Democrat Letitia James is running for New York State Attorney General

With enthusiastic screams of "Run Tish Run" echoing through the hall, state Democrats nominated city Public Advocate Letitia James for attorney general.

James picked up over 85% of the delegate vote to win the nomination over Fordham Law Prof. Zephyr Teachout and former Gov. Cuomo and Hillary Clinton aide Leecia Eve.

In accepting the nomination, James warned that constitutional rights are under attack in Washington and that "the attorney general stands at the vanguard as a wall of protection, not a wall of exclusion."

"I'm so proud you bestowed on me this designation because I'm well prepared for the fight ahead," she said.

James went into the convention the heavy favorite, having won the endorsement of Gov. Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and some key labor unions.

Her candidacy fell into place quickly since the position wasn't even in play as Eric Schneiderman cruised toward a third term. But all that changed on May 7 when Schneiderman abruptly resigned in disgrace hours after New Yorker magazine released a story alleging he physically assaulted four women.

[SOURCE: NY DAILY NEWS]

Bernice King to Steve Bannon: My dad would not be proud of Trump

In an interview with BBC’s “Newsnight,” Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist cited historically low unemployment rates for black and Hispanic workers and credited the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

“If you look at the policies of Donald Trump, OK, anybody — Martin Luther King — would be proud of him, of what he’s done for the black and Hispanic community for jobs,” Bannon said.

In a series of tweets Bernice King, the Rev. Martin Luther King’s daughter blasted Steve Bannon’s claim that her father would be proud of President Donald Trump.

#SteveBannon has dangerously and erroneously co-opted my father’s name, work and words.

Bannon’s assertion that my father, #MLK, would be proud of Donald Trump wholly ignores Daddy’s commitment to people of all races, nationalities, etc. being treated with dignity and respect.

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018

My father’s concerns were not sectional, but global. He was an activist for the civil rights of Black people in America, but he was also an activist for human rights. #MLK

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018

In addition, he would never pit one group against another in the struggle for justice, as Bannon attempts to use him to do in discussing those he termed as “illegal aliens” and Black people. #MLK

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018

Bannon’s comments are like feeding someone empty calories, in that they don’t convey a comprehensive view of #MLK as a global humanitarian who cared about the well-being of all people.

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018

My father would be extremely disturbed by the climate created by leaders, who have emboldened people to easily express and demonstrate cruelty, predominantly toward people of color and immigrants. #MLK

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018

Finally, #MLK would be proud of a livable wage for all and not merely a low unemployment rate. #PoorPeoplesCampaign

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018

Largest group of African-Americans graduate from Coast Guard Academy

After the graduation ceremony ended and the crowd began dispersing, a group of newly minted Coast Guard ensigns and their families, friends and mentors gathered around the Honor Wall, which is inscribed with the words "Who lives here reveres honor, honors duty."

The 18 men and women represent the largest number of African-Americans to graduate from the Coast Guard Academy — the result of hard work, which several mentioned has just begun, to diversify the institution that develops the Coast Guard's future officers.

The ensigns were given lieutenant commander shoulder boards, a rank usually achieved after 10 years of Coast Guard service, as a memento to encourage them to stay in the Coast Guard and become leaders in the service.

"The goal is to have you break into the senior leadership of this organization. For you guys to do that, you guys have got to remain vigilant. You got to remain focused, and you got to remain on task," said Cmdr. Marcus Canady, a 2000 academy graduate who is part of the Admissions Minority Outreach Team, which has helped to recruit minorities to come to the academy and mentor them during their time here.

The shoulder boards are a way to "keep that idea in your head" over the next 10 years, Canady told the ensigns.

Merle Smith, the first African-American to graduate from the academy, presented Ensign Tyler Exum of Fort Washington, Md., who majored in electrical engineering and graduated with honors, with his shoulder boards.

"It's taken this long for our Coast Guard Academy to reflect the nation whom we serve," Adm. Paul Zukunft, the commandant of the Coast Guard, said to the ensigns. "It was really about giving people the opportunity, going out and exposing them to the Coast Guard Academy."

In addition to Zukunft, Rear Adm. James Rendon, superintendent at the academy, also was present at the shoulder board ceremony.

The outreach team played a big part in exposing prospective students to the academy. Canady said the group was formed about 2007 and then went dormant for a little while before picking back up again about five years ago, as prospective students in the Class of 2018 were looking at colleges. He and retired Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark Harris, a 1996 graduate of the academy, challenged the ensigns to continue that work.

Read more: Largest group of African-Americans graduate from Coast Guard Academy.

The NFL is misguided with its new National Anthem Policy

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

The NFL passed a resolution stating that if players are on the field that they must stand for the National Anthem. Here are two reasons I believe that this new policy is misguided. Listen to my thoughts on this below:

NFLPA Statement on NFL's New Anthem Policy

In response to mostly African American players kneeling to protest police brutality and racial inequality, NFL owners passed a resolution on Wednesday that allows players to remain in the locker room during the national anthem but those who are on the sidelines will be required to stand. Teams -- not players -- will be fined for any actions deemed disrespectful.

The National Football League Player's Association released the following statement:

NFLPA Statement on New Anthem Policy

The NFL chose to not consult the union in the development of this new “policy.” NFL players have shown their patriotism through their social activism, their community service, in support of our military and law enforcement and yes, through their protests to raise awareness about the issues they care about.

The vote by NFL club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Chairman of the NFL’s Management Council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of our League.

Our union will review the new “policy” and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement.