If we want to improve the quality of life for all Americans then we must begin by teaching our children to read which they will not be able to achieve until they can learn to spell. –Dr. Calvin Rolark
Spelling Bee Supplement •
C e l e b r a t i n g 4 7 Ye a r s o f S e r v i c e
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Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area / Vol. 47, No. 24 Mar. 29 - Apr. 4, 2012
Thousands showed up at Freedom Plaza and in front of the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest for the Washington DC Rally for Justice on Saturday, March 24. The crowd gathered to protest the death of Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed one month ago. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah
Thousands Demand Justice for Trayvon Martin Freedom Plaza Rally First of Many in the District By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer Perhaps as many as 2,000 people packed a closed-off section of Pennsylvania Avenue in Northwest to demonstrate their revulsion and outrage at the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
The throng which took part in Saturday’s Washington DC Rally for Justice, spilled down the steps of the John A. Wilson Building and clogged a city block and large sections of Freedom Plaza adjoining city hall. Latoya Smith, 36, brought her two sons, Kelis, 11, and Dante, 6, with her to the rally, which
took place under overcast skies and intermittent drizzle. “When I heard what happened to Trayvon it hit home,” said Smith who lives in Northeast. “I’ve been asking why it happened, what was the story and it’s getting worse and worse as you find out more.” Bishop Michael Kelsey of
New Samaritan Baptist Church in Northeast, said indignation brought him to the March 24 rally. “My outrage in terms of injustice brought me out here,” said the 56-year-old Glenn Dale, Md., resident. “I wanted to be in Florida but could not. The turnout is incredible considering the
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weather and I’m really impressed with the range of age groups.” Kelsey said education and a greater willingness by people of all races and ethnicities to learn and appreciate other people’s cultures are keys to change. Taking to the Streets
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