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By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Flu cases in California have surged to the highest levels the state has seen in years.

By the end of January, 26% of tests sent to state laboratories had come back positive for influenza. This is a significant increase compared to flu season peaks over the past 4 years, according to the most recent data captured by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on respiratory viruses.

Flu-related deaths in California are also on the rise. As of Jan. 25, 2.4% of deaths in the state (484 people) were attributed to influenza this season, compared to 1.6% last season.

California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Dr. Jerry P. Abraham, a Los Angeles-based Physician and Public Health advocate who currently serves as the Director & Chief Vaccinologist of the CDU-KEDREN Mobile Street Medicine program in Los Angeles. He explained why cases of the flu may be increasing and preventative measures people can take to protect themselves until the flu season ends next month.

“Be fully vaccinated. It’s not too late to get the flu shot for this flu season. We stop giving it out about March every year,” said Abraham.

“Be fully boosted with COVID-19 vaccines as well. This is a very tenuous time because people are not fully vaccinated,” he continued.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that “everyone 6 months or older get a flu shot — ideally by the end of October to boost protection against the disease during high-circulation winter months.

Dr. Scott Flinn, regional medical director for Provider Partnerships at Blue Shield of California, says people should be aware of flu symptoms and be able to recognize them.

“These symptoms can come on suddenly and hit hard,” says Flinn. “If you start feeling unwell, it’s important to rest and monitor your condition closely, especially if you are in a higher-risk group, including elderly individuals, pregnant women, young children, or those with chronic health conditions.”

Typically, those symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and, for some people – especially children – may experience vomiting and diarrhea.

Flu symptoms typically last five and to seven days, though fatigue and cough can persist for two weeks or longer in some cases.

If contracted, Flinn recommends getting plenty of rest, using over-the-counter meds, and taking steps to not spread the flu like staying home for 24-hours after avoiding close contact with others. He also advises that people fighting the flu should get plenty of rest; use over-the-counter medication; and consult a healthcare professional.

Abraham also recommends wearing masks when out in public if you are exhibiting flu symptoms. He also urges individuals who have insurance to schedule appointments with their primary physician as emergency rooms and urgent cares have become overcrowded.

While the cause of the spike in flu cases is still unknown, Abraham attributes some of the causation to changes in climate and rising temperatures across the state.

“That is why these bugs, these viruses, these bacteria are behaving in these new novel ways because we’re just not used to living amongst them like this; living in these warmer temperatures, getting more infected. There’s more of us too, and we’re interacting in different ways. We’re interacting with animals in different ways, industry, all those things. They’re all coming together and so we’ve got a perfect storm,” he said.

The Bay Area is reporting the highest rates of flu-related hospital admissions in the state at 9.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 9.1 in Southern California, 7.5 in Los Angeles, 7.3 in the Greater Sierra-Sacramento region, 5 in Central California and 2.8 in the rural northern part of the state, according to the California Department of Public Health.

“It really is incumbent upon us and each other to do what we did during COVID when no one came for the Black community to help us. We need to look after each other. If you’re sick, stay home. Remember, there are elders and there are cancer patients and people living with all sorts of conditions that they cannot afford to get sick.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – On Valentine’s Day, the City of San Bernardino joined fifteen other cities across the nation to launch the “Love Your Block” initiative. The program, in partnership with the Bloomberg Center of Public Innovation, offers mini grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to neighborhood, student, and civic groups to organize local art projects and community cleanups.

“San Bernardino is a city where neighbors connect with each other and take pride in their community,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “These grants will allow residents to both showcase what makes their neighborhoods unique and take it up a notch with a community-based project.”

The Love Your Block program was established in 2009 by the Bloomberg Center of Public Innovation to fund resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects in U.S. cities. The City of San Bernardino is one of only sixteen cities in the nation and two in California that were selected last year to be a part of the program.

Selection of San Bernardino’s grant recipients will be made through a “Shark Tank” style competition called Pitch Your Block in April in which finalists pitch their project to judges from local community-based non-profits. Eleven grant recipients will be chosen in April with the winner receiving $5,000.

Local partners include AmeriCorps Vista, Music Changing Lives, Making Hope Happen, and Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services.

The city will accept project proposals through March 31, 2025. Since 2009, Love Your Block has taken place in 50 cities across 33 states while improving nearly 4,000 public spaces – including 800 art displays, cleaning 102,000 square feet of graffiti, and removing 6.7 million pounds of trash.

For more information or to submit a proposal, visit the City’s Love Your Block website at

https://www.sbcity.org/Love-Your-Block.

RIVERSIDE, CA — Local leaders and behavioral health advocates joined the Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH) team for a ribbon-cutting event celebrating the Franklin Residential Care Facility & Behavioral Health Clinic. The 84-bed Adult Residential Facility fills a critical gap in behavioral health and recovery services for adults who need structured support.

Located at 3021 Franklin Ave. in Riverside, the newly renovated 42,000-square-foot facility will provide residential care, outpatient behavioral health services and short-term recuperative care to help individuals regain stability and transition toward independent living.

“This initiative strengthens our broader goal of creating a comprehensive range of support options,” said First District Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medina. “We want everyone in our community to have access to the help they need, when they need it.”

The Franklin Residential Care Facility will offer housing, meals, personal care assistance, medication management and supervision to individuals who require structured support without the need for 24-hour nursing care. The facility provides recuperative care services for individuals recovering from hospitalization or behavioral health crises.

An on-site outpatient behavioral health clinic will provide therapy, medication services, and case management for both residents and the surrounding community. Medical oversight, transportation to follow-up care and assistance in accessing benefits and stable housing are among additional essential services.

“This isn’t just a place for care—it’s a place for new beginnings,” said Dr. Matthew Chang, Director of RUHS Behavioral Health. “Many who come here have faced significant challenges, but Franklin offers them a fresh start. With the right support, people can heal, regain stability, and work toward a future filled with hope.”

The renovations to the Franklin facility feature welcoming areas to promote recovery, including multi-purpose rooms, and exercise and outdoor recreation space. A commercial kitchen and dining area will provide daily meals. A nurse’s station, medication room and consultation spaces ensure continuous support as residents build life skills and transition toward independent living.

The $38 million project was approved by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, using a combination of grants and state and local mental health funding. All referrals to the facility are coordinated through RUHS-BH specialty programs, prioritizing individuals discharged from hospitals or at risk of hospitalization, adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and those who require residential services for serious mental illness or substance use disorders.

For more information, visit www.ruhealth.org.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the College Board brought together educators, students, and lawmakers at the State Capitol to celebrate the progress of the Advanced Placement African American Studies program.

The AP African American Studies program is available to 117 schools across the state and is implemented in 42 states nationwide. It was launched nationally in the Fall of 2024 and over 500 colleges and universities now provide college credit for it.

Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson, the chair of the CLBC, stated that Black lawmakers are “committed to expanding its reach” to all high schools in the state to ensure “every student has the opportunity to engage with African American history in a meaningful way.”

“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the success and impact of the AP African American Studies course in California high schools,” stated Weber-Pierson. “The success of this course is a testament to the power of representation in education. We are committed”

A not-for-profit organization founded more than 120 years ago, the College Board reaches over seven million students a year, helping them navigate their journey from high school to college and into their professional careers.

AP African American Studies provides students with the opportunity to explore the history, culture, and literature of African Americans and the larger African diaspora.

The special occasion at the State Capitol included AP students and educators who have taught AP courses in California since the program’s inception three years ago. It also combined an informational session about the program with a tribute to Black History Month.

A news conference was held to share the success of the program and talk about opportunities to expand access to the AP African American Studies’ course in more high schools in California.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) shared their thoughts as a new ethnic studies requirement goes into effect this fall.

“We know that when people learn about themselves – we all do better,” Thurmond said at the gathering. “The other thing is that an inclusive education benefits everyone of all backgrounds.”

The AP Program is designed to academically prepare students to seek out college-level studies — with the freedom to attain college credit, advanced placement, or both — while attending high school.

Tony Green, an AP African American Studies instructor at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland told California Black Media (CBM) that he and Susan Miller Dorsey High School teacher Donald Singleton have been teaching the course since the California pilot program began in 2022 and have been College Board advocates for over three decades.

“We (Singleton and Green) are among the original 60 AP professors. I have 94 students in my AP class consisting of 11th and 12th grade students,” Green said. “We are in year four (of the AP African American Studies course) where I teach three classes.”

Through AP courses in 40 subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue — skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

“The benefits are profound,” Singleton said of AP courses and the AP African American Studies program. “It equips students with critical thinking skills by having them examine intersectionality, resistance, and resilience.”

Singleton continued by adding “Also, young people have to learn how to make choices by examining their past.”

The AP program began at the start of the 2022-2023 school year with 60 pilot schools across the country. It has now expanded to about 700 schools in the United States. The pilot students took the first AP African American Studies exam in the Spring of 2024.

The course will be available to all students in the United States in Spring 2025.  According to College Board, over 200 colleges and universities have signed on to provide college credit.

“The introduction of the AP African American Studies class is a major step in strengthening and inclusion in our community,” Gipson said. “This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of African American culture, history, and contributions African Americans have made in our country and state of California.”

London Walker, a junior at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland shared her experiences, explaining that the AP classes have been effective for her, presenting challenges to achieve success and providing a strong foundation in African American history.

Walker, who calls herself “a law fanatic who watches Columbo,” is a lead closing attorney of Bishop O’Dowd’s Mock Trial Team. She aspires to be a criminal defense attorney and has already interned at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office.

Through AP courses, Green said she and other students study cases that not only concern the United States Supreme Court but how they affect the people who disagree with the structure of the court system.

The AP African American Studies program is beneficial in the legal field because it encourages critical thinking. “It’s more than just a class,” Walker said.

“It’s important to know that AP African American Studies is not just an ethnic study class,” Walker said. “It’s a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) class, history class, and music program. It’s about culture, about connection, and about making change.”

The San Bernardino Public Library (SBPL) has announced it is offering scholarships to residents 19 years and older looking to obtain an accredited High School Diploma and Career Certificate online at no cost.

The initiative, in partnership with Career Online High School (COHS), is part of the adult education program at the Library’s Jack L. Hill Lifelong Learning Center, which was designed to help adults gain the skills and credentials needed to advance in their careers or further their education.

The online program provides students with 24/7 virtual classrooms, personal academic coaches, and real-world career training.

“Libraries offer a safe, supportive environment to foster learning and community. Our online education program for adults is a natural extension of library services that empower adults to learn and grow,” said COHS Superintendent Dr. Howard Liebman.

To ensure students have the necessary resources to succeed, SBPL offers free public Wi-Fi at all its locations, and laptops are available for checkout at the Feldheym Library for use by cardholders in good standing.

Students that obtain their accredited high school diploma through COHS also receive a certification in their chosen career path along with a resume, cover letter, and other tools to start or advance their careers.

The initiative addresses a critical need in San Bernardino, where the U.S. Census Bureau reports that over 27% of adults over the age of 25 lack a high school diploma.

COHS has partnered with more than 1,800 library locations across the country and is accredited by Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC, and its diplomas are recognized by U.S. colleges and universities. The scholarship is covered by the State of California as long as the student maintains good standing with their work and assignments throughout the program.

To learn more about the diploma program, including how to enroll and available scholarship opportunities, visit https://sbpl.mycareerhs.com/.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide claims assistance to veterans in Barstow the third Thursday of every month beginning Feb. 20. This initiative, in partnership with the County Department of Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian (DAAS-PG), supports the County’s ongoing commitment to ensuring veterans receive the benefits they earned through service to our nation.

“The goal of bringing these resources to Barstow is to make it easier for veterans to access their benefits,” said VA Director Matt Knox. “Many of the clients served by DAAS-PG are veterans who may be on fixed incomes, so the additional veterans assistance will make a huge difference in their lives.”

Starting February 20, VA Veterans Service Officers will provide benefit claims assistance at the Barstow DAAS-PG office, located at 536 East Virginia Way, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third Thursday of every month. Staff is available to assist veterans with filing claims for U.S. Veterans Affairs disability, pension, job training, and educational benefits. There is no need to schedule an appointment, and veterans will receive assistance on a first come, first served basis.

“We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Veterans Affairs and the opportunity to expand comprehensive services to Barstow area veterans at a single, accessible location,” said DAAS-PG Director Sharon Nevins.

In addition to the new office hours in Barstow, veterans may also receive County VA claims assistance Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., by calling 909-382-3290.

San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARC) Josie Gonzales is pleased to announce the appointments of Aldair Jimenez as Interim-Assistant Assessor and Janis Maggs as Assistant Recorder. These appointments are part of the ongoing effort to strengthen the department’s leadership and provide excellent services to the residents of San Bernardino County.

The Assistant Assessor is tasked with oversight of key functions within the Assessor’s office, focusing on the accurate and timely assessment of property values, while ensuring the integrity of the property tax roll. The Assistant Recorder will oversee the Recorder and County Clerk operations, focusing on document recording, vital records issuance and copies of public official records, as well as oversight of the Administrative and Fiscal units.

“I am excited to promote two very talented individuals to help drive the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office forward,” said ARC Josie Gonzales. “Their expertise and dedication to public service will contribute to the continued success of our mission to provide efficient and accurate services to our county.”

Aldair Jimenez most recently served as the Public & Legislative Affairs Analyst for ARC, where he played an instrumental role in shaping legislative strategies and advocating for policies that benefited the department and the public. He was recently recognized by the California Assessors’ Association for his outstanding contributions to the Legislative Committee. Aldair has been with the department since 2019, following a successful career in procurement in both the public and private sector. His dedication to public service is evident through his achievements, including earning a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Leadership from California State University, San Bernardino. Aldair is also a proud graduate of the San Bernardino County Management & Leadership Academy, having successfully completed the program in 2021.

Janis Maggs brings a wealth of experience in public service, having most recently served as the ARC Administrative & Financial Manager. In that role, she was tasked with overseeing the department’s financial operations, ensuring budgetary compliance, and streamlining administrative processes to enhance efficiency. Her expertise in budget management and operations has greatly contributed to the department’s ability to operate effectively and serve the public. Janis has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to improving organizational performance and supporting the goals of the ARC. She has been with the County for nearly 25 years, starting as a Child Support Officer and then serving as a Staff Analyst with several departments before coming to ARC, where she has spent the last 13 years. Janis holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of California, Riverside and completed MLA in 2022. She received the San Bernardino County Public Service Award for Excellence in 2022 for her role in the department’s COVID-19 response.

The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office continues to strive for innovation and service excellence to meet the evolving needs of San Bernardino County residents. These key appointments enable the department to provide strong leadership and further its mission to improve service delivery in the community.

For more information about the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office and the services offered, please visit arc.sbcounty.gov.

By Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III

“I don’t know who you are and I don’t know why you like this guy (Trump). I think what you like about him; he appears to be strong and the rest of us are weak… That’s what he’s selling…Here’s what you’re buying…He’s a race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot. He doesn’t represent my party. He doesn’t represent the values that the men and women who wear the uniform are fighting for… He’s the ISIL man of the year.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on CNN 2015

There are periods in history… epochs, distinctive periods in time marked by notable events, that in many instances signal change. Columbus stumbling upon the Americas where Indigenous peoples had been living for thousands of years. The French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the invention of the semiconductor, WWII, the Civil Rights era, etc.

In many instances, one may not realize that they’re living in the historic moment. It’s only upon reflection that you realize the significance of the time. There are other periods, I call them Oppenheimer moments, where you know that you are in the moment. The first atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945. The bomb, nicknamed “Gadget”, released 18.6 kilotons of power. We are told that Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, upon watching the first ever atomic bomb explode, quoted a line from Hindu scripture; the Bhagavad Gita, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”. Oppenheimer knew he was in the moment.

As we look at the current geopolitical landscape, we find ourselves firmly in the grips of the second Trump administration. There is a dramatic decline in the status of America, both domestically and internationally. The economic outlook is uncertain. America is funding a war in Ukraine and a genocide in Gaza. Homelessness, unemployment and incarceration rates are continuously on the rise. One can only conclude that we are living in a historic moment. Steve Bannon, the former Trump campaign and White House advisor calls it “managed decline”.

One of the ironies in all of this is we have seen this movie before. We are watching Trump Redux. We are not just watching the film; we are actors in it. For those of us that are old enough to remember, watching the news and political programs today is analogous to watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show. We find ourselves constantly yelling at the screen, except this is unscripted.

People are aghast listening to President Trump attack DEI policies, firing federal Inspectors General, threatening to close the Department of Education and pledging to fire FBI agents that investigated January 6. Steve Bannon told us in 2019 of what was to come, “…we had a whole tiger team of the White House counsel guys, the ‘deconstruction of the administrative state,’ which is a huge element…we want less (government intervention). In fact, we want to start to take apart certain parts of the apparatus.” America, you were warned.

Now, the authoritarian that over 77M Americans voted for wants to disregard the constitutionally guaranteed right of “birthright citizenship”. He is impounding funds, freezing nearly all foreign aid, federal grants and loans as if he has been magically granted the power of the “ex post facto veto”.

Almost none of President Trump’s policies have gone through legislation or House votes.  Trump issues his edicts through Executive Order. The American people are being subjected to a flurry or whirlwind of executive action. Bannon called it “flooding the zone and muzzle velocity”. “Every day we hit them with three things. They’ll bite on one, and we’ll get all of our stuff done, bang, bang, bang. These guys will never—will never be able to recover. But we’ve got to start with muzzle velocity.” Some people may think Trump is crazy. If he is, he’s crazy like a fox.

But it’s not just him. President Trump is not alone. The racist suggestion of Trump saying, the United States should own Gaza and develop it into “the Riviera of the Middle East” by displacing the Palestinians from their homeland to other countries in the region, was first posited by former President Joe Biden. The AP reported, “A Western diplomat in Cairo said Egypt rejected similar proposals from the Biden administration and European countries early in the war.” Trump’s major faux pas was he made Biden’s secret proposal public.

Trump is not alone in his racist deportation efforts. CNN reported, “According to an analysis by the Migration Policy Institute, more than 12 million people were “deported” – either removed or returned – from the US during the Clinton administration. More than 10 million were removed or returned during the Bush administration. Far fewer – more than 5 million – were removed or returned during the Obama administration.” Lest we forget, President Obama was dubbed the “Deporter in Chief”.

Trump’s ideas of deconstructing the administrative state, cutting government agencies or his privatization/neo-liberal policies via Project 2025 are not new. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich proposed similar tactics with his “Contract with America”. Former President Bill Clinton thought he could make government more efficient by employing principals from the private sector by “Reinventing Government as We Know It”.

The major problem with these schemes is very simple. The goal of private sector capitalism is the maximization of profit. The goal of democratic/republic government is the protection of the people and the delivery of services. Contrary to the beliefs of the oligarchs, government is not in the “business” of making money. It’s lucky if it breaks even.

Don’t let this context confuse you. Sen. Graham is correct, President Trump is “…a race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot.” This is evidenced by his baseless rants about Mexican rapists, his proposed Muslim ban, his lie about Barack Obama’s birthplace, his attack on the Central Park 5, his baseless attack on DEI programs, removing historical videos of its storied Black Tuskegee Airmen from Air Force training modules, supporting genocide in Gaza, just to name a few. Remember, all of this resonated with over 77M Americans.

So, what are we to do? Well, for starters do not listen to Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Anyone who tries to insist that the election was not a rebuke of the Democrats is delusional and anyone who argues that Democrats don’t need to change is clueless.

I strongly suggest reading Dr. King’s 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail, “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Then read Frederick Douglas’, 1857 speech, If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress –“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”

After that, read more and remember, when they tell you about their own, they are also telling you about themselves. Believe them.

Dr. Wilmer Leon is a nationally broadcast radio talk-show host. Author of Politics Another Perspective. Host of the podcast Connecting the Dots w/ Dr. Wilmer Leon. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: wjl3us@yahoo.com. www.twitter.com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook.com © 2025 InfoWave Communications, LLC

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

In recent months, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) and Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) have been hit with two lawsuits and numerous reports alleging racist incidents targeting Black residents.

Last November, a formal complaint was filed on behalf of several students and two teachers — Bella Ivory and an anonymous complainant — against Beverly Hills High School. Attorneys Bradley C. Gage and Benjamin Crump are representing the plaintiffs.

The complaint details incidents of harassment, retaliation and violence targeting Black students, according to Gage. Some Latino students had been the victim of racial slurs and are also considering a suit.

In a video Gage shared with the press that was recorded on Election Day White students can be seen marching through the school’s halls celebrating the election of Trump while waving a Trump flag. They pounded on a classroom door in the video. Behind the door were Ivory and several Black students. During a press conference in January, Ivory described how she and Black students felt during that experience.

“The profanity aimed towards our vice president, who is part Black,” said Ivory referring to Kamala Harris, “combined with students congregating outside of my classroom, increased my fears and also the fears of those students that were locked inside that room with me.”

Another video shows feces on the floor of a bathroom and graffiti reading “I hate ni**ers.” There is also a TikTok video describing a cafeteria as dirty while showing Black students having lunch.

“So, we have had for a number of years now, children at Beverly Hills High School, who claim they have been called racial slurs, had monkey sounds made at them, and around them, been threatened with violence and actually received violence,” said Gage.

Gage told California Black Media (CBM) that he interviewed alumni going back at least 10 years, many of whom were willing to go on the record about racist incidents and the school’s inability to deal with them. In another instance parents and students complained about the use of a “ni**er card,” a card White students claimed to have purchased from Black students allowing them to freely use the epithet.

“They have what’s called as an N-word pass. And what they’re doing with that is students will give either $50 or $100 to Black students,” said Gage. “They’ll pay them on Apple Pay. Then they get an “N-word pass, and start using the “N-word around some other Black kids.”

These new cases are not the only ones brought against the city of Beverly Hills based on discrimination or racism. The second set of major suits was filed against the BHPD in January. The class action suit claims there have been a thousand instances of racial profiling by police.

“There are now 1,085 identified putative class members in the first lawsuit which is awaiting a ruling by the court on class certification,” reads a press release from Brad Gage, APC, the law firm representing the plaintiffs.

“There is also a second, class action for continuing acts of racial profiling,” the statement continues.

CBM contacted the city of Beverly Hills for comment, but a spokesperson referred us to archived statements on their website.

Michael Bregy, BHUSD’s superintendent put out a statement refuting the complaints against the school district.

“We do not have evidence that suggests that there was racism at the recent spirited demonstrations,” wrote Bregy. “However, BHUSD has implemented proactive measures to ensure that any concerns related to racism and antisemitism – perceived or real – are addressed promptly and effectively.”

Bregy wrote that the district is planning to work on “empathy” programs with groups like the NAACP.

The city also released a statement about the allegations of police profiling in November when the first complaint was announced.

“The role of the Beverly Hills Police Department is to enforce the law, regardless of race.   The statistics presented referencing the number of convictions is a mischaracterization of the evidence in this case,” reads the statement.  “In addition, the 1,088 arrests referenced includes people cited and released, not just custodial arrests. The city denies and will continue to strongly defend itself against these allegations.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of White residents is about 75%, while Black residents make up only 1.9% of Beverly Hills. With the installment of the Trump administration there is concern that incidents of violence against minorities will become commonplace and that the federal and local courts may be less inclined to provide relief.

Gage has filed and won discrimination charges against Beverly Hills in the past, and Crump has handled some of the most controversial racial bias cases in the country, including representing the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor who were both killed in incidents involving police officers.

Gage is concerned about the future of discrimination cases.

“It’s very serious. It’s very violent. It’s escalating on a daily basis,” said Gage. “And I feel concerned with the way that our country is going right now, where ordinary individuals seem emboldened to say and do things that never would have been acceptable, even six months ago or three months ago,” said Gage.