History will be made in Virginia on Election night as a woman of color will be elected Lt. Governor

UPDATE NOVEMBER 3, 2021: WINSOME SEARS WINS VIRGINIA LT. GOVERNOR RACE

Virginia voters will make a historic choice Tuesday: They'll almost certainly elect the commonwealth's first woman lieutenant governor and the first woman of color to statewide office, cracking the glass ceiling in a state that has never elected a woman to its highest office.

Democrat Hala Ayala faces off against Republican candidate Winsome Sears for a role that is widely seen as a launching pad to the governorship — a role that's never been held by a woman, let alone a woman of color — in the state.

"I want the children, when they see me, to say to themselves: 'Well, Winsome is there. If she can do it, then I can do it.' And then you know, we move on," Sears, who is a former state delegate, told USA TODAY.

But, she added, making history only goes so far: It's the governance that matters. "If all you do is shatter the glass ceiling, and then no one can trust you, then what's the point?"

Ayala, who has Lebanese, Afro-Latina and Irish ancestry, told USA TODAY in an interview that while "representation matters," the election isn't solely about electing a woman of color.

"We must first and foremost elect the right woman of color to statewide office," Ayala said. "This is about the future of the Commonwealth. We must work very hard to continue the progress we built on," Ayala said.

A Christopher Newport University poll released Wednesday showed the two candidates in a statistical tie. Ayala has a one-point lead over Sears, 49% to 48%, which is within the survey's 3.5% margin of error.

The candidate who wins the race in Virginia will join three other Black female lieutenant governors in the nation, as Black women continue to transform their political power into leadership positions and aim for higher offices they have long been denied: No state in the U.S. has elected a Black woman as governor.

[SOURCE MSN.COM]

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U.S. to pay millions to families, victims of Mother Emanuel AME massacre

The Department of Justice announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to settle the civil cases arising out of the June 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.

These settlements will resolve claims by 14 plaintiffs arising out of the shooting. Plaintiffs agreed to settle claims alleging that the FBI was negligent when it failed to prohibit the sale of a gun by a licensed firearms dealer to the shooter, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, who wanted to start a “race war” and specifically targeted the 200-year-old historically African-American congregation. For those killed in the shooting, the settlements range from $6 million to $7.5 million per claimant. For the survivors, the settlements are for $5 million per claimant. 

The parties have been in litigation since 2016, including before the district court and the federal court of appeals.

“The mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church was a horrific hate crime that caused immeasurable suffering for the families of the victims and the survivors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Since the day of the shooting, the Justice Department has sought to bring justice to the community, first by a successful hate crime prosecution and today by settling civil claims.” 

“The nation grieved following the mass shooting at Mother Emanuel, and no one was more profoundly affected than the families of the victims and the survivors we have reached a settlement with today,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The department hopes that these settlements, combined with its prosecution of the shooter will bring some modicum of justice to the victims of this heinous act of hate.”

“The department is pleased to bring closure to this long-running litigation,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “These settlement agreements represent another chapter in the justice system’s efforts to address this horrific event, following the government’s prosecution and conviction of the shooter for federal hate crimes.”

On June 17, 2015, Mother Emanuel congregants welcomed a stranger who had entered their church. They invited him to participate in their Wednesday night bible study. Tragically, at the close of the bible study, the young man they had welcomed killed nine people, including Mother Emanuel’s pastor, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, also a South Carolina State Senator.

The families of the Emanuel Nine, as well as the five survivors who were inside the church at the time of the shooting, sued the government. They sought to recover for wrongful death and physical injuries arising from the shooting. Plaintiffs asserted that the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Checks System (NICS) failed to timely discover that the shooter was a person prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm. Plaintiffs alleged that because of this delay, the shooter was able to purchase the handgun that he used to commit the atrocity.

The FBI and NICS play a crucial role in combatting gun violence. Since this tragic shooting, the FBI has worked to strengthen and improve the background check process. The department and FBI are also actively working to combat gun violence, which is a significant aspect of the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. After the shooting, the department prosecuted the shooter for federal hate crimes and obtained a conviction.

Under applicable law, the court must approve the settlements for many of the plaintiffs. All parties expect that the court will agree that these settlements are fair and reasonable. This case was handled by the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announces run for governor

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced via Twitter on Friday that she is running for governor in 2022.

James’s candidacy, which was expected, sets up a primary contest against Gov. Kathy Hochul, another Democrat, who intends to seek election on her own after assuming office on the resignation of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

If elected, the 63-year-old Brooklyn resident James would be the first Black woman to be governor of a U.S. state.

Watch her announcement video below:

I'm running for Governor of New York because I have the experience, vision, and courage to take on the powerful on behalf of all New Yorkers.

Let's do this, together. pic.twitter.com/JA21M19p5m

— Tish James (@TishJames) October 29, 2021

NAACP Urges Professional Athletes In Free Agency to Avoid Texas

In response to the most recent attacks on voting rights and reproductive care, the Association sent an open letter to the National Players' Leagues, urging free agents to reconsider moving their families to a state that is not safe for anyone.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson:

"We must stand up for what is right and protect our loved ones from the dangerous attacks on freedoms taking place in Texas."

Signed by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and NAACP Texas President Gary Bledsoe, the letter was delivered to the National Football League Players Association, Women's National Basketball Player's Association, National Basketball Players Association, Major League Baseball Players Association, and National Hockey League Players' Association. The letter calls on athletes to consider not only their influential platforms as professional athletes, but as parents and role models for our children and those in their personal lives. >/p>

"As we watch an incomprehensible assault on basic human rights unfold in Texas, we are simultaneously witnessing a threat to constitutional guarantees for women, children and marginalized communities," write the authors. "Over the past few months, legislators in Texas have passed archaic policies, disguised as laws, that directly violate privacy rights and a woman's freedom to choose, restrict access to free and fair elections for Black and brown voters, and increase the risk of contracting coronavirus. If you are a woman, avoid Texas. If you are Black, avoid Texas. If you want to lower your chances of dying from coronavirus, avoid Texas."

"When all else fails, we must look within and answer the call to protect the basic human rights and democratic values which are fundamental to this country" said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP. "Professional athletes serve as some of our country's greatest role models and we need them to join us to fight for democracy."

Over the past few months, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law extreme voting laws to severely restrict the right to vote, empowered vigilantes with the authority of the law to restrict women's freedom to make choices about their bodies, and has most recently codified redistricting maps that aim to disenfranchise Black, brown, and Latinx voters. Recently released data from the 2020 census shows that people of color have driven 95% of the Texas population growth.

"The continued attacks on people of color in the state of Texas are reprehensible," said Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas NAACP. "In the absence of federal action, advocates in Texas must stand together and use all of the tools at their disposal to ensure that basic human rights are delivered to the people of Texas. We must fight for our Constitution and the freedoms that it guarantees to all Americans."

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. Appoints Sandra Douglass Morgan to Board of Directors

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) today announced the appointment of Sandra Douglass Morgan to its Board of Directors, effective November 7, 2021, and subject to required regulatory approvals. Morgan, an attorney, is the past chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control board and the first African American to serve as chair.

"We are delighted to add Sandra Douglass Morgan to the Caesars Entertainment leadership team," said Gary Carano, Executive Chairman of the Board, Caesars Entertainment. "Sandra is rooted in the gaming industry in a way few others could be. Her experience as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and as a member of the Nevada Gaming Commission gives her a deep understanding of our industry. Her leadership as an attorney for gaming corporations and government entities adds another lens through which she has developed a unique perspective which will help our company continue to move forward as the gaming landscape evolves and grows."

Morgan was appointed chairwoman and executive director of the Nevada Gaming Control board in January of 2019 after serving on the Nevada Gaming Commission. In her role as chair of Nevada gaming's regulatory agency, Morgan implemented sweeping changes, including ensuring licensees adopted and implemented policies against discrimination and paving the way for cashless wagering at machines and table games, as well as steering the industry through the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Sandra is a proven leader, team builder, and passionate advocate for always doing the right thing," said Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment. "I'm pleased to add her independent voice to our strong board of directors. I look forward to working with her, the rest of our board, and the management team to continue to drive results for our guests, our Team Members, and our shareholders."

Before becoming chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Morgan served as Director of External Affairs for AT&T Services, Inc., responsible for managing AT&T's government and community affairs in Nevada. She previously served as the City Attorney for the City of North Las Vegas and was the first African American City Attorney in Nevada. She began her career as a litigation attorney in the gaming industry.

Morgan currently serves as a board member of the following publicly traded companies: Fidelity National Financial, Allegiant Travel Company, and Cerberus Cyber Sentinel Corp.

With the addition of Morgan, Caesars Entertainment's Board of Directors will grow to 10 members.

Byron Allen's Allen Media Group Acquires The Free Streaming Service HBCUGo.TV

Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, LLC (AMG) has acquired HBCUGo.TV from Symonds-Evans Media, LLC. HBCUGo.TV is the leading media provider for the nation's 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCUs). The acquisition expands AMG's reach to the African American community, cements its relationships with HBCUs and provides highly-rated, culturally significant content to national and global audiences. HBCUGo.TV is the latest in a series of asset-rich purchases by AMG geared to the African American market. AMG recently launched the over-the-air broadcast network theGrio.TV -- and owns the free streaming app and web digital platform theGrio.com -- to bring news, politics, health, entertainment, and relevant original content to viewers worldwide.

As part of the deal, AMG has also acquired the robust HBCUGo.TV library of more than 5,000 hours of content, featuring the HBCU students and their alumni. The current HBCUGo.TV management team, who has strong relationships with the schools, sports conference commissioners, HBCU presidents, and governing boards will continue to manage the HBCUGo.TV platform.

The acquisition also affords HBCUGo.TV an opportunity to bring treasured content to its audiences worldwide, including a first-ever partnership with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically Black athletic conference, to broadcast 44 Black college games during the current football season, and the men's and women's basketball seasons. These broadcasts featuring all CIAA institutions will be featured on the HBCUGo.TV streaming platform (HBCUGo. TV) throughout the season.

"The HBCU brand represents over 184 years of historic excellence, dating back to 1837, which helped cultivate some of the world's greatest minds and talent, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Spike Lee, Alice Walker, Samuel L. Jackson, Earl Graves, Oprah Winfrey, Chadwick Boseman, Justice Thurgood Marshall, Common, Booker T. Washington, Taraji P. Henson, Judge Kevin Ross, Langston Hughes, Katherine Johnson, Kenya Barris, and Vice President Kamala Harris, to name a few," said Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group. "HBCUGo.TV positions us to speak to the heart and soul of Black America 24/7, and helps us stay strongly connected with one of the most valuable, untapped audiences in the world."

"We are thrilled to be a part of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group and his vision to make HBCUGo.TV the ultimate destination celebrating the excellence of HBCUs and their alumni," said HBCUGo.TV co-founder and CEO Curtis Symonds. "Our pioneer platform offers a global audience all aspects of the HBCU culture and positions the millions of brilliant young minds and alumni throughout the HBCU universe to help change the world for the greater good."

Senate confirms Karen M. Williams as U.S. District Judge for New Jersey

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Karen McGlashan Williams to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for New Jersey.

Williams, a U.S. Magistrate Judge since 2009, is now the fourth of six federal judicial vacancies to be filled since President Joe Biden took office in January.

Williams’ confirmation was by a vote of 56-38. Eight Republican senators voted in favor of her confirmation.

LAWRENCE HAMM ENDORSES MURPHY & OLIVER IN NJ GOVERNOR RACE

Statement by Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progression, and former U.S. Senate candidate:

I urge every person who is registered to vote in the upcoming November 2, 2021 general election in New Jersey. In the gubernatorial race I am voting for and have given my personal endorsement to the incumbents Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver who are the Democratic Party candidates.

I urge everyone to vote for the Murphy and Oliver team. I am voting for them because I believe their policies will be better for our communities than those of the Republican candidates Jack Ciattarelli who is running for governor and Diane Allen for lieutenant governor.

More importantly, I believe that a Republican victory in New Jersey will strengthen the Republican Party, the party of Trump, and the white nationalist, racist and fascist movement in this country. These are dark and difficult times but I urge voters not to give into despair, complacency, and apathy.

The race for governor in New Jersey is very close. The last poll I saw said that there is only a six point difference between Murphy and his Republican opponent. Do not stay home on Election Day. Vote in record numbers like we did in 2020 for the presidential election.

When I ran for U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary election last year I received nearly 119,000 votes. I am asking every person that voted for me to cast your vote next Tuesday for Murphy and Oliver. Those of you who voted for me could provide the margin of victory for Murphy and Oliver.

This is an unsolicited endorsement. No one in the Murphy campaign has officially or unofficially asked me to do this. It has not been paid for by the Murphy campaign, any political action committee or any other entity.

I decided to do this after I went to the first campaign debate between Murphy and his opponent. I left that debate with the impression that the Republican candidate should not be the next governor of this state.

I don’t agree with the Murphy administration on every issue. I will continue to struggle to hold the administration accountable.

However, I am urging people to vote for Murphy and Oliver because I believe that it is the best course of action the people of this state, especially working people, poor people, the middle class, and people of color can take.

Sonja Stills Named Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

After a comprehensive and competitive national search by Parker Executive Search Firm, the MEAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors announced Sonja Stills as the next MEAC Commissioner effective January 1, 2022.

With Stills’ selection, she becomes the first female commissioner in MEAC and HBCU Division I history.

“On behalf of MEAC institutions’ presidents and chancellors, I am thrilled to welcome Ms. Stills as our next commissioner,” said Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., chancellor of North Carolina Central University and chair of the MEAC Presidents and Chancellors Council. “Her extensive portfolio, experience and service with the MEAC make her uniquely prepared to elevate the conference in the coming years. As a proven leader who is making history for the MEAC, she is equally passionate about providing opportunities for our diverse student-athletes and building a portfolio of athletic and academic successes.”

“When we started the search process, my colleagues and I were clear-eyed,” Dr. Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University and chair of the MEAC Presidents and Chancellors Search Committee, said. We needed bold leadership for a new day in Division I sports and a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference that needed to take its rightful place in the NCAA. In Commissioner-Elect Stills, we hit the mark squarely – determined, durable, and able to lead a paradigmatic shift in our conference and across the collegiate athletic landscape. ‘Why Not Us…’”

“I’m honored to be named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s next Commissioner,” Sonja Stills said. “I’ve learned a great deal in my tenure with the conference and look forward to continuing the MEAC’s history of excellence. Thank you to the MEAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors for this opportunity and thank you to Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas for your leadership and mentorship over the past 19 years.”

Stills currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer of the MEAC. With over 19 years of experience in assisting with articulating and developing a clear, strategic vision for the future of the conference, she brings an unmatched level of expertise to her new role as MEAC Commissioner. A 2021 MEAC 50th Anniversary Pioneers in Women’s Sports Award recipient, Stills embodies all that is the MEAC.

“Congratulations to Sonja Stills,” Dr. Dennis E. Thomas said. “I’m thrilled to see her hard work, determination, discipline and integrity being rewarded. Sonja has always demonstrated vision and a passion for student-athlete achievement, which is why I’m confident she will lead the MEAC to its next level of success.”

In addition to her roles as Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer, Stills also serves as the MEAC’s Director of Esports, a new, cutting-edge initiative that began in the summer of 2020. She took charge in this new position, serving as the key driver in developing regulations for the MEAC Esports Community and developing the MEAC’s esports strategy. Her goal is to enhance awareness of the MEAC’s esports initiative by working with industry business leaders to encourage growth.

Since arriving at the MEAC, Stills has elevated overall brand visibility for the conference. She has negotiated corporate partnership by working with major companies including iHeartRadio, US Marines, Home Depot, Hampton Roads Transit, Priority Automotive, ESI, TowneBank, and Harley Davidson. She assisted in negotiating a contract with Nike with member institutions. She also managed the conference budgets. Additionally, she was instrumental in developing the MEAC Strategic and Long-Range Plan in December 2008 and 2021-22, along with securing global creative agency 160over90 as the marketing company for the MEAC in 2020.

Before arriving at the MEAC, Stills served as Hampton University’s Coordinator of Athletic Academic Support for four years, and for three of those years, she was appointed Senior Woman Administrator. While at Hampton, she created the university’s first Athletic Academic Support Program and implemented the CHAMPS/LifeSkills Program. She provided academic advising and counseling to student-athletes.

A 1993 graduate of Old Dominion University, Stills earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Services Counseling. In 1996, she received a Master of Arts in Counseling (College Student Work Personnel) from Hampton University. She would later go on to graduate from the Sports Management Institute in 2002 and the NACWAA/HERS Institute for Administrative Advancement in 2008.

Congressional Black Caucus makes sure Black families are prioritized in Build Back Better Agenda

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Tuesday that she has made a vigorous push in recent weeks to make sure that Black communities are prioritized in the final version of President Biden's Build Back Better package.

The Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement to announce the inclusion of critical Black policy priorities in the Build Back Better Agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill:

Readout of White House Meeting with Black Leaders of Civil Rights Organizations on Police Reform

On October 21, 2021 senior officials from the White House and the Department of Justice met with Black leaders of Civil Rights organizations to discuss police reform.  The meeting is part of broader outreach and engagement by the Biden-Harris Administration with members of the civil rights and law enforcement communities, members of Congress, and victims’ families to define a path forward on meaningful police reform, including through executive actions.

Officials from the Biden-Harris Administration taking part in the meeting included Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice, Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond, White House Counsel Dana Remus, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. The administration officials stressed the President’s belief that this moment demands action to hold accountable law enforcement officers who violate their oaths, and that we cannot be deterred by individuals who are trying to block progress.

The civil rights leaders underscored the urgency for action given the lack of progress in Congress, and proposed a number of ideas for advancing meaningful reforms through executive actions, including to advance accountability for police misconduct, and to improve data collection about interactions between police and individuals. The leaders stressed to Administration officials that federal law enforcement should serve as a model and that steps should be taken to encourage reforms at the state and local levels.

The meeting participants included:

• Melanie Campbell, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
• Joi Chaney, National Urban League
• Alicia Garza, Black Futures Lab
• Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
• Damon Hewitt, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Sherrilyn Ifill, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
• Derrick Johnson, NAACP
• Janice Mathis, National Council of Negro Women
• Jesselyn McCurdy, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
• Rashad Robinson, Color of Change
• Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network

Minnesota delegation looks to honor Prince with Congressional Gold Medal

Minnesota’s Congressional delegation on Monday is introducing a resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Prince, citing his “indelible mark on Minnesota and American culture.”

The resolution for Prince is led by Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat who represents Minneapolis in the House. The full Minnesota delegation serves as original cosponsors, including Sen. Tina Smith and Reps. Jim Hagedorn, Angie Craig, Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Pete Stauber and Omar.

“Prince is a Minnesota icon,” said Omar in a statement. “He showed that it was OK to be a short, Black kid from Minneapolis and still change the world. He not only changed the arc of music history; he put Minneapolis on the map.”

The bill also puts into the Congressional record the glyph he used instead of his name for a time that Prince called “The Love Symbol.”

Under the rules, Congressional Gold Medals require the support of at least two-thirds of the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives before they can be signed into law by the president. The Prince legislation will be introduced in the House and Senate.

If the gold medal is approved and made, the bill asks that it be given to the Smithsonian Institution, which should make it available for display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture or on loan.

HBCU Harris-Stowe University using pandemic funds to cancel student debt

Harris-Stowe University in St. Louis is using federal pandemic relief funds to eliminate student debt owed to the university from the previous academic school year, school officials said.

Harris-Stowe, one of Missouri’s two historically Black universities, announced in September it is using the funds to cancel about $330,000 in debt, an average of about $1,076 per student.

Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, Harris-Stowe’s interim president, last week told KCUR, the public radio station serving Kansas City, the burden of student debt caused by the pandemic led to low enrollment at the school this fall.

“Many of our students were saying they couldn’t work — because of COVID-19, they lost their jobs,” Smith said. “As a result they could not make payments towards their balances for the previous semester or the semesters which were impacted by COVID-19.”

Smith said the school officials spent most of the week after it made the announcement convincing students and their parents that it wasn’t a hoax. Eventually the school received numerous calls and letters of gratitude, she said.

[SOURCE: AP NEWS]

Huey P. Newton Sculpture Unveiled In Oakland California

The Black Panther Party marked its 55th anniversary with the unveiling of a new bronze sculpture of Huey P. Newton on Dr. Huey P. Newton Way and Mandela Parkway in Oakland, Calif. The site is near where the Panther co-founder was murdered in 1989. The Oct. 24 event was hosted by the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation. Produced by Oakland artist Dana King, the sculpture is the first permanent public artwork in the city dedicated to the Panthers.

Rep. Anthony Brown to run for Maryland attorney general

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) on Monday said that he will run for Maryland Attorney General in 2022.

In a video announcement, Brown called himself a “champion for progress.”

“Sure, we’ve made progress over the years, but too many barriers exist for too many Marylanders, from health care and housing to the environment and education, to workplaces, policing and the criminal justice system,” Brown says. “I’m running for attorney general to dismantle those barriers.”

Brown is seeking to replace Brian Frosh (D), a two-term incumbent who said last week he would retire in 2022.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Newark NJ’s Shakur Stevenson wins super-featherweight championship

In just his 17th professional fight, 24-year-old Newark NJ native, Shakur Stevenson stopped veteran Jamel Herring in 10 rounds to take Herring’s WBO 130-pound title.

Stevenson has now won major belts in two divisions.

“I feel like Jamel Herring is a great fighter. He’s tough. He’s real tough, he’s got great boxing skills, he’s got great power. I was just the better man tonight,” Stevenson told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna. “Now that we’re not fighting, I love Jamel Herring, he’s definitely my friend. I don’t got no problem with Jamel. Tell his wife I’m sorry, I don’t want no trouble with you! She’s tough.”

Majority Black City In Faces Water Lead Levels Higher Than Flint Michigan

Stories like this illustrate what environmental racism looks like, and why the U.S. Congress needs to stop playing games and get an infrastructure bill passed immediately.

The state of Michigan told the residents of Benton Harbor -- a majority black city -- not to drink their tap water -- this was almost three years after lead was detected in the city's pipes, with numbers far higher than the federal action level, and higher than Flint's at the height of its water crisis.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO DELIVER THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK’S (NAN) 30THANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

New York, NY) – On November 1st, 2021, United States Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver the keynote address at Reverend Sharpton’s and NAN’s “Celebration Above All” event marking three decades of activism by National Action Network.

The celebration will honor individuals that have dedicated their life and work to upholding the fight for civil rights and social justice and the mission of NAN and attendees will celebrate Reverend Al Sharpton’s 67th birthday.

Reverend Sharpton and Vice President Harris have worked closely on multiple initiatives important to the Biden Administration like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Voting Rights Act, and legislation that aims for equality for Americans.

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson Statement in Senate’s Failure to Pass Federal Voting Right’s Legislation

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, Released the following statement on the Senate’s Failure to Pass Federal Voting Right’s Legislation.

"Today was another punch in the gut for America. The failure to pass the Freedom to Vote Act is reprehensible. Combined with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, this bill would have been a necessary step in the right direction for our democracy. But while our democracy dwindles on the edge of a cliff, lawmakers are still finding a way to put partisanship above the country.

It is appalling.

There is no such thing as bipartisanship when one half of a legislative body does not respect the Constitution which they swore an oath to protect. Don't forget that Black voters landed a victory for this President and this Congress, so don't fail us again. The White House and Congress must work together to find a path forward before the 11th hour runs out."

Senate Republicans once again block voting rights reform bill

Senate Republicans have blocked -- for the second time this year -- a Democratic measure aimed at enacting sweeping federal election law changes, a move that is certain to increase pressure on the majority to change the chamber's filibuster rule.

Every Senate Republican opposed the vote to start debate on the voting rights bill.

The vote on Wednesday was to start debate on the measure, a move that required 10 Republicans to vote with all Democrats. But no Republicans supported the revised bill.

Sen. Angus King, D-Maine, a lead sponsor of the legislation and member of that working group, pleaded with colleagues to support the bill, saying U.S. democracy is "fragile" and at stake in the wake of Trump's false claims about the 2020 election despite no widespread fraud found in multiple, nonpartisan investigations.

King told reporters on a conference call that the only option after the vote Wednesday is to alter the Senate's filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to pass most legislation but also imposes no requirement on the 41 senators who are in opposition other than his or her stated opposition to legislation that is up for a vote.

[SOURCE: ABC NEWS]