The police attack in Century City took place the year before a more famous LAPD abuse case involving motorist Rodney King. Millions saw the televised video of the police beating Rodney King as he lay on the ground. When the police were acquitted by a mostly white jury, the verdict triggered the 1992 Los Angeles civil unrest.
Public health concerns have taken a backseat in conversations about reopening our economy and returning to what we fondly remember as “normal life”. Memorial Day historically signals the unofficial start of summer and because COVID-19 cases were on the decline, many hoped it would also mark the beginning of a return to normalcy. Even before the Governor and Mayor began lifting restrictions, some residents dismissed the stay at home orders. On Memorial Day weekend, people flocked to beaches and parks in droves, hosted gatherings with more than ten people in attendance, and did so without wearing protective face masks.
The dedication of Bethany Jenkins, who works as the COVID-19 Unit charge nurse at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in South L.A., reveals why people in her profession are so endeared. In fact, the accolades are especially appropriate as the U.S. celebrates National Nurses Week from May 6 to May 12. The observance, which began in 1954, recognizes the contributions that nurses and nursing make to the community.
Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California was the first state in the nation to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to place unsheltered people in hotel rooms at no cost to them. The state’s action is providing safe isolation for tens of thousands of homeless Californians during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Springtime is a season when thoughts turn toward warmer weather, new beginnings, and budding opportunities. Such is the case for freshman and transfer applicants to colleges and universities around the state and country, as both groups wait on that hoped-for letter of admission and consider which opportunity they will accept among the options they have been provided. California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), one of 23 campuses in the California State University system, has extended offers to its Fall 2020 class and is now awaiting students’ decisions to enroll. This admissions season, however, brings a mixed bag of feelings. Excitement
True Zion Baptist Church and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Western Province), in partnership with BestBuy, are donating hundreds of phone chargers to two local hospitals to provide a way for patients to stay in contact with friends and family. The distributions are set for Monday, April 20, at 10 a.m., at Centinela Hospital Medical Center, 555 E. Hardy St., in Inglewood. At 12 p.m., chargers will be contributed to Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, 1680 E. 120th St., in Los Angeles. Explaining how the donation came about, the Rev. Doug Nelson, pastor of True Zion Missionary Baptist Church and
CDU is also slated to begin analyzing demographic data to determine the novel coronavirus’ effect on diverse communities across Los Angeles County.
When it comes to public service, Mark Ridley-Thomas has done it all. He’s served on the nonprofit, city, county and state levels. The only thing left is national office.
Known as the dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, which he helped found, Conyers became one of only six Black House members when he won his first election by just 108 votes in 1964.