Category: Community

The Biden administration has renewed efforts to fast track the face of Harriet Tubman on the upcoming $20 bill. This action was laid aside during Trumps time in office.

“The Treasury Department is taking steps to resume efforts to put Harriet Tubman on the front of the $20 notes” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki during a press briefing.

She added “It’s important that our notes, our money…reflect the history and diversity of our country, and Harriet Tubman’s image gracing the new $20 note would certainly reflect that. So we’re exploring ways to speed up that effort.”

The Treasury Department first initiated Tubman on the $20 bill in 2016, during the Obama administration. In an effort to replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the currency. Shortly after former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said the new bills would be unveiled in 2020. That proposal loss traction under former president Donald Trump who cited the change as “pure political correctness.”

BY: BEWITTY Staff

Driving on the expressway has gotten deadlier for Chicagoans and it’s not for the reason most would think. Travelers previously worried about getting in a vehicular accident or traffic jam but 2020 has added fatal gunfire to that list. Early reports are indicating a 100% surge in expressway shootings in Chicago for 2020. Ending last year with a total of 128 gunshot victims while only 12 of those shootings resulted in an apprehension. The previous year (2019) was less than half of that number (52). One third of those incidents took place on the Dan Ryan according to Illinois state police.

Community stakeholders are slamming those shootings as unacceptable. A spokesperson (Beth Hundsdorfer) for the state police said “Expressway camera footage has produced evidence that was useful in obtaining criminal charges pursuant to expressway-related investigations.”

While a community member namely Alma Hill is crying foul and insisting more can be done. “I feel we’re being neglected. I feel we’re being put on the back burner because they can use the excuse of COVID.” Hill went on to say “I do believe more people have to stand up and let the public and especially the government know that this is important to us.” I know they’ve got a lot on their hands but that’s no excuse. This is ridiculous people are dying.” As originally reported by The Chicago Tribune.

BY: BEWITTY Staff

Jacob Blake (29) sat down with Michael Strahan because he has little ability to stand after Kenosha police partially paralyzed him. Jacob Blake and his ex were uniting to celebrate their child’s 8th birthday when a dispute ensued with a neighbor. Blake said the altercation put a damper on his son’s party who tearfully asked him “daddy you sure it’s my birthday?” That query prompted him to leave to distract his son by “going back to the store.” Wanting to add joy to his child almost subtracted his life when police shot him seven times in the back. A miscommunication with his ex Laquesha Booker caused the police call. When officers arrived Blake didn’t realize they were their for him since he hadn’t committed a crime. He proceeded to Booker’s rental vehicle to secure his three children in their car restraints. Moments later he felt someone tugging his arm and flinched due to “human reaction.”

That moment made Blake realize he was the target. The next minute without verbal warning Blake says he was “slammed” against the car and tased. He responded by getting up to remove the “taser prongs” and pick up his dropped belongings which included a pocket knife. After garnering his things Blake tried to return to his “babies” in the vehicle. Blake said he walked away but in hindsight shouldn’t have picked up the knife due to the hostile climate. Still oblivious to his life being in danger since he was going in the opposite direction. Blake said he was not resisting arrest but the fate of being the “next George Floyd.” Trying to ensure the well being of his three kids almost turned fatal when a white police officer decided to shoot him seven times from behind.

Jacob Blake felt death was imminent. So he went on to give presumed final words to his children saying “Daddy love you no matter what.” Those children would later “facetime” their father in his hospital bed in awe that he was alive. Blake ended the interview thanking GOD for his life.

The families attorney, Ben Crump spoke about the smearing of Jacob Blake since the incident. Explaining how Black people have to be “perfect” to receive empathy.

Kenosha authorities identified the shooting officer as “Rusten Sheskey.” Who claimed Jacob Blake’s pocket knife had him in fear for his life. Sheskey said he thought he was going to be stabbed so he walked in closer to shoot him seven times. The officer’s attorney Brandan Matthews defended the publicly funded shooter saying he “acted according to his training.” His legal instruction has Jacob Blake heading into his 37th surgery as reported by “Good Morning America.”

Despite the international outcry Kenosha’s District Attorney, Michael Graveley decided not to charge the officer.

BY: BEWITTY Staff

The Louisville Metro Police Department has terminated a duo of police officers for their negligence that caused the shooting death of Breonna Taylor according to their termination paperwork. Taylor was a first responder and healthcare worker who was shot dead when two Louisville police officers forcefully entered her apartment in a botched raid. The emergency room technician’s killing prompted a national outcry that activated impassioned summer protest and aching calls to “defund the police.” While the police weren’t defunded officers Joshua Jaynes and Myles Cosgrove have lost their public funded pay after being served their walking papers on Tuesday according to Louisville Police Chief Yvette Gentry.

Cosgrove and Jaynes violated a plethora of department policies that included but wasn’t limited to circumventing standard operating procedures, failing to turn on worn body cams and unlawfully attaining the deadly search warrant. Breonna Taylor thought she was secure in her home alongside her significant other Kenneth Walker on March 13 when Louisville police stormed in without uniforms to serve a no-knock warrant. A legal action that was intended to be carried out against two individuals who had no sort of criminal history and assumed they were being home invaded on. Walkers assumption that he and his partners life was in danger resulted in him utilizing his licensed to carry gun to shoot presumed self defense shots. The returned fire killed Breonna Taylor horrifically validating his initial trepidations.

Officer Cosgrove was responsible for spraying 16 rounds into the couples home. The police chief spoke about the cowboy action saying “The shots you fired went in three different directions, indicating you did not verify a threat or have target acquisition. In other words, the evidence show that you fired wildly at unidentified subjects or targets located within an apartment.” Adding “I can not justify your conduct nor in good conscience recommend anything less than termination.” Jaynes was not present during the horrific exchange but was responsible for securing the “untruthful” search warrant that led to the fatal shooting. Chief Gentry credited Jaynes failure “to inform the judge that you had no contact” with the postal inspector for his newly employed status. Following the ex officer’s false assertions of having insider knowledge of drugs being sold by Breonna’s ex boyfriend by way of the USPS which they refuted. His “sworn information was not only inaccurate” but “untruthful” according to Gentry.

The “Fraternal Order of Police” which is funded by the officers say they intend to appeal the decision as reported by CNN.

BY: BEWITTY Staff

A Kenosha police officer put a bullet hole in Jacob Blake’s back for everyday of the week and will not face charges. The cities District Attorney Michael Gravely has refused to indict the officer (Rusten Sheskey) who shot Jacob Blake from behind seven times saying “I do not believe the state would be able to prove that the privilege of self defense is not available.”

Attorneys for the Blake family spoke out calling the absence of charges “immensely” disappointing and unfortunate for all of the peaceful protestors who allowed due process to take place only to witness another miscarriage of justice.

“We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but the community that protested and demanded justice. Attorney Ben Crump went on to say Officer Sheskey’s actions sparked outrage and advocacy throughout the country, but the district attorney’s decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob in the back multiple times leaving him paralyzed, further destroys the trust in our justice system. This sends the wrong message to police officers throughout the country. It says it is OK for the police to abuse their power and recklessly shoot their weapon, destroying the life of someone who was trying to protect his children.

Attorney Crump also detailed their intentions to push forward by pursuing legal recourse in the form of a civil lawsuit.

“This is not the news we were hoping for, but our work is not done and hope is not lost, It is now our duty to broaden the fight for justice on behalf of Jacob and the countless other Black men and women who are victims of racial injustice and police brutality in this country. We will continue to press forward with a civil lawsuit and fight for systemic change in policing and transparency at all levels. We urge Americans to continue to raise their voices and demand change in peaceful and positive ways during this emotional time.”

Gravely argued that his decision was “laser focused” on what would have been permissible to a jury saying “It means that this case is all about self defense and can it be proven that it doesn’t exist. It’s about the perspective of Officer Sheskey.”

According to Kenosha PD, Sheskey is still gainfully employed via administrative leave while Mr. Blake is paralyzed from the waist down.

Once the news @ CNN broke regarding Kenosha’s decision to reject charges a wide range of reactions began to disburse across social media that spanned from exasperation to grief and celebrities were apart of those downcast and dismayed. Many public figures sounded off about the perceived refusal to acknowledge Black Americans as humans with rights and not carnage in the legal system. Did Kenosha make a “Gravely” mistake? Can it be fixed at the polls?

BY: BEWITTY Staff

This city of Kenosha, Wisconsin is bracing for potential protest and civil unrest pending the charging decision in the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The charging verdict is anticipated to happen within the first two weeks of January according to the cities Mayor John Antaramian and Chief of police Daniel Miskinis. A statement was released Sunday saying “Mayor Antaramian has been informed that the decision is likely to be announced within the first two weeks of January and is working with Chief Miskins and other partners to protect peaceful demonstrations and to guard against unlawful activity.”

Some of the precautions being taken include restricting city bus routes, implementing curfews and blocking off certain roads and areas. Jacob Blake sustained serious injuries after being shot multiple times in his back by a Kenosha police officer. The blindsided shooting sparked nationwide outraged but was not the only casualty in Kenosha after Kyle Rittenhouse traveled to the city from Antioch, Illinois and fatally shot two protestors.

The victims loved ones are now demanding monetary justice for their lost and wounded family by requesting $20 million be paid for civil damages.

BY: BEWITTY Staff

Prosecutors overseeing the Minneapolis case involving four ex police officers who are charged in the kneeling death of George Floyd have requested the trial be delayed for three months due to the current pandemic according to court records. A recent petition listed Covid-19 and vaccine distribution as reasons for the petition. The officers were originally scheduled to stand trial for the tragic death of Floyd on March 8 but the prosecutors have expressed their intentions to postpone it until June 7th. Court records said the reason for the motion was to “protect public health” while ensuring the “case is resolved expeditiously” as reported by the AP.

Derek Chauvin, Alexander Keung, Tou Thao and Alexander Kueng are all set to stand trial cohesively. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter while the others are responsible to defend aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter charges.

Floyd was a working father who died after Chauvin a white police officer was captured on camera pinning the Black man down by holding his knee and full body weight to his neck for nearly nine minutes despite several cries that he could not breathe.

BY: BEWITTY Staff