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Black Youth Are Central Force in California George Floyd Protests

By Antonio Ray Harvey

There are many aspects to the protests occurring in cities and towns up and down the state of California. One that stands out is the participation of young, Black people.

Outspoken, courageous, and committed, these young African Americans have become, by default, the anchors in a mass movement sparked by the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minnesota.  

Although they are diverse group of Black youth – by political identification, education, where they are from in the state, and more – they are all uniquely equipped to articulate and bear witness to the racial and economic injustices that a multiracial coalition of Californians have now made their cause.

“At the end of the day everybody here is united, and we all want justice for George Floyd. Period,” said Jamier Sale, 28, co-founder of Cell Block By Cell Block, a community-based organization in Sacramento that focuses on criminal justice reform.  

Across California, Latinos, Asians, Arab Americans, and Whites — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, et al — have jumped into action with passion. But the presence of Black youth, millennials between the ages of 25 and 39 and the Generation Z crowd born in the mid-1990s to mid-2000s, has become central to holding down the coalition of people raising their voices and fists in unified condemnation of police violence and discrimination.

Sale, who is also a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), a progressive political action organization, attended a demonstration at the State Capitol in Sacramento this past weekend. Thousands of people gathered at the rally to protest Floyd’s murder.  Sale and other members of the youth-led movement met officers of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at the steps on the east side of the state building adjacent to California State Capitol Park.

 “You can name the names (of all the people who experienced police brutality) because everybody comes with their own history, but this is about George Floyd,” Sale told California Black Media (CBM).

On Memorial Day, Floyd, 46, died in police custody after a White Minneapolis Police Department officer pinned him down and pressed his knee into the African American man’s neck for nearly nine minutes. A cellphone video showed Floyd telling the cops, “I can’t breathe.”

Like Sacramento, at demonstrations in Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach, Modesto and more Golden State cities, youthful Black faces have become conspicuous in the crowds of activists and citizens calling for justice as well as peace.

The Floyd tragedy shifted the country’s consciousness from the COVID-19 pandemic to the fraught and distrustful relationship, rooted in a well-documented history of violence, that persists between African Americans and law enforcement. 

Most of the demonstrations across the country started as peaceful marches, but, for days now, they have escalated into violent rioting and rebellions that have rocked every major city in the United States as well as in California. The riots have resulted in several deaths, mass looting, arson, vandalism, and billions of dollars in property loss.

For instance, in Sacramento the movement began peacefully in the city’s oldest suburban neighborhood Oak Park on the night of May 29. Thousands of protesters, the majority of them young people, gathered to kick off the protests organized by Black Lives Sacramento (BLMS). 

The CHP officers expected the crowd to attempt a march down one of the nearby Highway 99 off-ramps. The north-south interstate is a major California intra-state freeway that runs through the San Joaquin valley.

But, according to Tanya Faison, founder of BLMS, that was not a part of the group’s protest plan.

“Just to let you know, CHP is deep on the other side of that bridge. They are not going to let us get on that freeway,” Faison said, speaking into a bullhorn to the large crowd. “But one of the police stations is right around the corner.”

The protestors marched a little more than a mile to the Joseph E. Rooney Police facility of the Sacramento Police Department, a substation in South Sacramento. When they arrived, a few Sacramento Police officers emerged from the facility in riot gear toting rifles that shoot rubber bullets. 

The confrontation between the young people and the police was contentious, but it did not get physical. Stevante Clark, the older brother of Stephon Clark, who was killed by two Sacramento police officers in March 2018, described how he felt about the march.

“This all brought me back to my brother and Eric Garner,” said Clark, 27. “We’re hurt, and we all feel the same way, though a cop has been charged. As for George Floyd, justice is still being denied. There are still killer cops on the streets.”

Garner, the man who Clark was referring to, died after New York City cops held him in a chokehold in 2014. The incident happened on Staten Island, one of the city’s five boroughs. He was also African American.

The next day, Clark participated in a demonstration at the State Capitol where he and other activists met CHP officers who had formed a perimeter around the building where California’s laws are made.

Grace Swint, 29, from the San Francisco Bay Area, was one of the young protesters that helped lead the rally that went on for hours. Swint told CBM that she appreciated non-Black people participating in the movement, but she had to ask them what they would do once the rallies subsided.

“Personally, I’m just out here to make sure they are focusing that energy in the right place and that they know what to do when they go home,” Swint said. “This is good but it is not enough. I know for a fact that media and propaganda … they feed off of our emotions. It’s a good outlet to let those emotions and opinions out. But what are you going to do when you leave here? I need to make sure that they understand that.”  

Since the demonstrations began in the state capital, there have been some non-fatal casualties. Late night on May 30, two protestors, one female the other male, were hit by rubber bullets when a deputy from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department shot them in downtown Sacramento, according to several local news reports.  

The female, struck in the face during the peaceful protest, is 18 years old and the male is 19. The Sheriff’s office had a different take on the situation and released a statement telling its version of the events.

‘The initial investigation indicates the subject was throwing objects at the offices and deputies prior to being struck by a less than lethal weapon that was utilized by a few of the officers to stop the assault,” the Sheriff’s office said in a written statement.

The protests continued through Sunday in Sacramento with the youth still leading the way. There were reports of store break-ins and property damage around the city that increased after nightfall.  

Sale said that society must begin to understand how people between the ages of 13 and 39 think. It’s a generation that must be reckoned with and they “bounce their energy off of each other’s energy,” Sale said.

“Between each other, they have so many forms of communications that older people don’t know about. (If society) doesn’t absorb the energy of the youth, the youth are going to create their own organizations to replace the current organizations.”

$1 Summer Youth Fare Rides Return

As we enter our “new normal” summer and places begin to gradually open their doors to the public, we are happy to announce that $1 Summer Youth Fare rides are back June 1st through July and August!

Youth under 18 are entitled to rides for a only buck each way to help them get out and enjoy some socially distant, safe fun in the sun. The Summer Youth Fare can be paid with cash or digitally with Omnitrans mobile fares. Youth must be prepared to verify their age with a valid I.D. if asked by our drivers. As always, your safety is the top priority at Omnitrans, and all precautions and safety measures should be observed.

For more on what Omnitrans is doing to maintain safe vehicles, and what you can do to protect yourself and others, visit Omnitrans.org.

Bus Fare Collection to Resume

Due to enhanced passenger and operator safety measures, Omnitrans will resume collection of bus fares on Monday, June 1, 2020.

Front-door boarding will also resume. A protective barrier between bus operator and passengers makes social distancing possible and adds a layer of protection against potential COVID-19 spread.

To encourage contactless fare payment, also starting June 1, the official app of Omnitrans, the Transit app will begin offering paperless bus passes powered by Token Transit. Download the Transit app to plan your trip, track your bus, and pay your fare with a single app!

Address Racism in San Bernardino County

What is the Purpose of this Demonstration?

The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are only a reminder of what we already know: structural, systemically-protected racism is alive and well. We can no longer allow public servants to ignore these atrocities committed against black people, the time to act is now! This demonstration is a call to action demanding that state and local officials address disparate impacts of structural racism as a public health crisis. This will lead to dialogue with key public servants to talk about local accountability measures for law enforcement and to call for a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis in San Bernardino County. We’re not only demanding this resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, we are also pushing for a county-wide study illuminating the public health impact of structural racism and key recommendations and strategies for a systemic response to address care needs associated with long-term effects of racism. 

What can I do?

Public Comment:Please join the community in submitting a public comment to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors demanding that they, like many other cities, declare racism the public health crisis that it is!

The deadline to submit public comments is this Tuesday, June 2nd at  8AM

Make your voice heard
at: http://www.sbcounty.gov/cob/publiccomments/default.aspx

TO HELP SET-UP PLEASE ARRIVE at 9AM  

June 2nd at 10AM SB County Action

San Bernardino County Government Center 

385 North Arrowhead Avenue

San Bernardino, CA 92411

Are you going? 

Yes

No

Maybe

I am willing to help with:

Showing up at 9am to set up.

To help as a first-aid responder.

Monitoring & ensuring safe/social distancing is maintained.

To support with security/crowd controlLeading chant(s). 

Sent by Pastor Samuel Casey

Deadliest Season for Young People Approaches

California SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) issued a statewide call to action in combating the deadliest season for young people — the summer months. Known as the “100 deadliest days,” the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the season when more young people lose their lives in car crashes and other destructive decisions.

In 2018, *2476 people between the ages of 13-19 lost their lives on the nation’s roadways, and thousands more were injured. While young drivers make up **5.3% of all drivers, they represent a large percentage of all fatal crashes. The leading cause of crashes continues to be distracted driving, impaired driving, and reckless behavior. Combine these problems with inexperience and it is clear why car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death and injury for young people.

“Because of recent events, we’re reminded of the importance of public health, and public health includes traffic safety,” says Lynne Brown, California State Manager. “Our message is buckle up, every time.

Drive sober. If you feel different, you drive different. Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel. Everyone’s actions impact all roadway users, every driver, passenger, and pedestrian.”

SADD encourages teens to take the lead in sharing this message. We created a complete campaign of activities, volunteer opportunities, prizes, and more to raise awareness and empower young people, even in this time of social distancing. Parents can be involved too.

Aguilar Announces $4.8 Million for Inland Empire Health Care Provider

REDLANDS, CA—– San Bernardino, CA – Today Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that SAC Health System (SACHS) has received $4.8 million in Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue its work as a Teaching Health Center. The grant program, established by the Affordable Care Act, supports the expansion of community-based health care and allows regions like San Bernardino County to attract graduate medical residents to help provide primary and ambulatory care.

“SACHS plays an integral role in providing high quality health care to middle class and low-income families throughout the Inland Empire, and their physicians have been on the front lines of providing testing and treatment to help our region manage the coronavirus crisis. I’m proud to announce this funding, which will allow SACHS to continue attracting physicians to the Inland Empire, leading to better health outcomes for our underserved communities,” said Rep. Aguilar.

“SAC Health System has benefitted from Teaching Health Center grant funding continuously since July 2013. In the first few years, the funding was at real risk, so I traveled to Washington to meet Rep. Aguilar in his congressional office in 2015.  He listened patiently, asked clarifying questions, and has been a faithful supporter ever since. We have now received over $25 million in total, which has supported the education of 74 primary care doctors to date at SACHS. This funding is truly making a difference for our clinic and for our community,” said Kevin Shannon, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, LLU School of Medicine and Principal Investigator for the SACHS THC Program.

“When the COVID-19 outbreak started, I never could have predicted how it would change our daily lives. I was asked to be a part of the COVID-19 screening clinic and initially was hesitant. I was worried about being exposed to someone and possibly exposing my wife. But with further prayer and consideration, this is exactly the type of thing I wanted to be a part of. Meeting current needs of the local community, being able to give accurate information, and reassure and pray with the people we see is exactly what I want to,” said Dr. Eric Steele, who came to SACHS through the THC program. Dr. Steele is one of nine SACHS physicians assisting with COVID-19 testing.

Rep. Aguilar serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for allocating federal funds to agencies like HRSA.

Volunteers Needed for High Desert Drive Thru Free Family Support Day

HIGH DESERT, CA—– In light of COVID-19 and to support our community we would like to thank you for supporting the “Pull Up and Pick Up”.

Thank you for everyone that registered for the “Pull Up and Pick Up” Drive Thru Free Family Support Day for over 500 Families. The event is going to be a huge success and registration was at Capacity in 24 hours.

We are now in need of volunteers for the next event on Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Excelsior Charter School located at 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Yoselyn Aldama at (909) 723-1543

African American Organizations Call for Riverside County Supervisors to Form Taskforce to Save Black Lives

RIVERSIDE, CA—- Leading black organizations sent letters requesting for the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to create an African American Fatality Taskforce. Participating organizations include:

  • Riverside NAACP
  • Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE)
  • Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce
  • 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire
  • Coalition for Black Health and Wellness
  • The Black Collective
  • The Black Student Advocate

The letters state “we are calling the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to establish a county African American Fatality Taskforce to propose recommendations to you on addressing the mortality rate and addressing the historic underlined conditions that are contributing to it. The county is in the position to finally bring justice to this community. We ask that you please act now.”

The African American community has historically been marginalized and oppressed since the founding of this nation and county. Due to these historical atrocities, the African American community has biological, social, and emotional adverse outcomes that is being passed from one generation to another. Covid-19 has only magnified the systemic inequalities that persist in the United States and Riverside County. And nonwhite Americans, especially African Americans, have been hit hard on nearly every front.

African Americans are dying at disproportionately higher rates compared to all other ethnicities. As of last week, 16,329 black Americans are known to have died due to Covid-19, according to an analysis from the American Public Media (APM) Research Lab. That’s out of approximately 61,000 deaths for which race and ethnicity data was available. About 75,000 people total had lost their lives to the coronavirus at the time of the analysis, a number that has risen to more than 77,000. African Americans make up about 13% of the US population, according to the Census Bureau, but 27% of known Covid-19 deaths.

In Riverside County we are seeing the same disproportionate fatality rates as we are seeing throughout the nation.

Rancho Cucamonga Native Maintains Aircraft at Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maxwell Higgins, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) – A Rancho Cucamonga, California, Sailor was serving as an aviation maintenance technician aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) on Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, May 24.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Julia Carrasco reported to the “Knighthawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136’s airframes division in August 2018 as an Aviation Structural Mechanic.

Aircraft carrier flight operations would not be possible without the aircraft maintainers that work around the clock to make sure the aircraft are mission ready.

“My job means not only maintaining the aircraft itself but the pilot’s and crew’s life,” said Carrasco.

A maintainer must be properly qualified due to the complexity and safety-of-flight related equipment they work on. Each maintainer undergoes specific technical training that pertains to their assigned rating before they are allowed to start working on aircraft or equipment.

“I maintain all hydraulic and structural components of F/A-18s, including the landing gear, tires and tale hooks,” said Carrasco.

Within the Navy, maintainers can work in a variety of different places and with a wide range of people.

“Seeing how we as team are constantly improving and getting better is really amazing,” said Carrasco. I really enjoy swapping out tires. For the most part, it’s like changing a tire on a car. A car that that flies through air at hundreds of miles per hour.”

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) remains at sea in the Atlantic as a certified carrier strike group force ready for tasking in order to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19, following their successful deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Keeping HSTCSG at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet, in the sustainment phase of OFRP, allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness during the global COVID-19 pandemic

For more news from Truman, visit www.navy.mil/local.cvn75/, www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

County cleared to reopen restaurants, stores and malls

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Because San Bernardino County has flattened the COVID-19 curve and secured the resources needed to continue keeping the novel coronavirus under control, dine-in restaurants, stores and malls can now reopen with safety measures throughout the county after a state-ordered shutdown that lasted more than two months.

“San Bernardino County businesses and residents worked very hard and made tremendous sacrifices to make this moment possible,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “Your efforts to keep our community safe and healthy have paid off. We can now proceed significantly further toward resuming our normal lives.”

“This virus is still very present throughout our county, state and nation, so we must remain vigilant by physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and washing our hands often. But our goal of minimizing illness and building the capacity to protect the vulnerable, serve the sick, and track the virus in our communities has been achieved,” Hagman said.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our public health and healthcare professionals, who are putting in long hours on the front lines of this battle, and to our County Government team for working around the clock in support of those efforts,” he said.

The California Department of Public Health on Saturday, May 23, approved the county’s request to reopen more businesses as part of the governor’s accelerated phase two. The county submitted a revised request to move into the next phase on Friday, May 22 based on the new criteria announced by the state on Monday, May 18.

As part of the accelerated Stage 2 phase of the state recovery plan, destination retail stores, including shopping malls and swap meets, and dine-in restaurants can now reopen in San Bernardino County. Businesses that plan to reopen are required to follow state guidance detailed at https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/. Gyms, hair and nail salons, barber shops, movie theaters, sports and entertainment venues, libraries, bars and wineries, hotels and motels, and public swimming facilities won’t be authorized to reopen until stages 3 and 4.

Drive-in and virtual worship services and faith-based counseling services are authorized to proceed, and the governor said additional guidance for religious services will be announced on Monday, May 25.

The governor on Monday announced new benchmarks counties had to achieve to accelerate business reopening. The announcement came shortly after San Bernardino County sent the governor two letters seeking flexibility in charting a course for recovery. One letter was signed by the Board of Supervisors and the mayors of the county’s 24 cities and towns, the other was a joint letter from the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and San Diego, which combined account for about a third of the state’s population.

“Our efforts clearly made a difference,” Hagman said. “Our goal now, besides achieving additional openings, is to keep our businesses open by continuing to keep our curve flat by taking precautions and avoiding unnecessary risk.”

The county is helping small businesses operate safely and stay open through the COVID- Compliant Business Partnership Program. By agreeing to enforce physical distancing, require customers and employees to wear face coverings, and practicing prudent hygiene, small businesses can receive up to $2,500 to implement those measures. Businesses can apply through the county’s COVID-19 website, http://sbcovid19.com.

Businesses should also heed county and state guidance for a safe and sustainable reopening:

San Bernardino County Readiness and Reopening Plan:

http://www.sbcounty.gov/Uploads/CAO/Feature/Content/San_Bernardino_County_Readiness_a nd_Reopening_Plan_-_FINAL_Update_5-22-20.pdf

State guidance for dine-in restaurants: http://www.sbcounty.gov/Uploads/CAO/Feature/Content/guidance-dine-in-restaurants.pdf

State guidance for shopping centers: http://www.sbcounty.gov/Uploads/CAO/Feature/Content/guidance-shopping-centers.pdf

State guidance for retail: http://www.sbcounty.gov/Uploads/CAO/Feature/Content/guidance-retail.pdf