Nineteen year-old Renisha McBride — an unarmed Black woman from Detroit — was tragically shot dead in a mostly white suburb of Dearborn Heights, MI on Saturday, November 2, 2013. She was seeking help after being involved in a car accident nearby. Renisha was lost and frightened when she approached the home of 54-year-old Theodore Wafer. But instead of offering this distressed innocent young woman a helping hand, Wafer fatally shot her through the front door of his home.1 Jury selection in the trial of Theodore Wafer is set to begin today.2 Now is our chance to demonstrate that Renisha’s family is not alone in their calls for justice and that they have the love and support of people across the country who are counting on the Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, to deliver justice the first time so that this case won’t have to be argued in higher court. The tragic murder of Renisha hasn’t stopped calculated attempts to smear and criminalize her by Cheryl Carpenter, Wafer’s defense attorney. Carpenter recently requested a judge let jurors see photos of Renisha that show her with wads of money, alcohol and marijuana.3 As the trial gets underway this is likely the storyline that the media will run. But we can change this narrative and make it clear that this trial is not about calling up ugly racist stereotypes; its about justice, ensuring that Black lives are valued and protected, and that perpetrators who commit unconscionable, violent or deadly acts against Black folks are held accountable. Renisha’s life was cut brutally short in circumstances that have become far too familiar — a young unarmed Black person gunned down by a white person harboring dangerous racist stereotypes, deep-seated and unfounded fear and a proclivity for racial profiling.4 Renisha is lovingly recalled by her family as “a caring person who loved cars and shopping, worked for Ford Motor Co. and had aspirations of becoming a police officer.” Renisha deserves to be alive today to fulfill her dreams. And while a murder conviction could never bring Renisha back, by sharing this powerful graphic we can send our love and support to her family, loved ones and Detroit community and fight back against irresponsible efforts aimed at criminalizing and putting the victim on trial. Thanks and peace, — Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Aimée, Jamar and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team P.S. Click here to download either the poster-size version or the Facebook share size of the image. 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. “Community rallies, demanding justice for 19-year-old Renisha McBride,” Fox Detroit, 11-07-13 2. “Theodore Wafer Trial Judge Disallows Victim’s Texts,” Huffington Post, 06-27=14 3. “Defense May Question Renisha McBride’s Lifestyle In Murder Trial,” Newsone, 04-04-14 4. “Yes, It Is About Race,” Huffington Post, 03-13-14 5. “After funeral, Renisha McBride’s family looks to ‘bring the tenor down’ on outcry as shooting investigation continues,” MLive Detroit, 11-08-13 |
Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture
August Wilson 1945 – 2005
Jennifer McClellan will win special election and become Virginia’s first Black congresswoman
check out the story by the writer below
Story by Chandelis Duster
Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan will win the special election for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District and will become the first Black woman to represent the commonwealth in Congress, CNN projected Tuesday.
McClellan will defeat Republican Leon Benjamin, a pastor and Navy veteran, to succeed the late Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin, who died in November.
For the enitre article, go to CNN news
Source: CNN
ADVISORY: COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING

What
Minor coastal flooding is expected.
Where
Portions of northwest and west central Washington.
When
From 4 AM to 10 AM PST Tuesday.
Impacts
Minor coastal flooding due to tidal overflow is expected around high tide. This may lead to flooding of parking lots, parks, and roads, with only isolated road closures expected.
Additional Details
Inundation of up to 0.5 feet above ground level is possible along shorelines and low-lying coastal areas.
Tips
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. Inundation above ground level refers to the height above the Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) level.
Issued By
NWS Seattle
1948 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that covenants prohibiting the sale of real estate to blacks and other minorities were legally unenforceable ~ African Americans & Shelley v. Kraemer
Shelley v. Kraemer was a landmark Supreme Court case which stated that courts could not enforce racial covenants on real estate properties.
In 1945, an African-American family (the Shelley family) purchased a home in St. Louis, Missouri. During the time of purchase, the Shelley family was unaware that a restrictive covenant had been placed on the property since 1911. This covenant barred African Americans and Mongolians from owning the property. Louis Kraemer, an individual who lived ten blocks from the purchased piece of real estate, sued the Shelley family for purchasing the property.
The Supreme Court of Missouri stated that the covenant was enforceable against the Shelly family because the covenant was a private agreement between the original owners and was enforceable on any party who purchased the land in the future.
Shelley v. Kraemer Trial:
When the Shelley v. Kraemer trial was appealed, the court considered two primary questions: are racially-based restrictive covenants legal in regards to the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and can they be enforced by the court of law?
The United States Supreme Court in Shelley v. Kraemer ruled that racially-based restrictive covenants are invalid under the Fourteenth Amendment. The court stated that private parties may voluntarily abide by the terms of the covenant, but they may not seek enforcement of such a covenant, because the courts would constitute state action. Since a state action would by nature be discriminatory, the enforcement of a racially-based covenant in a state court would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The Case Profile of Shelley v. Kraemer:
The following is a case profile of the legal trial eponymously titled ‘Shelley v. Kraemer’:
Date of the Trial: Shelley v. Kraemer was argued on January 15, 1948
Legal Classification: Administrative Law; this legal field associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the creation of agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard
United States Reports Case Number: 334 U.S.
**Date of the Delivery of the Verdict: Shelley v. Kraemer was decided on May 3, 1948 **
Legal Venue of Shelley v. Kraemer: The United States Supreme Court
Judicial Officer Responsible for Ruling: Chief Justice Fred Vinson
Involved Parties: The following are the parties named with regard to their involvement in the Shelley v. Kraemer case:
Plaintiff: Shelley Family, Defendant: The state of Missouri and property owner Louis Kraemer
Verdict Delivered: The United States Supreme Court in Shelley v. Kraemer ruled in favor of the plaintiff b stating that the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits a state from enforcing restricting covenants on the basis of race or color.
Associated Legislation with regard to Shelley v. Kraemer: The following statutory regulations were employed with regard to the Shelley v. Kraemer trial:
The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.



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