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Harris is uniquely positioned to combat gun violence in black communities, advocates say

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Kamala Harris, theGrio.com

Gun violence is back in the national highlight following Wednesday’s events deadly shooting at highschool in Winder, GeorgiaThe tragedy that struck Apalachee High School in which 4 people were killed and nine injured has Democrats and gun safety advocates renewed calls for stricter gun laws.

“We need to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all,” Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, said hours after Wednesday’s shooting at a campaign event in New Hampshire. She added: “It doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

Supporters see Harris because the one and best candidate who can construct on progress in reducing gun violence, particularly in black communities. Addressing the difficulty is a top concern for black Americans, who’re nearly 3 times as likely to be more likely than white Americans are killed by firearms.

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According to a survey by the gun safety group GIFFORDS, 74% of black voters want stronger gun laws. The survey, a part of a $15 million campaign to highlight gun violence ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, also found that half of all black voters are “very concerned” in regards to the prevalence of gun violence in their communities, compared with 24% of the general voting population.

GIFFORDS, founded by former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived a 2011 assassination attempt, has endorsed Harris for president in 2024. Giffords praised Harris’ “steadfast leadership” on the difficulty of gun violence, adding that the Democratic nominee “will save lives.”

McMillan says Harris has been a “key partner” and “gun safety champion,” each as a U.S. senator and now as vice chairman. Harris currently leads the historic White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which is tasked with implementing provisions of the Biden Safer Communities Act, which allocates $250 million for community violence intervention programs.

“We know this works in Black and brown communities,” McMillan said.

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U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to attendees on the Everytown for Gun Safety conference on August 11, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The conference brings together 1000’s of activists, volunteers and survivors of gun violence to advocate for gun law reform. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“She’s not just a symbol of possibility — she’s a powerful force shaping policy to keep our families safe,” said Ferrell-Zabala, who noted that Harris tightened gun safety laws as California’s attorney general and, as a U.S. senator, co-sponsored laws to expand background checks and ban violators from possessing guns.

She added: “She truly understands the devastating reality of this uniquely American crisis that disproportionately affects communities of color, and that we must invest in holistic, local solutions that are created by the communities it impacts.”

In her New Hampshire speech, Harris noted that in her “Fight For Our Freedoms” college tour last fall, she asked students on each campus to raise their hand in the event that they “had to endure a shooting drill at any point between kindergarten and 12th grade.”

“I tell you, every time the room was full, and almost every hand went up,” said the vice chairman.

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Harris, together with President Biden, Democrats and advocates, have called on Congress to go further than the Safer Communities Act, which expanded background check requirements and created latest crimes. Gun safety advocates also want to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and establish universal background checks.

According to the GIFFORDS poll, 50 percent of black voters attributed the issue to a scarcity of mental health services, while 49 percent blamed the nation’s gun violence epidemic on weak gun laws. Forty-seven percent of black voters cited quick access to guns, while 40 percent blamed loopholes in gun laws.

“If we have a strong economic program that actually lifts black people out of poverty, we will see gun violence in communities go down,” Powell said.

According to data from the Black Census Organization, black voters’ concerns about gun violence are threefold: community violence, white supremacist violence, and police violence.

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Apalachee High School Shooting, theGrio.com
Students, faculty and community members gather for a vigil following the shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four people were reported dead and injured, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody, according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

While gun violence continues to plague the country, there are signs that the Biden-Harris administration’s work is paying off. Data shows gun violence deaths are on the rise downward in 2024. But supporters say they’re fearful about the implications if former President and Republican Party candidate Donald Trump wins the November election.

“What happens to the (White House) Office of Gun Violence Prevention if, God forbid, Donald Trump is re-elected?” McMillan asked. “We know he will be proud not to address this issue or to try to undo the progress we have made through his alliances with the NRA (and) the gun lobbyists.”

On Thursday, Trump’s vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, faced criticism for saying school shootings are a “fact of life.” He also misleadingly claimed that Harris wants to “take guns away from law-abiding citizens.” He and Trump have also called for tighter school security as an answer, although the National Education Association notes that tightening school security doesn’t prevent shootings.

“Donald Trump and JD Vance believe school shootings are a ‘fact of life’ and ‘we have to get over it,’” Harris campaign spokesman Ammar Moussa said, echoing Trump’s earlier remarks after the Iowa school shooting in January.

“Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know that we can take action to keep our children safe and prevent criminals from getting access to guns,” Moussa said. “Donald Trump and JD Vance will always choose the NRA and the gun lobby over our children. That’s the choice in this election.”

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Politics and Current

Black women go down on the Capitol to “save democracy” in front of Maga Trump’s program

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The coalition of leaders and activists of black women descended on the Capitol to gather against the Trump administration and a number of actions of the Republican Party, which include budget cuts, the elimination of critical departments and programs, and shooting 1000’s of federal employees.

A gaggle of black women’s leaders from throughout the country-the US Senators, Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angel Alsobrooks-Zgromita, told the newly elected black women in front of the Capitol constructing on Thursday morning before meeting with the members of the Congress to encourage them to make a position in actions that can disproportionate black communities.

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While many leaders and organizers of black women explained that they might take a break from political commitment after their efforts failed in the 2024 election, which caused the defeat of the former Vice President of Kamali Harris by President Donald Trump, they are saying they’re ready to return to the fight for “salvation of democracy.”

Campbell and a number of other other leaders of black women, including young black women in highschool and college, condemned the bill on further resolving by Republicans in the House of Representatives and can soon see a voice in the US Senate. The bill that avoided closing the federal government and finance it until September 30 includes cuts value billions of dollars. A gaggle of activists also called on the Trump administration movements to break up diversity, equality and integration, almost eliminate the Education Department and the United States International Development Agency (USAID) – which provides critical funds for non -profit organizations – and withdraw the protection of civil rights and environmental protection.

“There are serious cuts and reduced budgets for Medicaid. At the same time, we know that black women are dying in three, four times than our white counterparts, “said Senator Blunt Rochester, who became the first black woman chosen to the Senate from the state of Delaware. “Just today I heard an advertisement about withdrawals to the principles of clean drinking water, clean air … These are the basic things.”

Despite the horrors that many communities say that they are going to face the indisputable fact that America Great Again Again Again, to drastically reduce the federal government, Blunt Rochester said: “No weapon that is against us will prosper!”

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Senator Alsobrooks, who also created history as the first black woman of the US Senator in Maryland, punished Republicans for saying American public opinion, that they might focus on “alleviating economic loads and helping Americans to reach the front.” Instead, she said: “They are active, but they are not busy doing what they promised … They are busy doing the opposite.”

Alsobrooks explained: “Instead of increasing programs for preventing poverty, he offers significant cuts for SNAP (nutrition assistance program). Instead of investing in people and draw prizes, it aims to reduce Pell subsidies that would block thousands of people, including black women and black men … before obtaining education. “

Lisa Blunt Rochester, Angela Alsobrooks, Thegrio.com
Washington, DC-11: members of the Sen Senate Banking Committee. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-de) (L) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-D -D) listen to the testimonies of the chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell during the hearing of the Committee in the constructing of the HART Senate Office at Capitol Hill 11 February 2025 at Washington, DC. (Photo chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Senator Maryland also slammed support for President Trump by a republican budget, who calls for cutting $ 880 billion, which she warns and democrats, will affect Medicaid. “And if this is not enough, they even arrange work for social insurance and some other basic programs,” said Alsobrooks. “Imagine that your health care and decades of contribution to social security are not as important as trillions in cuts to help these billionaires.”

When the Republicans strongly perform their program to reduce federal expenses, in addition they put grounds for payment for the economic program of President Trump, which incorporates the extension of his tax reductions in 2017, which expire this yr. Economists have long indicated that the richest Americans, who constitute 1% of the population, and corporations have mainly benefited from tax reductions.

“(We) We will not have Elon Musk’s hands in our pockets to take our money from our communities and bring it back to the pocket of billionaires,” said Maya Wiley, president of a leadership conference on civil law and man, in relation to the adviser of the billionaire Trump, who manages the Department of the Department of the White House. “Nobody voted for it. Nobody voted in favor of creating chaos. We voted for solutions for our communities and we are here because we will not come back. “

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Admitting that a gaggle of activists stood outside the US Capitol, which was built by enslaved black people, Wiley said that Congress will soon resolve “whether it would take money from the classes that our kids … will we not have the option to see a physician, after we are sick or our veterans who appear to be us all, get the support that they earn because they put their lives for this country.

Secretary of Hud Trump limits the key fair rule; Supporters warn about deeper segregation

Despite the fears of black women’s leaders regarding the state of Washington and national implications, Campbell said that having two historical black women in the US Senate is a silver lining. “During the withdrawal, there are also things that show that we win and break these barriers,” she said.

Reflecting on this vivid point, Senator Alsobrooks told Rallygoers that the view that black women were defeated in the 2024 election was a “great fat lie.”

“For the first time we chose not one, but two black women in the history of our country. And also, because of your activism, we now have the largest participation of African Americans serving in the Senate in our country, “said Alsobrooks. “You are victorious and invincible in so many respects. So I want us to all remember that your activism, your action and sacrifice matter. “

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Conservatives turn on Trump in fury after announced above the law inspired by Napoleon

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This is the best fear of many Niegrumpers-that the republican president will ignore the structure, courts and congress to rework the executive executive, one person of power over the government, proof against supervision, monarchy without royal.

At the weekend, President Donald Trump presented a window for his considering with two posts in social media, which quoted the famous French general Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte called himself an emperor and ruled as authoritarian.

US President Donald Trump arrives to talk during an election event in Palm Beach Convention Center on November 6, 2024 at West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“The one who saves him The country doesn’t violate any law, “wrote Trump on its social media website, social truth and Platform X Elona Muska on Saturday. Musk published it with 14 emoji American flags and the White House account on X also made available Message next to the official photo of the presidential Trump.

On Sunday, he doubled, calling for lawyers and judges to “Twardy” and the protection of the country, when his administration is in the face of a series of court battles regarding his efforts to finish birthday citizenship and search for federal bureaucracy.

Critics rushed to posts, saying that they confirm what they said all the time at the forty seventh president.

Columnist New York Times Jamelle BouieON BlueSky social platform, He called it “The most non -American and anti -constitutional statement that the American president has ever ever spoken.”

Democratic Senator of California Adam Schiff replied Trump on X: “I said like a real dictator.”

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Conservative commentator Bill Kristol went a step further, comparison Quote from 1929 of Adolf Hitler’s declaration, which became the Nazi principle: “Führer’s authority is not limited by law or laws.”

“It sounds better in the original German,” Kristol said.

Conservative author Charles CW Cooke called Posts “Batsh-T nonsense. The presidency is created by the Constitution; Not the other way around. “

Even the former Vice President Mike Pence weighed, Resing the essay that appeared in his 2010 book, Presidency and structure“:” The president who disregards the structure is sort of a rider who hates his horse: he shall be thrown out and the nation with him. President solemnly oaths the behavior, protection and defense of the structure. I oath the ignoring, overlooking, supplementation or re -interpretation. “

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The former chief of staff of Trump Reince Priebus said that those that are deeply disturbed by a quote simply play the hands of the president.

“It’s entertainment for Trump. This dispersion, “Priebus he said On Sunday at ABC News on Sunday, rejecting the quote as a trolling media Trump. “This is what the president does.”

However, the president will not be the just one in his administration that seems to present up liberal democracy.

JD Vance Vice President Posted to X February 9 that “judges cannot control legal executive power”, which is clearly false. But what if Trump decides to disregard court orders? Who will stop him? As a reminder, Trump told journalists last week that he would comply with court rulings.

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“I always follow the courts and then I will have to appeal with it” Trump said.

And on Monday, President Shadow Musk, offended that he broadcast 60 minutes an interview with the Doge critic, he said Employees of the series “They deserve a long prison sentence.”

Musk wrote a dark post on X in response to the tweet “60 minutes” promoting his latest episode.

Liberal activist Angelo Carusone he summarized it well: “Not what Trump wrote, tells you where he is going; This is how his people react to this, who really tells you where he is going. “

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Carusone shared the post of Trump Superfan and the theorist of the Jacek Posobaic conspiracy, who responded to Trump’s quote: “America will be saved. What should be done will be done. “

Laura Loomer, Who Trafficing in similar conspiracies, cheering In Trump’s fantasy: “Thank you, President Trump. We love you. “

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nicwjeliniu

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Politics and Current

Garlin Gilchrist, the first black LG Michigan, begins a historic campaign for the governor

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“We are at a generational inflection point,” said Gilchrist, a former engineer and technology entrepreneur who left the private sector as a community organizer, and later political assistance before he was utilized by Gretchen Whitmer to turn out to be her partner in 2018.

The 42-year-old claims that his unique lens as a young black man and experience in the technology industry is what Wolverine needs at the moment. Growing up in Detroit, Gilchrist said that his community authorized him to see his “potential”. Reflecting on the historical nature of his candidacy, he shared: “I think that having a black governor would smash this ceiling to understand that everything is possible.”

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He explained: “When I took office here, Tiktok was a music application. Nobody knew what the large language model was in 2018. It is important that we have leadership that could respond to these times. “Gilchrist added:” I think having an engineer in the mid -1940s, who is a two -time entrepreneur who founded and sold two technology companies, is currently the right profile for the leader. ”

IN Video campaign By announcing his campaign on Tuesday, Gilchrist advertised his efforts to create “Michigan” “Michigan”Pure board“Justice program in criminal matters and launch Michigan Innovation Fund To encourage start investments in the state. The husband and father of the three said: “I undertake to construct an economy during which every family has what they should succeed.”

Detroit, Michigan – November 9: (LR) Lieutenant Garlin Gilchrist II and governor Gretchen Whitmer rejoice during the Watch Watch event at the Motorcity Casino hotel on November 9, 2022 at Detroit, Michigan. Governor Whitmer won the race over the Republican claimant Tudor Dixon. (Photo Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The Hopephul Governor’s Government says that he wants to withstand the work of Whitmer-Gilchrist administration by way of the foundation location for the development of the Michigan economy, which incorporates diversification of the technology industry. But his pursuit of diversity and his historical profile of the candidate appears as the recent administration of President Donald Trump in Washington, withdrew the diversity, equality and efforts of inclusion. 47. The President of the United States threatened to suspend the dollars of federal governors, schools and personal corporations that don’t reflect the priorities of his administration.

As a son of a father who was a federal contractor for the defense department and a mother who retired at General Motors, Gilchrist said that the arbitrary cuts of Trump’s administration in 1000’s of federal jobs and tariff battles with countries corresponding to Canada, Mexico and China are “deeply personal and offensive.”

“If Musk and Trump were in power during my father’s 34-year career in the federal government, they could destroy my family’s maintenance,” said Gilchrist. He continued: “These tariffs would be catastrophic, not only for our family, but for the entire supply chain and a chain of values ​​that have a huge presence in the state of Michigan.”

Gilchrist said that the recent administration caused “only chaos, confusion and misfortune for natural persons, communities and companies in the state of Michigan, where our large producers and our developing companies are looking for stability and competence.” He added: “I am an engineer; I solve problems – I don’t create them. “

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“She encouraged me to build this foundation and do it in his own way,” said a lieutenant governor, who noticed that he and Whitmer were “different people” and he “accelerates at another time.”

“The world was different in 2018 than here in 2025.” Gilchrist said. “She was encouraging and I appreciate it, and now I’m ready to go and talk to people in Michigan about how I can work with them in the future.”

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