“Discovery Of Seven Children Living In Graveyard”
San Bernardino, CA – In a startling turn of events during a regular outreach program aimed at feeding the homeless, community leaders Eugene Weems and Antoinette Pickette stumbled upon a shocking situation: seven children living in a graveyard. This alarming circumstance exposes them to numerous challenges and vulnerabilities daily, including the looming threat of sexual abuse, a reality that no one should have to endure.
The awareness occurred during one of his meal distributions, where Weems and Pickette aim to provide nourishment and resources to those in need.
Weems, who dedicates his time and financial resources to addressing homelessness in the communities, was preparing to serve meals when he noticed unusual activity in a remote section of the cemetery. Upon investigation, he discovered several tents surrounded by thorny sticker bushes where two of the children played without shirts and shoes—ages ranging from 2 to 9—living among the gravestones.
"This is an unimaginable situation," Weems stated. "We come here to help those who are struggling, and to find children living in such circumstances is heart-wrenching and
unacceptable!”
Despite their best efforts to seek assistance from elected officials, Pastors and other organizations, both Eugene Weems and Antoinette Pickette found themselves feeling defeated and at a standstill, struggling to secure the necessary resources to help vulnerable families. The urgency of the situation prompted Weems to reach out to Dr. Gwen DowdyRogers of Arrowhead United Way and Owen Duckworth of IE Rebound.
Upon learning about the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the families, Dr. Rogers and Mr. Duckworth acted quickly to secure housing and support for the families with children. Their swift response demonstrates a profound dedication to making a meaningful impact in the community.
The discovery of children living among the deceased has raised significant concerns among local residents, igniting discussions about the underlying issues contributing to such a tragic plight. Dr. Gwen Dowdy-Rogers and Mr. Owen Duckworth are now calling for a comprehensive approach to address these challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of all families in need.
Weems's outreach efforts go beyond immediate housing solutions; he encompass a holistic approach aimed at providing meals, new clothing, hot showers, and accessible health care to underserved populations across San Bernardino County, making sure anyone who needs preventive care, chronic disease management, mental health and or wellness services its available through Tri-State Community Healthcare-Mobile Clinic.
The commitment of leaders like Weems, Pickette, Dr. Rogers, and Mr. Duckworth exemplifies the compassion and resilience of the community as they strive to uplift those who are struggling and foster a supportive environment for everyone.
As conversations continue around this pressing issue, the hope is that other communities and leaders will unite to develop sustainable solutions that prioritize the safety and health of all families.
The initiative, aptly named “No More Kids Raised in the Graveyard,” aims to provide these families with the stability and security they so desperately need to rebuild their lives. The initiative’s founders emphasize that every child deserves a secure home, a fundamental right that
is currently denied to these vulnerable families.
“The situation is urgent, and it requires a community response,” said Weems for the initiative. “We cannot do this alone; we need people to rally around these families and help provide them with the resources they need for a stable and nurturing environment.”
The initiative will focus on securing temporary housing, access to necessary services, and emotional support for the families involved. With the right support, these families can transition from their unimaginable circumstances to a place where they can thrive and create a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Community members interested in assisting this cause are encouraged to reach out and contribute in any way they can. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, every effort can help in making a profound difference in the lives of these families.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to provide housing assistance to families facing grave circumstances and everyday necessities during this challenging time. gofund.
me/27eb38bc
NEWSWIRE — But after the Justice Department under Donald Trump declared there is no Epstein client list and promised “no further disclosure,” some in Trump’s base might be asking an unthinkable question: Was their own hero’s name among the records they fought to expose?
By Stacy M. Brown
Ms. Lou Coleman Memorial Service
bounds. She had a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life, offering support and compassion regardless of their circumstances. Her warm heart and unwavering dedication to caring for others left a lasting impact on everyone she met. Miss Lou’s legacy of love and acceptance continues to inspire us all and she will be missed.
For years, MAGA influencers have demanded the unsealing of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, convinced they would deliver explosive revelations about Democrats like Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and other figures they’ve branded enemies of the state. But after the Justice Department under Donald Trump declared there is no Epstein client list and promised “no further disclosure,” some in Trump’s base might be asking an unthinkable question: Was their own hero’s name among the records they fought to expose?
The Justice Department and FBI announced last week that the Epstein materials contain no evidence of additional perpetrators, prompting furious backlash from the same proTrump media personalities who had championed transparency as a rallying cry. Chad Prather, who was invited to the White
House in February and handed a binder of so-called Epstein evidence by Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanded to know why Americans were misled. “Where is the Epstein info the American people were promised?” Prather wrote. “You handed us a notebook and promised more was on the way. You told us it existed, and now you say it doesn’t?”
The world of MAGA angrily chimed in.
Jack Posobiec called the entire process “incredible” and accused the DOJ of gross mismanagement. Savanah
Hernandez condemned the announcement as “a slap in the face,” while Paul Syzpula insisted no one should accept any conclusion without the full, unredacted files. Robby Starbuck delivered the most pointed rebuke, writing on X, “This new DOJ memo admits there are countless victims of Epstein on video but no client list or evidence of other rapists they can charge. So, Epstein was trafficking these underage girls to nobody? Is Pam Bondi serious? No one who has followed this for years believes that everyone who went to Epstein’s Island was just there to catch some waves and relax.”
Sarasota, FL, USA - November 28, 2015: Donald Trump for President "Make America Great Again" red baseball hats on sale at his Presidential candidate tour stop in Sarasota FL
Thursday, July 10, 2025
THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN NEWS - COMMUNITY/EDUCATION
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area to Remain Temporary
Innovation in fraud: How scammers are targeting Americans in new and evolving ways...continued
Closed
Due to Damage from Lake Fire
Community News
Clockwise from top: The Lake Fire burning above Chamise Cove near SR-138 Silverwood Lake Vista Point. A helicopter fighting the flames drawing water near Sawpit Beach. A restroom at Cleghorn Day Use destroyed by the Lake Fire. Photos from California State Parks.
UPDATE: Silverwood Lake SRA remains closed until State Route 138 is reopened. State Parks is coordinating with Caltrans to safely reopen the highway. There is no current estimate for reopening.
SAN BERNARDINO
COUNTY — California State Parks today announced Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) will remain temporary closed due to extensive damage and public safety hazards caused by the Lake Fire. The wildfire began in Silverwood Lake SRA on June 28, prompting the evacuation of all visitors and an immediate closure. This timeline may be extended depending on highway closures and assessments of public safety hazards.
The fire has burned approximately 489 acres within the park and in surrounding San Bernardino National Forest lands and damaged structures, infrastructure and other resources. Areas within Silverwood Lake SRA impacted by the fire include:
A large portion of the Cleghorn Day Use Area. Hillside, roads, and trails along the west side of Silverwood Lake, including portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. State Parks will continue to monitor conditions in coordination with CAL FIRE, Caltrans, and other partner agencies. All camping reservations will be cancelled, and refunds will be processed through ReserveCalifornia.com. The park will reopen once it is deemed safe for public access. For updates on the park, please check the Silverwood Lake SRA webpage and Facebook page. For information and updates on the Lake Fire, please visit CAL FIRE’s Incident page. For the latest updates on state parks impacted, please visit parks. ca.gov/incidents.
Innovation in fraud: How scammers are targeting Americans in new and evolving ways
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Money scams are becoming more sophisticated, with fraudsters targeting more consumers with cryptocurrency investment scams, fake online relationships and deceptive remote job postings. In 2024, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud, with investment scams accounting for $5.7 billion of those losses. Photo Credit: Nappy.co Photo/Aspen
As American society continues to advance, so do the ways in which fraudsters work to scam people out of their money. From cryptocurrency investment schemes to fake remote jobs and catfishing, the illicit tactics are as increasingly sophisticated as they are plentiful.
“As Americans have become more comfortable banking online and conducting transactions remotely, they have become more susceptible to fraud,” said Supervisory Special Agent Keith Custer, who works with the FBI Baltimore Field Office.
“Criminals will continue to take advantage of new and emerging technologies to target their victims and conduct more effective scams.” Custer highlighted that many of the people carrying out the crimes are international.
“Increasingly, we are seeing fraud schemes being perpetrated by transnational criminal organizations,” he said. “Many of
reportedly the second-highest scams impacting consumers today. They often involve a fraudster creating a fake relationship online to convince the victim to send funds or personal information.
“These schemes often start on social media or dating platforms, where scammers build trust over time,” said Joel Gamble, Baltimore community manager at Chase. “Once the victim feels trust in the relationship, they are lured into fraudulent ‘investment’ or ‘crypto’ opportunities. Some even go as far as threatening victims with lies about their loved ones.”
According to FTC officials, con artists often create profiles on dating platforms and social media. They often make excuses to avoid meeting their victims in person, but eventually start asking for a medical emergency or an unanticipated legal fee.
Another type of fraud Americans should watch out for is fraudulent online job postings.
A Dec. 12, 2024, FTC report showed a sharp increase in complaints of online job scams.
Job scams increased from zero in 2020 to 5,000 in 2023. In the first six months of 2024, it spiked to around 20,000. Losses due to job schemes amounted to around $220 million by the first half of 2024. Black and Brown Americans can be particularly vulnerable to these scams.
According to an AARP report,
40 percent of Black and Latino or Hispanic adults have been targeted by a scammer, and 20 percent have lost funds to one. Furthermore, around 60 percent of Black and Brown adults who lost money to a scheme fell victim more than once.
Black adults have specifically been targeted by romance schemes and remote job scams.
The FTC recommends consumers pay attention to the following red flags: someone who says they can guarantee profits through cryptocurrency investments, a person who requires payment through cryptocurrency and job offers via text message or WhatsApp.
“Regardless of how polished it seems, are they asking you for money or personal information?” said Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support for AARP Fraud Watch Network. “Ask yourself, ‘Do I know this person or company? Is this request under urgency? Are they demanding payment to resolve a problem, like arrest or utilities being cut?’
These are all signs of a scam.”
“Take a deep breath and ask a friend or trusted person for advice,” added Nofziger. “Any scam will quickly get you in a heightened emotional state, either with fear or excitement, and then will ask for money.”
Consumers can report fraud complaints to the FBI, FTC, the National Center for Disaster Fraud and state and local agencies.
Is Your Parent Showing Signs Of Alzheimer’s? How To Tell…
Community /Education News
Chances are, you have a friend, coworker, or relative who is currently caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
With over six million Americans living with the disease and diagnoses rising steadily every year, especially among younger individuals, Alzheimer’s is no longer something only associated with advanced age. More and more, families are facing this heartbreaking diagnosis earlier than they ever expected.
With statistics that staggering, it’s only natural to find yourself observing your parents, grandparents, or older loved ones a little more closely, wondering if subtle behavioral changes might be signs of something more serious.
these groups are operating out of call centers or large compounds located in India or southeast Asia and utilize sophisticated tools, including encrypted chat applications, remote desktop software, fake trading platforms and various forms of cryptocurrency to execute their schemes.”
According to officials from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25 percent increase from the previous year. People reportedly lost more money to investment scams—$5.7 billion—than through any other scheme in 2024.
The FTC previously reported that cryptocurrency is becoming a popular choice for scammers. From January 2021 to March 2022, consumers reported losing more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency to fraud. Romance schemes are
If you find yourself in that position, here are some helpful first steps that may guide you in navigating this difficult and emotional path.
1. The First Important Step: Seek a Professional Diagnosis One of the most important things to understand early on is this: an early diagnosis can make a world of difference.
While Alzheimer’s disease currently has no cure, early detection can help slow the progression of symptoms, maximize quality time with loved ones, and allow the person diagnosed to be involved in their own care planning. In some cases, medication or lifestyle adjustments can help maintain cognitive function for a longer period.
It’s also crucial to know that not all forms of memory loss are the same, and not all are caused by Alzheimer’s. There are multiple
Is Your Parent Showing Signs Of Alzheimer’s? How To Tell...continued…
accusations (e.g., accusing loved ones of stealing)—it may signal the need for a medical evaluation.
You should also take note of practical behavior changes. Forgetting how to use common household items, for example, is not part of normal aging. If mom starts putting the TV remote in the fridge or dad seems confused about how to operate the thermostat, these could be signs of deeper cognitive impairment. These moments might seem humorous or confusing at first, but they often reflect serious underlying changes in brain function.
Alzheimer's
3. Patience. Patience. Patience. Perhaps the hardest part of watching a loved one go through the early stages of Alzheimer’s is not the forgetfulness—it’s the emotional shift. The parent who once handled life with grace and ease may now become agitated or resistant. Tasks that once took minutes—bathing, dressing, or even eating—may now cause daily frustration, for both of you.
It’s heartbreaking to see a formerly composed parent become angry, confused, or even belligerent. The same parent who taught you kindness and compassion might suddenly lash out in fear or frustration. In those moments, it’s important to remind yourself that it’s the disease talking, not the person. While easier said than done, try not to take hurtful words or unusual behavior personally. Alzheimer’s can disrupt emotions and self-awareness, leading to accusations, anger, or even fear of the people closest to them. If you are in this caregiving role, give yourself grace too. Patience isn’t just for them—it’s also something you must extend to yourself.
4. Start the Conversation Early
If you have concerns about a loved one’s cognitive health, it’s better to start the conversation sooner rather than later. Choose a time when everyone is calm, and approach the topic with love,
types of dementia—vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal, and others—and each has its own set of symptoms and treatment considerations. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to get a professional assessment from a neurologist or a memory care specialist rather than making assumptions or relying on Google searches.
2. Separate Fear From Fact
When it comes to memory loss or changes in behavior, it’s easy to panic—but it’s just as easy to dismiss signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
For example:
Losing keys or forgetting where you put your glasses: Common, even among healthy individuals.
Losing your way on a familiar route home: Not so common and potentially a red flag.
Retelling a favorite family story at gatherings: Endearing, but normal.
Repeating the same question or sentence multiple times in a single conversation: Something to bring up with a doctor.
Similarly, personality changes can be tricky to assess. An aging parent becoming a bit more irritable or impatient may not be cause for alarm— it might just be the result of stress, fatigue, or unrelated health concerns. But when those changes escalate—such as sudden paranoia or irrational
not fear.
You might say:
“I’ve noticed you’ve been forgetting a few things lately, and I just want to make sure everything’s okay.”
“Would you be open to talking to a doctor together, just for peace of mind?”
While your loved one might resist or get defensive, staying calm and supportive can help them feel less frightened. Often, people with early Alzheimer’s are aware that something is wrong but may be too scared or embarrassed to bring it up themselves.
5. Build a Support System
Finally, whether you’re just starting to suspect a loved one has Alzheimer’s or you’ve already begun the diagnostic journey, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to support groups, both local and online. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a wealth of resources, including local chapters, helplines, and educational materials. Connect with other caregivers who can share their own experiences and offer advice, empathy, and encouragement. And don’t forget to take care of yourself. Your own health and well-being are critical to being able to support someone else. Set boundaries, ask for help when you need it, and find ways to recharge emotionally and mentally.
In Closing No one ever wants to imagine their parent or partner facing Alzheimer’s. But with early action, compassion, and the right support, it is possible to meet the challenge with strength and grace. Start by separating fear from fact, having the hard conversations, and remembering—above all— that love, patience, and presence will always matter most.
By Derrick Lane | Published
June 21, 2025
San Bernardino AMERICAN News Submission
Mondays By 5 pm
New
President at California State PTA
SACRAMENTO, CA (July 2, 2025) – Today, Heather Ippolito, President and the 2025-2027 California State PTA Board of Directors takes office for their two-year term. The incoming board is one of the most diverse and geographically spread across California bringing their passion for the PTA mission to positively impact the lives of all children and families.
Ippolito is thrilled to lead 560,000+ members who make up the largest volunteer-led child advocacy organization in California. This board of directors is excited to continue the advocacy work of PTA to support our schools and families so that every student in California has the opportunity to succeed tomorrow and each day after.
Together, the 2025-2027 Board of Directors will work towards guiding the leadership and membership of the organization to the drumbeat of “Every Child. One Voice.” Ippolito has served as a volunteer at the unit, council, district, and state levels of PTA bringing her 25 years of experience to guide this board. She hopes to focus on advocating to benefit the lives of ALL children and families across the
state. Ippolito plans to positively impact our communities by building leadership capacity at all levels to support families, and most importantly, our children during these tumultuous and uncertain times.
“I am proud to serve as your California State PTA President for the next two years, to lead by example and to create a vision for how our work should be member-focused and missiondriven,” said Ippolito. “We can do so much if we focus on the mission that unites us as we work TODAY, TOMORROW, TOGETHER.”
Ippolito began her teaching career in Santa Clarita, California, where she taught first, fifth, and sixth grade. She holds a teaching credential, an administrative credential, and two master’s degrees – one in curriculum development and the other in educational administration. She is a proud mother of Liliana and wife of her high-school sweetheart, Ron. In her role as President, Ippolito will chair the 20252027 Board of Directors. Visit our website to read more about our Board of Directors.
Community News
3
Thursday, July 10, 2025
A “New Direction”: West Coast Black News Publisher, Dr. John
Warren, Elected Board Chair of NNPA
By Tanu Henry | California Black Media
Dr. John E.
Dr. John Warren of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint made his mark at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) annual convention in Savannah, Georgia when he became the third person from the West Coast to lead the 85-year-old organization, whose members are mostly from the East Coast, South and Midwest. Warren says he has been preparing for the job for more than 20 years.
NNPA members elected Warren at the conference held from June 26 to June 28.
In his new leadership role, Warren plans to bring a “new direction” to the Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents more than 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies across the United States.
“Now, I won’t telegraph all my plans,” Warren joked when California Black Media (CBM)
asked him to share his vision for the organization founded in 1940 as the National Negro Publishers Association.
“I will say this: I will push to reinvigorate the NNPA, starting with each region,” said Warren, who is also an attorney, ordained minister, U.S. Army veteran and college professor. He has also served as a Washington, D.C. Board of Education member and U.S. congressional aide.
“I will bring people back — people who have pulled away over the years,” Warren continued. “There is a whole new board of directors elected with me. We will organize major training sessions before we begin our work, taking a close look at the organization’s priorities and operations, everything — budget, finance, programs, etc.”
Warren said there is a perception that the NNPA has been “a closed and selective network” serving the needs
Prop 36 Is Triggering an Arrest Surge in California, Hitting Black Communities Hard
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, called Prop 36 a “war on poor people” after learning that the backlog of cases is disproportionately impacting the Black community. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey file photo.
Six months after California’s Prop 36 took effect, early data shows a rise in arrests — with the law disproportionately affecting Black communities in some parts of the state. Also known as the “Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” the measure was overwhelmingly passed by voters in the November 2024 general election. Prop 36 increased penalties for certain drug and theft crimes, reclassifying some as felonies, and lengthened sentences for specific offenses, particularly those involving multiple individuals or the sale of certain drugs.
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), the vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), raised concerns about the effects of Prop 36.
“Instead of a war on poverty, California’s legal system has initiated a war on poor people,” Bryan told California Black Media (CBM). “We deserve better. We have to fight for the economic opportunities our community deserves.”
According to a report by Voice of San Diego, via San Diego Census and San Diego Police Department, data shows that 32% of 374 people arrested for Prop 36-related drug or theft charges in the city from the middle of December through May were Black. Out of 1.9 million
of only some members. He promises to change that, taking steps to “open the organization to all members.”
At the awards ceremony on June 27, the Sacramento Observer, received the conference’s top honor, the highest overall score across all awards categories with a cumulative total of 154 points.
The Observer earned firstplace awards in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns. It also ranked among the top three in several other areas, including Environment; Social and Criminal Justice; and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle.
“Simply put: It feels really good to be honored in that way,” Larry Lee, publisher of the Sacramento Observer, told CBM. “Our team works really hard to present news and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. Everyone in our newsroom strives for excellence. They are the winners — the people who take the time to create every story, every headline, every photo, every caption, every layout.”
Lee added, “I always tell our team that we don’t do what we do for awards, but it is always nice to be honored, to be recognized for our hard work.”
The Los Angeles Sentinel also received three honors at the NNPA Awards for Religion Section coverage (first place);
Community Service Reporting (second place); and Video Campaign (third place).
Both Warren and Lee emphasized the “critical” need for the Black Press to continue covering and centering Black stories and engaging Black audiences in the historic tradition of the Black press. Freedom’s Journal, America’s first African American newspaper, was published in New York City almost 200 years ago in 1827.
“We inform and educate our readers. That’s what we do. That’s what I’ve always done. We are always teaching when we write stories,” said Warren, who first started working for the Black Press at 17. He is now 79.
Lee says he has confidence in Warren’s leadership.
“He is forward-thinking, smart, strategic and courageous,” said Lee. “He has tremendous knowledge on policy issues — and hopefully his experience and insights can help position the NNPA in a way that continues to empower the Black Press.”
For Warren, focusing on helping to steer NNPA members as they continue to transition from print to digital is paramount. Although, he reminds them, “print is not dead.”
“We have to figure out ways to bring more resources and dollars to our sector — by innovation, with public policy. How can we help ourselves to be more sustainable as we continue to do the important work that we do?”
Prop 36 Is Triggering an Arrest Surge in California, Hitting Black Communities Hard...continued
Garcia continued, “As the public defender of Los Angeles County, the largest and the first public defender office in the country, I’m committed to standing with every group that understands Prop 36 is doing more harm than good.”
Prop 36 emerged as a policy response to rising concerns across the state about crimes like shoplifting, smash-and-grabs and other forms of property theft. The bill’s language and provisions, in many ways, respond to Prop 47, legislation passed in 2014 that significantly lowered penalties for a range of non-serious, nonviolent drug and property crimes.
residents, Black people make up 5.6% of the city’s population.
Ricardo D. García, the Chief Public Defender for Los Angeles County, shared with CBM that Prop 36 cases have risen since the law went into effect on Dec. 18, 2024.
“Poverty, homelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness are driving factors,” he says.
“Prop 36 disproportionately hurts Black, Brown, and immigrant communities,” García said. “We are already under-resourced. Prop 36 and its treatment mandates are meaningless if there’s no bed, no place for someone to go to.”
Before Prop 36 became law, the L.A. County jails had a population of just over 11,000 inmates, but it quickly rose above 12,000, and reached over 13,000 in May, before falling to the “12,900 range” before the 4th of July holiday.
“We saw 12 arrests before Prop 36 on these types of offenses and since May of 2025, we are looking at 594 arrests,” García said.
According to the L.A. County’s Public Defender’s Office’s website, 700 attorneys are employed within 32 office locations. Garcia said each public defender has a case load, and Prop 36 is increasingly becoming a burden for the largest county in the state.
Prop 47 reclassified certain felonies as misdemeanors, downgrading punishments for specific nonviolent crimes like drug possession for personal use; petty theft, shoplifting, and receipt of stolen property under $950; and forgery and check fraud under $950.
According to a report Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report, early data from Prop 36 implementation shows that prosecutors have filed thousands of new felony drug and theft charges.
For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Gov. Gavin Newsom has allocated about $110 million in funding for Prop. 36 implementation. About $65 million of it has been specifically earmarked for counties. Another $50 million will go to behavioral health departments and $15 million to support courts and public defenders across the state.
Newsom, who did not support Prop. 36 before it was added as a ballot measure, explained to CBM during a Zoom call on June 26 how his administration computed the Prop 36 funding.
“We are estimating that it would increase at a cost of over $130,000 per year (for each prison inmate),” Newsom said. “That would put pressure on some of the other criminal justice reforms that have been proven very successful, and (Prop 36) would slow down the reduction of the total number of
California’s New Landscaping Rules: You May Soon Be Required to FireProof Your Yard
By Edward Henderson | California Black Media
Legislation could go into effect by the end of this year, changing the way Californians landscape their homes.
In 2020, California enacted Assembly Bill 3074, mandating property owners to create an “ember-resistant zone” — referred to as “Zone 0” — within five feet of homes in designated high fire hazard areas. The legislation aims to reduce the risk of homes igniting from winddriven embers during wildfires, a leading cause of structural fires.
However, many homeowners across the state — like Oakland Resident Tina Sanders — have not yet heard about the pending rules and have not begun making plans or saving money to be able to comply with it should the new safety rules go into effect soon
“I don’t know much about the Zone 0 law, but I think that the state should provide more information about it and help people prepare for this sudden change,” Sanders told CBM.
“I understand why it needs to happen, but people who aren’t aware or can’t afford to make these changes deserve assistance,” she added.
Other homeowners are worried that following Zone 0 rules could negatively impact the curb appeal of their homes, affecting their property values.
prison closures at a cost to the taxpayers,” Newsom shared. Legislative Republicans, however, were advocating for $400 million to support Prop 36 implementation.
The lawmakers also pushed ongoing funding.
“This initiative was passed by the people, and I think they wanted ongoing funding,” Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) told CBM in his Capitol Swing Space Annex office. “I can’t recall the last initiative that passed all 58 counties — even those liberal counties like Marin and San Francisco voted for this.”
Strickland said $110 million doesn’t scratch the surface.
“I don’t think $400 million scratches the surface either, but it will at least get it going,” Strickland said. “What the governor did fund is a (highspeed rail) train to nowhere, and everyone knows it’s never going to be built,” he added.
Yoel Haile, the Director of the Criminal Justice Program at the ACLU of Northern California (NorCal ACLU), penned a commentary about the number of Prop 36 cases that are popping up in the Bay Area.
About 90% of the people from north Alameda County — Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland — charged under Prop 36 are Black, while Black people make up just 10% of Alameda County’s total population, according to Haile’s commentary co-written with Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods.
Many of the cases, Haile told CBM, involve individuals committing petty theft to attain necessities such as food, toothpaste, diapers, and soap. Two or more prior convictions for theft-related offenses could lead to a felony charge that results in a sentence of up to three years in county jail or state prison.
“Arresting someone for that and giving them a record is not going to solve their problem,” Haile said. “We have to push D.A.s not to criminalize and charge everything that comes across their desk.”
Despite the law’s passage in 2020, implementation has faced delays. Originally set to take effect in 2023, the regulations have not been finalized, leaving many homeowners uncertain about compliance requirements. While compliance with the Zone 0 regulations is currently recommended but not mandatory, the fire department has already completed nearly 6,000 inspections, identifying over 1,900 violations of existing fire safety regulations.
In some cities like Berkeley, for example, the local government is already providing guidance to homeowners on how they can fireproof their homes.
“You are responsible for keeping your property safe,” Berkeley’s website reminds residents.
“The first 5 feet around your home is the most important area to clear of vegetation and combustible materials since it is closest to buildings, structures, and decks,” the messaging on the website goes on. “In the Ember-Resistant Zone, dead vegetation creates the highest risk for ignition, but even living vegetation can pose a threat in Ignition Zone 0, especially for properties in the hills.” CAL FIRE has also provided prevention information on their website regarding “fire smart landscaping.”
When Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-1825 in February, he directed the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to expedite the adoption of Zone 0 regulations.
“We are living in a new reality of extremes. Believe the science – and your own damn eyes: Mother Nature is changing the way we live, and we must continue adapting to those changes,”
Newsom continued, “California’s resilience means we will keep updating our standards in the most fire-prone areas.”
When the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection met in Sacramento from June 16 to 18, implementation of Zone Zero was high on different agendas for meeting attendees. However, the board has said it is still in the “pre-rulemaking phase.”
In addition to Zone 0 for homes, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has defined Zone 1 and Zone 2, covering up to 100 feet around structures that would require “varying levels of vegetation management.”
The board says its goal is to have these regulations in place by the end of 2025.
U.S. Rep Laura Friedman (DCA-30), who authored the “zone 0” measure while she served in
continued on page 4
City Of Barstow Appoints Christopher Kirby As New Police Chief
BARSTOW, CA – July 7, 2025 – The City of Barstow is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Kirby as its new Chief of Police. With over 25 years of law enforcement experience, Kirby brings a strong legacy of public safety leadership, innovation, and community engagement to this role.
Throughout his distinguished career with the Barstow Police Department, Kirby has held a range of leadership roles, including Captain, Lieutenant, and SWAT Commander, where he played a key role in shaping public safety operations. Most recently, he served as a Special Agent for BNSF Railway, where he was responsible for crime prevention, safety enforcement, and emergency response across
complex transportation networks.
"Chris Kirby has dedicated his life to protecting and serving the Barstow community,” said Barstow City Manager Rochelle Clayton. “His deep-rooted understanding of our city’s unique public safety needs, along with his unwavering commitment to transparency and professionalism, makes him the ideal leader to guide the police department into the future.”
A proud member of the Barstow community and graduate of Central High School, Kirby holds multiple advanced law enforcement certifications and has completed extensive training in police supervision, crisis intervention, and tactical operations. He is recognized for his steady leadership style, strong communication skills, and longstanding connection to the community he now leads.
As Police Chief, Kirby will oversee the full operations of the Barstow Police Department, lead strategic crime prevention initiatives, and work closely with city leadership to advance public safety and community trust throughout Barstow.
More information on the City of Barstow can be accessed at www.BarstowCA.org.
Warren, publisher San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
Asm. Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights),
F1: The Movie
By Dwight Brown Film Critic for DwightBrownInk.com and NNPA News Wire
It’s a Tom Cruise kinda movie, but it stars Brad Pitt. He’s the protagonist in this tale about an ageing, washed-up race car driver who everyone’s counted out. Except for a dear friend and the driver, himself: “If the last thing I ever do is drive that car, I will take that life man, 1000 times.” So, what are the Cruise/ Pitt common denominators in this production? Director/ screenwriter Joseph Kosinski also helmed Top Gun: Maverick, a $1.49B juggernaut, which broke a global total box office record for Cruise. That film’s producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriter Ehren Kruger are onboard too. Together they evolve the TG:M formula: Add a worldwide movie star who’s never headlined a film that made that much bank. Toss in a multicultural cast, underdog challenges, lots of action and stir. Then create a big-budget extravaganza that should become a big-box-office summer movie.
After an accident in the 1990s, former Formula 1 racer Sonny Hayes (Pitt) keeps to himself. Still driving and winning for various NASCAR teams, but his personal life is under the radar. The loner lives in a van and goes from place to place, like a nomad. Things change the day his old buddy Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) looks him up and begs him to join his floundering Formula 1 racing team, APX. Begs is an understatement. The day the wrinkled and weathered Sonny shows up for onboarding the rest of Ruben’s team is in shock. Especially his young, star driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris, Farming). Sparks fly between the cocky twentysomething and the older man. Other kinds of sparks fly between the team’s tech expert Kate (Kerry Condon, Better Call Saul) and Sonny. Can they all just box up their feelings and win a damn race?
It's rare that a film’s score and playlist rivals the lead actors for the spotlight. But whether it was musical composer Hans Zimmer (Dune: Part One) or someone else, whoever wrangled the hits for this movie, was feeling it. Opening scenes get the party started with Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” Lead vocalist Robert Plant screeches his heart out as Jimmy Page shreds his lead guitar: “You need coolin’, Baby, I’m not foolin’. I’m gonna send ya, Back to schoolin.” In due time blues guitarist extraordinaire Gary Clark Jr. warns those who doubt him on the song “Bright Lights:” “You gonna know my name by the end of the night.” And if there are any questions left, Chris Stapleton set’s everyone straight as he bellows over a groove-setting rhythm guitar and a whiny lead guitar: “I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me. I can’t change the way I am, you see. I think it’s my responsibility, To tell you I’m just as bad as I used to be!”
Those songs, with their lyrics, capsulize Sonny’s journey and attitude. There he is, in his 60s, trying to convince a crew half his age that he can lead them to a checkered flag win. He schools ‘em, demands respect and show’s them how badass he can be. That spirit propels the movie forward as the rest of the characters follow him, albeit cautiously, wherever he leads them.
Kosinski uses Kruger’s screenplay to guide him as he creates a story that is compelling for 2h 35m, straight (editors Stephen Mirrione and Patrick J Smith). Scenes either have action, drama, laughter, flirtations, anger or fear. Rivalries are exacerbated, romance kindled, and teammates encouraged. Some sequences will surprise audiences as they expose the kind of foxy strategy race car drivers use to win, when
Comparing U.S. Drug Prices to Other Countries: A More Nuanced View
By Melanie Whittington
President Trump recently signed a new executive order advancing a "most favored nation" (MFN) approach to drug pricing. The policy would link U.S. prices for certain medicines to those paid in other highincome countries -- an idea that's gaining traction as frustration over higher drug prices builds at home. At first glance, MFN may seem like a desirable and reasonable step: if Germany or Japan can pay less for a drug, why can't we? But comparisons like these, while politically appealing, are far more complicated than they appear.
An MFN approach to drug pricing is plagued with issues -- in implementation and in unintended consequences. But it's also worth examining the underlying premise driving these policy proposals in the first place: that the United States pays more for drugs than other wealthy countries.
We have all read the countless reports that show the prices for branded drugs are 3-4 times higher in the United States than
Thursday, July 10, 2025
F1: The Movie...continued
winning may look like it will never happen. The machinations on view are as cunning and cutthroat as those of a pool shark.
Pitt works the Cruise-type persona like a champ. Smart mouthed, mature in areas where others aren’t. He flirts well and uses his megawatt smile to tame the masses. Idris makes a great counterpart, giving lip service as well as he gets it. With smirks that warrant responses, Joshua challenges: “When was the last time you won a race!?” Sonny, gives it back: “Same as you!”
Both actors had experiences driving in cars reaching nearly 200mph, and it shows in their performances. Sara Niles (Ted Lasso) as Joshua’s mom has the right amount of strength and concern. Hard to believe that Kerry Condon is the same actor who played the crime abetting girlfriend in Better Call Saul. She exhibits a nice blend of brainy nerd and woman in need of love.
The visuals help this $200M
movie become all the action and verve a summer audience could want. Claudio Miranda’s (Life of Pi) clear and colorful cinematography captures the driver’s point of view, overhead big picture shots and the intimacy of ice baths too. Does the footage distinguish itself greatly from other recent car race films like Gran Turismo (2023), Ferrari (2023) or Ford v Ferrari (2019)? Not much. Except it might be slicker and feel bigger. Credit the dazzling production design by Ben Munro and Mark Tildesley and the contemporary costumes by Julian Day (Bohemian Rhapsody) for that assist.
F1: The movie has the formula for success. It’s got the fuel. Cruise must be smiling as Pitt takes the checkered flag.
Trailer: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=69ffwl-8pCU
Visit Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com.
Comparing U.S. Drug Prices to Other Countries: A More Nuanced View...continued
a more nuanced view of how U.S. drug prices compare internationally.
To be clear, the United States does pay more than other countries -- during the period that rewards innovation. But precise comparisons between U.S. and international drug prices are difficult, given data limitations and the complexity of global pricing systems. Headlinegrabbing list price comparisons between high-income countries do not tell the complete story. Proposals like MFN may be based on these surface-level comparisons, but a deeper look shows the reality is more complex. Drug prices evolve. Economic conditions differ. While the United States pays more for drugs during the period
that incentivizes innovation, the difference may be overstated if market dynamics and purchasing power are ignored -- not to mention other essential considerations such as the incentives for R&D and timing of market entry.
The question is not just who pays what, but when and why.
A clear understanding of market incentives, market dynamics, and purchasing power can help policymakers avoid blunt instruments and focus instead on formulating solutions grounded in data.
Melanie Whittington, PhD is the head of the Center for Pharmacoeconomics, MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners. This originally appeared in RealClearHealth.
California’s New Landscaping Rules: You May Soon Be Required to Fire-Proof Your Yard...continued from page 3
the state Assembly, hailed the governor’s action but has also expressed concerns about the delay in enforcing the rules.
“It’s past time we get these commonsense rules written and shared with the public. Not only will they help protect homes from wildfires, but they will help lower costs for homeowners and renters by lowering insurance rates,” said Friedman in a release.
The regulations will likely prohibit combustible materials such as wooden fences, mulch, and flammable vegetation within this zone. Exceptions may include certain non-combustible items and well-maintained mature trees.
in other countries. If we only look at the patentprotected period of a drug, U.S. list prices seem substantially higher than other high-income countries: 3.5 times higher than in Japan and 1.6 times higher than in Germany, according to a recent JAMA Health Forum study. Figures like these are frequently cited in support of policies like MFN. But they reflect only a snapshot in time, not the full pricing picture. These differentials shrink when we consider prices over a drug's lifecycle rather than only during the patent period. Expanding the time horizon to include prices eight years before and after loss of exclusivity narrows the U.S. drug price differential to around 2.7 times higher than Japan and around 1.3 times higher than Germany. Adjusting for purchasing power parity (PPP) could shrink the differential even further.
These adjustments -accounting for market dynamics and purchasing power -- offer
Once finalized, the rules will apply immediately to new constructions in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. These include areas in Los Angeles County (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calabasas, Malibu),
Ventura County, and portions of Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino counties. In addition, El Dorado County (South Lake Tahoe, Pollock Pines) and Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County are also designated as very high risk.
Other areas are expected to be designated in other hazard zones across the state soon after.
Public safety experts caution that without significant changes to landscaping practices urban areas will remain at risk of destructive fires.
Responding to the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires earlier this year, Friedman posted to her social media account on X.
“I don’t take any satisfaction in having tried to help with fire prevention and resiliency. I’m tremendously saddened that the standards I put into law were never codified. It’s way past time that we put safety first,” she wrote.
How Californians with Medical Conditions can Prepare for the Threat of Wildfires
By Dr. Koushik Kasanagottu, Optum San Bernardino
Dr. Koushik Kasanagottu
How Californians with Medical Conditions can Prepare for the Threat of Wildfires...continued
Optum here in San Bernardino, I’ve seen how quickly wildfire exposure can trigger ER visits, hospitalizations, and long-term respiratory issues.
But I’ve also seen how early prevention can reduce those risks. I want to encourage every household, especially those with medical needs, to treat wildfire preparedness like a vital part of your health plan. Here are the key steps every family should take, especially if someone in your household has a chronic illness, uses medical equipment, or takes daily medication:
Your medical emergency checklist for wildfire season
The CDC recommends the following:
Create a personalized medical go-kit. Include seven to 10 days of prescriptions in a waterproof and childproof container. Gather emergency supplies, including NOISH-approved respirators, if available. It is recommended to also leave a copy of phone numbers for your physician, pediatrician, pharmacist, counselor, and veterinarian in your go-kit. Other important numbers you should know include the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222); the Animal Poison Control Helpline (888-426-4435); and the Disaster Distress Helpline (800-9855990).
Collect and protect important paperwork, including:
Copies of insurance cards and medical records, such as vaccination records
Vital records, such as birth or death certificates.
Personal identification cards,
such as passports, driver’s licenses, and social security cards
A list of medications for each family member
Advance directives (e.g., behavioral health, living wills and power of attorney forms)
Asthma action plan
Food allergy and anaphylaxis care plan
Complete care plan
Emergency care plan for children with special healthcare needs
Plan for displacement. Ask yourself: If we had to leave in 15 minutes, could we maintain our health for three days? Where would we go? Could our care continue seamlessly? Ask your provider how to access care if you’re away from your regular doctor.
Don’t forget your children. NIOSH-approved respirators and international respirators may be available in smaller sizes that fit children. However, manufacturers typically design them to be used by adults in the workplace, and they may not have been tested for broad use in children. Choose a comfortable respirator or mask that your child can wear properly. If a respirator or mask fits poorly or is uncomfortable, a child might take it off or wear it incorrectly (for example, pulling it down from their nose), reducing the intended benefits. No one wants to think about the day they might have to evacuate. But planning ahead could be the reason your family gets through wildfire season safely, not just surviving, but staying healthy.
Witness for Justice
Elizabeth Dilley
When I had the honor of serving as pastor at First Congregational UCC in Red Oak, Iowa, we reshaped our new member liturgy to reflect some of the breadth and depth of our collective theology. One of the questions we asked of new members was, “Will you help us live into the things we say we believe?” It was an invitation for us to grow together in faith, to lovingly hold each other accountable for our professions of faith, and give grace to one another in the process. It is also an opportunity to examine what it is we say we believe, and whether we actually do believe them or merely profess them because we think we should. I think about this new member question almost every week. What is it we say we believe? How do we live into those beliefs every day? And who is the “we” included here? Is it my family, my home church, the United Church of Christ, the United States?
threat of wildfires, even more so for those with medical conditions. Year after year, people across the state have had to flee with little notice, often in poor air quality conditions that can turn dangerous for those with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. Pregnant women, children, and responders are also more susceptible to the effects of smoke inhalation.
As a primary care physician at
In the United States, we say we believe in freedom, but assaults on First Amendment rights continue week after week, including limitations on press freedoms, the right to peaceably assemble, and even access to diverse reading material. In our country, we say we believe in equality, but racism, sexism, and bias against one’s religion and nation of origin are given free rein. We say we are a Christian nation, but we deny Christ’s way of peace and call to be peacemakers when we recently bombed Iran, and we deny the gift of healing that Jesus so freely offered when we cut access to Medicaid, Medicare, and necessary medical procedures. When our actions make a mockery of our professions of belief, we are challenged to do one of two things. First, we can undertake a fearless examination of our behavior and make changes so that we are acting in alignment with our beliefs. To be sure, we cannot do this alone, but must do so with the help of others and the strength of the Holy Spirit. Or, we can undertake a fearless examination of our beliefs and begin to profess what our actions say about what we truly believe. This is no less difficult, because it may mean admitting that we don’t actually believe some things that we think we should. Either path, however, leads to greater integrity. I am not invested in the United States being a Christian nation. (In fact, given the multitudes of faiths practiced my so many of us who live here, and the fact that many Americans are not religious at all, I’d prefer we stop saying that we are.) But I am invested in the United States being a place of truth, where our actions conform to the things we say we believe. So I call upon all of us who live in the United States to ask our elected leaders to live into the things they say they believe. If they believe in freedom, then let that freedom extend to all. If they say they believe in equality, then let that equality be made real in law and fact. If they say they believe in Jesus Christ, then let them be peacemakers and healers. And if they will not do these things, then let them tell the truth—that they do not believe in freedom, in equality, in Christ.
WITNESS
8 Infectious Diseases On The Rise Right Now
Diseases readily passed from one person to another are contagious, communicable, or infectious.
It’s possible that some infections may spread via casual contact. For instance, the measles virus may remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person’s cough. The measles virus may spread via the air and infect everyone who breathes it in. Protect yourself against the growing number of communicable illnesses by learning about new dangers, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the possibility of a global flu pandemic.
What Are Reemerging Diseases and Why You Should Care?
Reemerging diseases are those that come back after they have been on a major decline. This may happen because of problems in public health actions for diseases that were once under control. They can also happen when new strains of known diseases occur. People’s behavior can cause diseases to reemerge. For example, declines in immunization rates and maintaining correct vaccine temperatures during storage and handling to preserve potency has caused measles to happen again in some areas. The overuse of antibiotics has also caused some bacteria and viruses to adapt to medicines. This means they can’t be killed easily. This has caused diseases that once were controlled and treatable to infect more people.
Who is at risk for emerging infectious diseases?
Traveling to other countries can put you at risk for infectious diseases that are not common in the U.S. Travelers who get ill in a country where treatment for these diseases may be limited are even more at risk. All people planning travel should learn about the health risks of the countries they are traveling to. Learn how to reduce your risk of getting these diseases.
8 Infectious Diseases You Need to Pay Attention to Right Now
Credit: Shutterstock
8. Clostridioides Difficile
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now rank C. diff infections as their top public health priority. The C. diff bacteria is very contagious and may cause fatal infections in certain people. Diarrhea and intestinal inflammation (colitis) are symptoms of this illness. Most cases of C. diff are linked to hospital stays and antibiotic use.
To prevent spreading the potentially dangerous C. diff germs, anybody with a suspected case (and any household members or caretakers) should wear gloves when handling feces and wash their hands well with warm, soapy water.
7. Drug-Resistant Bacteria
In recent decades, antibiotic resistance has emerged in many bacterial species. These are some of the most typical. Carbapenemresistant E. coli is an example of a bacterium that may develop resistance to even the strongest antibiotics on the market today.
People with multi-drug resistant organisms or compromised immune systems are at greater risk from Acinetobacter. Drugresistant, undercooked chicken may be a vector for the spread of campylobacter.
Pneumococcal illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is resistant to many antibiotics. Drug-resistant Salmonella may be contracted by eating food not properly prepared or handled.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs. In the United States, TB is relatively rare, with most cases occurring in people born outside the country, where the disease is more common. Lungs are the common site of infection for tuberculosis. While it is not a major concern for most Americans, staying informed about TB and its risks is important for maintaining
public health.
To prevent drug-resistant TB, it’s essential to complete all prescribed treatments, as stopping early can lead to resistance. Directly observed therapy (DOT) ensures proper medication use, reducing risks. Avoid close contact with untreated individuals and encourage them to seek care. Highrisk groups should undergo regular screenings for early detection. In healthcare settings, infection control measures like masks and isolation help prevent spread. Public education on treatment adherence and vaccinating at-risk populations in high-prevalence areas also play key roles in controlling TB and preventing resistance.
6. Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea
Drug-resistant gonorrhea occurs as a result of infertility and pelvic inflammatory illness due to untreated gonorrhea. The CDC claims that gonorrhea has become resistant to all but one kind of antibiotic used to treat this sexually transmitted illness and that the incidence of gonorrhea infections in the United States has been climbing quickly since 2009. You can prevent gonorrhea by always using a condom, limiting your number of partners, avoiding unprotected oral intercourse, and getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases once a year.
5. Measles
Since 2010, the number of measles cases in the United States has increased almost every year, with a significant increase between 2018 and 2019. Complications from measles infection include death or developmental delays, including deafness and learning disabilities in young children. Measles cannot be cured, but it is preventable with vaccination. There is no risk of getting measles from getting the vaccination. Consult your child’s pediatrician on the immunization schedule, and consult your own physician regarding the need for a booster vaccine, particularly in the case of overseas travel.
4. Influenza
The influenza virus travels quickly from person to person and doesn’t need any kind of physical touch for transmission. The flu may spread in several ways, including via the air around an infected person or by touching an infected surface and then contacting
your eye. Seasonal flu poses a greater risk to public health than a pandemic flu outbreak, which happens when a novel flu virus appears anywhere in the globe and quickly infects huge numbers of people. Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent getting the flu (or at least lessen the severity of your symptoms if you do get it).
3. Ebola Virus
The Ebola virus illness is not a big health risk in the United States. However, the virus recently reappeared in Africa. Infected people may have lethal bleeding due to this illness.
While there is currently no widespread global risk of Ebola transmission, a medical assessment for Ebola should be sought by anybody who has recently been in touch with someone who has returned from an overseas trip and is showing symptoms (such as fever, diarrhea, and bleeding).
2. MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was one of the first antibioticresistant germs to gain widespread notice many years ago. MRSA is still a major problem in modern medicine. These microorganisms are linked to surgical site infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections.
MRSA is lethal if left untreated. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly (particularly after being in public), use gloves when cleaning a wound or changing a bandage, and don’t share personal care products like razors that may irritate the skin and spread MRSA.
1. COVID-19
Even though you may be tired of hearing about it and might have thought it was gone, SARSCoV-2, a contagious virus that causes COVID-19, is responsible for the biggest epidemic since the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009. COVID-19. The 2019 coronavirus illness causes many symptoms, including high body temperature, difficulty breathing, muscle pains, and a diminished sense of smell. The virus is transmitted by inhalation and droplet contact with an infected individual. There is optimism that the epidemic can be stopped thanks to new COVID-19 vaccinations.
By Dominique Lambright |
Published December 10, 2024
At the intersection of mental health and drug abuse
By Nyla Adams AFRO Intern
Take a good look around any major urban area– and now, many rural spaces too– and you’ll see signs of drug abuse and addiction.
The Baltimore City Department of Health reports that “In 2023, Baltimore City saw 1,043 drug and alcohol-related deaths, 921 of which were Fentanyl related.” What can’t be seen? The mental health issues that often come before or accompany the deep, dark hole of addiction.
“In many Black communities, people struggling with addiction are also often dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and sometimes bipolar disorder or schizophrenia,” said Akos Antwi, APRN, PMHNP and
co-founder of Revive Therapeutic Services. “A lot of times, these mental health issues go undiagnosed or ignored, and people end up using drugs or alcohol just to cope with the pain or stress they’re carrying every day.”
Revive Therapeutic Services provide comprehensive mental health services across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maryland. Revive Therapeutic Services has a selection of licensed therapists and psychiatrists to support people and their families through medical management and therapy.
Alexandria D’Angelo is the community engagement manager at Revive Therapeutic Services.
“We offer talk therapy in multiple languages. We offer medication management and we do TMS,” explained D’Angelo.
Transcranimal Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses a magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of major depression. It is approved by The FDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“It really helps reverse suicidal ideation. And we’ve had great, great results with it in our practice,” said D’Angelo. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, Black adults living under the poverty line are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress.
Growing research now highlights a link between mental health struggles in the Black community and increased substance use as a means of coping with stress and trauma. As a result of their addiction, many often find themselves coming into contact with the criminal justice system, which can further exacerbate mental health issues.
Black Americans make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, but roughly make up 25 percent of all drug related arrests, reports the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
“It usually starts with trying to deal with something: stress, trauma,
At the intersection of mental health and drug abuse...continued
concluded.
D’Angelo recalled a time during her community engagement events she heard stories confirming the existence of stigma.
“I heard a lot of different stories that touched me deeply. One of the things that happens to women in this space–in health care in general– is they’re often gaslit, especially women of color and told, ‘Oh, it’s not that bad or that’s not what’s happening to you,’” reports D’Angelo.
She opened up about a personal experience that shapes her perspective.
“Culturally, the prejudice that still exists could be a huge influence in trauma. My son is biracial and we moved to the midwest for a little
while. I was shocked at how many racial slurs were still being thrown around in certain communities. I’m from the Northeast. Obviously, racism still exists everywhere, but that’s not happening so much.”
A study conducted by the American Addiction Center found that 9.1 percent of Black Americans are in need of treatment for drug or alcohol abuse.
“If you grow up in an environment where trauma is constant, substance use can start to feel normal, even expected as a way to survive,” said Antwi, who encourages those in need to seek help with a different view of their situation.
“It’s not weakness,” she said. “It’s pain that hasn’t had a chance to heal.”
Supporting moms: The vital role families play
before,
during and after birth
Health advocate Kavelle Christie champions family-centered support to protect the mental and physical health of mothers before, during and after childbirth. (Courtesy
As the country highlights National Minority Mental Health Month, the AFRO would like to shine a spotlight on the many ways the whole family can help new mothers.
Ensuring a healthy and successful pregnancy is not just the mother’s responsibility–it’s a team effort. Experts say that when family members step up to support a new mother before, during and after her pregnancy, it can make all the difference in her health and overall well-being.
“A healthy body before conception sets a foundation for a healthy pregnancy, which in turn sets a great foundation for postpartum recovery,” said Arija Israel, a mother and maternal mental health advocate. “Frequent check-ins by close support is beneficial, as provider visits are typically infrequent.”
According to the University of California Los Angeles Health, during pregnancy mothers will typically see their doctor every four weeks until they reach 32 weeks.
After that time appointments are moved up to every two weeks until 36 weeks in which it will become once a week until the baby is born.
heartbreak, anxiety or just feeling stuck. If someone doesn’t have support or access to mental health care, they might turn to drugs or alcohol to numb those feelings. That’s what people mean when they talk about ‘self-medicating.’ And once that cycle starts, it’s hard to break without help, especially if the root issue, the mental health part, never gets addressed,” said Antwi.
“There’s still this belief in some families and communities that you’re supposed to “tough it out” or pray it away — that going to therapy is only for ‘crazy’ people.”
Antwi said that the issues of mental health and addiction are often compounded by other challenges.
“Add the fear of being judged or misunderstood by a mostly White medical system, and it’s no surprise people hesitate to get help,” said Antwi. “Racism doesn’t just show up in the streets — it’s in healthcare too, where Black people are often dismissed, over policed, or not taken seriously. That kind of environment makes it hard to trust or even reach out for support.”
D’Angelo said that many times Black people hold back when seeking mental health support because they fear being labeled. Sixty-three percent of Black Americans reported experiencing stigma when seeking mental health care, a study by the American Psychiatric Association
“Before pregnancy, support means ensuring she can access care, not just emotionally but structurally,” said Kavelle Christie, a health policy expert.
“That includes helping her find a trusted provider, navigate private insurance or Medicaid and understand her rights and options.
Families can walk alongside her through that process, not speak for her, but stand with her.”
Christie said during pregnancy, families should show up in ways that reinforce her autonomy and safety. That looks like respecting the mother’s birth plan, supporting her choices such as getting a doula or midwife care and being ready to advocate in healthcare settings where she may not be taken seriously.
Christie pressed that maternal care needs to continue after birth.
“Families can make sure she’s not overlooked in the rush to care for the baby,” she said.
“That includes helping with appointments, encouraging postpartum checkups and watching for signs of physical or emotional distress.”
Foster Wilson, a postpartum doula based in Los Angeles, emphasized the value of friends and family members checking in on mothers postpartum, bringing them warm, nutrient-dense meals such as soups and stews. Bringing healthy meals to stock the new moms fridge can be a powerful
way to help a mom recover after birth.
Wilson said there is a need for “radical rest and healing after birth,” along with “proper nutrition and hydration.”
According to a study by Rennie Negron, administrative director of the Institute for Health Equity Research at Mount Sinai, when new moms do not receive help with daily tasks after birth, it can increase their risk of developing postpartum depression.
If leaning on family is not the best option for a new mother, Heidi McBain, a professional counselor who specializes in maternal mental health, advised hiring a postpartum doula who can help look after the baby and the house while mom rests and recuperates.
Experts highlight that Black mothers could largely benefit from familial support as they navigate pregnancy.
“Black mothers face layers of challenges, from generational trauma, stigma around mental health, systemic racism, lack of access to culturally competent care, financial strains and more,” said Israel. “Black mothers more often than not suffer in silence due to the ‘strong Black woman’ narrative, convincing us that asking for help is a sign of weakness.”
According to a study by Tulane University, Black mothers are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White mothers, often due to discrimination and bias in health care.
“Their pain is often minimized,” said Christie. “Their concerns are more likely to be dismissed. That means families need to go beyond emotional support and step into advocacy. These systems were not built with Black mothers in mind, so we have to show up with urgency and clarity.”
McBain advised families to truly listen to what the new mother is saying, wanting and needing from them throughout the process.
“What are they asking you for, both verbally and nonverbally?” said McBain. “During my first pregnancy, I used to cry for no discernible reason. My husband would ask in a very concerned voice about what was wrong, and I’d usually cry back that I didn’t know. At which point, he’d simply give me a big hug. Sometimes that’s all you need when hormones are all over the place during pregnancy.” Israel listed hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, brain fog, body image issues and societal pressures as a part of the ‘invisible load’ of motherhood that families can be on the lookout for and help prevent it from overtaking the new mom.
Socal News
Experts say untreated mental health struggles such as trauma and depression can lead to substance abuse. (Photoi Credit: Unsplash / Towfiqu barbhuiya)
Arija Israel leans on her husband, Zamar, for support as she prepares for childbirth, embodying the strength and partnership that can make all the difference in a mother’s pregnancy journey. (Courtesy Photo)
Photo)
Medicaid Enrollees Targeted for Forced Farm Work Under Trump Immigration Crackdown
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Dust rising from combine during crop harvesting, no-till technology professional occupation.
A top Trump administration official is proposing what critics call a thinly veiled form of forced labor, suggesting that millions of low-income Americans on Medicaid should be used to replace undocumented immigrants the government is deporting en masse from U.S. farms. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins laid out the administration’s vision in blunt terms on Tuesday. “There will be no amnesty. The mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way,” Rollins told reporters after meeting with Republican governors. “We move the workforce towards automation and 100% American participation, which, again, with 34 million people—able-bodied adults on Medicaid—we should be able to do that fairly quickly.”
She added, “Ultimately, the answer on this is automation, also
some reform within the current governing structure. And then also, when you think about it, there are 34 million able-bodied adults in our Medicaid program. There are plenty of workers in America.” The remarks echo proposals President Donald Trump himself has floated in recent months, including a plan to compel farmers to house and supervise migrant laborers to avoid ICE raids directly—an arrangement many civil rights experts have warned resembles indentured servitude. Rollins’ suggestion goes further, signaling the administration wants to turn Medicaid enrollment—a health insurance lifeline—into a de facto roster of people to be mobilized for field work.
Health policy experts say this is not only an assault on the safety net but an attack on basic civil rights. Medicaid
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exists to provide healthcare for people living in poverty, not to support an unpaid or underpaid agricultural workforce. Data show that the policy would hit Black Americans especially hard.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Black individuals make up nearly 19% of Medicaid enrollees under 65, despite being about 13% of the total U.S. population. In many states, including Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, the share is far higher. Medicaid finances nearly 41% of all births nationwide and covers over 30% of Black Americans overall.
Critics also point out that the policy would primarily target women and children: nearly half of Medicaid enrollees are under 19 years old, and many adults in the program are mothers or caregivers. In 2023, about 47.6% of Medicaid enrollees were adults between 19 and 64, including millions of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. “This is statesanctioned exploitation,” said a policy researcher who reviewed Rollins’ comments. “They are literally talking about rounding up the poorest Americans— disproportionately Black and brown—and telling them to replace deported immigrants in the fields. That’s not a jobs program. That’s forced labor.” Even among the working-age
adults enrolled in Medicaid, many are already employed in low-wage jobs that do not offer insurance. Others are caretakers or people with severe health conditions. Federal law does not require Medicaid recipients to accept any form of employment as a condition of coverage. Farmers themselves have warned that the administration’s deportation and labor policies will trigger food shortages and economic chaos. Growers across the country rely on immigrant workers to harvest crops—labor that is already among the most dangerous and poorly paid in the U.S. Some of Trump’s allies have promoted proposals to require farms to lodge and monitor their remaining migrant workforce, raising alarms about “company town” conditions that legal experts say blur the line between employment and captivity. Rollins, however, was adamant. “This is the direction,” she said. “There are plenty of workers in America.” The White House did not respond to questions about how forcing Medicaid recipients into agricultural work would comply with labor laws, disability rights statutes, or the constitutional ban on involuntary servitude. A civil rights advocate put it more bluntly: “This is not immigration policy. This is an attempt to resurrect slavery in America under a different name.”
3-Month-Old Black Baby Dies After His Dad Drowned Him in Bucket of Laundry Detergent By Blacknews.com
— A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Lafayette, Indiana when a 3-month-old African American baby named Jacob Moneus was found dead after being drowned by his father in a bucket of laundry detergent.
On Tuesday, a judge sentenced 29-year-old Eliasard Moneus to 92 years in prison for the infant’s death, which occurred in August 2024. The sentencing comes after a series of disturbing events that shocked the Lafayette community and made headlines statewide.
KGNS News reports that according to court documents, the incident began on August 5, 2024, when Eliasard and his wife had an argument and stopped speaking to each other. While the mother sat in their bedroom watching a church service and holding baby Jacob, Eliasard entered the room, took the child, and walked out the front door. He returned about 30 minutes later and brutally attacked his wife with a heavy object, believed to be a tire iron or wrench, fracturing her skull before leaving again.
The injured mother managed to drive herself to the hospital, where doctors treated her for multiple injuries. When officers arrived to speak with her, they realized baby Jacob was missing
and not at the hospital. Police immediately began searching for the infant and issued a Silver Alert on August 10, citing that the baby was in grave danger and required urgent medical care.
Sadly, the search ended in tragedy the following day when officers returned to the family’s apartment for a second, more thorough search. It was during this visit that they discovered Jacob’s body hidden in a sealed bucket beside the kitchen trash can — a location authorities described as “very well hidden where a normal person wouldn’t think to look.”
Lafayette Police confirmed that the bucket contained laundry detergent and that Jacob had been drowned in it. The devastating discovery led to Eliasard’s arrest and ultimately his conviction. As part of a plea agreement, additional charges — including aggravated battery, criminal confinement, and domestic battery — were dropped in exchange for the lengthy sentence.
The case has drawn national attention, not only for the brutality of the crime but also for the resilience of Jacob’s mother, who survived a brutal assault and helped authorities uncover the truth.
L.A. Dodgers Owner’s Ties to Private Prisons and Surveillance Spark Backlash from Latino Fans
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — As thousands of Latinos and immigrant families pack Dodger Stadium night after night, the team’s billionaire owner has faced growing scrutiny over financial connections to companies profiting from the detention and surveillance of immigrants.
By Stacy M. Brown
As thousands of Latinos and immigrant families pack Dodger Stadium night after night, the team’s billionaire owner has faced growing scrutiny over financial connections to companies profiting from the detention and surveillance of immigrants.
Mark Walter, principal owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, also serves as CEO of Guggenheim Partners, a financial firm that manages over $325 billion in assets. Guggenheim holds a 0.38% stake in the GEO Group, a private prison corporation that operates U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. Based on GEO Group’s current valuation of $3.39 billion, Guggenheim’s share amounts to more than $12 million invested in the company’s operations. In addition, Walter leads TWG Global, which recently announced a partnership with Palantir Technologies,
the data analytics firm that ICE paid $30 million to build ImmigrationOS. That platform uses facial recognition, predictive algorithms, and data fusion to track immigrants and support deportation efforts.
These financial ties came to light as ICE raids swept through Los Angeles earlier this year. Despite mounting calls from community groups to speak out, the Dodgers remained silent for nearly two weeks before announcing a $1 million donation to organizations supporting those affected by the raids. During that same period, Walter’s group closed a $10 billion deal to acquire a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. Critics compared the donation to token damage control. The Dodgers have also faced criticism for historical displacement. Before Dodger Stadium was built, the land belonged to the MexicanAmerican neighborhoods of Palo
Verde, La Loma, and Bishop. In the 1950s, hundreds of families were forcibly removed under the promise of public housing that never materialized.
Today, some advocates say the tools have changed but the impact remains. “It’s not bulldozers now—it’s surveillance contracts and ICE beds,” said a community organizer who has protested outside the stadium. Walter’s organizations have also been drawn into legal battles over diversity initiatives. America First Legal, a right-wing group founded by former Trump White House policy director Stephen Miller, filed a federal complaint accusing the Dodgers and Guggenheim of illegal discrimination under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
The complaint states:
“The Los Angeles Dodgers and Guggenheim Partners have represented to the public that they have engaged — and continue to engage — in unlawful employment discrimination under the guise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It is unlawful — even when using inclusive terminology — to segregate or classify employees or applicants for employment in ways that would deprive, or tend to deprive individuals of employment, training, or promotions because of their race, color, sex, or national origin.”
The Dodgers declined to comment on the allegations. Guggenheim Partners did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In a separate incident, the Dodgers said they turned away ICE officers who tried to enter stadium grounds during the immigration sweeps. ICE initially denied this account, but a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson later confirmed that Customs and Border Protection vehicles were briefly in the parking lot “unrelated to any operation or enforcement.”
Many fans and civil rights advocates see a contradiction between the organization’s community messaging and its financial interests.
“People need to understand that behind the baseball nostalgia and feel-good slogans, there are powerful money streams connected to incarceration and surveillance,” the organizer said.
Mark Walter (Wikimedia Commons)
Thursday, July 10, 2025
“Liberty Interest”
“Fruit from the Forbidden Tree, Murder by Incarceration,
Systemic
Racism, Judicial Slavery”
By
Quoted definition…. A liberty interest, in legal terms refers to the constitutional protection against government actions that infringe upon an individual's freedom including physical freedom, and the ability to pursue that is livelihood and other fundamental rights. It is a key concept within the due process clause of the 14th amendment, which prohibits states from depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Liberty traditionally includes freedom from physical confinement, such as imprisonment.
This is where we are at. It has been determined that the judicial system in San Diego meant for David to die in prison. His Constitutional Civil Rights as an American Citizen have been viciously violated from day one and has continued for years. Spending now 43 years in prison fighting for his life and the truth.
David Dew C67417, is still being held captive, imprisoned by the Judicial system of San Diego, CA. He recently went to his 13th Parole Board Hearing. David worked extremely hard to achieve certificates, accolades and pass his college classes with straight A’s and receiving a 4.0 GPA and has been saving the lives of inmates through the Peer Specialist program that he takes very seriously. He is about to take the state board test to continue his work in the community to prevent others from enduring the same cruel and unusual punishment he has received. Before his June 12th hearing, his daughter retained a board attorney whom many refer to as “THE BULLXXX” referred and very respected, so they said. He told David after going through his fifty pieces of photos, information, sponsor letters and achievements, and college transcripts for suitability for parole, that he did not see anything that would or should keep him from being released. Then, this attorney recruited by others, set David up in the board room. The attorney called the DA to appear; she was fixed to be there to try and push aiding and abetting on his second-degree murder charge reenacting the conviction. They also argued about the one note that the Judge allowed to deny David’s release in 2019 at the first evidentiary hearing, when all hearsay and inadmissible documents were thrown out at the preliminary
hearing 43 years ago. Still the Judge allowed the note to deny his release. It was all about his conviction. David was rushed through conviction and in prison within five weeks, he was told if he went to trial, he could get the death penalty. Hell, they were contemplating probation. If he did have a trial in 1983, he would not have been there at all. Instead, he was railroaded into a west plea for second degree murder for fifteen to life. If he knew then that he would be in prison for 43 years, don’t you think he would have asked to go to trial? Does anybody have a question at this point? This is why we have been fighting. The Federal Bureau of Investigations has been involved now going through phone calls, records, and speaking with disgraced individuals. They thought they were still playing with an ignorant Black man. What is wrong? David educated himself taking part in every program offered to him and equipped himself with knowledge and the love of his father Jesus Christ. The attorney retained set the stage for all of this, calling on who he thought would follow their process. Within his contract, he was also to alert the Inspector General or someone else to come in and investigate the dirty urines that they have been trying to use against David. There were twenty-five urines that were collected by someone, and he was told to throw them all out by the assistant warden months prior. They were trying to dirty David’s urine because of trying to set him up, and they did this before every parole hearing. One of their own officers tested positive, that is why they were thrown out. David went to the doctor and found out they had four dirty urines on him which was NEVER discussed in his recent visits. Being a Peer Specialist David is required by law to sign a letter stating that he was aware that they could evaluate his urine at any time. So why would he be dirty?
David has been clean for years. David then told the doctor that he wanted a blood drug test and that he would wait for the results. What happened next? The doctor started shaking and stuttering. The doctor knew that David was aware of what they were doing, and he wrote four notes stating that the tests were not conclusive of being positive in his chart. David’s blood drug
test came back negative, a day after a dirty urine. There was also an article of information sent out to the public through The Guardian Newspaper that alerted the public, all prisoners, staff and doctors on 04/09/2025 that over 6000 inmates have been affected by false positive urines making prisoners stay for longer prison terms due to the findings through Quest Diagnostics. David knew this attorney would not fulfill this task, so he alerted the parole board by writing a letter to them himself stating that he directed his lawyer to call for an investigation. There was one commissioner who was asking David several questions about being remorseful. David would become emotional at times. However, the DA kept turning the camera off and was quickly asked by the commissioner, “why do you keep turning off the camera when he becomes emotional during remorseful questioning? Turn it on and leave it on.” The commissioner then read David’s letter aloud. This commissioner locked eyes and David said with tears, “I am telling you the truth Sir.” He knew David was telling him the truth and if anyone was wondering, the co-defendants did their time for the murder, but they kept David. Both the DA and the attorney looked at each other and knew they were in trouble. The commissioner then said, “this man has been in prison for a long time, even for aiding and abetting on a felony second degree murder rule. We are not going to kick the tin can down the road any longer on this man, he has been here far too long. Liberty Interest.” He said it many times. “I am calling for an investigation.” HALLELUJAH FINALLY!!!
From 2019 going through the process of submitting the paperwork to start David’s release, this has been a complete roadmap of the horrific corruptive discord of law that David has had to accept with these Judges, DA’s, Attorney Generals , Lawyers, some Public Defenders, and others including correctional officers, who are continuing to prevent his freedom. They are doing everything they can to keep David in prison for the rest of his life. There were only a few attorneys along the way doing the right thing, however, they were disrespected by the Judge and the DA for doing excellent work. We have been through
two evidentiary hearings, and two appellate level hearings. MaryEllen Attridge, Jenerra Crenshaw and Shay DinataHanson have all done excellent work. The brief of exposing all the corruptive mayhem through San Diego sits on the Appellate Court desk awaiting the Supreme Court Decision.
They are covering up their unbelievable corruption stemming back 50 years and they are now all about to be exposed, and the fact findings are astronomical and will shock the State of California. What we have been really upset about is the long list of people (and I can list all of you) who are a highly respected and professional, who have been contacted regarding David’s case for years, who in fact are mandated by law who have taken an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States to protect the constitutional and civil rights of all American Citizens. Yet they have all turned a deaf ear as David still cries out for help. At some point WHO? For God Sakes will stand up and say enough is enough. Over an eleven-year period we contacted hundreds of professionals. Civil rights leaders, Governors, Senators along with assembly personnel, bishops, pastors, and many others and all have done nothing. What really is our world coming to when all our respected leaders do not have any more humanity in their heart and souls? But still, God is there by his side and in his cell and in his heart, covering him and exposing all of them along the way. We know that it is God who sustains him and will break those chains and bring the right lawful people to make sure he is safely released to Freedom and bring justice to those involved IN THIS HORRIBLE INJUSTICE dating back 50 years. David has continued to sow good seeds, it is harvest time. THIS IS HISTORY!!
David does not have the money to pay to get out of prison, which is really what all of this is about. David always knew he was innocent and was not involved in the struggle that took the life of the victim. He has been accountable for his actions for 43 years now. He has never been in a fight in prison, saved a guard’s life, created a children’s foundation for bullying and violence, he is a litigator, a
program specialist, he created Gangs Anonymous years ago and is still creating programs inside the prison system that they still use today for recidivism, he is a singer, song writer and producer and wrote four movement songs for the world, to detour violence in this dying world of hate. He is an amazing artist and a peer specialist, counseling men for years to help them navigate themselves through the decisions they made to understand what happens while they are there. He has been deterring men not to commit suicide and save their lives when they have been plotting to take his.
David had two sons; both have been murdered while David has been incarcerated. He had to postpone two parole hearings because they kept setting him up. He could not get to them in time.
Prison is a volatile atmosphere, for David, working toward his goal of Freedom and his love for Jesus Christ has been the strong hold of his purpose. He always maintained and navigated through the roadblocks and set ups but kept learning. His strength is unquestionable, his mind is sharp, and he is incredibly wise, always maintaining his innocence with one main goal upon release, saving children across America from senseless acts of violence. David made a promise to Senator Alan Cranston, Ex Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso, and Pastor Cecil L. Murray. All these iconic respected leaders tried to bring David to freedom. He gives them honor and continually prays that they rest in GLORY & PEACE!!
To understand David Dew is to know that he has continually worked hard achieving to become a better human being, and he is an amazing individual. He created artwork to help with his defense and to help detour struggling gang members to turn their focus to art and do better in society. David also recognized the suicides of young children not being able to understand the struggle and act of being bullied by others, cyber bullying as well and wanted to break the cycle, so he created Save America’s Children, The Movement of Love & The Movement of Good.
I would like to share David’s message to Everyone:
I am reaching out to All American Citizens. My name is
Barack Obama in pencil, Lighter complexion giving homage to his Grandmother
David Dew. I am an American Citizen too, whose civil and constitutional rights have been violated and continues to be. This is being done to me because no matter how loud I have cried out to others for help, I continue to be ignored. I have been incarcerated now for 43 years on a “West Plea” to second degree murder. During my incarceration, I have not been involved in a fist fight, I have saved a guard’s life, have been collaborating with both correctional staff and community leaders for years, most of whom are deceased. I currently work as a Peer Specialist and have a client list of forty to fifty inmates a week.
I am pleading for someone to call upon the California State Attorney General’s office to dispatch someone here to investigate my case because a lot of people have violated the law and the parole board finally ordered an investigation, but I need the Attorney General’s involvement because what they will find will shock the state, and I want to make sure the information is not lost. Finally, you all should know that on January 5, 2025, my second son was murdered. My youngest son was murdered in 2006. However, if it had not been for the consistent civil rights and constitutional violations constructed against me, I would have been free, and my older son would have been with me celebrating Father’s Day together on June 15, 2025. I need those of you who have the time and believe in the United Sates Constitution and the right to fair justice to please email the California Attorney General’s office asking him to please send someone to speak with me while I am still able.
David Dew C67417 @ California Men’s Colony PO Box 8101 San Luis Obispo, Ca. 93409
Now I would like to ask those of you who would be interested in helping purchase any artwork that catches your attention to help toward David’s defense fund or donate if able.
Please email me about purchases or information regarding how to donate to:
Marinekaren561@gmail.com also visit www.sac-mol.com
Thank You & God Bless You!
Barack Obama
Karen Marine & David Dew
Dolphins Decent Sister Sister Piano Man Bob Marley, The Tiger in Me
Grief, In 2012 there were 3000 murders the families are mourning. They are talking from their graves to find ways to end violence
Karen Marine