Department of Justice Investigating Racial Practices by Chicago Police by Hazel Trice Edney

Dec. 8, 2015

Department of Justice Investigating Racial Practices by Chicago Police
Announcement wins applause from Congressional Black Caucus
By Hazel Trice Edney

Attorney General Loretta Lynch

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced this week that she will launch a “pattern or practice” investigation into whether the Chicago Police Department has engaged in racially discriminatory conduct in arrests, use of force, and other police procedures.

“Today, I am here to announce that the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into whether the Chicago Police Department has engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of the constitution or federal law,” Lynch announced at a press conference Monday. “Specifically, we will examine a number of issues related to the Chicago Police Department’s use of force, including its use of deadly force, racial/ethnic disparities in its use of force, and its accountability mechanisms such as its disciplinary actions and its allegations of misconduct. This investigation has been requested by a number of state and local officials and community leaders, but has been opened only after preliminary review and careful consideration of how the Justice Department can best use our tools and our resources to meet Chicago’s needs.”

The announcement received widespread applause in the national civil rights community, seeing the move as a signal for justice in long suffering Black communities across the country.

“The Congressional Black Caucus has asserted for years that African Americans are treated unfairly and disproportionally in the criminal justice system,” Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield, in a statement. “The multiple shooting incidents involving police in Chicago and across the country serve as further proof that bias and excessive use of force by law enforcement are real in the African American community.”

Butterfield said Chicago Rep. Bobby L. Rush, just last week, sent a letter to Attorney General Lynch, requesting the investigation. “These incidents are not isolated and reflect a pervasive pattern of racial bias in policing,” Butterfield said.

The announcement from Lynch comes amidst the latest national outrage and protests pertaining to a police shooting.

Chicago teen, 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was shot 16 times by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke more than a year ago. Yet, Van Dyke was just arrested and charged with murder last month – after a video tape of the killing was released to the public by court order.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced last week that Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy had been fired after calls from protestors and civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. But citizens say that others, including Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and the mayor, should also go.

Protestors insist that a coverall took place in the killing. It has also been revealed that police reports of the incident, claiming that McDonald tried to kill Van Dyke, were simply not true, based on the tape. McDonald was clearly walking away from the officers when he was shot 16 times.

Lynch says the Department of Justice’s investigation will look into years of practices in Chicago. She also signaled that investigations in other cities could ensue with a goal of improved police-community relations.

“The Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of law enforcement throughout the United States. Every American expects and deserves the protection of law enforcement that is affective, that is responsive, that is respectful and most importantly – constitutional. And each day, thanks to the tireless dedication of men and women who wear the badge, citizens from coast to coast receive just that,” Lynch said. “But when community members feel that they are not receiving that kind of policing. When they feel ignored, let down or mistreated by public safety officials, there are profound consequences for the well-being of their communities. There are profound consequences for the rule of law, and for the countless law enforcement officers who strive to fulfill their duties with professionalism and integrity.”

The investigation will be similar to that which revealed years of gross racial discrimination after the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. Like Ferguson, Lynch said the investigation will be thorough and open to citizens who have long awaited opportunities to be heard. A report of the DOJ findings will be publically released at the conclusion of the investigation.

“The team will meet with a broad cross section of community members, city officials, and law enforcement command staff and officers to both explain our process and to hear from anyone who wishes to share information relevant to this investigation,” said Lynch, who is America’s first Black woman attorney general. “Our goal in this investigation – as in all of our pattern or practice investigations – is not to focus on individuals, but to improve systems – to ensure that officers are being provided with the tools that they need – including training, policy guidance and equipment to be more effective, to partner with civilians, and to strengthen public safety.”

She concluded, “When suspicion and hostility are allowed to fester, it can erupt into unrest. Building trust between law enforcement officers and the communities that we serve is one my highest priorities as attorney general. The Department of Justice intends to do everything that we can to foster those bonds and to create safer and fairer communities across the country.”

In Visit to Nairobi Slums, Pope Decries Greed of the Elites

Dec. 6, 2015

In Visit to Nairobi Slums, Pope Decries Greed of the Elites

Pope Francis in Popemobile

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from Global Information Network

(TriceEdneyWire.com) –The head of the Catholic Church, making a historic trip to three countries in Africa, stopped in Nairobi’s Kangemi “informal settlement”, one of the city’s 12 enormous slums where approximately 60 percent of the population resides.

With no sewage system and limited electricity, about 200,000 people live in Kangemi under tin roofs, on steep slopes rolling down to the Nairobi River.

After riding to St. Joseph the Worker, a Jesuit-run church, in his popemobile, Pope Francis waded through the crowds, grasping the hands of parishioners, amidst singing and drumming.

Before his address, a short video of Kenya’s dismal “informal settlements” was shown.

Following a short welcome in the local language, and testimonies from church leaders of the “evictions, fires and floods”, unaffordable schools fees, overall insecurity, the taking of land, the Pope rose to condemn land grabbing and the denial of basic services.

The urban poor, Francis said, were being denied a “sacred right” to lands, jobs and housing. “These are the wounds inflicted by minorities who cling to power and wealth, who selfishly squander while a growing majority is forced to flee to abandoned, filthy and rundown peripheries.”

Speaking in Spanish, he referred to “ideological colonization”, saying that population-control policies were being imposed to protect the high-consumption lifestyles of richer nations.

His next trip to Uganda took him to the Namugongo shrines, dedicated to the Anglican and Catholic converts in Uganda who were burned, speared and tortured by a local king after they refused to renounce their Christian beliefs. Twenty-two Catholic martyrs were canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

His visit disappointed some gay activists who see a growing threat of violence against homosexuals. Frank Mugisha, head of Sexual Minorities Uganda said the pope had talked about the subject in private meetings. “If nothing comes out, it’s not him as a person, it’s the Vatican or the Catholic Church, Mr. Mugisha said. “In his heart, I think it is something he would have loved to talk about.”

Elsewhere, the Pope visited with HIV-infected children at a Uganda hospital and kissed each one, listened to moving testimony from a girl born with the virus and thanked the church's health care workers for caring for those infected.

Finally, the last leg of his trip took him to the Central African Republic where he spoke to Muslims who sought shelter in the PK5 district of the capital Bangui.

He later celebrated Mass in Bangui, and urged people to arm themselves "with justice, love, mercy and authentic peace"…"Together, we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself. God is peace, 'salaam,' " the pope said, using the Arabic word for peace.

Festive White House Christmas Tree Lighting Defies Fears of Terrorism by Hazel Trice Edney

Dec. 6, 2015

Festive White House Christmas Celebration Defies Fears of Terrorism
By Hazel Trice Edney

As thousands of people gathered in President's Park for the Christmas tree lighting and celebration Dec. 3, the White House flag could be seen in the distance, flying at half staff in mourning for victims of the San Bernardino terrorist attack. Two secret service agents are also seen on the roof of the White House watching for security threats. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire

An annual tradition, First Lady Michelle Obama reads the book, "Twas the Night Before Christmas", surrounded by children and Miss Piggy. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire

With Christmas lights in the background, President Obama tells the crowd, to "summon the spirit of togetherness that’s always helped to kindle America’s shining example to the world.". PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire

Performing in front of the Christmas tree, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, a New Orleans native, serenades the crowd with jazzy Christmas carols. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire

First family press the button to light the White House Christmas tree. Pictured are Hostess, actress Reese Witherspoon; Sasha Obama; Grandma Marian Robinson; Malia Obama, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire

Adults and children in the diverse crowd await the lighting of the White House Christmas tree. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire

Bundled for the weather, this woman awaited the start of the festive program, that lasted more than an hour. PHOTO: Hazel Trice Edney

Celebrants braved the cold as they enjoyed music while waiting for the Christmas tree lighting. PHOTO: Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - With the White House flag flying at half-staff in the wake of America’s most recent mass shooting, thousands gathered in President’s Park Dec. 3, determined to celebrate the holiday season at the White House Christmas tree lighting.

“Merry Christmas everybody!” President Obama shouted to a cheering and applauding crowd as he took the microphone at the festive, star-studded event.

But, not far into his remarks, he acknowledged the pain of families, friends and co-workers of 14 people killed and 21 wounded in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif. Dec. 2. The incident is seen as the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001. The San Bernardino attack compounded alright deep concerns after the terrorist killing of 14 people in Paris Nov. 13.

“Now, this is, of course, the most wonderful time of the year. But we would be remiss not to take a moment to remember our fellow Americans whose hearts are heavy tonight – who grieve for loved ones, especially in San Bernardino, California,” the President said. “Their loss is our loss, too, for we’re all one American family. We look out for each other in good times, and in bad. And they should know that all of us care about them this holiday season. They’re in our thoughts, they’re in our prayers, and we send them our love.”

The applauding audience had come to celebrate the 93rd lighting of the National Christmas Tree, often viewed as the official start of the holiday season. But, their minds were not far from the heaviness of the controversial issues swirling in America; not only international terrorism, but domestic terrorism, including the constant threat of racial violence against Blacks and police shootings of Black people.

One woman reflected on the need to defy fears of terrorism by simply going about your business and acting normal. “It’s just a great night to be around people you love and that’s what’s normal,” she said, identifying herself only as Carmalita D. from San Francisco.

Wesley Nerette, who traveled from Miami to the DC event, apparently agreed. “You just have to keep on going,” he said. “I didn’t want to miss this chance to celebrate the opening of the Christmas season.”

As the president was joined by the first family to light the tree, watching over them were members of the Secret Service on top of the White House, standing beside the flag poll that honored the San Bernardino victims. The audience sang Christmas carols – everything from “Silent Night” to a closing round of “Jingle Bells”, led by President Obama.

The main program was hosted by Academy Award-winner Reese Witherspoon. The event also included “two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famers David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash; multi-platinum selling artists Fall Out Boy; retro-pop-soul singer Andra Day; Grammy-nominated singer Aloe Blacc; Bellamy Young; chart-topping singer/songwriter Kelsea Ballerini; multi-instrumentalist Tori Kelly; musician, producer, and philanthropist Trombone Shorty; the Joyous String Ensemble; and the United States Coast Guard Band,” according to TheNationalTree.org. First Lady Michelle Obama did the annual reading of “Twas the Night before Christmas” with Miss Piggy.

Comforting the audience, President Obama stressed the meaning of Christmas as being “The spirit of giving and compassion”.

He concluded, “That’s the message of the child whose birth families like mine celebrate on Christmas - a prince born in a stable who taught us that we should love our neighbors as ourselves; and that we are our brothers’ keeper and our sisters’ keepers; that we should feed the hungry, visit the sick, welcome the stranger. These are the lessons of Jesus Christ. But they’re also the bedrock values of all faiths –- values to be cherished and embraced not only during the holidays, but to be practiced in our daily lives.”

Five Morgan State Students Named National Innovation Fellows by Zenitha Prince

Dec. 7, 2015

Five Morgan State Students Named National Innovation Fellows

By Zenitha Prince

Morgan State's 2015 Innovation Fellows are: sophomores Mareco Edwards II (accounting) and Iyanna Patterson (business administration); and juniors Ravin Jajistar (electrical and computer engineering); Abdoul Mohammed (transportation systems engineering); and Michael Shiferaw (electrical and computer engineering).

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Afro American Newspaper

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Five Morgan State University students were among 150 distinguished students from more than 50 institutions nationwide to be named University Innovation Fellows by the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation or Epicenter.

The program grooms its designees to be change-makers in their schools, according to its website. During rigorous six-week training, participants learn different tools, program models and more so they can in turn create opportunities for their peers to be inspired and gain the knowledge and skills to become global problem-solvers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Fellows host events, design innovation hubs, start entrepreneurships organizations and even work with faculty to develop new courses as part of their mission, according to Epicenter’s website.

“We’ve trained more than 450 students at 130 institutions in the last four years,” according to Humera Fasihuddin, co-leader of the University Innovation Fellows program, in a statement. “Faculty and administrators are funding a consistent supply of students to go through the program because they can count on Fellows to make a big impact. Fellows understand the big picture and use their resourcefulness, creativity and national network to make measurable gains on campus, both in the number of resources and the students served by the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

Morgan’s 2015 Innovation Fellows are: sophomores Mareco Edwards II (accounting) and Iyanna Patterson (business administration); and juniors Ravin Jajistar (electrical and computer engineering), Abdoul Mohammed (transportation systems engineering) and Michael Shiferaw (electrical and computer engineering). The recent cohort brings to seven the number of Morgan students to be so distinguished.

“According to students who have become Fellows, this is a transformative experience,” said Mary K. Foster, an assistant professor in Morgan’s Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, who serves as the group’s faculty sponsor. “Being able to meet students from other campuses across the country and to learn state-of-the-art innovation skills changes their thinking and opens doors to possibilities they had never considered.”

World Bank Unveils Ambitious Climate Business Plan for Africa

Dec. 6, 2015

World Bank Unveils Ambitious Climate Business Plan for Africa

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - "Africans had the least responsibility for putting carbon in the air and yet they're feeling the brunt of climate change."

That was the view expressed by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim at the launch of the 21^st climate change conference – known as COP21 – opening this week. He added: "We want to make sure Africa is not forgotten at the Paris COP21.”

This week, the Bank unveiled an ambitious Africa Climate Business Plan designed to help poor countries by fast-tracking clean energy, efficient farming and urban protection. The measures promise to greatly increase renewable energy across the continent, bolster food production and lead to the planting of billions of trees.

It is also hoped that the scheme will improve life in cities and reduce poverty, migration and conflict.

The continent of nearly 1 billion people, which emits just 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, will be affected more than anywhere else by even the smallest rise in global temperatures, said the bank’s president.

“A country like the Democratic Republic of Congo has enormous hydropower possibilities through the Congo River," he said.

“Our research shows that climate shocks in sub-Saharan Africa could have far-ranging impact on everything from child stunting and malaria to food price increases and droughts,” said Kim.

Even if warming does not exceed 2 centigrade, sub-Saharan Africa can expect large increases in poverty and malnutrition, the bank said in its report. But if temperatures rise 3-4C, which they are on course to do by the end of the century if no action is taken, heat extremes could affect 70%–80% of Africa’s land area in the summer months, and much of southern and central Africa would be at risk of severe drought.

The bank proposes that $500 million be spent to reduce deforestation and increase wildlife protection in 14 countries. It also aims to restore up to 247 million acres of degraded and deforested land by 2030. Much of the money needed would come from carbon funds and initiatives expected to be finalized at the Paris talks.

Another $2.5 billion would be spent in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria on irrigation, dams, and large-scale flood protection projects, the bank proposes. This, it hopes, could protect and provide electricity to 3 million people.

In the Zambesi basin, countries like Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe would share $3.6 billion in investments in hydropower, water transfers, irrigation and flood control.

Nearly $8 billion would be spent on solar energy by 2024, both for cities connected to the grid and off-grid communities, under the terms of the plan.

It could include funds to build concentrated solar power stations, as well as money to expand the growth of mini grids and wind power.

Scientists note that Africa has already been at the receiving end, experiencing droughts, rising sea levels and changing weather patterns linked to El Nino storms from the Pacific Ocean. The waxing and waning of rainfall across sub-Saharan Africa has devastated harvests and led to food shortages.

An additional 43 million people could fall into extreme poverty by 2030 without a reasonable climate plan, warns the Bank. For instance: "Forty per cent of land in Mozambique will no longer be cultivable," noted Kim.

This blueprint for climate change mitigation -meant to start the day after a Paris climate agreement- would be pricey, namely sixteen billion dollars with the Bank raising about a third of the cost.

The rest of the money would have to be levied from various climate finance instruments, or loans that could increase Africa’s debt. Feedback from African environmentalists was not immediately available at press time.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people marched worldwide this weekend demanding action to stop climate change, the day before a UN summit starts in Paris.

One campaign group said more than 570,000 protesters took part in marches on all the main continents.

The conference, which opened Nov. 30, runs until Dec. 11.