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Morehouse invited Biden to speak – and the reaction followed

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ATLANTA (AP) — President Joe Biden will likely be the commencement speaker at Morehouse College in Georgia, shining a key highlight on Democrats on one in every of the nation’s most significant historically black campuses but potentially exposing him to uncomfortable protests as he seeks re-election against former President Donald Trump.

The White House confirmed Tuesday that Biden will deliver a speech on May 19 at the alma mater of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and then address the graduating class of the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 25.

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Morehouse’s statement sparked a backlash amongst faculty and supporters of the school who’re critical of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. That could put the White House and Biden’s re-election campaign in a difficult position as the president works to shore up the racially diverse coalition that catapulted him to the Oval Office.

On Tuesday afternoon, some Morehouse alumni circulated a letter online denouncing the administration’s invitation to Biden and in search of signatures to pressure Morehouse President David Thomas to rescind it.

The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, said Biden’s approach to Israel effectively supports the Gaza genocide and runs counter to the pacifism King expressed in his opposition to the Vietnam War.

“By inviting President Biden to campus, the university affirms the cruel standard that complicity in genocide does not merit sanction from an institution that produced one of the foremost advocates of nonviolence in the 20th century,” the letter reads, emphasizing King’s position that ​​”war is hell that diminishes” humanity as an entire. “If the College cannot affirm this noble tradition of justice by withdrawing its invitation to President Biden, it should reconsider its commitment to Dr. King.”

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Late last week, before the school and the White House formally announced commencement plans, Morehouse Chancellor Kendrick Brown, Thomas’ top lieutenant, sent an email to all faculty expressing concerns about the “rumors” and confirming that the school had prolonged an invite to Biden in September last yr. . That was before Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, spurring a sustained counteroffensive that Morehouse, in an alumni letter, called an act of genocide against the Palestinians. Brown’s email made no mention of the conflict in the Middle East.

Brown invited faculty to an internet forum scheduled for Thursday afternoon to discuss the issue. However, he added: “As we enter into this conversation, please know that the College has no plans to withdraw its accepted invitation to President Biden.”

Morehouse officials didn’t respond to an Associated Press inquiry.

Asked about concerns amongst some faculty members, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said Biden was eager to speak at the school and added: “We start with the graduates, their families and loved ones; about celebrating the achievements of graduates.”

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“I’m not going to judge the processes that go on at Morehouse, but he’s looking forward to going there and celebrating with the graduates,” Bates said.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Thomas issued an announcement to BET.com that, like the chancellor’s letter, emphasized the September deadline for Biden’s invitation.

Thomas said Morehouse officials “look forward to” the president’s visit, which he called “a reminder of our institution’s enduring legacy and impact, as well as our ongoing commitment to excellence, progress and positive change.”

Reverend Stephen Green, pastor of St. Luke AME in Harlem and the writer of the alumni letter, said in an interview that his group has contacted several Morehouse board members and hopes to speak with Thomas. Green, who graduated in 2014, called the efforts a part of a “common thread of protest and activism in the Morehouse tradition” of social and political involvement.

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“We hope this sends a clear signal that we are serious about the values ​​that have been taught,” Green said, adding that he wants Biden to stand firmly for a Palestinian state and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.

Beyond any dissatisfaction with Israel, polls suggest Biden could have a tough time with black Americans generally. According to an AP-NORC poll conducted in March, greater than half of African American adults approved of the way he was handling his job as president, but that number was down significantly from when he took office, with 94% approving of his job performance.

Biden more and more often were met with protests this yr from progressives who say he is simply too supportive of Israel. The case proved vexing for the president. He has long joined the American foreign policy establishment in recognizing Israel as an irreplaceable ally in the Middle East. Nevertheless, he also criticized the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Down increasing variety of civilian deaths in Gaza and told him so future US aid relies on Israel taking steps to protect civilians.

That approach has left Biden with vocal critics on the left and right at a time when he has little margin for error in battleground states, including Georgia, which are expected to determine his rematch with Trump.

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Biden’s speech at Morehouse will likely be the second straight spring that the president has addressed the graduating class of the historically black school. In 2023 he delivered starting address at Howard University. The Washington school is the vice chairman’s alma mater Kamala Harris, the first black woman to hold this position. Morehouse, a non-public all-male school that is an element of the multi-campus Atlanta University Center, can also be the senator’s alma mater. Rafał Warnockfirst black U.S. senator in Georgia.

Warnock, who can also be senior pastor of King’s Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, avoided any consternation on campus.

“I couldn’t be more delighted and honored to see President Biden return to our great country,” the senator said in an announcement. “I know the president will have a timely, powerful and forward-looking message for the people of Morehouse.”

President Joe Biden receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Howard University’s 2023 commencement ceremony on May 13, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo: Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)

The controversy could overshadow policy priorities that Biden and Democrats have emphasized for months on HBCU campuses across the country. Members of Harris and the cabinet spoke on several campuses. Among other achievements and policy priorities, the White House touts increased federal financial support for HBCUs; Biden is in search of to forgive up to $10,000 student loan burden per borrower and increase the Pell Grant for low-income students; energy investments to combat the climate crisis and Democratic support for abortion rights and decriminalization of marijuana possession.

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In his reaction to Biden’s invitation, Warnock emphasized his work with the president “to address the high cost of higher education.”

Reflecting the nation’s overall racial disparities in income and net value, Black students are disproportionately depending on Pell Grants, which generally cover only a fraction of faculty costs, and student loans. According to Federal Reserve data, about 1 in 3 black households have student loan debt, compared with about 1 in 5 white households. The average black borrower also owes about $10,000 more in debt than the average white borrower. Additionally, federal statistics show that about 60% of black students receive Pell grants compared to about 40% of the overall undergraduate population and one-third of white students.

In 2020, Biden won Georgia by lower than 12,000 votes over Trump out of about 5 million votes solid. The total student population at Morehouse and the adjoining schools that make up Atlanta University Center is roughly 9,000 students. Biden’s lead in Wisconsin was slightly below 21,000 votes. The president had more comfortable margins in Michigan and Pennsylvania, but he couldn’t afford to lose black support in the Detroit and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.

Among the states Trump won, Biden is targeting North Carolina, which has a big black student population. Trump’s lead there was about 75,000 votes.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Politics and Current

Viral photo of Trump’s “White Farmer” – comes from Congo, not South Africa

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President Donald Trump created a very spectacle through the Wednesday oval meeting of the office with the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphos, attempting to strengthen his claim for the white “genocide” on this country. However, some of Trump’s evidence presented proved to be false.

Trump issued many printed articles and played almost 5-minute video assembly to reporters within the White House, which, he claimed, proved that white African farmers were victims of genocide in South Africa.

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“Death, death, death,” said Trump, when he was holding one printed article after the opposite after restoring the film about what, he claimed, were “funeral places” “over a thousand” white farmers who were murdered by the presumably black inhabitants of South Africa. However, Factcheck.org He determined that the video actually showed an indication at 2020 – not the burial place – to attract attention to the death of farmers of all breeds, not just white farmers.

President Trump also showed an image of what, he claimed, were bags with white farmers who were murdered in South Africa; However, Reuters Reported that the painting was humanitarian employees who bury the organs within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Outlet said that the image was a screen printing of Reuters in February after deadly battles against rebels supported by Rwandy who captured town of Goma.

Trump’s emphasis on white genocide going down in South Africa occurs after years of conspiracy theories from far -right groups. He was strengthened by the billionaire Elon Musk, born in South Africa, who’s a detailed advisor to the president and runs the Department of the White House.

While crime in South Africa is high, the information show that almost all of the victims of the murder within the country – over 26,000 in 2024 – was actually black. As for the farmers themselves, only 44 murders were related to farmers. Only 7 of these murders were white.

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In the middle of an actual conflict with farmers in South Africa there’s a disproportionate amount of land belonging to white African farmers, consequently of a ten -year Apartheid system in a rustic that shared and deprived of civil rights of Black South African Africa. Although they constitute only 7% of the population, they’ve 75% of arable land.

The act signed by President Cyril Ramaphos in January was geared toward starting the legislative process to repair the inequalities of land. It mainly allows the federal government to take over private land. President Trump has repeatedly pointed to the fitting as proof that they’re the goal of white farmers. However, the federal government of South Africa stated that no land was taken over. The government also said that as an alternative he tried to encourage white farmers to sell his land willingly, says Reuters.

The first group of 49 white inhabitants of South Africa goes to the USA after Trump offered them refugee status

Trump’s fascination on pushing lies about South Africa and treating white farmers was criticized by activists as an try and push the white policy of Greivance, which reflects the policy of Trump’s anti-dei-dei policy within the United States.

He continued: “As a master of racists, he knows well that black resistance and black perfection must be fully gutted to realize the global vision of Trump of the uncontrollable rule of” white “.

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(Tagstranslate) Donald Trump

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Politics and Current

Trump removes truck drivers who don’t speak English

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Truck Driver, Arrest, Crime, Decapitating Woman


Truck drivers can have to pass the CDL exam and test that they will speak English. According to the Secretary for Transport, Sean Duffy signed a directive enabling the American Department of Transport To remove truck drivers who are usually not fluent in English. The transfer of Duffya directly responds to the ordinance of President Donald Trump on April 28.

According to the order, Trump directed a seek for testing of proficiency in English and law enforcement policy. In 2016, under the rule of former President Barack Obama, the Federal Safety Administration of a motor carrier (FMCS) removed the penalty for putting drivers for serving for violation of federal proficiency in English. Obama’s administration softened punishment for a quote.

However, Trump’s executive order changes him back to forcing drivers from the road.

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“The policy of my administration is the support of American trucks and protecting our roads by enforcing the joint English language requirement in English and removing unnecessary regulatory loads that undermine the working conditions of American truck drivers.” Trump states in his executive orderadding that “it will help to provide a safe, safe and efficient car carrier industry.”

Fears of truck drivers who speak English because the second language

American Truck Association He praised Trump for a brand new punishment In accordance with the order within the statement.

“Thank you to Trump’s administration for the response to our fears regarding the uneven application of this existing regulation, and we are waiting for cooperation with FMCS and the law enforcement authorities at the objective, coherent and effective standard of enforcement.”

However, others are afraid that the brand new guidelines will result in discrimination on the road, because law enforcement agencies resolve who to stop to perform an proficiency test in English.

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According to data from the Transport Department, almost 4% of CDL owners are limited in English proficiency. It is estimated that 16% discover as immigrants.

“Is it someone who has an accent, or maybe someone who wears a turban?” Mannirmal Kur, senior federal policy manager at Sikh Coalition, said: “An order outside the service may be potentially unemployment for a truck driver … With a potentially limited appeal.”

(Tagstranslate) Trump Administration

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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The mayor of Newark Ras Baraka released after arrest in protests at the Immigration Center: “I did nothing bad” – essence

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The mayor of Newark Ras Baraka dismissed after the arrest in the protest at the Immigration Center:

Photo of Ken Betancur/AFP by Getty Images

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The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Barak Ras, passed free on Friday evening after spending hours in federal detention after arrest in a controversial immigration detention in Delaney Hall – an object that fought to refrain from opening in his city.

Barak was arrested during the protest in the newly opened ice retention site, which, as with other critics, has no appropriate permits and inspections, According to CNN. Standing in front of the crowd of fans after releasing it, he simplified: “In fact I did nothing wrong.”

Although he did not take details about the arrest – legal advice – the mayor clearly stated that he was standing in Solidarity with the community, including immigrants, which, he claims, are unfairly targeted.

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“Everyone here, each of us, does not care what origin you come from, what nationality, what language you speak,” he said. “At some point we have to stop these people from causing the division between us.”

The barrack, which in 2025 is applying after the replacing the governor Phil Murphy, was open in his opposition to the private penal complex of 1000 led by the Geo Group. He claims that he should never open, pointing to unsolved fears regarding security and the lack of appropriate permits to the city.

The mayor’s wife, Linda Barak, accused the federal government of aiming at her husband. “They didn’t arrest anyone else. They didn’t ask anyone to leave. They wanted to make an example from the mayor,” she said.

According to ABC News, there was a barrack accused of entering– Depot, which results in 30 days in prison and a advantageous of USD 500. He was released without Bond after a brief speech before judge Andre Espinos.

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Federal officials claim that the mayor ignored the repetitive warnings about leaving the rooms. USE temporary lawyer Alina Habba published on X this barrack “He decided to ignore the law.” But the video from the stage shows that the barraka was arrested after returning to public property outside the gate.

He wasn’t alone. It was joined by members of the Congress Delegation in New Jersey – including representatives of Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lamonica Mciver and Rob Menendez Jr. – who said they were “pushed”, “pushed” and “managed” by federal agents who tried to accompany the mayor.

“They just caught and took him,” said Watson Coleman, adding ABC News, adding that there was no clear explanation at that point.

Mciver, who said that she and others were physically treated during the try to de -escallion, called the unacceptable situation.

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“We were simply rough handling-doses,” she said. “Nobody raised his fists to hit us, but they pushed us, pushed us and removed us to get to the mayor.”

The Internal Security Department adopted a unique view by accusing the members of the Congress of “storming” the object. Deputy Secretary Tric McLaughlin said in an announcement that if a visit was asked, it might be awarded.

Governor Phil Murphy called the arrest of the barracks “unfair”, noting that the state has already banned private immigration centers – and that the Murphy administration is fighting to take care of this right in court.

“The mayor of Barak is an exemplary official who has always defended our most sensitive neighbors,” said Murphy. “I call on his immediate release by federal law enforcement agencies.”

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US Senator Cory Booker, who once took place as a mayor, called the arrest “a disturbing, unnecessary and indicating tactics undermining the safety and safety of our communities.”

Regardless of whether the case is moving forward in court, critics say that it was not about an immigration plant – it was about sending a message. And they consider that the mayor was directed to stand up.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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