SB American News Week Ending 3/31

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THE SAN BERNARDINO

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AMERICAN

“A Man In Debt is So Far A Slave” -Emerson

NEWSPAPER A Community Newspaper Serving San Bernardino, Riverside & Los Angeles Counties Volume 51 No. 49

March 25, 2021- March 31, 2021

Mailing: P.O. Box 837, Victorville, CA 92393

Office: (909) 889-7677

Email: Mary @Sb-American.com

Website: www.SB-American.com

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance those of whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)

Jury Selection Continues in the Case of the Officer Who Caused Death of George Floyd NNPA NEWSWIRE — To convict Chauvin of second-degree murder, Ellison and his team must prove the former officer caused Floyd’s death by creating an unreasonable risk and that he consciously caused severe harm. Prosecutors must also prove that Chauvin’s use of force was unlawful.

Two Calif. Women Are Now Leading Efforts to Support State’s 3.9 Million Small Businesses Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Left to Right: Isabell Guzman SBA Director ( photo) Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate Reportedly, Chauvin had previously agreed to plead guilty and serve at least a decade behind bars before the Barr intervened. Civil Rights Attorney and Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump said he’s pleased that all judicial avenues are being explored and that the trial is moving forward. By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Jury selection has continued in the case of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who caused the death of George Floyd by kneeling on the African American man’s neck for approximately 9 minutes last May. As of press time, six jurors had been seated – five are men. Of the six, three are white, one identifies as multiracial, one Hispanic, and one African American. The process of selecting and seating a jury will take about three weeks. Prosecutors and defense attorneys battled over the selection, as Chauvin’s lawyers struck three Hispanic potential jurors. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank twice used Batson challenges, claiming that Chauvin’s attorneys led by Eric Nelson eliminated potential jurors because of their sex, race, or ethnicity. Trial Judge Peter Cahill denied each challenge. Prosecutors have scored a significant victory as third-degree murder charges were added against Chauvin.

Cahill granted prosecutors’ request to reinstate those charges after former U.S. Attorney General William Barr last year reportedly quashed a proposed plea bargain on third-degree murder charges. Cahill tossed out the charge after the deal fell through, stating that the law only allows for third-degree murder against someone who causes a death that endangered multiple individuals. An appeals court said Cahill could reinstate the charges, even as Chauvin objected. “We believe the charge of third-degree murder is fair and appropriate,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement. “We look forward to putting it before the jury, along with charges of second-degree unintentional murder and seconddegree manslaughter.” Chauvin also is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. If convicted of second-degree murder, Chauvin could face up to 40 years in prison. A seconddegree manslaughter conviction in Minnesota carries a maximum 10 years, while third-degree murder

is punishable by up to 25 years behind bars. To convict Chauvin of seconddegree murder, Ellison and his team must prove the former officer caused Floyd’s death by creating an unreasonable risk and that he consciously caused severe harm. Prosecutors must also prove that Chauvin’s use of force was unlawful. For third-degree murder charges to stick, prosecutors must show that an obvious dangerous act caused Floyd’s death. Reportedly, Chauvin had previously agreed to plead guilty and serve at least a decade behind bars before the Barr intervened. Civil Rights Attorney and Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump said he’s pleased that all judicial avenues are being explored and that the trial is moving forward. “The trial is very painful and the family needs closure,” Crump stated. He also issued a word of caution to the media and others. “George Floyd is not on trial, Derek Chauvin is,” Crump demanded. “Some will use the

‘Derek Chauvin trial’ to question George Floyd’s character. That is wrong. Demand justice.” During Black Press Week, the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund (NNPAF) recognized the George Floyd Family for their collective effort for social justice, and their leadership on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. House Majority Whip James E Clyburn (D-S.C.), a former publisher and the highest-ranking African American in Congress, received the Newsmaker of the Year Award for his pivotal role in galvanizing the Black vote across America. “These two awardees are dedicated to advancing the progress of Black people,” NNPA Fund Chair Pluria Marshall Jr., CEO of the Wave Publications, based in California, stated. “The Black Press of America is honored to recognize their achievements and express our gratitude for their heroic efforts to improve the quality of life of all Americans.”

Cal Lawmakers Propose Process to Decertify Convicted Cops Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, and Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) added language with some teeth to

Senate Bill (SB) 2, the “Kenneth Ross Jr. Police Decertification Act of 2021.” The amendments to the police reform bill, first introduced in December last year in the

California Assembly, are designed to increase standards of accountability for law enforcement officers. They include a statewide process to revoke the certification of a peace officer convicted of violating a person’s civil rights or engaging in other misconduct on the job. “If last summer’s nationwide protests and calls for police reform have shown us anything, it’s that Californians want more than just a superficial change,” said Bradford. “If many professionals licensed in the state of California can have their certification revoked for committing serious misconduct

or abusing their authority, then why not police officers?” Ross, after whom the bill is named, was a 25-year-old African American who a Gardena police officer shot two times and killed on April 11, 2018. According to the police report, Michael Robbins, the officer who fatally shot Ross was the last officer to arrive on the scene. Yet, he was the only officer who perceived a threat sufficient to discharge a weapon. Ross was unarmed and running from officers when he was shot. He continued on page7

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he had appointed Tara Lynn Gray, 57, of Fresno, as Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). In that role, Gray, who is African American, replaces Isabel Guzman, who President Biden appointed the 27th Administrator of t he Small Busi ness Administration in January. Last week in Washington, with an 81-17 vote, the United States Senate confirmed Guzman’s nomination. She is Latina. In California, Gray is expected to begin working immediately since the Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate position does not require State Senate confirmation. Now, working with similar mandates -- one in a federal Cabinet position and the other at the top-level of state government -- Guzman and Gray have become the de facto leading advocates for the almost four million small businesses in California, which, in aggregate, hire more than 7 million people and account for more than 99 % of all Golden State businesses. Together, the women will be responsible for directing tens of billions of dollars in emergency and ongoing budgetary funding to California small businesses. CalOSBA is part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), which serves as the states’ main apparatus leading economic development programs designed to boost job growth and business assistance efforts. Ashley Swearengin, CEO of the Central Valley Community Fou nd at ion a nd for mer Republican mayor of Fresno, praised Gray’s appointment. “Tara is a tireless and effective leader in California's small business community and the right choice at this pivotal time,” she said. “As the State of California continues its recovery, Tara will turn advocacy into action, get results for small businesses, and ensure our diverse small business

owners and entrepreneurs are at the table driving towards an equitable and inclusive economic recovery.” GO-Biz offers a range of growth and support services to California business owners, including permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, international trade development assistance, and more, according to the governor’s office. The governor has also charged the office to manage more than $2 billion in COVID-19 relief funding targeted to small businesses, non-profits and cultural institutions across California. Guzman earned her bachelor’s at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. As SBA Administrator, she will lead the federal agency with 9,000 employees and represent the interests of the country’s estimated 30 million small businesses. In addition, she will oversee key parts of the Biden-Harris administration’s $1.9 trillion stimulus American Rescue Plan, including relief funding for small businesses like the Paycheck Protection Program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program. “Throughout my public and private sector career, I have been dedicated to helping small businesses grow and succeed,” Guzman said during her Senate confirmation hearing. “Now more than ever, our impacted small businesses need our support, and the SBA stands ready to help them reopen and thrive.” Before Gov. Newsom appointed Guzman to serve as CalOSBA director in 2019, she served as the SBA’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor during the Obama-Biden Administration. “I have every confidence that under Ms. Guzman’s leadership, the SBA will help small business owners hold on to their dreams until the economy comes roaring back,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said before voting to confirm the Burbank native’s nomination. Before Gray accepted the top continued on page 3


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