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Did Cosby Prosecutors Destroy Evidence?

Prisoner Slavery in California?

News Observer Page A1

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The Valley’s

Volume 33 Number 14

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

NNPA, NAACP Unite

The Black Press and the NAACP Join Forces to Address Issues Affecting the Black Community

Derrick Johnson, the president and CEO of the NAACP; Leon Russell, the chairman of the NAACP; Dorothy Leavell, the chairman of the NNPA, and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA sign a strategic partnership agreement to join forces in focusing on key issues that affect the Black community, during the 2018 NNPA Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade group representing more than 200 Blackowned media companies, signed a historic, strategic partnership with the NAACP, one of the most influential civil rights group in the world, during the NNPA’s Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas.

“Sometimes you have to take a step back and reconnect in order to move forward,” said NAACP chairman Leon W. Russell. “Signing this agreement is taking that step back and it says it’s time for us to recommit to each other and work together to move our people forward.”

NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., who once served as president of the NAACP, called the partnership historic.

“This [signing] consummates a working relationship of two of the world’s largest organizations focused on the empowerment of Black people,” said Chavis.

NNPA National Chairman Dorothy Leavell added that she’s very pleased with the new partnership.

“I attempted to do something similar in the nineties Continued on page A2

Did Prosecutors Destroy Evidence in Cosby’s Case?

Bill Cosby’s Lawyers Allege Prosecutorial Misconduct, Want Criminal Case Dismissed

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor As Montgomery County prosecutors continue to pursue a verdict in the Bill Cosby sexual assault case involving former Temple University employee Andrea Constand, lawyers for the entertainer have filed several motions, including two arguing that the case against him should be dismissed.

And, while such motions are considered procedural and are rarely granted, the “Uptown Saturday Night” star has presented a compelling case for dismissal.

According to court documents filed by Cosby’s lawyers, the court should dismiss all charges against Cosby because, by Montgomery County, Pennsylvania prosecutors’ own admission, they have not only failed to disclose evidence, but have also destroyed exculpatory evidence.

“Specifically, the prosecution recently disclosed for the first time that, prior to the first trial in this case, a prosecutor and two detectives interviewed a critical witness, Marguerite Jackson who told them that in 2003 or 2004, the complaining witness, Andrea Constand, a co-worker and friend, had told her that she had not been sexually assaulted, but she could say that she had, file charges, and get money,” the bombshell filing said.

It continued: “Yet, the prosecution failed to disclose to the defense that they met with [Jackson] and that they destroyed the notes of their meeting.”

Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt released the court documents to the NNPA Newswire on Thursday, January Continued on page A5

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Racial Comment: Tennis Player Suspended

BOONE, N.C. (AP) _ A white men’s college tennis player has been suspended after a black opponent tweeted that his on-court rival told him “at least I know my dad’’ during their weekend match.

Appalachian State University in North Carolina issued a statement Monday saying Spencer Brown, who’s white, was suspended indefinitely after Sunday’s match with North Carolina A&T State University, a historically black college. Appalachian State apologized in its statement, calling the conduct “derogatory and offensive.’’

John Wilson, the black player who is also A&T’s senior class president, said Brown made other offensive comments during Sunday’s NCAA Division I match.

The tweet included a photo of Brown.

A school spokeswoman says there’ll be no additional comment. A recording heard on a call to Appalachian State’s men’s tennis coach said his number was disconnected.

Black Driver Fatally Shot by Police Oficer

ROCK FALLS, Ill. (AP) _ State police say they’re investigating what led up to a northern Illinois officer fatally shooting a driver after trying to stop his car.

State police Lt. Chris Endress says the driver was the only person in the car when the shooting happened Friday night in Rock Falls. Endress said he didn’t immediately know why the traffic stop was being attempted and declined to give details about the confrontation in the city about 100 miles west of Chicago.

Sauk Valley Media reports Rock Falls Police Chief Tammy Nelson said the shooting involved a 10-year veteran officer who is white, while the driver was black.

Endress says investigators collected dash cam video from at least three squad cars.

WIXN-AM reports Rock Falls police said in a statement it appeared officers acted appropriately.

‘Black Panther’ Receives High Praise After First Screenings

Bill Cosby’s lawyers want the judge in his sexual abuse trial to dismiss the case. (POOL PHOTO)

‘Two Sides’ Docu-Series Tackles a Deadly Reality

By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Viola Davis knows how to make an audience see into the heart of a character, whether a burdened mother in “Doubt'' or the flawed attorney in “How to Get Away with Murder.''

She hopes the same holds true for the critical issue examined by the documentary series “Two Sides,'' the deaths of African-American men and women in confrontations with law enforcement.

It takes more than a video clip to understand a violent encounter, said Davis, an executive producer and narrator of the TV One program airing at 10 p.m. EST on consecutive Mondays through Feb. 12.

“Despite the fact that so many were caught on camera and so much in the public consciousness, it caused a divisiveness'' instead of a determination to find common ground and solutions, Davis said. “We actually need to do something, but it never got to that point.''

As the series' title suggests and Davis contends, the crisis demands an understanding of what officers and citizens face and, beyond that, the system enveloping them.

Among the cases examined in “Two Sides'': Ezell Ford, 25, fatally shot during a 2016 struggle with two Los Angeles police officers; John Crawford III, 22, shot by officers while carrying an air rifle at a Wal-Mart store in a Dayton, Ohio, suburb; Sandra Bland, 28, who hanged herself in a Hempstead, Texas, jail cell after being arrested during a traffic stop and whose family disagreed with the ruling of suicide.

In each episode, law enforcement experts and independent observers discuss the circumstances of the deaths, including explanations of police regulations and proce-

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dures, and relatives and friends share memories of those who died and the impact of their loss.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of California and Christopher Darden, a prosecutor in O.J. Simpson's murder trial, are among those offering commentary along with law enforcement agency representatives.

What officers face in the line of duty and what they risk must be taken into account, Davis said.

They have families and they want to go home safely at the end of their shift, she said. And, like any other citizen, Davis said, she herself depends on law enforcement for protection.

“Listen, if I'm in trouble I'm going to call 911, I'm going to need the police,'' she said. But society tends to believe that police and others in positions of authority should not be questioned and that if “you're on the other side, then you're wrong.''

“Whereas I believe on both sides there is room for growth, and to be challenged and questioned,'' said Davis, who produced the docu-series with her husband, Julius Tennon, and Lemuel Plummer.

She has the visibility and clout to throw behind such a project: She was Oscar-nominated for 2008's “Doubt'' and 2011's “The Help,'' won the trophy last year for “Fences,'' and received an Emmy for her role in the ABC legal drama “How to Get Away with Murder.''

Davis dismisses the idea she has solutions to stop the repetitive violence _ “I'm an actor. It's not my skill set'' _ but she has hope.

“We have to come to some kind of middle ground,'' she said. “It just hasn't happened.''

Viola Davis records the narration for the documentary series “Two Sides,’’ the deaths of African-American men and women in confrontations with law enforcement.

Viola Davis’ social justice docuseries to explore Sandra Bland case. Sandra Bland, 28, who hanged herself in a Hempstead, Texas, jail cell after being arrested during a traffic stop and whose family disagreed with the ruling of suicide.

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ “Incredible’’ and “kinetic’’ are just a few of the loving words that people are using to describe and praise Marvel’s “Black Panther.’’

The film from director Ryan Coogler had its first screenings Monday night and a premiere in Los Angeles. Official reviews won’t go out until Feb. 6, but audiences at the select screenings were able to share non-spoiler reactions on social media.

Los Angeles Times writer Jen Yamato wrote that it is the first Marvel movie about something real. “’Black Panther’ is incredible, kinetic, purposeful,’’ Yamato wrote. “A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people.’’

The film features a largely black cast including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o. It follows T’Challa (Boseman) after the death of his father, the king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, and his ascension to the throne.

“I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back,’’ tweeted Mashable critic Angie Han. “Solid action, smart story, tons of personality.’’

African American Art, Artifacts Focus of Auction

BOSTON (AP) _ An auction in Boston is selling off a trove of African American works of art and historical artifacts.

“Please Remember’’ features items from the personal collection of Eugene and Avis Robinson. Skinner, the auction house coordinating the sale, says the collection represents a “monument to the totality of African American life’’ in America.

Among the works are photographs of Civil Rights marchers, a signed Louis Armstrong photograph and concert program and a publicity photograph of a Negro League baseball team.

Other artifacts relate to the slave trade, including small shackles that once restrained enslaved children and a framed broadside offering a $100 reward for a runaway slave.

The auction opens online Feb. 1. and is timed with Black History Month. Eugene Robinson is a Washington Post columnist and author.

World & Nation

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, February 1, 2018

The Black Press and the NAACP Join Forces Continued from page A1

and I’m very determined now,” said Leavell. “We are going to set a precedent and I hope we will be able to repeat this with many other national organizations, because if we solidify our strength, things will be different for all of us in the United States of America.”

Derrick Johnson, the president and CEO of the NAACP, said one of the things he and Russell share in common is the rich tradition of the NAACP. “Anytime we move away from that [tradition], we lose our way,” he said. “The NAACP would not be here, if not for William Monroe Trotter, a civil rights activist, newspaper editor and real estate businessman based in Boston, Massachusetts; the NAACP would not be here today, if not for Ida B. Wells, a newspaper writer...the NAACP would not be here today, if not for W.E.B. DuBois and his “Crisis’ magazine. I commit today, that we will be joining the NNPA.” Johnson added that the NAACP is as strong as its volunteers and the Black Press is as strong as its readers, many of whom are NAACP members.

The signing, which took place on Friday, January 26 was attended by a number of NNPA members, staffers from both organizations and Gary, Indiana Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson, the first African American woman to hold the office of mayor in the state of Indiana.

“We have to take the resources that we have in our collective communities and we have to use these resources in a way that educates our children and benefits our people,” Wilson said. “We also have to support [Black] businesses.”

Wilson added that Black consumers have to let go of the stereotype that Black businesses are inferior to White businesses.

Wilson also noted that African Americans aren’t receiving a fair shake from the federal government and, in her city, finances are a challenge she’s trying to meet headon.

“Many of the answers depended on the state, but last night, a light bulb went on and it was that we can’t wait on the Republican governor to save Gary,” she said. “So, I said to my team that whatever the governor does or doesn’t do, we are going into the war room and we will stay there and not come out until we have a plan.”

Wilson joined Russell, Johnson, Chavis and Leavell in advocating for a strong relationship between the NAACP and the Black Press.

“If Black newspapers didn’t tell our stories, no one ever would have,” said Russell, echoing the founders of the Black Press, Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm who stated 191 years ago: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations, in things which concern us dearly.”

Dorothy Leavell (2nd from right), the chairman of the NNPA, signs the strategic partnership agreement between the NNPA and the NAACP designed to jointly focus on key issues that affect the Black community, as (from left-right) Derrick Johnson, the president and CEO of the NAACP; Leon Russell, the chairman of the NAACP; and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA, look on during the 2018 NNPA Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

Board Votes Breed Out as San Francisco’s Interim Mayor Residents Protest Board Vote that Ousted London Breed as Interim Mayor of San Francisco

By Stacy Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor During a contentious public meeting, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to appoint Mark Farrell, a White venture capitalist, to serve as acting mayor. The vote stripped London Breed of those powers, who was the first African American woman to serve in that role. Critics of the board’s actions—inside and outside of the city—alleged that the vote was tainted by racism and discrimination.

Breed rose to national prominence, after she was named interim mayor of San Francisco, when Ed Lee, the city’s first Asian American mayor, died of a heart attack last December.

Amelia Ashley-Ward, a long-time resident of San Francisco and owner of the Sun-Reporter Publishing Company, said that she was surprised to see so many “White progressives lining up” during the city hall meeting, before the vote, to express concerns about Breed holding the two power positions—interim mayor and president of the board of supervisors—while running to become the next mayor of the city.

“Perhaps San Francisco isn’t as progressive as some people like to think,” said Ashley-Ward. “I think that she was double-crossed by some of her colleagues on that board, who might have promised to support her.”

However, according to the San Francisco Examiner, temporarily serving as acting mayor and board president is not a conflict of interest.

“It is precisely what the voters established in the charter; it is common democratic practice; and it has been happening for the past six weeks, not to the detriment of city stability, but to its benefit,” the Examiner said.

The Examiner continued: “San Francisco mayors and boards always overlap. Mayor Lee appointed two of the board’s current members. The City Charter gives the mayor authority to join and speak at any board meeting. And

supervisors serve as acting mayor all the time, occasionally signing their own legislation.”

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association called the San Francisco board of supervisors’ vote a “non-progressive and backward decision” and speculated that some board members may have been motivated by race and gender bias.

Dorothy Leavell, the chairman of the National News-

“This vote has national implications for African Americans everywhere that aspire to serve in public office, said Leavell. “As chairman of the NNPA, I condemn [the board’s vote]. I strongly encourage everyone to support London Breed’s campaign to become the next mayor of San Francisco.”

Leavell continued: “The Black voters need to come out in large numbers. People who aren’t registered to vote, need to register. Those who can give time, need to give time.” paper Publishers Association and the publisher of the Crusader Newspaper Group, said that she was highly disturbed by the actions of the board of supervisors.

“This vote has national implications for African Americans everywhere that aspire to serve in public office, said Leavell. “As chairman of the NNPA, I condemn [the

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board’s vote]. I strongly encourage everyone to support London Breed’s campaign to become the next mayor of San Francisco.”

Leavell continued: “The Black voters need to come out in large numbers. People who aren’t registered to vote, need to register. Those who can give time, need to give time.”

Ashley-Ward said that Breed is one of the most qualified candidates in the race.

“She is very capable and that’s what frightened her opponents,” said Ashley-Ward.

Unabashedly outspoken, the 43-year-old Breed said that she was raised on the hard knock streets of the Fillmore District, just southwest of Nob Hill.

“When you come from the kind of community that I come from and experience a lot of frustration, you have to be outspoken to get things done,” Breed said during an interview with the NNPA Newswire. “I say what I feel like I need to say and that’s how I’ve always been, and I couldn’t live with myself, if I felt that I have to change to be an elected official.”

Breed said that she wants to continue to address homelessness, improve social services and increase access to healthcare in the city.

Breed said that the Black Press, particularly newspapers like the San Francisco Bay View and the Sun-Reporter, is vital in San Francisco.

“The African American newspapers lead the way in providing a well-rounded, news perspective and they’ve pushed companies that make money in the African American community to reinvest those dollars back into the community,” Breed said.

Breed also recommended that the Black Press raise awareness about the lack of diversity in the tech industry.

Ashley-Ward called the board of supervisors’ vote a “disgrace” and said that even though many residents are angry and incensed, she hoped that their passion translates into a record-level of civic engagement on June 5.

“There are some really bad feelings in the city, over what happened with the vote, but that should spur people into action,” said Ashley-Ward. “It won’t just be Black voters; it will take all freedom-loving voters in San Francisco.”

Ashley-Ward continued: “We have to embrace people like London Breed, because they are the future.”

Freddie Allen contributed reporting for this story.

Tulsa Violated Civil Rights TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A federal judge has ruled that the city of Tulsa violated the Civil Rights Act when it retaliated against a black police officer who objected after being ordered to march in a Martin Luther King Day parade.

U.S. District Judge John Dowdell ruled in favor of Capt. Walter Busby Jr.'s retaliation claim on Thursday, calling the police department's race-based actions “repugnant,'' the Tulsa World reported.

The judge's decision comes more than two years after her denied the city's request to dismiss the lawsuit under the Civil Rights Act. “Title VII makes it unlawful for an employer `to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of an individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin,'?" Dowdell said in the 2015 ruling.

Dowdell has ordered the city to remove Busby's unfavorable performance evaluation, credit him with 453 hours of combined vacation and sick leave he took following his reassignment, and pay his attorney fees. He also ruled against Busby's allegations of discrimination.

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Busby's attorney, Louis Bullock, said he thinks that portion of the ruling means Dowdell determined that the racial discrimination didn't get to a level of being actionable.

In a statement Tulsa officials said they were pleased that Dowdell “found the city and its employees did not discriminate against Cpt. Busby on the basis of his race.''

The city had argued that it had legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for ordering Busby to participate in the parade because it was a “legitimate community policing event.''

The city said participating in the event “reinforces TPD's commitment to treating each citizen of Tulsa equally, regardless of cultural differences and background.''

Busby filed the lawsuit in 2011 against the city, Police Chief Chuck Jordan and two other superior officers.

He alleged he was ordered to march in the 2010 parade by his then superior, Maj. Walter Evans. He said he objected to participating in the parade and asked for time off, but was denied.

Evans, who is also black, denied that the order was based on race. But in a memo to Busby regarding his decision, Evans said he was “embarrassed that few African American officers participate in department-sponsored ceremonies,'' including the parade.

Dowdell ruled that Evans's actions were in retaliation for Busby's allegations

Even though she’s out as interim mayor, London Breed is still the president of the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco and is also a frontrunner in the special election scheduled for June 5. (Wikimedia Commons)

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Thursday, February 1, 2018

Features

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Shoplifting is to Blame for Locked Up Items, Not Walmart

By Jasmyne A. Cannick California Black Media

Whether you hate or love Walmart--they are not alone in locking up products.

So when I read last week that a woman was suing Walmart for discriminating against Blacks by having certain products locked up, I immediately thought to myself: she’s blaming the wrong people.

43-year-old Essie Grundy announced, with her attorney Gloria Allred, that she was suing a California Walmart for racially discriminating against Black customers by selectively locking up beauty products inside of glass cabinets.

As a frequent equal opportunity shopper, I can tell you that large retailers like Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and nearly all grocery stores lock up the products that are being shoplifted the most. Be it Tide, coffee, diapers, baby formula, razors, deodorant, condoms, alcohol, products to make illegal drugs or that people use to get high off of--if a store notices that certain items are being stolen, they are going to take certain measures to mitigate their losses.

In 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47 which ended the possibility of charging shoplifting as a felony and don’t think for one moment that shoplifters are unaware of the change in the law. They know, like retailers and law enforcement know, that now, anything stolen that’s worth is below $950 is a misdemeanor. That means shoplifters are unlikely to be detained, arrested or prosecuted for stealing. At most staff and security guards can demand that a shoplifters give back the products but even that’s a daunting task when you don’t know who is armed or not.

In addition to shoplifting being more commonplace, it has become more blatant.

I’ve actually seen people stealing who then get caught and dare the security guard and staff to do anything about it. They know like we all know, nothing can really be done.

According to a report by the Associated Press, large

retailers in California say shoplifting increased at least 15 percent, and in some cases, doubled since voters approved Proposition 47.

Plainly stated, people are stealing and without measures like locking up products in glass cabinets or putting hard to remove sensors on them--a store really has only two other viable options available to them. They can decide to not carry the items that you want because they are getting stolen or they can pass on the extra cost of shoplifting losses to the consumer. I know we don’t want to return back to the days of being followed up and down aisles just because of the color of our skin.

So which is more of an inconvenience? Waiting for a customer service rep to open a locked cabinet or the product not being available at all or paying more for the product because it’s a item that gets stolen a lot? I’ll take my chances with the customer service rep.

And while we can debate the reasons that people steal another time, I will say that electronics, cosmetics and most personal care products are hardly considered life or death items like baby formula, tampons, maxi pads water and food. More often than not, most of the products that are being stolen end up being sold for a discount on the streets or over the internet.

“I just feel that we need to be treated equal,” Grundy said during the news conference, flanked by her husband and one of her children. “It’s no way that we should be treated ... just because of a complexion. We are all human and we deserve to be treated as everyone else.”

“That is discrimination in our view,” Allred said during the news conference. “That is second-class citizenship. That is being treated with the utmost disrespect. That’s racial profiling.”

Perhaps if Walmart had a practice of only locking up items that were marketed towards Black people, then maybe the case could be that the practice is discriminatory. But Walmart--like many retailers--locks up a variety of products that are used by different races of people.

The bottom line is that products marketed towards Blacks are being stolen the most. Ms. Gundy and Gloria Allred’s beef is with the people stealing those products--be they Black, Latino, Asian or white or the systems put into place that are preventing the shoplifter from being able to afford to buy the product.

I get that where Walmart is involved, emotions tend to run high for some but that shouldn’t get in the way of common sense. The same goes for supporters of Proposition 47. The majority of California voters wanted to see lesser penalties for crimes like shoplifting and the resulting consequence is that we have more and more products are locked up. To complain about that now is like Monday morning quarterbacking.

Is it a pain in the ass to have to wait for a customer service representative to come to your aid and unlock the glass cabinet and retrieve the item you want to buy? Yes. Do they always come when you press the button? No. But in this case, race has nothing to do with it. It’s not about who is doing the stealing. It’s about what is being stolen, how often and from where.

Federal Law Allowing Slavery In California

By Bishop Noel Jones Pastor, City of Refuge Los Angeles You may be surprised to learn that under the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution, California inmates are considered slaves and are treated as indentured servants by definition.

As of December 27, 2017, there were approximately 118,232 individuals incarcerated in California prisons.

California budged for 7,700 positions for the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA); of-which 6,000 are incarcerated men and women who volunteer to work in manufacturing jobs such as building equipment and furniture, not to mention making license plates, for which CALPIA has a virtual monopoly in California. These prison workers are paid $.40 - $1.00 per hour. Then there are approximately 29 who work in private industries via public/private partnerships and are paid a minimum wage. All other regular prisoners are paid $.08 - $.37 an hour for cooking, cleaning, and other state prison services.

Prisoners who volunteer and are qualified to be trained and serve as firefighters, and work side-by-side with our brave professional firefighters, are paid only $2 a day plus $1 an hour. In California, they have provided approximately 3 million person-hours responding to fires and other emergencies and 7 million person-hours in community service projects, saving California and the state’s taxpayers approximately $100 million. Many have lost their lives protecting the lives of others.

Some argue that treating inmates as indentured servants is fair because they get free medical care and room and board. When you consider that California taxpayers pays up to $75,000 for each adult inmate, and that out of their low wages the state deducts up to 80% for taxes, restitution, room and board, and other costs associated with the prisoner’s criminal processing and incarceration; this argument has no merit. Further, under federal law all inmates are considered slaves and not “employees” as such their salaries are not considered earned income. Thus they are subjected to “legal financial obligation” (LFO), and their wages are subject to personal income taxes but they do not qualify for unemployment benefits, child care tax credit, or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which could net their families up to $12,500 in refunds. Here’s a kicker – private companies that enter into an agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to employ and train California prisoners get a 10% tax break. In essence, these men and women are serving out their criminal sentences as indentured servants who pay taxes, without representation.

Equally inequitable, this unfair and unjust system continues to deny former inmates, who have served their time and are productive, tax paying citizens, from voting because their crime was considered a felony. And inmates who qualify to vote are not institutionally encourage and provided the opportunity to register and vote as part of their civic education while incarcerated. This is especially unfair when their crime may not be a felony under existing California law, they are required to pay taxes, and the state has failed to protect their freedom of speech.

The Governor’s budget preserves the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program, and inmates who volunteer to participate in CALPIA’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs can earn industry-accredited certifications. Programs includes computer coding, computer-aided design (AutoCAD), pre-apprentice carpentry, pre-apprentice construction labor, ironworking, commercial diving, and culinary and facilities maintenance. CTE graduates have some of the lowest recidivism rates, a cumulative 7.13% (as opposed to the 65% recidivism rate for other California inmates) proving that this strategy has an economic

and moral benefit. The Governor’s budget also includes funding to establish a Firefighter Training and Certification Program, to provide ex-offenders with education and training to become firefighters employed by the California Conservation Corps with base wages and benefits consistent with other corps members. Proving that rehabilitation programs, when coupled with career education programs, work extremely well.

However, billions were saved over the years by allow-

ing prison overcrowding and scarce mental and health care, (according to the 2011 United States Supreme Court in Brown vs. Plata). Further the shifting of inmates to the county and to the streets also saved money, but with insufficient re-entry programs the result was increased crime.

The millions recently invested as a result of prison realignment is appreciated but woefully inadequate. Based on various studies, punishment without rehabilitation and reintegration into society does not reduce recidivism nor ad-

You may be surprised to learn that under the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution, California inmates are considered slaves and are treated as indentured servants by definition.

Prison inmates lay water pipes on a work project outside Oak Glen Conservation Fire Camp.

dress the loss of life and property associated with cycles of incarceration, early release, assault, murder, theft, or other crimes and back to prison only to start the process over again. We must ask ourselves who benefits from continuing this failed practice – and at what cost, especially given that time has proven that the historical strategies of perpetuating slavery through massive incarceration of men and women is not humane, moral, or economically productive.

Solution: California does not have to follow the 13th Amendment and treat inmates as slaves and indentured servants.

California can treat inmates justly and fairly, pay them market wages, invest in programs that save the lives of inmates and victims, provide the same level of heath care afford to all California and undocumented resident and allow them their constitutional right to vote. (Colossians 4:1) The Legislative Black Caucus should introduce legislation that allows all free men and women to vote (including ex-inmates with felonies), issue a $25 billion tax exemption bond for prison reform or property tax bonds to fund prison rehabilitation, eliminate taxes on inmate salaries, pay them a progressive minimum wage, and allow them to accumulate workers compensation and unemployment benefits.

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2018007035 The following person9s) is (are) doing business as: S&B LIEN SALES 10948 Atkinson Ave, Inglewood, Ca. 90303 Mailing Address: Same County: LA County REGISTERED OWNER(S) WARREN R. WOOLFOLD, 10948 Atkinson Ave, Inglewood, Ca. 90303 This business is conducted by: Individual Registrant Signature: WARREN R. WOOLFOLK The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/2007 FILED: Jan 9, 2018 I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk by: JUANITA CARPENTER, Deputy NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A Fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on 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

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

We Must Resist the Dangerous GOP Agenda The GOP has passed spending bills that actively take resources away from communities of color. They even found the time to give a massive tax giveaway to a handful of super rich families and major corporations.

Yet, over that same year, they’ve refused to pass legislation to stabilize and decrease health insurance costs, to reauthorize health insurance for nine million kids, to prevent gun violence which kills 10 times more African American kids than White kids or to protect our hard won right to vote.

While voters were rejecting Moore, they were also rejecting more; they were rejecting the Republicans’ dangerous and destructive agenda that’s forgotten who we are as a nation and put millions of American families at risk.

Those Americans rejected Republican plans to take away their healthcare and stack the deck in favor of corporations over families. They rejected ending environmental regulations that protect kids from asthma. They rejected a party, which believes its okay to suppress and outright disenfranchise voters just because of their race.

When the Alabama voters checked that box, they made their voices—and no one else’s—heard and it shook the nation.

As we prepare for the upcoming 2018 election, all of these issues will be on the ballot again: access to healthcare, tax increases on people who work for their paychecks, pre-

January 1, 2014, The fictitious business name statement must be accompanied by the affidavit of identity form.

The filing of this statement dies not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code).

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NOTICE OF LIEN SALE Lien Holder: GEORGE’S GERMAN AUTO REPAIR 7009 RESEDA BLVD. RESEDA, CA. 91335 Vehicle: 2006 PORSCHE, CARREA S Vin: WP0AB29976S742873 License #: CA 6GHF763 Make: PORSCHE Date of Sale: 02/07/2018 at 9:00 AM S&B Lien Sales LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 25, 2018

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venting gun violence, investing in our children’s education, increasing the minimum wage and protecting our voting rights.

As Americans, we have a voice in these decisions, a voice that was paid for in the blood, sweat and tears of Americans who’d come before us. Our voice belongs to us, because we fought for it and we continue fighting for it.

We need to honor their sacrifice by showing up at every election. We need to honor James Chaney—a civil rights worker who was killed by members of the KKK in 1964 for registering African Americans to vote—by proudly earning that “I Voted” sticker. It’s up to us to keep the voice of our community strong and we do that by showing up and casting our ballots, like so many did in Alabama and across the country.

Our foremothers and forefathers sacrificed life and limb for our right to vote.

Simply too much is at stake for us to sit on the sidelines. The issues that affect our lives and our children’s lives are debated every day at City Hall, in state General Assemblies and in Congress. We were given a voice in who makes these decisions for us; let’s keep using it.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly represents Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District and serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls. You can follow Congresswoman Kelly @RepRobinKelly.

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Science, Technology Engineering, Art and Mathematics Congresswoman Robin Kelly says that Republicans have passed spending bills that actively take resources away from communities of color.

By Robin Kelly Congresswoman (D-Ill.) In the Age of Trump, logging onto Twitter can elicit everything from hysterical laughter to deep concern and fear. From time to time, I’ve even had the urge to teach the Trump Administration basic math. However, the Wednesday after Democratic candidate Doug Jones won the special election in Alabama for Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ vacant U.S. Senate seat, I woke up excited about the election results in Alabama.

The first thing that I did that morning was log onto Twitter. When I looked at the trending hashtags, I saw one that I’d never seen before. One that surprised me: #ThankYouBlackWomen.

I must’ve rubbed my eyes twice just to confirm what I was seeing. But there it was: #ThankYouBlackWomen.

In the Alabama special election, African Americans represented slightly less than 30 percent of voters and cast 96 percent of their ballots for Senator-elect Doug Jones.

Quite simply, African American voters, especially women, had a dramatic impact on the race, shifting the power dynamics of the Senate.

While the disturbing and shocking allegations against Roy Moore certainly helped increase turnout and steered some voters to Jones, people, especially African Americans, voted because they understand that Trump and Congressional Republicans are taking our country to unimaginable lows.

Republicans have controlled the White House and both chambers of Congress since President Trump was elected. In that time, the president has sought to normalize White supremacy and Congress has continued to strip away the protections afforded to millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act.

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(From left-right) Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA, Renah Carlisle, the sales zone manager for Ford’s Phoenix Region, and Dorothy Leavell, the chairman of the NNPA pose for a photo during the 2018 NNPA Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Marty Frierson/NNPA)

Ford Announces New STEAM Column at 2018 NNPA Mid-Winter Conference Demonstrating its continued commitment and support of educational opportunities—particularly within our HBCU communities—Ford announced that, beginning in March, the company will author a new quarterly column that will focus on Science, Technology Engineering, Art and Mathematics, also known as STEAM, that will appear online on BlackPressUSA.com and will be available on the NNPA Newswire for all NNPA members to run in the print and digital editions of their publications.

Renah Carlisle, Sales Zone Manager for Ford’s Phoenix Region, made the announcement about the new column and delivered keynote remarks at NNPA’s 2018 Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas.

“In tandem with other programs and initiatives, with the launch of this new STEAM column, we’re excited to not only put a focus on an important issue impacting our youth, but to also offer one more contribution to increase awareness, consideration and participation in exciting, dynamic career opportunities available to all young people everywhere,” said Carlisle.

For over three decades, Ford has been committed to implementing and supporting initiatives that encourage and inspire young people to pursue and succeed in STEAM careers. The new column will serve to put an important and needed spotlight on career opportunities many, if not most, of today’s youth believe are out of reach for them.

“We are excited to join Ford in this important conversation about the future of our youth,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis. “Across the country, our members serve as the voice and advocate for the communities they serve. The unsettling fact that every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school should be impetus enough for leaders, mentors and all who care about the future of our youth to develop a pipeline for future leaders

in STEAM careers.”

Ford has enjoyed a decades-long relationship with the Black Press for more than 40 years. Since 2011, that relationship has been spotlighted through its partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

Among other engagements, each year NNPA gives ten (10) students attending Historically Black College and Universities a cash scholarship in Ford’s name. These scholarships have been given of behalf of Ford for 15 years. This is especially noteworthy as Ford remains deeply committed to supporting education initiatives, especially within our HBCU communities – a commitment that spans decades.

This was most recently showcased with last year’s introduction of the inaugural Ford HBCU Drive2Greatness initiative, a nationwide contest open to all Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the county that awarded more than $300,000 in prizes to support the winning universities’ STEAM programs.

Both NNPA and Ford share a mutual commitment and support for STEAM initiatives and are excited to support innovation, differentiation and opportunities that help our youth not only “Go Further” in tech, but remind them the impossible is possible as they explore the limitless potential that is their future.

According to national data, in 2018, 8 million STEAM jobs will be available in the U.S., but the vast majority of our students will be unprepared to fill them. 51 percent of all STEAM jobs are projected to be in computer science related fields. The federal government alone needs an additional 10,000 IT and cybersecurity professionals, and the private sector – including the automotive industry – needs many more. As a 21st century society, STEAM fields are at the core of the nation’s innovation.

Science, Technology Engineering, Art and Mathematics

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Thursday, February 1, 2018

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Why Jay-Z Boycotted the Grammys in 1999

Honoree Jay-Z speaks onstage at the 2018 Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jay-Z said though he boycotted the Grammys almost two decades ago, he’s better served helping the Recording Academy grow instead of abandoning it.

At Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy gala on Saturday — where Jay-Z earned the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award — he said he initially boycotted because DMX had an amazing year in music but didn’t earn any nominations at the 1999 Grammys. Jay-Z’s sophomore project, “Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life,” won best rap album that year though he didn’t attend the show, besting albums

by A Tribe Called Quest, Mase, Big Punisher and Jermaine

Dupri.

“I didn’t come back until... 2004 when a beautiful, young lady whom I love dearly had a solo album... the beautiful Miss Beyonce. And I realized, ‘Man, art is super subjective and everyone is doing their best, and the Academy, they’re human like we are and they’re voting on things they like and it’s subjective,’” he told the audience, which included Quincy Jones, Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, Diddy and Beyonce, who Davis called “the first lady of music.”

“And if we believe in it — ’cause we do, we can pretend that we don’t care but we really care — we care ’cause we’ve seen the most incredible artists stand on that stage

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and we’re inspired to be that, so I was like, ’I have to be here,’” he added. “That is the idea for all of us to get involved and to push this thing further no matter what happens at the Grammys, it’s going to be what it is. Bob Marley is going to be Bob Marley, whether he’s nominated for a Grammy or not. Tupac is going to be Tupac, Biggie is going to be Biggie.”

Rap has had a long history with the Grammys — whether its top performers like Eminem and Kanye West constantly losing in the major categories to rock, pop and country acts, or rap awards not making it on the televised show, though that’s changed in recent years.

Jay-Z has won 21 Grammys and has been nominated for 74. He is the top contender at Sunday’s show, competing for eight awards including album, song and record of the year.

The Brooklyn rapper was serenaded at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel by Alicia Keys, who performed a medley of his popular hits on piano, closing with their collaboration, “Empire State of Mind.”

“Before anything else I was a true fan of your music Jay, and still am. I will walk down the streets with my headphones on and my Tims and baggy jeans and your (music) was my soundtrack,” she said.

The black-tie event closed with a rousing tribute to Aretha Franklin by Jennifer Hudson, though the Queen of Soul didn’t attend. Hip-hip trio Migos performed their No. 1 hit, “Bad and Boujee”; Luis Fonsi “put a little spice (on) tonight” — as he said it — when he sang the monster hit “Despacito”; and Leslie Odom, Jr. and Ben Platt reprised their Tony-winning roles in “Hamilton” and “Dear Even Hansen,” winning over the crowd.

Barry Manilow kicked off the night in tribute to New York — singing Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” — in honor of the Grammys returning to the Big Apple after 15 years for its 60th anniversary.

But Gladys Knight might have had the best performance: She was golden when she sang “Stand by Me” and “Midnight Train to Georgia,” earning a standing ovation.

“Thanks for standing by me,” the icon said.

Guests at Davis’ white-hot party outside of the music world included New York Yankee players Giancarlo Stanton and CC Sabathia, Martha Stewart, Ivana Trump, John Oliver, NBA player Chris Bosh and Nancy Pelosi. Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, received a Bronx cheer when Davis introduced him to the audience.

Davis famously announces his celebrity guests with a list of their accomplishments. When he called out Katie Holmes, he said she was sitting near Jamie Foxx, who she has been linked to for some time now.

“If you’re going to sit together what better night than tonight,” Davis said to laughs from the audience, which included Sting, John Legend, Alison Krauss, Pink, Cardi B, DJ Khaled and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Rising singer Khalid and rapper Logic, both nominated for multiple Grammys, closed the show with the suicide prevention anthem, “1-800-273-8255.”

“From section 8 and welfare to the Grammys — I can’t wait,” yelled Logic.

Did Cosby Prosecutors Destroy Evidence Continued from page A1

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ognsc.com News Observer Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

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King’s Lasting Impact on Equity in Education

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King at a rally in Chicago’s Grant Park, in 1966.

Oprah’s Barn Raiser Speech What president?

A year after politics — and the newly elected occupant of the White House — dominated the conversation and tone of the Golden Globes, there was barely a mention of such things at Sunday’s ceremony. This year, it was all gender politics, and of course the #MeToo movement that has engulfed Hollywood and spread into the culture at large with astonishing speed. From the sea of glittering black gowns worn in solidarity on the usually multi-colored red carpet, to sly references to unequal pay and recognition for women, to Frances McDormand’s salute to “a tectonic shift” in the Hollywood power structure, it was a night for reckoning — crowned by Oprah Winfrey’s barn-raiser of a speech proclaiming “Their time is UP!” Some key moments: SERIOUS CARPET TALK: Usually, red carpet interviews focus on the provenance of designer gowns and jewelry. This year, there was talk of working conditions for farmers and janitors, and demands for equal pay across society. Several actresses, including Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams and Emma Watson, brought social activists with them , to focus on real-life solutions to gritty problems far from Hollywood.

“We feel emboldened in this particular moment,” Streep said, “to stand together in a thick black line dividing then from now.”

LAURA DERN’S NORTH STAR: It was a night of unusually powerful speeches, whether long or short, that touched eloquently on the #MeToo moment. One came from Laura Dern, who won supporting actress for “Big Little Lies,” a TV series that, aptly, depicts not only sexual abuse, but a group of women who only fully discover their power when they unite. Using her character to describe a past culture in which people were afraid to speak out, Dern urged Hollywood to support and employ survivors brave enough to come forward. And she went further: “May we teach our children,” she said, “that speaking out without the fear of retribution is our culture’s new North Star.”

A SLY NOD TO A GLARING OMISSION: One of the most glaring snubs in this year’s movie nominations came in the best director category, where Greta Gerwig was passed over for her much-loved “Lady Bird.”

Natalie Portman, presenting the director prize, was not about to let that go unnoticed. “And here are the all MALE

Continued on page A6

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s influence on the Civil Rights Movement is indisputable, but his fight for equity in education remains a mystery to some.

That fight began with his own education.

“He clearly had an advanced, refined educational foundation from Booker T. Washington High School, Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston University,” said Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. “His education in his speeches and sermons and writings were apparent and he wanted us all to have that type of education.”

King completed high school at 15, college at 19, seminary school at 22 and earned a doctorate at 26.

“Dr. King laid down the case for affordable education for all Americans, including Polish children—from the ghetto and the barrios, to the Appalachian mountains and the reservations—he was a proponent for education for all and he believed that strong minds break strong chains and once you learn your lesson well, the oppressor could not unlearn you.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, the founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN), said that NAN works with Education for a Better America to partner with school districts, universities, community colleges, churches, and community organizations around the country to conduct educational programming for students and parents.

“The mission of the organization has been to build bridges between policymakers and the classrooms by supporting innovations in education and creating a dialogue between policymakers, community leaders, educators, parents, and students,” Sharpton said. “We’re promoting student health, financial literacy, and college readiness in our communities, just like Dr. King did.”

King was a figure to look up to in both civil rights and academia, Sharpton told the NNPA Newswire.

“Then, when you look at his values, he always saw education, especially in the Black community, as a tool to uplift and inspire to action,” Sharpton said. “It’s definiteContinued on page A2

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Mississippi Judge; Racial Bias Suit Against Coroner Can Proceed

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) _ Six black-owned funeral homes can proceed toward trial with their lawsuit alleging that a Mississippi Gulf Coast coroner discriminates in favor of white-owned competitors, a federal judge has ruled.

U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett on Friday ruled mostly for the plaintiffs, although he dismissed some of the claims against Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove. Ten of the original 13 legal grounds for the lawsuit remain alive.

The dispute revolves around cases where Harrison County pays for a body to be picked up, stored, autopsied or buried, usually at Hargrove's direction.

Starrett wrote that the plaintiffs produced enough evidence that Hargrove treated black-owned funeral homes differently from white-owned funeral homes for the case to proceed. One black funeral home owner has testified that Hargrove once told her that ``white bodies go to the white funeral homes and black bodies go to the black funeral home.''

The plaintiffs told Starrett there's plenty of evidence that Hargrove discriminated against them when directing who would get county-controlled business. ``Defendants have all but completely excluded plaintiffs from receiving mortuary business in their control,'' lawyer Steven Art wrote in November, urging Starrett to let the case go forward. ``Plaintiffs repeatedly have observed the coroner exercise his authority based on race; the coroner has said that his decisions are influenced by race; and thousands of the coroner's own files_produced by the coroner himself and extensively analyzed by plaintiffs and their experts_reveal racial discrimination.''

Hargrove and a lawyer for Harrison County deny discrimination, saying they follow the wishes of the deceased and their families. They say black-owned funeral homes have limited refrigeration facilities, and that a pathologist whom Hargrove didn't control had done all autopsies in the past at white-owned funeral homes. ``The limited exceptions occur when an autopsy is required or when a family member cannot be promptly located necessitating refrigeration of the body,'' lawyer Daniel Seawell wrote in October. ``Hargrove has no control over the sites where autopsies were performed and no control over a funeral home's decision to provide proper refrigeration with sufficient capacity.''

Child Living in Storage Container Dies in Fire BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) _ California authorThis image released by NBC shows Oprah Winfrey accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018. (Paul Drinkwater/NBC via AP)

ities say a young child has died in a fire inside a storage unit where a family of five had been living.

Kern County officials say firefighters responding near Bakersfield early Wednesday found the storage unit engulfed in flames.

KABC-TV reports a child 4 or 5 years old died.

Three other family members were hospitalized with unknown injuries.

25.

Neither Cosby’s attorneys nor prosecutors offered comment on Thursday.

Cosby’s team also argued that it’s reasonable to infer that the prosecution allowed Constand to testify falsely at the first trial that she did not know or remember Jackson.

Also, based on a Jan. 17, 2018 telephone conference call with the court, Assistant District Attorney Stewart Ryan admitted that he and two detectives spoke with Jackson and learned that Constand and Jackson worked together, had been friends, and had shared hotel rooms on multiple occasions.

Despite their knowledge of the relationship, Cosby lawyers alleged that prosecutors stood silent while Constand testified under oath that she didn’t know Jackson, and they persuaded the court to bar the defense from exploring the topic with Constand through cross-examination.

Judge Steven O’Neill also denied Cosby’s lawyers’ motion to call Jackson as a witness.

“The cumulative effect of the wrongdoing in this case, and the politically and emotionally charged context of this case, elevates the misconduct to a level of a constitutional violation and prosecutorial overreach depriving Cosby of any meaningful right to a fair trial,” Cosby’s attorneys wrote Thursday. “Such misconduct warrants dismissal of the charges.”

In another motion, Cosby’s attorneys argued that prosecutors also have failed to prove that they brought the case within the 12-year statute of limitation and there’s no way to prove it, because they admittedly are unsure of the timeline.

Constand alleged that Cosby assaulted her in early 2004—though previously she admitted their encounter could have been in 2003. Prosecutors didn’t file charges until 2015.

It’s unclear when O’Neill will issue a ruling on the motions.

Jury selection has been scheduled for March and the trial is expected to begin in April.

The Los Angeles Clippers traded superstar forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons on Monday in exchange for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a 2018 protected first-round pick and a 2019 second-round selection.

LA Clippers Acquire Harris, Bradley, Marjanovic, First & Second Round Picks

The L.A. Clippers announced that the team has acquired forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley, center Boban Marjanovic, a 2018 Protected First Round Pick, and a 2019 Second Round Pick from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for forward Blake Griffin, forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed.

“Blake Griffin had a tremendous impact on this organization and his legacy within the community of Los Angeles will be permanent. It was a pleasure getting to know and cheer for Blake. I wish him, as well as Brice and Willie, the best of luck. While change is hard, my confidence in our front office, led by Lawrence Frank and Michael Winger, along with the sage counsel of Jerry West, has never been higher. I believe today, more than ever, in our ultimate goal of winning an NBA Championship,” said Steve Ballmer, Chairman of the L.A. Clippers.

“Blake is one of the best players ever to wear a Clippers jersey. We want to express our gratitude and respect for everything he has done for this team and the City of Los Angeles. This was a very difficult decision, but we ultimately felt it was appropriate for the franchise,” said Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations. “We would also like to thank Brice and Willie for their contributions to our organization.”

Harris, 25, has appeared in 48 games (all starts) for Detroit this season, averaging 18.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while shooting 40.9% from three-point range in 32.6 minutes. The 6’9” 235-pound forward has appeared in 432 career games across seven NBA seasons with Milwaukee, Orlando and Detroit, holding career averages of 14.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.3 minutes. Selected 19th overall by Milwaukee out of the University of Tennessee in 2011, Harris was a 2010 McDonald’s All-American.

Bradley, 27, has appeared in 40 games (all starts) for Detroit this season, averaging 15.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.15 steals, while shooting 38.1% from three-point range in 31.7 minutes. The 6’2”, 180-pound guard has appeared in 453 career games across eight NBA seasons with Boston and Detroit, holding career averages of 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.09 steals in 28.4 minutes. Bradley was named to the 2016 NBA All-Defensive First Team and 2013 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Selected 19th overall by Boston out of the University of Texas in 2010, he was a 2009 McDonald’s All-American.

Marjanovic, 29, has appeared in 19 games (one start) for Detroit this season, averaging 6.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes. The 7’3”, 290-pound center has appeared in 108 career games across three NBA seasons with San Antonio and Detroit, holding career averages of 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 9.0 minutes. Prior to his NBA career, he spent time playing overseas in Serbia, Russia and Lithuania, where he was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2015, and was a three-time Serbian League MVP (2013-15). He has also won championships in the Serbian League, Lithuanian League, Adriatic League and Baltic League.

Griffin, 28, the former No. 1 pick of the Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft, spent eight seasons with the Clippers. He holds career averages of 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 35.1 minutes in 504 games (all starts).

The 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, he was selected to five NBA All-Star games. He ranks second in franchise history in scoring (10,863 points, 21.6 ppg).

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Thursday, February 1, 2018

Yael and Scooter Braun, LA Clippers Foundation and Guard Patrick Beverly

Unveil New Playground at Watts Elementary Yael and Scooter Braun at the podium. (Brandon Ehrlich L.A. Clippers)

The 107th Street Elementary School renovation project was initiated by Yael Cohen Braun with the mission of giving kids a safe space to play and made possible because of the support of all facets of the Clippers organization. With the initiative and support of Beverley, who first visited the school with the Clippers in September of 2017, and Yael Cohen Braun, who spearheaded a GoFundMe campaign to raise the initial funds for the project, the L.A. Clippers Foundation and Braun Family

Foundation led the renovation of the facilities.

107th Street Elementary School is a Partnership for Los Angeles school, which accelerates achievement for students in partner schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District. It is led by Principal Katherine Nelson. Renovations to the 107th Street facilities include a newly-created sports field and mini park, a resurfaced blacktop for the playground and basketball courts, and new basketball hoops.

Crenshaw’s Robert Garrett Lands National Award

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Crenshaw High School’s Robert Garrett has received many honors during his tenure at Crenshaw high but none are much bigger than the one recently landed.

The Cougar head football coach was nominated by the Los Angeles Chargers for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year. The award was created to honor high school football coaches who demonstrate a commitment to a player health and safety, integrity, achievement and leadership exemplified by the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula.

Nominated by the Chargers as the national Don Shula Award winner Coach Garrett will receive $25,000 from the NFL Foundation. $15,000 will go to the high school’s football program. He will also be a guest during Super Bowl Lll, NFL honors. That event will take place on the eve of the Super Bowl and can be seen at 9 PM PT as part of a primetime awards special on NBC Febru(LA Chargers courtesy photo) ary 3.

“I can say without hesitation because I have wit“I have had the opportunity to meet coach Garrett,” said Chargers Head Coach Anthony Lynn. Yes he has nessed it first hand with Brandon (Mebane) and Hayes turned Crenshaw high into a powerhouse over 30 or so (Pullard) current Charger. Not only are men of great years he has been there but more than the wins and losses character and integrity seeing the respect and love they it’s the number of lives he has touched and young men have for coach Garrett tells you all the need to know.”

In2017 Garrett led the Cougars to the State 4-AA he has mentored.

state championship completing the season with a 12 -3 record.

“He’s a coach to many, to some he’s a mentor and others even a farther, “say. Hayes Pullard. To us he is all of the above He has done so many great things through the years at Crenshaw. That’s my coach.”

Patrick Beverley at the podium. (Brandon Ehrlich L.A. Clippers)

Rams Partener with LA Kitchen to Prepare Meals for Community Members in Need

The Los Angeles Rams will visit L.A. Kitchen to prepare and assemble nutritious meals for those in need in the community. L.A. Kitchen believes that neither food nor people should ever go to waste. By reclaiming healthy, local food that would otherwise be discarded, training men and women who are unemployed for jobs, and providing healthy meals to fellow citizens, L.A. Kitchen empowers, nourishes, and engages the community. Wednesday, January 24 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at L.A. Kitchen 230 W. Ave. 26, Los Angeles, CA 90031 The event is part of the Rams’ monthly Day of Service program. Each month, the Rams front office staff takes time out of the office to volunteer with local non-profits.

During the team’s first year back home in Los Angeles, Rams employees provided more than 2,000 hours of community service and impacted eight local non-profits and 12 schools through the Day of Service. Since January of 2017, the team has volunteered with 12 local non-profits and 26 schools through the Day of Service program.

Los Angeles Rams Accepting Applications for Annual Community Improvement Project

Organizations May Submit Project Proposals attherams.com/community until March 2

Non-profit organizations and schools located in the greater Los Angeles region may now apply for the 2018 Rams Annual Community Project. The initiative aims to bring people together and leave a tangible and lasting impact while addressing some of the community’s greatest needs. Organizations who are interested can apply online attherams.com/community through March 2, 2018. Applications received after that date will not be eligible for the project, which is currently scheduled for June of 2018.

The Rams will fund and participate in the implementation of the project. The team has offered the Community Improvement Project to local organizations, schools, or other institutions since 2009.

Last year, the Rams funded a playground and beautification project for Los Angeles Unified School District’s Figueroa Street Elementary School, located in Watts, CA. Rams players, Head Coach SEAN McVAY, General Manager LES SNEAD, COO KEVIN DEMOFF, cheerleaders and the entire front office staff were onsite to build the playground with the help and supervision of Playcraft Systems and Pacific Play Systems, the designer of the playground. The team also added a few additional touches including murals featuring Rams players paired with specific character traits. The Rams rookies also painted their college logos around campus to give the Figueroa Street students some academic inspiration. A video capturing last year’s project can be found here.

In June of 2016, the Rams completed their first Community Improvement Project in Los Angeles by funding and building a new playground for Woodworth Elementary in Inglewood, CA.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES RAMS COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Since 2009, the Rams have hosted a monthly Staff Day of Service, where the front office staff volunteers with local non-profit organizations to create a positive impact in the local community. The Rams Community Improvement Project is the cornerstone volunteer effort of this initiative.

Since returning home to Los Angeles, Rams staff members have provided more than 3,000 hours of community service and impacted 17 non-profits and 40 schools through the Day of Service program.

R E L E A S E DAT E & STREAMING R E L E A S E DAT E & STREAMING

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