Mes: agosto 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Se’Quette Clark – the mother of Stephon Clark – issued a response to California District Attorneys Association President Vern Piersen in response to his letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Last week, the NFL’s Inspire Change platform released a public service announcement (PSA) around the tragic death of Stephon, an unarmed 22 year-old man who was fatally shot and killed in his grandmother’s backyard in Sacramento, California by two officers from the Sacramento Police Department in 2018. On August 4, Piersen sent a letter to Goodell, asking him to pull the PSA dedicated to Stephon’s legacy.

As a result, Se’Quette wanted to highlight a few areas where Pierson’s opinion overshadowed the facts of Stephon’s murder.

• The young man guilty of car vandalism turned himself in to authorities a week after Stephon was murdered.
• Stephon was not running from the police – he was running from our neighbor, David, who assumed that he was the suspect. He was chasing Stephon with a bat while on the phone with the 911 dispatcher.
• Since Schubert has been in office, there have been over 50 cases of excessive or deadly force by police officers. Because of her receipt of funds – donated by the police unions to her political campaign – she puts their concerns as her priority and has never filed charges against police officers. She uses the Police Bill of Rights as Justification: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Police/Transparency/Senate-Bill-1421-Releases
• Attorney General Becerra apologized profusely to me for his hands being tied by his department’s protocol of investigations in cases like Stephon’s.  He explained to me his investigation only reviewed Schubert’s report and was not a new one. He concluded with encouraging me that, as a result of his findings, the United States Attorney General would do their own investigation and I should receive justice there.
• Six months later, I met with the United States Attorney General for California as well as 2 FBI investigators and Police Chief Daniel Hahn. The AG expressed his sincere condolences before he informed me, they would not be indicting the officers who murdered my son. When I asked why not, his response was ‘We don’t believe the case to be convictable.’ I was devastated by the statement. That statement said to me they knew they officers were guilty, but because they didn’t think they would win in court, they chose not to prosecute. Not that they didn’t think the officers were guilty, but that they didn’t think they could prove it: https://www.kcra.com/article/fbi-doj-wont-charge-sacramento-officers-in-stephon-clarks-shooting-death/29255265

In summary, I will leave you all with something I taught my children while they were growing up: «The truth never needs help or proof. Only the guilty offer up explanations to justify their actions or lack thereof.»

I’d like to take a moment to publicly thank Tiana Parker and Kim Kardashian-West for getting over 30,000 signatures on the petition to re-open the investigation of Stephon’s case and fire and charge officers Terrance Mercadel and Jared Robinet with murder. I would also like to extend my most sincere gratitude to the NFL’s Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Inspire Change campaign and Roc Nation for choosing Stephon Clark as the subject of their latest public service announcement. I pray that as the nation becomes more aware of the injustice in Stephon’s case, it will have to be re-opened and investigated honestly and without prejudices or bias.

Sequette Clark
Mother of Stephon Clark; CPO of IAMSAC Foundation and Founder of Stephon Clark Legacy

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephon-clarks-mother-sequette-issues-response-to-vern-piersen-of-the-california-district-attorneys-association-301107137.html

SOURCE Se’Quette Clark

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — «As we continue to see surges of COVID-19 cases in Hispanic communities, we thank the Committee of 100 (C100) for their generous donation of over 60,000 FDA Approved Surgical N95 Respirator Masks to 15 of our member agencies delivering front-line COVID-19 health and mental health services. More than ever we need to support each other,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance).

Rates of COVID-19 are more than 3 times higher for Hispanics than non-Hispanic Whites and the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for those providing front-line care to affected communities. The need for PPE has been the subject of Senate Finance Committee hearings last week and is a part of the House passed HEROES Act and the HEAL Act being considered in the Senate to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

«C100 is proud to provide much-needed PPE to health and mental health community agencies in Hispanic communities and communities of color where people are bearing the brunt of the pandemic,» said Zhengyu Huang, President, C100. «We’re grateful for the Alliance’s partnership to help underserved people and create an allyship between Hispanics and Chinese Americans.»

«All our health care workers deserve the PPE they need to continue to deliver care during this pandemic as well as protect their health and that of their colleagues, families, and communities. This donation helps Alliance members meet their mission and helps ensure that no case of COVID-19 is spread simply because a health care worker did not have a protective mask,» concluded Dr. Delgado.

Note to Editors: Individuals who need COVID-19 or other health related services can call the Alliance’s bilingual (Spanish and English) toll-free Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645 for referral to services in their community or visit www.healthyamericas.org (English) or www.nuestrasalud.org (Spanish) for the latest in COVID-19 information.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to oppose President Trump’s nomination of Retired Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor to the post of U.S. Ambassador to Germany.

Macgregor has a long history or making violent anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican and anti-immigrant remarks. 

CNN: KFile: German ambassador pick disparaged immigrants and refugees, called for martial law at US-Mexico border
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/04/politics/kfile-douglas-macgregor-german-ambassador-pick/index.html 

While Macgregor’s nomination hearing has not yet been scheduled, CAIR is calling on Republican Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (Idaho), Ranking Member Bob Menendez (New Jersey), and their fellow committee members to reject Macgregor’s nomination on the grounds that his xenophobic, racist and anti-Muslim remarks and should disqualify him from serving as U.S. Ambassador to Germany. 

In a statement that was sent today to the staff and members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations by CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw: 

«CAIR is calling on the members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to oppose the nomination of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant racist Douglas Macgregor for the position of U.S. Ambassador to Germany. 

«Macgregor’s repeated verbal attacks on German Chancellor Angela Merkel and his long history of making Islamophobic and conspiratorial remarks about Muslim refugees fleeing to Europe – disparaging Muslims as ‘invaders’ ‘coming to take over’ and with the goal of ‘turning Europe into an Islamic State’ – makes him totally unfit to serve as U.S. ambassador to a long standing ally like Germany. 

«Last week the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee — in a bi-partisan manner — rejected Anthony Tata, another Islamophobic Trump nominee to a position in the Department of Defense, we call on Senate Foreign Relations Committee to likewise reject Macgregor.» 

Macgregor’s History of Anti-Muslim and Mexican Remarks 

In 2018, Macgregor disparaged Muslim refugees fleeing to Europe as «invaders,» following German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to allow refugees to enter that county. Macgregor claimed Merkel «seems more concerned about providing free services to millions of unwanted Muslim invaders» than funding «armed forces in the defense of its country.» 

In 2016, Macgregor said on an internet radio show that Muslim refugees are «not coming to assimilate and become part of Europe» but come «with the goal of eventually turning Europe into an Islamic State» adding «That’s a bad thing for the West. It’s a bad thing for Europeans.» 

In 2015, Macgregor similarly said on ABC News that Muslim refugees in Europe «are not coming to assimilate or become Europeans – quite the opposite. They’re coming to take over whatever they can get.» 

On that same program, Macgregor also stated the United States has «more than 9 million Muslims» and «I would be surprised if some were not inspired by the Islamic State.» 

According to CNN’s KFile and its review of dozens of radio and television interviews, Macgregor also opposed the United States’ 1995 NATO-led military intervention against Serbian forces who by then murdered some 8,000 Bosnian Muslims, because it according to him, it «put, essentially, a Muslim drug mafia in charge of that country.» 

Macgregor has also attacked Mexican immigrants to the U.S. stating that cartels were «driving millions of Mexicans with no education, no skills and the wrong culture into the United States, placing them essentially as wards of the American people.» According to CNN’s KFile, Macgregor also «repeatedly advocated to institute martial law at the US-Mexico border and ‘shoot people‘ if necessary.» 

CAIR notes that in 2017,  it called for the resignation of Pete Hoekstra, the United States ambassador to the Netherlands, who told a reporter it was «fake news» that he said there are Muslim «no-go zones» in that country and then lied about making the fake news charge when presented with video evidence of his anti-Muslim comments.

The Washington-based civil rights organization has repeatedly expressed concern about the Trump administration’s Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist policies and appointments. 

SEE: CAIR Condemns Trump’s Disrespect for Congressional Vetting After Appointment of Anti-Muslim Bigot Anthony Tata to Pentagon Post 
SEE: CAIR Condemns Trump’s Appointment of Anti-Muslim Bigot Sebastian Gorka to National Security Education Board  
SEE: CAIR Condemns Selection of Trump’s New Islamophobic Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany  

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.  

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com 

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-calls-on-senate-committee-to-oppose-trumps-anti-muslim-racist-nominee-douglas-macgregor-as-us-ambassador-to-germany-301107129.html

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — «As we continue to see surges of COVID-19 cases in Hispanic communities, we thank the Committee of 100 (C100) for their generous donation of over 60,000 FDA Approved Surgical N95 Respirator Masks to 15 of our member agencies delivering front-line COVID-19 health and mental health services. More than ever we need to support each other,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance).

Rates of COVID-19 are more than 3 times higher for Hispanics than non-Hispanic Whites and the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for those providing front-line care to affected communities. The need for PPE has been the subject of Senate Finance Committee hearings last week and is a part of the House passed HEROES Act and the HEAL Act being considered in the Senate to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

«C100 is proud to provide much-needed PPE to health and mental health community agencies in Hispanic communities and communities of color where people are bearing the brunt of the pandemic,» said Zhengyu Huang, President, C100. «We’re grateful for the Alliance’s partnership to help underserved people and create an allyship between Hispanics and Chinese Americans.»

«All our health care workers deserve the PPE they need to continue to deliver care during this pandemic as well as protect their health and that of their colleagues, families, and communities. This donation helps Alliance members meet their mission and helps ensure that no case of COVID-19 is spread simply because a health care worker did not have a protective mask,» concluded Dr. Delgado.

Note to Editors: Individuals who need COVID-19 or other health related services can call the Alliance’s bilingual (Spanish and English) toll-free Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645 for referral to services in their community or visit www.healthyamericas.org (English) or www.nuestrasalud.org (Spanish) for the latest in COVID-19 information.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/statement-on-donation-of-over-60-000-n95-masks-to-community-centers-providing-health-and-mental-health-services-to-underserved-hispanic-communities-301107125.html

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

NEW IBERIA, La., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — More than 150 helicopter pilots and mechanics represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Locals 107 and 407 at Bristow Helicopters are shocked by the company’s unilateral decision, announced Wednesday afternoon, to close two Louisiana facilities in both New Iberia and Galliano, resulting in the loss of more than 350 good-paying, family-sustaining jobs.

In June, Bristow completed a merger with Era Group that brought together two workforces, the OPEIU pilots and mechanics at Bristow and nonunion pilots and mechanics at Era. OPEIU has initiated a process with the National Mediation Board for the union to represent a joint workforce of Era and Bristow pilots and mechanics.

«Rather than continue the plan to combine workforces for a stronger company, Bristow has regrettably decided to take a U-turn and close two facilities,» said Ken Bruner, president of OPEIU Local 107 pilots. «This short-sighted decision jeopardizes our communities’ well-being at a critical time, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused enormous job losses already and threatens to uproot sorely needed funding for our children’s schools, our communities’ infrastructure and, importantly, our efforts to combat the pandemic.

«The company, and the more than 350 individuals who will be impacted by this decision, are an essential part of our local economy, and the impact of the closings will ripple throughout the region. Our communities will suffer needlessly from a steep decline in the tax revenues we need to maintain now more than ever,» he added. 

The company claims the decision to shutter the two facilities hinges on falling demand for the facilities’ services and lower operational efficiencies as a result.

«Bristow employees have long advocated for improvements that would leave our Louisiana facilities more profitable, more efficient and better positioned to succeed in a rapidly changing market,» said George Evans, president of OPEIU Local 407 mechanics. «We are calling on the company we have helped build to take a step back and realize what these jobs and tax revenues mean to our communities and to the employees who have helped make Bristow a successful company.

«We can’t let our communities and our families bear the brunt of a decision based on a false choice. We can and hope to work alongside Bristow management to ensure the company remains profitable and that these good-paying jobs remain where they belong,» Evans said. «Perhaps most galling, Bristow has provided golden parachutes for company executives while handing out these pink slips to its employees.»

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shocked-by-bristows-unilateral-decision-to-cut-more-than-350-good-paying-jobs-union-pilots-and-mechanics-call-on-company-to-schedule-talks-301107120.html

SOURCE OPEIU Locals 107 and 407

SEAL BEACH, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Olson Company has been at the forefront of solving California’s shortage of affordable new homes in urban areas for more than 30 years. Seeing the potential of each community, Olson works with cities and counties to re-entitle, rezone, and develop underutilized land into new energy-efficient homes that are close to jobs, public transportation, amenities, and entertainment options.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development ranked the State as the toughest in the nation for first-time buyers looking to purchase a home. In addition, new housing production, especially in urban areas, has lagged significantly.

Recognizing these factors, The Olson Company has made a concerted effort to offer affordable and attainable housing to California residents, particularly in Southern California.

One of The Olson Company’s recent projects was Magnolia Walk in the Los Angeles community of Willowbrook. The builder worked in partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles and the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles to offer a mixed income affordable housing community. When the pre-qualification process opened for Magnolia Walk’s affordable homes, they were met with an extremely positive response by potential homebuyers with over 500 applications.

In 2015, The Olson Company canvassed the surrounding community, contacting neighbors, to explain what the plans were for the site in an effort to build community support. There wasn’t a single community member that opposed the project, in fact, neighbors felt the beautiful homes would benefit their community.

While it can sometimes be a hurdle to sell homes in mixed-income developments that offer both affordable and market-rate housing, that was not the case with Magnolia Walk as all of the homes sold very quickly.

«The community of Willowbrook has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade, with an unprecedented public investment in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Campus, transportation infrastructure, and enhanced parks and libraries. Yet, this is all for naught if residents can’t afford to enjoy the fruits of this investment,» said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. «Our objective is to promote generational wealth building through home-buying, including opportunities for low and very-low income families. Today, over 90 families benefit from this notable partnership. The Olson Company has been a powerful partner in the County’s efforts to develop high-quality housing that all income-levels can afford.»

The County of Los Angeles began working with The Olson Company on this project in 2005, however, due to the financial crisis that hit the housing market hard in 2008, the project was put on hold for six years.

Emilio Salas, Acting Executive Director of Los Angeles County Development Authority, says he is really thankful to The Olson Company and acknowledges them for seeing this project through the challenges that were presented. «I really have to credit them for being very resilient during the economic downturn. They were very focused on making this project work. It was a huge number of homes in a very distressed community. That community is undergoing the entire transformation, and I think that this project is really one of the landmarks there now, in that Willowbrook community.»

Salas added, «It falls right in line with what the county is trying to do, and provides more opportunities for lower-income households to purchase the home and realize the American dream.»

Lisa S., a Magnolia Walk homeowner, says, «When I first found out about the affordable home program, I thought, wow, that’s something that I could qualify for. I think that the affordable home program is something that is really needed for the community. I’m thankful to Olson Homes for even considering partnering with L.A. County to make affordable homes available to people like me and other families that really want to own a home.»

When it comes to her favorite part about being a homeowner, another Magnolia Walk homebuyer says, «I think being able to drive into my own garage. Coming from my parents’ house, I didn’t have that luxury. I had to park in the driveway or on the street. So, being able to drive into my own garage, my own home, coming home after work after a long day. It’s a blessing.»

The Olson Company believes that homeownership in California should be possible for everyone. The team is taking a proactive stance to do its part in alleviating the housing crisis in California by working with cities and counties like Los Angeles to identify communities in mature neighborhoods that require minimal infrastructure to build urban neighborhoods that promise to keep construction costs low, taxes reasonable, and home prices attainable.

«We wish that there were more private organizations that had such a vision, to make sure they understand the importance of home-ownership opportunities for the lower-income community. It really became, I believe, a jewel within the Willowbrook community,» concluded Salas.

About The Olson Company

The Olson Company is California’s premier builder of affordable new home communities in the state’s most in-demand urban centers. In partnership with cities and other local and state agencies, Olson works to provide multi-tiered solutions to the critical issues of affordable for-sale housing, community redevelopment, transportation and sustainability. Recognized for creating thoughtfully designed communities within reach of California homebuyers, Olson has built more than 11,000 single-family attached, single-family detached, live/work and mixed-use in-town homes across 100 cities since 1988. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, Olson is the proud recipient of many top customer experience awards including the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Eliant Homebuyers’ Choice first-place awards for Overall Purchase and Ownership Experience.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-olson-company-partners-with-cities-to-develop-communities-and-build-affordable-housing-301106988.html

SOURCE The Olson Company

BURLINGTON, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, the largest arts service organization in the state, has partnered with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts on «Keep Jersey Arts Alive,» a digital campaign to build support for keeping the state’s arts institutions afloat. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters, museums, galleries, performing arts centers, dance studios and other groups have already lost over $30 million in revenue. New Jersey residents are urged to voice their ongoing support for the arts at KeepJerseyArtsAlive.org.

The campaign website offers state- and county-wide arts impact data to illustrate how the arts affect every corner of the state – including generating $662 million for New Jersey’s economy. According to the site, New Jersey’s nonprofit arts sector brings 8.3 million people to its downtowns and fuels 22,000 jobs. The arts are also a critical component to education, providing essential skills to 1.1 million students statewide. Campaign organizers aim to heighten public awareness around the industry’s importance as New Jersey faces continued economic hardship.

«Arts workers and organizations are valued members of the New Jersey family, and their recovery from the impact of COVID-19 is essential to our shared future in the Garden State,» said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Esq. «New Jersey’s arts sector and artists enrich our lives and communities, and I’m thrilled that the Keep Jersey Arts Alive initiative will celebrate our arts industry.»

Two rounds of federal CARES Act funding, which reached arts and humanities organizations throughout the state in May and July 2020, totaled $900,000 to cover personnel and facilities costs. ArtPride has also created an active COVID-19 resources page for artists and arts organizations, which includes various grant opportunities.

The state routinely supports the arts through competitive grants awarded by the State Arts Council (nearly $16 million in 2019), funded via a portion of New Jersey’s hotel/motel occupancy fee.

The campaign’s latest video discusses how New Jersey’s creative community is working to improve health and well-being during the coronavirus pandemic by creating activities for children, making protective wear for frontline workers, and collaborating with partners to address food security.

«A comprehensive recovery is one that positions the arts industry to endure this crisis and continue to provide opportunities for safe and meaningful connection for New Jersey communities, families and individuals,» said Allison Tratner, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. «From economic revitalization and jobs, to fostering dialogue and unity in the face of issues of social injustice, the arts are a critical tool for action and change as our state works to rebuild.»

Adam Perle, president and CEO of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, added: «The arts contribute greatly to our communities, and, while most physical doors are still closed, cultural groups continue to find creative ways to keep our minds and bodies strong. We look forward to when we can all gather safely, but, until then, we must work together to keep Jersey arts alive.»

For more information and to remind legislators about the economic importance of the arts, visit KeepJerseyArtsAlive.org.

About the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation
The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization that promotes the value of the arts to New Jersey’s quality of life, education and economic vitality through research and a variety of programs and services. For more information about ArtPride, visit http://www.ArtPrideNJ.org.

About the New Jersey State Council on the Arts
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council receives direct appropriations from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated, renewable Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee, as well as competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about the Council, please visit http://www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

SOURCE ArtPride New Jersey Foundation