Government

Bowser First Woman Mayor to Be Sworn in to Second Term

THE AFRO — It was a spirited morning as Mayor Muriel Bowser, and several members of the D.C. Council were sworn in as part of several #DCProud2019 events last week.

Published

6 years ago

January 9, 2019

Oakland Post

By George Kevin Jordan

It was a spirited morning as Mayor Muriel Bowser, and several members of the D.C. Council were sworn in as part of several #DCProud2019 events last week.

“Today I follow in the footsteps of Marion Barry and Anthony Williams and take this oath for a second time,” Bowser said to a round of applause, as the first woman in D.C. history to be sworn into a second term. “I do not view a second term as a chance to warm the seat. But to think and act boldly as we work together to take on our toughest challenges.”

Hundreds of residents and government workers gathered at the Walter E. Washington Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001, to watch their elected officials take oaths of office to D.C.

Also being sworn in were: Brianne K. Nadeau (Ward 1), Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3), Kenyan R. McDuffie (Ward 5), Charles Allen (Ward 6), Elissa Silverman (At-Large) Anita D. Bonds (At-Large) and Phil Mendelson (Chairman). This was the first time since 2002 that all D.C. Council members were reelected, according to Mendelson.

The Honorable Karl A. Racine was also sworn into office for another term as the District’s first and at this point only Attorney General, having first been elected to the new position in 2015.

Rock Newman, executive producer and host of the Rock Newman Show on WHUT TV, presided as the master of ceremonies. He introduced the mayor as “a sister of the soul, born here, reared here. Someone who loves the city and is attempting to make it a place where all feel lifted and abundantly cared for.”

Bowser’s oath was administered by the Honorable Anna Blackburne Rigsby, chief judge, D.C.’s Court of Appeals.

With her first term firmly behind her Bowser pointed out some of the city’s many accomplishments like a balanced budget and Triple A Bond rating as signs of progress for the city. The mayor added that work still needs to be done.

“We are only as strong as a city as a ward that struggles the most,” Bowser said. “You cannot represent the District of Columbia as a whole and not reflect that in your words, actions and budget decisions.”

“You cannot lead with the District of Columbia as a whole without placing yourself at the footsteps of the immigrant living in daily fear, as the Trans woman that lives constantly with the thought that nobody cares about her life or her safety. Or the person of faith concerned about bombings or shootings in his or her synagogue or church.”

Among the key initiatives to be pushed in 2019 will be the fight for D.C. to become the 51st State in the U.S.

“We went to a tower in New York and to the oval office to tell them who we are, that we pay our own way and we want control of federal land in Washington D.C.,” Bowser said. “D.C. demands statehood now.”

“In 2016 you voted overwhelmingly to create our new constitution, boundaries and form a representative government. And my eyes have not seen nor have my ears heard any reason to stop fighting until we receive D.C. statehood and we’re going to start in a Democratic House.”

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton echoed that agenda earlier in the ceremony.

“If you pay taxes you deserve a vote on those taxes,” Norton said. “No taxation without representation. We’ll test the founder’s principle by demanding a vote on statehood for the D.C.”

Bowser said one of her biggest goals in the next term was “a relentless commitment to a fair shot for every D.C. resident period.”

That idea of “fair shot” meant several things, from reducing the spike in the city’s murder rate, closing the income disparity gap and affordable housing and better education for all.

Wanda Gattison, who works as a public information officer for the Office of Unified Communications in Ward 8 was excited to support the mayor’s efforts in the city.

“I’m here to support the mayor of course,” Gattison said. “I am so excited, as a woman. I’m so proud she was elected for a second term. I think that’s an amazing accomplishment.”

“I’m excited to see women and particularly young women doing so well.”’

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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Activism

‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Biden’s Legacy Secured with Record-Setting Black Judicial Appointments

His record surpasses previous efforts by his predecessors. President Jimmy Carter appointed 37 Black judges, including seven Black women. In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s first term resulted in only two Black women appointed out of 234 lifetime judicial nominations. The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

iStockphoto.

By Stacy M. Brown
WI Senior Writer

President Joe Biden’s commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary has culminated in a historic achievement: appointing 40 Black women to lifetime judgeships, the most of any president in U.S. history.

Biden has appointed 62 Black judges, cementing his presidency as one focused on promoting equity and representation on the federal bench.

The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Meanwhile, Trump has vowed to dismantle key civil rights protections, including the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Having the Black woman’s experience on the federal bench is extremely important because there is a different kind of voice that can come from the Black female from the bench,” Delores Jones-Brown, professor emeritus at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told reporters.

Lena Zwarensteyn of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights told reporters that these district court judges are often the first and sometimes the final arbiters in cases affecting healthcare access, education equity, fair hiring practices, and voting rights.

“Those decisions are often the very final decisions because very few cases actually get heard by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Zwarensteyn explained.

Biden’s nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court further reflects his commitment to judicial diversity. Jackson became the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.

Patrick McNeil, spokesperson for the Leadership Conference, pointed out that over half of Biden’s Black female judicial appointees have backgrounds as civil rights attorneys and public defenders, experience advocates consider essential for a balanced judiciary.

Meanwhile, Congress remains divided over the expansion of federal judgeships. Legislation to add 66 new judgeships—approved unanimously by the Senate in August—stalled in the GOP-controlled House until after the election. House Republicans proposed distributing the new judgeships over the next decade, giving three administrations a say in appointments. President Biden, however, signaled he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., argued the delay was a strategic move to benefit Trump’s potential return to office. “Donald Trump has made clear that he intends to expand the power of the presidency and giving him 25 new judges to appoint gives him one more tool at his disposal,” Nadler said.