New Emmett Till bullet proof marker dedicated to replace vandalized sign

A new bulletproof memorial to Emmett Till was dedicated Saturday in Mississippi after previous historical markers were repeatedly vandalized.

Patrick Weems, executive director of the Emmett Till Memorial Commission, said the new marker was dedicated Saturday.

Members of Till's family, including two of Till's cousins, attended the ceremony at the site where the teen's body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River.

This is the fourth historical marker at the site. Previous ones became a target for vandals.

The first historical marker was placed in 2008. Someone tossed it in the river. The second and third signs were shot at and left riddled with bullet holes.

The new 500-pound (225-kilogram) steel sign has a glass bulletproof front, Weems said.

A new, bulletproof memorial for Emmett Till was erected on the shore of the Tallahatchie River today, after vandals’ repeated attempts to erase his memory here. pic.twitter.com/25hTobCfWl

— Ja'han Jones (@_Jahan) October 19, 2019

[SOURCE: AP]

Baltimore mayor looks to rename courthouse after Elijah Cummings

Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young (D) said Friday that he wants to rename a downtown courthouse building after the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.).

Young will reportedly file legislation “as quickly as possible” with the Baltimore City Council to rename the Courthouse East building after the congressman, who represented Maryland’s 7th congressional district that includes roughly half of the city, The Baltimore Sun reported.

If it passes, the city-run building would become the Elijah E. Cummings Courthouse.

“It is most fitting that this building, in which Congressman Cummings fought for justice for his fellow citizens early in his career as an attorney, be named in his honor," Young told the Sun in a statement. "It will stand in perpetuity as a monument to Cummings’ service to the common man, the rule of law in our society, and his commitment to economic justice for all.”

Young said the decision came about after a meeting with local officials and other community members that focused on how to honor the longtime lawmaker, who he praised as one of Baltimore’s “greatest voices and staunchest advocates.”

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes and Philadelphia eagles Malik Jackson to pay for funeral of Atatiana Jefferson

Atatiana Jefferson’s funeral will be paid for by former Dallas Maverick Harrison Barnes and Malik Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Jefferson family attorney Lee Merritt.

Barnes is paying for more than half of it while Jackson will cover the rest of the cost.

Elijah Cummings to lie in state at US Capitol

Funeral arrangements have been set for 12-term Maryland U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died early Thursday morning.

On Friday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that Cummings will lie in state in National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol on Oct. 24.

A formal memorial ceremony for members of Congress, the Cummings family and invited guests will be held Thursday morning, followed by a public viewing, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. More details will be announced later.

“In the House, Elijah was our North Star. He was a leader of towering character and integrity, whose stirring voice and steadfast values pushed the Congress and country to rise always to a higher purpose. His principled leadership as chair of the committee on Oversight and Reform was the perfect testament to his commitment to restoring honesty and honor to government, and leaves a powerful legacy for years to come," Pelosi said.

Cummings will be laid to rest next week. Funeral services will take place Oct. 25 at the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore. A viewing will begin at 8 a.m. following with the service at 10 a.m.

[SOURCE: WBAL]

Sen.Cory Booker statement on the passing of Elijah Cummings

NJ Senator Cory Booker released the following statement via Twitter on the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings.

Today our country lost a true leader. Congressman Elijah Cummings was a friend, a passionate fighter for justice, and a powerful voice of moral conscience in our government who served his country for decades with dignity and integrity. I’m blessed to have known him. #RIPElijah

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) October 17, 2019