Valley's News Observer 11.25.21

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Captures $44 Million in Theaters

Oklahoma Governor Commutes Julius Jones’ Death Sentence

Page A3

Page A2

News Observer The Valley’s

Volume 37 Number 2

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Take One!

Thursday, November 25, 2021

From the Staff of the Valley’S News Observer

NAACP Image Awards To Be Held with Live Audience Founders of “Mothers of Civilization Day” new holiday (Courtesy Photo)

Black Women Unite to Form a New National Holiday Called ‘Mothers of Civilization Day’ Raleigh, NC — Every year, we honor our mothers who gave birth to us, but we often do not think of the woman who gave birth to humanity, which is the original woman, the black woman. Did you know that according to an anthropologist named Donald Johanson and his assistant Tom Gray, the oldest bones to be found, as of this date are of a Black woman? These bones were discovered on November 24, 1974, in Hadar, Ethiopia. According to Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop, the evidence of early humans who lived between 2 and 6 million years ago come totally from Africa. Since the bones of the earliest female were found on November 24, 1974, that day will be used to celebrate Mothers of Civilization Day. Mothers of Civilization Day is a day to recognize and be thankful for the first women on the planet, the original women, regardless of their ethnic background. Original women are women of color from Africa, India, and Asia, etc. These women have kept traditions alive, taught customs, and created a beautiful culture of love and pride.

The idea for the new holiday was developed by Audrey Muhammad, founder and publisher of Virtue Today Magazine,

which highlights positive images of black women and men. The magazine represents women in the light they were made to be shown…with beauty, class, and intelligence.

How do you celebrate this new holiday? It is a day that you take your grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and aunts and put them in a “circle of love” and have each family member share a positive word about each woman. It is also a time for a history lesson and to let the children know that they are looking at the first woman to be on the planet. This can be done at a family gathering or on a Zoom. Some may even celebrate it during that Thanksgiving weekend since many families will be together. It is a non-religious, non-commercialized Holiday. More information about the day can be found on the National Archives Day website, which now lists it as a national day at NationalDayArchives.com/ day/mothers-of-civilization-day/ “One of the first women I reached out to about the idea was human rights activist, YoNasDa Lonewolf,” said Audrey Muhammad, “Queen YoNasDa is Oglala Lakota (Native American) and Black; she immediately agreed to support the idea.”

Men also came on board to support the idea. “The first group I mentioned the idea to was Masters of Business Network founded by Brother Bedford,” said Mrs. Muhammad. “The Masters of Business Network helps black men and women develop their entrepreneurial ideas. He and the organization also agreed to support the day.” Other supporters joined in including Harmony in Diversity Productions, Queendom Come, Inc., Black and Global Business Network, Brother Teacher Ajamu Minkah Kafele (MA), Muhammad Boxing Academy, and many others.

You may register for the official launch party which will be on November 24, 2021, at https://mothersofcivilizationday. eventbrite.com For more information, visit MothersofCivilization.org To support the day, sign up to Virtue Today Magazine’s email list at VirtueTodayMag.com If you would like to be a part of this historic event, please email virtuetoday@gmail.com or call (336) 901-0122.

Get Booster Shot; Celebrate Thanksgiving Holiday Safely Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media Golden State Public health officials are recommending that Californians take COVID-19 booster shots to prevent a resurgence of the disease and to celebrate the holidays safely with their loved ones.

“It’s not too late to get it,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Department, referring to the COVID-19 booster shot.

He was speaking at a vaccine clinic in Los Angeles County last week.

“Get that added protection for the Thanksgiving gatherings you may attend,” he said.

Last week, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine boosters for

all adults in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC followed with an endorsement of the booster vaccine, recommending it for people over age 50, and anyone18 and older who is at higher risk.

The CDC loosened the language for all other adults, saying anyone over age 18 “may” take the shot.

California officials say the booster shots are plenty and available throughout the state.

“If you think you will benefit from getting a booster shot, I encourage you,” said Ghaly. “Supplies are available. There are many sites across the state – thousands in fact.”

On Saturday, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup completed a separate review of the

federal government’s approval process for the booster shots and also recommended that “individuals 18 or older who have completed their primary vaccination series,” take the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna boosters.

California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington state came together last year and created the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. The group, made up of scientists, medical professionals and public health experts, is charged with reviewing COVID-19 vaccine safety.

Over the last two weeks, COVID-19 infections across the United States have increased at a rate of nearly 33 %, according to the CDC. Continued on page A4

Kyle Rittenhouse Found Not Guilty of All Charges Kyle Rittenhouse Judge Bruce Schroeder (Photo Credit: Kenosha News)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Kyle Rittenhouse escaped punishment in the shooting deaths of two men during the unrest that followed the 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The jury deliberated for about four days, before issuing unanimous verdicts on all counts.

The jury considered five charges against the now 18-year-old: First-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon – or that Rittenhouse recklessly caused the death of Rosenbaum under circumstances that showed utter disregard for human life.

First-degree recklessly endangering safety, use of a dangerous weapon – or that Rittenhouse recklessly

endangered the safety of Richard McGinniss — a journalist with the conservative Daily Caller — under circumstances that show utter disregard for human life.

First-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon – or that Rittenhouse did cause the death of Huber, with intent to kill him.

First-degree recklessly endangering safety, use of a dangerous weapon – or that Rittenhouse did recklessly endanger the safety of an unknown male, referred to as “jump kick man” in court, under circumstances that show utter disregard for human life.

Attempted first-degree intentional homicide, use of a weapon – or that Rittenhouse attempted to cause the death of Grosskreutz, with intent to kill him.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The 53rd NAACP Image Awards will be held in-person Feb. 26 in Los Angeles with a live audience, the group announced Thursday.

The ceremony starts at 8 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast live on BET. Nominees for the awards that honor entertainers and writers of color will be announced Jan. 11. This year’s honors include new podcast categories along with awards in music, film, television and literature.

No venue or host was announced. Earlier this year, Anthony Anderson was host for the eighth straight year in a virtual ceremony with no audience.

The late Chadwick Boseman won best actor in a motion picture for his final role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and won best supporting actor for his performance in “Da 5 Bloods.”

Woman Runs Over Husband as He Tried to Dislodge Bowling Ball

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A man was critically hurt when his wife drove over him twice as he tried to dislodge a bowling ball that had been thrown in front of their car on Saturday.

The couple ran over the bowling ball around 3 p.m.

Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri, and the ball became lodged under their car, Kansas City Police spokeswoman Donna Drake said. Later in the day, a suspect went to a police station and admitted to throwing a bowling ball in front of a moving car.

After they stopped, the 25-year-old man crawled under the vehicle to try to remove the ball. Then a suspect approached the vehicle and tried to grab the 25-year-old woman’s purse while the man was trying to reach the bowling ball, according to the Kansas City Star.

During a struggle over the purse, the woman pressed her foot on the gas pedal and heard a yell from under the car, which had rolled over her husband.

Police said the woman then put the car in reverse and rolled over her husband a second time. As the man cried out, the suspect fled without the purse.

The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but he was in stable condition Saturday night. His name has not been released.

Man Beats Pet Store Customer with Dog Bone

LAS VEGAS (AP) – A man has been accused of beating another customer over the head with a dog bone during a quarrel over a Las Vegas pet store’s mask policy, according to authorities.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said 22-year-old Juan Hamilton was arrested on a warrant after the Nov. 8 incident that left the unidentified victim with a skull fracture.

Court records show Hamilton was still being held on a $5,000 bond on suspicion of attempted murder, battery, abuse of an older person resulting in substantial bodily harm and burglary of a business.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal also reported that witnesses told police Hamilton was in line behind another man when the two began arguing over the PetSmart store’s mask mandate.

Witnesses said Hamilton left the store before returning and allegedly beating the victim over the head with a bone.

PetSmart employees helped detectives identify Hamilton because he was a regular at the store.

Hamilton told police he hadn’t been to the store for several months and then asked for a lawyer.

It was unclear Sunday if Hamilton had a attorney yet who can speak on his behalf about the case.

If Hamilton is released from jail, court records indicate he’ll be required to avoid all PetSmart stores.

A2

The Valley’s News Observer

World & Nation

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Will a $1.67 Billion Federal Perk for Local Media Help the Black Press?

Edward Henderson California Black Media A provision in President Joe Biden’s $1.75 trillion Build Back Better plan will benefit community news publishers across the United States by providing a tax credit that rewards local news organizations for employing journalists.

But some Black newspaper publishers in California -and across the country -- say, although the proposal, valued at $1.67 billion, is rooted in good intentions, it will not benefit their businesses.

“My first reaction was to applaud. This would be the first time a president has put forth a plan that acknowledges we even exist,” said Dr. John Warren, publisher of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, the city’s largest Black newspaper. “Congress passed the Preservation Act in 1970, but that didn’t protect us from the losses we saw a few decades later.”

Warren points out that the tax credit is not a big event for businesses that have losses.

“You would have to get a gain to benefit. Most of our papers are not making profits, at least not substantially, due to the pandemic and other factors,” said Warren. “I think it could have been better done if there were bids -- bids for public work jobs, etc, to be advertised in community newspapers. I would consider that something meaningful and sustainable. “ Nationwide, there are less than 5,000 community newspapers, according to Warren. Of that number, Black papers account for less than 200.

“At one point we had about 600 papers in the country,” Warren said, referring to Black-owned and operated publications.

The bill provides a credit of up to $25,000 to defray employment taxes in the first year, and $15,000 in the next four years, for each employee.

Supporters say the provision will create an incentive for some publishers to hire or retain local reporters. The tax credit would amount to around $1.67 billion over 10 years.

On Friday, the United States House of Representatives voted to approve the Build Back Better act with 220-213 vote along party lines. The bill is now headed to the U.S.

Senate where lawmakers are expected to make a number of amendments after Thanksgiving.

The provision was briefly dropped from the plan; however, it was restored after a ground swell of support from mainstream community news agencies.

The new draft strengthened important details surrounding the inclusion of public and commercial broadcasters to receive compensation as well as stronger rules to screen out political advocacy groups. There will also be limits on how much a single corporation can receive.

Steven Waldman, president and co-founder of Report for America told Poynter that “this is a huge step forward for a strong, local press — and for the communities they serve.”

Conservative opponents of the provision have called the measure a “media bailout” and believe that the federal support would create biases in the way news is covered.

Waldman, who has helped lead the drive for the tax credit, believes the funding will support different kinds of news outlets.

“This approach is a simple, content neutral, nonpartisan, First Amendment friendly way to save local news,” Waldman told CNN Business. “It’s focused on the core problem — that the collapse of the business models has led to a shortage of local reporters. This focuses on helping newsrooms to retain or hire local journalists.”

Lisa Collins, publisher of LA Focus, an African American-serving newspaper based in Los Angeles said she was excited when she heard about the measure. But as she read more details, she was not convinced the provision would help her publication.

Collins says she mainly relies on a team of freelancers and contractors. Many of them are not seeking fulltime employment and the costs to transition them to W-2 employees would be prohibitive for her.

“Initiatives like this, I observe, work better when the people they are intended to benefit are included in coming up with the concept and how it will work.” said Collins.

“Nobody included our publications in the conversation.

No one invited us to the table.”

Components of the Build Back Better plan include efforts to reduce the cost of childcare. Namely, a provision that will deliver two years of free preschool for every 3 and

4-year-old in America. It also provides more than 35 million families a tax cut by expanding the federal Child Tax Credit. Funding for efforts to address climate change that would cut greenhouse gas pollution, reduce consumer energy costs and advance environmental justice is a central component of the plan. The act also includes money to expand affordable healthcare and housing tax credits.

“This bill is just the first step. We will continue to address the many challenges faced by millions across America,” said U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13). “I urge my Senate colleagues to act swiftly to pass this legislation -- which will create good paying union jobs, address racial and economic inequality, and reduce poverty. I look forward to sending this legislation to President Biden for his signature.”

Slavery Remembrance Day Resolution Reintroduced repeating the horrors of slavery.”

Sen. Warren stated that the horrors of slavery can never be forgotten.

“We must acknowledge the dangers and dehumanization that enslaved people faced, and honor those who led the long fight for abolition and justice,” the senator asserted.

“Today, the legacy of slavery still has pervasive impacts on the descendants of enslaved individuals in institutionalized racism, police brutality, mass incarceration, and in other forms. Representative Al Green and I are introducing this legislation to establish August 20 as Slavery Remembrance Day — an important step to ensure we never forget this stain on our country’s history.”

News Observer The Valley’s

Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation on July 2, 1991, Los Angeles Superior Court Decree, Case No. BS007262, Government Code 6023.

Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385

Published every Thursday by The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Assc.

Associated Press, Better Business Bureau, GLAAACC President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey

Credo - The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back.

The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views and opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management are soleley the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editiing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.

The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc.: Los Angeles News Observer, Bakersfield News Observer, The Valley’s News Observer Los Angeles News Observer 6060 Center Drive Floor 10, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Mailing Address: PO Box 2341, Bakersfield, Ca. 93303 Phone (661) 324-9466 FAX (661) 324-9472 General Info: observernews@gmail.com Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail.com Online: www.ognsc.com

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Congressman Al Green (D-Texas) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have introduced a joint resolution to designate August 20th as Slavery Remembrance Day. “I am privileged and proud to cosponsor this resolution with the Honorable Senator Elizabeth Warren,” Congressman Green stated in a news release.

“She has a rich history of standing up for those who are not in a position to stand up for themselves. I look forward to working with her and passing this historic legislation.”

The congressman said the legacy of slavery, which he called “our nation’s seminal sin,” continues casting its shadow across America today.

“It fuels invidious discrimination even in the most unsuspecting of places and perpetuates attempts at sanitizing oppressive history in our classrooms,” Congressman Al Green stated.

“Currently, we have remembrance days for the

Holocaust, Pearl Harbor, and 9/11. Enshrining such events not only in our collective memories, but also among our official, collective observances, serves to remind us of atrocities that have occurred and must never be repeated.

As an immoral institution, slavery is no exception.”

Congressman Al Green continued: “This resolution proposes August 20th be designated as Slavery Remembrance Day because on that day in 1619, the first slave ship arrived on the shores of the English-speaking American colonies. This annual reminder is necessary because it teaches persons to denounce oppression while simultaneously exemplifying why it should be denounced.

“However, efforts to teach about the suffering of enslaved persons are being fought by states like Texas with its recent bill to curb how race and the history of racism are taught in schools. The Texas bill is dangerous because it limits teaching by excluding any mention of historic individuals who challenged the discriminatory status quo, such as Harriett Tubman (Araminta Ross) and John Brown. We must remember the history of slavery to avoid

Rep. Al Green (D-Tx.) (Courtesy Photo)

This photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections on Feb. 5, 2018, shows Julius Jones.

The fate of Jones rests with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. Unless Stitt grants him clemency, Jones will be executed by lethal injection on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP, File)

City businessman.

His attorneys filed an emergency request to stop the execution, asserting that the state’s lethal injection procedures pose a serious and substantial risk of severe suffering and pain.

They noted the October execution of John Grant, whom they said convulsed and vomited as the state put him to death.

Earlier, Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-1 to recommend that the governor commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison.

Several of the board members reportedly stated that they had doubts about the evidence in the case.

Actress Viola Davis produced a documentary in 2018 that included Kardashian, and several athletes who urged the governor to commute Jones’ sentence.

As Stitt’s decision came down, a large crowd that gathered in the state Capitol roared their approval.

Oklahoma Governor Commutes Julius Jones’ Death Sentence

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a last-minute decision to commute the death sentence of Julius Jones, a condemned inmate whom Kim Kardashian and others had advocated for clemency.

“After prayerful consideration and reviewing materials presented by all sides of this case, I have determined to commute Julius Jones’ sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole,” Stitt said in a news release.

Kardashian joined Jones’ family for months in calling on Stitt to commute the sentence, noting that evidence appears to point to his innocence.

Stitt’s decision came just hours before Jones faced at 4 p.m. execution.

Jones has sat on death row for more than 20 years after a jury convicted him of the 1999 murder of an Oklahoma

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Entertainment

Los Angeles News Observer A3

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’

Captures $44 Million in Theaters

By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer Busting ghosts is still a fairly lucrative business after almost 40 years.

Heading into Thanksgiving weekend, the latest attempt to revive “Ghostbusters” drew a sizable audience to theaters, while the awards darling “King Richard,” like most dramas in the pandemic era, is struggling.

With a reverence for nostalgia and a few high-profile cameos in its arsenal, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” opened

above industry expectations with $44 million in ticket sales from 4,315 locations, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Sony movie is playing exclusively in theaters.

“Afterlife’s” first weekend is actually trailing that of Paul Feig’s “Ghostbusters” with Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, which had a $46 million opening in June 2016. Aside from the somewhat unpredictable pandemicera moviegoing habits, the crucial difference is that “Afterlife” cost about half as much to make.

The weekend’s other high-profile offering didn’t fare

as well. “King Richard,” the well-reviewed drama starring Will Smith as the father of tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams, earned $5.7 million from 3,302 locations, missing its modest expectations by almost half. The Warner Bros. film was released simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters.

Although traditional blockbusters have managed to draw decent audiences, dramas have disproportionately struggled during the pandemic. Most have debuted in the $3 million range. One of the more successful launches was

the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect,” which opened to $8.8 million.

Meanwhile, in limited release from A24, Mike Mills’ “C’mon C’mon” had one of the best limited platform debuts since February 2020 with $134,447 from 5 screens.

The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as man looking after his 9-year-old nephew.

This video image provided by the Memphis Police Department, show two people with guns drawn after leaving their vehicle, a white Mercedes-Benz, who authorities say are involved in the shooting of 36-yearold rapper Young Dolph on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. Police have scoured the city of Thursday as they searched for suspects. (Memphis Police Department via AP)

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway Honors Slain Rapper Young Dolph

By ADRIAN SAINZ Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) _ Friends and associates of slain rapper Young Dolph handed out Thanksgiving turkeys at a neighborhood church Friday in Memphis, Tennessee, two days after he was gunned down in broad daylight inside his favorite bakery.

Known for acts of charity in his hometown, the hiphop artist and label owner had helped organize the event at St. James Missionary Baptist Church and was going to participate before he was fatally shot Wednesday.

Undaunted, members of his music label, Paper Route Empire, along with church volunteers and community activists, distributed dozens of turkeys, stuffing mix and cranberry sauce _ and said “happy Thanksgiving” _ to people driving past the church.

It was the type of event Young Dolph, who grew up in the Castalia neighborhood where the church is located, has been organizing for years, often without the reporters and cameras present Friday. Before the event, volunteers spoke quietly among themselves or sat in solemn reflection as his music played outside the church on the sunny afternoon.

Label employee Bee Bee Jones, 38, helped hand out the food, honoring his friend of 30 years.

“When I hear his music, I just break down,” said Jones, who spoke with a reporter while sitting on the rear

bumper of a U-Haul truck full of 300 turkeys. “The truth in all of it, and where he came from, that's what really gets to me sometimes. This is what he would want us to do right here, still keep on giving. He came from nothing, but he wanted to make sure everybody got some.”

Police on Friday kept searching for suspects in the killing, which shook Memphis and shocked the entertainment world. Police have released photos taken from surveillance video that shows two men exiting a white Mercedes and shooting Young Dolph before fleeing.

The killing of Young Dolph, 36, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., intensified cries against violence in the Memphis area, which has seen high-profile shootings at a K-8 school, a post office and a grocery store in the past two months.

This year, 255 killings have been committed in the city of Memphis, already surpassing the 244 slayings last year, the Memphis Police Department reported. That's in addition to thousands of gun-related incidents reported through this past September.

In a statement about Young Dolph's killing, Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor called gun violence in Memphis an epidemic.

“The key to addressing the endless cycle of shootings and retaliatory shootings in our community is to heal the generational trauma that makes violence appear to be the

only solution to conflict,” Taylor said.

Some community leaders have expressed frustration that so many attempts to address gun-related crime _ community meetings, efforts to add police officers, increased crime prevention funding, days of remembrance for murder victims, working with former gang members to intervene in disputes _ have not worked.

Van Turner, president of the local NAACP branch and a father of two, said he talked with his boys about the shooting. Turner plans to host a forum next week to discuss strategies to curb gun violence.

“I'm sort of torn, because people say we always do these things and nothing happens,” Turner said. “But then, if we don't do anything, what happens? Nothing. But that doesn't mean we stop. If we don't do anything, we will have given up.”

The Rev. Jason Lawrence Turner, senior pastor of the historic Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, has been working on addressing gun crime and mentoring young people in Memphis. He said it's time for a “course correction.”

“It's going to take a collaboration of government agencies, certainly churches, and the citizenry, to do our part to divert these instances of violence,” the pastor said.

“And, as well, to instill a greater responsibility in the community so that, when there are instances like this, it's

not the responsibility for those in the community to take justice into their own hands.”

His church, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, has established mentoring programs for girls and boys in middle school and high school. The church also has adopted three schools to provide an avenue for children to talk about their problems and deal with bullying and other threats.

“It's not all on law enforcement,” Turner said. “Law enforcement shows up after a crime has been committed.

We have a responsibility to keep these crimes from being committed.”

Like Jones _ the record label associate _ and other longtime friends, Sheena Crawford called Young Dolph by his childhood nickname, Mane Mane.

She fondly remembers playing with him and his sisters in the neighborhood where their grandparents lived, near St. James church. He liked to play basketball and he was a relatively quiet child, Crawford said.

As she grieves, Crawford also remains frustrated at the lack of progress in the fight against gun violence.

“My anxiety is just up through the roof,” she said.

“When I leave out my door, I'm scared something is going to happen to me, or something is going to happen to my kids. It doesn't make any sense.”

A4

Features The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Investigators Exonerate Men Convicted in the 1965 Assassination of Malcolm X

Ed Ford, World Telegram staff photographer – Library of Congress. (New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection via wikimedia commons)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Two of the men found guilty of the assassination of Malcolm X are expected to have their convictions thrown out on Thursday, the Manhattan district attorney, and lawyers for the two men said, according to the New York Times.

The stunning reversal recasts history and reopens the case of the slaying of Malcolm X, who died in a hail of gunfire at the old Audubon Theater in New York’s Harlem area.

The exoneration of the two men, Muhammad A. Aziz, and Khalil Islam, represents a “remarkable acknowledgment of grave errors made in a case of towering importance: the 1965 murder of one of America’s most influential Black leaders in the fight against racism,” the Times reported.

The newspaper noted that a 22-month investigation

conducted jointly by the Manhattan district attorney’s office and lawyers for the two men found that prosecutors and two of the nation’s premier law enforcement agencies — the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York Police Department — had withheld key evidence that, had it been turned over, would likely have led to the men’s acquittal.

The two men, known at the time of the killing as Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson, spent decades in prison for the murder, which took place on Feb. 21, 1965, when three men opened fire inside a crowded ballroom at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan as Malcolm X was starting to speak.

Earlier this year, the civil rights leader’s daughters formally requested that authorities reopen the murder investigation because of new evidence.

“Any evidence that provides greater insight into the

truth behind that terrible tragedy should be thoroughly investigated,” said Ilyasah Shabazz, one of Malcolm X’s six daughters.

Shabazz and her family cited a deathbed letter of confession from a man who was a policeman at the time of the 1965 killing, alleging New York police and the FBI conspired in the murder.

Raymond Wood wrote his responsibility was to ensure Malcolm X’s security team were arrested days before he was shot dead in Manhattan, the daughters stated.

The men convicted were all members of the Nation of Islam and were each sentenced to life in prison.

At the time of his death, Malcolm X had separated himself from the Nation of Islam.

Assassins gunned him down at the age of 39.

Groveland Four Cleared of 1949 False Rape Allegations ranged from 16 to 26 at the time.

“We followed the evidence to see where it led us, and it led us to this moment,” state attorney Bill Gladson remarked during the news conference.

Following the 1949 accusation, the Ku Klux set fire to numerous Black neighborhoods in the town of Groveland.

The Klan reportedly shot Thomas more than 400 times, killing him. They beat false confessions out of Greenlee, Irvin, and Shepherd.

An all-white jury convicted the men, but legendary NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall successfully fought for a new trial.

Lake County Sheriff Willis McCall shot and killed Shepherd, claiming he attempted to escape.

During the retrial, jurors still returned a guilty verdict, but Greenlee and Irvin were given life sentences instead of the death penalty.

Officials granted Irvin his release from the state prison in 1968. He died one year later of a heart attack at age 39.

Charles Greenlee, the last surviving member of the Groveland Four, was released on parole in 1962 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

He died on April 18, 2012, at 78.

Independent investigations determined that all four were innocent, and in 2017, the state issued an apology to their families.

In 2019, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis granted the men pardons, but family members continued their fight to clear their names fully.

Legal Notices

From left, Lake County Sheriff Willis McCall and an unidentified man stand next to Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd and Charles Greenlee in Florida in 1949. (Photo: State Library and Archives of Florida)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent A judge in Florida has finally exonerated the “Groveland Four,” the African American men falsely accused of raping a white teenager in 1949.

“Wow, it’s been a long time coming,” Gerald Threat, the nephew of Walter Irvin, stated in a news conference

following the judge’s ruling on Monday, November 22.

“This Thanksgiving, we can have an entirely different atmosphere without this hanging over our head,” Irvin stated.

Carol Greenlee, the daughter of Charles Greenlee, said, “My father was a caring, loving, compassionate person that did not rape anybody.”

Administrative Judge Heidi Davis dismissed the indictments of Ernest Thomas and Samuel Shepherd, both fatally shot not long after the false allegation made by Norma Padget, who was 17 at the time.

Judge Davis then set aside the convictions and sentences of Charles Greenlee and Walter Irvin.

The men who became known as the Groveland Four

Get Booster Shot; Celebrate Thanksgiving Holiday Safely Continued from page A1

Officials are encouraging people who took both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago to get their boosters now. People who took the one-shot Johnson & Johnson primary dose at least two months ago, should also schedule their booster shot.

“COVID-19 boosters are available to all Californians 18 [and over]! Walk-in clinics are open statewide with no

appointment necessary - like this mobile clinic in Avenal.

Find a clinic or pharmacy near you and get yours today,” the governor’s office chimed in on Twitter.

Newsom has pushed hard for the vaccine booster since he received his last month.

“Great news for the rest of the country. The holidays are here — make sure to keep your immunity up and

protect yourself and your loved ones. Get your booster,” Newsom tweeted on Nov. 18 According to Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel, the booster shots are being administered under an “emergency use authorization.”

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 240739 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: DREAMON COSMETICS at 1230 S Grevillea Ave., Inglewood, Ca. 90301 Mailing Address: 10219 S Grevillea Ave., Inglewood, Ca. 90304 REGISTERED OWNERS(S): HILDA MOCTEZUMA, 10219 S Grevillea Ave., Inglewood, Ca. 90304 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: HILDA MOCTEZUMA The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 10/2021 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Nov 2, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: L. MURGUIA, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Nov 2, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Nov 18, 25, Dec 2, 9, 2021

SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Nov 2, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, 16, 2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 240106 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SEASIDE PHARMACY at 599 W 7th St, Suite A, San Pedro, Ca. 90731 Mailing Same REGISTERED OWNERS(S): ST. MARY & ST. PHILOMENA, INC., 599 W 7th St, San Pedro, Ca. 90731 The business is conducted by: Corporation SIGNED: AFIFA SOLIMAN, CEO The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Nov 2, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: C MAFFITT, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 250035 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SERENDOGGITY at 1476 S Shenandoah St Apt 306, Los Angeles, Ca. 90035 Mailing Same REGISTERED OWNERS(S): FREDERICK GRAF, 1476 S Shenandoah St Apt 306, Los Angeles, Ca. 90035 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: FREDERICK GRAF, Owner The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 1/2011 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Nov 15, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: M CARRASCO, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Nov 15, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, 16, 2021

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Features

The Valley’s News Observer A5

California Plans for a Post-Roe World as Abortion Access Shrinks Elsewhere

By Rachel Bluth California Healthline SACRAMENTO — With access to abortion at stake across America, California is preparing to become the nation’s abortion provider.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders have asked a group of reproductive health experts to propose policies to bolster the state’s abortion infrastructure and ready it for more patients. Lawmakers plan to begin debating the ideas when they reconvene in January.

Abortion clinics are already girding themselves for a surge in demand.

Janet Jacobson, medical director of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, said three or four outof-state patients visit her clinics each day — about double the number that sought treatment before a near-total ban on abortion took effect in Texas in September.

While the nine clinics can absorb that slow trickle, they expect up to 50 out-of-state patients a week if the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority guts abortion rights nationally, Jacobson said. She bases her estimate on new data from the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion and reproductive health rights.

She is adding staff members and appointment capacity, hoping to accommodate everyone.

“We have to make sure we can still continue to care for all of our California patients,” Jacobson said. “We don’t want them getting squeezed out” of appointments.

The Texas law banned nearly all abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and empowered private citizens to sue anyone who performs or “aids and abets” an abortion after that time. The Supreme Court heard arguments in that case on Nov. 1 and is expected to announce a ruling on its constitutionality in June.

Nonetheless, Florida and Ohio have announced plans for copycat laws.

Next month the high court will hear another abortion case with even broader implications, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2018 Mississippi law that prohibited abortion after 15 weeks.

If the court sides with Mississippi, its decision could overturn existing abortion rights set by the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

Should that happen, reproductive rights experts predict, 26 states will ban the procedure altogether and states with stronger protections for abortion, like California, will draw even more patients. There could be up to a 3,000% increase in people who “may drive to California for abortion care” each year, according to the Guttmacher data.

In 2017, the most recent year for which data is available from Guttmacher, California — by far the nation’s most populous state — had more abortion providers than any other state, with 419 hospitals, clinics or doctors’ offices performing the procedure.

The next highest were New York, with 252, and Florida, with 85.

Neighboring Arizona and Nevada each had 11. Of the 862,320 abortions performed in the U.S. that year, 132,680, about 15%, were in California.

Planned Parenthood clinics in California say they already

The exterior of a Planned Parenthood Northern California location in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

serve about 7,000 out-of-state patients a year and are expecting a surge of new ones, especially in travel hubs like the Los Angeles area.

In September, Planned Parenthood and groups such as Black Women for Wellness convened the California Future of Abortion Council with backing from influential Democratic leaders including Newsom, state Senate leader Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

Atkins, who was the director of a San Diego women’s health clinic in the 1980s, said she spent time with women from states where it was hard to get an abortion. She said California is committed to ensuring abortion access in the state and beyond.

The council is focused on increasing funding for abortion services, providing logistical and financial help for women who need to travel, increasing the number of health care providers who perform abortions and strengthening legal protections for them.

Increasing capacity could mean licensing more practitioners to provide abortions or pumping more resources into telehealth

so people can see a doctor online to prescribe pills for a medical abortion — a service California doctors currently can provide to patients only in California.

The most important thing the state should do is fix its shortage of providers, especially those who perform secondtrimester abortions, which are more expensive and complicated than first-trimester abortions, said council member Dr. Daniel Grossman, director of the Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health program at the University of California-San Francisco.

It’s not feasible to place an abortion provider in every corner of the state, Grossman said. Instead, the council should focus on creating “hubs that can provide abortion care for large numbers of people” in easy-to-get-to locations.

California already struggles to provide abortions to all who seek them, especially low-income women covered by Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. For example, 28 counties — home to 10% of Medi-Cal recipients of childbearing age — don’t have facilities that provide abortions to Medi-Cal patients.

A medical abortion, in which pills are used to terminate a pregnancy, costs California patients an average of $306 out-ofpocket, according to an analysis by the California Health Benefits Review Program, but isn’t available after 10 weeks. After that, the only option is a surgical abortion, which costs an average of $887 out-of-pocket in California.

One of the council’s recommendations will likely be to increase the rate Medi-Cal pays for abortions so more providers will perform them, said council member Fabiola Carrión, interim director for reproductive and sexual health at the National Health Law Program.

Medi-Cal pays $354.43 for a second-trimester abortion. A 2020 study in the journal Contraception found that states paid between $79 and $626 for a second-trimester abortion in 2017.

Increasing Medi-Cal rates won’t help patients traveling from outside California. Generally, private insurance doesn’t cover outof-state abortions, so most women will be on the hook for the full cost, and those enrolled in other states’ Medicaid programs must pay out-of-pocket, too.

The council hopes to reduce costs for state residents and visitors, said Brandon Richards, director of communications for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “It’s about making it easy for people to access abortion in California, whether they reside here or are coming in from out of state,” he said.

One way to target costs is by funding the practical support, like helping to pay for transportation, child care, hotels or time off work, said council member Jessica Pinckney, executive director of Access Reproductive Justice, a fund that helps people pay for abortions.

Pinckney said she’s working with Los Angeles County to set up a public abortion fund to cover some of those costs for anyone seeking an abortion in the county. It would be modeled after similar pots maintained by the cities of New York; Austin, Texas; and Portland, Oregon, and could eventually be a template for the first statewide fund, Pinckney said.

Most Texans seeking abortions since that state’s law took effect are going to nearby states like Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma, said Sierra Harris, deputy director of network strategies for the National Network of Abortion Funds. Women in those states, in turn, are having trouble getting care and are looking to California for appointments.

Practical support is important for out-of-state patients, said Alissa Perrucci, operations manager at the Women’s Options Center at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, one of five abortion clinics inside California hospitals.

Perrucci’s clinic is focusing on telemedicine, phone counseling and other ways to save time so it can add appointments for out-of-state patients if necessary.

But more slots are useless if women can’t make it to California. The clinic has booked about 10 appointments for Texans since the state’s ban went into effect, but only half have shown up, mostly women with family connections in California.

“Most people just don’t have the money to get here,” she said. “If the burden of abortion was borne predominantly by the wealthy, yeah, they’d just fly here.”

Why We Should Give Thanks Everyday

By Dr. John E. Warren Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint As so many of us in this country pause to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, it seems like a good time to remind all of us that every day should be a day for giving thanks.

We should consider how blessed we are as a nation and as a people. While so many of us struggle with such issues as racism, poverty, sickness, and homes and homelessness, we are still blessed. This is important, in spite of whatever problems we might be facing individually or as a society.

We waste enough food each year to feed 25 percent of the world’s hungry people; we have running water; assistance with homelessness and sickness, yet rarely do most of us pause to say, “Thank You” to the God that makes it all possible. We have had more people die from Covid 19 this year, with the vaccine available, than all of the year 2020 without the vaccine. We see injustice at every turn as innocents are murdered and killers rewarded and praised for their conduct. In the midst of all this, let us not focus on the problems, but thank God for the solutions he has placed before us.

Let’s be thankful that we still have choices no matter the circumstances. We can choose not to give up. We can choose how we respond to each crisis facing us individually and collectively.

We can remember that for evil to succeed, all good has to do is nothing.

The writer of the book of Hebrews in the 12th Chapter reminds us: “Wherefore we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, (speaking of those who have come before us) let us lay aside every weight and sin which so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

We have an obligation to make things better for those who come after us, in spite of the obstacles others may put in our path.

Our race, be it personal or as a part of the oppressed collective, is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Let us give thanks that it is a marathon because that means that our end is not determined by

Dr. J.E. Warren (Courtesy Photo)

those seeking to stop or block us. We determine how far we go by the commitments we make to self and others.

Yes, let’s make every day a day of Thanksgiving and not be distracted by the food and holiday festivities when there remains so much to be done.

A6

Sports

The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Chris Olave #2 of Mission Hills High is one of three 1,000 yards receivers on the Buckeyes squad. (Photo Credit: Ohio State Athletics)

Cali Players Win Walter Camp Honors

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer It was a sensational weekend of College Football as CJ Stroud of Ohio State and Henry To’o To’o of Alabama earned Walter Camps National Players Of The Week.

Stroud had a record setting day passing for 432 yards and six touchdowns all in the first half – as fourth-ranked Ohio State defeated 7th-ranked Michigan State, 56-7.

“A lot of things I could see before they happen,” said the freshman. We were prepared pretty good in practice this week.

The Rancho Cucamonga, California native completed 32of-35 passes for 432 yards, while setting a school record with 17 consecutive pass completions. With the win, the Buckeyes improved to 10-1, 8-0 in the Big Ten. The game was a good prep for this weeks showdown with #6 Michigan (10-1, 7-1 BIG-10) with the winner will claim the Conference Eastern Division title.

Stroud becomes the 13th Ohio State player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of week honors, and the first since former Buckeye defensive end Chase Young (Nov. 24, 2019).

C.J Stroud #7 of Rancho Cucamonga set school record with 17 consecutive pass completions vs MSU. (Photo On the defensive side it was Henry To’o To’o who recorded a Credit: Ohio State Athletics)

game-high 13 tackles (8 solo), including three for losses, and two quarterback sacks as second-ranked Alabama defeated 21st-ranked Arkansas, 42-35. With the win, the Crimson Tide improved to 10-1, 8-1 in the SEC and earned a spot in the league’s title game on Dec. 4.

The Junior, Linebacker from Concord De LaSalle High Has earned the award for the second time this season (Oct. 17) and the 19th Alabama honoree since 2004.

This is the 18th year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive. To’o To’o was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Walter Camp, in known as “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www. waltercamp.org, @WalterCampFF) – a New Haven-based allvolunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.

Terence Crawford TKO In 10th Sends Shawn Porter Into Announced Retirement

By Lem Satterfield Zenger News Terence “Bud” Crawford claimed to be “The Man” in a deep 147-pound division that included unbeaten southpaw IBF/WBC counterpart Errol “The Truth” Spence.

And Crawford proved it on Saturday by beating two-time champion Shawn Porter. (Spence was ringside among the soldout crowd of 11,568 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.)

A three-division and WBO welterweight titleholder, Crawford (38–0, 29 KOs) earned his fifth defense, sixth straight knockout at 147 pounds and ninth consecutive overall stoppage with a two-knockdown, 10th-round TKO of Porter (31–4–1, 17 KOs), who was knocked out for the first time and whom Spence floored once during a split-decision victory in September 2019 to add Porter’s WBC belt to his IBF version.

Crawford scored both knockdowns in the final round — the first off a left uppercut and the second off a right to the temple.

Porter’s father and trainer, Kenny, then climbed the steps and waved a white towel instructing referee Celestino Ruiz to end the fight at the 1:21 mark shortly after his son pounded the canvas with his right fist in frustration.

“Shawn Porter — I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — that I can’t say nothing bad about him. He’s been in there with everybody, and he did what he said he would do, but I was just the better man tonight,” said Crawford, whose bleeding cut over his right eye resulted from a sixth-round clash of heads as did Porter’s cut over his right eye from one in the third.

“From round one, I figured I had the reach [74 inches to Porter’s 69½]. He had to take chances to get inside. I was a little stronger than him. He was trying to do what he normally does — maul, push me back. But I used my angles, and I pushed him back at times as well.”

Crawford is 16–0 (13 KOs) in title fights, and among six fighters to reach the undisputed plateau along with junior welterweight Josh Taylor, super middleweight Canelo Alvarez, cruiserweight Oleksandr Usyk and middleweights Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor.

Crawford outlanded Porter, 98–79 in total punches, 33–12 in jabs, and 28–9 in body blows while trailing, 67–65 in power shots. “Showtime” had given “Bud” his stiffest challenge to date, trailing at the time of the stoppage, 86–85 on the cards of Steve Weisfeld and Dave Moretti, and, 87–84 on that of Max DeLuca.

During the post-fight press conference, Crawford indicated he has no future with Top Rank, because the match with Porter represented his final bout under his promotional contract with the company.

“I’m pretty sure that my decision is made already,” Crawford said, with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum sitting to his right on the dais. “Bob couldn’t secure me the Spence fight when I was with him, so how is he going to secure me the Spence fight when I’m not with him. So I’m moving forward with my career right now, and I wish everybody the best.”

Meanwhile, Porter announced his retirement.

“I’m prepared to retire. I was prepared to announce my retirement tonight, win, lose or draw. We had a date where they were telling us we were going to have to do it again. I was not going to do it again,” said Porter, who, like Crawford, is 34.

“I am announcing my retirement right now. … I’ve given this sport a great deal. After you’ve fought everybody at the top, what more can you do? I’m not going to live the life of a gatekeeper. … Now is the time.”

Porter was dropped onto his butt 15 seconds into the 10th

Three-division and WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford (right) scored this first of two knockdowns of two-time titleholder Shawn Porter (left) during the 10th and final round for Saturday’s TKO, his ninth consecutive knockout victory. (Mikey Williams/Top Rank Via Getty Images)

by Crawford’s left uppercut. Porter beat the count only to be knocked down again, this time, by an equilibrium-stealing right hook to the temple out of his southpaw stance followed by a left to the top of the head and another short right.

“Shawn Porter is a good fighter. He was doing some little slick things in there. It was a thinking match for a certain point of time in there. I took my time,” Crawford said. “I knew I had caught him with a good uppercut. Then I caught him with another left hook; I could see in his face that he was really hurt.

His dad did the right thing by stopping it because I was coming with a vengeance.”

Porter pounded the canvas in frustration before rising to his feet and loudly answering “Yes” when asked by Ruiz if he wanted to continue. But by that time, Kenny Porter already had walked up the steps in his corner to signal his intentions to stop the fight. “[Kenny Porter] is doing what he needs to do. I didn’t expect that. We’ve never had a conversation about that. We’ve kind of always had an unspoken understanding that if he sees what he needs to see, then he’s going to do what he did,” said Porter, who effectively adjusted to Crawford’s switch-hitting style.

“The punches were catching me too cleanly, and I think that’s what my dad saw. I saw it, I felt it, and I just think that my timing was a little off. Great fighter over there. Wouldn’t allow

me to catch my rhythm. That was my game plan going in, not to allow him to catch his. He’s a dynamite dude, in and out of the ring. Congratulations to him.”

Porter has overcome losses by majority and unanimous decision to former and current champions Kell Brook (2014) and Keith Thurman (2016) as well as that to Spence (27–0, 21 KOs), who dropped Porter in the 11th round and who was shown leaving the arena after watching Saturday night’s fight-ending sequence. “[Spence] was at my fight? That boy said he would never be at my fights, and now he’s at my fight,” Crawford said. “Well, you see what I did compared to what he did. My thing is who is No. 1 in the welterweight division, now? I love it.”

Porter ended a 15-month ring absence since a unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Sebastian Formella (August 2020), and his sparring partners included left-handed, three-division and WBA 135-pound champion Gervonta Davis (25–0, 24 KOs), yet Kenny Porter said that wasn’t enough. “[Shawn] didn’t prepare like I wanted him to prepare, so that just made me say, ‘You know what? I don’t want him in that situation,’” Kenny Porter said. “He fought a great fighter, the guy was sharp, and he was at a deficit. It’s like fighting this guy blindfolded when you’re at a deficit like that, so I wasn’t going

to let that happen to him. When guys get to certain levels, they believe they know what they’re doing, and they don’t necessarily take all of the information,” Kenny Porter added.

“This is where we’re at with it, and I had to make that decision. It’s an easy decision for me. He lives right across the street from me. I’ll be having breakfast with him tomorrow.

Shawn was hurt, and moving forward, this guy’s a sharp fighter, and my kid is at a deficit at that point. He can’t defend himself like he should, and I’ve gotta protect him. All things combined, [Crawford] can do everything that needs to be done — offense, defense, switching sides, speed, quickness and power.”

Porter’s resume includes victories by unanimous decision over current and past champions Julio Diaz (September 2013), Devon Alexander (December 2013), Adrien Broner (June 2015) and Danny Garcia (September 2018), a split decision over Yordenis Ugas (March 2019), and knockouts in the fourth and ninth rounds over Paulie Malignaggi (April 2014) and Andre Berto (April 2017). “[Crawford] is the best out of everybody I’ve been in the ring with. There’s no doubt I think that man hit me more than anybody I’ve been in the ring with. He was on point, A-through-Z,” Porter said. “The competitor in me won’t stop looking at him and wanting to fight him again. He’s so good that I want to do it again. He’s got it. I’ve said that multiple times in interviews. In and out of the ring, he has it.”

Crawford earned his crown via ninth-round TKO in June 2018 over previously unbeaten Jeff Horn, an Australian who was two bouts removed from a disputed unanimous decision victory over eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao in July 2017.

“I felt like the Jeff Horn performance was better than tonight,” Crawford said. “My versatility and my ability to adjust takes away their strength and makes it their weakness.”

“Bud’s” previous 147-pound defenses consisted of a 12thround TKO of previously unbeaten Jose Benavidez Jr. (October 2018), sixth- and ninth-round TKOs of two-division champion Amir Khan and previously unbeaten Egidijus Kavaliauskas in April and December 2019, and a fourth-round TKO of Kell Brook (November 2020).

“Terence is different,” Porter said. “You can’t really pick up everything that it is that he does. He does everything more than exceptionally well. I felt like in the fight with Errol Spence Jr., going 12 rounds, I felt like it was not as tough as fighting Terence Crawford.”

Crawford earned his initial crown in March 2014 by unanimous decision over then-WBO 135-pound champion Ricky Burns in Scotland and became a 140-pound champion in April 2015 via sixth-round TKO of Thomas Dulorme.

Crawford made six defenses at 140, highlighted by a unanimous decision in his third defense over previously unbeaten then-WBC counterpart Viktor Postol (July 2016). Crawford’s final defense at 140 was a third-round TKO of previously unbeaten Julius Indongo (August 2017) to become undisputed by adding the latter’s IBF and WBA crowns to his WBC and WBO versions.

“Shawn Porter is a really good friend of mine. I told him that I really didn’t wanna fight him, but we always said we were gonna fight each other when the time was right. I guess the time was right for this fight to happen,” Crawford said.

“I was looking to fight other champions in the division, but since I couldn’t get that, I had to go to the next best thing. You know who I want next. I’ve been calling them out all day. Maybe I’ll go up to 154, or maybe if Spence gets his tail out of his butt, he’ll fight me. It’s whatever, you know what I mean?”

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Sports

The Valley’s News Observer A7

The PGA of America Announces Founding Partnership with FairWays to Leadership to Promote Leadership Diversity in Golf Industry FairWays to Leadership’s mission is simple: promote diversity, equity and inclusion in business through golf literacy.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. (Nov. 18, 2021) – The PGA of America has announced a founding partnership agreement with FairWays to Leadership, a 501(c)(3) that expands diversity in business leadership through access to golf.

FairWays to Leadership supports college students from diverse backgrounds by providing leadership training so they can become effective business leaders, and the social skills to help them access opportunities through the game and business of golf. The twoyear agreement provides FairWays to Leadership with a grant each year, as well as programmatic support from the PGA, such as giving students and alumni access to PGA Career Services to help them find jobs in the golf industry, and a scheduled speaker series to include PGA of America Members, staff and executives. FairWays to Leadership will also engage with the industry-wide Make

Bruins are Celebs in This Year’s Act

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer When you enter the Los Angeles Coliseum through the locker room tunnel the wall is lined with giant sized action pictures of historic USC All-Americans. Some include Lynn Swann, Rodney Peete, Frank Gifford Willie McGiniest and Anthony Davis just to name a few. They are the tradition, the foundation and immortals the off the field celebs of Los Angeles and Hollywood.

With all do respect I have been to the Coliseum several times to watch Trojan games and on this day an outsider from crosstown became the celebrity for the Day. None of the greats on the wall could help USC on this day.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson and his band of Bruins took over the joint. They passed, ran and bullied their way to a 62-33 win over USC in front of a season high crowd of 68,163. That was the largest margin of victory by the visitors since 1953 of 34-0.

It was the first Bruin win at the Coliseum since 2013 and just the third since 1997. The 62 points were the most scored by either team in the series. That was also the highest by any PAC-12 team this season.

He’s in LA so we will stick with DTR throughout this article.

He began the day 0 for 4 with two interceptions.

Then with a little help from his friends he got hot. He connected with Kazmir Allen for touchdown passes of 45 and 58 yards in the first half. He also hit Kyle Phillips with a 23 yarder.

The senior QB then got in the act by scoring on a fouryard scamper. After going through the endzone a youngster about 12 years old reached a t to him and DTR promptly signed it and returned it to him, that of course drew a 15 yarder from the officials. No worry he’s DTR. “It was one of those things juices flowing,” said DTR. “Just

in the moment and that’s the move I decide do in that situation.”

The score gave the Bruins (7-3, 5-3 PAC-12 ) a 28-17 lead at the half. After the slow start DTR would be hotter than July completing 16 of 18 of his final passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns. While helping his team roll up a season high 609 yards he had a hand in 395 yards and six touchdowns.

“I’ve said it since the beginning,” said Chip Kelly. “He’s a special kid. He’s as tough as they come both physically both mentally.

Britain Brown was absent due to an injured. That left running duties up to Michigan transfer Zach Charbonnet who stepped up magnificently rushing for 167 yards on 28 carries.

Kaz Allen had a spectacular 100-yard kick-off return to go with three catches for 117 yards giving him 217 all-purpose yards for the game. His kick -off return helps solidify the Bruins number one ranking in the PAC-12.

Jaxon Dart had a rough day for the going 27 of 37 for 325 yards with two interceptions. A couple of times he brought the Trojans (4-6, 3-5 PAC-12) within striking distance but the defense could stop the Bruins all day.

“I look at the result I feel like I missed a lot,” said Dart. “I wasn’t able to do enough to help us win.”

With the All-American Drake London watching on the side- line. Gary Bryant had 9 catches for 169 yards while Tajh Washington added 4 receptions for 37 yards.

BRUIN NOTES: After his performance DTR was named PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Week. The BRUINS finish regular season. season with CAL at the ROSE BOWL Saturday.

The TROJANS host BYU at the Coliseum. They then then travel to CAL to wind up the season.

Golf Your Thing movement. FairWays to Leadership’s mission is simple: promote diversity, equity and inclusion in business through golf literacy. The idea is using the game to promote social inclusion in the workplace, diversity in business leadership and equitable professional opportunities for underrepresented groups – goals that align with the PGA’s inclusion efforts throughout the industry. As part of the agreement, FairWays to Leadership will train two, 10-student cohorts each year. Also, PGA Members and staff will lend their support to appropriate programming and activities. Members will also provide golf instruction for the cohorts. “This partnership was a natural fit for the PGA of America because FairWays to Leadership is aligned with our vision to make all aspects of the game and industry workforce more welcoming and inclusive,” PGA of America Chief People

Officer Sandy Cross said. “Committing to support this type of effective grassroots-level organizing and education is critical to developing more representative decision-makers and leaders in the golf industry. And it’s already paying dividends as the PGA has hired one student full-time, as well as one intern from the program. We’re very excited about that success.” “We are excited to have the PGA as a Founding Partner of FairWays to Leadership,” said Dr. Eric Boyd, Co-Founder and President of FairWays to Leadership. “The partnership will be instrumental in helping us provide leadership and professional career development training to diverse groups of college students through a digital learning academy, leadership speaker series and golf instruction.”

UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, top, jumps over Southern California cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart on his way to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 62-33. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Durant Praises 2021 NBA Draft Class:

‘I Like This Rookie Class A Lot’

By Alex Kennedy Zenger News Kevin Durant is a basketball junkie. When he isn’t lighting up opposing teams on the court, he’s often studying film or watching games on NBA League Pass.

Because he watches so much basketball, Durant can offer up informed takes and detailed analysis of players and teams around the NBA. That’s why Durant was the perfect first guest for the new #NBAHooperVision stream, which is hosted by Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson.

During the broadcast, Crawford asked Durant which young NBA players he likes the most, and the two-time champion used this opportunity to praise the 2021 rookie class.

“I like a lot of the rookies this year,” Durant said. “I like Scottie Barnes. I like [Chris] Duarte. We played them a couple

of weeks ago. He reminds me of an old-school shooting guard.

[He’s] quick off the catch and can shoot the mid-range off a couple of dribbles too. He’s got good size. I like him. I like him a lot. I like this rookie class a lot.”

Barnes has been one of the biggest surprises among this year’s rookies, as he was initially viewed as a raw prospect who would take some time to develop. After all, during his lone collegiate season, he only started seven contests and averaged just 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 24.8 minutes per game.

However, Barnes has been excellent for the Toronto Raptors, starting every game and averaging 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game.

Duarte was playing 35.9 minutes per game over the first month of the season, as the Indiana Pacers were without Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb for multiple games.

Kevin Durant is a big fan of the 2021 rookie class, praising Scottie Barnes, Chris Duarte and Cade Cunningham in particular.

Two-time champion Kevin Durant praised the 2021 rookie class. (Gameface-Photos/CC BY-SA 2.0)

The 24-year-old made the most of this opportunity and showed why he was considered one of the most NBA-ready players in this class. However, he’s come back down to Earth a bit recently, and he’s averaging just 23.1 minutes over the last six games. Still, on the season, Duarte is averaging 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 threes and 0.9 steals, and he’s been one of the most efficient rookies with 43.4/39.2/76.5 shooting splits.

Several weeks ago, after the Brooklyn Nets’ 96-90 win over the Detroit Pistons, Durant also praised No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham.

“I love Cade’s game,” Durant said. “I think he’s going to be a tough, tough cover for a long, long time. I got to know him while he was in high school, so we built a little relationship. To play against him in the NBA is what we had a lot of conversations about — being on this level and what it took. He battled some injuries to start, but to come out here and play aggressive tonight [was big]. He hit some big shots for them. I’m happy for him and

looking forward to seeing his career… This is really one of my guys.”

Cunningham got off to a slow start, but he’s currently averaging 14.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.9 threes and 1.4 steals for the 4-12 Pistons. With that said, the 20-year-old has struggled with his efficiency, shooting 35.0% from the field and 25.3% from three-point range.

In addition to Barnes, Duarte and Cunningham, this rookie class has also featured impressive play from Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (who’s widely considered the Rookieof-the-Year favorite), Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, Oklahoma City Thunder Josh Giddey, Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, etc.

It remains to be seen how the 2021 NBA Draft will stack up alongside other classes in the long run, but the early results have been promising.

A8

Local

The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Violations of LA County’s COVID-19 Protections for Essential Workers Result in Fines to Businesses Consumer and Business Affairs Investigators Discover Violations of “Hero Pay” and Anti-Retaliation Ordinances LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed several ordinances during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect LA County’s workers. As part of its task of enforcing several of those COVID-19 related worker protections, the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) has recently fined two businesses for violations and recovered thousands of dollars for impacted workers and the County.

Investigators from DCBA’s Wage Enforcement and Worker Protections division found that a grocery store in unincorporated East Pasadena failed to properly pay its workers in accordance with the temporary “Hero Pay” ordinance, and a construction company in Los Angeles which violated the County’s health & safety anti-retaliation ordinance by illegally retaliating against an employee who reported a health violation. The two settlements, in total, resulted in businesses paying more than $135,000 in back pay and fines.

“At every workplace, employees should not fear retaliation

when exercising their right to report misconduct, particularly when it impacts their health and well-being,” said DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal. “The County’s mission is to promote compliance with all worker protections, enhance the welfare of the workforce, and protect businesses that follow the law.”

To protect and reward essential workers in LA County, the temporary “Hero Pay” ordinance specified that employees who worked in a retail grocery store, a retail drug store, or a large retail store that sells groceries or drugs in unincorporated LA County were entitled to $5 of “Hero Pay” per hour worked at the store. This ordinance was in effect for 120 days (Feb. 26-June 25, 2021) and has now expired.

In April 2021, DCBA investigated Sprouts Farmers Market in unincorporated East Pasadena by requesting payroll records to determine if employees were receiving the required $5 per hour “hero pay.” DCBA investigators confirmed the violation and informed the business, which had incorrectly believed the store was located in the City of Pasadena and therefore not subject to

the ordinance. The business cooperated with DCBA investigators and immediately paid $82,426.45 in back wages to 75 employees, plus a $50,000 administrative fine, shared between the impacted employees and the County.

In February 2021, a worker filed a complaint with LA County alleging that their employer, Saban Global Inc., a Los Angeles construction company, violated the “Preventing Retaliation for Reporting Public Health Violations” ordinance.

The employee alleged they had requested the employer to wear face coverings while indoors as mandated by the County’s Health Officer Order. As a result, the employer terminated the employee from their position without just cause.

Under this ordinance, employers in Los Angeles County are prohibited from retaliating or discriminating against employees if they complain or provide information to the Department of Public Health or any LA County or non-County agencies or entities about workplace violations of public health laws, rules, and regulations. Examples of retaliation include firing

an employee, threatening to fire them, cutting their hours, demotion, suspension, or other discipline. Violations can result in fines up to $10,000 per violation, per day, and employees can be reinstated.

DCBA investigators confirmed the violation that Saban Global retaliated against the employee and wrongfully terminated them from their employment. The business was assessed an administrative fine of $3,000. The employee did not want to be reinstated into their previous position.

Business owners can find more details about how to remain in compliance with temporary COVID-19 worker protection ordinances and permanent minimum wage laws by visiting dcba. lacounty.gov/minimum-wage.

Workers can report possible violations to DCBA’s Worker Protections and Wage Enforcement unit by calling 800-5938222.

$0 Covered California Health Plans Available

Get the Gift of Health Coverage This Holiday Season There is no better gift that people can have than good health, which is especially important during this age of the COVID-19 pandemic. And California’s Obamacare health care exchange, Covered California, is urging African Americans -- disproportionately impacted by the COVID virus – to gift themselves with good health coverage and enroll in brand-name health plans that often cost less than $10 and even $0 per month.

“This year, in the midst of a global health crisis and recession, having access to quality health care is paramount,” said Peter V. Lee, Covered California’s Executive Director. “And the good news is that having health coverage is now more affordable than ever before. During this holiday season, what better way to show a loved one that you care than by giving the gift of health.”

Covered California’s open enrollment period officially began in November and runs three months through Jan. 31. A recordhigh number of 1.6 million consumers are currently enrolled in Covered California health plans and are receiving federal and state financial help to afford their health coverage. This record enrollment has been driven by the increased financial help included in the American Rescue Plan, which is the landmark federal law passed earlier this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession it has sparked.

Long-standing systemic health and social inequities make many people of color still at increased risk of getting sick,

being hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, people of color – specifically African Americans-- have much higher incidences of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, according to a recent report by the Commonwealth Fund. “Health insurance can have a lasting impact,” Lee said. “From day one, Covered California has worked hard to connect with the state’s diverse communities.

We believe that part of addressing the disparities exposed by the pandemic is by effectively reaching out to enroll all Californians into comprehensive health plans.”

An estimated 1.1 million Californians are without health insurance today and eligible for financial help. Many of them can get free health coverage through Medi-Cal or can get major financial help to purchase a name-brand health plan through Covered California -- dramatically lowering their monthly health care costs. Covered California estimates about 940,000 Californians of those1.1 million people who are uninsured, can get comprehensive health coverage at no monthly premium, either through Medi-Cal or Covered California.

Even for those not eligible for a $0 monthly premium, many Californians will be able to get significant savings on their health coverage. In California, the vast majority of those getting financial help could get quality, name-brand health plans for less

than $10.

“Affordability is the number one issue for consumers, and the financial help available through Covered California helps bring the cost of coverage within reach,” Lee said.

Covered California is currently working with 12 health insurance carriers statewide for the 2022 health coverage year, and nearly all Californians will have two or more choices of health insurers in their local areas to choose from.

Consumers will need to sign up by Dec. 31 in order to have their health coverage begin on Jan. 1, and they can quickly and easily find out if they qualify for financial help and see the health coverage options in their area by visiting CoveredCA.com. They just need to enter their household income, ZIP code, household size and the number of people who need coverage and their ages into the calculator on Covered California’s homepage. In addition to visiting CoveredCA.com, those interested in learning more about their health coverage options can also: • Get free and confidential assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.

• Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.

• Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.