Shopping while Black is not a crime.

Join us in demanding that the NYPD immediately conduct a full investigation into the arrests made outside of Barneys.

For months, Trayon Christian — a 19-year-old Black college student from Queens — set aside money from a part-time job to buy a $349 designer belt from Barneys New York.¹ But in April, as he exited the luxury department store with both the belt and his receipt he was swarmed by undercover cops, peppered with questions, handcuffed and locked in a jail cell.² While providing several forms of identification to match his debit card, police taunted Trayon with questions like “How could you afford a belt like this?” “Where did you get this money from?”³

Barneys issued a vague statement, disclaiming responsibility for Trayon’s arrest, but more than 47 arrests have been made outside of the Madison Ave. store — hinting at the possibility of a dedicated NYPD task force.⁴ The public has a right to know the racial breakdown of the suspects arrested, how many were actually charged with a crime, and what role the luxury department store played in these arrests.

Join us in demanding that the NYPD immediately conduct a full investigation of the arrests made outside of Barneys. We’ll also send this message to senior executives at Barneys to remind them that the practice of profiling Black customers is unacceptable. It only takes a moment.

Clearly Trayon isn’t the only Black person who has been stopped by NYPD after an expensive purchase at this particular store. Just a day after Trayon filed his complaint, 21-year-old Kayla Phillips has come forward and claims that she too was surrounded by undercover cops just blocks from the Manhattan store who pushed her up against the wall after she purchased a designer handbag with her debit card.⁵

Unfortunately Black folks are too often subjected to this brand of deeply offensive and humiliating treatment by security guards and police officers at the businesses we patronize. And in recent years, the NYPD has become notorious for targeting Black and Latino residents — subjecting our communities to thousands of illegal stops, searches, and frisks each day that lead to unlawful arrests, constant harassment, and in some cases, serious injury or death.^6,7

Enough is enough. In order to end the culture of police misconduct and racial profiling we must demand accountability for these discriminatory practices. Will you sign this petition today and forward it to your family and friends?

Thanks and Peace,

–Rashad, Arisha, Matt, Aimée, William, Hannah and the rest of the ColorOfChange team. October 25th, 2013

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

References

1. “Barneys accused teen of using fake debit card for $349 belt because he’s a ‘young black American male’:lawsuit,” New York Daily News, 10-22-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3044?t=7&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

2. “Trayon Christian Complaint,” New York City Clerk, 10-21-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3045?t=9&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

3.See Reference 1

4. “Another black Barneys shopper accused of credit card fraud after buying $2,500 purse: claim,” New York Daily News, 08-10-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3046?t=12&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

5.See Reference 4

6. “Judge approves class action lawsuit over NYPD’s stop-and-frisk searches,” The Raw Story, 05-16-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1636?t=14&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

7. “After Detective’s Firing, Tensions Linger in Sean Bell Case,” New York Times, 03-25-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3047?t=16&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A Personal Message From NWLC’s Co-Presidents

02/25/2017 Nativegrl77

We want to share some big news: we have decided to step down as Co-Presidents of the National Women’s Law Center on July 1, and we’re thrilled that the Board of Directors has named Fatima Goss Graves the Center’s new President and CEO. We are so pleased with her selection and know that the Center will be in superb hands with such an experienced and savvy leader to meet the challenges ahead.

Fatima, who is likely familiar to you as our Senior Vice President for Program, has a deep commitment to the issues that matter most to women and girls and has dedicated her career to advancing women’s opportunity and equality. She is a brilliant lawyer, a strategic advocate, and an inspiring role model. In this critical moment, with unprecedented assaults on the rights and economic security of women and families, our Board is confident she is the right leader for the Center, and we are delighted to have her as our successor.

Learn more about this exciting transition from Fatima, our Board Chair Jane Sherburne, other Center supporters, and us.

From left to right, NWLC Co-President Nancy Duff Campbell, NWLC CEO- and President-Elect Fatima Goss Graves, NWLC Co-President Marcia Greenberger, and NWLC Board Chair Jane Sherburne

We have enormous pride in all of the Center’s accomplishments over the last 45 years and have been honored to work with you to achieve them. Together, we have won critical legal protections to help women and girls achieve their potential at every stage of their lives — at school, at work, at home, and in their communities.

We are especially thankful for our extraordinary Board and staff, who have been with us every step of the way. We are also grateful for the support of our terrific community of activists, donors, and volunteers over the years. You are so much a part of the Center’s success, and we are honored to have worked alongside you. Your strength, coupled with Fatima’s leadership and vision for the future, ensures that the Center will be ready to face the challenges ahead and continue to break barriers for women and girls.

Warmly,
Marcia Greenberger and Nancy Duff Campbell
Co-Presidents
National Women’s Law Center

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Trump snubs CBC …elected democratic officials

02/25/2017 Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Treating Migraines: More Ways to Fight the Pain

02/24/2017 Nativegrl77

In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given adults new options for treating migraines by allowing the marketing of two prescription devices for such headaches. Some patients don’t tolerate migraine drugs well, and these FDA-approved devices can provide an alternative they didn’t have before.

Read the Consumer Update to learn more about migraine treatments.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

NMAAHC

02/24/2017 Nativegrl77

Marian Anderson Collection Donated to the
National Museum of African American
History and Culture

Collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Gift of Ginette DePreist in memory of James DePreist. Photo by Hugh Talman, Smithsonian Institution.

Dear Charter Members and Friends,

The orange-and-black velvet ensemble Marian Anderson (1897-1993) wore during her Easter Sunday performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 has entered the museum’s collection of the Smithsonians’ National Museum of African American History and Culture.In honor of the 75th anniversary of that historic concert — one seen by more than 75,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial — the museum will put the classic skirt and blouse on display at the entrance to its gallery in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. It will be on view from Tuesday, April 8, until September 2014. April 9 is the 75th anniversary of the concert.

The concert attire is part of a collection donated to the museum by Ginette DePreist, the widow of the celebrated conductor James DePreist (1936-2013) who was Anderson’s nephew.

By the time Anderson gave that Lincoln Memorial performance, she had established a stellar reputation in Europe. But despite her successes abroad, racial discrimination in the United States continued to create obstacles in her career. Howard University wanted to host Anderson for a concert engagement in Washington, D.C., and approached the Daughters of the American Revolution about using Constitution Hall. DAR had a policy that barred the use of the hall by African American performers, and Howard had made similar requests in the past without success. Once again, the DAR denied the concert planners’ request. DAR’s refusal to let Anderson perform at Constitution Hall became a national story when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt publicly resigned her membership in the organization: “You had the opportunity to lead in an enlightened way, and it seems to me that your organization has failed.” In response, Walter White, executive secretary of the NAACP, and Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes arranged for Anderson to give a public concert on the steps of the Marian Anderson