Las Vegas Raiders announce Sandra Douglass Morgan as new president

The Las Vegas Raiders introduced Sandra Douglass Morgan as the franchise’s new president, she is the first Black woman to hold the title with an NFL team.

"I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family," said Raiders Owner Mark Davis. "Her experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organization. From the moment I met Sandra, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. We are extremely lucky to have her at the helm."

A Las Vegas native, Morgan has long been a trailblazer and was the first person of color to serve as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and first African-American City Attorney in the State of Nevada. Morgan was most recently with the law firm Covington & Burling, LLP and previously served as the City Attorney for the City of North Las Vegas. Prior to that, she served as a litigation attorney for an international gaming and hospitality company.

"It is the honor of a lifetime to join the Raiders at one of the most defining times in the team's history," said Morgan. "This team's arrival in Las Vegas has created a new energy and opportunities we never dreamed possible. I look forward to taking this team's integrity, spirit and commitment to excellence on the field into every facet of this organization."

Cop who killed Tamir Rice Hired as a police officer again

07/08/2022 UPDATE: Timothy Loehmann resigns from Pennsylvania police department.

The former police officer who shot and killed Tamir Rice in 2014 has been sworn in as the newest officer for the Borough of Tioga, Pennsylvania.

Timothy Loehmann was sworn in as a borough police officer Tuesday night. After news of the borough's newest hire spread on social media, a protest was staged at the borough offices.

Tioga Borough Mayor David Wilcox said he was unaware of Loehmann's background during the swearing-in ceremony, and that he is not involved with the hiring or firing of personnel. Mayor Wilcox said the borough council is responsible for personnel matters. Mayor Wilcox added that the council president lead him to believe a full background check was done, and no issues were found.

"I was under the understanding, through our police committee and our Borough president, that they did an extensive background check on him," he said. "Everything checked out, everyone they spoke to, clean record...and that was my understanding."

Protesters gathered together to speak to Mayor Wilcox about their outrage against the council's decision. Michele Applebee, a protester from Mainesburg, Pennsylvania, said she feels betrayed.

Mayor Wilcox said they only have one police officer, and the budget only allows for one.

"It's a betrayal of this community's trust for them to hire somebody like that man... and I'm not going to say his name because he doesn't deserve it," she said. "He shouldn't be allowed to have a gun ever again, honestly."

Mayor Wilcox said he is planning an emergency meeting with the council and will not let Loehmann patrol the streets after tonight's protest. The mayor is encouraging residents to show up to the upcoming meeting to voice their concerns.

The lawyer for Tamir Rice's family, Subodh Chandra, issued the following statement:

"Tioga officials apparently don’t care whether a police officer was considered mentally unfit for one department, lied on his application to another, rushed upon and slew a child, and then lied about calling out warnings to Tamir—when his window was rolled up on a winter’s day. Loehmann—who should never again be entrusted with a badge and gun—is shamelessly determined to inflict himself upon other communities. He's also determined to hurt the family of Tamir Rice with his antics when he should just go live the rest of his life—life he deprived Tamir of—in shame. Let’s hope Tioga residents have the good sense to question the poor judgment of their misguided and indifferent officials.

Every time Timothy Loehmann testifies in a criminal case, Tioga officials and prosecutors will be required to provide defendants and defense counsel Loehmann's record of lying, which is known as Brady evidence. He's damaged goods and no community should ever want him responsible for enforcing their laws. Officials who do are betraying the trust of their citizens."

[SOURCE: WENY]

Check out the trailer for THE WOMAN KING starring Viola Davis

Check out the first trailer for the "The Women King" starrring Viola Davis.

The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for.

The fiim is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Viola Davis,Thuso Mbedu Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and John Boyega.

Remarks by Vice President Harris in Highland Park on July 4th Shooting

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Highland Park, Illinois after the tragic July 4th shooting. Read her full remarks to the people of Highland Park below:

Well, to the community of Highland Park: I bring you condolences from President Joe Biden and from our country. I’m so sorry for what you all have experienced and the pain, the suffering. This should never have happened. We talk about it being senseless; it is senseless. It is absolutely senseless.

I want for you that you hold each other tight as a community, that you know that you have a whole nation who cares deeply about you and stands with you. This is a — an incredibly tight community. I know that. And this person will be brought to justice, but it’s not going to undo what happened.

And we — we’re here for you, and we stand with you. And of course, as we always say — because it is true — our prayers are with you.

The President and I and our administration have put all of the resources and will continue to put all of the resources that the Mayor and the Chief and others need in terms of the federal assistance. So the FBI and the ATF are here.

There’s a lot of healing that’s going to have to happen that is both physical and emotional. There is no question that this experience is something that is going to linger in terms of the trauma. And so, I’d like to urge all the families and all the individuals to do seek the support that you so rightly deserve.

And — and we’ll deal with what we need to deal with in terms of also, as we move forward, all agreeing that we’ve got to be smarter as a country in terms of who has access to what and, in particular, assault weapons. And we got to take this stuff seriously, as seriously as you are — because you have been forced to have to take it seriously.

The whole nation should understand and have a level of empathy to understand that this can happen anywhere, in any peace-loving community. And we should stand together and speak out about why it’s got to stop.

Thank you.

Congressional Black Caucus statement on the killing of Jayland Walker

Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty released the following statement on the police shooting of Jayland Walker:

"On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jayland Walker. From every account, he was a family man loved by many. He should still be alive today.

The body camera footage is gut-wrenching and leaves us with far more questions than answers. The conduct of the officers and all involved must be investigated without delay.

The Akron Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office must conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and provide regular updates to the community.

Jayland’s family, the Akron community, and all of us deserve to know what happened and what the department will change to ensure routine traffic stops do not lead to more unnecessary deaths.

Far too many Black people in America are killed at the hands of police during alleged traffic violations, and we cannot remain silent. This is not an acceptable outcome, and we can no longer afford to be merely outraged and heartbroken.

While we have seen action on police reform in recent months, it is clear there is more work to do." - Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty.