WSSN Stories

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), along with other Democratic lawmakers and April Grayson — a witness who last month testified against a sex trafficking bill proposing stiffer penalties for repeat offenders – have disclosed receiving death threats laced with the n-word and other racial slurs.

Jones and Grayson, who are both Black, said the threats and insults came by emails, telephone and social media.

“The number of death threats, people who threated to rape members of the Assembly and their families, the number of times people were called the ‘N-word,’ and staff members who may be with the LGBTQ community, were called the ‘F-word,’” are just a sample of what Jones-Sawyer told California Black Media (CBM) he was hearing. “They were calling like crazy. That’s not a place for public discourse. You can disagree but you don’t have to be disagreeable.”

The hate-filled messages came after Jones-Sawyer, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and other Democratic committee members were criticized for not supporting Senate Bill 14 authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). The legislation proposes adding the sex trafficking of minors to the list of “serious” crimes under California’s Three Strikes law. A conviction, including previous felonies, would increase prison sentences to 25 years to life. The trafficking of minors currently carries a prison term for up to 12 years, or 15 years to life.

On June 11, the Democratic majority on the Public Safety committee unanimously abstained from voting on the bill. The committee’s two Republican members voted for it. The bill’s failure to advance from the committee drew national attention and sharp condemnation from conservative groups.

“After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex trafficking of a minor a serious felony. I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to support the bill, with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime,” Grove said in a statement after the committee vote. “Human trafficking of children is a growing tragedy that disproportionately targets minority girls, and California is a hotbed because of our lenient penalties.”

Two days after SB 14 failed in the Public Safety committee, it passed with a 6-0 vote. California Legislative Black Caucus members Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Majority Leader Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) abstained from voting.

In a statement sent to CBM, Grove who has been the main champion of SB 14, addressed the threats and said such attacks against lawmakers should be taken seriously.

“It can be a felony offense to threaten public officials in California. I urge any legislative member who has received a threat to contact the Capitol police immediately so that an investigation can take place and those making threats can be held responsible for their abhorrent actions,” Grove wrote.

California Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), a strong supporter of SB 14, also condemned the death threats and hate messages and expressed his concerns about the attacks leveled at his colleagues from across the aisle.

“We need to get to a place where we can have a difference of opinion without the threat of violence…on any level,” Gallagher posted on X – formerly known as Twitter.

Jones has stated that he is committed to ending sex trafficking in California, but he wants to improve Grove’s bill so that it does not just result in more incarceration, considering that some of the offenders are victims themselves.

In the Legislature, Jones-Sawyer has also been a vocal supporter of shifting the focus of California’s criminal justice system from incarceration to rehabilitation. In California, Blacks make up under 6% of the state’s population but account for nearly 30% of prison inmates, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Grayson is one of those victim-offenders who was trafficked as a child but ended up spending 17 years behind bars. Born in Los Angeles, Grayson said she grew up in 22 different foster homes, going through one abusive experience after another.

Now, she is the statewide coordinator for the Young Women’s Freedom Center, Sister Warrior’s Freedom Coalition, a coalition of formerly and currently incarcerated women.

Since her release from prison in 2015, Grayson has been politically active. She worked on California Assembly Bill (AB) 124, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021. The bill creates a channel for survivors of human trafficking to request a reduced prison sentence.

“(Grayson) broke my heart. She told us about being trafficked and then she became a trafficker. When she got caught, they put her in jail,” Jones Sawyer said. “Nobody ever gave her any counseling or found her a safe place where she could go. They didn’t have that 20 years ago. She was not only victimized by the trafficker, but she was criminalized by our criminal justice system.”

When the state legislature reconvenes on Aug. 14, the Assembly Appropriations Committee could hold a hearing on SB 14 as early as Aug. 16.

Jones-Sawyer says he hopes members of that committee can examine the legislation without attracting the attacks he and other members of the Public Safety committee had to endure.

By Lou K Coleman

Repent before it is too late!  How can we possibly live in the day and age in this world that we are living in right now, seeing the news, seeing what’s taking place, and not realize that the Bible has prophesied everything that has taken place, and everything that will take place. Repent before it is too late!

The Bible said that the Euphrates River will dry up. It’s drying up. The Bible said that there would be a cashless society. It is here. The Bible said that there will be an Antichrist that will be revealed. He is here. Unbeknown to the masses.  Don’t wait until it’s too late! We are not living in ordinary times. We are nearing the end of an age—the end of a civilization. Wake up! A world-shaking crisis is inexorably building and will, in the near future, explode the appearance of normalcy.

Understand the significance of today’s news and where it is all leading. Because soon and very soon, mankind will suffer through the most devastating, bloody war in human history—called, in biblical terminology, the Great Tribulation. “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, those days will be shortened.” [Matthew 24:21–22]. Wake Up! Christ is giving us so many signs and warnings.

If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, then you should pay close attention to His instruction to you: “Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [Luke 21:36]. Watch for wars—big wars, little wars, ethnic wars, wars of all sorts, along with escalating violence and increasing lawlessness—which will increasingly affect all of the world. Do not just believe me. Believe what is written in your Bible. Check up and prove it.

For thus says the Lord God: ‘A disaster, a singular disaster; behold, it has come! An end has come, the end has come; it has dawned for you; behold, it has come! Doom has come to you, you who dwell in the land; the time has come, a day of trouble is near, and not of rejoicing in the mountains.” (Ezekiel 7:2–9).

Wake Up! Christ is giving us so many signs and warnings.

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” [Luke 21:20-22).

M.H.M & Associates recently hosted an exclusive fundraising event focusing on garnering sponsorship to assist CEO Luvina Beckley, and the National Resources Development Council (NRDC) take her message on a four-city symposium tour. The focus is to reach Black women and Women of color-led organizations to change the dynamics in the trillion-dollar-a-year grant funding industry. The fundraiser was also intended to help raise investment funds the Beckley’s newly developed (patent pending) e3p3 software model. Which is sure to create some of that change.

The event was held at Fox Pointe Manor in Anaheim Hills, the private home of Dr. Howard and Linda Knohl, and featured a who’s who list of current and former elected California officials and other guests.

Beckley addressed her audience and laid out the problems with the grant funding industry. She discussed her inspiration and mission in great detail and closed by addressing the solutions that would rectify the situation. Beckley·s presentation was supported by a couple of people she successfully wrote grants for the in the past. Kim Carter, CEO of Time For A Change Foundation explained to the audience what Beckley and grant funding did to elevate her program to the next level. Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson discussed the work Beckley did for the City of Rialto.

“I thought the event was very classy and very well put together,” said Londie Pratt, who was an invited guest. “(Luvina’s) message really resonated and connected with the intimate audience,” added Pratt.

The event was a prelude to the Rising Tide/ Impacting the 1 % symposiums that Beckley will take across the country on a four-city national tour. The first symposium is scheduled for Saturday, September 9th in the City of Pasadena The symposiums are expected to draw up to 200-250 attendees.

M.H.M & Associates is a leader in the grant writing space having garnered more than $125 million in funding since its founding. Among its missions is to positively affect the wealth gap by assisting Black women and women of color-led organizations to get grants and investment funding to help their organizations reach their goals.

You can hear more about Beckley’s story and inspiration during her exclusive interview airing Sunday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. on Channel 9 KCAL Los Angeles on the YABA TV Show.

By Lila Brown | California Black Media

A group of progressive California lawmakers – including three members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) — have pledged to end poverty in California by advancing more effective policy during the next legislative session – and beyond.

Newly appointed Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) announced the formation of the End Poverty in California Caucus last month at a Los Angeles screening of the documentary “Poverty and Power.”  The film features former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, an anti-poverty advocate who founded a non-profit that shares a name with the caucus, End Poverty in California (EPIC).

“We’re headed towards the end of the legislative session, but we’re in the process of recruiting members to the poverty caucus,” Bryan, who is the chair of the new caucus, told California Black Media.

“We’ve got about a half dozen members already,” Bryan continued.  “As we continue to do outreach in the legislature, I expect that number to grow. By the time we come back together in January to introduce new legislation we should have everything ready to go, to focusing on criminal justice reform and the housing crisis’ systemic nexus to poverty in the state.”

Bryan is the treasurer of the CLBC.

The End Poverty Caucus says it will aim to “help lawmakers organize around key votes and issues and build power in order to advance bold policy change.”

Other CLBC lawmakers who are members of the newly formed poverty caucus are Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights) and Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda).

“Part of the reason over a quarter of our state’s residents live at or below the poverty level is because of California’s failed public policies,” said Smallwood-Cuevas in a statement. “Our State Legislature must fight for California’s working families by creating equitable access to quality jobs and doubling down on what Californians earn across the board, particularly for residents from marginalized communities of color.”

Bonta said bills she introduced this year have prioritized the needs of children and families, but she looks forward to working with her colleagues to take bolder and broader action to address those problems.

It’s clear that we need to advance stronger policies that will coordinate effective, place-based delivery of wrap-around services for people most in need to make significant progress in the fight against poverty,” Bonta said. “I look forward to joining forces with our End Poverty Caucus to ensure that we strengthen our safety net and tackle the racial and economic inequities in our communities.”

Other members of the Caucus are Senators Nancy Skinner (D-Oakland) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), Ash Kalra (D-Fresno), Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Luz Rivas (D-Arleta).

Some critics have cautioned, however, that creating a caucus focused on poverty is political showmanship by Democrats that will have little impact on actual poverty reduction.

Tim Anaya, vice president of the conservative leaning Pacific Research Institute, says “The new End Poverty in California legislative caucus is not going to foster a serious discussion about helping Californians climb the economic ladder.  Rather, EPIC promotes policies that don’t work and would trap more Californians perpetually in poverty.”

Instead, Anaya proposes, lawmakers should support free market reform to support entrepreneurship and small business growth.

In an op-ed titled “Ending poverty in California Requires Good Policy, Not Platitudes,” that several California news outlets published last week, the author, Steven Greenhut, Western Region Director for the R Street Institute, compared the California Legislature to a high school student council setting unrealistic goals they cannot achieve.

“Ending poverty is a large promise – and the Legislature is much better at passing laws that exacerbate poverty (minimum wage, anti-competitive union work rules, onerous licensing requirements) rather than reduce it,” Greenhut writes.

Although poverty, overall, in California has decreased over the last four years, the numbers are still dire.  About 28 % of state residents (4.5 million people) are poor or near-poor, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. The state’s homeless and housing affordability crises also compound problems poor and low-income families face in the state, according to policymakers.

Bryan says he looks forward to working with leaders like Tubbs, who has been a leading proponent of progressive economic policies like Guaranteed Basic Income and Baby Bonds.

“The best policy solutions come from listening to the people who are the most affected. I am proud to lead a caucus that is dedicated to doing exactly that,” said Bryan.

In honor of Black Business Month, Prosperity Market–the mobile farmers market featuring Black farmers and entrepreneurs–hosts a month-long activation raising visibility for local businesses and awarding prizes to the top participants

LOS ANGELES, CA—- This August, Prosperity Market–the mobile farmers market spotlighting Black farmers, food producers, chefs, and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles–hosts its annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt that takes Angelenos on a journey across the city to discover new restaurants, and retail stores. In honor of Black Business Month (August), Prosperity Market founders Kara Still and Carmen Dianne have created an interactive map with 75+ Black businesses across food, fashion, wellness, and entertainment, encouraging participants to visit and support local shops, cafes, galleries, and more.

Winners of the 2022 Black Business Scavenger Hunt receiving their prizes.

Participating businesses include:

• Restaurants & Food – Alta Adams, Poppy & Rose, Honey’s Kettle, Sky’s Gourmet Tacos, The Serving Spoon, Harold & Belle’s, Planet Health Compton, ILÉ Bistro, Say Cheese, All Chill, South LA Café
• Bookstores – Reparations Club, The Salt Eaters Bookshop, Octavia’s Bookshelf, Malik Books
• Coffee – Bloom and Plume, Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen, Obet & Del’s, The Lazy Rose Cafe
• Retail – Jungalow (home), Our Culture Hub (retail store featuring Black-owned brands), High Fidelity (vinyl), Pineapple Mama Boutique (vintage), Bricks & Wood (clothing)
• Beauty & Wellness – Nappily Naturals (health and beauty), Curly Gurl Luv (hair products), G-Train Fitness (gym), Emerald City Nail Bar (nail salon)

“This year, we have a new interactive map of all the participating businesses so people can search by neighborhood or by category, and map out the perfect itinerary,” says Kara Still, co-founder of Prosperity Market. “There are Black-owned businesses in every corner of Los Angeles, and we hope people will discover new places in their own backyard and beyond.”

“It has been incredible to see the evolution of the Black Business Scavenger Hunt since we started in 2021–the number of businesses and participants involved continues to grow, along with our impact on the economy and community,” says Carmen Dianne, co-founder of Prosperity Market.

How the Scavenger Hunt Works

On August 1, Prosperity Market will reveal the list of participating businesses via their website and Instagram. People can text #BBSH23 to the number 323-417-0465 to participate, and earn points by texting the unique code for each business when they visit. Extra points can be earned by making a purchase at each location. The participants with the most points at the end of the month will win special prizes, which include Hollywood Bowl concert tickets to John Legend as well as Snoop Dogg & Friends, and other items that may include gift cards, services, merch, movie tickets, and food and beverages, to be revealed at Prosperity Market’s pop-up event on August 27 at Hollywood Park.

August 27 Pop-Up Market

To conclude Black Business Month and the Scavenger Hunt, Prosperity Market (along with partner ComeUp LA, a marketplace that showcases Black creatives, brands and entrepreneurs in the fashion space) will host a pop-up market at Hollywood Park, the new sports and entertainment complex in Inglewood adjacent to SOFI Stadium. The event will feature music, activities for kids, plus vendors from across food, fashion, and beyond. The winners of the Black Business Scavenger Hunt will also be announced, and prizes will be distributed during the event. Throughout the week leading up to the pop-up (August 21-25), Prosperity Market will open their Virtual Market, which allows people to shop the vendors online and receive their goods via local pick-up, local delivery, or national shipping. Scavenger Hunt participants can also earn points by shopping the Virtual Market.

“It’s important to shine the light on a wide variety of people and brands who are making a positive difference in the world, so others can see it and be it,” says International Black Heritage Month founder Bruce Reynolds

CHANGE MAKER LIST 2023

EQUITY CHANGE MAKERS:
Change Makers whose past actions disrupted the status quo and addressed Equity:

Grace Jones (Acclaimed Singer, Songwriter, Actor, and Model)
A creative genius whose fearless approach to fashion, music, and film has shaped her extraordinary career and influenced other global artists. www.gracejones.com.

Clive Davis (Music Mogul)
A legend in the music industry, he launched the careers of Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and many more. He also collaborated with producer/entrepreneur Sean “Puffy” Combs to create Bad Boy Records. www.clivedavis.com.

Joakim Jonason (Creative Director)
While at the ad Agency DDB Stockholm, Sweden, he created the Diesel Jeans Advertising campaign: (The Daily African) in 2000. Spotlighting wealth inequality and showing young wealthy, jet-set Africans enjoying life while former rich nations need help. www.adsspot.me/campaigns/diesel-the-daily-african-8cb6dd4d7e87.

United Colors of Benetton (Brand)
United Colors of Benetton is part of Benetton Group, and for decades the fashion brand has broken the rules of the status quo with its brand messaging. Featuring diverse models and social issues that affect the World. www.benettongroup.com.

DIVERSITY CHANGE MAKERS:
Change Makers whose present actions disrupt the status quo and address Diversity:

David Oyelowo (Actor, Producer, and Businessman)
A highly accomplished actor and producer, he co-founded the recently launched Mansa, a new streaming platform for curated global Black cultural content. www.mansa.com

Jada Pinkett Smith (Actress and Producer)
Jada Pinkett Smith is a highly accomplished actor, producer, and Executive producer of African Queens, a docudrama series streaming on Netflix. The series focuses on female monarchs from the continent of Africa netflix.com/queencleopatra, 

Pat McGrath (Makeup Artist and CEO)
Widely recognized as “the most influential makeup artist in the world,” She disrupted the industry, launching her own inclusive and innovative makeup line Pat McGrath Labs. www.patmcgrath.com

Mikaela Loach (Author and Climate Justice Activist)
The bestselling author of “It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action To Transform Our World” and co-host of The Yikes Podcast, she reframes the climate crisis and makes it relevant for all ages. www.mikaelaloach.com

INCLUSION CHANGE MAKERS:
Change Makers whose early-stage actions disrupt the future status quo and address inclusion:

Briana Marbury (CEO and Social Impact)
As President and CEO of The Interledger Foundation (ILF), she leads efforts to use innovative technology to enable digital financial inclusion for vulnerable populations around the World. www.interledger.org

MK Boston (CEO, Engineer, and Environmentalist)
As Atlas Water and Electric Company (AWE) CEO, he’s driving change and is at the forefront of renewable power and water technology. www.the-awe.com

Jaden Smith and Drew FitzGerald (Environmentalist and Social Impact)
This dynamic duo created JUST Water, sold in cartons, as a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bottled water. And to help communities, they created Waterbox, which can provide 10 gallons of Water in 15 seconds. www.waterbox.org, www.justwater.com

Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti (Environmentalist)
Founder of the Green Generation Initiative, which encourages young people to love nature and be environmentally conscious at a young age. This pioneering youth environment and climate activist champions solidarity and compassion for the World’s growing climate and ecological crises. www.un.org/en/climatechange/voices-of-change-elizabeth-wathuti

Adebayo Oke-Lawal (CEO and Creative Director)
As Creative Director and CEO of Nigerian fashion brand ‘Orange Culture,’ he also created a mentorship program that helps young fashion entrepreneurs across the continent of Africa.
www./orangeculture.com.ng/  www.instagram.com/orangementorship/?hl=en

Mag Rodriguez (CEO and Entrepreneur)
Mag Rodriguez is the CEO and founder of EVEN.biz, an innovative new creative platform that helps artists sell music directly to fans. It positions itself as “sell music first, stream second” and a pre-release stop before streaming platforms. www.even.biz

People around the globe can enjoy International Black Heritage Month (IBHM) curated content and virtual events all year long at: www.internationalblackheritagemonth.com/

International Black Heritage Month (IBHM) 2023 focuses on Jamaica and the 75th anniversary of Windrush, the vibrant Yoruba people, and the inspiring Creative Pioneers who have shaped our World.

Another of this year’s highlights is the 24-hour IBHM curated Spotify playlist, which features Japanese reggae, Indian hip hop, Afro beats from Mexico and Portugal, and acclaimed artists from around the globe, such as C4 Pedro, Libianca, Koffee Gunna, Chozen Lee, Usher, Missy Elliott, Bob Marley, Erykah Badu, Africa Unite, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Soul II Soul, and more. Listen Here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BSxQT8Lmekp1cJheSK0El?si=6bca2c60daa2484a

By Lou K Coleman

And you are going about business as usual. If you don’t awake from your slumber and pay attention, you are going to get caught up in the mayhem not prepared. Just a few more steps and Satan Master Plan will be in full force causing your life to become discombobulated. Satan, Master Plan is coming to declare war and to rule by force. He is coming to dominate the globe. First, establishing peace and economic solutions, then he’ll become the ultimate man of war, becoming history’s vilest embodiment of sin and rebellion, dripping with charm and charisma, all why being a horrible, hostile, hateful monster. Wake up! Soon and very soon, Satan Master Plan will be in full force.

Do yourself a favor and read the [second chapter of 2 Thessalonians] which provides a glimpse into Satan’s Master Plan and helps make sense of recent events.  Because the current world chaos is too well orchestrated to be a mere coincidence. For there has never been a time like this before where fear and uncertainty of the future ruled the day, hearing such words like “end of humanity” being proclaimed by the world. Why are they saying these things?  Because Satan knows that Jesus Christ is coming back soon to put an end to this wicked world. Satan knows that the judgments and plagues of God are soon to fall, so he is deceiving the world with antics, which just shows how close we are to the return of Christ, and if you don’t recognize this, then you are unprepared for what is to come.

The prophecy of [Daniel 2] alone shows we are in the ‘Time of the End’, and all the other evidence proves we are in the very end times. Awake from your slumber! Understand, Satan’s ultimate goal is world dominion, who knows his time is short and is determined to kill, steal, and destroy as much of God’s creation as possible before he is thrown into the fiery pit prepared for him and his minions.  In the meantime, he is making every effort to drag as many people into hell with him as he can. Grid your loins because he isn’t coming, he is already here unbeknownst to the majority.

I tell you, this world is hearing and seeing the last warning message from God. Whatcha gonna do?

Final Warning and Call of Mercy!

By Stacy M. Brown | NNPA Newswire

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) firmly stated that Black Americans are being attacked in various ways nationwide, with Republicans leading these efforts.

“We refuse to be victims, and we will not be silenced,” declared CBC Chairman and Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) during a State of Black America press event held at the Capitol.

“Our fundamental rights are under siege, and our history is being denied.

“But we will not passively witness these actions. Too many people count on us to fight for them.”

Recent GOP-led state actions

Recent events in several GOP-led state legislatures have intensified concerns within the CBC.

Despite a Supreme Court order, Alabama and Louisiana legislatures refused to create an additional district with a majority of Black residents.

The Florida State Board of Education has approved new education guidelines that downplay the harsh history of slavery. Instead, they emphasize the perceived benefits gained from the skills of enslaved people.

Rep. Maxwell Frost from Florida, the youngest member of the House, expressed frustration with his state’s guidelines.

He said these guidelines aim to erase and indoctrinate this generation with white supremacy.

However, Frost warned that Florida officials should not underestimate Black America’s determination to organize and resist.

Members of the CBC said that statements made by their GOP counterparts at the Capitol have deeply disturbed them, adding to the mounting discontent.

Rep. Eli Crane from Arizona made an offensive comment during a House floor debate by referring to Black people as “colored people.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Tommy Tuberville from Alabama defended a controversial statement by denying the racism of white nationalists.

Horsford acknowledged that expectations from Republican leaders are minimal at this point, but Representative Troy Carter (D-La.) demanded that the party’s leaders take a stand against such bigotry.

“The silence from Republicans and others in the face of such egregious statements is deafening,” Carter said.

“We will not condone the erasing of history. We must stand together to put an end to this.”

Recent CBC actions

The CBC has issued a list of demands, calling on the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to launch investigations into education policies. The caucus recently met with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to discuss policies about Black history.

They also sent formal letters to Cardona and Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging for a “strong legal strategy.”

“Black people did not benefit from slavery; we built this country,” emphasized Horsford.

“Our toil, sweat, and tears went into constructing the very foundation of this nation. Elevating Black America is an elevation for all. We will not tolerate this assault on our rights.”

CHICAGO – In two historic filings, housing advocates are challenging policies of two large landlords in Cook County, Illinois that automatically reject applicants who have any prior connection to an eviction case, alleging the policies discriminate against Black renters, especially Black women, in violation of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. These “No-Evictions” policies shut out families from housing opportunities even when the eviction case was dismissed or was filed years ago.

Legal Aid Chicago filed a federal lawsuit today against Hunter Properties, Inc., arguing that Hunter’s “No-Evictions” policy has a disparate impact based on race, as well as on race and sex. Hunter’s website makes clear that “Prior eviction filings will result in denial” of housing applications, resulting in discrimination against Black renters, especially Black women. The lawsuit also claims that Hunter’s practice of excluding potential tenants based on sealed eviction records violates Illinois state law prohibiting unfair residential leasing practices.

While Black people of all genders make up just 33 percent of Cook County renters, Black people were approximately 56 percent of the individuals from September 2010 to March 2023 either served with an eviction case by the sheriff’s office or evicted by the sheriff’s office. Black women alone accounted for approximately 33 percent of those served or evicted despite making up just 22 percent of all renters in Cook County. Black renters faced nearly triple the likelihood of experiencing an eviction case than non-Black renters.

“It’s time that we take the stigma out of eviction filings,” said Dennericka Brooks, director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago. “Blanket policies of housing providers that deny housing to, or prevent families from even applying for housing, have a cascading negative impact on families of color. These policies lock families out of housing while simultaneously ushering in opportunity to abuse, harass, or intimidate families with the mere threat of having an eviction filed against them. No family should be denied real housing choice because of a mere court filing against them. It’s time that we start demanding that housing providers see people as people and remove policies that are known to disparately impact women of color and perpetuate segregation.”

In addition, HOPE Fair Housing Center (HOPE) filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development against Oak Park Apartments, one of the largest operators of rental housing in Oak Park, Illinois. The complaint argues that Oak Park Apartments’ “No-Evictions” policy both discriminates against Black renters and Black women renters and perpetuates and reinforces residential segregation.“For over 50 years, Oak Park has worked hard to intentionally develop and grow an inclusive, integrated community,” said Michael Chavarria, HOPE’s executive director. “Landlords obstructing that hard work by placing barriers to housing for its residents, specifically for Black women, should be held accountable for their actions.”

The two cases are among the first in the nation to challenge eviction screening policies as discriminatory. Legal Aid Chicago is represented in the suit by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Illinois, Mayer Brown, and the National Housing Law Project (NHLP). HOPE Fair Housing Center is represented in its complaint by the ACLU, the ACLU of Illinois, and NHLP.

“The law needs to recognize how use of these screening policies uniquely harms Black women as they seek housing for themselves and their families,” said Emily Werth, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Illinois. “Given the pernicious history of housing discrimination in Chicago and across Cook County, it is critical to address this continuing driver of discrimination and segregation.”

“Fair housing is a pillar of our fight for systemic equality, and eviction screening policies are an active threat to that equality,” said Sandra Park, senior staff attorney at the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project. “These blanket bans lock out millions of renters because they were connected to an eviction case, even when they won or it occurred years ago. They prolong the trauma of eviction and especially destabilize Black women and families by trapping them in poverty. Communities are safer and stronger when everyone has equal access to housing, and we’re determined to oppose these harmful policies in Cook County and across the country.”

“Once the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium ended, an estimated 30 to 40 million people, who were disproportionately Black households and Black women, were at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 housing crisis,” said Shamus Roller, executive director of the National Housing Law Project. “Those disparities serve as another potent example of the stark racial inequities and racial wealth gap in this country. That these evictions are used in a blanket way to exclude individuals and families from housing is both unjust and unlawful.”

“Mayer Brown is proud to represent Legal Aid Chicago and to work alongside the ACLU and the National Housing Law Project to advance this federal litigation challenging the discriminatory and devastating impact that having an eviction record imposes on Black people, and particularly Black women, in Cook County,” said Brian Massengill, a partner at Mayer Brown LLP. “Housing and economic stability is a core pillar of the firm’s Project Equity initiative—we will continue to handle matters that ensure fair and equitable housing for all.

Contracting Rabies is Almost Always Fatal and All Human or Pet Contact with Bats Should be Reported

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) advises the public to never touch a bat with bare hands, and to report injured, sick, or dead bats. Summer and early-fall months are when rabid bats are most often found in Los Angeles County, especially during July, August, and September.

Healthy bats, which are good for the environment, typically hide and sleep during the day and emerge at dusk to fly and eat insects. Only about 1% of bats in nature have rabies, however, about 15% bats found near people and pets in LA County test positive for rabies. In 2022, 50 rabid bats were identified. So far this year, six rabid bats have been found, including three in Santa Clarita and one each in Altadena, Glendale and Los Angeles (zip code 90027).

Bats with rabies are more likely to fly in daylight, appear on the ground, or be found resting for long periods in highly visible areas, such as on the side of a wall. Bats with rabies may be found alive or dead and you cannot confirm if a bat has rabies just by looking at it.

Rabies is a fatal disease to humans and pets, including dogs and cats, if preventative medical treatment is not given before symptoms appear. Rabies is transmitted by the bite, or scratch from a tooth of a rabid animal. Many of our local bats have very small teeth. Bites from bats can be too shallow and small to be easily detected and can heal over quickly. Bats found inside of a house with any access to people sleeping, children, or pets may have bitten a person or pet without waking them or leaving a visible bite wound. After an exposure to rabies, a person must get urgent treatment to prevent illness.

Follow these simple steps if you encounter a bat:

• Never touch a bat with bare hands.
• Know that bats are protected wildlife, that they are beneficial for our environment, and that it is illegal for the public to kill, harm, or keep them. However, any bat that may have exposed a person or pet to rabies needs to be tested.
• Do not release a bat outside if it was found indoors or if it was handled with bare hands – cover it with a box and call animal control to request that it be tested for rabies. Any bat that may have bitten, or had contact with, a person or pet should be collected by animal control and tested by Public Health for rabies.
• If a bat is found outside that is sick, not moving, or dead, place a box or bucket over it. Then call the local animal control office to retrieve it for rabies testing.
• Seek rabies help quickly if you may have had an exposure. After a bat bite or bat encounter, call (213) 288-7060, or email vet@ph.lacounty.govto discuss the risk of rabies exposure. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  To report bites in Pasadena, call the Pasadena Humane Society (626) 792-7151. For Long Beach call Long Beach Animal Control at (562) 570-7387 and for Vernon call its health department at (323) 583-8811.
• Keep pets safe from rabies by keeping them up to date with their rabies vaccination. Indoor-only cats and dogs should be vaccinated against rabies, as some rabid bats are found indoors almost every year in Los Angeles County.  Rabies vaccinations for pets are available at veterinary offices and low-cost veterinary programs throughout the county.
• Read and share our flyer on What To Do If You Find A Bat, available in English and Spanish: http://ph.lacounty.gov/vet/docs/WhatToDoIfYouFindABat_2021Outreach.pdf

For more information on bats and rabies visit: publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/rabies.htm