Former Prosecutor Sues Ava Duvernay Over We They See Us Portrayal

Linda Fairstein, the former prosecutor who led the case against the five men wrongfully convicted in the Central Park jogger case, has now filed a lawsuit against Netflix over her portrayal in the 2019 limited series “When They See Us.”

In the suit, which also names series creator Ava DuVernay and writer-producer Attica Locke, Fairstein accuses the show of wrongfully portraying her as “a racist, unethical villain who is determined to jail innocent children of color at any cost.”

Fairstein’s lawyer Andrew Miltenberg elaborated in a statement, adding that the limited series “falsely portrays Ms. Fairstein as in charge of the investigation and prosecution of the case against The Five, including the development of the prosecution’s theory of the case. In truth, and as detailed in the lawsuit, Ms. Fairstein was responsible for neither aspect of the case.”

“Ms. Fairstein’s reputation and career – in the law and in literature – have been irreparably damaged by the Defendants’ actions. We believe strongly in the merits of this litigation and intend to pursue the case vigorously,” Miltenberg said.

In their own statement, Netflix slammed the lawsuit as “frivolous” and “without merit.” The streamer pledged to stand by DuVernay and Locke in defending the series.

[SOURCE: THE WRAP]

Howard University cancels graduation

Howard University is canceling its graduation and will transition to online coursework after the school announced its first case of coronavirus.

A guest who attended the Howard University Charter Day Dinner tested positive for COVID-19. The DC Department of Health is investigating the case and as a precaution, the university is asking everyone who attended the March 7 dinner to monitor and report to their doctor if they experience flu like-symptoms, according to a letter from Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick.

Howard is canceling its graduation and all class reunions as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

[SOURCE: WLJA]

Cook County State Attorney Kim Fox wins democratic primary

ILLINOIS-Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx survived a well-financed challenge from newcomer Bill Conway in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

Foxx was surrounded by her husband and four daughters as she took the stage to the sounds of their cheers in a downtown hotel conference room. The space was kept largely empty as a precaution due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

“I want to help make Cook County a more inclusive and thriving community, where everyone is welcome,” she said. “I pledge to keep pushing for that change, that is fair, that is just, that is equitable, that will keep our communities safe,” she said.

With about 85% of precincts reporting at 10:30 p.m., Foxx had 48% of the vote and Conway had 33%. Two other challengers were polling a distant third and fourth.

Foxx is set to face the winner of a Republican primary between former prosecutors Christopher Pfannkuche and Pat O’Brien. O’Brien had a substantial lead as of late Tuesday, winning 73% of the vote with 85% of precincts reporting.

[SOURCE: CHICAGO TRIBUNE]

Cory Booker wants to give Americans money to get through Covid-19 pandemic

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and other federal lawmakers want to send out cold, hard cash to help you cope with the coronavirus crisis.

Booker joined several of his Democratic colleagues Tuesday in urging Senate leaders to pass legislation providing most Americans with an immediate $2,000 cash payment, and it could grow to $4,500 by the end of the year if the crisis doesn’t abate.

“In mere days, we’ve gone from life as normal to implementing dramatic changes in how we work, socialize, and live,” said Booker, D-N.J. “The ramifications to our economy — and to the millions of American workers and businesses who underpin it — are massive and require a large-scale, aggressive federal response.”

The money would be paid to U.S. adults and their dependents, as well as every Social Security, Veterans Affairs, or Supplemental Security Income recipient.

The funds automatically would go to those who file tax returns for 2019. Those who do not file a return could submit a separate Form 1040. The payment would phased out for those with higher incomes.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Rep. Pressley Fights for Community Health Centers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the Congressional Community Health Centers Caucus, sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, in his capacity as head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, urging the Task Force to consider the needs of the nation’s 1,400 community health centers (CHCs). In the letter, Congresswoman Pressley urges the administration to take four concrete steps to protect CHCs and the frontline healthcare workers they employ.

Across the United States, CHCs serve as a crucial source of healthcare for almost 29 million low-income individuals, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured.

“It is deeply concerning that in the midst of this pandemic, Administration officials have tasked CHCs with caring for our nation’s most complex and vulnerable patients without providing them with the adequate support and resources to do it,” writes Congresswoman Pressley. “Historically, CHCs have played a vital role in responding to our most pressing public health challenges. From the HIV/AIDS epidemic to the ongoing opioid crisis, CHCs have offered critical health services to vulnerable communities, all the while remaining chronically underfunded and under-resourced. Given the severity of COVID-19, we simply must not allow this to continue. With almost 28 million uninsured Americans, nationwide testing shortages, and a rapidly spreading virus, it is both unfair and unsustainable for CHCs to shoulder this burden without proper resources.”

Congresswoman Pressley is a long-time advocate for community-based health care programs. Last year, she helped secure $1.6 billion in funding for the Community Health Centers program and fought for funding to support school-based health centers. She also led more than 85 of her colleagues in urging House and Senate leadership to pass a strong, long-term extension of the Community Health Center Fund, which ultimately led to the inclusion of $10 billion in program and capital improvement funds for CHCs as part of H.R. 3, the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act.