Bernie Sanders endorses Ben Jealous for Governor of Maryland

Former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders weighed into Maryland's race for governor Thursday, endorsing Ben Jealous in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Watch Sander's endorsement below.

DHS Debunks Trump Claim That Loretta Lynch Let Russian Lawyer Into U.S.

In his attempts to tarnish President Obama, Donald Trump tries to find a way to blame Obama or his administration for all of his problems. He now blames Obama appointee Loretta Lynch for letting the Russian lawyer into the country that his son foolishly spoke to and attempted to collude with in an attempt to get dirt on Hillary Clinton. Of course like most Trump claims this one isn't true either and the Department of Homeland Security has been quick to point that fact out. George L. Cook III African American Reports.

In the days before her June 2016 meeting with Donald Trump, Jr. and other top Trump campaign aides, Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya was granted a visa by the US State Department to enter the country.

"In Sept. 2015, DHS paroled Natalia Veselnitskaya into the U.S. in concurrence with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York, allowing her to participate in a client’s legal proceedings," the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to BuzzFeed News Thursday night.

"Ms. Veselnitskaya was subsequently paroled into the U.S. several times between 2015 and 2016, ending in February 2016. In June 2016, she was issued a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa by the U.S. Department of State," it said.

The statement contradicts remarks made by President Donald Trump earlier Thursday, suggesting that the Russian lawyer had somehow been allowed into the US by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

“Somebody said that her visa or her passport to come into the country was approved by Attorney General Lynch,” Trump said at a press conference in Paris. “Now, maybe that's wrong. I just heard that a little while ago, but a little surprised to hear that. So, she was here because of Lynch."

Almost immediately, a spokesperson for Lynch put out a statement insisting that she had no authority over whether or not the Russian lawyer was allowed to enter the country.

"Lynch, as the former head of the Justice Department, does not have any personal knowledge of Ms. Veselnitskaya's travel,” the statement said.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to BuzzFeed News that it granted Veselnitskaya special permission to enter the US in 2015, so that she could participate in a civil court case involving her client, the Russian-owned investment company Prevezon Holdings. The parole status was granted at the behest of the Department of Justice, specifically the Manhattan US Attorney's office, which had accused Prevezon of a massive money laundering scheme.

The timeline of Veselnitskaya's parole status appears to line up with statements she made in court during that case, in which she claimed that she had been denied a visa but granted parole so she could represent Prevezon. But in January 2016, after Veselnitskaya filed an affidavit saying that her parole status would soon expire, Justice Department lawyers told the court that her presence in the US, was no longer necessary.

Veselnitskaya's parole subsequently expired in February 2016, according to DHS. When she returned to the US in June, it was under a standard visitor's visa, newly issued by the State Department. It is not clear what prompted the State Department to change course on its decision to grant Veselnitskaya a visa.

But it was on that trip that Veselnitskaya met with key aides for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, on the premise that she would provide damaging information about Hillary Clinton. She remained in the US until at least the following week, when she traveled to Washington, DC, to push members of Congress into repealing the Magnitsky Act.

[SOURCE: BUZZFEED]

NABJ Gives Thumbs Down Awards to FOX News and Ebony Magazine

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) awards The Thumbs Down Award is presented annually to an individual or organization for especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical reporting of African Americans. While Fox News is a no brainer for this award the inclusion of Ebony Magazine is a bit of a surprise, until you read the NABJ's reasons why Ebony won the "award". George L. Cook III African American Reports.

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) issues its 2017 Thumbs Down Award to FOX News and Ebony magazine.

The Thumbs Down Award is presented annually to an individual or organization for especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical reporting, commentary, photography or cartoon about the black community or for engaging in practices at odds with the goals of the National Association of Black Journalists.

"We take this award very seriously," said NABJ President Sarah Glover. "It is our hope that the recipients would re-evaluate their policies and procedures to ensure that they are following the highest journalistic and ethical standards."

FOX News was selected for numerous reasons. In addition to lawsuits accusing the cable news network of "abhorrent, intolerable, unlawful and hostile racial discrimination," there have also been allegations of sexual harassment. Additionally, the lack of diversity in key positions, is a major concern for NABJ.

"It seems FOX has allowed a very unhealthy environment to fester," said NABJ Vice President of Broadcast Dorothy Tucker. "There has to be a level of accountability and it starts at the top. Management has to do better."

Co-recipient Ebony magazine, under its new owners Clear View Group, has made headlines this year because of staff cuts; the relocation of its headquarters from its founding base in Chicago to Los Angeles; and, its very public and sometimes offensive responses to reports of late or non-payment for work already performed by staff or freelance journalists.

"Many of the decisions being made by Ebony's new owners seem counter to the vision of founder John H. Johnson," said NABJ Vice President of Print Marlon A. Walker. "Ebony and its sister publication Jet are near and dear to us. To hear writers whose words bring us much joy aren't being paid for those words is sad, unconscionable, unacceptable.

"Johnson is probably rolling over in his grave."

FOX News must address its work culture and diversity at all levels of employment, including management positions, and the owners of Ebony magazine must resolve its pay issues with freelancers immediately and work to rebuild its image after several alarming missteps.

[SOURCE: NABJ.COM]

Cory Booker and others Introduce Bill to Repeal Trump Voter Suppression Executive Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) along with Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chairwoman Judy Chu (D-CA) today introduced the Anti-Voter Suppression Act, a bicameral bill that would repeal President Trump’s Executive Order establishing an “election integrity” commission to investigate widespread voter fraud.  The bill is supported by more than 90 members of Congress, including every Democratic Senator of color.

The Anti-Voter Suppression Act would also prohibit any federal funds from being used to support the creation of a commission to investigate voter fraud, which is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt at voter suppression that will disproportionately affect poor and minority communities. Facts show that a person is more likely to be struck by lightning than to commit in-person voter fraud. In a 2014 study, only 31 credible instances of in-person voter fraud were discovered out of more than one billion ballots cast between 2000 and 2014.

“The right to vote is among the most precious features of our American democracy,” said Senator Booker. “We will not go back to a time when millions of people – most of them poor and minorities – were silenced through disenfranchisement. Yet that is exactly what President Trump seems to want to do with this sham of a commission. And all to appease his enormous insecurity about the fact that he lost the popular vote by a sum of 2.9 million Americans. We will fight him every step of the way. Even one taxpayer dollar spent on this circus would be a waste of resources.”

“This commission is based on a lie, and is using taxpayer resources to perpetuate the falsehood of widespread voter fraud in the 2016 election,” said Senator Hirono. “In Hawaii, we have a word to describe this sham effort—shibai, or as it’s more widely known, B.S. 

“After the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, many states rushed to strip American citizens—the poor and working class, people of color and students—of the right to vote, the most fundamental right in our democracy and one for which many of our parents and grandparents fought and died. Now, President Trump is requesting invasive and unwarranted personal information from voters," said Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“Attacks on voting rights by GOP legislatures and President Trump’s so-called voter fraud commission cannot go unchecked. The Anti-Voter Suppression Act would repeal President Trump’s executive order establishing the commission and prohibit any funds from being used to investigate the non-issue of voter fraud. Congress needs to pass this legislation as well as other legislation introduced by CBC Members that would restore the Voting Rights Act and expand access to the ballot box.”

“President Trump’s commission was founded on baseless claims of widespread voter fraud that continue to go uncorroborated,” said Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “Despite this, the President continues to seek out reasons to make it more difficult for people to vote. These types of tactics have led to burdensome voter ID laws or the purging of voter registration rolls that disproportionately impact poor, elderly, disabled and Americans of color, and increase the amount of red tape and bureaucracy needed to exercise a fundamental Constitutional right. I call on Members to support this legislation and bring this commission to an end. “

“President Trump’s so-called ‘election integrity’ commission is nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to disenfranchise millions of American voters across the country,” said Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “The right to vote is fundamental to the strength of our democracy, and the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine this right is absolutely appalling and must be stopped. 

“This is why I am proud to join my Tri-Caucus colleagues in introducing the Anti-Voter Suppression Act. Rather than spread false claims of voter fraud and promote voter suppression efforts, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans should work with Democrats to restore the Voting Rights Act, and ensure that all Americans, including the growing Asian American and Pacific Islander electorate, can exercise their fundamental right to vote." 

“Free and fair elections make up the very foundation of our democracy, and we must do everything we can to protect voters’ personal information to ensure that it can never be used to interfere with one’s right to vote and participate in our democracy,” said Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ).  “Stopping voter discrimination laws that effectively disenfranchise poor and minority voters has become increasingly more difficult since the Supreme Court’s infamous decision in Shelby County v. Holder.  I will continue to stand up and fight to uphold our most basic democratic principles and everyone’s right to vote.”

“President Trump’s executive order to establish an ‘election integrity’ commission will ironically make it harder for Americans, particularly those from disadvantaged and minority communities, to exercise their right to vote,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). “This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to distract the public from real issues facing the nation." 

“Instead of focusing on the serious threat to our democracy posed by known foreign attacks on our election infrastructure, this commission appears to be attempting to manufacture false evidence of massive voter fraud to justify voter suppression,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). “I can’t help but think back to 2005 when I was laying in my hospital bed looking at pictures of Iraqis – including women, Christian minorities and marginalized groups – with green thumbs who were so proud they could vote freely for the first time thanks to the sacrifice of American troops. Now, we have a Commander-in-Chief who is spearheading an effort to take away the rights of people to vote through an illegal action.” 

The bill is also sponsored by the following members of Congress:

Senator Kamala Harris

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Senator Ed Markey

Senator Jack Reed

Senator Al Franken

Senator Dick Durbin

Senator Christopher Coons

Senator Sherrod Brown

Senator Tom Carper

Senator Patty Murray

Senator Bob Casey

Senator Maggie Hassan

Senator Jeanne Shaheen

Senator Chuck Schumer

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator Amy Klobuchar

Senator Chris Murphy

Senator Dianne Feinstein

Senator Ron Wyden

Senator Tom Udall

Senator Elizabeth Warren

Senator Richard Blumenthal

Senator Patrick Leahy

Senator Martin Heinrich

Senator Jeff Merkley

Senator Brian Schatz

Rep. John Conyers

Rep. John Lewis

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton

Rep. Maxine Waters

Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr.

Rep.  James Clyburn

Rep. Alcee Hastings

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson

Rep. Bobby Rush

Rep. Bobby Scott

Rep. Bennie Thompson

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

Rep. Elijah Cummings

Rep. Danny Davis

Rep. Gregory Meeks

Rep. Barbara Lee

Rep. William Lacy Clay, Jr.

Rep. David Scott

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II

Rep. Al Green

Rep. Yvette Clarke

Rep. Keith Ellison

Rep. Hank Johnson

Rep. Andre Carson

Rep. Marcia Fudge

Rep. Karen Bass

Rep. Terri Sewell

Rep. Frederica Wilson

Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

Rep. Joyce Beatty

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

Rep. Marc Veasey

Rep. Robin Kelly

Rep. Brenda Lawrence

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

Rep. Dwight Evans

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Rep. Anthony Brown

Rep. Val Butler Demings

Rep. Al Lawson

Rep. A. Donald McEachin

Rep. Ted Lieu

Rep. Steve Cohen

Rep. Marcy Kaptur

Rep. Grace Meng

Rep. Frank Pallone

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa

Rep. Raul Grijalva

Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan

Rep. John Garamendi

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney

Rep. Don Beyer

Rep. Tim Ryan

Rep. Pramila Jayapal

Rep. Nydia Velazquez

Rep. Paul Tonko

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter

Rep. Jared Polis

Rep. Rick Larsen

Rep. John Sarbanes

Rep. Darren Soto

Rep. Nydia Velazquez

Black gun owners ask: Does the Second Amendment apply to us?

There's evidence that black gun ownership has spiked since the 2016 campaign began. While white Americans have led the liberalization of gun laws in the past decade, black gun carry is becoming a test of constitutional agency.

Like many African-Americans of his generation, Phillip Smith, a Californian in his 50s, grew up without a gun in the house. To his parents, gun ownership was not just politically unacceptable, but morally wrong – a fount, if anything, of trouble and tragedy.

When he moved his own family to the South in 2002, he found a different tradition, where black families, many of them fresh from the farms, had hunting rifles for sport and, to an extent, self-defense. Mr. Smith was intrigued. As he bought his first guns and began practicing at a gun range, he had an epiphany: Perhaps the Second Amendment is the black man’s ultimate sign of full citizenship.

Smith’s crossover into the world of guns and ammo makes him part of a widening attempt to, as he says, “normalize” a black gun-carrying tradition fraught with historical pain and tragedy.

His advocacy for African-American gun rights has turned out to be a potent message. The National African-American Gun Association he founded has grown from 800 to 20,000 members since 2015. Unlike the primarily white and male National Rifle Association, NAAGA is diverse in both color and gender; 60 percent of its members are women.

“The main thing – and I’d be lying if I said something else – is that in the last 18 months the racial tone of the country has tilted in a direction that is alarming, at a minimum,” says Smith, who lives in an Atlanta suburb. “For African-Americans, we’re seeing the same old faces, the same type of conversations we saw in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and we thought they were dead and gone.”

Given that white Americans have led the liberalization of gun laws in the past decade, black gun carry is becoming a test of constitutional agency, injecting what University of Arizona gun culture expert Jennifer Carlson calls the specter of “legitimate violence” into an already tense political climate. Incidents like the June acquittal of the Minnesota police officer who shot Philando Castile, a legal gun owner, during a traffic stop have added to that tension, gun owners like Smith say – as did the National Rifle Association’s silence over both his shooting and the verdict.

For some black gun owners, the question is a stark one: Can African-Americans reasonably expect to be covered by the Second Amendment in a country still marbled by racist rhetoric, attitudes, and acts?

Read more: Black gun owners ask: Does the Second Amendment apply to us?