Georgia lawmaker arrested during protest of governor signing voting reform bill

Georgia state Rep. Park Cannon was arrested and removed from the Georgia Capitol on Thursday after passage of the state's sweeping elections bill restricting voting access.

In a video posted to social media, a Georgia Capitol police officer speaks with the Democrat outside the door to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's office.

After knocking on the office door during Kemp's signing of SB 202 -- an election overhaul bill -- Cannon is seen being led away by several officers with her hands cuffed behind her back.

Cannon faces two felony charges -- felony obstruction and preventing or disrupting general assembly session, according to an arrest affidavit seen by CNN. The affidavit states that Cannon was charged with disrupting General Assembly session because she "knowingly and intentionally did by knocking the governor's door during session of singing [sic] a bill."

The arrest affidavit for the felony obstruction charge said she "did knowingly and willfully hinder Officer E. Dorval and Officer G. Sanchez of the Capitol PD, a law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge or the officer's official duties by Use of Threats of Violence, violence to the person of said officer by stomping on LT Langford foot three times during the apprehension and as she was being escorted out of the property. The accused continued on kicking LT Langford with her heels."

Attorney Gerald Griggs told CNN he is representing Cannon. Griggs said he was at the Fulton County jail working to bond Cannon out after she was booked on felony obstruction charges.

"We are getting her out of jail currently. We are gathering information on the case as well. There are multiple videos and we are in contact with the DA," Griggs told CNN.

[SOURCE: CNN]

NAACP PRESIDENT DERRICK JOHNSON CALLS ON CONGRESS TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS

After the tragic mass shootings in both Georgia and Colorado, NAACP President Derrick Johnson has released the following statement asking for Congress to ban assault weapons:

“We cannot return to “normal”. Normal in America means endless mass shootings in churches, schools and even grocery stores. Normal in America means crushing trauma for families and communities across the nation. Normal in America means that only 83 days into 2021, 102 mass shootings have already occurred at the hands of gunmen.

Assault weapons are military-style weapons of war, made for offensive military battlefields. They do not belong in the hands of ordinary citizens.

President Biden, we agree with you. We can no longer ‘wait another minute’ to act on the gun violence epidemic. That is why the NAACP is calling on Congress to immediately ban assault weapons. Preventable deaths have been the tragic result of paralyzed progress. As our nation prepares to reopen, the lives of innocent Americans depend on expeditious action.”

Prince William County Public Schools Name First Woman, African American Superintendent

History is being made in Prince William County (Virginia), as its school board names its first woman and first African American superintendent.

Latanya McDade will begin her new job leading Virginia’s second largest school district on July 1. She replaces retiring Superintendent Steven Walts.

McDade is currently the chief education officer in the Chicago Public Schools district. She’s worked there for 23 years, beginning as a teacher, then principal and later working her way up into a top administrative position.

Following the Prince William County School Board’s unanimous vote, McDade addressed the group with her husband and two sons at her side.

“I am deeply honored and thrilled to be selected as the new superintendent of the Prince William County School division,” McDade said.

McDade also said it’s her role as a parent that best prepares her for the challenge ahead.

“All I would want in education for my own children is what I want for every Prince William County school student," she said.

McDade’s remarks were greeted with a standing ovation.

[SOURCE: NBC WASHINGTON]

Sen. Cory Booker statement on recent mass shootings

United States Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released the following statement on the recent mass shootings in both Georgia and Colorado:

A return to normalcy cannot mean a return to mass shooting after mass shooting.

We have the power to stop this.

Kim Janey becomes 1st woman, person of color to be Boston mayor

Boston has a new mayor in Kim Janey, who became the city’s first female and first person of color to take the office Monday.

Marty Walsh resigned Monday evening to become President Joe Biden’s labor secretary. The Boston City Council President Janey, who is Black, stepped into the role of acting mayor and is scheduled to have a ceremonial swearing in Wednesday.

By any typical political stopwatch, Janey's rise has been lightning quick. She was first sworn in as a city councilor just three years ago.

Although Janey, 55, is holding the office only on an interim basis, she's widely seen as hailing a new chapter in Boston’s political history.

[SOURCE: BAYNEWS9]