By Juanita Bratcher

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also fined Sterling $2.5 million and said he will ask the Board of Governors to force the sale of Sterling’s Team, the L.A. Clippers

At a press conference yesterday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling was banned for life from participating in any NBA activities and a $2.5 million fine,

The decision was swift.

“Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” said Silver.

“As part of the lifetime ban, Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity,” said Silver.

Sterling came under criticism after TMZ released a tape of Donald Sterling’s conversation with his girlfriend, Vanessa Stiviano – who is half African American and half Mexican – which was filled with racial rantings, telling her not to bring Blacks to his games.

Stiviano took a picture with NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson which was later posted on Instagram.

In the tape, Sterling told Stiviano, “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?”

“Don’t put him on an Instagram (referring to Magic Johnson) for the world to have to see so they have to call me.  And don’t bring him to my games.”

Silver said “The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage. Sentiments of this kind are contrary to principles of inclusion and respect that inform our diverse, multicultural and multi-ethnic league,” he said.

The ruling cannot be appealed.

Silver said he will also recommend to the NBA Board of Governors to force sale of the Clippers, which would need a ¾ majority of team owners. There are 30 team owners, including Sterling’s Clippers.

Juanita Bratcher is Editor & Publisher of CopyLine Magazine

The NAACP is pleased the NBA is taking swift and strong action against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his racist and offensive remarks. Their decision to ban Mr. Sterling indefinitely from the league, seek his removal from ownership and fine him $2.5 million — the maximum amount under NBA rules — is both welcomed and supported.

The statements made by Mr. Sterling were deplorable and cannot be tolerated. Bigotry and hatred have no place in the NBA or any other arena of our society. Additionally, we will be developing guidelines for our units to help them in their award selection process and prevent unfortunate decisions like this from occurring in the future.

We remain vigilant in our fight to address racism in all forms and committed to moving our country towards achieving a society that’s socially, economically and politically equal for all.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities.  You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our five “Game Changer” issue areas here.

CHICAGO, IL — May 1st is May Day, or International Workers Day, a time for all members of the working class to come together and build solidarity. The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Chicago are calling all radical anti-capitalists to rally May 1, 2014 in Union Park at 11:30am, before stepping off at 2:15pm to join the May Day March to Stop Deportations at the Haymarket Memorial, at 175 N. Desplaines.

“On May Day, we celebrate the victories won in the struggle for workers rights, and mourn those who gave their lives for the protections we enjoy today,” says Alison Olhava, an organizer with the IWW Chicago. “The fight is far from over. We’re calling Chicago to stand with us on May Day to show the bosses and landlords that they need us, we don’t need them. It is a time to fight for the destruction of capitalism and to begin building a new world in the ashes of the old.”

Facebook Event: www.facebook.com/events/447671215365143

The IWW has planned a week of events to celebrate the May Day holiday, including a teach-in Saturday, 4/26 where participants discussed the history of May Day, syndicalism, and radical unionism. They will also host a benefit concert after the rallies at 6:00pm on May Day at UE Hall, 37 S. Ashland, and a pot-luck at the Haymarket Martyr’s Memorial in Forrest Home Cemetery the following weekend.

May Day Chicago – May 1, 2014
11:30am May Day Rally, Union Park, Ashland & Lake
2:15pm Black & Red Brigade Feeder March steps off
3:00pm Arrive at Haymarket Memorial, 175 N. Desplaines
4:30pm Rally at ICE Headquarters, 101 W. Congress

Contact: Alison Olhava, 847-707-5181, May1Chicago@gmail.com

Follow the Conversation on Twitter: #MayDay #ChiMayDay

For more information on the May Day March to Stop Deportations, see: http://icirr.org/content/community-announces-plans-may-day-march

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement on Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s response to women Members of the Congressional Black Caucus regarding updated Army Regulation 670-1 that currently lists natural hairstyles traditionally worn by minority women as unauthorized. Secretary Hagel’s response can be downloaded here:

“I want to thank Secretary Hagel for his thoughtful response to the concerns of Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and to many women of color currently serving in our Armed Forces. Secretary Hagel has committed to careful review of each Service’s language and grooming policies to ensure both are clear of offensive language and are respectful of the diversity within our Armed Forces. Secretary Hagel also assured us that the Army’s intent with AR 670-1 was not to offend or discriminate against women of color.

“Members of the CBC appreciate Secretary Hagel for his prompt response to our letter and for seriously considering our concerns. The Secretary’s response affirms his commitment to ensuring all individuals are welcomed and can continue to be proud of serving within our Armed Forces.”

Chicago police shot nearly twice as many people as New York City cops did in 2012, despite having one-third the population

Press Conference with police shooting victim and his attorneys, 11 AM, Wednesday, April 30 at Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law, 312 N. May Street, Ste. 100, Chicago

CHICAGO, IL – A new suit filed in federal court late yesterday charges that Chicago police shot an unarmed man in the back in April of last year, and then lied to cover up their misconduct by falsely claiming he had a gun and attempting to have him charged with felonies.

According to his attorneys, the proposed felony charges against 36-year-old Ortiz Glaze were so apparently unfounded that, in a rare move, they were rejected by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Glaze’s attorneys say the case highlights a continuing problem of unjustified police shootings in the city.  On a per capita basis in 2012, Chicago police shot about six times as many people as New York City police, according to reports by both departments.

Glaze’s case is also the second federal case here in as many weeks alleging Chicago police perjury.  Both cases were brought by lawyers at Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law.

On April 30, 2013, Mr. Glaze spent the afternoon and evening helping to host a cook-out and gathering in the city’s South Chicago neighborhood to celebrate the life of a friend who had died several weeks earlier.  The attendees included young children, senior citizens and others who knew the deceased through his church.

At about 9 PM three police cars carrying armed officers in bullet-proof vests pulled up on the gathering.  One of the officers, Jeffrey Jones, fired a shot into the air, causing the group to begin dispersing.  Startled by the commotion, Glaze began running away and Officers Jones and Louis Garcia gave chase.  They shot at him at least ten times from behind, hitting Glaze in his arm and thigh and causing him to fall to the ground.

When Officer Garcia searched Mr. Glaze immediately after the shooting, he found no weapon of any sort.  None of the officers saw Mr. Glaze throw or drop a weapon at any point during their encounter with him, nor was Mr. Glaze wearing any bulky clothing that could conceal a weapon, nor was any weapon found in the vicinity.

Glaze said that at the time of his arrest, he had a few hundred dollars cash on him, but when he was eventually released from custody, the evidence inventory form listed only $8 in singles.  Police theft from civilians has been an on-going problem for Chicago where, according to a January 2013 University of Illinois study, “47 Chicago law enforcement officers were convicted of drug and gang related crimes” since 2000.  “Toleration of corruption, or at least resigned acceptance, appears to be the order of the day for at least the past 50 years,” the report said.

Glaze was among 43 people shot by Chicago Police in 2013. His suit charges that “The number of shootings by Chicago Police Department officers has been unjustifiably high for years…. Seventy-five percent of those shot by CPD officers between 2009 and 2013 have been black, with black residents over ten times more likely to be shot than white residents.”

Copies of the suit are available by emailing andy@loevy.com or calling 773.209.1187

Loevy & Loevy is the largest civil rights law firm in the Midwest and has won more multi-million dollar jury verdicts than any other civil rights law firm in the entire country over the past decade.

CHICAGO, IL – As the Illinois General Assembly remains in session in Springfield until May 31, the Illinois Department of Veterans seeks to highlight the impact of pending FY2015 budget decisions.

In his annual budget address on March 26, 2014, Governor Quinn proposed a 5-year budget plan which maintains veteran and other critical state services. His budget relies upon a proposal to maintain current income tax rates, which are set to expire in January 2015, while also providing significant property tax relief – a $500 refund for every Illinois homeowner every year. In Governor Quinn’s proposed budget, the IDVA funding request is $148M, representing an $8.7M increase in the state’s General Revenue funds in order to meet the increased care requirements of veterans residing in IDVA’s four Veterans Homes in Quincy, Anna, LaSalle, and Manteno.

“Governor Quinn clearly remains steadfastly committed to supporting Illinois veterans,” said Erica Borggren, Director, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “We appreciate his leadership in holding the line on Veteran issues and providing services and support to those who have born the burden of service.”

Absent action by the General Assembly on the expiring income tax rates, Illinois faces a huge shortfall of funds for the FY15 budget – to the tune of $1.8 billion. IDVA could face a 22% or greater cut in state General Funds for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2014.

A cut of this scale to IDVA would have a real, direct impact on veteran services for the state’s more than 740,000 veterans – especially given that, when state funds are cut, IDVA also loses federal and other funds tied to them.

IDVA would likely have to close multiple Veterans Homes, evicting current residents and laying off hundreds of associated staff. We would also have to close the Prince Home for Homeless & Disabled Veterans in Manteno and scores of our Veteran Service Offices – as well as cease payments on grants such as headstone placement funding, education stipends for children of veterans killed in combat, and many others.

Additional details of the IDVA FY 2015 Budget is available at budget.illinois.gov

IDVA information can be found on page 51 of the FY 2015 Agency Fact Sheets;

http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/budget/Documents/Budget%20Book/FY%202015%20Budget%20Book/FY%202015%20Agency%20Budget%20Fact%20Sheets.pdf

IDVA Accomplishments:

Increased federal veteran benefits: Increased federal benefits claimed by Illinois veterans by $10 million. Illinois veterans received over $43.9 million dollars in federal benefits in fiscal year 2013 through assistance by our field services staff adjudicating federal claims. This represents a $10 million increase from fiscal year 2012, as well as 36,200 more veterans served than in fiscal year 2012.

Awarded state grants to 5,173 veterans. Increased efficiency of grants and field services operations through the launch of CyberVet, an IDVA-developed software tool that creates electronic veteran records and claims.

Provided additional long-term care to veterans. Provided professional and compassionate care to more than 900 residents in veterans’ homes and received an average rating of 9.28 out 10 from residents and families through the first resident satisfaction survey. The Illinois veterans’ homes claimed $31.6 million federal dollars in fiscal year 2013.

Supported more homeless veterans. Increased the number of homeless veterans who enrolled in and graduated from the Prince Home, which houses and equips veterans for successful transition to self-sufficiency. In fiscal year 2013, 17 homeless veterans were admitted to the Prince Home, 259 were assisted with after-care services and 735 homeless or at-risk veterans were assisted with advocacy services.

Work for Oprah this Summer! She is hiring paid interns and more

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul and queen of daytime television, is hiring paid interns and employees at her OWN Network television channel. The company has immediate positions available in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

For internships she is looking to hire an Integrated Ad Sales Marketing Summer Intern, a Branded Entertainment Summer Intern, a Business and Legal Summer Intern, and a Digital Marketing Summer Intern. All internship positions offer a 10-week, paid or for-credit learning experience. The program offers students valuable industry knowledge and skills through opportunities such as hands-on training, project management.

Aside from interns, she is also looking to hire a Freelance Digital Video Assistant that can provide high-level administrative support, including schedule and travel management, expense reports, sensitive communications, and acting as liaison to top OWN executives within and outside of the company.

There are also open positions for a Finance Senior Manager, Sales Planner for Oprah.com, a Freelance Print Designer, a Freelance Designer/Animator, a Sales Manager, and more.

For more details and/or to apply, visit:
www.findinternships.com/2014/04/the-own-internship-program.html

To search hundreds of other 2014 internships, visit:
www.FindInternships.com

Concludes that a combination of voluntary restrictions, incentives, and education may hold promise for improving nutrition

SNAP Decisions, a new study released today by the Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI), assessed the intended and unintended health impacts of a proposed Illinois ban on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program.  Various forms of the ban on SSBs, which include soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened tea and coffee drinks, and fruit drinks, have been introduced into the Illinois General Assembly in the last few years.  The SNAP Decisions report and executive summary can be viewed at these web-links:

Using a process called Health Impact Assessment (HIA), IPHI considered a range of possible health effects of the proposed policy, and found that a ban by itself may not achieve the nutrition goals its sponsors seek.  This is because most SNAP participants use a mix of cash and SNAP benefits for groceries, and many would simply switch how they pay for the beverages.  With incentive initiatives that provide additional resources to purchase healthier options showing promise in other states, the team found that SNAP participants in Illinois might be more likely to reduce their purchases of SSBs in a voluntary program that includes restrictions on SSB purchases, incentives to purchase healthy items like fresh fruits and vegetables, and a strong nutrition education program.

“This health impact assessment reveals a very complex set of issues, including whether a ban would even be effective, and concerns about singling out low-income people for a society-wide problem,” said Jess Lynch, the lead author of the study.  “Clearly, there is no ‘silver bullet’ that will solve all the issues related to obesity and malnutrition in the U.S.

Obesity and related chronic diseases are driving health care costs and impairing quality of life on an unprecedented scale. Simply exhorting people to eat right and exercise has proven inadequate to solve the problem.  Effective policy levers need to be explored as part of the solution.”

Excess SSB consumption is a society-wide problem, and the study identified potential health harms (such as stigma-related stress) that might result from a policy that singles out low-income people.  In response, the assessment recommends that policy-makers consider focusing their attention on policies that have more universal application, such as improving school and community beverage environments and imposing a tax on SSBs.

Other findings in the report include:

• Per-capita sugar consumption increased dramatically over the latter half of the 20th century in the United States. Americans consumed an average of 43 pounds, or 39% more sugar per year in 2000 than they did on average between 1950 and 1959.

• Consuming more than recommended amounts of sugar has been shown to contribute to increased prevalence of diabetes, oral health problems, and obesity and thus obesity related health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

• More than half of all added sugars in the American diet are from SSBs.

• Youth exposure to poor nutrition, both in terms of food insecurity and unhealthy eating, is associated with serious health risks throughout life related to cognitive and physical development, mental health, educational outcomes, obesity and related chronic conditions, and oral health. In Illinois, nearly half (46%) of SNAP participants are children, and 71% of all households using SNAP have at least one child under the age of 18.

• The cost of healthy foods and beverages, access to healthy food, and targeted marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages are substantial barriers to healthy eating for low-income households.

• There is inconsistent evidence on whether SNAP participants purchase or consume SSBs more frequently than the overall population.  While the USDA cites research showing similar patterns of consumption across economic groups, more recent studies show that purchase and consumption of sugary drinks are higher in low-income populations than the population as a whole.

• Most SNAP households spend significantly less on SSBs than they spend out-of-pocket overall on food and beverages in a month.  This suggests that if restrictions were in place, SNAP participants could shift from SNAP to cash out-of-pocket to purchase SSBs.  Focus group participants also reinforced this finding, suggesting that in general they thought that SNAP recipients would shift how they pay for SSBs, if the proposed ban were implemented.  These substitutions would undermine the proposed policy’s goal of reducing SSB purchases to improve health.

• Both retailers and SNAP participants interviewed for the study cited consumer education and the cost of foods and beverages as barriers to healthier eating.  Both groups were concerned about how to make healthy foods more affordable.

• There is a lack of knowledge among some consumers regarding the healthiness of various categories of SSBs.  The SNAP participants who participated in the focus groups understood that soda is unhealthy.  Many of those same individuals believed other drinks that have comparable amounts of added sugar such as fruit drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks, were healthier than soda.  Likewise, this holds true for parents in the general population, not just SNAP recipients.  The Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy Sugary Drinks F.A.C.T.S. report found that, “parents believe that drinks like Capri Sun, Sunny D, Gatorade, and Vitamin Water are healthful products to serve their children.”

The SNAP Decisions HIA was conducted in partnership with an advisory group representing food security advocates and experts, nutrition and oral health experts, public health organizations, physician groups, SNAP Education program leaders and state agency staff.

HIA is a fast-growing field that helps policy-makers by bringing together scientific data, health expertise and public input to identify the potential-and often overlooked-health effects of proposed new laws, regulations, projects and programs. It offers practical recommendations for ways to minimize risks and capitalize on opportunities to improve health. HIA gives federal, tribal, state and local legislators, public agencies and other decision makers the information they need to advance smarter policies today to help build safe, thriving communities tomorrow.  The SNAP Decisions HIA was supported by a grant from the Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts.