African American and Latino, to keep their flexibility and continue earning income in a turbulent economy.

Those against Prop 22 argue that it would allow the companies to underpay their drivers, and exempt gig companies from providing standard benefits that drivers need, like unemployment insurance, paid time off, and workers compensation.

Prop 23 - Authorizes State Regulation of Kidney Dialysis Clinics. Establishes Minimum Staffing and Other Requirements. Initiative Statute.

Prop 23 regards state regulation of dialysis clinics. If Prop 23 passes, all dialysis clinics would require at least one licensed physician on site during treatment. It would

also require clinics to report infection data to state health officials and require state approval for clinics to close or reduce services. State and local health care costs would increase due to increased dialysis treatment costs.

Supporters of Prop 23 argue that the regulations are necessary to keep large dialysis corporations in line.

Opponents of Prop 23 argue that many dialysis clinics would have to restrict hours or shut down if they had to pay a licensed physician, and that dialysis patients would have trouble affording increased treatment costs. They also note that the proposition does not require that the physicians have any specialized knowledge in dialysis or kidney function.

Prop 24. Amends Privacy Laws. Initiative Statute.

Prop 24 concerns consumer data privacy laws, which prevent businesses from sharing personal information gathered digitally, including from websites. If passed, it would strengthen the California Consumer Privacy Act by letting consumers tell businesses to limit the use of their sensitive data, such as an individual’s exact location and Continued on page A3

Next Week, California Voters Could Get Rid of

Cash Bail Statewide Quinci LeGardye California Black Media As cities across California take a closer look at unfair practices in the criminal justice system, Proposition 25 offers a statewide policy that could aid their efforts: getting rid of cash bail.

The ballot measure, which is based on SB 10, a bill former Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law two years ago, would replace cash bail with risk assessments for suspects awaiting trial.

Currently California uses a cash bail system that allows suspects to pay a cash bond to be released from jail with the promise to return to court for trial, at which point the cash bond is repaid. If Prop 25 passes, cash bail would be replaced with a risk assessment system that categorizes suspects as low risk, medium risk, or high risk, with suspects for misdemeanors exempt from needing a risk assessment.

Under the new system, suspects who are categorized as low risk and likely to appear in court – and are also a low risk to society -- would be released from jail before trial, and those deemed high risk would remain in jail. The state Judicial Council would decide what the risk assessment tools would be, with the proposition mandating that “tools shall be demonstrated by scientific research to be accurate and reliable.”

The California Legislature approved SB 10 during the 2018 session, and former Gov. Jerry Brown signed it into law on Aug. 28 that same year. The next day, opponents filed a referendum to overturn the bill, which prevented the law from being scheduled to take effect in 2019.

Opponents gathered enough support to move it to a 2020 ballot initiative, which means the decision to overturn or uphold Prop 25 now falls to voters on Election Day next week.

Supporters of Prop 25 argue that the cash bail system is inherently unfair, where wealthy people can pay their way out of jail and poor people with the same likelihood to appear or not appear for trial have to stay imprisoned.

They say that the risk assessment system will make public safety the guiding factor to determine which suspects have to stay in jail before trial. They also argue that they system will allow more poor people to go free before awaiting trial, which would save money for local jails.

Supporters also argue that the cash bail system is deeply inequitable. They say that people who cannot afford bail are more likely to take a plea deal after months of sitting in jail while possibly losing their jobs and homes.

Those who can afford it, can avoid or minimize jail time and be less impacted by the implications of their arrest.

Supporters include the California Democratic Party, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the California Medical Association -- as well as Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA37).

“For years, California has proudly led the way on fundamental civil rights and criminal justice reform but, as we’ve witnessed firsthand across our country, there’s more we must do to root out racial inequity and structural bias and to embrace proven reforms that work. This November, state voters will once again have the opportunity to make California a national leader in the unfinished fight for equity and justice,” said Newsom.

Opponents of Prop 25 argue that the risk assessment system could be potentially worse than cash bail, with a high possibility that racial profiling could be used in the assessment process. Also, they argue that implementing the system would be too expensive, as the proposition’s fiscal impact statement says it would cost “possibly in the mid hundreds of millions of dollars annually” for the new system.

Opponents include the Republican Party of California, the ACLU of Southern California, the California Business Roundtable and the California Black Chamber of Commerce.

Prop 25 is also opposed by the commercial bail bond industry, which would be disrupted if the proposition

Free!

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Black Man Shot

by Police in Iowa Settles Suit for $400,000

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A Black man who was shot by police outside an Iowa nightclub five years ago and alleged he was singled out because of his race has agreed to a nearly $400,000 settlement.

Jovan Darnell Webb, 33, was wounded while attempting to pull out of the New World nightclub parking lot in Waterloo during a disturbance in April 2015. His suit also alleged excessive force, equal protection violations and battery on the part of the police officers, The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported.

The lawsuit had been scheduled to go to trial this month in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. The decision to settle for $399,999 was made by the city’s liability insurance carrier.

The city’s attorney, David Baker, declined to comment.

Waterloo officers had responded to the club around closing time because of a disturbance that included a report of possible gunfire. According to court records and testimony at pretrial hearings, a plainclothes officer saw Webb enter a car with a bottle and ran after the vehicle, calling for uniformed officers to stop him.

Another officer stepped in front of the vehicle but dived out of the way when it bumped his legs because he was worried he was about to be run over. Fearing the officer was being dragged, two other officers began shooting at the car, striking Webb in the arm, abdomen and chest.

Webb’s attorneys said he was stopped when the shooting started and only accelerated to get away from the gunfire.

Webb drove to a nearby hospital, where officers searched his car in the parking lot and found a .22-caliber revolver.

Webb was sentenced to probation after entering Alford pleas in 2017 to misdemeanor charges of assault on an officer, interference and carrying weapons. Under the plea, he didn’t admit guilt but acknowledged he would likely be convicted if the case went to trial.

Three Indiana Hospital Systems: Racism a ‘Public Health Crisis’

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Three central Indiana hospital systems have declared racism a public health crisis, calling social and economic inequities “a recipe for pain, suffering, premature mortality and civil protest.”

Indiana University Health, Community Health Network and Eskenazi Health said in a joint statement issued Thursday that they are committing to a “culture of inclusion” that addresses and reduces discrimination.

The health systems did not say if any single incident prompted their statement, but it followed a summer of unrest in Indianapolis and other cities following the May death of George Floyd, a handcuffed Black man who died in Minneapolis police custody after an officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.

The hospitals said they “seek to eliminate the systemic racism that disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities” and that “we stand united against racism, injustice and inaction.”

They added that racism results in generational trauma and poverty, while causing higher rates of illness and death in Black and Brown communities.

“Our society only truly thrives when everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live a healthy life,” the statement said. “We are committed to moving forward together. By harnessing the collective strengths of our organizations, we will help serve our communities as agents of change.”

The hospitals are the latest to step forward as a group to take a stand against racism, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.

Earlier this month, some of central Indiana’s most prominent employers – including Anthem Inc., Cummins Inc. and Eli Lilly and Co. – signed the “Indy Racial Equity Pledge.” They promised in that pledge to continue the conversation about social justice into the months and years ahead.

Michelle Obama, Wynwood Group Unveil Digital Voting Murals

is passed. The American Bail Coalition organized the political action committee Californians Against the Reckless Bail Scheme that filed the veto referendum in 2018. Representatives of the bail industry argue that risk assessments are no better than cash bail, that they are potentially more costly and that more people who go free before trial may commit more crimes before trail.

“This legislation is a reckless attempt at changing the state’s bail system and is fundamentally bad for California.

While we all agree that bail reform is necessary, this costly, reckless plan will use racially-biased computer algorithms to decide who gets stuck in jail and who goes free. That’s not right,” said Jeff Clayton, spokesperson for Californians Against the Reckless Bail Scheme.

MIAMI (AP) – A Miami arts group has teamed up with former First Lady Michelle Obama to create digital murals across the country to help get out the vote.

Obama’s nonpartisan voting organization When We All Vote and Goldman Global Arts unveiled 13 murals this month at arenas and stadiums throughout the country and in Times Square.

Obama shared a pic of one of the murals on Instagram this week, saying “Art has the power to inspire and express our feelings in ways that words often can’t” and included the work of Chicago South Side artist Kayla Mahaffey.?

Each city’s billboard will feature a local artist and a rotating digital display of their work focused on messages of civic engagement and voting history.

Goldman Global Arts is the creative agency behind the popular tourist destination Wynwood Walls in Miami’s trendy graffiti-covered Wynwood neighborhood.

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Local

Thursday, October 29, 2020

World & Nation

Thursday, October 29, 2020

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

My Plan to Lift Every Voice in Black America

By Joe Biden There is injustice in America. There is discrimination.

There is a legacy of racism and inequality that lives still in our institutions, our laws, and in too many people’s hearts that makes it harder for Black people to succeed. These are facts in the United States of America in 2020, and we must all do more to move our nation closer to the ideals inlaid at our founding—that all women and men are created equal.

This year has also brought us too many examples of the dangers Black people can face in the course of going about their lives. With grieving hearts, we learned to say the names of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and many more. I’ve spent time with the families of George Floyd and Jacob Blake, sharing their grief and anger and seeing the incredible resilience of communities that for too long have had a knee on their neck. And I was inspired by their commitment to turn their pain into purpose.

Today, there are Americans all across this country, especially Black Americans, who are exhausted and hurting.

Who are disappointed by a system that never seems to deliver for your communities. Who are sick and tired of a cycle where, in good times, Black communities lag behind, in bad times they get hit first and hardest, and in recovery, they take the longest to bounce back.

We’re in the midst of four simultaneous crises—a pandemic that has claimed more than 200,000 lives, a disproportionate number of whom were Black; an economic crash that has hit Black workers and Black business owners especially hard; a long overdue reckoning on racial justice; and a climate crisis that is already hurting Black and Brown communities the most.

It is our job to do everything in our power to rip out systemic racism across our society, root and branch. It will be hard work in any case. But we will not succeed without a leader who understands our history and is ready to grapple with our challenges.

President Trump wants to paper over the living wound of racism. He’s issued Executive Orders and established a new national commission designed to whitewash our history—and deny the daily reality of being Black in America. He actively appeals to white supremacists and fans the flames of hatred and division in our country, because he thinks it benefits him politically. He ignores the most basic job of every president: the duty to care for all of us, not just those who voted for him.

It’s the polar opposite of what I will do as president.

I was proud to serve for eight years alongside President Obama. I watched up close how he filled the Oval Office with dignity and compassion for others. And, together with

Joe Biden. (Courtesy Photo)

Senator Kamala Harris as my vice president, we will restore honor, integrity, and competence to the White House.

We will build an administration that looks like America, including nominating the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

We will work to unite the country around solutions that will push our country forward, and most importantly, I will listen to those impacted by the long-standing inequities in our system—especially Black Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans.

That’s how we will work together to deliver real, lasting change. Criminal justice and policing reforms, but also economic opportunity and financial stability. Building wealth for families of color and passing it down. Closing the racial wealth gap is one of the most powerful ways we can build real equity in our society, and it’s going to require a full-court press. That’s what my Lift Every Voice plan is—a comprehensive agenda to take on the range of issues that drive inequality in Black America.

We’ll tackle student debt and invest more in our

HBCUs, so higher education is a pathway to wealth and opportunity instead of to debt that prevents you from owning a home or starting a small business.

My plan will empower Black-owned small businesses, with short-term relief to get you through this tough time and long-term investments to help you build back better — with access to new capital and financing and government contracts.

Critically, we’re going to tackle the racial homeownership gap head on. There is no greater vehicle for wealth creation than homeownership. That’s why my plan will restore the steps President Obama and I took toward eradicating housing discrimination, including redlining; end racial bias in how we judge which families are creditworthy; and provide a $15,000 down payment tax credit to help millions of young Black families buy their first home.

We’ll fix our upside-down tax system to finally reward work, not wealth. Trump thinks billionaires deserve more tax cuts. But under my plan, I’ll make sure the super wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share, while ensuring that no one making less than $400,000 a year sees their taxes go up.

And I’m going to fight like hell to defend your family’s health care, just like I would my own. Right now, in the midst of a pandemic, Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Obamacare—all of it. He wants to overturn the very law that expanded coverage to an additional 3 million Black Americans. If he succeeds, more than 20 million Americans will lose their coverage, and more than 100 million people with preexisting conditions will no longer be protected against their insurance companies charging them more, or denying them coverage all together.

I’ll defend Obamacare and build on it—adding a public option that will automatically enroll 4 million more people that Republicans shut out by refusing to expand Medicaid in their states. We’re going to get to universal coverage and lower health care costs. We’re going to give working families a bigger subsidy to lower their premiums.

And we’re going to take on pharmaceutical companies, bringing down the cost of your prescription drugs by 60 percent.

As my friend John Lewis used his final words to remind us: “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America.” We cannot be tired. We cannot be hopeless. The choice in this election couldn’t be more stark, and we must vote for the future we want for every single one of our children. I’m ready to fight for you and your families, and I hope to earn your vote.

Judge Denies Uber and Lyft Appeal Last Chance on Prop 22 Falls to Voters

Quinci LeGardye California Black Media The legal push-and-pull over whether ride-hailing company drivers in California will maintain their status as independent contractors or become W-2 employees continued last week.

On Oct. 22, the First District Court of Appeal in San

Francisco upheld the injunction issued against Uber and Lyft last August that those companies’ app-based drivers are employees.

In its ruling, the court said there was an “overwhelming likelihood” that Uber and Lyft are violating AB 5. The law that has driven a wedge between opponents and supporters across the state requires that employers classify

workers who meet certain criteria as employees instead of independent contractors. It also states that those hiring firms must provide all worker benefits to employees that California’s labor laws mandate.

The appellate court sided with Judge Ethan Schulman of the San Francisco Superior Court. That jurist ordered Uber and Lyft to classify their California drivers as employees.

Reacting to the ruling, Uber spokesperson Matt Kallman said he’s considering other options but the best chance for drivers to remain contractors now falls to voters when they decide on Proposition 22 next week.

“If the voters don’t say Yes on Proposition 22, rideshare drivers will be prevented from continuing to work as independent contractors, putting hundreds of thousands of Californians out of work and likely shutting down ridesharing throughout much of the state,” he said.

If voters approve the ballot measure, which Uber and Lyft are sponsoring, the gig economy companies will be able to continue classifying their employees as independent contractors.

The injunction resulted from a lawsuit that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed in May in conjunction with the city attorneys of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The suit argued that Uber and Lyft violated AB 5 by classifying drivers as independent contractors after AB 5 took effect in January.

“Uber and Lyft have used their muscle and clout to resist treating their drivers as workers entitled to those paycheck and benefit protections. The courts saw right through their arguments. It’s time for Uber and Lyft to play by the rules,” said Becerra in a statement after the ruling.

Uber, Lyft and other gig economy companies have been fighting against AB 5 since Gov. Newsom signed it into law in August 2019. While the state’s lawsuit has worked its way through the courts, Uber and Lyft, along with other gig economy companies, have pumped nearly $200 million into the Yes on Prop 22 campaign so far.

Black Archbishop Marks a Historic Moment

By ELANA SCHOR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – Washington D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory is set to become the first Black U.S. prelate to assume the rank of cardinal in the Catholic Church, a historic appointment that comes months after nationwide demonstrations against racial injustice.

Gregory’s ascension, announced on Sunday by Pope Francis alongside 12 other newly named cardinals, elevates a leader who has drawn praise for his handling of the sexual abuse scandal that has roiled the church. The Washingtonarea archbishop also has spoken out in recent days about the importance of Catholic leaders working to combat the sin of racial discrimination.

The 72-year-old Gregory, ordained in his native Chicago in 1973, took over leadership of the capital’s archdiocese last year after serving as archbishop of Atlanta since 2005. The ceremony making his elevation official is slated for Nov. 28.

“With a very grateful and humble heart, I thank Pope Francis for this appointment which will allow me to work more closely with him in caring for Christ’s Church,” Gregory said in a statement issued by the archdiocese.

Gregory helped shape the church’s “zero tolerance” response to the sexual abuse scandal while serving as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2001 to 2004. During that period, the bishops adopted a charter designed to govern its treatment of sexual abuse allegations made by minor children against priests. The church’s efforts since 2004 have helped achieve a sharp reduction in child-sex abuse cases. But some abuse continues

to occur, and the church’s procedures for addressing abuse continue to incur criticism from those who feel there’s a lack of consistency and transparency.

More recently, amid nationwide protests this summer sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Gregory made headlines for issuing a statement critical of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine. That presidential visit to the shrine came one day after demonstrators were forcefully cleared to facilitate Trump’s visit to an Episcopal church in Washington, and Gregory responded that he considered “it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated.”

During a June dialogue hosted by Georgetown University, Gregory talked frankly about his own response to Floyd’s killing and emphasized the value of church involvement in pressing social issues.

“The church lives in society. The church does not live behind the four doors of the structures where we worship,” Gregory said then.

The Washington D.C. archdiocese has created an anti-racism initiative under Gregory’s leadership, offering focused prayer and listening sessions.

Gregory also has reached out to other faith communities, speaking on race in June as part of the American Jewish Committee’s Advocacy Anywhere webinar series. Rabbi Noam Marans, the organization’s director of interreligious relations said in a statement that “our shared endeavors are blessed by Archbishop Gregory’s ascent to the College of Cardinals.”

In addition to his work combating racial injustice and sexual abuse in the church, Gregory has drawn notice for his more inclusive treatment of LGBTQ Catholics. In 2014, while serving in Atlanta, he wrote a positive column about his conversations with a group of Catholic parents of LGBTQ children.

Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, which represents LGBTQ Catholics, said his group is “very excited” to see Gregory’s elevation and connected it back to Francis’ recently reported comments supporting civil unions for same-sex couples.

Gregory’s elevation, while pathbreaking for Black Americans in the church, also follows a pattern of D.C.area archbishops getting named to the rank of cardinal. Five of the six prelates who previously held Gregory’s position were later named cardinals.

The archdiocese, though, has become embroiled in the abuse crisis since its previous two leaders – Donald Wuerl and Theodore McCarrick – were implicated in the church sex scandal.

Francis in February 2019 defrocked McCarrick after a Vatican-backed investigation concluded he sexually abused minors and adults over his long career. It was the first time a cardinal had been dismissed from the priesthood for abuse.

Francis reluctantly accepted Wuerl’s resignation in October 2018 after he lost the trust of his priests and parishioners in the months following the release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report. The report accused Wuerl of helping to protect some child-molesting priests while he was bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006.

Propositions Cheat Sheet Continued from page A1

race, and prohibiting businesses from keeping consumer data for longer than necessary. It would also establish a new state agency dedicated to enforcing privacy laws and increase financial penalties for violations concerning consumers under age 16.

Those in favor of Prop 24 argue that the current consumer privacy law isn’t strong enough, and that the measure would give people more control over their personal data, and make it easier for consumers to sue companies if their email accounts and passwords are stolen or hacked.

Opponents say the measure was written behind closed doors and included the participation of companies that are the targets of regulation.

Prop 25 - Referendum on Law That Replaced Money Bail with System Based on Public Safety and Flight Risk Proposition 25 is a veto referendum on SB 10, a 2018 law that would replace cash bail with risk assessments for suspects awaiting trial. If Prop 25 passes, it would replace the current system, where suspects pay a cash bond to be released from jail with a promise to return for trail, with risk assessment to determine whether a detained suspect is a flight risk or a danger to the public. The state superior courts would establish divisions responsible for conducting risk assessments and making recommendations, and the state Judicial Court would determine which factors are considered for the assessments.

Prop 25 supporters argue that the risk assessment system would be fairer than the current system, which depends on a suspect’s ability to afford bail.

Opponents of Prop 25 argue that the risk assessments will likely discriminate against Black and Brown people and increase racial profiling. They also point out that it will give judges unchecked power with no accountability, and that setting up the new system would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

For more information on the propositions visit the California Secretary of State Website: https://www.sos. ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures

Lyft spokesperson Julie Wood said in a statement, “This ruling makes it more urgent than ever for voters to stand with drivers and vote yes on Prop 22.”

The gig economy companies are also facing another legal battle. On Oct. 22, a group of California gig workers sued Uber for penalties totaling up to $260 million.

The workers argue that Uber’s use of aggressive in-app messages urging the workers to support Prop 22 violated their employment rights. They are seeking an injunction to prevent Uber from showing any more Prop 22 messages in the app.

“Uber’s threats and constant barrage of Prop 22 propaganda on an app the drivers must use to do their work have one purpose: to coerce the drivers to support Uber’s political battle to strip them of workplace protections,” said attorney David Lowe of Rudy, Exelrod, Zieff & Lowe in a statement announcing the lawsuit.

There have been numerous reports on social media of the Uber app’s messages, which read “Prop 22 is progress” and “Prop 22 will provide guaranteed earnings and a healthcare stipend.” Drivers then had to click either “Yes on Prop 22” or “OK” to proceed in the app. Uber spokesman Matthew Wing said that specific language is no longer used, and now drivers are occasionally shown a pop up that says “Drivers deserve better” and offers the option to click through to see more facts.

An Uber spokesperson called the lawsuit “without merit, filed solely for press attention and without regard for the facts.”

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Entertainment THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Black Voices are Loud and Clear at New York Film Festival

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic The lineup at the 2020 New York Film Festival (NYFF) included an impressive array of African diaspora films and the festival’s usual collection of international motion pictures.

Attesting to NYFF’s eagerness to hear black voices, the fest featured three main slate films from British director/ writer Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) that are part of a five-episode West Indian community-based mini-series “Small Axe.” McQueen’s homage to his Caribbean roots will appear on Prime Video later this year. Other NYFF entries will roll out in theaters, VOD and on streaming service – in months to come.

All in: The Fight for Democracy (3 stars) If voter suppression doesn’t spark righteous indignation, nothing will. To understand the gravity of the problem, reflect on the findings of directors Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés and 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. The history of voting machinations goes back to the 1700s, when only White people who owned land could vote.

Eventually others could, but progress was followed by regression: poll taxes, literacy tests and a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that gutted parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Abrams walks you through the devious ways people are denied their rights to elect politicians and specifically points to the artifices used to stifle Georgia citizens’ rights and impede her ability to become governor. The facts and figures the doc have amassed are so alarming that they will make you treasure your right to vote. Timely. Illuminating.

Required viewing. The weaponization of voter suppression is unmasked by very astute filmmakers and an exceedingly brave politician.

Lovers Rock (4 stars) “I should have worn my church shoes,” says Martha (Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn). “You can’t wear church shoes to a blues party,” replies Patti (Shaniqua Okwok), her friend. The two young women head to a West Indian

Steve McQueen’s “Mangrove” tells the story of the “Mangrove Nine, Black defendants put on trial in 1971 after taking part in protests against police raids of the Mangrove restaurant in Notting Hill in London, England.

house party in this very evocative and visually stunning period film by writer/director Steve McQueen (“12 Years A Slave”).

The festivities take place in 1980s London, where the magic of dance and reggae/pop music put a joyful aura in the air that’s so powerful party goers sing along to the music like they’re in a Broadway show. The thinly plotted drama/ romance follows Martha as she meets the very debonair Franklyn (Michael Ward).

It’s all about the mood, music, images and feeling as McQueen recreates a time when Caribbean expatriates held on to their culture by socializing. McQueen takes his time painting this indelible portrait. Shapes, colors, textures, sounds, clothes and setting define the movie. A work of art.

A complete surprise. Gorgeous (cinematographer Shabier Kirchner). Hard to wrap your head around this much artistry. But you must. As the DJ says, “Move your feet.

You don’t know who’ll you meet.”

Mangrove (3 and 1/2 stars) In the Nottinghill section of London in 1968, the West Indian community has taken the neighborhood restaurant Mangrove into its heart. The café is run by Frank Crichlow (Shaun Parkes, TV’s “Lost in Space”), a Trinidadian immigrant who is as proud to serve émigrés and local activists curry goat as he is to offer them a community center. Police harassment is part of daily life.

Says Darcus (Malachi Kirby, “Roots”), a Black Panther: “The police will have to stop it or the Black community will have to stop them.” It’s a sentiment echoed by his comrade Altheia Jones-LaCointe (Letitia Wright, “Black Panther”).

Continued brutality incites a neighborhood march, which involves a clash with the cops. Nine people are arrested, imprisoned and dubbed the “Mangrove Nine” as they fight for their freedom in an impassioned court case.

The story, written by Steve McQueen and Alastair Siddons and directed by McQueen, is based on fact and displays waves of police violence so disturbing it will hook audiences into the plight of those on trial.

When the restaurant crew goes berserk in a cop station after one of theirs has been beaten, the movie hits a level of blistering drama that is sustained throughout the rest of the film. Oscar-caliber performance from Kirby, Wright and Parkes.

With an evil judge, conniving prosecutors and lying police vs. courageous activists, McQueen shows a gift for courtroom drama on the level of Sidney Lumet’s (”12 Angry Men”). Steel band music and Toots and the Maytals singing the classic reggae song “Pressure Drop” help this reverent feel for West Indian culture and an unwavering quest for justice resonate.

MLK/FBI

(3 stars) J. Edgar Hoover’s evil attempts to silence Martin Luther King in the ‘60s are notorious. But it took documentarian/director Sam Pollard (Mr. Soul!) and cowriters Benjamin Hedin and Laura Tomaselli to draw a straight line between the FBI and King based on newly declassified files. Hoover feared the rise of a Black Messiah, and his racism and paranoia motivated him to connive.

Tapes from hotel rooms, files and archival footage are all assembled meticulously and presented like a professor teaching a grad course or a prosecuting attorney building an airtight case. Clips of RFK, JFK, Andrew Young and informants abound. Images of MLK railing against segregation and the War in Vietnam are iconic: “No money for the war on poverty. But money for (Vietnam) war.” Be prepared to be deluged with pertinent facts, data so detailed and academic general audiences may feel overwhelmed.

Which would be a shame. Films that divulge the reckless behavior of the FBI and/or government should be seen so the country doesn’t repeat that kind of malfeasance that leads to civil rights leaders being maligned and murdered.

Red, White and Blue (3 and 1/2 stars) “Your talent doesn’t belong behind closed doors. You should be a benefit to the community,” says a mentor. Those words steer Leroy Logan (John Boyega, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens), a young forensic scientist, towards recruitment for a local police force in his West Indian neighborhood in 1980s London.

Watching his father Ken (Steve Toussaint) get physically abused by the cops is another driving force.

Leroy ‘s good intentions for reform meet with resistance from fellow cadets, and subsequently fellow constables in the Metropolitan Police Force and his commanding officer.

Filmmaker Steve McQueen with co-writer Courttia Newland (Lovers Rock) expertly recreates a true crime/ drama story that captures the depth of police rancor and an officer who dared to fix it. Boyega’s stirring performance reaches extremely high levels of drama and indignation, the kind few of his other roles offered. He deserves an Oscar nom.

Tense scenes between the do-right son and wronged father ache with sadness, fear, betrayal, stubbornness, discord—then healing. Toussaint and the supporting cast—from the family to the police characters—are electric.

Watching West Indians and Pakistanis be abused makes you see the urgent need for a transformation. A searing exposé.

Excellent. Fiery. Courageous filmmaking that demands an end to inhumane policing and systematic racism.

Dwight Brown is film critic for NNPA News Wire.

For more information, visit DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

Rapper Silento Charged with Driving 143 MPH ATLANTA (AP) – Atlanta rapper Silento was arrested Friday and accused of driving 143 mph (230 kph) on Interstate 85, authorities said.

Silento, or Richard “Ricky” Lamar Hawk, was charged with reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain lane and improper stopping, news outlets reported.

A DeKalb police report said Hawk was pulled over around 3 a.m. after an officer witnessed Hawk’s white BMW swerving around slower cars.

The report said Hawk initially argued with the officer about how fast he was going and insisted that he’d done nothing wrong.

Later, Hawk told the officer he was speeding because he normally gets followed when leaving events, the report

said.

The “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” rapper said he was at a club promoting his new song and that he could go 143 mph because he’s not “a regular person,” the report said.

It was unclear whether Hawk had an attorney who would comment on his behalf.

The arrest comes a month after Hawk was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Hawk was accused of walking into an unlocked stranger’s home in the Valley Village area of Los Angeles and swinging a hatchet at the two people inside before one of them disarmed him.

Prior to that arrest he was charged with inflicting corporal punishment on a spouse or cohabitant at a Santa Ana home on Aug. 28.

Local

Thursday, October 29, 2020

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Why the 2020 Vote Matters More than Ever

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Her father survived Jim Crow and saw the evolution of the vote in America, so Lex Scott speaks from a unique perspective when she champions African Americans’ historical significance casting their ballots.

“When my father voted, his life was at risk,” remarked Scott, the president of the Black Lives Matter Utah Chapter.

“Black people were also filled with many obstacles that prevented them from voting. Some had to be landowners; some had to be sponsored by white personnel,” Scott recalled.

“Some had to pay fees. Some were tested. Many people died for that right. It is too important for us not to vote, and if we want to have a democracy, we need to participate in it. We can’t hope that situations will change.

We have to be active in helping candidates get elected who will create that change.”

The fight for African Americans’ right to vote dates back to the late 1800s.

Freed Blacks in New York briefly held the right to vote before the Civil War, and there were similar instances in other Northern states.

“African American men were given the right to vote with the passage of the 15th amendment in 1870 as one of the Reconstruction Amendments after the Civil War, Brianna Mack, an assistant professor of politics and government at Ohio Wesleyan University, wrote in an email to BlackPressUSA. “The Reconstruction era ended in 1877 with President Rutherford B. Hayes explicitly ending federal oversight of Southern states to fund public schools, establish charitable institutions, raise taxes, and fund public improvements to incorporate newly freed Blacks into the fabric of daily life as citizens and equal participants in America,” Mack noted.

During Reconstruction, the Black vote’s influence materialized as African Americans won election to local, state, and national offices.

“Black men won election to state legislatures and Congress indicating an impending drastic social change,” Mack added.

“Starting in 1868, we see white supremacist groups, precursors to the Ku Klux Klan, use violence to suppress the Black vote, and fraud was rampant. Many congressional

Suppression efforts have continued, and, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the federal government’s ability to block states’ voting restrictions. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

elections in the South were contested,” she continued.

“Such tactics were used because white political leaders quickly realized that African Americans are independent political beings whose participation in elections can upset the ‘balance’ that previously existed without their involvement. These political leaders could not appeal to Black people and/or Black people were not responsive

to their appeals because their appeals were rooted in the subjugation of the racial group i.e. for the foreseeable future, southern Democrats would/could not count on Black support.”

President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which reinforced the 15th amendment of nearly a century earlier. The Voting Rights Act outlawed

discriminatory voting practices and effectively provided African Americans the right to cast ballots freely.

Despite the 1965 law, Blacks were still denied the right to vote.

In some cases, by violence and in many instances through suppression and misinformation tactics.

One year after the Voting Rights Act, civil rights activist James Meredith was shot and wounded during a voter registration march between Tennessee and Mississippi.

Undaunted, 4,000 African Americans registered to vote in Mississippi the day after the shooting as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael joined the march.

Suppression efforts have continued, and, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the federal government’s ability to block states’ voting restrictions.

In doing so, the high court effectively struck down a significant part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which has led to restrictive laws that have primarily affected African American voters.

“In a general sense, the power of the vote is absolutely critical to the creation and maintenance of an equal society, and that’s why ruling classes fought the concept of universal suffrage for so many years in Europe and the U.S.,” remarked Amber Dozier, the managing partner, and chief strategy officer of the ABCD & Company, a Rockville, Maryland-based marketing firm.

“In the case of African-Americans, voting is even more important because the laws of this nation have been historically designed in a way that leads to the de facto economic, cultural/social, and political subjugation or African-Americans,” Dozier added.

“The Constitution, a document that framed the legal and political essence of America, declared the AfricanAmericans were three-fifths of a White person – all for the purpose of amassing political power through the vote.”

She concluded: “This demonstrates that the Black vote has power and has always been a commodity to those in power, even when we were deprived of that right. Voting gives citizens, the power to shape the laws that govern their lives. In a sociopolitical climate where there is vehement debate over the appropriateness of saying ‘Black lives matter.’ AfricanAmericans must vote because our lives and the sanctity with which they are treated depends on it.”

California Governor Newsom says:

Death Penalty ‘Infected by Racism’

By ADAM BEAM Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ California’s process for imposing the death penalty “is now, and always has been, infected by racism,” Gov. Gavin Newsom declared Monday in a brief filed with the state Supreme Court.

Newsom filed the brief in the case of Donte Lamont McDaniel, who was sentenced to death in 2009 for the murder of 33-year-old George Brooks and 52-year-old Annette Anderson.

In California, juries can impose the death penalty if they find that “aggravating factors” outweigh “mitigating factors.” The decision to sentence someone to death must be unanimous. But juries don’t have to unanimously agree on each aggravating factor.

McDaniel’s case is challenging that interpretation of the state Constitution. In his brief, lawyers on behalf of Newsom argue not requiring juries to agree on those factors increases racial

discrimination in death penalty cases. They argue that “decades of study” show the percentage of Black people excluded from juries in death penalty cases was “double to triple” that of whites, mostly because as a group Black people are more likely to oppose the death penalty than white people.

That’s a problem when it is time to sentence someone to death, they argue, because “overall, White jurors ‘are much less receptive to mitigation’ than Black jurors” in cases where the defendant is Black and the victim is white. Meanwhile, Black jurors “are more likely than white jurors to ‘keep the sin separate from the sinner’ no matter what the race.”

But beyond that, Newsom’s brief argues that the death penalty in the United States is “rooted in the legacy of slavery, racial terror and subjugation,” saying it has been “disproportionately applied, first, to enslaved Africans and African Americans, and, later, to free Black people.”

The brief was written on behalf of Newsom by two professors at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law: Elizabeth Semel, director of the school’s Death Penalty Clinic, and Erwin Chemerinsky, the school’s dean. Newsom’s office said it was the first time a sitting California governor has filed a brief with the state Supreme Court “calling attention to the unfair and uneven application of the death penalty.”

“With this filing, we make clear that all Californians deserve the same right to a jury trial that is fair, and that is a matter of life and death,” Newsom said in a news release.

California has not executed anyone since 2006. In 2016, voters narrowly approved a ballot proposition designed to speed up the death penalty. But Newsom halted all executions in California last year, declaring he “will not oversee the execution of any individual.”

Nancy Haydt, executive director of anti-capital punishment

advocacy group Death Penalty Focus, praised Newsom for saying the death penalty is racially biased. She pointed to cases in Los Angeles County, where 305 people have been sentenced to death since 1977. Of those, 44% are Black and 17% are white, according to the Habeas Corpus Resource Center. About 9% of Los Angeles County’s population is Black.

“It’s undeniable,” Haydt said.

Kent Scheidegger, legal director of the California Justice Legal Foundation, said it was “baloney” to say racism has infected the state’s death penalty process.

“The relevant comparison is death row versus the population of murderers, not death row versus the general population,” he said.

Please wear a mask and socially distance youself.

DO YOUR PART TO END COVID-19

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF JANET F. WANG CASE NUMBER: 20 STPB05048 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of JANET F. WANG, JANET FANG-MEI WANG, JANET WANG A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JENNIFER P. WANG in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca. 90012 Branch Name: Probate Dept.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JENNIFER P. WANG be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate.

The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should

Legals

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Nov 19, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: 4 Room: IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided on Probate Code section 9100.

The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250.

A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: Shirley Tam 111 North Market Street, Suite 300 San Jose, Ca. 95113 Telephone: (408) 977-7766

PUB: Oct 22, 29, Nov 5, 2020

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E)

�������������������������������

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF PINKIE M. ROBINSON CASE NUMBER: 20 STPB01419 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of PINKIE M. ROBINSON, PINKIE MAE ROBINSON, PINKIE ROBINSON A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CLARENCE ROBINSON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca. 90012 Branch Name: Central District THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that CLARENCE ROBINSON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should

PUBLIC NOTICE not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Dec 15, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: 5 Room: IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided on Probate Code section 9100.

The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250.

A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: Daniel De Soto 9420 Reseda Blvd., Ste. 400 Northridge, Ca. 92341 Telephone: (818) 270-8309 LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, 2020

A6

Sports

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor App (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) with Los Angeles Rams safety Terrell Burgess (26) and linebacker Kenny Young (41) during an NFL game on Monday, October, 26, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo: Ryan King/NFL)

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Terrell Lewis (52) celebrates during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears on Monday, October 26, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo: Ryan King/NFL)

Rams shut down Bears at SoFi

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The highly anticipated Monday night clash at SoFi Stadium turned into a one sided defensive battle won by the home team.

Los Angeles was trying to bounce back from a tough doubledigit loss at San Francisco last week.

Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley put together a game plan and the players executed it while the Rams came away with a 24-10 win against the Chicago Bears. It was the first time since 1988 the Rams beat the Bears on Monday Night Football.

The Rams (5-2) defense only gave up a mere 49 yards on the ground. It was the second time under Staley in which the defense held an opponent to 50 yards or less rushing. Players were flying through the air making key stops as the Bears converted just 4 of 14 third downs. The NFC North leaders only had 279 total

yards for game.

“I thought our defense was outstanding from start to finish,” said Coach Sean McVay. “They had some key turnovers and they had some key stops.”

It was an all-around effort as seven Ram defenders had five or more tackles including Micah Kiser with eight led the team.

As a team they had four sacks including two by Leonard Floyd against his former team.

“It was kind of emotional,” said Floyd about prepping to go against his former team. “I tried not to get to much on the emotional side I wanted to keep it like it was normal week and just go out and practice hard and come out on Monday and come out and play at a high level” Aaron Donald and Greg Gaines combined for a sake that stifled a drive. They held the Bears to their lowest point total all

Nick Anderson (45) and teammates celebrate his 11 tackle, 3 interception game in a 23-16 win over Va Tech.

(Photo: Wake Forest Athletics)

year.

Jarred Goff had another solid game completing 23 of 33 passes for 219 yards and touchdown passes to Josh Reynolds (4 yards) and tight end Gerald Everett had a 12-yarder. That play sent Goff over 16,000 passing yards for his career. The four-yarder to Reynolds tied him with Bob Waterfield for sixth place all-time in franchise history.

Cooper Kupp had six receptions for 43 yards. Darrell Henderson 64 yards and Malcom Brown 57 yards led the ground game.

The lone touchdown for the Bears (5-2) occurred with 7:30 left in the 4th when Rams Robert Woods took a hand-off on a jet sweep and was hit by Bears linebacker Robert Quinn in trying to make a tackle punched the ball out of Woods arms. Teammate Robert Jackson scooped it up and ran 8 yards into the endzone. It

was the only TD of the night for the visitors.

Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles was 28 of 40 for 261 yards passing with two interceptions. On one pick the pass was tipped in the end zone by Troy Hill and grabbed out of the air by Taylor Trapp who then tip-toed out of the side-line for his first of the year.

Another weapon was Johnny Hekker who had all five of punts land inside the 10 yard-line which was key field position giving the Rams the edge all-night.

RAMS NOTES: The Rams take on Miami next week followed with a bye. After that they have five of eight games at SoFi Stadium… Goff had a 108.8 passer rating. That marks the 5th game being a least 100… Kupp became the 16th Ram to reach 3,000 receiving yards…Rookie TE Bryce Hopkins made his first pro appearance.

Photo Information (L-R): Darrel Leftwich, LaShell Nelson, James Robinson, Gregory Nelson, Terry Young, Calvin Diggs, Commissioner Kevin Warren, Edward “Ed” Feaster, Gil Marchman, Larry “Smitty” Smith, Lamont Simpson, William “Will” McKoy, Dorsey Skinner, Robert Smith Jr. (University of Minnesota Athletics/Brad Rempel)

Anderson and Ridder Make BIG-10 Makes History Walter Camp History with All-Black Officials

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Nick Anderson of Wake Forest and Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati are this week’s winners of the Walter Camp Player of The Week.

Ridder accounted for four touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 passing) in leading the 9th ranked Bearcats to a 42 -13 win over #16 SMU. The junior from Louisville passed for 126 yards and a TD and rushed for 179 yards on 8 carries including a 91 yarder for the Bearcats (4-0).

Anderson lead a Wake Forest (3-2, 2-2) defense with 11 tackles and 3 interceptions in a 23-16 win over #19 Virginia Tech. They held the Hokies to the lowest point total all year. He is the first Demon Deacon since 1987 to have three interceptions in a game. His final pick in the fourth period sealed the win against ACC rival Hokies (3-2, 3-2) The true freshman from Clifton, Virginia is a walk on

but things may change in the near future. After the game they were calling him “Rudy” and yelling “Scholly, Scholly,” Wake Forest Head Coach Dave Clawson stated after the game. “So I think we’ll be taking care of that next semester.”

Walter Camp is know as the Father of American football. He first selected an All-American team in 1889. The Walter Camp Foundation is an all-volunteer organization based in New Haven, Connecticut. It founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideas of Camp and continue the tradition to select annual All-American team. It’s This is the 17th year that the Foundation has awarded one Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week. It is also the first time that a winner was selected from both Wake Forest and University of Cincinnati since it originated in 2004. Recipients are selected from a group of national media members and administrated by the Foundation.

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer It has been a tough 2020 as we have seen with COVID-19 and Social protest in many cities. The BIG-10 conference in trying to make strides with social justice as earlier this month it announced a “United as One” Campaign.

This football season on opening weekend the conference had an All-Black crew work Minnesota hosting Michigan at TCF Bank Stadium. The crew of 11 was sent because Minneapolis is the home of George Floyd.

According to the BIG-10 it was the first time any Power Five Conference has done such a thing.

“The principal of equality is very important to me personally and to the BIG Ten Conference,” Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said in a statement. “BIG Ten football has been around since 1896, but tonight marks the first time an All-African American football crew has led a game. It is a special weekend for BIG Ten and we are honored to have all 14 institutions and their student led social justice initiatives.”

The Equality Coalition formed earlier in 2020 has more than 200 members that includes student -athletes, coaches, director of athletics, Chancellors and school administrators from all of its institutions.

Dodgers End 32 Year World Series Drought Continued from page A1

Desmond Ridder (9) of Cincinnati accounted for 4 touchdowns and became the first Bearcat player to win Walter Camp Player of the Week. (Photo: Tim Flores/USA Today)

we had to do it tonight.”

On the removal of Rays pitcher Snell. “I’m not one to complain, he had his good stuff going that’s all I know, we just did what we had to do.”

Justin Turner was taken out of the lineup during the sixth. It turned out later it was due to an inconclusive COVID test the day before so Turner was tested earlier in the day and the test came back during the game. MLB had him removed from the field.

Turner did set a record with four doubles in the Series.

“We learned during the game,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred. “He was removed to help prevent spread.”

Turner did reappear briefly for the post game celebration with his teammates. Players are tested daily by MLB. He later joined his teammates in post-game ceremony.

“He’s part of the team and he belongs in the celebration,” said Betts who became the 55th player in history to win titles in both the American and National Leagues. He was also one of nine players to homer for the Men in Blue.

“I know Magic Johnson played basketball but when he became a part of the Dodgers front-office I knew it wouldn’t be long before they would have a title,” said David Ortiz on FOX Sports and former three-time champion with the Red Sox. “Magic is a winner and he would bring that attitude to the team.”

It was different kind of year do to COVID and social justices risings. At one point it appeared there wasn’t I going to be a

season.

“All the things we had to deal with,” said skipper Dave Roberts. “You could argue to say that it was even more difficult.

Not even talking about the play-off format just all the things we had to do as opposed to the long six-week spring training, the 162, the regular format.”

Corey Seager took home the Willie Mays MVP award. He had a team record 20 RBI’s in the post season to go with nine homers while batting .400 for the series.

“Talent is God given your born with talent,” said Kershaw who won two series games. “I just love to see how these guys have dedicated themselves to work better. The way Cory was this post season was unbelievable the focus, the drive to make everyone around him better.”

Seager joins Dodger greats -Johnny Padres, Sandy Koufax (2 times), Ron Cey, Steve Yeager and Oral Hershiser and Pedro Guerrero in winning the award.

This was the sixth title for the Dodgers since moving to L.A. Dodger pitchers had 70 strike outs which is a World series record. The last two series games they pitched 10 and 2/3 scoreless innings.

Kike Hernandez a native of Puerto Rico is feeling better after the win with all the personal things happening in his life. “I haven’t seen my family in areal long time. I think there’s a lot of people in that clubhouse who can share that sentiment. Baseball the most challenging part in dealing with the daily life as it is.”

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Sports

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A7

Chargers Weekly- Chapter 11

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com This National Football League season has been awkward for multiple reasons for most teams in the NFL, as the league figures out to manager outbreaks of the Coronavirus. Though the Chargers have yet to record a positive Coronavirus test, for either of their players or coaches, they have had their schedule adjusted as a result of other teams being infected by the COVID 19 pandemic. This schedule change will allow many of their players to rest and heal up from their injuries as well as enable their keys players to develop some much-needed chemistry.

Some of their notable injuries that should benefit from the early bye week are Offensive Guard Trai Turner, Offensive Tackle Bryan Bulaga, Running Back Justin Jackson, Wide Receiver Mike Williams, Defensive End Melvin Ingram, and Defensive Tackle Justin Jones. Though Justin Jackson, Mike Williams are the only guys slated to return to action right away. The bye coming this early in the season should get the other guys on the field in the all-important final push of the season.

In this Week 7 matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, they each come into this match up with 1 win apiece. The Jaguars (1-5) will make their furthest trip of the season (2,427 miles) when going to Los Angeles for the first time in franchise history win they meet the Chargers (1-4) on Sunday at the brand new SoFi Stadium. These Jaguars are the only team in the NFL this season to have three wide receivers with at least 25 receptions, Additionally, they have had six different players intercept a pass this season, including four different players in the last three games.

In regards to the bye week being moved up Coach Anthony Lynn mentioned to us, “We weren’t expecting a bye week, until last week but it probably couldn’t come at a better time.

Because we may get a few players back and we need to get a little healthier.” Not only will the team use their buy week to get better,

but I also wanted to know if Coach Lynn was comfortable with the defensive scheme employed to close out games, he responded by telling me.

Over their bye week, Coach Lynn said they’ve done selfscouting over the past week, when asked about what changes, if any, they plan to make, “we’ve got to execute for four quarters, we’ve did a lot of good things in the first five weeks, but we have to execute four quarters. As coaches’ there are things we need to tweak as well.” When pressed about those tweaks he said, “He wants to see these things playout on the field.”

He also mentioned the balance on defense between scaling things back vs. being more aggressive stating, “It’s a balance; it’s a fine line. You can scale back and be very vanilla, but you better be really good when you do that. If you’re missing a lot of key guys, you might want to put them in position, where they can be a little more aggressive.”

We were also able to talk to Chargers Defensive End Ucheena Nwosu in the week before their matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, I wanted to know about the discussion amongst the defensive squad about the points they’ve given up in the second half of their recent games he told me, “We know what we’ve been messing up on, we know what we need to correct.” When asked about changes to the strategy, “no major changes, we’re just doing what we’ve been known to do. Just keep focusing on the minor details; as it’s all about the details, as long as we take care of the minor details, we’ll be good to go.”

Veteran Defensive End Melvin Ingram echoed those same thoughts in his post-game press conferences just in a more direct fashion, “Nah, Nah we come out and play our game. We come out and rush the passer up front and on the back end, we cover.

We definitely don’t make any dramatic changes for nobody; we’re going to come out and play our game! It’s all about playing our game.”

For only the 9th time in the team’s history, the Chargers

Charger rookie QB Justin Herbert directing traffic in Sundays win vs the Jacksonville Jaguars (Photo: Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers)

Los Angeles Chargers star Joey Bosa finding his way to the quarterback Sunday vs the Jaguars. (Photo: Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers)

defense did not allow a pass completion in the first quarter. By registering 2 sacks for a total of -5 yards, this was the lowest net total passing yards in a quarter in teams’ history. Rookie Linebacker Kenneth Murray set a team record by recording 42 total tackles in his first six games of his career.

Even though the Chargers scored in 3 of their first 4 drives, it appeared Herbert started the game needing to work himself into the rhythm of the game. Once he did so he put some more remarkable numbers. After taking a 16-0 lead, the Chargers were forced to respond with the resiliency we haven’t seen from them all season.

In talking with Head Coach Anthony Lynn post-game about this resiliency he stated, “This was definitely, the resolve you’re looking for. I’m looking for leadership on this team; for guys stepping up to take charge; for the first time I didn’t say one word to this team when we were down.” He continued to point out a few leaders on the team, “Well, I’m not out there in the field with them, but from what I see Damion Square is a leader on this football team; LJ (Linval Joseph) is a leader on this team; Casey Hayward (is a leader on the team)!

Once down 16-0, the Jaguars raddled off 21 unanswered points. The Chargers responded by scoring 21 points of their own and including a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Guyton. This was also Herbert 3rd touchdown pass of the day, making him one of two quarterbacks in league history to pass for 3+ TD in 3 straight games. Additionally, by passing for 347 yards against the Jaguars on Sunday, Herbert becomes one of two quarterbacks, since 1950, that has 250+ passing yards in each of his first 5 starts.

When I asked Justin about his conversation with his team in

the huddle, to regain the lead his stated wasted no time in saying, “Just to keep attacking! Knowing that we have the right guys out there; we’ve got the right game plan. It’s all about executing and that what we did, we stuck together for four quarters and got the ball moving.”

Head Coach Anthony Lynn downplayed the statistical part of Justin’s performance when he stated this about Herbert, “I’m impressed when he leads his team out there and we win. Justin is a big strong arm guy, good athlete. We did a lot of work on this young man; he’s our franchise quarterback for a reason. The skill and the physical part of this we know that he has that, we expect that! I’m excited about the way he’s growing mentally and how his team is responding to him as a young leader!”

This game wasn’t quite a must-win game for the Chargers, though it was an essential win for the team. As another week goes by, it’s another week that Rookie Quarterback Justin Herbert establishes himself as likely the best quarterback in the lack, with the poise and confidence as a 5 or 6-year veteran. Let me know what you think of Herbert, and name a quarterback that has played a better first half a season than this guy? Kindly share your thoughts on how you see the recurring theme giving up big leads in the second half of the season, reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport, or forward any suggestions on what topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports. com. Lastly, 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. Thank You, as always, for making our voice your choice!

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Support Proposition 19 Because the Pandemic has Worsened the Financial Situations of Millions of Families

Salena Pryer, Black Small Business Association of California.

Additionally, the measure promotes housing equality by allowing people who are over 55, have severe disabilities, or are victims of a natural disaster to transfer their property tax to a new home anywhere in the state, no matter the price or location of the new home. Prop 19 encourages portability and making it easier to move within the state.

This will help seniors or disabled Californians move to homes that are better situated to their lives while encouraging more housing availability. One of the main factors in our state's housing crisis is the lack of available, affordable housing and this measure will encourage more movement in the housing market, and more available homes for families and renters.

The measure will also help build wealth within the Black community by protecting the constitutional right to pass a home - along with the tax base - down to a family member to live in. This will create an avenue for generational wealth by encouraging families to keep the home within the family and the ability to transfer the tax base will keep the home affordable.

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By Salena Pryer Black Small Business Association of California The pandemic has worsened the financial situations of millions of families- especially in the Black community - in California and the attempts at the federal, state, and local level to provide resources and assistance have been staggered due to shrinking budgets and the unprecedented nature of this novel situation.

What we really need to revive our communities are robust programs like funding for education, healthcare and homeless programs, affordable housing, food assistance, and funding that stays local. But the unfortunate reality is that these services are the first to be cut from bleeding city and county budgets.

However, there is a ballot measure this year that will provide the chance to replenish some of the budget deficits the state and local governments are facing. Proposition 19 will be on the November ballot, and is the best chance we have to recover from the ongoing financial and housing crises.

Proposition 19 will benefit everyone, and homeowners in our community will be treated fairly. It provides housing relief for homeowners, increased funding for school districts that our children attend which leads to better educational outcomes, and funnels more money into the local community which can help Black-owned small businesses and increase the overall health of our community.

In our experience, it is rare to see this kind of funding stay local because it is often spread so thin that it never reaches the people and programs that are most in need.

However, Proposition 19 is different. The measure is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in property tax revenue that will go straight to counties and cities to help our communities.

The increased revenue from Proposition 19 will be incremental in helping prop up African-American and other minority-owned businesses and social programs that have been dealt blow after blow throughout this pandemic.

The revenue can be used for a multitude of things like supporting low-income families, proving homeless programs, resources for businesses, healthcare services and more. Proposition 19 secures this funding long-term and does this without a tax increase.

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One Good Thing:

Wickedly Creative Pandemic Trick-or-Treating

By DAN SEWELL Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) – Dropping candy down a chute for little costumed Baby Sharks, Mulans and Black Panthers.

Flinging full-size candy bars to them via mini-catapults, “Game of Thrones” style, or with decorated slingshots.

Scattering candy at social distances across the front yard, placing it in Easter egg containers. A church near Cincinnati is offering to hand treats to drive-by families. And in San Francisco, a haunted house has become a haunted drive-thru.

A favorite American festivity is being tested by the pandemic.

And people are rising to the challenge for trick-or-treating that’s both safe and fun during a pandemic.

“I’ve always loved Halloween. This has been a rough year for everyone,” said Carol McCarthy, of Palmyra, New Jersey. “I’m going a little more over the top than usual. There’s something about this year that I have to try a little harder to keep the magic going.”

She’s not the only one.

The National Retail Federation’s surveys indicate Halloween spending and participation will be down a little this year, projecting spending of $8.05 billion after $8.78 billion last year.

But many of those who are participating plan to spend more, it reports.

“Consumers continue to place importance on celebrating our traditional holidays, even if by untraditional standards,” federation CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement.

McCarthy said she will make sure trick-or-treaters and their parents will feel safe. Her husband, Tom, took some PVC pipe to make a 7-foot chute. She plans to use a spray bottle of alcohol to regularly disinfect the chute’s end and she’s going to offer a safety message while dressed as a pirate: “Mask up, maties! Stand a plank’s length apart.”

In her Columbus, Ohio, neighborhood, Julie Schirmer has been practicing with her candy slingshot.

“I wish there were a handbook, but you know, I love

Halloween and have always made it a thing,” she explained.

“It breaks my heart to think that all that fun may not be well-advised this year,” she said. “So I was thinking about it and trying to be creative.”

Instead of the usual bags of miniature candy bars for trickor-treaters, she is stocking up on a variety of full-size bars, so children will feel like they’ve “hit the mother lode.”

Schirmer will don a black witch’s cape and hat, with a mask, for the festivities. Her slingshot is outfitted with a creepy, old doll’s head and orange ribbons with black spider webs.

If the kid asks for a Hershey’s chocolate bar, she will wipe and wrap it in a sanitizing wipe, drop it into a zip-close bag, aim it in the direction of the child’s hands and fire away.

Usually, she and neighbors gather inside for Halloween for a potluck dinner and wine. This year, she plans a front-yard fire pit with socially distanced seating.

While some haunted attractions aren’t open this year, others have tried new approaches. The “‘Pirates of Emerson” haunted house in the San Francisco Bay area has become a drive-thru this year.

“My parents and I, we started it in their backyard on Emerson Street 29 years ago. It was a keg and some friends scaring the neighborhood kids, and it got bigger and bigger,” Brian Fields said of the popular attraction.

Visitors used to creep through narrow hallways while ghosts and goblins jumped out in close quarters. Now, the spook show is watched from inside visitors’ vehicles as they wind their way through a route dotted with ominous shadows and creepy characters.

It means guests can maintain social distancing from the safety of their slow-moving cars for a 20- to 25-minute drive.

Although they might not feel so safe when a brain-eating zombie or a maniac with a chainsaw springs out at them.

“It’s a great way to have the Halloween spirit in 2020 when we really need it,” said cast member Shi Tuck. “And we’re doing it in a way that’s super safe.”