Rep. Jim Clyburn to put forth legislation to rename voting rights bill after John Lewis

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn will offer legislation Monday to rename a House-passed voting rights bill after the late Rep. John Lewis, who was brutalized in the 1960s during efforts to secure voting rights for African Americans.

"Congressman Clyburn is offering legislation to rename H.R. 4 The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act tomorrow. The name change is expected to pass by unanimous consent," Clyburn's spokeswoman, Hope Derrick, said in a Sunday statement.

Clyburn, a Democrat who represents South Carolina, said last week that the best way to honor Lewis' life is for the Senate to consider the measure.

"I think that Trump and the Senate leadership, Mitch McConnell, by their deeds if they so celebrate the heroism of this man, then let's go to work and pass that bill because it's laid out the way the Supreme Court asked us to lay it out," he told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of The Union."

"And if the President were to sign that, then I think that's what we would do to honor John. It should be the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of 2020. That's the way to do it. Words may be powerful, but deeds are lasting," he said.

{SOURCE: CNN]

Mayor Lightfoot Says She Has 'Drawn A Very Tight Line' With Federal Agents

In an interview on CNN, Mayor Lightfoot told Jake Tapper she has made it clear to federal authorities that if they cross the line, she will use every tool at her disposal to stop them.

Rep. Karen Bass on VP talk: Willing to serve however I can

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Karen Bass tells CNN's Jake Tapper that she's wants to do whatever she can to help Joe Biden get elected.

NAACP ANNOUNCES VIRTUAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Virtual programming on 57th anniversary of March on Washington will advance a bold Black agenda; honor the legacy of John Lewis 

BALTIMORE — The NAACP announced that it will lead a “2020 Virtual March on Washington” alongside civil rights leaders, activists, and families of those who died at the hands of law enforcement, to call for police accountability reform and mobilize voters ahead of the November elections. 

The virtual march — which will bring forward a bold National Black agenda  — will take place on August 28th, 2020, the 57th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Accompanying virtual events with music performances and keynote speakers will also take place on the nights of August 27th and 28th.

“To meet both the urgency and unique circumstances of this political moment, we are driving this movement from protest to policy to power with all the innovative tools at our disposal, including and especially through virtual organizing,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of NAACP. “Our 2020 Virtual March on Washington is about asking everyone — from protesters in the streets to elected officials at all levels of government — to commit to pursuing a new agenda that prioritizes equity, justice, and equal opportunity for all. As we approach the November elections, we must mobilize to vote like we’ve never done before.”

This inclusive day of action seeks to channel the soaring energy from this national moment of reckoning and will call for reforms of the systems, structures, policies, and attitudes that enable police brutality, racial discrimination, and interpersonal racism. The NAACP will also execute a robust civic engagement effort with multiple levers of change, including registering participants to vote and encouraging them to participate in the Census. 

“With the heartbreaking passing of civil rights titan John Lewis, good-willed people all across this country can participate in this march to honor his life and legacy and commit to pursuing a bold Black agenda that advances the unfulfilled promise of our democracy,” President Johnson continued. “We must consider the lives we are attempting to forge for our families and communities. We must act in our best interest to knock down the walls of injustice and grant future generations access to higher social, economic, and political power. This is what the 2020 Virtual March on Washington is all about.”

A series of virtual and in-person programming will take place on the following dates:

• THE CALL: Thursday, August 27, 8-10pm ET: There will be virtual programming carried on television networks and key social media platforms, including musical performances, remarks from young activists and emerging organizations, and other entertainment. 

• THE MARCH: Friday, August 28, 11am – 3pm ET: There will be a Virtual March on Washington, streamed across key social media platforms and television networks. Led by Martin Luther King III, and the families of Black people who have died at the hands of police officers, thousands will virtually March on Washington to restore and recommit to the dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined in 1963. The virtual march will be in partnership with a socially distant, in-person march for those in the D.C. area.  

• THE CHARGE: Friday, August 28, 9-11pm ET: The event will conclude with a night of virtual programming, including a major keynote address and musical performances by award-winning artists. 

Coming days after both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention, the 2020 Virtual March on Washington will set forth a bold new Black agenda — advocating for comprehensive police accountability reform, economic empowerment, and equitable access to health care, education, and the voting booths. For more information, visit 2020march.com. 

New York lawmakers make Juneteenth a state holiday

New York lawmakers made use of a rare, mostly remote summer session to approve legislation designating Juneteenth a public holiday.

The Senate and Assembly returned to work this week, taking up myriad measures after the regular legislative session was placed on hold by the pandemic.

The Democrat-led chambers voted to create two new public holidays celebrating Juneteenth, which commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African-Americans that the Civil War had ended and that they were free, and Abolition Commemoration Day, marking the end of slavery in New York.

“It is long past time that we commemorate and honor important dates in Black history,” said sponsor Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Queens). “Juneteenth must be recognized across the country as a public holiday, and I am proud that, working with my colleagues, we are able to mark a piece of Black liberation on the calendar and in our cultural consciousness here in New York State.”

Mercury players will wear Breonna Taylor's name on jerseys in WNBA opener

Phoenix Mercury players will wear Breonna Taylor jerseys in WNBA opener.

Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot when police officers burst into her Louisville apartment using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The warrant to search her home was in connection with a suspect who did not live there and no drugs were found.

Phoenix players’ jerseys will feature a nameplate that reads “Breonna Taylor” below each player’s number and last name. Additionally, the Mercury will warm up in shirts that read “Black Lives Matter” on the front and “Say Her Name” on the back.

The team, which is in a bubbble in Florida, will open the 2020 campaign this Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks. The opener tips at 12 p.m. and will be available to watch on ABC.

[SOURCE: ARIZONA SPORTS]

Apple donates its proceeds from John Lewis documentary to museums that honor his legacy

In tribute to the life and legacy of civil rights hero and US Congressman John Lewis, Apple will donate its portion of the proceeds from the documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble” to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

“Representative John Lewis’s life and example compel each of us to continue the fight for racial equity and justice,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “This film celebrates his undeniable legacy, and we felt it fitting to support two cultural institutions that continue his mission of educating people everywhere about the ongoing quest for equal rights.”

“The life and legacy of John Lewis, a National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award recipient, is celebrated throughout the museum,” said Terri Lee Freeman, the National Civil Rights Museum’s president. “This timely contribution will help expand our digital platforms, allowing us to reach many more students, parents, and educators globally, and to continue as a catalyst for positive social change, as Representative Lewis encouraged us all to be. We are grateful to Apple for this incredible gift honoring him.”

“Representative John Lewis was a central leader in helping create the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Because of his pivotal role in American history, he understood the impact a history museum like ours could have on the world,” said Spencer Crew, the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s interim director. “For many years, he was the angel who kept the dream of the museum alive, and he made sure we got the presidential and congressional support needed to open in 2016. As a civil rights leader, he had a vision of what was possible for the nation. He had a similar vision for the museum, which helped make it a reality. Apple’s gift in his honor will help us continue to fulfill our mission.”

Customers in the US and Canada can rent “John Lewis: Good Trouble” at apple.co/-goodtroubledoc on the Apple TV app, which is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac, select Samsung and LG smart TVs, and Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices. In Apple News, customers can explore a special Spotlight collection of curated articles that remember Lewis and celebrate his legacy, as well as listen to a collection of episodes that honor his life from The New York Times, CNN, NPR, and more on Apple Podcasts at apple.co/remembering-john-lewis.

About “John Lewis: Good Trouble”

In her intimate account of legendary US Representative John Lewis’s life and legacy, director Dawn Porter takes audiences through his more than 60 years of extraordinary activism — from the bold teenager on the front lines of the civil rights movement to the legislative powerhouse he was throughout his career. After Lewis petitioned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help integrate a segregated school in his hometown of Troy, Alabama, King sent “the boy from Troy” a roundtrip bus ticket to meet with him.

From that meeting onward, Lewis became one of King’s closest allies. Lewis organized Freedom Rides, which left him bloodied or jailed, and stood at the front lines in the historic marches on Washington and Selma. Lewis continued to protect civil rights as a member of Congress. He never lost the spirit of “the boy from Troy” and had called on his fellow Americans to get into “good trouble” until his passing on July 17, 2020. “John Lewis: Good Trouble” is a moving tribute to the real-life hero at the forefront of many hard-won battles for lasting change.

Baltimore City State Attorney Marilyn Mosby: Federal agents sent to Baltimore will be prosecuted

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby took to Twitter to make it clear that any militarized federal agents sent to Baltimore City to attack our citizens by making illegal arrests, kidnapping people, assaulting them, or committing any other crime will be prosecuted by her office.

“If President Trump sends militarized federal agents to Baltimore City to attack our citizens by making illegal arrests, kidnapping people, assaulting them, or committing any other crime, they will be prosecuted by my office.” https://t.co/FvoTKoXK1w

— Marilyn J. Mosby (@MarilynMosbyEsq) July 23, 2020

Funeral Arrangements for Rep. John Lewis Announced

On Thursday night, Lewis' family released details of the Celebration of Life ceremonies for the Congressman that will take place over six days.

The series of events are set to begin on Saturday, July 25 in Lewis' home state of Alabama, and will end with his interment in Atlanta, Lewis' adopted home and the city he helped represent in Congress for decades. 

Any participants who attend public events will be required to wear masks and to maintain appropriate social distancing at each.

Below is the order of celebrations.

Saturday - July 25:

A Service Celebrating the 'Boy from Troy'

Where: Trojan Arena, Troy University

When: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CT

This ceremony is open to the public, but seating is limited. Participants must obtain a ticket in the parking lot of the arena upon arrival to enter the facility.

Due to the needs required to maintain social distancing, only 800 public seats are available. Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.

From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Congressman Lewis will lie in repose for public viewing at Trojan Arena.

Selma Honors Congressman John Robert Lewis: 1940-2020

Where: Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church

When: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CT

This event is not open to the public. Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.

Rep. Lewis will lie in repose at the church from 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

The public is welcome to the viewing. Face and mouth coverings are required.

Sunday - July 26:

“#GoodTrouble: Courage, Sacrifice & the Long March for Freedom”

Where: Selma and Mongtomery, Alabama

The Final Crossing of Edmund Pettus Bridge

When: 10:00 a.m. CT

The public is invited to view the processional as it travels from Brown Chapel to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings. 

Receiving Ceremony to be held at Alabama State Capitol

Where: Front Entrance Hall State Capitol

When: 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CT

Rep. Lewis will lie in state at the capitol from 3:00 p.m. -- 7 p.m. CT. The viewing is open to the public. Face masks and mouth coverings are required.

Monday - July 27:

The Conscience of the Congress

Where: Washington, D.C.

Rep. Lewis will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol rotunda

Mon., July 27, 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Tues., July 28, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

Wednesday - July 29:

Atlanta's Servant Leader

Where: Georgia State Capitol rotunda

When: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rep. Lewis will lie in state from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., and again from 8:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Omega service will be held at the rotunda from 7:00 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.

Thursday - July 30:

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m.

The event is not open to the public.

Lebron James: Back Lives Matter is not a movement...it's a lifestyle

During his media press conference after the LA Lakers first scrimmage in the NBA bubble, Lebron James commented on the Black Lives Matter movement and what it means to him. He said that "When you're Black, it's not a movement. It's a lifestyle..."

Watch his comments below:

Rep. John Lewis to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol next week

The late Rep. John Lewis will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol — followed by an unprecedented public viewing outside of the building — next week, as a tribute to the civil rights icon who died July 17.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday evening that Lewis will be honored in a private ceremony in the Rotunda on Monday, followed by a public viewing atop the East Front Steps on Monday night and Tuesday.

There will also be a procession through Washington, D.C., which has not yet been scheduled, where members of the public will be able to pay their respects “in a socially-distant manner,” according to a Pelosi and McConnell statement.

The Georgia Democrat will be the second Black lawmaker to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol, an honor reserved for the most revered of Americans. Members were also able to bid farewell to former Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died in October 2019, in the Capitol Rotunda. Only about three dozen people have ever had the honor.

Pelosi and McConnell also made clear that — amid the pandemic — Lewis’ public memorial cannot resemble the massive services of past years, with thousands of people flocking to Washington, D.C., to pay their respects to former presidents and other national figures.

With coronavirus cases still spiking nationwide, Lewis’ family has encouraged members of the public not to travel to Washington and to instead direct their tributes virtually.

Pelosi and McConnell advised that masks will be required for members of the public who wish to wait in line to pay their respects to Lewis on the Capitol steps. Social distancing will also be “strictly enforced,” they said.

[SOURCE: POLITICO]

ABC NEWS ANNOUNCES RACHEL SCOTT HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT

ABC News President James Goldston sent the following note to the news division announcing Rachel Scott has been promoted to White House Correspondent and D.C. Correspondent. See below for Goldston’s note to staff:

Team:

I am thrilled to announce that Rachel Scott has been promoted to White House Correspondent and D.C. Correspondent for ABC News.

Throughout the 2020 presidential campaign, Rachel has logged thousands of miles covering both the Democratic primary and President Trump’s re-election efforts. During the primaries, Rachel interviewed nearly every Democratic candidate, including in November when she sat down with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a joint network exclusive interview during Ocasio-Cortez’s first trip to Iowa ahead of the caucuses. Rachel has also been an essential part of our team covering the Trump administration, both at the White House and on the campaign trail, where she’s covered nearly every Trump rally this cycle. She also reported on Trump’s impeachment trial earlier year, including interviewing Vice President Mike Pence on the day of the final impeachment vote.

Beyond politics, Rachel has made her mark with compelling reporting from the frontlines of the biggest stories in recent memory. During the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, Rachel was with the protestors outside the White House near Lafayette Park, telling the stories of the movement and its new leaders. She also reported live from Tulsa’s historic Greenwood neighborhood during our Juneteenth special, then reported from outside the BOK Arena the following day during President Trump’s first campaign rally since the pandemic started. She reported extensively for ABC News Live on COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on diverse communities. She also reported for ABC News from Alabama in the aftermath of the state’s deadly tornadoes in 2019 and covered the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Florida.

Rachel began her career at ABC News as a Production Associate for ABC News Live in 2016. While working full-time as a Producer for GMA Digital, she took on an additional role as an on-air Correspondent for ABC’s New Haven affiliate, covering weekend news in the region. Rachel moved down to DC in January 2019 as a Producer on our White House team, before becoming our Trump campaign embed and then transitioning to on-camera reporting full time. She is an exceptional reporter with an unwavering dedication to great journalism, keen ability to handle fast-breaking news and considerable skills for juggling multiple assignments.

It is a pivotal time in our nation’s capital. Our team in DC and at the White House will be essential to helping our audience understand the rapid pace of events in Washington as we navigate complex issues through this election year and beyond. Please join me in congratulating Rachel on her new role.  

James

Laura Harper named as new head wbb coach Laura Harper Selected as Coppin State Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Former WNBA player, Laura Harper, has been named as the new Coppin State University women's basketball head coach, it was announced by Director of Athletics Derek Carter on Monday morning.

"It is a dream come true to be named the new head women's basketball coach at Coppin State University," said Harper. "I am very thankful for the special opportunity that President Jenkins, Mr. Carter, Mrs. Person and Mrs. Carrington-Johnson have granted me. Having a platform as a woman of color, while coaching at an HBCU during this racially sensitive time in our country, inspires me, and I am beyond ready to help lead this group of committed, young women into a new era of Eagles basketball."

Since the conclusion of her playing career, Harper worked as an assistant coach at four NCAA Division I institutions as well as a season as head coach at a top collegiate preparatory school.

"We are excited for Laura Harper to be joining the Coppin State family and look forward to her leadership during the next exciting phase of Eagles women's basketball," said Carter. "Laura will bring incredible passion, energy, and a championship mentality to our team. Throughout her career, she has worked hard to establish herself as a winner in all phases of basketball. I feel that she will provide a valuable influence in the lives of the young women in our program."

Harper most recently served as the head coach at Montverde Academy, one of the premier high school programs in the State of Florida. Harper guided the Eagles to an 18-6 mark this past season and helped all five of her seniors earn NCAA Division I scholarships.

Prior to her time at Montverde, Harper assisted the women's basketball team at the University of Florida for two seasons. Under Harpers' tutelage, Paulina Hersler, who is now playing professionally in Sweden, and 1,200-point scorer Haley Lorenzen, had career years as seniors.

Before moving to the Sunshine State, Harper spent the 2016-17 season at George Washington University under Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Jennifer Rizzotti. That season, the Colonials won an Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship and advanced to the WNIT, while Harper helped post players Lexi Martins and Caira Washington receive All-Conference honors.

For two years, Harper also worked as an assistant coach at High Point University. In her first season, senior Stacia Robertson was named the Big South Player of the Year and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American before going on to play overseas. The Panthers won 20 games during the 2014-15 season and advanced to the Conference Championship Game.

Harper got her start in coaching as an assistant at Loyola University Maryland during the 2013-14 campaign where she was responsible for post player development, scouting, and served as an academic liaison for the Greyhounds.

A four-year standout at the University of Maryland, Harper was named the 2006 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading the Terrapins to a National Championship. Harper was also part of two Maryland teams that advanced to the Elite Eight, a 2007 Naismith Award Finalist and a two-time Naismith Award Preseason Candidate. As a senior, Harper was a Third Team All-ACC honoree and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. Harper still owns the Maryland record with 198 blocked shots while scoring 1,407 points and ranked seventh in rebounds upon graduation before being named to the 2014 ACC Legends Class.

On February 5, 2009, Harper's No. 15 jersey was raised to the rafters at the Xfinity Center following a game against North Carolina State.

Also, a presence on the international scene, Harper was a starter for the 2004 USA Women's U18 team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship. Harper also played for the 2007 FIBA U21 World Championship Team and was a teammate of Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi and other Olympians at the 2008 Good Luck Beijing Tournament.

Following her collegiate career, Harper was the 10th overall selection of the Sacramento Monarchs in the 2008 WNBA Draft. As a rookie, Harper played in 34 games while making one start and put up 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds before starting in 11 games the following season. Harper also played professionally overseas in Turkey, Italy and Russia.

The Congressional Black Caucus Calls for Investigation into Allentown Police Department After the Use of a Chokehold

Yet again, we have witnessed the use of excessive force, specifically the chokehold, by a police officer in our country. Over the weekend, an officer from the Allentown (PA) Police Department was caught on camera placing his knee on the neck of a man, in an attempt to arrest him after the officers noticed the man was vomiting and staggering along the street. In this instance the unarmed man was in need of medical attention but instead was met with force by the police officers. The disturbing video also revealed that the man was distressed and terrified for his life. 

Barely seven weeks since the death of George Floyd that sparked a national movement against police brutality, we are seeing police officers deploying the same tactics for an arrest that could have been avoided. The officers opted to use excessive force against a member of the community instead of serving. While this time a life was not lost, a life has indeed been changed forever.

While Allentown’s policy forbids the restraining of a person’s neck unless the officer feels their life is at risk, it is evident that without a national federal ban, there will be minimal adherence. A ban with no repercussions serves no purpose. 

Three weeks ago the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act championed by the Congressional Black Caucus was the first ever comprehensive legislation to reform law enforcement. This bill is a direct response to the moral moment of the time as Americans from coast to coast are demanding for real change that includes prevention, training, a registry of misconduct to eliminate repeat offenders, use of force standards, ending qualified immunity, and making it easier for the Department of Justice to prosecute civil rights violations. If the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was law, the officers in Allentown involved would be listed in the misconduct registry which will provide insight to violations and in turn transparency to other precincts about officers who desire to transfer to their district. 

As our nation waits for Senate Leader Mitch McConnell to make the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act a priority for a Senate vote, Americans across the country continue to experience incidents of police brutality. How many more lives must we lose? We are at a reckoning point where our country must address the serious and deadly problem of  racial profiling and excessive policing of communities of color. Police officers must be held accountable. We cannot build an equitable and just country without reimagining policing in our communities.  

The Congressional Black Caucus is calling for a full independent investigation into this incident in Allentown, PA including the officers involved being punished to the fullest extent of the law for the use of the banned chokehold.

Morehouse College to move to all-virtual classes for fall semester

Morehouse College President David A. Thomas announced Monday that students will continue learning remotely this fall, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Georgia and other states that many men of Morehouse call home. College officials have made no decision about re-opening the campus to students for the Spring 2021 Semester.

Watch his announcement below:

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced the postponement of Fall sports

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests along with SWAC championships due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The fall sports impacted include men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. The conference has started the process of formalizing plans to conduct a competitive schedule for the fall sports during the 2021 spring semester.

Specifically, in the sport of football the plan includes a seven-game conference schedule beginning with an eight-week training period in January 2021. Each member institution will play a total of six conference games (four divisional/two non-divisional) with the option to play one non-conference game. 

Additional details regarding scheduling for women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country along with the Cricket Wireless SWAC Football Championship game will be released at a later date.

Fall sports teams and student-athletes will have the opportunity to attend classes and practices in preparation for a spring 2021 competitive schedule upon return to campus. Student-athletes will have the ability to participate in conditioning, strength training and practices in all sports provided all required local, state, and federal health and safety guidelines are met. There have been no final decisions made regarding competitive schedules for the league’s winter sports at this time.     

The SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors felt this action was necessary out of growing concern for the health, safety and well-being both mentally and physically of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, team staff, campus faculty, fans and supporters.

The continued increase of COVID-19 cases across many portions of the league’s geographic footprint and Southern regions of the country played a significant role in the council’s decision, along with data that suggests African-American communities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The SWAC shares in the disappointment that will undoubtedly be felt by student-athletes, fans, and supporters impacted by the postponement of fall sports competition. The league will continue to review appropriate measures to ensure the health, safety and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and the local community which continues to be the primary responsibility of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and its member institutions.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
 
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 

Georgia Democrats pick State Senator Nikema Williams to replace John Lewis on November ballot

Today, after a full review process of 131 applicants and a vote by the Executive Committee, the Democratic Party of Georgia announced that the Democratic nominee for the Fifth Congressional District will be Nikema Williams.

DPG General Counsel Sachin Varghese said:

“This was a very difficult decision to make so soon after Congressman Lewis’s passing, and the Executive Committee is grateful to every applicant who submitted their name for consideration. We have done our best to keep this process open and fair, while working within the strict framework and timeline set forth in Georgia law. After discussion and voting, the Executive Committee agreed that Nikema Williams’ years of service to the Fifth District and commitment to justice make her the best possible candidate for this role, with a very important legacy to uphold.

“When Nikema Williams decided to seek the nomination she recused herself from her role as chairwoman, handing off the process to other party leaders including myself. Today she recused herself from the vote and the discussion of the candidates among Executive Committee members, and was treated the same as every other candidate.”

DPG Executive Director Scott Hogan said:

“As a Party, we remain committed to upholding Congressman Lewis’ legacy of fighting for justice and for free and fair elections for every Georgian. We acknowledge that despite our best efforts here, both law and circumstance require us to use a system that falls short of a full district-wide election to ensure that we have a strong Democratic nominee on the ballot in November. While this system was not perfect and we were forced to use what the Secretary of State and Georgia law demands, we know that we have the absolute best candidate in Nikema Williams who will fight hard for Georgians.

We congratulate Nikema on this appointment, and look forward to working with her in this new capacity as we uphold and build on Congressman Lewis’ legacy and elect Democrats across Georgia this November.”

Below are the recorded vote totals from today’s Executive Committee:

• After a nonbinding poll of 41 votes, Nikema Williams had 37 votes, Park Cannon had 2 votes, and James “Major” Woodall had 1 vote, with one abstention.
• Upon reaching a 50% + 1 majority, the Executive Committee voted to approve Nikema Williams as the nominee.

Rep. Payne, Jr.’s Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. released the following statement regarding the passing of Congressman John Lewis. The Georgia Representative and civil rights icon died on July 17, 2020, after fighting cancer for several months. Congressman Lewis spent more than 30 years in Congress, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and fought for racial equality across the country during his storied and historic life.

“This is just a devastating loss for me and our entire country,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. “Congressman Lewis was such a great fighter for the right thing in our nation. For me, I have lost one of my fathers on the floor of the House. I was in awe of how he could convey such power and strength with a gentle demeanor. His passion and love for his country and people brought out a ferociousness in this mild-mannered man. He didn’t just speak for civil rights, he stood up against abuse and suffered to make this a better country for all Americans.

I learned so much from him. One of my greatest honors happened when we held a ‘sit-in’ on the floor of the House to try and get a vote on gun control legislation. It was his leadership that sparked that effort. There were so many situations like that I could mention. He always said it was important to ‘get into good trouble’ and those words have inspired me to this day. He was a hero, a mentor, a leader, and a great, great friend. As I said before, this is a tragic loss for our entire country.”

Congressman Lewis’ leadership was evident in hundreds of actions in and out of the House of Representatives. In 2016, Congressman Lewis led a ‘sit-in’ on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to protest the Republican leadership’s refusal to allow a vote on gun control after 49 people died and 53 were injured during a shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, FL.

Rep. Jim Clyburn: Edmund Pettus Bridge should be renamed after John Lewis.

While appearing on Meet The Press Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), echoed calls for the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., to be renamed after the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), who died on Friday.

NEW: Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) says the Edmund Pettus Bridge should be renamed after John Lewis. @ClyburnSC06: Pettus “was a grand wizard of the [KKK]. Take his name off that bridge and replace it with a good man, John Lewis, the personification of the goodness of America.” pic.twitter.com/tYV4rWEUKd

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 18, 2020

Watch full John Lewis speech at the March on Washington

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), who died at the age of 80, famously gave a speech at the March on Washington in 1963. At just 23, he was the youngest civil rights activist to deliver an address to the crowd that day, which is best remembered for Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Lewis' remarks also left a lasting impression although it is not as well remembered.

Watch the civil rights icon's March on Washington speech below: