Chicago 'Black Christmas' protesters march against police violence

Several hundred protesters against police killings of black men marched on Thursday along Chicago's Michigan Avenue, calling for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to step down and aiming to disrupt Christmas Eve shopping in a glittering, upscale commercial area.

The demonstration was peaceful, but after the main march concluded, police scuffled with a few dozen protesters who were trying to block the entrance to an H&M store and to obstruct traffic both ways on Michigan Avenue, a major thoroughfare.

Read more: Chicago 'Black Christmas' protesters march against police violence

Urban Movie Channel is Now Available to Amazon Prime Customers

RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) today announced its urban streaming channel UMC – Urban Movie Channel is now available to Amazon Prime members as part of Amazon’s newly announced Streaming Partners Program. As part of the program, Amazon Prime members can easily add UMC via the Amazon Video app. A 14-day free trial is available to Prime customers and the service thereafter is $4.99/month.

Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of RLJ Entertainment and founder of BET says, “We are excited that UMC is among the initial streaming channels to be included in the Amazon program. UMC provides viewers seeking high quality and entertaining urban-themed content. Being aligned with Amazon will allow us to reach tens of millions of Prime members and is a tremendous opportunity increase the awareness and subscriber growth for our UMC digital channel.”

About UMC

UMC – Urban Movie Channel was created by Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of RLJ Entertainment and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), UMC features quality urban content showcasing feature films, documentaries, original series, stand-up comedy, and other exclusive content for African American and urban audiences. New titles added weekly include live stand-up specials like Martin Lawrence Presents: 1st Amendment Stand Up and Comedy Underground Series, and performances featuring Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx and comedic rock star Kevin Hart; dramas including Blackbird starring Academy Award® winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique, Isaiah Washington, and directed by Patrik-Ian Polk, and Playin’ For LoveDark Girls and I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac; action/thrillers including The Colony starring Laurence Fishburne; and stage play productions including What My Husband Doesn’t Know by David E. Talbert.

African American Film Critics Relaunch AAFCA Seal Of Approval

The African American Film Critics Association has relaunched the AAFCA Seal of Approval program for film marketers and distributors.

Titles that earn the AAFCA Seal of Approval must meet quality standards, including cultural/historical relevance, and are evaluated by a special panel of AAFCA members, film journalists and academics.

[SOURCE]

Star Wars storm troopers were never white!

In the weeks leading up to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens there was some controversy about the storm trooper played by John Boyega being black and being a lead character, although after seeing all the teaser trailers how anyone was surprised by Finn being a lead is beyond me. But back to the topic at hand.

Many wondered how that could be since storm troopers were supposed to be white. (Am I the only one wondering why some were so quick to want to claim the bad guys as one of them?). The movie itself does a great job of explaining why Finn (Boyega) is black which I wont post here because of the spoilery thing.

But what many of those bitching obviously don't know is that the storm troopers NEVER WERE WHITE!

As shown in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (the less said about that movie the better) they were clones of Jango Fett, the father of Boba Fett. The actor, Temuera Morrison that portrayed Jango Fett was Māori. The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. So that means the storm troopers were Polynesian which I'm sure is not white.

So everyone can syop bitching about black storm troopers and do what millions already have. Enjoy Star wars: The Force Awakens for the great movie that it is!

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

No indictment in Sandra Bland case

A grand jury has decided not to indict anyone in the case of Sandra Bland, whose death in police custody raised questions of excessive force and the role of race.

The grand jury met for more than eight hours Monday.

"After reviewing all the evidence in the death of Sandra Bland, a Waller grand jury did not return an indictment in the death of Bland, nor were any indictments returned against any employee of the Waller County Jail," said Darrell Jordan, a special prosecutor handling the case.

The grand jury will reconvene in January to consider other indictments.

Read more; Grand jury decides against indictments in Sandra Bland case