Greene County Democrat

Month: November 2024

  • Everybody’s Birthday Celebration, a Community Event

    L to R: Mrs. Geraldine Walton, Mrs. Nancy Cole, Mrs. Johnni Morning, Mrs. Mollie Rowe, Mrs. Darlene Robinson, and Mrs. Miriam Leftwich. Seated: Mr. John Zippert and Mrs. Carol Zippert.

    Submitted by Debbie Duncan


    As part of its fundraising efforts, the Greene County Associates of the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) hosted a lively Everybody’s Birthday Celebration on Friday, November 15, 2024. Local members invited friends and family to join in this cheerful event, which honored all attendees in their birthday months. Each table was decorated with symbols of the particular month. The event featured grown folk music provided by Birdman and an abundance of delicious food for all attendees.

    A highlight of the evening was the special recognition of John and Carol Zippert for their tireless dedication to enriching the community. In a heartwarming tribute, they were crowned King and Queen of the celebration. Mrs. Darlene Robinson, the event’s host, along with BBCF associate members, presented the couple with gifts. In a nod to John’s nickname, “The Rooster,” he was humorously gifted a colorful metal rooster, symbolizing his steadfast commitment to the organization’s success amid a team of devoted women. Carol was honored with a “money flower” and heartfelt words of appreciation, symbolizing her invaluable contributions.

    In her acceptance remarks, Carol expressed her surprise and gratitude, thanking everyone for their support, acknowledging the love from her Alabama Family. True to his straightforward nature, John wished everyone a happy birthday. Though their children were unable to attend in person, they sent touching video messages, and a slideshow highlighted the Zipperts’ long-standing involvement in community initiatives.

    The celebration was filled with smiles, laughter, and a spirit of camaraderie, reflecting the joy and purpose of the occasion. Congratulations to John and Carol, who both celebrate their birthdays in November, and best wishes to all in attendance for many more joyful celebrations to come.

  • Newswire: Brazil hands over G20 Presidency to South Africa

     Leaders of the G20 Summit

    By Rédaction Africanews

    Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva closed the Group of 20 summit on Tuesday and handed over the presidency to South Africa.

    “After the South African presidency, all the G20 countries will have exercised leadership of the group at least once. It will be a good time to evaluate the role we have played so far and how we should act from now on,” said Lula da Silva.

    Leaders of the world’s 20 major economies gathered once again on Tuesday with a lighter schedule after they issued a joint declaration the night before.

    The document, which includes calls for a global pact to combat hunger, more aid for Gaza and the end of the war in Ukraine, was heavy on generalities and short on specifics.

    The joint statement was endorsed by group members but fell short of complete unanimity. It also called for a future global tax on billionaires and for reforms allowing the eventual expansion of the U.N. Security Council beyond its five permanent members.

    At the start of the three-day meeting which formally ends Wednesday, experts doubted Lula da Silva could convince the assembled leaders to hammer out any agreement at all in a gathering rife with uncertainty over the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and heightened global tensions over wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

    Argentina challenged some of the language in initial drafts and was the one country that didn’t endorse the complete document

     

  • Newswire: Malcolm X’s daughters sue the CIA, FBI, and the New York Police Department for their involvement in their father’s murder

    By BlackmansStreetToday

    Three daughters of Malcolm X have charged the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), FBI, the New York Police Department, and others in a $100 million lawsuit Friday of playing roles in the 1965 assassination of their father, claiming his murder was prompted by then-FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.

    In the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, the daughters — along with the Malcolm X estate — claimed that the agencies were aware of and were involved in the assassination plot and failed to stop the killing.

    Attorney Ben Crump stood with family members as he described the lawsuit, saying he hoped federal and city officials would read it “and learn all the dastardly deeds that were done by their predecessors and try to right these historic wrongs.”

    Ilyasah Shabazz, the third oldest daughter of Malcolm X, filed a lawsuit against the US Government and NYPD for the wrongful death of her father and the alleged cover-up of his murder. Malcolm X’s widow Betty Shabazz died on June 23, 1997. 

    Malcolm X’s other daughters are Qubilah Shabazz, Attallah Shabazz, Gamilah Lumumba Shabazz, Malaak Shabazz, and Malikah Shabazz.

    The law enforcement agencies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, which was also sued, declined comment.

    That same year, a letter written by a former NYPD officer alleged that the NYPD and FBI covered up details of the assassination.

    The officer, Raymond Wood, wrote that he was ordered to coerce members of Malcolm X’s security team to commit felonious federal crimes “so that they could be arrested by the FBI and kept away from managing Malcolm X’s door security on Feb. 21, 1965.”

    The lawsuit alleges that under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover, then-head of the FBI, the entities “went beyond mere allegedly illegal surveillance of Malcolm X, actively conspiring to reduce his protection and leaving him vulnerable to an attack they knew was imminent.”

    For decades, more questions than answers have arisen over who was to blame for the death of Malcolm X, who was 39 years old when he was slain on Feb. 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom on West 165th Street in Manhattan as he spoke to several hundred people during a speech.

    Just before Malcolm X was assassinated, a man in the crowd yelled “Get your hands out of my pocket,” which served as a signal to the assassins to begin firing their guns. Three men were arrested and convicted for the murder of Malcolm X in 1966: Muhammad Abdul Aziz, Khalil Islam, and Mujahid Abdul Halim

    However, two of the men, Aziz and Islam, were exonerated in 2021 after a reinvestigation of the case. Muhammad Abdul Aziz spent 20 years in prison. Khalil Islam spent 22 years in prison and died in 2009.

    The third man, Abdul Halim, admitted to shooting Malcolm X but said the other two men were innocent. He was released from prison in 2010. 

    The city and state of New York paid Aziz and Islam a reported $36 million in compensation. 

    Malcolm X’s family charged that the CIA, FBI, and NYPD suppressed information about the assassination. 

    The family’s lawsuit claims that there was a “corrupt, unlawful, and unconstitutional” relationship between law enforcement and the killers. They also charged that police and other agencies withheld information concerning the murder.

    Malcolm X’s birth name was Malcolm Little. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Rev. Earl Little, was an organizer for Marcus Garvey’s United Negro Improvement Association. 

    Rev. Little was murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan. Malcolm Little grew up in foster homes after his father’s murder and his mother was relegated to a psychiatric hospital.

    He committed various crimes, being sentenced to 8 to 10 years in prison in 1946 for larceny and burglary.

    In prison, he joined the Nation of Islam, adopting the name Malcolm X to symbolize his unknown African ancestral surname while discarding “the white slavemaster name of ‘Little,’ and after his parole in 1952, he quickly became one of the organization’s most influential leaders.

    He was the public face of the organization for 12 years, advocating Black empowerment and separation of Black and White Americans, criticizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the mainstream civil rights organizations for their emphasis on non-violence and racial integration. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King met once. Malcolm X became disillusioned with the Nation of Islam and resigned from the organization.

    At the time of his death, Malcolm X was trying to develop a new organization  Pan-African Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).

  • Newswire : Biden unveils fresh climate funding as report cautions Trump policies could cede ‘Clean Energy leadership’ to China

    Environment regulations needed to reduce pollution

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

     

    The Biden administration has announced a new wave of climate investments that officials said reinforces efforts to position the United States as a leader in clean energy innovation. The announcement, made ahead of President Biden’s trip to the Amazon, further shows the administration’s commitment to addressing climate change and preserving critical ecosystems even as Biden leaves office.

    During his upcoming visit, Biden will interact with Indigenous leaders and stakeholders in the Amazon rainforest before making stops in Lima, Peru, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he plans to promote global cooperation on climate action and highlight business opportunities related to clean energy.

    Since taking office, the Biden-Harris administration has emphasized an expansive climate agenda through measures like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, resulting in historic investments in clean energy, conservation, and environmental justice. The agenda has catalyzed nearly $300 billion in private investment, generated hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs, and helped lower energy costs for American families. Administration officials described these initiatives as central to securing America’s role in the global transition toward sustainable energy production and consumption.

    The new round of investments aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bolster clean energy manufacturing, and lower energy costs for both families and businesses. The Department of Energy is directing nearly $18 million to 61 local and territorial governments through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, an initiative that funds energy efficiency projects nationwide. Officials said the funding allows communities to pursue projects that reduce pollution, improve energy efficiency, and develop net-zero building strategies. Over the past year, nearly 300 communities have received grants from this program, which supports the Biden administration’s broader goal of advancing environmental equity and sustainability.

    In addition to the local grants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced over $256 million to fund more than 1,100 clean energy projects in 40 states under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Through REAP, rural businesses and agricultural producers can implement solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower technologies, enhancing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable practices. Since the start of the Biden administration, REAP has facilitated over $2.7 billion in clean energy improvements for almost 10,000 projects, including $1 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act.

    The administration also plans to invest $1.2 billion in cleaner construction materials for infrastructure projects through the Low Carbon Transportation Materials Discretionary Grant Program. The Department of Transportation’s program encourages using low-emission materials like asphalt, glass, steel, and concrete in transportation projects to reduce pollution. The initiative is part of the Federal Buy Clean Initiative and aligns with the administration’s broader objectives of catalyzing sustainable industrial practices and reducing the carbon footprint of infrastructure development.

    As Biden officials highlighted the administration’s achievements, a new report warns that President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to dismantle Biden-era climate policies could significantly undercut U.S. progress in clean energy. The report predicts that scrapping these policies could redirect up to $80 billion in investment abroad, resulting in $50 billion in lost exports and forfeiting economic ground to global competitors like China and South Korea. Bentley Allan, an environmental policy expert at Johns Hopkins University and co-author of the study, stressed the economic implications of rolling back clean energy incentives, stating that “the energy transition is inevitable, and the future prosperity of countries hinges on being part of the clean energy supply chain.”

    Trump has criticized Biden’s climate investments as “the green new scam,” pledging to terminate clean energy subsidies and instead pursue a vision of “American energy dominance” rooted in fossil fuels. His proposals include increased oil and gas drilling, scaling back offshore wind projects, and ending subsidies for electric vehicles. The report indicates that the changes would impact thousands of planned manufacturing projects across the United States, potentially leaving American companies dependent on foreign suppliers for critical components such as electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. “Without these investments and tax credits, U.S. industry will be hobbled just as it is getting going, ceding the ground to others,” the report states.

    Li Shuo, a climate expert with the Asia Society Policy Institute, expressed concerns about the geopolitical consequences of a U.S. retreat from clean energy. Shuo told The Guardian that China, already skeptical of U.S. climate policies, could solidify its leadership in global clean energy markets as the U.S. shifts its focus back to fossil fuels. “China isn’t worried about selling clean energy technologies to other markets; Trump’s approach makes the U.S. seem inconsistent and unreliable,” Shuo said.

    Biden administration officials argue that today’s clean energy investments are crucial for America’s economic future and its ability to compete globally. “If we exit this competition, it will be very difficult to re-enter,” Allan stated

  • Newswire : Trump’s policy plans signal major shifts for Black communities

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    With the Trump administration preparing to take office in January, plans across numerous policy areas are likely to significantly affect Black Americans. From proposed changes to education funding to civil rights enforcement, early indicators suggest a series of shifts that could reshape access to resources, legal protections, and economic stability within Black communities. Here’s a look at the critical policies and potential outcomes that many might want to monitor under the new administration.

    Education Policy

    The Department of Education faces an uncertain future under Trump, who has proposed its elimination. This change would dismantle federal oversight on public education standards and divert funding currently allocated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Black leaders are concerned that repealing Biden’s pledged HBCU funding would hinder efforts to address historical underfunding at these institutions. Trump has also indicated a desire to provide what he calls “reparations” for white students, citing perceived discrimination due to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) policies. If enacted, this approach could shift federal resources away from minority students to focus on what Trump describes as “equal access for all.”

    Rule of Law

    Trump has consistently signaled a reduction in the Department of Justice’s civil rights oversight, raising concerns among advocates. His approach would likely limit the DOJ’s role in addressing police misconduct and civil rights cases, including those involving voting rights protections. Such changes could result in fewer investigations into racial discrimination in police departments and might allow local jurisdictions to address—or ignore—cases of potential discrimination. For Black communities facing systemic challenges in the justice system, this could mean a significant loss of federal support for ensuring equal protection under the law.

    Health Care Policy

    The Trump administration has expressed an interest in reducing the scope of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and scaling back Medicaid. Any cuts to these programs stand to have a significant negative impact on Black Americans, who suffer disproportionately from chronic health conditions and high rates of uninsurance. A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that Black adults are twice as likely as white adults to rely on Medicaid. Reduced access to affordable health care could increase existing health disparities, particularly in states where Medicaid expansion under the ACA was instrumental in improving Black health outcomes.

    Environmental Regulations

    Under Trump’s prior administration, environmental protections were scaled back, impacting air and water quality in urban areas where Black Americans are more likely to live. Trump’s deregulatory stance could again see rollbacks on pollution standards and decreased enforcement against industrial polluters, particularly in cities where Black communities are exposed to disproportionately high levels of environmental toxins. According to a report by the NAACP, Black Americans are 75% more likely to live in neighborhoods adjacent to polluting facilities, putting them at greater risk of asthma, respiratory illnesses, and other health issues.

    Civil Rights and DE&I Policies

    Trump has proposed eliminating many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) policies across federal agencies, which he argues is needed to combat “reverse discrimination.” This would halt DE&I training, reduce funding for DE&I initiatives, and could even lead to the retraction of DE&I programs in workplaces nationwide. Civil rights groups have raised concerns that ending DE&I policies could weaken protections and opportunities for Black Americans in government and private employment. Additionally, with plans to limit the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, discrimination protections in housing, employment, and education could be at risk.

    Federal Poverty Policy

    In previous statements, Trump has advocated for limiting welfare and SNAP benefits, aiming to reduce federal poverty assistance programs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black Americans are twice as likely as white Americans to live below the poverty line, making federal assistance essential for many Black families. Restrictions on these programs could create economic strain in communities already facing higher unemployment rates and limited access to generational wealth. Without strong safety nets, Black communities may experience increased financial instability and a reduced ability to recover from economic downturns.

    Reproductive Health

    Trump’s support for restrictive reproductive health policies could have far-reaching consequences for Black women, who already face higher maternal mortality rates. His administration’s stance on limiting reproductive services, including defunding clinics that provide abortion and contraception, could disproportionately affect Black women, especially those in underserved areas. According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, partly due to limited access to quality reproductive healthcare.

    Foreign Policy and Immigration

    Trump has indicated that immigration restrictions could be expanded, with stricter enforcement and limitations on family-based immigration, which could affect Black immigrant communities from African and Caribbean countries. With around 4.6 million Black immigrants living in the U.S. (Pew Research), policies that increase deportation rates or restrict visas could destabilize families and communities with close ties to immigrants. Additionally, Trump’s foreign policy stance may deprioritize diplomatic relationships with African and Caribbean nations, limiting business, travel, and educational exchanges that have become vital to many Black Americans with familial or cultural connections abroad.

    Trump’s Business Interests and Economic Policy

    The Trump administration’s emphasis on corporate tax cuts and deregulation could benefit large corporations but may do little to address income inequality, which disproportionately affects Black Americans. Critics argue that policies focused on supporting corporations and high-income individuals could further limit investment in community programs, housing, and small business support. In these areas, Black communities often seek economic mobility. Data from the Economic Policy Institute suggests that tax policies benefiting corporations without targeted support for lower-income communities tend to increase economic disparities.

    Technology and Digital Access

    Trump’s approach to technology policy may reduce funding for broadband expansion, essential for improving internet access in underserved Black communities. The digital divide remains a persistent issue, with Pew Research reporting that Black Americans are less likely to have broadband access at home compared to white Americans. Policies that overlook digital equity could limit educational, employment, and healthcare access, further impacting Black communities that rely on affordable internet services for remote opportunities.

    A Focus on Civil Rights and Equity

    For Black Americans, the incoming Trump administration’s policies in these areas could signal significant shifts in daily life, from economic security and healthcare access to environmental justice and educational opportunity. As Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, noted, “Our rights, health, and economic well-being hinge on strong, equitable policies. It’s our job to stay vigilant and protect the progress we’ve made.”

  • WORLD AIDS DAY

  • County Commission re-organizes: Garria Spencer is Chairperson; Roshanda Summerville is Vice-Chair

    Commissioner Garria Spencer was selected as Chairperson and Roshanda Summerville as Vice-Chair

    At its monthly session held Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Greene County Commission conducted its re-organization of officers, meeting schedule, bank depositories and signatures for checks. Commissioner Garria Spencer was selected as Chairperson and Roshanda Summerville as Vice-Chair.
    Commissioner Spencer noted that the commissioners appointments to various committees will likely remain the same, with the chairperson as head of the finance committee. The final committee selections will be announced at the next meeting.
    The commissioners approved the same meeting schedule as 2nd Monday of the month at 5:00 pm in the William M. Branch Courthouse. The bank depositories will also remain the same including in Eutaw Citizen Trust Bank and Merchant & Farmers Bank; Robertson Banking Company in Demopolis and Pinnicle Bank in Birmingham. The check and safety deposit box signatories will remain the same including, Commissioners Garria Spencer, Corey Cockrell, CFO Macaroy Underwood and Brenda Burke.
    CFO Macaroy Underwood presented the financial report for October, the first month of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Accounts payable totaled $1.468,281.60; Payroll Transfer totaled $303.121.83; Fiduciary totaled $72,447.27. Total claims paid: $1,843,850.70. Electronic claims paid in July totaled $70,439.32.
    Funds in Citizen Trust Bank: unrestricted totaled $2,148,509.99; restricted totaled $3,960,857.94. Funds in Merchants & Farmers Bank: unrestricted $2,155,651.52; restricted totaled $1,883,575.14.
    Three CD accounts were established at Pinnicle Bank including two at $500,000 each and one at $125,000. Standing CD accounts include Merchants & Farmers – $128,111.58; $119,599.05; $406,375.69; Robertson Banking Company $117,792.63. Bank Investments totaled $1,896,878.95.
    The commission approved the minutes of the previous meeting, the finance report and payment of claims.

  • Eutaw City Council votes to return staff to a five- day schedule

    Mayor Latasha Johnson presents certificate to Mah’Kenzie Na Khole Jhordan Walker of Branch Heights in Eutaw, for being named Miss Black Alabama Talented Teen

    The Eutaw City Council met on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, for its regular first meeting of the month. All members of the Council and Mayor Latasha Johnson were present.

    The Council voted to extend the time for full time staff to five days and hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Mayor Johnson argued that she was not sure she could do this under the City’s current financial position. Councilman Woodruff said the Council had adopted a budget that eliminated some positions so that the staff could return to full time operations. He also requested a rooster of staff positions and salaries that the city is paying.

    Hodges Smith addressed the City Council on an Automatic Aid Agreement developed by the Association of Volunteer Fire Departments in Greene County. The agreement would allow the dispatch of the closest four fire departments when a fire is reported. The four fire departments that would come to Eutaw’s assistance would be Springfield, Lower Gainesville Road, Clinton and Dollarhide. The Eutaw Fire Department would automatically be dispatched to fires in these four rural communities. The motion for approval did not receive a second and was not considered. The members of the City Council seemed to need more time to study and understand the proposal. It can be considered again at a future meeting.

    Mayor Johnson submitted a proposal that she received from the West Alabama Action Group to rent the Grubbs/E911 building for a period of
    December 1, 2024, to October 1, 2027, in exchange for making repairs to the building to make it usable as an office. The Council voted to table this request until more study could be made to the proposed lease agreement.
    Councilman Woodruff pointed out that $50,000 had been allocated to repairs to this building, for use by the Eutaw Police Department, in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget recently approved. “How will these monies be reallocated in the budget, if this lease proposal is adopted,” asked Woodruff.

    David Ficken, Vice President for Business Development of the Alabama Fiber Network addressed the City Council and asked for an agreement to place a 50 by 50-foot building on land owned by the City of Eutaw. The building would be built on a cement slab, surrounded by a chain-link fence, house equipment to permit local ISP (broadband) providers to
    connect to the national fiber optic network. Alabama Fiber Network has been funded by the State of Alabama to be a “middle mile” provider for broadband. Other middle mile providers have also approached the city to provide similar services.

    The Council voted to allow the Mayor and City Attorney to explore a location for the Alabama Fiber Network building and develop a 20-year renewable easement agreement for their building. The Council favored the Robert H. Young Community Center (former Carver School) as the site for the building. The proposed agreement would have to be presented to the Eutaw City Council for final approval.

    At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Johnson reported on progress on several infrastructure projects that the city has agreed to work on. These are: 1. Ditch between Edward’s Drive and Roebuck Avenue, 2. Street Repairs on 3rd Avenue,  3. House on O’Neal Street, next to Mollie Rowe’s resident. Work is continuing on all these projects and complying with legal requirements before the city is involved with work on private property.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved paying $75.00 membership dues to the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce.

    • Approved reimbursement of Assistant Chief William Smith for $196.00 for city expenses.

    • Approved purchase of a half page ad ($300) in the Greene County Democrat Progress Edition.

    • Approved paying entry fee of $20 in Christmas Parade, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

    • Approved holiday schedule for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

    • Approved payment of bills for the period.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Johnson awarded a certificate of completion to City Clerk Sha’Kelvia Spencer or her participation in the Municipal Revenue Officers Program provided by the University of Alabama.
    The Mayor also awarded a certificate of commendation to Mah’Kenzie Na Khole Jhordan Walker for being named Miss Black Alabama Talented Teen.
    Walker is a resident of Branch Heights and will represent the State of Alabama in the national completion in the Spring of 2025. The Mayor pledged to raised funds to help pay expenses for Ms. Walker to participate in the national completion. Chief of Police Tommy Johnson presented the ‘Officer of the Month Award’ to Officer J. Powell.

  • Newswire : Black people are receiving racist text messages about picking cotton ‘at the nearest plantation’

    Text message received by many Black people

    By  Char Adams, Maya Eaglin and Zinhle Essamuah, NBC News

     

    Dozens of Black people across the country said they have received text messages telling them they had been “selected” to pick cotton “at the nearest plantation.”

    The messages came just hours after the polarized presidential election came to a close this week.
     
    On Wednesday morning, Monèt Miller, a publicist from Atlanta, was reeling over Donald Trump winning the White House when she received a text message from an unknown phone number.

    “Our Executive Slaves will come get you in a Brown Van,” the message read, “be prepared to be searched down once you’ve enter the plantation.”

    Miller, 29, was shocked. She wondered how the person got her phone number, and questioned whether she was being watched. In a panic, she responded, “Who is this?! I’m going to find who you are” and shared a photo of the text on social media. She learned that some of her friends had received the same text. 

    “It’s a scare tactic,” Miller said in an interview. “I saw it and was like, ‘What in the world?’ Usually, in any other instance, someone is racist to the point where it’s funny, it’s a bad humor sort of funny. But that day, with the climate and everything going on, I genuinely felt scared.”

    Black social media users across the country said they have received text messages similar to Miller’s. Many of the recipients are college students from a wide range of schools nationwide, including University of Alabama,Ohio State University, Clemson University in South Carolina, the University of Southern California and Missouri State University, NBC News has confirmed. 

    Domonique Valles, 23, who attends the University of Southern California, said he and some of his fellow Kappa Alpha Psi frat brothers who received the text messages and has since filed a complaint with the FBI.
    “I definitely feel kind of unsafe on campus,” Valles said. While he said he’s unclear what the campus can do to make people feel safe, “they definitely need to at least come in support of people who are suffering from this Black community.”

    In a statement, the university called the messages “hateful and unacceptable,” and added that it was referring students who received them to the campus Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX.
    The FBI said in a statement Thursday that it is aware of the texts, has been in contact with the U.S. Department of Justice and encourages people who receive them to report the messages to local law enforcement authorities. 

    It is unclear who is behind the mass text messages, what motivated them or how they obtained phone numbers for swaths of Black people. But some of the anonymous numbers appear to be tied to TextNow, a text messaging service that allows users to obtain untraceable, “burner” phone numbers. 

    A TextNow spokesperson told NBC News in a statement that it is aware of the messages. “As soon as we became aware, our Trust & Safety team acted quickly, shutting down the accounts involved within the hour,” the statement said. “TextNow is proud to be an inclusive service offering free mobile text and data to millions of Americans. We do not tolerate or condone the use of our service to send harassing or spam messages and will work with the authorities to prevent these individuals from doing so in the future.” 
     
    The Attorney General’s Office in Virginia condemned the messages Wednesday and directed anyone who “believes themselves to be under threat” to contact law enforcement. Police departments and leaders in cities across the country have also addressed the situation. 
    People as young as high school students, and some beyond college have also received these messages, which began rolling out the morning after Election Day. Some of the messages mention Donald Trump. 
    Brian Hughes of the Trump campaign denounced the texts and said it is “absolute nonsense” to link the president to the messages. “If we can find the origin of these messages which promote this kind of ugliness in our name we will obviously take legal action to stop it,” Hughes said in a statement to NBC News. 

    Some recipients responded to the texts with anger and others with a sense of humor, but many agree that the messages seem to be a bleak foreshadowing. The NAACP condemned the messages, saying they believe the messages were a product of the president-elect’s rhetoric. 
    “The unfortunate reality of electing a President who, historically has embraced, and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our eyes,” the statement read.

    Although college students seem to be the most targeted with the texts, Black people of varying ages have reported receiving the messages. Corryn Freeman, 35, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said she along with her friends’ high school-age students have received the messages. She said that if the texts are a mass spam operation, it may signal danger for the recipients, that, “our collective safety is potentially at risk.”

    “I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that this is happening just a day after a Donald Trump election,” Freeman told NBC News. “I think that the election has reignited and inflamed people who have racist tendencies to show up and show out. I think that this is intentional to scare people of color, Black people, into a reality that we don’t want to go back to.”

    .”The text messages seemed to have died down as of Thursday evening, but Miller said she’s afraid that they may only be the start of an onslaught of racist targeting. 

    “Now, people are testing the limits of how far they can go with playing with people,” she said. “I definitely see that this is just the beginning … I just feel like we’ll be attacked more in person in the future rather than behind phone screens.”

     

  • Newswire : Governor Newsom calls Special Session to defend California Values against Trump Administration policies

    Gov. Gavin Newsom with staff

    By Stacy M. Brown


    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

     California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a special session of the California Legislature dedicated to defending core state values and rights under potential challenges from the incoming Trump administration. Set to convene on December 2, the session will prioritize legal strategies to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant rights, aiming to bolster California’s ability to resist federal policies that may threaten these areas.

    The move is the first in a series of planned actions by Newsom’s administration to safeguard what he describes as “California values” against federal threats. With support from state lawmakers, Newsom emphasized California’s resilience and readiness to protect its residents, stating, “The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle.”

    State Attorney General Rob Bonta reiterated the Governor’s stance, noting the state’s prior confrontations with Trump-era policies and emphasizing California’s commitment to continue defending rights under potential renewed federal challenges. “No matter what the incoming Administration has in store, California will keep moving forward,” Bonta said. “We’re working closely with the Governor and the Legislature to shore up our defenses and ensure we have the resources we need to take on each fight as it comes.”

    Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) voiced their support for the special session, highlighting the importance of maintaining California’s progress and preparing for what they foresee as challenging times ahead. “We learned a lot about former President Trump in his first term,” McGuire remarked. “California has come too far and accomplished too much to simply surrender and accept his dystopian vision for America.”

    Rivas emphasized the importance of standing up for Californians. “Voters sent a clear message this election, and we need to lean-in and listen,” he said. “But we also must be prepared to defend California values, no matter the challenges ahead, so it makes sense to consider the Governor’s proposal. I’m ready to fight harder than ever for opportunity, equality, and a Golden State that works for each and every resident.”