WINNER OF FIVE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS Don’t Miss our Back To School Supplement Center Section Vol. 55, No. 45 • August 20 - 26, 2020
Cash-Strapped Tenants Face Possibility of Eviction
Temporary Safeguards Vary in District, VA and MD By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins September will mark the fourth month of a rent strike taking place among more than 150 tenants at the Woodner Apartments, considered one of the largest apartment complexes in the District. Instead of paying their rent, many participants, like Modesto King, have decided to save what little money they have, or purchase food, toiletries and other items deemed a greater priority. And while their campaign to get rent canceled during the coronavirus pandemic has gained some traction, subsequent negotiations haven’t brought about the change intended by those organizing the strike.
Though management proposed a payment plan where tenants could pay a portion of their overdue rent balance later without penalty, King said such an overture wouldn’t suffice at a time when he sees food lines getting longer and families becoming increasingly anxious. “Some people don’t know how they’re going to pay the rent. Others are moving out of the building which makes me feel strange because I don’t know how it will be next year,” said King, a Woodner tenant of more than 15 years. King said, since last month when he lost his job as an auto technician, he’s depleted his savings account in order to stay afloat while attempts to secure unemployment benefits have proven fruitless. 5 Tenants at the Woodner Apartments in Northwest protest evictions during the COVID-19
EVICTIONS Page 40 pandemic. (Courtesy photo/Facebook grab)
Michelle Obama Rallies Behind Biden, Condemns Trump’s Behavior
One Hundred Years Ago, 19th Amendment Passed Thanks to the Efforts of Black Women
Reactions Surge on Social Media as Democratic National Convention Continues
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir
One hundred years after the passage of the 19th Amendment and the gallant, self-sacrificing work of Black women from all walks of life, an African-American woman stands in Delaware to formally accept the nomination to become the first female vice president in American history.
In a masterfully written and delivered keynote speech Monday night that marked opening of the 2020 Democratic National Convention [DNC],
REACTIONS Page 29 5 Michelle Obama (Courtesy photo)
SUFFRAGE Page 34
5 Mary Church Terrell (Forten/NPS Archives)
Celebrating 55 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area