Virginia Legislative Black Caucus boycotts Trump speech

A speech by President Trump to mark the 400th anniversary of America’s first legislative assembly was boycotted by several black lawmakers on Tuesday, as the controversy over Trump’s comments about African-American figures showed no sign of abating.

Mr Trump flew to Jamestown, Virginia to mark the anniversary – one of a series of events planned this year to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of the colony by British settlers in 1619. Virginia will mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slaves to the state next month.

But the event was overshadowed by Mr Trump’s controversial comments on race in recent days, with several members of the state assembly in Virginia skipping the event. In a statement, members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) said it was boycotting the event because of Mr Trump’s “repeated attacks on black legislators and comments about black communities”.

“The absence of the VLBC will send the message that the members do not condone the president’s participation . . . those who have chosen to attend and remain silent are complicit in the atrocities that he incites,” the statement said.

Read the VLBC's full statement below:

VLBC Press Release On Boyco... by Councilman George L. Cook III on Scribd

Al Sharpton smacks down Trump for calling him a con man

President Donald Trump, after a weekend of attacks on Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., and his Baltimore-area district, began Monday by blasting the Rev. Al Sharpton as someone who "hates whites and cops." and calling him a con man.

Sharpton came back with a witty and biting response:

NEW: Rev. Al Sharpton responds to Pres. Trump's attack this morning: "If he really thought I was a con man, he'd be nominating me for his Cabinet." https://t.co/07y027HWeS pic.twitter.com/014y5jCELb

— ABC News (@ABC) July 29, 2019

Simone Manuel: 1st woman to win 7 medals in single world swimming championships

After becoming the first American woman in history to sweep the 50 and 100 free at the FINA World Aquatics Championships Sunday, and then anchoring world record on the women’s 4×100 medley relay, Simone Manuel completed the most decorated performance by a woman in Worlds history by winning seven total medals.

Manuel won four golds and three silvers throughout the week. In addition to the free sprint wins and women’s medley relay, she was on the winning mixed 4×100 medley relay, then took silver on the women’s 4×200 free relay and 4×100 free relay, and mixed 4×100 free relay.

Manuel shared the previous record of six medals (she did it in 2017) with seven other women: Shirley Babashoff (1975), Tracy Caulkins (1978), Mary T. Meagher (1986), Kristin Otto (1986), Missy Franklin (2013), Katie Ledecky (2017), and Emma McKeon (2017).

With Sunday’s relay finish, Manuel ties Missy Franklin in medal count (16) and now trails only Katie Ledecky in medal caliber, but American Natalie Coughlin and Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom are also ahead of her in overall count with 20 and 17, respectively.

[SOURCE: SWIMSWAM]

Elijah Cummings fired back at Trump over his attack on Baltimore

Rep. Elijah Cummings response to Trump calling his district a rat and rodent infested mess:

Mr. President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbors.

It is my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. But, it is my moral duty to fight for my constituents.

- Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) July 27, 2019

Harriet Tubman movie coming November 1, 2019

Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

HARRIET is set to be released November 1, 2019 and was directed by Kasi Lemons.

The Focus Features film stars Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Nettles, and Clarke Peters.

WATCH THE TRAILER