March 2015 - DuPage County NAACP

Midwest Civil rights
highlights
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia & Wisconsin
LANSING, MI POLICEMAN MAY HAVE USED EXCESSIVE
FORCE IN 2011 SHOOTING SAYS FEDERAL JUDGE
A Lansing MI police officer who in 2011 shot and killed a 17-year-old girl
who had broken into a bank at night may have used excessive force by
shooting her in the head, a federal judge has said. The finding was part of
a written opinion by Judge Robert Holmes Bell, U.S. District Court. Judge
Bell said the case against Officer Brian Rendon can proceed. Bell noted
that testimony from Rendon and two other officers at the scene "conflicts"
regarding whether Clay resisted after the first shot to her stomach. Rendon
was one of three officers who searched the bank. Rendon was cleared by
internal investigations, and Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III
ruled the shooting justified. The March 2011 incident lead Greater Lansing
Clergy Forum, Action of Greater Lansing, Lansing Branch NAACP, A. Philip
Randolph Institute to call for independent investigation of police related
shootings. Video of the incident is available at :
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2015/02/27/claylawsuit-ruling/24136741/
NAACP MIDWEST
REGIONIII
NAACP Regional
Office
530 S. Pine St.
Lansing, MI 48933
DAYTON, OH NAACP WINS LANDMARK DECISION IN
DEPUTY SHERIFF’S RACIALLY CHARGED
POLICE TEXT MESSAGES CASE
Dayton NAACP investigated the text messaging
case for approximately four months before
meeting with Sheriff Phil Plummer and Major
Daryl Wilson to discuss the issue, said Derrick L.
Foward, (third from left) President Dayton, OH
NAACP at a Feb. 6, 2015 press conference.
The Dayton Unit won a decision on the Montgomery County Ohio Deputy
Sheriff’s Racially Charged Text Messages Case. The investigation was
launched by the Branch on August 4, 2014 and was communicated to the
Sheriff’s Department on November 30, 2014. As a result of this investigation,
two longtime Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies have been fired and three
others suspended for allegedly sending dozens of racially insensitive text
messages that disparaged and ridiculed African-American Co-Workers,
President Obama and countless other people. The final disposition of the
deputies and their respective punishments are as follows: Capt. Tom Flanders
– Terminated, Detective Mike Sollenberger – Terminated, Deputy Joseph
Connelly – 30-Day Suspension, Deputy Jamie Horton – 10-Day Suspension,
Sgt. Brian Lewis – three-Day Suspension.
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JOIN THE NAACP
NOW!!!
MEMBERSHIP IS
POWER!!!!!!!!!!
Vol. VII No. 3
MARCH, 2015
Dr. Jerome Reide
Regional Field
Director
www.naacp.org
517-371-2199
Voting Rights and Political Representation: Equal Voting Rights and
Fair Representation for all
Kankakee County NAACP hosted a Seventh Ward
Aldermanic Candidates Primary Forum Feb. 10, 2015.
Kankakee, IL activists drove voters to
the polls in vans and knocked on
doors Theodis Pace, (r ) coordinated
canvassers to get out the vote. Nov.
4, 2014.
Mayor Paul Soglin Alderman Scott Resnick, former Alderman
Bridge Maniaci, former Dane County Superintendent Richard
Brown and activist Christopher Daly addressed questions
from a panel and the audience on racial inequities and
poverty at Fountain of Life Covenant Church, Madison, Feb.
4, 2015. About 200 people participated in the forum —
sponsored by Fountain of Life, WORT-FM, Isthmus, Dane
County NAACP, the Race To Equity Project and the Coalition
of Wisconsin Aging Group. It was the first public event to
feature all five candidates.
Milwaukee, WI members went door to door to get-out-the-vote
Nov. 4, 2014. Wendell Harris, (second row, second from right)
coordinated the Branch’s GOTV effort.
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Voting Rights and Political Representation: Equal Voting Rights and
Fair Representation for all
Springfield, IL Branch NAACP held a Ward 2
Aldermanic Candidates Forum Feb. 9, 2015 at
the Operating Engineers Union Hall and a
Mayoral forum Jan. 27, 2015 with the Faith
Coalition for the Common Good, and One in a
Million.
Springfield, IL Branch got out the vote in Illinois, Nov. 2,
2014. Teresa Haley (third from left) mobilized
intergenerational families to take their “Souls to the
Polls” for early voting the Sunday, before election day.
Hon. John Lewis, Member of Congress spoke at Michigan
State University, E. Lansing, MI, Feb. 6, 2015. Congressman
Lewis shared his experiences as a civil rights activist and
“Bloody Sunday,” when he and 600 other non-violent
marchers were attacked by Alabama State Troopers on the
Edmund Pettus Bridge, March 7, 1965. Representative Lewis
asked participants to urge Congress to pass legislation to
pass legislation to fix the pre-clearance formula in the Voting
Rights Act.
http://www.mlive.com/lansingnews/index.ssf/2015/01/rev_al_sharpton_rep_john_lewis.html
Thirty Chicago Westside Youth Council
members and nine NAACP adults attended
a special community screening of the film
"Selma" Jan. 10, 2015. A panel discussion
followed with several people who had
participated in the March on the Edmund
Pettus Bridge with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King that was depicted in the film. The
Chicago Westside Youth members asked
questions and had a dialogue on civil rights
advocacy.
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WISCONSIN NAACP OPPOSES SOCALLED “RIGHT-TO-WORK”
AND SUPPORTS COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING FOR WORKERS RIGHTS
Wisconsin NAACP opposes so-called “Right-toWork” legislation SB 44 and supports workers’
rights. This proposed legislation will be fast
tracked and the Governor will sign a Right to
Work bill that continues the divisive tactics that
are prevalent in our state, continue poverty
producing policies and promote the theme
”Backwards Wisconsin.” Right to Work laws do
not make a state more attractive for business
retention instead, these laws expand economic
inequality.
VOTER ACTIVATION NETWORK (VAN)
The Voter Activation Network (VAN), is an online
interface where organizers can access data about
registered voters, unregistered community
members, volunteers and supporters. Finding the
people you want to talk to (your targets) and using
their contact information for voter engagement is the
focal point of any electoral, civic engagement or
issue campaign. The VAN can be used to find the
people that you want to engage, and to then help
you make phone calls, knock on doors, or send
mail, and then track the results.
POLICE SHOOTING OF UNARMED BLACK WOMAN
IN LIMA, OH SETTLED FOR $2.5 MILLION
A judge has approved a $2.5
million wrongful death
settlement in the fatal shooting
of an unarmed woman Tarika
Wilson by a police officer. The
black woman was shot by a
white police officer when police
raided her home Lima, Ohio on
Jan. 4, 2008. Wilson was
holding her one year old son
who was shot in the shoulder
and hand.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metr
o/2011/02/25m_settlement_in_
shooting_of.html
Jonathan McKinney, Regional Field Organizer
Please contact Jonathan at :
jmckinney@naacpnet.org
or training and access to the VAN
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MT.VERNON, IL NAACP DEMANDS SCREENING OF THE MOVIE “SELMA.”
Jefferson County, IL Branch challenged AMC Showplace 8 in Mt. Vernon for its lack of diversity in movies shown.
As of late January, “Selma,” had not been shown and “Twelve Years a Slave,” was not shown until weeks after its
release. In response to the NAACP demand, Selma was shown the week of Feb. 9, 2015. Rev. Erie Patton,
President, Jefferson County, IL Branch organized a special showing of the film that included students from Casey
Middle School.
http://www.fandango.com/movie-trailer/exclusive:selmawemustmarchtrailer/178137?autoplay=true&mpxId=2648272657
INGHAM COUNTY, MI 16TH ANNUAL DIVERSITY LUNCHEON
Commissioner Sarah Anthony, Ingham County Commission was the speaker for the 16th
annual Ingham County Cultural Diversity Luncheon, Feb. 26, 2015 in Lansing, MI. The Ingham
County Cultural Diversity Committee was formed in 1999 for the purpose of recognizing Ingham
County's Diverse Workforce. The Mission of the Ingham County Cultural Diversity Committee is
to: Create an inclusive, respectful, and hospitable workplace by increasing awareness in terms
of the ethnicity, race, religion and many other characteristics. Commissioner Bryan Crenshaw
served as Master of Ceremonies . Other Ingham County officials included Commissioner Carol
Koenig, County Clerk Barb Byrum. Among the guests was Dr. Jerome Reide, Regional Field
Director, NAACP. Ingham County has a culturally diverse and changing population. Many
cultural groups have special holidays, celebrations and ceremonies within their specific
communities. Ingham County has recognized the importance of and respects the diversity of all
cultural groups and values the various special holidays.
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DECATUR, IL HOSTS MANDATORY TRAINING FOR NAACP LEADERS
To ensure that the practices of all member Units are
consistent and follow the NAACP's policies and procedures
Mandatory Training was conducted by Dr. Jerome Reide,
Regional Field Director for Illinois State Conference NAACP
leaders in Decatur, IL Feb. 14, 2015. The participants also
celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Decatur Branch
NAACP with a centennial birthday cake.
(L-r) Stan Franklin, Third Vice President,
Vickie Richard, Chair, Membership
Committee, Dr. Jeanelle Norman, First Vice
President, George P. Mitchell, President,
Illinois State Conference at Mandatory
Training was conducted for Illinois State
Conference NAACP leaders in Decatur, IL
Feb. 14, 2015.and, and Decatur members
hosted.
NAACP Decatur Branch Acclaims Message
Through Technology. A large billboard promotes
the Centennial Celebration of the Decatur Branch
and the election of President Barack Obama.
Illinois NAACP Executives train in Decatur, IL Feb.
14, 2015,(Second Row l-r) Theodis Pace, Kankakee,
Dion Simpson, Rockford, Dr. Jerome Reide,
Regional Office, Lansing, MI, Veretta Yancy,
Dupage County,
Quincy Cummings,
Bloomington, (Front Row l-r) Candy Webb,
Galesburg, Teresa Haley, Springfield, Patricia
Avery, Champaign, Don McGruder, South
Suburban ,Isabella Scott, Y&C, Rockford.
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CORNELL WILLIAM BROOKS, PRESIDENT & CEO, NAACP SPEAKS IN AURORA, IL
Cornell William Brooks, President & CEO, NAACP with
DuPage County, IL Youth Council (front row ). and
Executive Committee members; NAACP IL State
Conference President, George Mitchell (second row,
second from left); and NAACP Board Member, Theresa
Dear (second row, third from left); February 1, 2015
St. John AME church in Aurora, IL.
U of M College Chapter Presents:
‘If Detroit were Heaven.”
(L-r) Theresa Dear, Member, National Board of
Directors NAACP, George Mitchell, President,
Illinois State Conference Veretta Yancey,
DuPage County President, February 1, 2015,
St. John AME church in Aurora, IL to receive
William Cornell Brooks, President & CEO
NAACP.
“PEACE AND HARMONY RALLY,”
COMMEMORATED IN SKOKIE, IL
George Mitchell, President, Illinois State
Conference Judge Barbara Meyer, Mayor
George Van Dusen were a part of a panel in
Feb. 12, 2015 to commemorate the
community’s victory over hatred and bigotry
through organization and a “Peace and
Harmony Rally” in December 2000. All three
were intimately involved in countering hatred
and ignorance since 1977.The Village of Skokie
has had its share of hate groups attempting to
use their voice to spew venom to denigrate
people from the 1970’s through the 2000’s.
This includes the American Nazi Party and the
Ku Klux Klan
University of Michigan College Chapter, NAACP
presented “If Detroit were Heaven,” a dramatic
presentation by hip-hop artist Khary WAE Frazier a
native Detroiter. Frazier explored his relationships
with his father Greg Frazier CPA, Civil Rights
Leader and Attorney Milton Henry, Grandmother
Mary Lee Brown, and Focus: HOPE founder
Eleanor Josaitis with the use of hip-hop lyrics.
The commemoration was held in Skokie Village
Hall with close to 100 people attending. The
event is a part of “Coming Together in Skokie”,
a community-wide celebration of the diversity in
the village. President Mitchell, a Skokie Village
official, has been involved in activities designed
to foster cultural understanding and acceptance
for many years. He is quoted as saying, “we
refuse to let hate mongers to define our
community; we define ourselves and our
community and no one else.
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REGIONAL ROUNDUP
Sylvia Ridgeway, President, WV State Conference
and Pam Nixon, Charleston, WV for NAACP
Legislative Day Feb. 3, 2015, Charleston, WV.
More than 450 people attended the 94th Annual
Lincoln-Douglass Banquet Feb. 8, 2015 in
Springfield, IL. Thirty five students received
recognition awards and one student from each
of the city’s five high schools received
scholarships.
(L-r) Linda Tarver, Director Community Affairs,
MI Secretary of State, Attorney Chelsi P. Henry,
Yvonne Young, President, Lansing, MI NAACP
at the Second Annual Black History Month
Awards and Celebration, Michigan Republican
Party. Tarver received the Grassroots
Craig Dickerson (l) a Galesburg High School Senior
receives a Community Service Award from Candy Webb,
President the Galesburg, IL NAACP at its Feb. 8, 2015
Gala, for consistent and continuous commitment and
community work.
Evanston/North Shore, IL NAACP hosted the last in a
series on wealth and asset building on February 28, 2015.
For many years the branch has co-sponsored workshops
during Black History Month with The Haitian Congress,
Shorefront Legacy Center and The African American
History & Genealogy Study Group of Evanston. Morris
“Dino” Robinson” founder of the Shorefront Legacy
Center traces the history of Black entrepreneurship in the
Evanston community back to the late 1800’s.
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Congressman Andre Carson (last row, third from
left) and Stephanie Nixon, Principal, Crispus
Attucks, HS, Indianapolis, IN at Feb. 18, 2015
Black History Program with members of Crispus
Attucks Youth Council, NAACP.