Statement From the National Bar Association on the Dismissal of the Case Against New York Attorney General Letitia James

The National Bar Association (NBA) affirms its unwavering support for New York Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James. The dismissal of the case against her is a powerful vindication of the rule of law. We commend the Court for upholding constitutional principles and reinforcing the essential checks and balances that protect our democracy. This outcome confirms what we have said from the beginning: the justice system must never be used as a political weapon.

Attorney General James has shown steadfast courage and commitment to her oath of office. Efforts to undermine her through meritless and procedurally flawed actions threaten judicial independence and weaken public confidence in our institutions. The law demands fairness, and today the Court has answered that call.

For more than a century, the National Bar Association has stood for justice and the protection of civil rights. We urge lawyers, judges, and citizens to remain vigilant in defending these principles. This moment reminds us that Freedom & Justice Cannot Wait!

PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS WILL PARTICIPATE IN 100 MILE MARCH FOR MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

POP CHAIRMAN LAWRENCE HAMM WILL MARCH FOR MUMIA

The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) will participate in a 103 mile march to draw attention to the worsening medical condition of political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. It will begin Friday, November 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

The “March For Mumia” will starts 9:00at Uncle Bobbie’s Cafe & Books, 5445 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia. The event is sponsored by the March For Mumia coalition. 

“We are marching to demand freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated. 

“We are also marching to demand an end to the abuse that Mumia and other political prisoners experience, and that they receive the proper medical attention and care they need,” Hamm said. 

The participants will walk 103 miles over twelve days until they reach the SCI Mahanoy Corrections Facility in Frackville on December 9th, where Abu-Jamal is incarcerated. Hamm said he will attempt to march to entire route. 

Mumia Abu-Jamal is a renowned journalist and author who has written more than a dozen books. He is a revolutionary, political activist and former leader of the Black Panther Party. 

Abu-Jamal, 71 years-old, has been incarcerated for 44 years. In 1981, he was convicted for the murder of Daniel Faulkner a Philadelphia police officer. 

His death sentence was subsequently commuted to life imprisonment. He has always maintained his innocence. His case, the issue of his innocence, and his fight for freedom has garnered international support over the decades. 

Many well known political activists, celebrities, and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have demanded a new trial for Abu-Jamal. He has become a prominent personality in the fight to end racism, mass incarceration, inhumane treatment of prisoners, and the death penalty. 

“We believe that Mumia is innocent and should be free. We demand freedom for all political prisoners. At a minimum Mumia should have a new trial,” Hamm said. 

Over the years POP has held demonstrations rallies and programs to draw attention to Abu-Jamal’s struggle for freedom and his fight for medical care. More than a decade ago Hamm personally visited Abu-Jamal at the prison in Frackville. 

“Mumia has been an elder for some years and has been experiencing very serious health challenges. He is in danger of going blind if he does not have surgery and treatment for diabetic retinopathy. We are marching to demand the Department of Corrections provide it,” he said. 

The People’s Organization For Progress is part of the March For Mumia coalition. Besides Hamm other POP members will be marching including community organizer and poet Zayid Muhammad, and activist Steven Bernhaut.

“We invite everyone to join us for the march whether you can march one day or twelve days, or whether you can march one mile or 100 miles. Even if you can’t march come out and cheer us on. We need your support,” he said. 

“When I march for Mumia I will also be marching for an end to mass incarceration, the death penalty, and slave labor in our prisons. I will be marching for all those treated unfairly and inhumanely by the criminal justice system,” Hamm said. 

For more information contact March For Mumia at (862)240-6589, or MarchforMumia@gmail.com. Visit the website at MarchforMumia.org. To contact Lawrence Hamm call the People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001. 

Eddie Murphy to receive 51st American Film Institute Life Achievment Award

America’s Highest Honor For A Career In Film To Be Presented

On April 18, 2026, At Gala Tribute To Benefit AFI’s Arts And Education Initiatives

The American Film Institute Board of Trustees have announced that Eddie Murphy will receive the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award, America’s highest honor for a career in film. The award will be presented at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 18, 2026.

“Eddie Murphy is an American icon,” said Kathleen Kennedy, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. “A trailblazing force in the art forms of film, television and stand-up comedy, his versatility knows no bounds. Across five decades, his enduring impact on our culture has inspired artists and audiences alike, and AFI is proud to honor him with the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award.”

The American Film Institute is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. All proceeds from the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute Gala support AFI’s education and arts initiatives.

The official sponsor of the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award Gala dinner is Canva, the all-in-one visual communication platform.

The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award Honoree joins an esteemed group of individuals who have been chosen for this distinguished honor since its inception.

About Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy is the most commercially successful African-American actor in the history of the motion picture business and is one of the industry’s top five box-office performers overall. At the tender age of 64, Murphy is on the very short list of actors who have starred in multiple $100 million pictures over the past three decades, from BEVERLY HILLS COP to DADDY DAY CARE.

Currently seen in the Netflix documentary BEING EDDIE, Murphy was most recently seen starring in Amazon’s heist comedy THE PICKUP and the hit holiday film CANDY CANE LANE, as well as YOU PEOPLE for Netflix. He also starred in COMING 2 AMERICA, the long-awaited sequel to his 1988 box-office hit; as well as portraying the legendary underground comic personality Rudy Ray Moore in the Netflix biopic DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, a performance which garnered him Golden Globes nominations for Best Picture Comedy/Musical and Lead Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and a Critics Choice Association nomination for Best Actor.

In 2020, he received an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and in 2023 his contributions to film were recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association when they presented him with their highest honor, The Cecil B. DeMille Award.

In 2007, Murphy received rave reviews and critical acclaim for his portrayal of James “Thunder” Early in the DreamWorks film DREAMGIRLS, a performance which would garner him the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture as well as earning him his first Academy Award® nomination in the same category.

He is also the voice of Donkey in the Oscar®-winning animated film SHREK and its sequel, SHREK 2, which is the top-grossing animated film of all time. Murphy won an Annie Award and earned BAFTA and MTV Movie Award nominations for his performance in the first SHREK and will reprise the role of Donkey in the forthcoming next installment of the hugely successful franchise.

Murphy began his career as a stand-up comedian over 45 years ago. In 1980, at the age of 19, he joined the cast of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and has since gone on to establish a successful career on the big screen.

His films have been among the highest-grossing comedies in the industry, including 48 HRS., TRADING PLACES, DR. DOLITTLE, COMING TO AMERICA and the BEVERLY HILLS COP franchise. Murphy garnered Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy for his performances in BEVERLY HILLS COP, TRADING PLACES and 48 HRS.

In 1989, Murphy made his directorial debut with HARLEM NIGHTS, a period comedy he also wrote and starred in, opposite Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. In addition, Murphy starred in and produced the hit comedy LIFE, co-starring Martin Lawrence, and starred opposite Steve Martin in the comedy BOWFINGER. He was also the voice of Mushu the Dragon in the successful animated epic MULAN.

In 1996, Murphy portrayed seven different characters in the worldwide box office smash THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, for which he received another Golden Globe Award nomination. He added a character to play a total of eight roles in the sequel, NUTTY PROFESSOR II: THE KLUMPS, co-starring Janet Jackson. He has also starred in DR. DOLITTLE 2, DADDY DAY CARE, the romantic comedy NORBIT, in which he played three characters as well as serving as the film’s producer and screenwriter, the caper comedy TOWER HEIST opposite Ben Stiller, and the drama MR. CHURCH.

Rep. Shomari Figures files bill to name Tuskegee post office in Alabama in honor of Tuskegee Airmen

U.S. Representative Shomari Figures, D-Ala., introduced bipartisan legislation today to recognize the Tuskegee Airmen in honor of Veterans Day.

The bill introduced by Figures would designate the U.S. Postal Service facility at 401 North Elm Street in Tuskegee as the “Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office.”

“Today, on my first Veterans Day in Congress, I want to wish a happy Veterans Day to all the men and women who have ever put on the uniform in defense and protection of the United States of America,” Figures said in a written statement.

“You are the reason we enjoy the rights, privileges, and freedoms that we do in this country. On today and every day, I want to thank you for the commitment and courage you have shown throughout your careers to make this a better nation,” the representative continued. “I also want to thank your families, because I know when servicemembers serve, their families do too.”

The legislation has received endorsements from each of Alabama’s seven representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated.

Figures expressed hope that the bill would bring attention to the legacy and impact of the first group of African American pilots and support crews to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, who trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield.

“Every person who enters the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office will be reminded of their courage, sacrifice, and service to our country,” Figures’ office wrote.

NAACP & BET Announce Date of “57th NAACP Image Awards”

NAACP and BET announced the "57th NAACP Image Awards" will air live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 28, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET. Beloved comedian, actor, and multi-NAACP Image Award winner Deon Cole will return as host.

"BET is honored to continue our longstanding partnership with the NAACP to bring the Image Awards to the world in a way that uplifts and celebrates our stories," said Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. "This show is a powerful reflection of our collective excellence, and we're thrilled to have Deon Cole return as host of the 57th NAACP Image Awards. His authenticity, sharp wit and deep connection to our community make him the perfect guide for this unforgettable night."

"As a comedian, actor, and cultural icon, Deon Cole has consistently used his talent to entertain, uplift, and inspire. His humor, deep appreciation for the culture, and commitment to our community has cemented him as an entertainment legend," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. "It is truly an honor to have him return as the host of this year's 57th NAACP Image Awards. His presence will guide us through an evening of unforgettable moments as we celebrate the visionaries and trailblazers who continue to define and revolutionize culture."

Deon Cole is a comedian, writer, and actor, who can be seen in the title role of BET+'s dark comedy series, AVERAGE JOE, from McG, which has garnered incredible reviews from Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly. Most recently, Deon can be seen in THE MADNESS starring Colman Domingo, a political drama thriller for Netflix from Clement Virgo and VJ Boyd, produced by Chernin. Additionally, he can be seen in Blitz

Bazawule's critically acclaimed remake of THE COLOR PURPLE, the film scored 16 nominations at the 55th NAACP Image Awards, winning 11, including Outstanding Motion Picture. Before that, Deon starred in Jeymes Samuel's THE HARDER THEY FALL for Netflix opposite Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, and LaKeith Stanfield. Deon was featured in Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill's YOU PEOPLE for Netflix, acting opposite Jonah Hill, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Eddie Murphy.

Deon was previously seen as Charlie on ABC's BLACK-ISH and Freeform's GROWNISH. For his work on BLACK-ISH, Deon won three consecutive Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series awards at the 2020, 2021, and 2022 NAACP Image Awards. Deon can be heard as the voice of Dave, for DreamWorks Animation's Netflix series, KIPO AND THE AGE OF WONDERBEASTS. Previously, he starred as Detective Daniel "DJ" Tanner on the TBS comedy ANGIE TRIBECA opposite Rashida Jones. Additionally, Deon was featured in the Ice Cube-led BARBERSHOP series. Next, Deon can be heard as a voice in the BET+ animated series, LIL KEV, opposite Kevin Hart and Wanda Sykes.

In standup, Deon recently released his third one-hour special for Netflix, OK, MISTER. His previous special, CHARLEEN'S BOY, was released by Netflix in 2022. His earlier special, COLE HEARTED, also for Netflix, was released in 2019 after the success of his appearance in Netflix's THE STANDUPS. His previous one-hour special, DEON COLE'S: COLE BLOODED SEMINAR, was shot for Comedy Central. His stand-up documentary, WORKIN' IT OUT, debuted exclusively on Netflix Is A Joke's YouTube channel, and has garnered 6 million views across all socials.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the "57th NAACP Image Awards" continues its tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.

This year, NAACP is introducing two new categories: Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism, recognizing excellence in nationally distributed journalism that informs, uplifts, and authentically reflects on experiences, issues, or perspectives significantly affecting the Black community, or U.S. national affairs through a lens of racial equity, social justice, or community impact; and Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special, honoring excellence in post-production editing that enhances storytelling, strengthens narrative flow, and amplifies emotional impact.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years' attendees and winners include Kamala Harris, Dave Chapelle, Keke Palmer, The Wayans Family, Deon Cole, Cynthia Erivo, June Ambrose, Usher, New Edition, Fantasia Barrino, Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Cortney B. Vance, Will Smith, Viola Davis,

Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Amanda Gorman, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union, Tems, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Quavo, Takeoff, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks, and many more.