The Greene County Democrat

Category: World News

  • Newswire : The president of the Alabama NAACP said a state law banning DEI and divisive concepts was targeted to hurt minority students, and it’s working. 

    Benard Simelton, Alabama NAACP State President

    By John Moon, Alabama Political Reporter

    The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP believes an Alabama law that went into effect in October that eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion programs on college campuses and restricts what professors can teach on matters of race is purposefully harmful to minority students and that the law serves no benefit to white students. 

    Benard Simelton, president of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, told the Alabama Politics This Week podcast that his organization filed a federal lawsuit against the new law because it has already proven harmful to students on college campuses in the state. 

    “This lawsuit is to address what we’re really considering the illegal action by the state to take away some of the things that were offered to minority students on the campus of University of Alabama and other campuses across the state,” Simelton said. “It’s essentially eliminating the opportunity for these students to have access to programs that will help them succeed in college. That can be anything from a physical space where they can join together and communicate and talk and come up with plans to just funding that goes to these students because they are a student organization on the campus of the University of Alabama – on the campuses of universities across the state.”

     The NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama filed the lawsuit on behalf of Simelton’s organization, and on behalf of several students and professors at the University of Alabama and UAB. In addition to raising questions about the legality of blocking DEI programs, the lawsuit also claims that the new law encroaches on the First Amendment rights of students and professors by banning the teaching of “divisive concepts.” 

    Simelton said “divisive concepts” is a code word for topics that delve into sensitive matters of racial history, particularly where a more accurate and thorough history of slavery, Jim Crow and other discriminatory practices are tied to the causation of poverty, incarceration rates and homelessness. 

    But he said the NAACP’s primary concern, at least in the immediate future, is ensuring that minority students – many of whom can feel overwhelmed and out of place on a college campus, resulting in academic struggles – get the reasonable assistance they need to feel welcome and comfortable. 

    “We are hoping that the state relooks at this bill, relooks at this law and at least goes back to modify it to where it does not impact students and faculty the way that it is,” Simelton said. “The DEI programs at these institutions have been a tremendous help to students, students of color. And to take that away takes away a part of what makes a student’s experience at a university worthwhile. They want to come there and get a good education, but you’re taking away some of the things that help them to matriculate and to make it through these universities.”

    Simelton also said that his organization could find no evidence — and that no evidence has ever been offered by lawmakers — that white students were harmed, denied resources or otherwise inconvenienced by the DEI programs on college campuses. 

    The state’s anti-DEI law prohibits universities, public school systems and state agencies from sponsoring DEI programs. That includes classes, training, programs and events where attendance is based on a person’s race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation. In addition, the law prohibits certain divisive concepts, including that a person “should feel guilt because of their race or that fault, blame or bias should be assigned to people based on race, religion, gender or national origin.”

    In practice, however, the law has been a “nightmare,” according to complainants named in the lawsuit. Among several examples of overreach, a social work professor said she was threatened with termination if she didn’t agree to cancel a lesson in which students studied the negative impacts of the anti-DEI law. 

    To listen to Simelton’s interview and for more political news and rational discussions, you can listen to the Alabama Politics This Week podcast at its website or subscribe on all podcast platforms. 

     

  • Newswire: President Trump promises to promote peace while pardoning those who promoted pain

     

    Tech Billionaires attend Trump’s inauguration L. to R. Mark Zuckerberg (Meta-Facebook), Bezos’ fiancé Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Sundar Pichal (Google) and Elon Musk (Tesla)

    By Hazel Trice Edney

    (TriceEdneyWire.com) – President Donald J. Trump, promising in his inaugural address to use his power to “bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent, and totally unpredictable”, has rewarded hundreds of violent Jan. 6 insurrectionists with full pardons and release from prisons despite many of their pleas of guilt.

    Approximately 1,500 of the predominately White crowd, several of whom beat police officers with the United States flag, sprayed them with chemicals, and threatened to hang Vice President Mike Pence, are going free this week with no chance of further punishment for attempting to stop the certification of President Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021. Yet, Trump has repeated called the Jan. 6 insurrection a “day of love.”

    Many of those who protested that day were led by the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, both known as far-right militant organizations. Proud Boys leader, Enrique Tarrio, who had begun his sentence of 22 years and Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, had begun an 18-year sentence are now free after Trump’s pardons. They had been convicted of seditious conspiracy. 

    Ironically, Trump’s inaugural address had spoken of glorious days to come for the nation. “We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety, and peace for citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed,” he said. 

    Despite Trump’s sweeping pardons of the Capitol attackers, there has never been an apology from him for his recently continued and repeated false accusations against the Central Park 5 who were found completely innocent of a Central Park jogger 36 years ago. Nor has he apologized for falsely accusing Haitian people of eating dogs and cats of their Ohio neighbors and the string of other lies against people of color.

    Remarkably, Trump’s inauguration, which appeared to have gone smoothly Jan. 20, complete with an indoor U. S. Capitol swearing in ceremony due to the cold, an indoor parade at the Capital One Arena and three inaugural balls, were all undermined by what appeared to be continued lies, insults and not one good word about Biden; nor Vice President Kamala Harris, who Trump handily defeated.
    “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.  We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.  During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put America first,” Trump said in his inaugural address in front of members of Congress, the U. S. Supreme Court and Presidents Biden, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Vice President Harris and even former Vice President Pence. Several tech billionaires were strategically placed on the dais, in front of Trump’s family members and cabinet selections.

    “Our sovereignty will be reclaimed.  Our safety will be restored.  The scales of justice will be rebalanced.  The vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end,” Trump said to applause. He did not mention the pending pardons during his official inaugural address.

    But only a few hours later, he announced the more than a thousand pardons of what he called, “J-6 hostages.” In campaign promises along the trail over the past months, Trump had promised there would be pardons of those convicted of crimes on Jan. 6. But even his Republican supporters did not expect him to release violent offenders that led to the wounding of more than 140 police officers, the deaths of six others and millions of dollars in damages to the Capitol building.

    “If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned,” then Vice President-elect Vance said in front of cameras only days before the inauguration. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson agreed that he thought Trump was not promising sweeping pardons. On Tuesday, he told Politico that he had not yet seen the list and would be reviewing it.

    “Full pardons. Full pardons,” Trump said repeatedly as he signed the executive orders. He said only about six would receive clemency, which means their slates are not wiped cleaned, but their sentences would end or be significantly reduced.

    Trump supporters have argued that Biden’s pardons of his son, Hunter, weeks ago as well as his pardon of members of his entire family within the last few minutes of his tenure as president may have prompted Trump to release the Jan. 6 convicts. But others argue that Trump likely knew exactly what he was going to do and, besides, Biden’s family members were not violent.

    Another executive order issued by Trump includes ending (DEI) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the federal government. “The injection of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) into our institutions has corrupted them by replacing hard work, merit, and equality with a divisive and dangerous preferential hierarchy,” said a statement on
    NAACP president: anti-DEI law harming students, professors

  • Newswire : McDonald’s is the latest company to roll back diversity goals

    By The Associated Press

    Four years after launching a push for more diversity in its ranks, McDonald’s is ending some of its diversity practices, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.

    McDonald’s is the latest big company to shift its tactics in the wake of the 2023 ruling and a conservative backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Walmart, John Deere, Harley-Davidson and others rolled back their DEI initiatives last year.

    McDonald’s said Monday it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels. It also intends to end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training and increase the number of minorities in their own leadership ranks.

    McDonald’s said it will also pause “external surveys.” The Chicago burger giant didn’t elaborate, but several other companies, including Lowe’s and Ford Motor Co., suspended their participation in an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees.

    McDonald’s rolled out a series of diversity initiatives in 2021 after a spate of sexual harassment lawsuits filed by employees and a lawsuit alleging discrimination by a group of Black former owners of McDonald’s franchises.

    “As a world-leading brand that considers inclusion one of our core values, we will accept nothing less than real, measurable progress in our efforts to lead with empathy, treat people with dignity and respect, and seek out diverse points of view to drive better decision-making,” McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski wrote in a LinkedIn post at the time.

    But McDonald’s said Monday that the “shifting legal landscape” after the Supreme Court decision and the actions of other corporations caused it to take a hard look at its own policies.

    In an open letter to employees and franchisees, McDonald’s senior leadership team said it remains committed to inclusion and believes a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage. The company said 30% of its U.S. leaders are members of underrepresented groups, up from 29% in 2021. McDonald’s previously committed to reaching 35% by the end of this year.

    McDonald’s said it has achieved one of the goals it announced in 2021: gender pay equity at all levels of the company. It also said it expected to achieve a goal of having 25% of total supplier spending go to diverse-owned businesses by the end of the year.

    McDonald’s said it would continue to support efforts that ensure a diverse base of employees, suppliers and franchisees, but its diversity team will now be referred to as the Global Inclusion Team. The company said it would also continue to report its demographic information.

  • Newswire : Vice President Harris announces final rule to remove medical debt from credit reports

    Vice President Kamala Harris discusses regulations on medical debt

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

     Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule to eliminate medical debt from consumer credit reports. The White House explained in a release that the action would remove $49 billion in unpaid medical bills, benefiting 15 million Americans by raising credit scores and improving access to home loans, cars, and small businesses.

    Administration officials further noted that states and localities have already leveraged funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to eliminate over $1 billion in medical debt for more than 700,000 Americans. These efforts are part of a broader push to reduce the financial strain caused by medical emergencies, with jurisdictions projected to eliminate roughly $15 billion in medical debt for up to six million individuals.

    “No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency. That is why we have worked to cancel more than $1 billion in medical debt with support from the American Rescue Plan,” Harris remarked during the announcement. “This final rule ensures that medical debt will no longer be included in credit scores, transforming the financial futures of millions.”

    Medical debt remains the largest source of debt in collections, surpassing credit card, utility, and auto loan debt combined. The CFPB has reported that medical bills are often riddled with errors and inflated charges, making them a poor indicator of an individual’s creditworthiness. Officials added that the rule would remove medical debt from credit reports, building on earlier changes by major credit agencies that excluded specific categories of medical debt.

    According to administration data, jurisdictions including Cook County, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; and New Jersey have relieved hundreds of millions in medical debt for residents. For example, Cook County eliminated $382 million in debt for over 210,000 individuals. North Carolina recently launched an initiative to forgive up to $4 billion in medical debt for nearly two million residents, ensuring hospitals adopt policies that reduce the risk of future debt while improving financial assistance systems.

    The Biden-Harris Administration has also implemented broader reforms to address the root causes of medical debt, including enforcing requirements for tax-exempt hospitals to provide financial assistance, simplifying debt forgiveness processes for veterans, and protecting consumers from surprise medical bills.

    “This unprecedented rule reflects our commitment to lowering costs and creating pathways to financial stability for families across the nation,” Harris stated.

     

  • Newswire :Los Angeles’s historic Black community devastated by Eaton Canyon Fires

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    As flames tore through the picturesque foothills of Altadena and Pasadena on January 7, 2025, the Eaton Canyon fires left a historic Black community—rooted in the Civil Rights Movement—nearly wiped out. Among the hardest-hit areas in Los Angeles County, Altadena has seen its many Black-owned homes, churches, businesses, and landmarks reduced to ashes.

    The unincorporated community in the San Gabriel Valley, home to 42,000 residents, has long stood as a beacon of Black homeownership and middle-class stability. With 18% of its population identifying as Black, Altadena also hosts a diverse community that includes Latino and Asian American residents. Tragically, the Eaton Fire alone destroyed over 1,000 structures, killed at least five residents in Altadena and displaced thousands.
    
“Obviously it’s been a tough couple of days, but our family is making it through,” Los Angeles Sentinel Publisher Danny Bakewell Jr. said in a text to NNPA. “Both my girlfriend & my son lost their homes and the devastation is unreal for so many families -a lot of Black folks.”

    Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, a native of Altadena, lost his beloved childhood home on Loma Alta Drive to the blaze. His mother, Ruthie Hopkins, 81, and his son, Joshua, narrowly escaped thanks to the swift actions of Hopkins’ older brother, who evacuated them to safety.

    Hopkins described the devastation in a GoFundMe post, writing, “This isn’t just a loss for our family; it’s a loss for a community that has thrived despite challenges.” Ruthie Hopkins, the former editor and co-owner of The Pasadena Journal, a Black-owned newspaper, has been a cornerstone of the community for decades. The newspaper is a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents the Black Press of America and is celebrating its 198th anniversary in March.

    The fire also destroyed the family’s SUV, which was vital for Ruthie’s medical appointments. Now, she and Joshua are left with only the clothes they wore when escaping.

    A Legacy Reduced to Ashes

    Altadena’s Black community flourished during the Civil Rights Movement, growing from 4% of the population in 1960 to 27% by 1970, following the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. It became a haven for Black families seeking to escape discrimination elsewhere, offering homeownership opportunities unavailable in most parts of the country.
    Before the fire, Altadena boasted a Black homeownership rate of 81.5%, nearly double the national average for African Americans. Families like Kenneth Snowden’s embodied this legacy. Snowden’s family purchased their first Altadena home in 1962, and nearly 20 years ago, Snowden bought his own home in the area. Both properties were destroyed in the fire.
    “Your $40 million home is no different than my $2 million home,” Snowden told reporters. “Give us the ability to rebuild, restart our lives. If you can spend billions of dollars fighting a war, you can spend a billion dollars to help us get back where we were at.”

    Shawn Brown, founder of Pasadena Rosebud Academy, lost her home and the public charter school she built to serve the community’s children. Brown is working to raise funds to rebuild the school while seeking temporary locations in local churches—though some churches, like Altadena Baptist Church, have also burned.

    Only the bell tower remains at Altadena Baptist. The Rev. George Van Alstine is helping church members navigate the challenges of insurance claims and federal aid. He fears the destruction will lead to gentrification, pushing out long-standing Black residents.
    “We’re seeing families who may have to leave because rebuilding here will be too expensive,” he said.

    Brown urged her fellow Black homeowners to hold onto their properties despite developers’ offers. “Stand strong, rebuild, and continue the generational progress of African Americans,” she said.

    Widespread Loss and Displacement

    The destruction in Altadena mirrors the broader devastation caused by the wildfires sweeping Los Angeles County. Across the region, more than 12,300 structures have been destroyed, and at least 24 lives have been lost. Economic losses are estimated between $250 billion and $275 billion, making this disaster one of the costliest in U.S. history.

    Much of the media coverage has focused on celebrity mansions and wealthy neighborhoods, but Altadena’s plight highlights the profound impact on middle-class communities of color. Residents returned to find homes passed down through generations reduced to rubble.

    Even the Mountain View Cemetery, where pioneering Black science fiction novelist Octavia E. Butler is buried, caught fire. Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower chillingly predicted wildfires caused by climate change, starting on February 1, 2025. Her legacy and connection to the community remain a stark reminder of the fragility of Altadena’s history.

    NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. has maintained close contact with NNPA-member newspapers and media companies in Southern California, including David Miller of Our Weekly, Kenneth Miller of Inglewood Today and Pluria Marshall of the Los Angeles Wave. Both Miller and Marshall confirmed their staff are safe but noted the community’s urgent need for support.

    A Historic Challenge

    The road to recovery remains daunting as the Eaton Fire continues to burn, with containment still at 0%. Fierce Santa Ana winds and dry conditions threaten to worsen the situation, while evacuation orders remain in effect for over 105,000 residents.
    “This fire has changed our lives forever,” Hopkins wrote. “Your support means the world to us as we work to restore some sense of normalcy after this unimaginable loss.”
    Chavis added: “The NNPA stands in solidarity with our member publishers in Los Angeles County and beyond. The devastating wildfires must be met with resolve, compassion and resiliency.”

    How to Help

    As Los Angeles faces this catastrophic crisis, several organizations are mobilizing to assist evacuees and first responders.

    California Fire Foundation: This organization works with local fire agencies and community-based groups to support communities affected by wildfires. They are currently aiding victims of the Palisades Fire.
    World Central Kitchen: Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, the nonprofit provides meals and water to first responders and evacuees on the ground.
    California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund: This fund targets underserved communities and aims to provide long-term recovery relief for those most in need.
    CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation: This group offers financial aid to firefighters and their families, supports burn victims, and promotes firefighter health and safety.
    American Red Cross: Hundreds of volunteers have been deployed to Los Angeles to operate shelters and provide meals, medical care, and emergency supplies to displaced families.
    Airbnb.org and 211 LA: These organizations are collaborating to offer temporary housing for evacuees in Los Angeles County.

  • Newswire : Special Counsel’s Report details systematic efforts by Trump to overturn 2020 election

    Special Counsel Jack Smith

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

     Special Counsel Jack Smith, in a comprehensive 174-page report submitted to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, concluded a thorough investigation into former President Donald J. Trump’s actions aimed at overturning the 2020 presidential election results, and the report concluded that there was sufficient evidence to not only convict Trump but withstand any higher court challenges to such a conviction.

    The damning report meticulously documents attempts by the now-incoming president to disrupt the lawful transfer of power and manipulate the electoral outcome.
    The investigations delineated two principal areas: the direct manipulation of election results through pressure on state officials and the unlawful retention of classified documents post-presidency. Despite significant public and personal attacks, Smith’s team strictly adhered to fairness and non-partisanship, the report said.

    Smith details specific incidents and revealed that Trump applied intense pressure on several state officials, leveraging baseless claims of electoral fraud to alter the outcomes. Notably, on January 2, 2021, Trump explicitly requested Georgia’s Secretary of State to “find 11,780 votes,” precisely the number required to overturn Biden’s victory.

    The report also exposed a coordinated scheme to submit fraudulent electoral certificates from seven states where Trump lost. This was part of a broader strategy to obstruct the January 6, 2021, Congressional certification. Smith said Trump and his associates orchestrated this plan, despite clear indications from numerous officials, including Republicans, who affirmed the election’s integrity and resisted these subversive efforts.
    Following a rigorous investigation, the Special Counsel’s office found “substantial federal interests in prosecuting Mr. Trump, citing the paramount importance of protecting electoral integrity and the peaceful transfer of power.”

    “Our work rested upon the fundamental value of our democracy that we exist as a government of laws and not of men,” Smith concluded.
     

  • Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement (ACRMM) sponsors activities in Greene County to honor Dr. Martin Luther Kings ‘s birthday

    Spiver W. Gordon, Rev.Samuel Ezell and Mary R.McInnis

    The Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement, Inc., (ACRMM) is sponsoring a series of programs commemorating the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to Greene County, the State of Alabama, and this nation. Mr. Spiver W. Gordon, ACRMM President, organizes these events each year in celebration and as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of so many leaders who brought about civil, social, and economic changes in our lives.
    The work of Dr. King and SCLC, the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the National Democratic Party of Alabama (NDPA) and others provided the courageous leadership that changed laws and practices on voting rights, holding public office, desegregating public education, public accommodations, and employment opportunities for Black people in particular. As Mr. Gordon noted: “These rights are still not secured, especially the right to vote. There are strong movements to diminish those and other civil rights going on right now.”
    The annual events of ACRMM, open to the public, are scheduled as follows: On Wednesday January 15, 2025, at 10:00 am, the Dr. MKL, Jr. Educational Seminar Student Development Session will be held at New Peace Baptist Church on Prairie Ave., Eutaw, AL.
    Greene County High School students are the primary invitees. State Representative Curtis Travis the keynote speaker, with special guest, Dr. Monty Thorton and Dr. Dionne Edison, Moderator of Eutaw, AL.
    On Sunday, January 19 at 3:00 p.m., the MLK, Jr. County Wide Freedom Gospel Singing at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Eutaw, AL Rev. Toya Brown, Pastor. Rev. Kelvin Cockrell, Keynote Speaker Eutaw, AL.
    On Monday, January 20, 2025, Freedom Unity Breakfast will be held at the Eutaw Activity Center on Harris Ave., Eutaw, AL, Rev. / Dr. Samuel Ezell, of Zion Brush Creek, Eutaw Alabama, is the keynote speaker. The Freedom Breakfast is followed by the Countywide Freedom March to the William M. Branch Courthouse. Religious Women Freedom Rally, 10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker, Hon. Mary R. McInnis, Special Guests, Dr. Carol P. Zippert, Pastor Carolyn Branch and others.
    Come join us for music, food, and celebration, “We can never let ourselves forget from whence we have come. We must keep the vigil to protect our rights and continue to serve and build our communities,” Gordon said.

  • Newswire : DOJ provides update on January 6 investigation as MAGA Republicans spew false claims, as a preview to Trump pardons

    U. S. Capitol under attack by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    On Monday, January 6, 2025, the Department of Justice released a detailed update on its ongoing investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The attack disrupted a joint session of Congress certifying the 2020 presidential election results and caused extensive injuries and damages. The DOJ report comes as Georgia GOP Rep. Mike Collins, and other MAGA Republicans faces criticism for false claims about the events of that day.

    In a post on X, Collins described the insurrection as a peaceful gathering, alleging that “thousands of peaceful grandmothers” had toured the Capitol. He claimed individuals “peacefully explored the building before leaving” and that “hundreds of peaceful protestors” had been unfairly prosecuted.

    Collins’ description of the attack conflicts with DOJ findings. The department reported that more than 140 police officers were assaulted during the riot, including over 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and over 60 from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Property damage exceeded $2.8 million, and stolen government property added to the losses.

    DOJ Investigation Milestones

    As of January 3, 2025, the DOJ has charged approximately 1,583 individuals in connection with the Capitol attack:

    608 defendants face charges for assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement, including 174 accused of using dangerous weapons.
    18 individuals have been charged with seditious conspiracy. 91 have been charged with destruction of government property, and 68 with theft of government property.
    All defendants face charges related to trespassing or disorderly conduct.
    In addition, over 1,000 defendants have pleaded guilty, including 327 to felony charges, and 667 have been sentenced to incarceration.

    The DOJ said it continues to pursue suspects, including those captured on video assaulting law enforcement officers, and is asking for public assistance in identifying fugitives.

    During the Presidential campaign, Donald Trump said he wanted to pardon all participants in the January 6th attack on the Capitol on his first day in office. Since winning the 2024 election, Trump said he was evaluating pardons on a “case by case” basis.

    Law Enforcement Responds to False Narratives

    Former U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who was injured in the attack, rejected Collins’ claims and criticized efforts to minimize the events of January 6. Gonell, who has testified about his experiences, said Trump’s promises to pardon rioters dishonor the sacrifices made by officers.

    “Releasing those who assaulted us from blame would be a desecration of justice,” Gonell said in a statement. “Trump and the rioters broke laws and committed crimes. They should not be rewarded.” Gonell added that such actions could endanger officers like himself who continue to testify in court.

    Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn echoed those concerns. Referring to Trump’s recent election win, Dunn described it as a “gut punch.” He added, “The voters sent a message that what happened on January 6 wasn’t a big enough deal to disqualify him.”

    Leaders Reflect on January 6

    President Joe Biden called for accountability and defended the need for a peaceful transfer of power. “We’ve got to get back to basic, normal transfer of power,” he said.

    Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighed in, questioning the rationale behind pardoning individuals involved in the attack. “It’s really a strange person who’s going to be president of the United States who thinks that it’s OK to pardon people who are engaged in an attack,” she said.

    Gonell, in his remarks, urged Americans not to forget the sacrifices made by law enforcement that day. “These dishonorable elected officials are alive because of what officers like myself did, not because of the mob’s lack of trying,” he said. “Remember the names of the officers who died and the families they left behind.”
     

  • Newswire : Surgeon General warns alcohol consumption increases cancer risk, urges new warning labels

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued an advisory linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of cancer, calling for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverages to inform consumers better. Alcohol is listed as one of the leading preventable causes of cancer in the United States, contributing to 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths each year.

    Current warning labels on alcoholic beverages focus on general health risks, impaired driving, and pregnancy-related concerns but omit the established connection to cancer. Dr. Murthy urged Congress to mandate updated labels that address the cancer risks associated with alcohol consumption—a move like requirements for cigarette packaging.

    Research Confirms Alcohol-Cancer Connection

    Decades of research confirm that alcohol is causally linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, colorectal, and throat cancers. For example, studies show that consuming even one drink daily raises the risk of breast cancer by 10 percent compared to non-drinkers, while the risk of mouth cancer increases by 40 percent for the same level of consumption.

    The advisory explains that the lifetime risk of breast cancer for women rises from 11.3 percent for those drinking less than one drink per week to 13.1 percent for those consuming one daily and 15.3 percent for two daily beverages. Among men, the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers increases from 10 percent with less than one drink per week to 11.4 percent for one drink daily and 13 percent for two daily beverages.

    The Surgeon General noted that cancer risk increases with higher alcohol consumption but added that even low levels of drinking are not without risk. Health officials have noted that there is no safe limit for alcohol consumption, which aligns with the World Health Organization’s findings.

    Mechanisms Behind Alcohol-Related Cancers

    The Surgeon General’s advisory notes several ways in which alcohol contributes to cancer development. Dr. Murthy noted that alcohol breaks down in the body into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that damages DNA and interferes with cellular repair processes. He said it generates reactive oxygen species, leading to inflammation and further DNA damage. Additionally, alcohol alters hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a role in breast cancer development.

    Alcohol’s interaction with tobacco also increases the absorption of carcinogens, compounding the risk for cancers of the mouth and throat. These biological pathways are consistent across different types of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.

    Global Perspective and Recommendations

    Globally, alcohol was linked to over 740,000 cancer cases in 2020. While countries such as South Korea and Ireland have begun implementing cancer-specific warnings on alcohol labels, the United States lags. Ireland, for instance, reportedly plans to introduce labels by 2026 stating a direct connection between alcohol and fatal cancers.

    Dr. Murthy recommended strengthening public education campaigns to increase awareness of the risks associated with alcohol. He also encouraged healthcare providers to inform patients about these risks and incorporate alcohol screening into routine care.
    “Many people assume that drinking within current guidelines of one drink daily for women and two for men is safe, but the evidence does not support that assumption,” Dr. Murthy said. “Less is better when it comes to reducing cancer risk.”

  • Newswire : Rep. Sewell celebrates passage of her legislation to rename the Marion Post Office in Perry Co. Alabama, after Civil Rights Legend Albert Turner, Sr.


    Rep. Sewell celebrates passage of her legislation to rename the Marion Post Office in Perry Co. Alabama, after Civil Rights Legend Albert Turner, Sr. 


    Washington, D.C. —U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) celebrated the passage of her legislation to rename the Marion Post Office after the late civil rights leader Albert Turner, Sr. H.R. 7893 passed the Senate unanimously on December 19th. The bill previously passed the House of Representatives in the summer. It was signed into law by President Biden on January 4, 2025..
     
    The bill was supported by every member of Alabama’s congressional delegation.
     
    “Albert Turner Sr. was a civil rights legend whose enormous contributions to Perry County, the State of Alabama, and our nation should never be forgotten,” said Rep. Sewell. “I am thrilled that Congress has passed my bill to honor his legacy by officially renaming the Marion Post Office after him. I thank my colleagues of the Alabama Delegation for their help getting this important legislation across the finish line.”
     
    “I and my family are deeply honored that the United States Congress saw fit to recognize my father and the significant contributions he made to the civil rights of Americans,” said Perry County Commissioner Albert Turner, Jr. “I personally want to thank the entire Alabama delegation, both Democratic and Republicans, who made this idea into law. More specifically, I want to thank the sponsor, my Congresswoman, Terri Sewell, for leading the charge of honoring my hero, my father, Albert Turner, Sr.”    
     
    Albert Turner, Sr. was born in Perry County, Alabama in 1936. He devoted his life to the Civil Rights Movement, fighting to ensure equal access to the ballot box for African Americans. Turner worked closely with prominent leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., served as the Alabama Field Secretary for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and founded the Perry County Civic League to organize protests and boycotts for the racial integration of public facilities and schools.

    Turner also served as Manager of the Southwest Alabama Farmers Cooperative (SWAFCA), a ten county association of farmers in the Alabama Black Belt, to market cucumbers, okra and other vegetable products. Turner also worked to involve the cooperative in producing alcohol fuel from agricultural waste – which was a forward-looking plan to produce renewable fuel to combat climate change.

    In 1985, Turner, his wife Evelyn and Spencer Hoage were indicted on over 200 counts of “voter fraud” by then U. S. Attorney Jeff Sessions, for their work to help people in Perry County to use the absentee ballot. A Federal jury acquitted the three of all charges at a trial that was designed to intimate Back voters but failed.

    Turner passed away on April 13, 2000, at the age of 64.

    Plans for an official ceremony for the post office re-naming are pending. H.R. 7893 will officially rename the Marion Post Office, located at 306 Pickens Street, as the “Albert Turner, Sr. Post Office Building.”
     
    Bill text is available  from Congresswoman Sewell’s office and website.