
Police beating Tyre Nichols in Memphis
By Zack Linly, NewsOne
Three Florida high school students are threatening to file a lawsuit against the Sunshine State and its (alleged) white nationalist overlord, Gov. Ron DeSantis, over the state’s rejection of an Advanced Placement course on African American history—which, in this writer’s not-so-humble opinion, was rejected because DeSantis and his cohorts identify with the white, conservative and fragile, and that’s all that really matters.
“Certainly there are other advanced placement histories, such as AP European History, AP U.S. History and AP World History, all predominantly generated towards white people,” high school junior Victoria McQueen, one of the three students, said during a press conference, according to HuffPost.
And that’s exactly the truth. There’s nothing inherent about white-centered history that undermines American jingoism or the idea of American exceptionalism, so there’s never any real controversy there. (Unless you ask Black people who object to the romanticized way in which European history and American history tend to be presented at the expense of those who were historically oppressed during that history. But that doesn’t matter because we don’t matter. Our discomfort with white-centered curricula doesn’t matter. Our desire to see non-whitewashed history taught in schools doesn’t matter.)
Florida officials claim they’re only rejecting fringe ideology and indoctrination, as opposed to African American history, but when they’re advocating for unbridled patriotism and fighting anything that stands in the way of that, it’s clear that ideological indoctrination is just fine with them as long as it’s the right (pun absolutely intended) kind of ideological indoctrination
Anyway, the trio of students is being represented by none other than civil attorney Ben Crump.
“If (DeSantis) does not negotiate with the College Board to allow African American studies to be taught in classrooms in the state of Florida, these three young people will be the lead plaintiffs in a historic lawsuit,” Crump said.
Personally, I hope the lawsuit is filed and widely covered in the media. Even if the would-be plaintiffs lose the case, it will highlight the fact that neither DeSantis nor other Florida officials are waging their war against what they define as “wokeness” on behalf of the people—only their people.
At a special meeting on January 17, 2023, the Eutaw City Council formally approved a request to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for the initial installments of $2.6 million grant for water and $3 million for sewer improvements, for the unified Eutaw-Boligee water and sewer system.
Project Engineer Angela Henline from the Cassady Company in Northport presented a detailed report on the City of Eutaw, Water System Restoration and Resiliency Project, to the council.
The City of Eutaw has submitted a grant preapplication to ADEM for the water system, that includes the Town of Boligee, for $16,464,059 over a five-year period, ending in 2026. The initial $2.6 million will be used for:
a. Backflow prevention, monitoring and flushing improvements to the water system, including the detection of leaks, to project future improvements; and b. Replacement or rehabilitation of the existing Boligee water tank and disconnection of out of service industrial tank at Boligee.
The Project Engineer has also submitted a $14,002,759 grant preapplication to ADEM for the wastewater (sewer) system improvements over the next five years, until the end of 2026. The initial $3 million, requested for 2023, will be used for: a. Standby emergency sewer pump, which will be trailer mounted and used when pumping stations breakdown, b. Critical pump station improvements and monitoring systems, for BP station in Boligee, Boligee Pump Station No. 1, Lower Gainesville Road, Rest Stop, Branch Heights, and Annie Thomas Circle; c. Upgrade Lower Road force main; and d. Lagoon improvements (design only).
Henline said that a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 5:00 PM, at City Hall for questions and comments from the public on the water and sewer projects. “This is the opportunity for residents of the area to come and learn about these projects and ask any questions they may have,” said Mayor Latasha Johnson.
After the public hearing, Henline said she would complete the grant agreement documents with ADEM and proceed to put out bids for the initial components of the water and sewer projects. The initial components include monitoring for water losses and pumping station efficiencies which will help to develop the next phase of design and construction for the five-year program.
Mayor Johnson indicated that it had been a long struggle to get to this point, but she was pleased that the project would be 100% grant funded and thanked Congresswoman Sewell and ADEM officials for helping in the process. The availability of Federal funding from the CARES Act, American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure, and Inflation Recovery Act, all contributed to making this multi-year improvement project work for Eutaw and Boligee’s unified water and sewer system.
At the Eutaw City Council regular meeting on January 24, 2023, the council received a detailed report from Ralph Liverman, financial adviser on the first quarter of the fiscal year (October -December 2022) revenues and expenditures. Revenues from sales tax, fuel taxes and other sources were slightly ahead of projections. Expenses were on target with the budget projections for the quarter.
The Eutaw City Council also approved travel and per diem for several trips for training for Corey Martin, water operator, and other trips for the mayor and financial adviser to represent the city. The council also approved payment of bills and claims, including payrolls.
Mayor Johnson reported that she was working with Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Governor Kay Ivey for Eutaw and Greene County, to be included in the Federal disaster declaration for the tornados on November 29, 2021, and January 12, 2023. If we are included in the declaration, then the city, county and individuals will be able to receive FEMA reimbursement for expenses and losses, due to the storms.
As of January 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM
(According to Alabama Political Reporter)
Alabama had 1,610,535 confirmed cases of coronavirus,
(7,654) more than last report, with 20,870 deaths (24) more
than last report.
Greene County had 2,253 confirmed cases, 13 more cases than last report, with 53 deaths
Sumter Co. had 3,104 cases with 55 deaths
Hale Co. had 5,6131 cases with 110 deaths
Note: Greene County Physicians Clinic has testing and vaccination for COVID-19; including the new bivalent booster for Omicron variants.
Call for appointments at 205/372-3388, Ext. 142;
ages 5 and up.
The Greene County Sheriff Department issued a listing of the bingo distributions for December, totaling $616,999.32 from four licensed bingo gaming facilities. The bingo facilities regularly distributing through the sheriff include Frontier, River’s Edge, Palace and Bama Bingo. The recipients of the December distributions from bingo gaming include Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the cities of Eutaw, Forkland, Union, and Boligee, the Greene County Board of Education and the Greene County Hospital (Health System).
Sub charities include Children’s Policy Council, Guadalupan Multicultural Services, Greene County Golf Course, Housing Authority of Greene County (Branch Heights), Department of Human Resources, the Greene County Library, Eutaw Housing Authority, Historical Society, REACH, Inc., Headstart Community Service and This Belong To US.
Bama Bingo gave a total of $117,157.87 to the following: Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $48,070; City of Eutaw, $9,250; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,875; Greene County Board of Education, $10,500, and the Greene County Health System, $12,500. Sub Charities, each received $1,034.22 including REACH, Inc. Community Service received $470.10 and This Belong to Us received $94.02.
Frontier (Dream, Inc.) gave a total of $114,995.01 to the following: Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $48,070; City of Eutaw, $9,250; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,875; Greene County Board of Education, $10,500; Greene County Health System, $12,500. Sub Charities each received $870.53, including the Historical Society and REACH, Inc. Community Service received $470.10 and This Belong to Us received $94.02.
River’s Edge (Next Level Leaders and Tishabee Community Center Tutorial Program) gave a total of $118,288 to the following: Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $48,070; City of Eutaw, $12,543; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,875; Greene County Board of Education, $10,500; Greene County Health System, $12,500. Sub Charities each, $1,027,, including the Historical Society and REACH, Inc. Community Service received $467 and This Belong to Us received $92.
Palace (TS Police Support League) gave a total of $266,558.44 to the following: Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $111,426.26; City of Eutaw, $21,441.50; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $8,982.25; Greene County Board of Education, $24,339, and the Greene County Health System, $28,975. Sub Charities received $2,397.33, including the Historical Society and REACH, Inc. Community Service received $1,089.70 and This Belong to Us received $217.94. The sheriff’s supplement for November from four bingo facilities totaled $79,204.58
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Two proposals aimed at curbing the spread of assault rifles were submitted today by Democratic senators Dianne Feinstein of California, and Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
The Assault Weapons Ban seeks to prohibit the commercialization, distribution, production, and importation of assault rifles and other firearms designed for use in military operations, as well as high-capacity magazines and similar devices.
On January 22, a gunman opened fire on a crowd celebrating the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California, killing 11 and wounding 9. There was also a shooting of 7 farm workers in Half Moon Bay, California, near San Francisco.
The Democrats’ proposed Age 21 Act would make it illegal to sell or buy an assault weapon to anybody under 21, bringing it in line with the legal age for purchasing handguns.
Some Congress members, including Judy Chu, who represents the California district that includes Monterey Park, have called for universal background checks and closing loophole for gun shows and guns ordered on the Internet.
President Joe Biden has publicly stated his support for the legislation.
Biden said that the number of mass shootings declined during the decade that the Assault Weapons Ban was in effect. “In the 10 years that the Assault Weapons Ban was on the books, mass shootings went down,” Biden remarked. “After Republicans let the law expire in 2004 and those weapons were allowed to be sold again, mass shootings tripled,” he declared.
Both houses of Congress were urged to take quick action by the president.
According to Biden, “the majority of American people agree with this rational measure.”
“There can be no greater responsibility than to do all we can to ensure the safety of our children, our communities and our nation,” he insisted.
In the House of Representatives, Rhode Island Democrat David Cicilline said he plans to introduce a companion bill to the Senate’s Assault Weapons Ban. Feinstein said assault rifles “seem to be the unifying denominator in the seemingly endless number of horrific shootings.” “Because these firearms were created for maximum efficiency in mass murder,” the senator noted.
“They have no place in our society or educational institutions. It’s time to take a stand against the gun lobby and do something about getting these lethal weapons off the streets, or at the absolute least, out of the hands of our youth.”
Blumenthal added, as the gunman at the Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park demonstrated just days ago, assault weapons are designed for one and one purpose only: to murder or hurt human beings.
“These military-style combat weapons – built for the battlefield and designed to maximize death and destruction – have brought bloodshed and carnage to our streets and continue to be the weapon of choice in countless mass shootings,” Blumenthal said.
“Guns don’t respect state boundaries, which is why we need a national solution to restricting the ownership and use of assault weapons. Now is the time to honor gun violence victims and survivors with this commonsense action.”
Rep. Ciciline argued that it is long past due to reinstate an assault weapon ban and remove these “weapons of war” from civilian areas. The assault weapons prohibition “passed the House last year with bipartisan backing, but was blocked by Senate Republicans,” Ciciline noted.
“We need to come together to enact this commonsense, effective, and proven policy to reduce gun violence and save lives. I thank Senator Feinstein for her partnership in this fight and look forward to introducing the House companion bill in the coming weeks.”
Selma, AL – So many people are calling and asking, ‘Will we still have The Bridge Crossing Jubilee in March?’” said Hank Sanders. My response is: “Yes. Now more than ever!”
Faya Rose Toure, Founder and National Coordinator of The Bridge Crossing Jubilee said: “The Bridge Crossing Jubilee is needed every year. But in light of the massive devastation in Selma, it is needed now more than ever. The Bridge Crossing Jubilee 2023 is an opportunity to not just build back Selma but to build the Beloved Community in Selma.”
Sanders said: “Every year tens of thousands of people come from across the country and across the world to participate in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. They come on a spiritual journey. They get revived spiritually. They share with others from across the country and world. But they do not leave anything behind in Selma. This year, we are asking folks to come and be spiritually revived and to share with one another but to continue to do something to help build the Beloved Community in Selma.”
“It is not enough to build Selma back as it was. This is an opportunity to build Selma into the Beloved Community that those Foot Soldiers on the Bridge risked their lives to build,” said Toure. We are asking all organizations in and out of Selma to develop their own initiatives consistent with the Selma of justice, fairness and prosperity. The 2023 Bridge Crossing Jubilee – Now More Than Ever!” said Toure.
Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn said: “We need all the help we can get to overcome the devastation wrought by this tornado. We need as many people as possible to come to Selma during The Bridge Cross Jubilee to see the devastation so that they can help.”
Dr James Mitchell, Chairman of the Selma to Montgomery March Commemoration Foundation, said: “Many national leaders and other national personalities have been invited to the 2023 Jubilee, and we expect so many of them to come because they come every year but also because of the devastation in Selma. In fact, we expect more people to come this year than usual, and that has been many tens of thousands each year. Also, the Annual Martin & Coretta King Unity Breakfast will be back in the WCCS gym this year.”
Dr. Margaret Hardy, Jubilee Board Member, said: “I and others are making donations in the name of The Bridge Crossing Jubilee to help those in crisis in Selma as a result of the tornado devastation.” Members of the Selma-to-Montgomery March Foundation and the Bridge Crossing Jubilee and other leaders held a press conference today at 11:00 a.m. on the Selma side of the Foot of the Bridge concerning a very special Bridge Crossing Jubilee in light of the devastating tornado that hit Selma. The new theme in the aftermath of the tornado devastation in Selma is “The Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee 2023 – Now More Than Ever.”
For more information, contact: Hank Sanders (334) 782-1651 and Hank23Sanders@gmail.com
As of January 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM
(According to Alabama Political Reporter)
Alabama had 1,602,891 confirmed cases of coronavirus,
(15,667) more than last report, with 20,846 deaths (70) more
than last report.
Greene County had 2,240 confirmed cases, 21 more cases than last report), with 53 deaths
Sumter Co. had 3,083 cases with 55 deaths
Hale Co. had 5,615 cases with 110 deaths
Note: Greene County Physicians Clinic has testing and vaccination for COVID-19; including the new bivalent booster for Omicron variants. Call for appointments at 205/372-3388, Ext. 142;
ages 5 and up.
By: Jacob Holmes, Alabama Political Reporter
Congresswoman Terri Sewell *D-AL7), Gov. Kay Ivey, and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt toured Selma and Autauga counties on Friday to see the damage and devastation left by a long-track tornado that hit both communities on Thursday.
The tornado took the lives of six people in the Old Kingston area of Autauga County and caused “at least EF-3” damage shortly after causing destruction in Selma.
“Our prayers continue to be with Alabamians across our state who were impacted by Thursday’s severe weather, especially those who have lost loved ones, those who have been injured, and those who have lost their homes and livelihoods,” Britt said. “We saw damage and destruction, but we also witnessed the best of Alabama – people from all walks of life coming together to help each other.
My office is working alongside our partners in Alabama’s congressional delegation to support Governor Ivey’s request for an expedited federal major disaster declaration, and we will continue to work to ensure every possible federal resource is made available to affected Alabamians.
“Thank you to the courageous law enforcement officers, first responders, and linemen who have been working tirelessly to serve their fellow Alabamians across impacted communities. We are grateful for the incredible volunteers, like those I visited with today, who are already giving their time, talent, and resources to help complete strangers get back on their feet.”
Sewell, a Selma native, said seeing the damage was heartbreaking. “I am keeping my constituents and all those affected in my prayers,” Sewell said. “The people of the Black Belt are strong, and we will get through this together.”
Sewell said Friday that she would be working to get federal funding to help in the recovery, and Sunday, President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in the state to open up that flow of funds.
“I’m thankful that President Biden has heard our calls and expedited a declaration of major disaster for the State of Alabama following Thursday’s devastating storms,” Sewell said. “This declaration will free up critical federal resources to relieve, recover and rebuild. I look forward to continuing to partner with Gov. Ivey, Alabama’s congressional delegation, as well as state, local, and community stakeholders to use these resources as an opportunity to build back Selma and all the affected areas better for the people of Alabama.”
“The outpouring of support for our communities has been truly heartening, and I join in thanking everyone who has offered their support now and into the future. This will be a marathon, not a sprint, but rest assured we will come back stronger than before.”
Persons interested in assisting the Alabama tornado relief effort may contact the Black Belt Community Foundation, which is based in Selma at bit.ly/BBCFDisasterRElief; or if you wan6t to help rebuild Radio Station WBFZ 105.3 in Selma, may contact: https://gofundme/e692dbe4.
Greene County hit as well by tornado
For the second time in six weeks, Eutaw, Alabama in Greene County, was struck by tornados again on January 12, after being hit on November 29. In the first storm 14 residents at Sagewood Apartments were displaced when the tornado sliced through their building. That storm also toppled many trees in the area behind Kirkwood.
For the latest storm, last week, many trees were knocked down and blocked streets until the city employees and volunteers could come with chain saws and clear a path for vehicles.
Mayor Johnson says she is talking with Congresswoman Sewell to get the Federal disaster declaration extended to include Greene County to make FEMA and Federal funds available.
Jan. 16, 2023 (GIN) Africa was ever on the mind of Martin Luther King Jr. and his concerns for the continent appear in in his many papers in the King Institute.
MLK spoke out about the Congo at an event celebrating the independence of Kenya. “There are many problems on a world scale today and one of them is the Congo.”
“The Congo problem can be solved when there is a withdrawal of all foreign troops and mercenaries,” he said. “The problem must be solved by negotiations, with the United Nations offering its assistance.”
“We must not rest in any nation until the problem is solved in South Africa. I called for a massive boycott of that country because of the vicious regime existing there.”
In another speech in Stockholm Cathedral, Dr. King said there could be no peace in the world as long as conditions such as those in Mississippi and South Africa continued.
And at an Africa Freedom Dinner at Atlanta University at the end of a five week U.S. tour by Kenyan nationalist leader Tom Mboya, Dr. King observed: “Our struggle is not an isolated one. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.”
“As you well know,” he continued, “there is a great revolution going on all over our world. And we think of the fact that just thirty or forty years ago there were only two countries in Africa that had independence at that particular time—that was Liberia and Ethiopia. And today eight countries have been added to that number, and in 1960 four more will be added: Somalia, Togoland, the Cameroons and the largest country in Africa, Nigeria.
“This reveals that an old order is passing away. And our guest speaker is one of the great leaders in this struggle for freedom and independence.
“And in a real sense what we are trying to do in the South and in the United States is a part of this worldwide struggle for freedom and human dignity. Our struggle is not an isolated struggle; it is not a detached struggle, but it is a part of 1959 the worldwide revolution for freedom and justice.”
So we are concerned about what is happening in Africa and what is happening in Asia because we are a part of this whole movement. And we want Mr. Mboya to know, as he prepares to go back to Africa.”
That we go with him iin spirit and with our moral support and even with our financial support.
“Certainly injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And so long as problems exist in Africa, or in Asia, or in any section of the United States, we must be concerned about it.”
“I hope as a result of this meeting we will go out with grim and bold determination to make the ideal of first-class citizenship a reality. And that we will go away with a new concern for Africa and Asia and all of the oppressed peoples over the world as they struggle to realize the dream of brotherhood and man’s love for all men.”