Chavis: ‘Emmett Till’s Life Still Matters,’ Pg. 29
I N S I D E
I N S I D E
Bowser’s Safety Plan for D.C. Draws Ire, Pg. 5
Southeast Youth Take Stand Against K2, Pg. 22
Maryland Laws Target Racial Profiling, Pg. 12
Ailey Dancer Gets Prestigious Award, Pg. 32
Vol. 50, No. 47 SEPT 3 - SEPT 9 , 2015
D.C. students walk past men on both sides of the sidewalk, out in force to escort them to the Metro and towards their homes after a day at Richard Wright Public Charter School. The event, on Monday, Aug. 31, was part of the “Man the Block Initiative” designed to increase safety for youth as they depart from school. /Photo by Roy Lewis
Men Make Sure Youth Get Home Safely ‘Man the Block’ Provides Students Safe Passage By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the Nation of Islam escorted students this week to kick off a safe passage model where fathers and members of the community make sure youth get home without incident. Founder and Principal Dr. Marco Clark, Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts in Southeast, created the “Man the Block” initiative to help students who routinely face harassment and violence. “Too many kids have issues going home,” Clark said. “We do safe passage on a regular basis. Every day we have men manning the block and on bikes ensuring safety.” Clark made a call to action to men from many different orga-
nizations asking them to contribute to the community policing program. “Everybody was excited about answering the call,” Clark said. “We’re hopeful our presence will stop the perpetrators.” Gregory Adams, the vice-president of the Board of Trustees of Richard Wright, believes that “Man the Block” will serve as a reminder about the importance of Black fathers. “This is an opportunity to number one, show that Black men do care about their children,” Adams said. “And also highlight the importance of the safety of our children.” Gregory admits the area Richard Wright resides in cannot be considered “violent,” but there are still risk for the pupils. “A lot of the students who go here come from various wards where they face the threat of violence on the way home,” Ad-
MEN ON BLOCK Page 8
Activist Eugene Puryear and Erika Totten, one of the local leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement, voice their opposition to Mayor Bowser’s plan to increase police presence in targeted areas in the District. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter
Community Leaders Address Surge in Violence
As Homicide Rate Reaches Milestone, Mayor Pledges $15 Million By D. Kevin McNeir WI Managing Editor The Nation’s Capital has witnessed a disturbing rise in violence – tallying 105 homicides on Friday, August 28 and equaling 2014’s total. Despite police officers taking to the streets as part of Police Chief Cathy Lanier’s often contested “All Hands on Deck” strategy, two men died with eight others wounded during Friday night. But just one day earlier, on
Thursday, Aug. 27, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser laid out plans for her $15 million “Safer, Stronger DC” initiative in response to the increase in homicides. Protesters, some from the District, but others from outside of the DMV, attempted to shout down Bowser during her announcement. However, the mayor stood her ground. Several leaders committed to ending the surge in violence discussed the mayor’s plan and how they believe that police and community members must work together in order to halt
the trend of escalating violence that has many citizens fearful of the future. Southeast resident and longtime activist Ron Moten attended Thursday’s press conference and said while he appreciates the support of members from “Black Lives Matter,” he believes that local leaders must step to the front. “I don’t care about national folks who come to whoop and holler and then leave,” he said. “Local people need to deal with
Celebrating 50 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area
FOLLOW US ON
COP Page 9