Tag Archives: Cesar Chavez

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Prosecute Officer Brian Encinia!

09/23/2015 Nativegrl77

Last week, in a remarkable display of solidarity, we joined with partners to deliver more than 500,000 signatures to Attorney General Loretta Lynch urging the Department of Justice to investigate Sandra Bland’s tragic death. But we can’t stop here. Over the last 3 weeks, it seems that Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis has done everything in his power to cover up what happened to Sandra. Instead of looking at the illegal stop and violent arrest that unjustly put her in jail in the first place, local officials are trying to blame Sandra for her own death.¹

We’ve waited long enough for Officer Encinia to be held accountable for his abusive misconduct. Now, we need a groundswell of public pressure to ensure DA Mathis does his job and brings Officer Encinia to justice.

Demand Waller County DA Mathis prosecute Officer Encinia for the illegal arrest and assault and battery of Sandra Bland.

The truth is, Sandra Bland would still be alive today had it not been for Officer Encinia’s brutal racism and violence. Sandra didn’t make any traffic violations when Officer Encinia made a u-turn and sped up behind her. She was also not armed and yet Encinia threatened to “light” her up with his taser.² Sandra was not combative nor resisting and yet Encinia slammed her to the ground while she cried out in pain. Sandra was arrested and charged with assault, even though the video clearly shows Encinia as the aggressor.

In the video and later the police report, we see Officer Encinia spin a web of lies as he quickly attempts to justify his violent behavior and criminalize Sandra to his fellow officers.³ His actions are criminal and he should not be a police officer. We need DA Mathis to do everything in his power to prosecute Officer Encinia with a felony offense in order to keep this killer cop off the streets. In order for Officer Encinia to lose his police license he must be convicted of a felony.

Demand justice for Sandra! We will not remain silent as DA Mathis fails to do his job.

We’ve waited long enough. It’s DA Mathis’ job to protect Black residents in the area and hold racist and violent police who target Black people — such as Encinia — accountable. And we know accountability is possible. Baltimore DA Marilyn Mosby recently indicted the six police officers involved in the killing of Freddie Gray and just last week Collin County DA Joe Deter indicted Officer Ray Tensing for brutally killing Sam Dubose.^4,⁵ Prolonged delays and silence are not the answer. We need Waller County officials to act now.

Waller County officials must come to terms with their violent history of racism and discrimination and stand up for Black lives. This is just as much about Sandra Bland as it is about making sure all Black people in the area don’t have to experience the same unbridled violence and brutality at the hands of the state. And it starts with prosecuting Officer Encinia for the illegal arrest and assault and battery of Sandra Bland. Let’s show Waller County officials that we are not going to stop until the killing stops.

We need widespread public pressure to bring Officer Encinia to justice. Raise your voice today.

Thanks and peace,

— Rashad, Arisha, Shani, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
August 6th, 2015

References,

1. “Marijuana Didn’t Kill Sandra Bland,” Ebony 07-27-2015
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5109?t=6&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

2. “In the video of Sandra Bland’s arrest, the tape doesn’t lie,” Boston Globe 07-23-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5104?t=8&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

3. “Blame the Police,” Slate 07-22-2015
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5105?t=10&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

4. “Marilyn Mosby: 6 police officers indicted in Freddie Gray death,” Washington Times 05-21-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5106?t=12&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

5. “Prosecutor: UC officer ‘purposefully killed’ DuBose,” Cincinnati Enquirer 07-29-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5107?t=14&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congressman John Lewis Introduces President Obama:50 Years After the Voting Rights Act, We Still Have Work to Do

09/17/2015 Nativegrl77

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. introduces President Barack Obama, with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building South Court Auditorium, Aug. 6, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

See more about how the President commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Caroline Pla, age 13 & Marycecelia Pla via Change.org

09/15/2015 Nativegrl77

Last year, my mom and I won our Change.org petition to let girls in my city play football, but now the Archdiocese (which runs the sports program) has changed its mind. Sign my mom’s new petition to let girls play!

Sign the petition

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stop two massive mines from destroying essential wildlife habitat

09/12/2015 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Two massive mines could soon destroy irreplaceable habitat for grizzly bears and bull trout!

Grizzly bear in Montana (Kane513 / Shutterstock)

Help us fight back in court with an emergency gift today!

Katherine O’Brien, Earthjustice

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 9/10 the House

09/10/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned under the provisions of S.Res.250 until 9:30am on Thursday, September 10, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.J.Res.61, the legislative vehicle for the Congressional disapproval of the proposed Iran nuclear agreement. Debate will be structured with alternating one hour blocks controlled by the two Leaders or their designees until 4:00pm; the Republicans will control the first hour starting at 10:00am.

As a reminder, during Wednesday session of the Senate, Senator McConnell filed cloture on McConnell substitute amendment #2640 and on H.J.Res.61. The cloture motion would ripen on Friday, but Senator McConnell said he is hopeful we’ll be able to get consent to have the vote tomorrow afternoon.

As a result of cloture being filed, the filing deadline for first degree amendments to the substitute and underlying joint resolution is 1:00pm tomorrow, Thursday, September 10. Amendments must be germane and timely filed if cloture were to be invoked.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Motion to invoke cloture on McConnell substitute amendment #2640 to H.J.Res.61, Iran resolution of disapproval; not invoked: 58-42.

Legislative Business

Passed Calendar #188, S.1461 – to provide for the extension of the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals.

Passed Calendar #190, S.1629 – DC Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Act of 2015.

No Executive Business

===============================================================================================

Last Floor Action:
10:28:15 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on September 10, 2015.

Last Floor Action:
12:36:42 P.M. -H. Res. 412
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 412.

10:00:45 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:51 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable David Young to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:24 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:54:55 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1603, and S. 349. Senate agreed to S. Res. 250.
10:54:56 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with Morning-Hour Debate.
11:13:24 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:40 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 10.
12:01:07 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Andrew Walton, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC.
12:02:39 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:47 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Mimi Walters of CA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:33:58 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 9, 2015 at 9:42 a.m.: Appointments: Congressional Award Board and Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China.
12:34:25 P.M.	H. Res. 412	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 412 — “Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 411) finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3461) to approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3460) to suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran.”
12:36:42 P.M.	H. Res. 412	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 412.

1:50:40 P.M.	H. Res. 412	The previous question was ordered without objection.
2:17:05 P.M.	H. Res. 412	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 – 186 (Roll no. 491).
2:17:05 P.M.	H. Res. 412	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:17:21 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification stating that the emergency with respect to the terrorist attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001, is to continue in effect for an additional year – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 114-58).
2:20:00 P.M.	H. Res. 411	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 412 . H. Res. 411 — “Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015.”
2:20:05 P.M.	H. Res. 411	Resolution provides for consideration of 3 measures: H. Res. 411; H.R. 3460; and H.R. 3461.
2:20:16 P.M.	H. Res. 411	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 412, the House proceeded with 2 hours of debate on H. Res. 411.
4:57:32 P.M.	H. Res. 411	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:23:17 P.M.	H. Res. 411	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 245 – 186 (Roll no. 492).
5:23:17 P.M.	H. Res. 411	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:27:06 P.M.	H.R. 3461	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 412. H.R. 3461 — “To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran.”
5:27:11 P.M.	H.R. 3461	Resolution provides for consideration of 3 measures: H. Res. 411; H.R. 3460; and H.R. 3461.
5:27:28 P.M.	H.R. 3461	DEBATE – The House proceeded with three hours of debate on H.R. 3461.
9:00:51 P.M.	H.R. 3461	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
9:00:59 P.M.	H.R. 3461	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair put the question on passage of H.R. 3461 and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Royce demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until a time to be announced.
9:02:36 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:52:34 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:52:39 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:52:45 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on September 11, 2015.