National
A Tough Beat for a Detective: Recruiting Black Police Officers
Rachel L. Swarns, THE NEW YORK TIMES
NEW YORK (The New York Times) — The lanky black detective strode to the front of the school auditorium, grabbed the microphone and turned to face the crowd. He had a feel for the room, for the mistrust and doubt in many hearts, and a strategy to win them over.
But would his pitch work?
In his 14 years as a New York City police officer, Detective Yuseff Hamm has stalked drug dealers, chased gunmen and talked two men out of jumping off buildings.
But as he stood last Tuesday before a predominantly black audience at a community meeting in Rosedale, Queens, he faced a challenge that some might argue was nearly as daunting: Trying to persuade African-Americans to join the city’s Police Department in the Eric Garner era.
About a quarter of the city’s population is black and yet, Detective Hamm told the crowd, “in the Police Department, it’s only 16 percent.”
“That’s a problem,” he continued. “Do you not agree?”
“Yes!” several people called out in unison.
“So what are we doing about it?” asked Detective Hamm, who is president of the Guardians Association, the fraternal organization that represents black police officers in New York City. “I’m asking you to partner with us.”
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
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Barbara Lee
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza
On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.
By California Black Media
On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12).
“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.
The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.
“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.
The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.
Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.
“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.
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