Mayoral Debates Shine More Light on Candidates' Readiness to Lead
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
www.mississippilink.com Vol. 20, No. 23 APRIl 3 - 9, 2014 50¢ VOTE Get out andApril April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Mayoral debates shine more light on and Child Abuse candidates’ readiness to lead the city Awareness Month Hinds County Sheriff Department teams with local organizations WLBT news anchor Maggie Wade opens mayoral debate and serves as moderator with seven of the 13 candidates participating. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE R. JONES By Stephanie R. Jones for Progress and Working To- paign trail thus far, the String- voters of the work he started Contributing Writer gether Jackson. er debate took on the tone of a and completed during his Jacksonians heard from Public attendance was pep rally as attendees cheered three terms. Lumumba said he mayoral candidates about strong at JSU and Stringer and loudly for their preferred can- is best to carry on the agenda Levette Kelly Johnson, executive director of the Mississippi their plans for leading the voters got indepth information didate. Jackson City Council- started by his father, the late Coalition Against Sexual Assault, explains plans to join with the city at three debates held dur- from the candidates. Seven men Tony Yarber and Melvin Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department to promote domestic violence ing the last week of March, participated in the debate at Priester Jr. drew the strongest during his eight months as awareness during the month of April. The news conference was 2014. However Thursday’s held in downtown Jackson, Tuesday, April 1, 2014. She is flanked JSU and MPB; all 13 qualify- applauds throughout the eve- mayor - from July 1, 2013 to by Sheriff Tryone Lewis (left), Hinds County Supervisors Tony Greer debate, March 27, televised ing mayoral candidates were ning, along with Atty. Chokwe February 25, 2014, the day of and Darrel McQuirter (left to right rear). PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE JONES by WLBT-TV Channel 3 from invited to participate at the Antar Lumumba. his passing. Jackson State University and NAACP/Stringer debate - 10 All candidates answered the Atty. Regina Quinn touted By Stephanie R. Jones office. co-hosted by Greater Jackson showed up. same questions. Councilmen her business acumen as a de- Contributing Writer A highlight event of the Chamber of Commerce and One final debate is sched- Yarber, Priester and Council- veloper and years as an attor- Although deadly violence month is Denim Day, which MSNewsnow.com, drew the uled for Friday at 7 p.m. host- woman Margaret Barrett-Si- ney. Albert King, who has run broke out in the Raymond celebrates victims of sexual largest audience. ed by WAPT Channel 16 and mon spoke to their experience for city council three times, Detention Center the night assault, Ward said. Sheriff Others were hosted by the the Mississippi School of Law. on the city council, while Sen. said his business experience before, Hinds County Sher- Tyrone Lewis said he, his NAACP at M.W. Stringer Sal & Mookies in Fondren is John Horhn talked of how has prepared him for the may- iff Tyrone Lewis would not commanders and deputies Grand Lodge on Tuesday, inviting the public to come Jackson has benefited from his or’s job. let that derail his plans for will dress in denim on Mon- March 25, and a mid-day de- there for a “debate watch.” years in the Mississippi State The debate showed that a press conference Tuesday day, April 21 (National Den- bate at Mississippi Public The special election will be Legislature. Broadcasting (MBP) co-host- held next Tuesday, April 8. Harvey Johnson Jr., former Debate morning, April 1, to an- im Day is April 23). Continued on page 4 nounce that the Hinds Coun- There will be an event that ed by Jackson 2000, Women Looking back over the cam- three-time mayor, reminded ty Sheriff’s Office is teaming day at 6 p.m. at the sheriff’s with several local organiza- department, 407 E. Pas- tions to bring awareness to cagoula St., to address these sexual assaults and other issues affecting the commu- such violence. nity and to educate the public Pastors say to mayoral candidates: April 1 was the opportune on sexual assault - using po- time for this announcement, etry, dance, food and more. being the month of April is Why Denim Day? This day “Give the citizens of Jackson a clean election.” designated as the National has been internationally cel- By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Sexual Assault Awareness ebrated since 1999 in protest Editor Month and Child Abuse of an Italian Supreme Court Awareness Month. ruling that overturned a rape Hosea Hines, president of The department and orga- conviction because the vic- 100 Concerned Clergy for nizations in the team are MS tim was wearing jeans, ac- Better Jackson, was joined Coalition Against Sexual As- cording to the National Do- by Dwayne Pickett and Frank sault, MS Coalition Against mestic Violence and Sexual Blount, both pastors in the city Domestic Violence, Catholic Assault Coalition. of Jackson, at a press confer- Charities Rape Crisis Center, In 1992, an 18-year-old ence in downtown Jackson, M&J Entertainment, With- girl in Italy was raped by Wednesday morning, April 2, out Consent Foundation and her driving instructor dur- 2014. YFocus, Inc. ing a driving lesson. He was Their concern was over fli- These organizations along convicted. But in 1999, the ers circulating that demean the with the sheriff will sponsor Court overturned the verdict entire campaign process. events throughout the month on the premise that “because Blount opened with prayer, to disseminate information the victim wore very, very saying in part the earth belongs on what to do in case of sex- tight jeans, she had to help to God, praying for peace, ual assault and what services him remove them. And by commitment, harmony and are available to help victims. removing the jeans, it was no justice and everything needed “We will be in schools, in longer rape but consensual for this city to be the city that churches, colleges and uni- sex.” God wants it to be. Jackson clergymen Dwayne Pickett, Frank Blount and Hosea Hines hold press conference to denounce versities to bring awareness Women of the Italian Leg- Hines said there are things low tactics in mayoral campaign. PHOTO BY AYESHA K. MUSTAFAA to these abuses,” said Kean- happening in this election that na Ward, victim’s assistance Sexual assault are of concern. There are let- demean two candidates in mumba and Tony Yarber. Clean election coordinator for the sheriff’s Continued on page 7 ters and fliers circulating that particular Chokwe Antar Lu- What disturbed Hines the Continued on page 7 WEEK IN REVIEW: April is “Muddy Civil Rights icon Share this issue with a friend Harrah’s closing; Holmes County schools merge; Waters” Month Myrlie Evers urges by mailing it to: Sheriff wants ban on pit bulls; Raymond at Delta Blues Jacksonians: ‘Select Inside Detention Center riot Museum best person for mayor’ Page 2 Page 6 Page 7 WEEK IN REVIEW 2 • the mississippi link ApRil 3 - 9, 2014 www.mississippilink.com Caesar’s Entertainment to Hinds County Detention Holmes County Sheriff close Harrah’s in Tunica Center riot wants to ban pit bulls Caesar’s Entertainment recent- One person was killed in the The Holmes County Sheriff ly announced that it will close its Hinds County Detention Center Willie March wants to ban own- Harrah’s casino in Tunica, Miss. when a riot broke out between ership of pit bulls in his entire June 2, 2014 and lay off as many two gangs in the center in Ray- county, after 3-year-old Christo- as 1,300 workers. mond, Monday, March 31, pher Malone was attacked and The Las Vegas-based Cae- 2014. The deceased inmate has killed by two pit bulls at his home sar’s also owns the adjoining been identified as 21-year-old in Thornton, Monday, March 31, Horseshoe Tunica and Tunica said Harrah’s is losing money Markuieze Sherod Bennett, and 2014. Roadhouse Hotel and Casino in and the taxes on the property are according to the Hinds county Reportedly, the dogs kept as a nearby complex. The company “onerous.” coroner Sharon Grisham-Stew- family pets broke out of their pen. said employees will have prefer- “What we do have are a num- art, Bennett died from severe Malone’s mother was bitten trying Malone ence for openings at those opera- ber of loyal players in the market, head trauma. By Wednesday to fight the dogs off. After the at- about them, although right now tions and at Caesar’s properties but not enough to support three morning, news reports count sev- tack, the dogs were taken away by there is no ordinance banning their under development in Las Vegas. properties,” Thompson told The en injured inmates from the riot. animal control officers. ownership in the county. Lexing- The closing comes after years Associated Press. Dozens of ambulances and offi- March said people are afraid of ton, the county seat, does have a of relentless decline in gam- The company said it would cers were on the scene just after 5 Bennett pit bulls and he gets complaints ban on ownership of pit bulls. bling revenue in the Tunica area, work with local authorities to p.m., Tuesday evening. brought on by increased competi- find a new use for the building. Jackson Police Chief Lindsey tion and less spending because of Caesar’s acquired the property Horton said a SWAT team was the recession. in 2005 when it merged with sent to help regain control over Two gambling operations in Harrah’s.