Get out your Walking shoes -- It's time to MARCH

It's time...
For too long we've dealt with the issues of violence, crime, under-achievement, and low expectations. For too long our community and organizations have been plagued by divisions and mistrust. For too long we've waited for solutions to come from the outside, when we have to power to change our reality right now if we would only come together...

It's time...
On June 26th, at 12:00 noon, the NAACP and the Ministerial League along with other community minded organizations, concerned citizens, families, and youth, will STAND TOGETHER. We will March through our neighborhood, walking past the sites where our young men and women have lost their lives to senseless violence. We are going to March, and sing, and Pray, and recall that spirit of the Community we Used to be... We are going to March together, arm-in-arm, and work together to bring about the Rebirth of our Community Spirit. We are going to March together, and teach our Young People about the beautiful People and Community that God intended us to be.

It's time...
We are going to stand together and say Goodbye to the Ego's, Goodbye to the Silo's, and Goodbye to the divisions that have kept us apart. We are going to stand together and say Goodbye to the violence, Goodbye to the crime, and Goodbye to the low expectations that have afflicted our community.

It's time...
We're going to Reclaim our community by reclaiming our Youth. We are not going to cast these young men aside -- We are going to reclaim them. These are our children - We are going to let them know that we love them, and we are going to bring them back into the fold. We're not going to lecture them about the way it was 'back in the day'... We going to talk to them about the way its 'going to be Tomorrow', and we're going to fight to bring our prodigal sons back home. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It's time everybody... So get out your old walking shoes. And JOIN US on June 26th... More details will follow shortly through the blog, email, radio, newspaper, text, twitter, facebook, and flyers...

Be ready everybody - Start talking it up - Start praying and Stretching - because on June 26th, we're going to stand together and rebuild our community...

Read more...

Non-Profits may lose their tax exempt status on Monday

A change in law put in place through a 2006 federal pension bill requires all non-profits, even small ones, to file IRS form 990s or a simplified version of the form. Nonprofits with less than $25,000 in annual revenue formerly didn't have to file with the feds like larger organizations. But that changed with the passage of the 2006 law. Small volunteer type organizations had three years to comply, but many remain unaware of the impending deadline. The grace period ends on Monday.

The deadline applies to groups that report $25,000 or less in income but excludes churches. Organizations that lose their tax exempt status may not find out until Jan. 1, 2011, when they're notified they have to pay taxes on donations they thought were exempt. And it could be months before their nonprofit status is restored.

Please forward this post to any community groups or small volunteer organizations that currently have 501c3 Tax exempt status...

Organizations can still E-File their 990s form and beat the deadline. CLICK HERE for the E-Filing form.

Read more...

Full Text of our remarks at the 02-24-10 press conference opposing the Kansas "Healthcare Freedom" Amendment

Good Afternoon everyone,

Thank you for joining us this afternoon as we detail our opposition to the proposed Kansas “Healthcare Freedom” Amendment. But let us begin with a brief introduction; my name is Kevin Myles and I am the President of the Kansas State Conference of the NAACP. The Kansas State Conference is the State Level unit of the Association and its membership is comprised of all of the local branches throughout the State.

We’re pleased to be joined today by Representative Melody McCray Miller, Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and several members of the State House of Representatives, Mr. Chester Daniels, President and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas, Ms. Janice Bradley of the Peace and Social Justice Center, as well as representatives from many of the NAACP Branches from around the State, and we are all united in our opposition to the Kansas “Healthcare Freedom” Amendment (KHCFA).

The KHCFA was introduced on Tuesday, February 2nd, by Representatives Landweir and Mast, and Senator Pilcher-Cook. We stand in opposition to this proposed amendment because despite its name, the KHCFA is not a bill that would guarantee “freedom” in Healthcare or provide choices and/or options for consumers. Rather, the KHCFA is in fact a measure specifically designed to block Federal Healthcare reform efforts from being implemented here in Kansas. Using deceptively simple language, it seeks to thwart the implementation of Federal Healthcare Reform efforts through prohibiting the mechanisms through which healthcare reforms would be funded.

There are three funding mechanisms available for expanding coverage to the uninsured and those with pre-existing conditions while driving down costs to make healthcare affordable and accessible: (1) Expanding the pool by having everyone purchase coverage. (2) Implementing some form of public plan or single payer plan such as Medicare for all. (3) Offset costs by raising taxes.

Section 1, part 1 is designed to prohibit any form of direct or indirect mandate which the drafters of this legislation fully understand is necessary if we are ever to cover those with pre-existing conditions. The only way we can provide quality and affordable coverage for all (including those with pre-existing conditions) is if we all share the risks. Section 1 prohibits the only funding mechanism that could provide such coverage outside of a single payer system. Section 1, part 2 prohibits the formation of a public or single payer system. And the legislators who introduced this bill know that Option #3 – Offsetting costs by raising taxes, is not a viable option.

So by outlawing the funding mechanisms available to provide quality and affordable healthcare for all, they effectively block the implementation of reforms and set up an unnecessary constitutional crisis which would then have to be resolved by the courts.

Simply put, the Kansas Healthcare Freedom Amendment does not guarantee freedoms. It denies the residents of the State of Kansas the freedom to engage in an honest and genuine debate about how best to provide healthcare for all, including those with pre-existing conditions.

However, what it does provide is a Constitutional guarantee for the status quo. What it does provide is a guarantee that health insurance companies will be able to CONTINUE discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions. What it does provide is a constitutional plank stating that in Kansas, healthcare is a privilege and not a right. And what these legislators are claiming on behalf of all Kansans is that here in our State, we don't need Health care Reform; our system is totally fine, and we want to keep it just the way it is...

One of the many ironies in that position is that fact that the Kansas Healthcare Freedom amendment wasn’t even written by our legislators here in Kansas. In fact, the proposed amendment was downloaded from the internet. The site the bill actually came from was the American Legislative Exchange Council www.alec.org, which is a conservative website, run by a Washington DC think-tank, with a whole section of “model legislation”. The bill on the site is named the “Freedom of Choice in healthcare Act”.

While we are opposed to the content and intent of the bill, we are equally opposed to the process by which this proposed amendment was foisted upon the residents of the State of Kansas. This bill was not written to address the needs of the residents of Kansas. We expect that our Senators and Representatives will carefully consider the needs of their constituents and draft legislation that will speak specifically to those needs. Our legislators should not scour the internet looking for boutique bills and partisan gimmicks to obstruct the legislative process as we work towards reforming a system that bankrupting the country. This proposed amendment is “Governance by Google” and we as citizens and residents of the State of Kansas deserve more than this.

Especially when there are roughly 300,000 Kansans who do not have health insurance. There are roughly 65,000 small businesses in Kansas that would qualify for tax credits under either the House or Senate bills that would allow them to provide coverage for their employees. There are roughly 44,000 Kansas Seniors who would be able to close the doughnut hole in Medicare Part D, under either the House or Senate bills. And there are roughly 4,100 Kansas Families who declare bankruptcy on an annual basis due to medical bills and medical debts.

In closing, we would like to state emphatically that in opposing the Kansas healthcare freedom amendment, we are not endorsing any specific healthcare reform bill. In fact, that is another of the ironies in this process… There is no actual Federal healthcare reform bill to oppose. There is a House version, and a Senate version, and a draft version released from the Administration, but all of these would have to be worked and caucused in order to come up with a final bill for our consideration. So we are not endorsing any specific bill, but we are standing in support of the legislative and deliberative process – We are opposed to onerous preconditions, legislative obstructionism, and partisan gimmicks -- We are standing in favor of an open and unfettered debate about how best to provide quality and affordable healthcare for all. And we call upon our Senators and Representatives to vote down the proposed “Healthcare Freedom” Amendment.

Thank you for your time, and we will now stand for any questions…

Read more...

...but was it a "Hate Crime"?

Few pieces of legislation are as misunderstood as the Federal Law which designates and prohibits 'Hate Crimes'. As a result, almost anytime there is a violent crime involving persons of different races, someone on one side or the other generally calls for the issue to be designated as a 'Hate Crime'. I decided to pen this column to hopefully shed a little light and provide some guidance for activists unsure of when to pursue a 'Hate Crime' designation.

The current confusion over what is or isn't a 'Hate Crime' obfuscates the real intent of the legislation. Each time a high-profile incident with a racial component is determined not to be a hate crime, it plays into the narrative that 'Hate Crime' designations are governed by a needlessly complex and somewhat arbitrary standard. Conversely, the very existence of hate crimes legislation has served to enflame some on the Right who view the designation as an attack on politically incorrect thought and free speech. Neither position is correct. The legal standard for a Hate Crime designation is neither complex nor arbitrary, and the Federal law governing Hate Crimes does not criminalize speech, thought, or membership in groups or associations organized around hate speech or ideology.

Examples of recent descriptions of Hate Crime Legislation

The real purpose of hate-crime laws is to reassure politically significant groups -- blacks, Hispanics, Jews, gays, etc. -- that someone cares about them and takes their fears seriously. That's nice. It does not change the fact, though, that what's being punished is thought or speech. – Richard Cohen, Washington Post

Wrong
~~~

The views of millions of religious Americans will be violated if this legislation passes. It punishes the thoughts of a person! – Traditional Values Coalition

Wrong Again
~~~

" Hate crimes legislation is antithetical to the First Amendment, unnecessary and will have a chilling effect on religious freedom," - Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana

Wrong and duplicitous
~~~

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act states that a Hate Crime has occurred when:

Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person—
Or because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person—

In layman’s terms: To understand when a Hate Crime designation should be applied, you must first identify the ‘intended’ victim. It is necessary to differentiate between a victim chosen because of some real or perceived relationship with the attacker and a victim who is ‘symbolic’; chosen as a proxy because they are in someway representative of a group or class. Understood in this context, a Hate Crime is the physiognomic equivalent of terrorism.

This critical distinction between related and symbolic victimization is the reason we don’t charge terrorists with 1st or 2nd degree murder charges. A terrorist's intended target is not the person or persons they kill, rather their intent is to strike out at the group of people that the victim(s) represent. In order to cause injury or send a message to members of a nationalistic or ideological cohort, they single out and attack otherwise random citizens from those respective groups. In the same way, a Hate Crime is one where the intended victim is not necessarily the person or persons who were attacked, but rather their intent is to strike out at the group of people that the victim(s) represent. In order to cause injury or send a message to members of a social or physiological cohort (be it ethnic, religious, sexual orientation or gender-based) they single out and attack otherwise random citizens from those respective groups. And it is the essentially random nature of these attacks that elevates them to a higher degree of culpability.

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act does NOT criminalize hate speech, hateful expressions, or membership in groups based upon such beliefs. Those who argue to the contrary clearly have not read the Act. The act states:

Section 4710: subparagraph 4, 5, and 6

(4) FREE EXPRESSION
Nothing in this division shall be construed to allow prosecution based solely upon an individual's expression of racial, religious, political, or other beliefs or solely upon an individual's membership in a group advocating or espousing such beliefs.

(5) FIRST AMENDMENT
Nothing in this division, or an amendment made by this division, shall be construed to diminish any rights under the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

(6) CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
Nothing in this division shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States and peaceful picketing or demonstration. The Constitution of the United States does not protect speech, conduct or activities consisting of planning for, conspiring to commit, or committing an act of violence.

Read more...

The Wichita Area NAACP partners with the Department of Commerce to assist with the 2010 Census

Wichita Branch to form a Complete Count Committee

The Wichita Branch has agreed to partner with the Department of Commerce to ensure that everyone is counted in the 2010 census. As evidenced by the graphic above, the predominantly African American and Hispanic areas of Wichita (generally the Central North and Central Northeast) were the areas with the lowest response rates in the 2000 census. While the State of Kansas as a whole had more than a 70% response rate to the Census questionnaires, within the mostly African American and Hispanic neighborhoods, fewer than 50% of residents responded.

Getting a complete count is essential to the well-being of the community because Census data is used in determining how Federal funds and resources are allocated. Federal Grant awards for School Lunch programs, literacy and vocational programs, substance abuse and prevention programs, Head Start, Maternal and Child Health Services programs, Employment services, and many other valuable projects are all linked to census data. So to enhance the efforts of the Department of Commerce with the 2010 Census, the Wichita Branch has agreed to form a "Complete Count Committee".

A Complete Count committee works to:

• increase the response rate for residents mailing back their questionnaires through a focused, structured, neighbor to neighbor program.
• utilize the local knowledge, expertise, and influence of each Complete Count Committee member to design and implement a Census awareness campaign targeted to the community
• bring together a cross-section of community members whose focus is 2010 Census awareness

Further detail on the Wichita NAACP 'Complete Count Committee' will be posted here on the blog, on the AARoundtable, and on our soon to be unveiled Wichita NAACP Wiki site. A sign-up sheet for those wishing to assist in this effort will be posted on the Wiki.

Read more...

California Attorney General Jerry Brown to intervene in the Bart shooting investigation after meeting with State NAACP Leaders

On New Year's day, 22 year-old Oscar Grant was shot and killed by Officer Johannes Mehserle of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority or (BART). The shooting was captured on cell phone video and posted on YouTube where it has been viewed by Millions of Americans. Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Chief Gary Gee said that the agency is "committed to completing an unbiased, thorough and detailed investigation" of the shooting death of Oscar Grant.



Now, more than a week after the shooting, The Alameda County District Attorney's Office hasn't decided if they will pursue criminal changes.

On January 9th, California NAACP President Alice Huffman met with California Attorney General Jerry Brown to call for his intervention. After meeting with the California NAACP, Attorney General Jerry Brown held a Press Conference in his office where he said, "The wheels of justice cannot grind so slowly that it appears that justice is not being served." He went on to question why Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff would need two weeks to decide whether to prosecute the officer.

AG Brown said he will send a high-ranking deputy to Orloff's office to meet with the prosecutor's staff, observe the investigation and report back to him. "I want to make sure that we're pushing this along," Brown said.

California NAACP President Huffman reported that if District Attorney Orloff doesn't prosecute, the NAACP will ask the U.S. attorney's office to file federal civil rights charges against Officer Mehserle.

Tech Tags: Mehserle BART NAACP Oscar+Grant Jerry+Brown Alice+Huffman

Read more...

The Atwater Community center releases new schedule for Community Education Efforts

~Guest Posted by Patricia Houston

The Northeast Community Education Group invites you to join us at the Atwater Community Center (2755 E 19th St)and get off to a great start in 2009.

Sign up for any of these activities by calling 303-8017.

GOSPEL AEROBICS – MONDAYS @ 6:30PM

Jumpstart getting into shape. Experience the thrill of your heart pumping and your spirit soaring! Come have a fun, energetic time getting or staying in shape moving to your favorite Gospel music.
Call 303-8017 to sign up. Monday, January 26th

HOMEWORK HUDDLE – MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 5PM – 6PM
We are providing a place where students can come, complete their homework or brush up on their math and reading skills. (No Huddle on January 19th) 

Please join us by calling 303-8017.

W.A.R. PURE AND SIMPLE – MONDAYS (EXCEPT 1ST MONDAYS) AT 6PM – 7PM
Working to Win the Abstinence Revolution (W.A.R.) is what this
gathering is all about. High School students are invited to join in
a WAR that can save lives! Please join us by calling 303-8017.

THE SISTA GIRLS CLUB – WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 14TH AT 1:30PM –5:30PM
"Sista Girl, Sista Girl have you heard, we striving for the best, so
spread the Word" A club just for Middle School girls who want to have
fun on the journey of doing their best while achieving success!
Please join us by calling 303-8017.

GOAL SETTING – WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21ST AT 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal
future, and for motivating yourself to turn this vision of the future
into reality. The process of setting goals helps you choose where you
want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve,
you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You'll also
quickly spot the distractions that would otherwise lure you from your
course. Call 303-8017 to sign up by January 13th. Patricia
Houston, Instructor

FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENT INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS - JANUARY 22ND
6PM – 7PM
Discover what is needed to make a difference in the life of a child
by attending a free foster and adoptive parent informational
session. Learn about the need for foster and adoptive parents, the
different types of foster homes, the requirements and benefits to
becoming a foster and adoptive parent. Come explore whether foster
parenting is the right fit for you. Call 303-8017 to reserve your
seat.

FREE COMPUTER USE - MONDAY – FRIDAY 9AM – 7:45PM ~ SATURDAYS 9AM – 4PM
Our computer lab is open to the public for free access to the
internet, use of Microsoft Word and Excel. There is a one hour time
limit. Computer room is closed on Mondays

MEDIEVAL BOOK STUDY – SATURDAYS 9:30AM – 11:30AM ~ JANUARY 24TH –
FEBRUARY 21ST
A free class will be held to indulge in the works of literary master
such as Chaucer, Tolkien, and Shakespeare. Each Session will entail
a book discussion and project. Call the McPhillips at (316) 687-
2930 to sign up or for detailed information about this thrilling
opportunity, or email us at bwar4@cox.net. Fare thee well; we hope to
see thee soon!

Read more...

What YOU need to know about the Proposed School Bond Issue

On November 4th, as we are casting our votes in the Presidential and Congressional elections, we will also be asked to decide the fate of a proposed $370,000,000.00 school bond issue. To help shed some light on this particular issue and on other contentious issues facing the community, the Wichita Branch is launching a community mini-debate series.

The purpose of this series is to shed light on controversial or consequential issues by obtaining and making available to the community, the most accurate and detailed information available, both pro and con, gathered directly from the primary stake-holders and/or decision makers. The series will deal with issues and questions in a manner that is far more detailed or specific than your would normally see in a candidate questionairre or mailer.

With regard to the proposed School bond issue, we prepared a list of 5 questions which were presented to Mr. Lynn Rogers; President of the USD259 School Board - a leading proponent of the Bond Issue, and to Mr. Bob Weeks; Principal of New Liberty Media LLC - a leading opponent of the Bond issue.

Their Unedited responses are presented here for your consideration...

~~~~~~

1. Wichita voters will soon decide the fate of a $370,000,000.00 bond issue. If passed, this would be the largest school bond in Kansas history. The proposed bond includes building construction, facility repairs, facility improvements, and fine arts and athletic facility enhancements and improvements. Should the 370 million dollar price tag be cause for concern? (Please explain why or why not)

Bob Weeks:
Yes, the price tag of the proposed bond issue is a cause for concern. Bond supporters make the case that the bond issue adds only a small amount to the taxes that homeowners will pay. This ignores, however, the huge tax burden that USD 259 spending already imposes on the citizens of USD 259: some $1,749 per year for each person living in the district, considering federal, state, and local taxes (2007 figures).

The extra taxes that homeowners pay is only a small part of the total picture. Landlords will increase rents. Business taxes will rise, and businesses will pass these costs along to their customers as much as they can. Utility taxes will increase even further, and regulated utilities are able to pass through their increase costs to their customers in the form of rate increases, causing hardship to many customers.

Further, the $370 million cost of the bond issue is only a start. Consider that part of the purpose of the bond issue is to reduce class size. The bond issue will pay for building the new classrooms. That construction is a one-time cost. Ongoing costs, however, include increases in maintenance, utilities, janitorial service, and the personnel costs of more teachers, teachers aids, and instructional coaches. Couple this with the fact that research on the benefit of smaller class sizes is mixed at best. Other factors such as teacher effectiveness are more important to the success of children, and a consequence of reducing class size is that more children will be taught by less-qualified teachers.

Lynn Rogers:

This Bond issue comes down to doing what’s right for kids and what’s right for Wichita. Because our District is large, the numbers are going to be bigger but on a per child basis, it is less than every other School District in Sedgwick County. (For instance, if Valley Center was the same size of Wichita, their $57 million bond issue would be the equivalent of $1.2 Billion.)

Our concern should be giving our kids the best opportunity for success. Smaller class sizes, having seats for all kids in all neighborhoods – even for those who have been forcibly bused for years, safer kids because we have safe rooms in every school and brighter futures.

~~~~~
2. Setting aside the cost of the proposed bond for just a moment, what would you characterize as the district's most necessary improvements or changes?

Bob Weeks:
The Wichita school district says it wants to be held accountable, but in practice avoids reform that will lead to market-based accountability. One thing the district could implement immediately is open enrollment within USD 259, where students could attend any school that has space for them. The State of Kansas could implement open enrollment among school districts.

Further, Kansas has extremely weak charter school laws. It is nearly impossible to gain approval to start a charter school. While not a panacea, charter schools provide a way to introduce the creativity and energy of market-based reform and competition into the system.

Earlier this year, two middle schools in Wichita had to face the most severe remedial efforts that the No Child Left Behind law provides. But then-superintendent Winston Brooks said that he expected the leadership team at both schools to remain in place. Also, because of union contracts, all the teachers were guaranteed a job somewhere in the school system. What type of reform is this? Who is being held accountable here?

Lynn Rogers:
This District is committed to raising student achievement, lowering class sizes, eliminating the achievement gap and providing safe schools for all kids. We have 11 years of rising test scores to show we are on the right path. Isn’t it time that our kids also have quality facilities.

~~~~~
3. How would you characterize the proposed fine arts and athletic improvements? "Investment" or "Extravagance" or "Other"? (Please explain)

Bob Weeks:
A fundamental problem the school district must overcome is that decisions about spending are not made freely by willing participants on both sides of the transaction. Decisions are made by special interest groups with intense interest in, and a large stake in, the outcome. Parents, naturally, want the best of everything for their children, no matter what the cost. (When someone else is paying, it's very easy to throw costs to the wind.) Teachers working in schools with facilities that are not new and shiny are very interested in improvements. Administrators want to expand their budgets and their domain of influence.

These groups, therefore, have a stake in building as many new and upgraded facilities as they think they can. Cost-effective alternatives that might do the job but aren't as nice as something shiny and new are not given due consideration. The group Citizens for Better Education has recently released a position paper that describes some alternative measures the district might take. It can be read at http://abetterwaywichita.org/Wichita-School-Bond-Position-Paper-August-30-2008.pdf.

Lynn Rogers:
Fine arts and athletics tie kids into school, keeping them there so they can graduate. All research studies show that kids involved in these fine arts score better on tests and are more likely to pursue higher education. Fine arts and physical education are as important to a well rounded citizen as ANY other subject. They are required for graduation!

~~~~~
4. How would you characterize the proposed facility improvements and construction? "Necessary" or "Imprudent" or "Other"? (Please explain)

Bob Weeks:
The same problems apply this this questions as to the previous.

We question the district's priorities. The district wants to build safe rooms at all schools that don't already have one as part of the current bond issue. But they've had the opportunity to do so recently. For example, Isley Traditional Elementary Magnet underwent extensive renovation in 2005, but no FEMA safe room was added. Brooks Tech Middle Magnet was renovated in 2004, and no FEMA room was added.

In 2000, the focus of the bond issue was air conditioning instead of safe rooms. What does this say about priorities?

Lynn Rogers:
This would only be the 2nd Bond issue passed in USD 259 since the 1970s. The 2000 Bond issue identified over $500 million in improvements but we only did $285.4 million at that time. Those needs did not disappear, they only got more expensive. This Bond issue invests in our Kids and their futures. That is important to everyone on Wichita!

The Plan includes building a new Isely School, major remodeling on Spacht Academy and building a new high school and middle school in the Northeast quadrant. These improvements will make sure we have room for every child who chooses not to be bused any longer.

~~~~~
5. If the bond issue does not pass, how would or should the district handle the proposed improvements?

Bob Weeks:
The district has a capital improvement budget funded by a 7 mill tax levy, supplemented by funds from the state. Perhaps the district could make the case for a small increase in this tax.

Alternatively, many people I talk to believe that the district has some needs, but not $370 million worth. These people would likely be receptive to a much smaller bond issue that addresses the needs they believe are important.

Lynn Rogers:
If the District tied to do these improvements out to regular funds, it would either take 20 plus years or class sizes would have to be increased drastically to make funds available.

***

Here's YOUR opportunity to sound off - Post your comments or questions concerning the Bond issue here by clicking the link below...

Read more...

3 down, 2 to go... Ward Connerly's faux "Civil Rights" initiative suffers a third consecutive defeat in Arizona

from the NAACP LDF
.

On Thursday, California businessman Ward Connerly was handed his third consecutive defeat in this year's five-state campaign designed to erect new barriers to equal opportunity in public education, public employment and public contracting. Connerly has been unable to get the ballot initiatives certified in the majority of the states where he and his associates have sponsored and funded efforts this year; identical measures in Oklahoma and Missouri similarly failed to qualify for the ballot.

.

"Today is another important victory in the fight to preserve equal access to opportunity. As was the case in Oklahoma and Missouri, Ward Connerly's misguided and divisive effort has again fallen short, this time in Arizona. In light of the staggering disqualification rate that the Secretary of State found in its review of the signatures, the curtain has been pulled back on Connerlys attempts to abuse the democratic process," said John Payton, NAACP Legal Defense Fund President and Director-Counsel.

.

Arizona's Secretary of State decertified the so-called "Arizona Civil Rights Initiative" because it did not gain sufficient public support to place it on the ballot this November. The initiative, if passed, would have amended the Arizona constitution to ban programs designed to provide equal access to women and minorities in the areas of public education, public employment and public contracting. The petitions were rife with phony or invalid signatures, fake addresses and other disqualifying factors. For example, one notarized petition included the names and "signatures" of American presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. It also listed Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi with Saudi Arabia listed as his street address and Tibet as his city of residence.

.

The campaigns in Arizona and several other states have been widely accused of employing deceptive and improper practices in the signature gathering process.

.

The NAACP LDF has been intimately involved in challenging these targeted campaigns to roll back civil rights nationwide. The NAACP LDF worked closely with Protect Arizona's Freedom, a grass-roots volunteer coalition of Arizona citizens who monitored the state's examination of the petitions to ensure that the ballot initiative process was not manipulated. Thursday's victory was yet another sign that Connerly's efforts are being met with close scrutiny and resistance nationwide, and that the people reject his campaign to erect barriers to equal opportunity in public education, public employment and public contracting.

Read more...

The First Annual NAACP "New Beginnings" Young Womens Retreat begins today!

Later this afternoon, Wichita Branch NAACP in partnership with Youthville begin our first annual 2-day retreat for teen-mothers between the ages of 14 and 18. The young ladies who will attend this inaugural retreat are just a few of the many youth currently in the foster care/SRS system.

The goal is to empower these young women by sharing and imparting valuable information and life-skills to help them break the cycles of dysfunction and despair.

This retreat represents a first-of-its-kind partnership between the NAACP and Youthville; an agency  contracted by the State to handle child-placements within the foster-care system...

“This retreat will feature women in the community who have gone through foster care, had children at a very young age and became prosperous business professionals,” said Sandra Gasca Chief of Programs at Youthville. ”We really feel like the retreat is going to give these girls hope. We want them to believe in themselves and know that they can become anything the want to.”
.

The Young ladies will receive official greetings from the Mayor of Wichita; Mr. Carl Brewer, and will attend workshops and sessions on:

• Effective Communications
• Available Youth Programs
• Filling out Job Applications
• Job Interviewing skills (with Mock Interview sessions)
• Dressing for Success
• Stress Management
• Self-esteem and Perception
• Staying out of Debt
• Success Stories
  

The Speakers list includes:

• Carl Brewer (Mayor of the City of Wichita)
• Melody McCray Miller- ( State Representative)
• Marilynn Jones - (Patient Advocacy Rep; Veterans Association) ]
• Lavonta Williams (City Councilwoman - Wichita NAACP Vice President - Retired Educator)
• Kathryn Theissen- (ARNP University of Medicine HIV Program)
• Kenya Cox- (Wichita NAACP VP of Public Relations - Candidate for State Senate)
• Mildred Edwards - (Regional Prevention Center)
• Sandra Rankin -(Retired School Psychologist - Wichita NAACP Education Co-Chair)
• Richard Cravens -(Financial Representative)
• Andrante Etheridge - (Former Resident of Youthville) Now working for Coch Industries
• Kevin Myles -(NAACP President)
• Sheldon Milton - CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children)
• Senator Donald Betts -(State Senator)- (Candidate for US Congress)
• Debroda Corneilius – (Cheif MSGT, Career Enhancement, McConnell Air Force Base)

Read more...

CIS Program Seeks to Resolve the Digital Divide Between African-American Women with New Grant

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Computer Information Sciences (CIS) Program, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the recipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant valued at $552,000 dedicated to recruiting minority women to computer science and information technology disciplines.

“The numbers are staggering,” said Jason T. Black, Ph. D., assistant professor in CIS. “The latest data shows that out of all U.S. entering freshmen declaring a major in computer science, African-American women made up only 3.3 percent. The fact is that women are not choosing technology, and this is a dangerous predicament. When you couple that with the fact that it is estimated that 75 percent of all jobs by the year 2020 will require a technology background, it becomes a crisis call.”

The program, entitled African-American Women in Computer Science, (AAWCS), is a four-year program that provides scholarships and other assistance to women who express a financial need and an interest in computer science or information technology.

[Click here for more details about the Program]

Tech Tags: Digital+Divide Black+Women Higher+Education FAMU Technology IT

Read more...

JOIN US for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Dockum Sit-In

In the Summer of 1958, two dozen young people from the Wichita Branch NAACP Youth Council staged what would become the first successful Student-Led sit-in of the Civil Rights movement. By August 11th, 1958, they had desegregated the Dockum drug store lunch counter and all Rexall Drug Stores throughout the State of Kansas, and the movement gained a powerful new weapon in the fight for equal accommodations...

.

Their actions weren't sanctioned by the NAACP National Office; sit-in's were not a recognized NAACP tactic at the time. But under the leadership of Local Branch President Chester I Lewis and Youth Council President Ronald Walters, these young people stood up by sitting down and changed our nation.

.

There was no parade or celebration to mark their accomplishment. In fact, their efforts, largely overshadowed by the later Sit-in's in Greensboro and throughout the South, were nearly forgotten by history. The Branch did receive a Thalheimer in 1959 for their work, but none of the Youth who participated in the Sit-in were able to attend.

.

PLEASE JOIN US, as we correct the oversight... On August 9th, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Dockum Sit-In, NAACP members from around the country will converge on Wichita to pay honor and tribute to the members of the NAACP Youth Council of 1958 and their President Dr. Ron Walters.

.

MARCHING IN REMEMBRANCE...

The original members of the 58 Youth Council have reunited for this event! Together, we will begin the morning with a march to the site of the original Dockum Drug Store. From there, we will continue on to the newly renamed Chester I Lewis Reflection Park, named in honor of Branch President Emeritus Chester 'Chet' Lewis who authorized the Dockum Sit-in. At the park, we will hear from the NAACP National Chief of Field Operations, Rev Nelson Rivers; the Honorable Mayor Carl Brewer; and the Esteemed Professor and former Youth Council President Ronald A. Walters...

• The line up will begin at 10:00 in front of the Kansas African American Museum.
• Free Parking is available in the Garage across from the Museum.
• Transportation from the museum and from downtown hotels to the park will be available for those who are unable to march
• Light refreshments will be provided within the African American museum upon the completion of the March.
  

CITY-WIDE GOSPEL CELEBRATION... At 7pm, The Wichita Branch NAACP Religious Affairs Committee in Partnership with Tabernacle Baptist Church, St Paul AME, and St Mark UMC, will host a City-Wide Gospel Celebration, bringing together some of the most powerful voices in Gospel from throughout the State. Artists such as Clifton Fisher, Betty Clark-Johnson, Jermaine Melton and many others will be on hand to offer praise and help mark this date in history.

.

CORRECTING THE HISTORY BOOKS...

Please join with us as we correct the history books and offer our thanks and appreciation to these truly deserving Civil Rights Pioneers and their nearly forgotten Acts of Service... All of the events of the day (The Reunion, the March, and the Gospel Celebration) will receive National Coverage from Veteran Journalist Dan Rather, CBS News Anchor of 24 years and now the host of "Dan Rather Reports" on HDNet, so we want to make sure that we as a community are out in force as we tell our story to the Nation...

[Click HERE for Agenda Details, Hotel Rates and Contact Information]

Tech Tags: Dockum+Sit-In, Civil+Rights, Wichita+NAACP, NAACP, 50th+Anniversary

Read more...

From the Convention: The complete list of all Resolutions considered at the 2008 NAACP Convention

Here is the complete list of all resolutions considered at the 2008 NAACP Annual Convention.

Note: Some resolutions were abbreiveated or excerpted for brevity

The Resolution process begins with a local unit (or branch) who drafts a proposed policy or resolution. That resolution must be approved by the general membership of that unit. The proposed resolution is then brought before the State Conference for ratification. Once ratified by the State Conference at it's quarterly meeting, the proposed resolution is then forwarded to the National Resolution committee where it is reviewed and prepared for the annual resolution session.


Within the resolution session, all registered voting delegates to the convention are able to stand up and speak to each proposed policy or initiative. After debate, each is brought to a vote and if successful, it becomes binding NAACP policy.


1. NAACP Centennial Commemoration by Local, State, and National Governmental Authorities Resolved: That all units of the NAACP shall petition their local, state, and national elected and appointed officials to issue proclamations dated February 12, 2009, honoring the NAACP and its work, and commemorating the NAACP's 100th anniversary.

2. Strengthening the African American Family
Resolved: That the NAACP in coalition with the faith community and other grassroots organizations lead a public campaign highlighting the need for promoting individual and collective community responsibilities along with public policies to assist African American families that alleviate the impact of criminal activity, inadequate health care and insufficient educational support on the African American community. And that the NAACP advocate through its units and promote activities that will strengthen and fortify the African American family structure.

3. Supporting continued sovereignty and Federal recognition of the Shinnecock Tribal Nation and the Unkechaug Tribal Nation
Resolved: That the NAACP will continue to support and advocate for all legitimate claims for Native American federal recognition in general, including the Shinnecock and Unkechang Nations and the protections for Native American burial grounds.

4. Honoring John Roberts "JR" Clifford
Resolved: That civil Rights Pioneer John Roberts "JR" Clifford will be honored along with others as the NAACP moves towards it centennial celebration

5. Promoting non-discriminatory adoption and usage of broadband Internet & information technologies
Resolved: That the NAACP shall object to any corporate or governmental policies that increase costs, impede deployment, discourage adoption and usage, limit consumer access, reduce local commentary, or State oversight or that of public utilities commissions, public hearings, or other forums for citizen input and reduce affordability of broadband technologies AND that the NAACP will call upon its members to educate themselves and others on the importance of adoption and usage of broadband technologies.

6. Release of William Mayo
Resolved: That Local and State units as well as the National office, will advocate for Federal Legislation that would provide for an automatic retrial when testimony offer at a jury trial that leads to a conviction is later recanted AND that NAACP units will assist the Cincinnati Branch as requested in calling for the release of Johnathan Mayo and Troy Davis from their wrongful incarcerations.

7. Jury Panels
Resolved: That units of the NAACP will recommend and advocate to State and Local officials to reevaluate and restructure Jury selection procedures to increase non-white representation in jury pools.

8. Abolition of Life Sentences for Juvenile defendants
Resolved: That NAACP Units should call upon their respective legislatures to abolish life sentences for juvenile defendants

9. NAACP Opposes the transfer of Youth to the Adult Criminal Justice System
Resolved: That the NAACP will work to end the excessive practice of youth being tried in the adult criminal justice system and to insure that young people are appropriately adjudicated in ways that enhance community rehabilitation, safety and stability, AND that the NAACP shall strongly oppose any policies, statutes, or laws that increase the number of youth transferred into the adult criminal justice system or the number of youth held in adult prisons or jails.

10. Hangman's Nooses as a Hate Crime
Resolved: That the NAACP shall adopt a position of zero tolerance in opposing the conduct of anyone who uses the hangman's noose to intimidate, threaten, or assault....

11. Privatizing and Outsourcing Manufacturing jobs in prisons is contributing to low wages.
Resolved: that NAACP units will advocate before Local, State, and Federal policy making bodies to adopt regulations that will require prisons and private contractors to pay a living wage, and that the money earned by prisoners shall be divided equally between an amount paid to the prisoners during their incarceration, a victims assistance fund, child support payments, and a trust fund to be made available to the prisoner upon release AND that units will advocate for legislation requiring Companies that utilize and benefit from prison labor to offer the same or commensurate health care and other benefits to inmates and their family members that said companies offer to their other employees.

12. Educational Improvements
Resolved: That the NAACP will reaffirm its efforts to advocate for the increased collection of and transparency in accountability data so that the public and the school systems become more aware of the race, origin, and class dimensions related to the allocation of various qualities of educational services AND that the NAACP should enter into litigation against any governmental agencies that refuse to provide proper educational opportunities.

13. Support of remedial Education for youth who are over the age of 18 and not in High School
Resolved: That NAACP units shall actively advocate for the continued funding of programs designed to ensure that remedial educational opportunities are available for persons over 18, who are lacking basic literacy and math skills.

14. Oppose Wal-mart and Other Retailers Unfair Labor Practices
Resolved: That the NAACP will challenge Wal-Mart and other retailers to overcome any of their practices that are inconsistent with the highest standards of Labor and Civil Rights, to ensure equal opportunity and equal pay for Women, people of color and other minorities, and work with local communities to effectively address Wal-Mart's and other retailers negative impact on issues like the environment and local businesses, and establish a "Buy American" program that annually increases the percentage of "Made in America" goods purchased by Wal-Mart and Other retailers to help protect American Jobs.

15. Workplace Bullying
Resolved: That NAACP Units at all levels will seek legislation at all appropriate levels to deem workplace bullying illegal.

16. An Act to Re-Affirm Resolutions previously adopted on Environmental Racism and to further oppose the planning and location of Level 4 Bio-Safety Laboratories and Hazardous facilities designated for densely populated areas.
Resolved: That the NAACP Re-Affirms all previous policies on Environmental racism (1993, 1996, 2000, & 2001) and that NAACP State and Local units should work with community organizations and citizens to prevent level 4 bio-safety laboratories and hazardous facilities from being placed within densely populated areas and shall advocate for legislation to prohibit the same.

17. Health Disparities
Resolved: That the NAACP will identify at least one county in each region where health disparities are most disproportionate among African Americans, poor people, and senior citizens and develop an advocacy, educational, and legal strategy to improved selected element of the system that are responsible for the disparity AND NAACP units at all levels will advocate to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and partner with different organizations or health care systems to establish and maintain programs that will bring information to teens, adults, ad families for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

18. The Impact of Autism
Resolved: The NAACP will lobby for increased Governmental spending for research on the causes and cure of Autism.

19. The NAACP supports efforts to further disaggregate Heathcare data by Race and Ethnicity
Resolved: That the NAACP supports efforts to ensure the accurate collection and reporting of data by heath care providers, programs, and plans about patients and the care they receive; broken down by race and ethnicity.

20. Support for Public Housing Residents
Resolved: That the National Office of the NAACP will encourage and support a Federal Policy that provides for "one for one" replacement of public housing units that are razed or demolished AND that NAACP units at all levels should monitor and pursue actions to ensure that the residents of Public Housing are afforded the full social, political, educational, and economic opportunities available for all residents throughout the nation.

21. Bylaws change - Advisors for Youth & College Chapters (Article V, Sections 10b, 12a, 12e, and 13)
Resolved: That all Faculty advisors, High School Chapter advisors, Youth Council advisors, and Junior Youth Council advisors shall serve as Ex-Officio members of their respective chapter or councils without voting rights.

22. Bylaws change - Disposition of records; Youth Units (Article VI, Section 3e, f, & g)
Resolved: Language added to the section which reads - All minutes and other official records are the property of the Youth Unit and shall be promptly transferred to the newly elected and qualified officers within 30 days after the election. Non-compliance with terms herein shall be considered conduct that is inimical to the best interests of the NAACP, meriting disciplinary action pursuant to Article X.

23. Bylaws change - Executive Committee in the Bylaws for Units (Article VIII, Section 1b)
Resolved: Language changed within the section - All references to Youth Councils replaced with references to Youth Units

24. Bylaws change - Youth Works committee (Article VIII, Section 51k)
Resolved: Language changed within the section - All references to Youth Councils replaced with references to Youth Units

25. Representation of behavior Not in the best interest of the association
Resolved: That the NAACP shall codify guidelines to become an appendage of the constitution and bylaws to highlight the penalties for infractions of the code of the NAACP

26. Peace Resolution
Resolved: that the NAACP actively engage , using its NGO status in the pursuit for peace and stability in Darfur AND that the NAACP request that the President of the United States advocate for peace and an end to the Human Rights abuses in China, Darfur, and Burma

27. Minority Business Participation in Government Contracts
Resolved: that the NAACP call upon Congress, the SBA, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and all Federal Local ad State Agencies to: 1) promote the use of MBE's in Federal, State, and Local contract and sub-contracts; 2) provide more oversight and monitoring of contracts for compliance in using MBE and small disadvantaged businesses; 3) call for the enforcement of existing laws and penalties on agencies and prime contractors that fail to comply; and 4) that the federal government be precluded from suspending these requirements based upon exigent circumstances

28. Calling for the NAACP to begin mobilization efforts for Census 2010
Resolved: That each State/State Area conference designate a Census 2010 committee to assist units in their jurisdiction to ensure that information and resources are properly deployed AND that the NAACP will advocate to the US Congress and the US Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census that for the purposes of the 2010 census, that all prisoners be enumerated as residents of the census tract wherein they were domiciled at the time of their arrest and/or conviction

29. Supporting Legislation to create a Department of Peace and Non-Violence
Resolved: That the NAACP expresses its support for the enactment of H.R.808, to create a United States Department of Peace and Non-Violence.

30. NAACP calls for passage of New Federal Legislation to Regulate International Vulture Funds and prevent further Exploitation of poor and underdeveloped nations
-Point of Information- a Vulture fund is a financial organization that profits by buying up poor country debt in default on the secondary market for pennies on the dollar, then attempting to charge up to ten times the purchase price by suing the impoverished country in US or European courts.
Resolved: That the NAACP strongly supports forthcoming legislation and grassroots efforts to limit vulture fund profits and decrease the incentive to purchase/litigate on sovereign debt and increase transparency through mandatory filing in US/UK for purchases of foreign debt AND the NAACP strongly supports forthcoming legislation and grassroots efforts that will establish an international bankruptcy framework, binding on all creditors, which would force vultures to comply with debt cancellation and/or debt restructuring efforts.

31. NAACP Support for Present and Future Green jobs appropriations and policies
Resolved: That the NAACP shall advocate for the present and continued funding for the Green Jobs act and for the inclusion of African Americans and other people of color's rightful place in the emerging new green energy sectors and sustainable economies.

32. NAACP Supports applying the decision by the US Sentencing Commission to reduce Mandatory sentences for people convicted of Crack Cocaine possesion retroactively
Resolved: That the NAACP strongly supports making the May 2007 amendment by the US Sentencing Commission retroactive to those currenttly incarcerated for Crack Cocaine convictions AND that the NAACP reiterates its strong support for one-to-one sentencing ranges for crack and powder cocaine sentences.

33. NAACP supports Reauthorization of the Juvenile Justce Delinquency and Prevention Act
Resolved: That the NAACP supports the updating of the JJDPA to decrease over-reliance on detention, detention of statuts offenders, promote effective community-based alternatives to detention and incarceration, and reduce racial disparities in the justive system.

34. NAACP supports a new look at the Federal Budget in FY 2009
Resolved: That the NAACP supports a shift in the current federal budget away from defense and military spending and will continue to fight for increased federal support and funding for public education, affordable housing, health care access and quality initiative, crime preventioin, job training and creation, small business promotion, the protection of our basic civil rights and liberties, energy assistance, the protection of workers rights, and continued assistance for those devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

35. NAACP calls for federal action to End the Home Foreclosure Crisis
Resolved: That the NAACP strongly supports strong anti-predatory lending legislation that establishes higher standards for loan originators and provides stronger penalties and remedies for lenders who break the law, as well as ensuring that any final federal product is the minimumm and that states be allowed to continue to be more aggressive in eliminating predatory lending.

36. Support of Veterans Unity with the Community
Resolved: That the NAACP identify resources, services, and programs in the community that will help assist and educate veterens with Health care, dental care, education, mental health and PTSD, enterprenueship, employment, housing and homeownership, issues unique to female veterens, homeless veterans, formerly incarcerated veterens, and information and access to VA benefits.

37. Quality Military Healthcare
Resolved: That the NAACP calls upon Congress to enact legislation to restructure the healthcare delivery system for active duty military personnel, veterens, and their families, to gurantee access to existing VA facilities and private sector healthcare providers for both physical and mental healthcare needs, including necessary medications.

38. NAACP supports Proposed Popular Vote initiative
Resolved: That the NAACP supports National "Popular Vote" legislation AND that the NAACP supports a Constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College.

39. Emergency Resolution - NAACP continues to suport laws to prevent Gun violence and increase gun safety
-Point of Information- Emergency Resolutions may be brought to the floor as written or approved by the President or Chair without having gone through the normal resolution process
Resolved: That the NAACP continues to support safe, sane, and sensible gunn safety legislative initiatives which would make it harder for people with questionable motives and or diminished mental capacity to obtain firearms, either through legal or illegal means AND the NAACP supports an renewal of the assualt weapons ban with a provision that makes it permenant.

40. Emergency Resolution - The NAACP continues to oppose the Dealth Penalty and supports the creation of a commission to investigate the current disparities plaguing the Federal Death Penatly Sentencing Process
Resolved: That the NAACP supports teh communiting of Mr. Troy Anthony Davis' death sentence in light of the new and compelling information regarding the crime of which he is accused AND the NAACP reiterates its continuing opposition to the death penalty at the State and Federal level AND the NAACP strongly supports legislation to be introduced by Senator Russ Feingold (WI) The National Commission on Capitol Punishment Act of 2008

41. The NAACP supports efforts to stop and reverse the dramatic increase in fuel prices; and supports long term, aggressive energy policy
Resolved: That the NAACP strongly supports comprehensive public, private, domestic, and multi-national strategies to address the immediate problems being faced by Americans, and disproportionately low-income, racial and ethnic minorities, and small business owners, most notably comercial truckers as a result of higher fuel costs.

42. NAACP Condemns the Islamaphobic, mean spirited, tasteless, and racially offensive July 21st 2008 New Yorker Magazine Cover
Resolved: That the NAACP decries the July 21st 2008 New Yorker magazine cover as tasteless, mean spirited, Islamaphobic, and racially offensive AND calls on every American who is similarly offended to contact the New Yorker magazine either by email at themail@newyorker.com or by post at The Mail, the New Yorker, 4 Times Square, New York NY 10036.

Tech Tags: NAACP, Youth, Environmental, Popular+Vote, Green+Technologies, Bylaws, Veteran, Health+Disparities, Healthcare, Family, Vulture+Funds, Education, Public+Housing, Labor, Walmart, Civil+Rights

Read more...

Youth Involvement in Leadership and Decision-Making Roles Workshop

Youth Involvement in Leadership and Decision-Making Roles Workshop

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

in Wichita 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The Center for Community Support & Research at Wichita State University is pleased to offer a free workshop on Youth Involvement in Leadership and Decision-Making Roles. Research on capacity-building for youth-serving organizations indicates that youth, adults, and the organization benefit most when youth are involved in leadership and decision-making roles within the organization.
.

This workshop focuses on how to involve youth in meaningful ways that contribute to positive youth development and organizational development (it is not about how to serve more youth). Participants will learn about the varying levels of youth involvement in organizational leadership and decision-making, assess the level that is most appropriate for their organization, and explore special issues related to youth involvement. Participants will leave the workshop with an initial plan for purposeful involvement of youth in leadership and/or decision-making roles within their organization.

.

PARTICIPANTS ARE WELCOME TO BRING YOUTH FROM THEIR ORGANIZATION WHO ARE OR MAY BE IN LEADERSHIP/DECISION-MAKING ROLES.

.

This workshop is free and open to the public; however, space is limited. Please make your reservations by contacting Angela Gaughan at (800) 445-0116 or angela.gaughan@wichita.edu.

Specific location information and other details will be provided with RSVP confirmation.

.

For more information regarding Compassion Kansas and other work of the Center for Community Support & Research, please visit our website at http://www.ccsr.wichita.edu/.

Read more...

Outrageous: The DOJ rules no Civil Rights violations in the case of Rowana Riggs

.

It was a little over a year ago when Rowana Riggs was stopped by Officer Christian E. Cory (Badge #1927) for driving with a defective tail light. She was heading home from Jackson's Mortuary where she was making preparations for her mother's burial.

.

The Officer pulled behind Ms. Riggs and followed her for several blocks, turning on his lights and sirens only as Ms. Riggs was approaching her Father's house. She continued the short distance to the driveway where she pulled in to a stop. Officer Cory pulled her car door open with such force that it damaged the hinges, now preventing the door from closing properly. He then grabbed Ms. Riggs and threw her to the ground.

.

While the Police Department certainly disputes what happened next; them alleging that they were at all times professional and that Ms. Riggs was hardly injured, what is not in dispute is the condition of Ms. Riggs after having been stopped for this defective tail light. Two medical examinations of Ms. Riggs have been done. *The first was by Dr. Daniel F. Housholder, MD and Dr. Charles O'Donnell, DO on April 11, 2007 at Wesley Hospital. They diagnosed "facial contusions". She was given Motrin and Neurontin for pain. Her right orbit and right zygomatic arch over her right eye showed soft tissue swelling but no fractures. *The second medical exam was done by Kyle Johnson, PA on April 28th, 2007 at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, OK. Ms. Riggs was diagnosed again with a contusion of the face. She was prescribed Darvocet and Naprosyn to relieve the severe pain in her head, back and neck which she was still feeling 19 days after the incident. Not only was Ms. Riggs beaten to the point she had long term difficulty seeing out of her right eye and has a loose tooth, but she was kicked so hard in her stomach that she lost her bowels and urine.

.

When we were contacted by Ms. Riggs about her situation, we determined that we would work this case through the system to help her achieve some measure of Justice. We assisted Ms. Riggs in filing her complaint with the Wichita Police Department. We held meetings with Chief Norman Williams, Deputy Chief Robert Lee, and Professional Standards Detective Max Tenbrook. We consulted with the DOJ and with their advice and counsel also filed a formal complaint with the US Attorney's office, the FBI, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in Washington DC.

.

We were not surprised to learn that the Wichita PD had exonerated themselves; that has been their practice in all cases... But last Tuesday, after a year of waiting, I received a letter from the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice stating that after "reviewing" the facts, they had concluded that no Civil Rights violations had taken place.

.

Now I have written on this blog about the ideological 'shift' within the Federal Government with regard to the enforcement of Civil Rights laws. And I have talked about the appointments of political ideologues who have long established personal and professional antipathies towards Civil Rights protections. But all that aside; this is still a Federal Agency charged with protecting the basic rights of citizenship for all Americans. When a 49-year old Cancer patient can be beaten up in her family's driveway because of a faulty brake light and the Department of JUSTICE finds no fault, then the whole damn system is broken.

.

We will not let this case pass into memory. We will continue to fight Ms. Riggs case until someone is held responsible for what they've done. We're calling for a reinvestigation of the case. We will work that locally through the US Attorney's office, the Police Department and our Regional NAACP office. But we won't stop there. I will CONTINUE to appeal this case to the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. I understand and I have been told by many veteran activists that the DOJ would not be moved by such appeals. But whether they are or are not, I will continue... I want to hand them the pictures we took of Ms. Riggs and have them tell me face-to-face that this was ok. I want to see the faces of the people who excused this. And I want to tell them Personally that this fight is not about persons but principles. I want to tell them that this case is bigger than Rowana Riggs; this is about all of our fundamental rights to live our lives without the threat of violence, assault, or attack. I want them to hear from me that this is not ok... this is not justice... and this will not stand...

Tech Tags: civil+rights, police, excessive+force, US+Attorney, Department+of+Justice, Wichita+Police+Department, NAACP

Read more...