NORTHWEST OHIO’S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN-OWNED WEEKLY NEWSPAPER TJ THE TOLEDO JOURNAL www.thetoledojournal.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 - MARCH 30, 2021 VOL: 44 NO: 35 INSIDE SECTIONQUESTION TITLE Charles Veley bicycles across CanQuem, the damage no. Od to peopleCatiam of colorcomni can- U.S. for social justice urbembe repaired? quo ut, By Jurry Taalib-Deen what’s his objective. Journal Staff Writer During the video in- Charles Veley has terview, Mr. Veley said come face to face with he was biking to Las members of the Ku Klux Vegas, Nevada and Klan, who threatened was staying with some- to kill him. He has been one who believed in robbed. He has been hit his cause and wanted in the back of the head to house and feed him with a bottle, causing for as long as possible. him to fall off his bicycle, During his past rides, which resulted in being he would sleep on the rushed to the hospi- side of the road, or SECTIONMONEY TALKS TITLE tal by a stranger. Time pitch a tent. His cause ReminiscentQuem, no. Od of and time again, Mr. Ve- goes unnoticed by Catiam comni- ley has faced unimag- mainstream media, be- those old inable odds, but yet, cause if it was known, urbemCliffhangers quo ut, has not let any of those he would have financial supporters; currently, PHOTO CREDIT / TOLEDO JOURNAL Charles Veley holding a sign that reads, “Convicted Felons Lives Mat- ter,” while on one of his many journeys. California. He was rid- Florida. The ride took I can change the way ing to end gun violence him 63 days and along someone sees others and he was riding for the way he encountered negatively, then I was the family of a young the Ku Klux Klan. successful,” Mr. Veley man who was killed by “I was on the side of said. one of his sons. the road fixing my bike His journeys “I rode to ease the tire, when a pickup stretched out to Ne- HEALTHYSECTION AWARENESS TITLE pain; there was a lot of truck with about six men braska, Seattle, Wash- Quem, no. Od ington, New Orleans, Tuskegee Great- Louisiana, Las Vegas, Grand-DaughterCatiam comni- PHOTO CREDIT / TOLEDO JOURNAL Nevada, Wisconsin, urbemGets Vaccine quo ut, Charles Veley said, at times, he would sleep Boston, Massachusetts on the side of the road during rides in which and San Diego, Califor- the temperatures could be hot during the day nia. and very cold at night. “I take these rides to bring awareness to all incidents stop him from he comes out of pocket. the causes I support biking for social justice “I ride for ending gun and to inspire people to for all people and more violence, ending hu- help one another,” Mr. importantly, he hasn’t man trafficking, giving Veley said. developed a hard heart convicted felons more In 2016, his son Ken- towards anyone. rights and other issues neth was killed by gun On Sunday, March that aren’t normally dis- violence. Mr. Veley said 21, The Toledo Journal cussed amongst most he almost gave up rid- interviewed Mr. Veley, people,” he said. ing, but realized people via Facebook video, His first ride was in ADVICE need inspiration. SECTION TITLE about why he rides, 2014 when he rode from “Many times on those ReconnectQuem, no. inOd a when he started and Toledo, to Los Angeles, long and lonely bike CatiamDisconnected comni- rides, I cry and I cry a urbem quo ut, lot. But I realize that World there are others who PHOTO CREDIT / TOLEDO JOURNAL need inspiration and Charles Veley said, at times, he would sleep may not be as strong as on the side of the road during rides in which I am, so I keep riding,” the temperatures could be hot during the day he said. and very cold at night. Chris Kyriacou, the man who invited Mr. pain at that time,” Mr. pulled up. They called Veley into his home to Veley said. me the N word and rest and eat, insisted The long bike ride threatened to hang me. on talking to The Toledo was grueling, he ex- They eventually left, but Journal. plained. “It was 110 de- later returned and this “What Charles is do- grees and I didn’t know time, there were only ing is amazing. He has anyone and I’d sleep two men. Again, they inspired me to do more on the side of the road. emphasized how there for people,” he said. When people found out were no black people in Mr. Veley closed out what I was doing, they the area and they would the interview with the would give me food. I kill me. Somehow, the message of, “Live your EVERYBODY IS eventually had to be intensity died down and dreams, but reach out SOMEBODY IN PHOTO CREDIT / TOLEDO JOURNAL hospitalized for dehy- we got to talking. Oddly, to help and inspire oth- dration,” Mr. Veley said. one of them offered me er people; particularly THE TOLEDO Charles Veley, second from the left, talks and sleeps with homeless people on one of his treks In 2015 he rode from to stay at his home for strangers.” JOURNAL TJ across the country. Toledo, to Key West, the night; which I did. If INSIDE NEWS Page 2 - The Toledo Journal, March 24, 2021 - March 30, 2021 The Benefi ts of Being Age 60+ Really Add Up $1,400 on Groceries and Produce/Year (Income $16,744 orLess) $150 on Heating Costs/ Year (Income $22,330 orLess) Call 419-382-0624 to Sign-Up The Toledo Journal • March 24, 2021 - March 30, 2021 • Page 3 Question of the Week The other guy that was president, Carl Polk Self-Employed before President Biden, promoted Yes, the damage can be repaired, by giving what’s racism, hate and violence, all of which owed to us; reparations. There doesn’t need to be a has impacted people of color, more re- massive study done to determine if Black people are in favor of it, or need it; it’s owed to us. Whites contin- cently, the Asian community. Do you ue to benefit from the free labor of the former slaves, and White people continue to throw a web out to trap think this type of damage to people of us in all their injustices. If current White people aren’t color can be repaired, if so, how? in favor of reparations, they’re no different than their forefathers who perpetuated it. James Kenney Factory Worker Bryan McELya Self-Employed Yes it can be changed, but it’s going to require all If the government puts more effort into solving the people of all color uniting and realizing there’s one problem, then it would change; because the govern- race and that’s the human race. Knowledge has to ment has the last word. When Black people speak be shared for all humans to progress. I sense there’s out against racism, we’re looked at as being wrong. something big coming to challenge all people and if So it’ll take the government to really get involved to we’re not united, we won’t be ready. The earth is all change the problem, because again, they have the of our turf and we all have to work together to solve last word and the most powerful word. that problem. Lamar Kenney Charles Rucker Factory Worker Factory Worker We can’t solve the problem, but we can help mini- I think it’s too late to solve the problem. We see mize the damage. Racism is taught, so we have to how bold and direct the racists are and the fact they start teaching our children right. I have two children don’t pay for their crimes, which, says to me, it’s too that are of mixed race; White and Mexican. So we late. Asians are just now feeling what we’ve been have to start teaching them to love and not hate each going through forever. So to me, the best thing to other, at a young age and that will greatly minimize do is stay with our own people and build amongst the problem. ourselves. church members who passed away in 2020, is a new cas County Rec center. All data is securely destroyed clothing ministry to benefit men and women in need and items are fully recycled. (TV’s NOT Accepted) Ongoing Events of business attire, including job and job interview - $10 donation to Nature’s Nursery per car load. appropriate outfits. It’s stocked with donations from Easy pull up, and we will unload. TARTA Announces New Vaccine Ride Program Macy’s, New York & Company and the Rotary Club, Enter at Key Street parking lot and look for the signs. The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TAR- among others. Appointments are currently required. What WILL Be Accepted: TA) is announcing a new free Vaccine Ride Program Call Mt. Nebo at 419-246-8561. Laptops, Computers, Printers, Hard Drives, Mo- with services available in Maumee, Ottawa Hills, dems, Flat Screen Monitors, Cables, Speakers, Key, Rossford, Sylvania, Sylvania Township, Toledo and Senior Centers Closed boards, Cameras, Cellphones, Radios, Game Sys- Waterville. The Vaccine Ride Program offers several • Lucas County senior centers tems, Fax Machines options to residents needing transportation to a vac- • Sandusky County senior centers cination site: • Williams County senior centers Now thru March 31 Vaccine Xpress - A direct TARTA route from the • Wood County senior centers Contactless Egg Hunt at Levis Commons downtown Toledo Transit Hub to the Lucas County Special 17th anniversary eggs have been scattered Recreation Center (Rec Center) began, March 23, Every Tuesday in multiple locations throughout The Town Center, 2021.