TPA TEXAS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION

This paper can www.TheAustinVillager.com be recycled

Vol. 46 No. 47 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: [email protected] June 12, 2020 Gov.Gov. AbbottAbbott INSIDE condemnedcondemned

League still deathdeath ofof GeorgeGeorge hasn’t apologized to Kaepernick Floyd,Floyd, silentsilent onon See NFL RAPPIN’ Page 5 Tommy Wyatt Texas’Texas’ policepolice Do Not killingkilling historyhistory Department!! BY CASSANDRA POLLOCK The Texas Tribune It has been very in- Texas Governor Greg Abbott Legislation calls spiring to see all of the (TEXAS TRIBUNE) - When died was home playing video games with her nephew, for a shift in protests in honor of at the hands of Minneapolis police last month, Texas according to . Hearing police culture. George Floyd who was Gov. Greg Abbott labeled the incident a “horrific act noises outside her window in the middle of the See FUNDING killed by a Minneapolis of police brutality” and has since repeatedly said night, Jefferson grabbed her handgun and went to Page 6 police officer and the that Texas can’t let such a tragedy happen. the window, her nephew later said. The former of- many other Black Citi- “George Floyd has not died in vain,” Abbott said ficer, Aaron Dean, did not identify himself as law zens who have been Monday at a public memorial for Floyd in Houston. enforcement and shot her through the window. murdered by police all “I am committed to working with the family of Javier Ambler, who was also black, died last over the country. George Floyd to ensure we never have anything like year after Williamson County sheriff deputies held Advocates’ request The demonstra- this ever occur in the state of Texas.” him down and stunned him with a Taser after pull- for more funding tions were international. It already has. ing him over for failing to dim the headlights on his falls short The demonstrators are But the governor has been noticeably silent on SUV. Ambler repeatedly told officers he wasn’t re- See COUNCIL asking for changes in the Texas’ own high-profile examples of police killings. sisting arrest and that he couldn’t breathe, accord- Page 7 Police Departments are An Abbott spokesperson did not respond to ques- ing to the Austin American-Statesman. calling for changes in the tions for this story Tuesday. And in Austin, cellphone video recorded by a Let Justice treatment that police Last year, Texas police shot and killed 117 neighbor showed that Mike Ramos, a black and His- are known to use against people, according to a report by the Texas attorney panic man, was unarmed and driving away from Roll Down: Blacks and other minori- general’s office. A string of high-profile fatal police police in April when a police officer shot and killed Unveiling ties. shootings and in-custody deaths of black Texans in him. The officer, Christopher Taylor, is on paid leave. Among the recent years has sparked protests and widespread Those high-profile shootings from 2019 and Bicameral changes that some are calls for police reform and racial justice. this year are still under investigation. The names of Justice in asking for is to defund In 2018, former Balch Springs police officer Roy the people killed have been printed on protest signs the Police Departments. Oliver was convicted of murder in the shooting and shouted alongside Floyd’s during the recent Policing Act This means that we will death of Jordan Edwards, a 15-year-old passenger Texas demonstrations. Abbott has not mentioned have to come up with in a car that was driving away from police. A year them. From the Office of new ways to protect our- later, former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was Rebecca Webber, an attorney for Ramos’ mother, U.S. Representative selves and our com- convicted of murder for killing Botham Jean, a 26- said Tuesday that it’s hard for Brenda Ramos to hear city Lloyd Doggett munity. It may require year-old man who was unarmed at home when the and state officials speak out for Floyd but not her son. Washington, D.C. – that we all will have to off-duty officer shot him from the doorway. Guyger ”Governor Abbott rightfully condemned a mur- U.S. Representative strap on guns as in the said she mistook his apartment, which she entered, der across the country but what about the awful vid- Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), days of the wild wild for her own home. eos of the killings of Mike Ramos and Javier Ambler Chair of the House Ways west. Last October, a Fort Worth police officer dis- right here in our community?” Webber said in an email and Means Health Sub- What we need is patched to perform a welfare check on Atatiana to The Texas Tribune. “Where is the outrage from offi- committee, this morning an overhaul of the rules Jefferson instead fatally shot the black woman, who cials about these tragedies?” joined his colleagues in that the police are to the Congressional Black abide by and stronger Caucus as an original punishment for those George Floyd laid to rest in Houston sponsor of the bicameral who violate those rules. BY ALEX SAMUELS | The Texas Tribune Justice in Policing Act, We have to make sure the most sweeping po- that police officers who lice reform bill in con- murder unarmed citi- (HOUSTON, TX) - gressional history. zens pay the ultimate Hundreds of people filed “Recent killings price. into a Houston chapel have made all the more The same price Tuesday to pay their fi- important asserting that that other citizens have nal respects to George and to pay when we murder Floyd, whose death at responding in a mean- other people. the hands of the Minne- ingful way to wrongdo- While the dem- apolis police ignited a ing,” said Congressman onstrators are calling for protest movement Doggett. “This compre- justice, we need to keep worldwide, along with a hensive legislation af- our eyes on the future. flood of pain, anguish firms the calls for justice We need to make sure and a want for change in rightly ringing through- that in the end wrong American policing. out our streets: it holds doers will be punished Although masks police officers account- to the full extent of the and tears muffled some “Who would’ve thought that his name will now be mentioned in South Africa, able for wrongs, ends law. people’s words, mourn- Canada, Nairobi, Berlin, South Korea, Europe?” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner the wall around informa- Most of our Po- ers took turns remem- said during the funeral. Photo credit: Godofredo A. Vasquez/Pool via REUTERS tion on use-of-force, lice officers are hard- bering the man who bans chokeholds, and working people who are called Houston’s Third temic problem that has white life, we’re going to capped off a series of takes many more neces- having to suffer because Ward home. He was a been allowed to perme- keep coming back to gatherings honoring sary actions. Failure by of the wrong doing of brother, a son, a father ate since we were these situations over Floyd in the past week; it some law enforcement their fellow officers. and a friend. In death, brought to these shores. and over again,” was closed to all but fam- personnel to protect We need to give his name has become a We are fighting wicked- Sharpton added. “I want ily members, friends and Black citizens threatens the police our support as global chant, a hashtag ness in high places,” civil to give a commitment to invited guests, including the core of our democ- we continue to fight and a symbol of racial rights activist the Rev. Al the family that we’re Houston Mayor Sylvester racy—undermining con- against the slaughter of injustice. Sharpton said in a eulogy going to be here for the Turner; U.S. Reps. Sheila fidence in government our neighbors. “We are not fight- for Floyd. long haul. When the last Jackson Lee and Al Green, and making hollow the We all need to be ing some disconnected “Until we know the TV truck is gone, we’ll both Houston Democrats; promise of life, liberty, involved in making these incidents. We are fight- price for black life is the still be here.” boxer Floyd Mayweather much-needed changes. ing an institutional, sys- same as the price for Tuesday’s service and singer Ne-Yo. See, STEPS, page 7 Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/June 12, 2020 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com www.theaustinvillager.com THE BULLETIN THE VILLAGER/June 12, 2020 ~ Page 3 TV One Original Documentary, THE BEAT We Want YOU! DON’T STOP Premieres June 21 at 7 P.M. CDT Advertise With Edited by Naomi Richard | THE VILLAGER The (VILLAGER) - TV emerged out of under- VILLAGER One celebrates Black privileged neighbor- Music Month with the hoods during the height debut of its original of the crack cocaine epi- Country Boyz Fixin’s demic in the 1980s, documentary, THE BEAT 4140 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78721 DON’T STOP, airing on which was largely Featuring Fish, Poboys, Hot Wings, Pork Chops, Sunday, June 21 at 7 P.M. blamed for the rise in Homemade Gumbo, Shrimp and Alligator (CT), followed by an en- crime and violence that DINE IN OR core presentation at 9 paralyzed D.C. THE BEAT ORDER TO GO DON’T STOP takes view- Mon - Fri: 11 am - 8 p.m. P.M. (CT). The long- Saturday: 12 noon - 5 p.m. awaited documentary ers through that history Closed Sunday was a year in the making and addresses how the Call (512) 928-5555 and highlights the his- music served as a plat- tory and legacy of Go-go form for African Ameri- music. It features trail- cans to elevate and ad- DOUBLE blazers, legends and dress issues such as class stars who have champi- struggles, gentrification oned the sound and the music’s impact throughout the decades. on black culture. “R” The film also delves into Cathy Hughes is ex- the evolution of the Go- ecutive producer of THE go culture, celebrating BEAT DON’T STOP. For the legacy of the Godfa- TV One, Deirdre Leake- ther of Go-go music, Chuck Brown - Photos courtesy of TV One. Butcher and Tracey Uy GROCERY Chuck Brown, and the Executive Producer for dance crew Beat Ya Feet serve as Executive Pro- pivotal role that Radio the project. “We are Finest; music historians ducers, with Bo *We cash ALL Tax Refund*Checks *Check Out One played as the origi- proud to be a part of the Dr. Natalie Hopkinson Sampson of Bodacious 450l East Martin Luther King Blvd. nal broadcast platform Go-go story and grateful and Kato Hammond; One Productions serving for the music genre. Ad- to tell the story of the music journalists Ericka as Co-Executive Pro- ditionally, it examines men and women who Blount and Alona ducer. Nile Cone served the passion that fueled helped to create and Wartofsky; Don’t Mute as senior writer and pro- social movements, in- promote this amazing DC organizer Ron ducer. Susan Henry is cluding the internation- sound.” Moten; talent promoter the Executive Producer ally recognized Don’t THE BEAT DON’T and former MCA in Charge of Production, Mute DC, which empha- STOP pays homage to Records executive Bo Donyell Kennedy- sized the music’s power the unique contribution Sampson; music pro- McCullough is Senior Di- and influence amid a of Go-go music to the ducer Tone P; Radio One rector of Talent & Cast- rapidly changing cultural musical landscape. It Personality Angie Ange; ing, Robyn Greene landscape. features a host of celeb- DJ Flexx; hip hop artist DJ Arrington is Vice Presi- Agape Baptist Church ”I always sought to rities, artists, music his- Kool; and many others. dent of Original Pro- In “THE CENTRE” Bldg. F-15 represent the torians, and community Go-go music is the gramming and Produc- 7801 North Lamar Blvd. (S.E. Corner of North Lamar and 183) Austin, Texas 78752 underrepresented. I al- leaders including rapper indigenous sound of tion, and Michelle Rice is AGAPE: A church for all people. “Where Jesus Christ is Magnified and the Love ways gave voice to the Doug E. Fresh; band Washington, D.C., which General Manager. He exhibited is Exemplified.” Come, received God’s Unconditional Love for you. For there is No Greater Love! voiceless, and Go-go was members from Junk Yard Church Services very much that,” said Band, Trouble Funk, Sun. School – 9:30a Sun. Worship – 11:00a Cathy Hughes, Chair- E.U., Backyard Band, Mid-Week Thurs.: Praise, Prayer and Bible Study – 7:00PM woman and Founder, Ur- TOB, TCB and Maiesha Call: 454-1547 for transportation ban One who served as and the Hip Huggers; the H. Ed Calahan, Pastor Web: www.agapebcaustintx.com Dear City of Austin Utility Customer, WEBBERVILLE If you need help paying your utility bill, City EBENEZER MISSIONARY of Austin Utilities offers a variety of bill relief BAPTIST CHURCH options for customers. 1314 Weber St, -Emergency Financial Assistance: Webberville, Tx 78653 To quickly apply for emergency financial assis- (512) 276-7917 tance with your utility bill, please visit Give thanks to the Lord for he austinbillhelp.com. These funds get applied is good. -Psalms 136:1 Sunday Morning Worship Pastor W. B. Routt, Jr. directly to your past due account once you are 11 AM Cell # (512) 694-1877 approved. Sunday School 10 AM If you have questions, please call 512-765- A Ministry That Ministers 9721 or email [email protected]. -Utility Bill Discounts: If you meet household income guidelines, or if someone in your household participates in certain state, federal or local assistance pro- Globalizing the Gospel grams, you may be eligible to receive discounts 1179 San Bernard Street, on your utility bill. Austin, TX 78702, 512-478-7023 Edward M. Fleming, To learn more about help available to you, Sunday Morning Bible Study, 9:00 A.M. Sr. Pastor visit austinenergy.com/go/billrelief. Sunday Morning Worship, 10:15 A.M. OLIVET BAPTIST Visit our website @ www.obcaus.org CHURCH DAVID CHAPEL Missionary Baptist Church Do you have church news? SUNDAY Christian Education 9:15a.m. | Worship 10:30 a.m. Would you like to purchase Nursery Available WEDNESDAY | a monthly ad for your Worship 1st Wed. monthly 7:00p.m. | Bible Study 7:30p.m.

church? 2211 East Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. Austin, TX 78702 Office: 512-472-9748 Fax: 512-472-5399 Inquire TODAY! Website: www.davidchapel.org Email: [email protected] Send your information to [email protected] Dr. Joseph C. “A Church with a Heart or call 512-476-0082 Parker, Jr. Senior Pastor for The Community” New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church Olive Branch Fellowship of Austin / All Faith Chapel 4110 Guadalupe St. Bldg #639 Austin, TX 78751 Imani Community Church 2215 E. 8th St., Davis Elementray Auditorium Sunday Morning “This life, therefore, is not Austin, TX 78702 Worship @ 11: am righteousness, but growth in righteousness; 5214 West Duval Road Going to Higher Heights, not health, but healing; not being, but Sunday School - 9:00 A.M. Trusting God along the way. becoming; not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing Worship Service - 10:00 A.M. Sunday School 9:00am toward it. The process is not yet finished, Power Hour Bible Life Group - 6:00 P.M. BTU: 10:00am but it is going on. This is not the end, but it Morning Worship - 11:00 am is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, Imani Complex & Office, 11800 Mustang at Duval Church Phone (512) 477-2714 but all is being purified.” --- Martin Luther Austin, Texas 78727 Cell Phont (512) 585-0744 Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been Rev. Darron E. Patterson Kenneth Hill, Email: [email protected] justified by faith, we have peace Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn Visit:imanichurch.com Pastor www.newlincolnmbc.org Pastor with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Donald-Mims Office: 512-343-9300

GRACEWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church BETHEL-ST. PAUL UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH Felix Bamirin, Pastor 690 TX-21 West, Cedar Creek, TX 78612 877 W. Hempstead, Giddings, Texas 78942 JOIN US This SUNDAY / THURSDAY @ 12424 Scofield Farms Drive, Austin, TX 78758 Sunday School Weekly Schedule 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. (By Parmer Lane Baptist Church building, Morning Worship behind Wells Fargo) Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible SUNDAYS 10:30 A.M., THURSDAYS 7:30 P.M. Hope thou in God -Psalm 42:11 Study 6:00p.m. Experience Grace For Life Pastor J. R. Roberson Call: 682.472.9073 l Email: [email protected] l Elder Carl E Shelton & First lady (979) 542-2784 Church Visit: www.gracewaycca.org Pastor Ph: (512) 626-3660 Lillian Robertson (979) 540-6352 Home Page 4 ~ THE VILLAGER/June 12, 2020 HEADLINES www.theaustinvillager.com

On this past Sunday, a Rally and March, organized by the Austin Justice Coalition, was held on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University. During this Rally, over 15,000 members of our community gathered at Huston-Tillotson University, on Bluebonnet Hill in East Austin. The gathering was a visible demonstration of solidarity and support for Black Austin, Black Lives Matter, and #JusticeForThemAll. I welcomed all to our campus with two questions. Could the justice we have been thirsting for be on the horizon? Are we indeed, the ones that we have been waiting for? It was a powerful moment to see people of all races kneel together with raised fists in solidarity. To truly fulfill our intertwined destiny learning from and moving beyond our dark and troubled history, we must not bask for too long in the moment of unity felt at Sunday’s Rally and March for there is still so much work to be done. The hard and sacrificial work lies ahead. The uncomfortable moments facing who we are as a nation and how we can change still lie ahead. We must ask of ourselves, of our communities, and ultimately, of our Nation—how can we capture this momentum and truly dismantle institutional racism in all sectors of our lives? This is hard and heart work. If we are committed this could be – if we really want it to be – a movement. Otherwise, Sunday was just a great moment. I extend the enclosed message I wrote to my campus community to all of you. There is power in the collective. Be prayerful, be blessed, be smart, be brave, and be courageous.

***

My Dear Campus Community,

I write to you with a very heavy heart, a weary mind, and a restless soul. The recent tumultuous turn of events in our country have unearthed the anger, fear, and frustration I carry around as a black woman every single day of my life. A black woman who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio during the 1960s, traveled the world as the wife of a black military officer serving our country, raised two beautiful black children, earned 3 degrees, and now proudly serving as the president of Austin, Texas’s oldest and sole Historical Black College and University—an educational institution founded in 1875 (a mere ten years after our emancipation from slavery in Texas) to educate black men and black women. My story doesn’t start nor end there. I am a woman whose great grandparents were born into slavery. I am a woman whose grandparents were sharecroppers in Mississippi. I am a woman whose grandfather quit the Kansas City Monarchs Negro League Baseball team and worked in Cleveland’s factories because he refused to tolerate the humiliation of sleeping in cars and being spat on as they travelled from town to town to play. I am a woman whose father was run out of Lincoln County, Mississippi as a teenager after defending his mother against a white man who kicked his mother (my grandmother) to the ground ‘like she was a dog.’ My journey is filled with stories of blatant and covert racism through today. On almost a weekly basis, despite my position as a college president, I encounter deep-seated biases and experience being treated less than because of the color of my skin and the institution where I work. A recent breaking point bringing me to tears was watching the CNN reporter Omar Jiminez arrested on live television and then hearing him share the fear of his mother as she helplessly watched it unfold in real-time. My son is a journalist who was almost arrested twice while reporting in Chicago and frequently stopped and harassed by police as a graduate student walking the campus of Columbia University. The fear and pain of Omar’s mother are a mirror of my own as the mother of black children. Amid a global pandemic, economic crisis, and civil unrest enough is beyond enough.

The senseless killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery in broad daylight are not new to black people. What is new is the brutality of it being captured on video. And we are STILL being told that we didn’t see what we saw. Yes, my heart is heavy, my mind is weary, my soul is restless, and I am an angry black woman. These moments may chink my armor, but they do not hinder me – they do not stop my thirst for dismantling institutional racism. Instead, just the opposite. They fuel my warrior spirit and make me want to fight for civil rights and social justice even more. There is a Mexican proverb that says, “They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.”

I am asking my campus community to continue to stand steadfast, undaunted, undeniable, unafraid, unshrinking, and unshakable. To stand shoulder to shoulder as warriors in the good fight for civil rights and social justice with education as the great equalizer. Warriors who MUST be smart and strategic denouncing violence. Warriors who recognize that violence is not smart and in no way strategic. Violence neither eradicates nor dismantles anything besides hard-won progress. Violence is NOT the way. Be a protestor, don’t be a looter. Use your voice to amplify your cause, not someone else’s. Choose your own form of activism, don’t be a pawn and let someone choose for you and use you as a distraction. As members of the Huston- Tillotson University community, I ask that we continue to draw on the strength and resilience of those before us who walked the sacred grounds of our campus to do what we know is right – use education as a weapon against racism and poverty. It is our responsibility and our mission.

Students, I continue to believe with every ounce of my being that it is your generation—the #geniusgeneration— postured to use its genius to indeed bend “the arc of the moral universe...toward justice.” I saw that in how you embraced with passion Professor Krueger using black superheroes and the beauty of the spoken word in your English class. It is your generation equipped to hold the judicial system and government accountable. I saw that in my discussions with you about what you learned in Professor Martin’s Sociology class and Professor Samuels’ Criminal Justice class. It is your generation proving that education is the great equalizer. I saw that in your research with Professor Masino and Professor Primo to identify and eradicate health disparities. It is your generation attracting committed allies and accomplices. I saw that watching you build the brand of excellence while networking with corporate moguls at Capital Factory. You are the generation embracing the power of the right to vote. I saw that in your success at starting an award-winning student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. These are just a few of the numerous indicators I have personally experienced that you are postured and eager to make significant contributions to society with knowledge, resilience, and grace.

#BlackLivesMatter is so much more than a trending hashtag or words on a sign at a march. It is a movement. Be a part of a movement – not just a moment. Stay in the fight. Be a warrior for social justice—you matter. Social change comes from educating ourselves, knowing, and learning from our history, exercising our right to vote and our right to protest peacefully. Social change comes from choosing where to invest our dollars, using our education as leverage to be placed in positions of power to set policy, respecting our property and sacred spaces, honoring our elders, learning and understanding the history of our nation, maintaining self-control, using our collective voices, all the while uplifting our race and culture. Stay focused. Use this time to read voraciously and be engaged in your studies—your learning matters.

I keep two things on my desk at home, a picture of my grandparents and a quote from James A. Baldwin. The picture is a daily reminder that my ancestors would expect and deserve nothing less than my best as a part of a movement working for a world where black lives matter and are no longer systemically targeted and oppressed. The quote speaks for itself: “The point is to get your work done, and your work is to change the world.”

So Campus Community, my heart is heavy, my mind is weary, and my soul is restless, yet I am encouraged. I am encouraged because I believe in my purpose. I am encouraged because I believe in our cause, and I believe in each of you. Be prayerful, be blessed, be smart, be brave, and be courageous.

In Union, Strength,

Colette Pierce Burnette

President & CEO

Huston-Tillotson University www.theaustinvillager.com THE REVEALER THE VILLAGER/June 12, 2020~ Page 5 NFL’s Next Move: Long Overdue Kaepernick Apology

By John Harris Jr. VILLAGER Sports Columnist (VILLAGER) - I’m still waiting. Waiting for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to stop bowing to his bosses - NFL own- ers - and finally do the right thing: Apologize to Colin Kaepernick. You know, the Black quarterback whose ca- reer was blackballed by the NFL establishment Ezekiel Elliott (#21), Michael Thomas (#13), and Patrick Mahomes (#15) because he dared take a knee during the national hefty price with his ca- Chiefs quarterback and apologize to anthem through the reer. Kaepernick’s rea- Super Bowl MVP Patrick Kaepernick publicly. 2016 season to protest soning for taking a knee Mahomes, New Orleans Kaepernick is the only police brutality and was so far ahead of the Saints wide receiver player whose career other injustices against curve, it’s laughable. Michael Thomas and Dal- was derailed due to African-Americans. Kaepernick’s las Cowboys running back his protest, so stop Since the murder of former NFL peers, who, Ezekiel Elliott, among oth- playing games! After George Floyd by a for the most part, stood ers. all, it’s no longer ac- former Minneapolis po- by silently as Kaepernick Goodell responded ceptable - or fashion- lice officer, everybody protested by himself, with his own video the fol- able - for the league to and his brother is taking told NFL officials lowing day. He admitted the punish black NFL play- a knee. Demonstrations through a video last NFL was wrong for not lis- ers for peacefully pro- in the streets protesting week to admit the NFL tening to NFL players earlier testing. America is not Floyd’s murder are tak- shouldn’t suppress and encouraged all players the same place it was ing place around the peaceful protesters (like to speak out and peacefully when Kaepernick was world! Don’t take my Kaepernick) and that the protest. According to blackballed. Black - word for it. Look at league should support Goodell, the NFL believes and white - people are what’s happening in the Black Lives Matter that “black lives matter.” outraged at the treat- Austin. movement and de- If Goodell is really se- ment of blacks by po- Kaepernick took a nounce racism. Star rious, he’ll stop saying the lice, so there’s no way knee when it wasn’t players in the video in- NFL was wrong for “not lis- for Goodell to wiggle fashionable, and paid a cluded Kansas City tening to NFL players” and out of this this one. Colin Kaepernick (#7) Page 6 ~ THE VILLAGER/June 12, 2020 DIASPORA www.theaustinvillager.com Austin Justice Coalition Tasty Rallies for Justice Cuisine by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon VILLAGER Columnist Opens Second Eatery by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon VILLAGER Columnist VILLAGER NEWS - As we rally for Black Lives, it is important to Pictured left to right: Maxime, Mark, and Patton with Tasty Cusine. take into account the Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon economic aspect and support local Black- tion in Pflugerville, type of menu because it attracted numerous owned businesses be- Texas, but has been allows our customers to black-owned businesses cause there is a need to opened up for 1 year at choose from a variety of due to the demograph- re-invest within the their Taylor, Texas loca- food." Sam, who's a ics and income levels. Black community as it tion. regular customer men- According to Mark, "We provides employment Tasty Cuisine offers tioned, "...the food is chose to open a location opportunities within the a barbecue and seafood great and they have in Pflugerville because community. Recently, menu. According to the good customer service." it's strategically located Tasty Cuisine Catering owner, Mark Milligan, Finally, Pflugerville between Austin and opened up a new loca- "we purposely offer this has been a city that has Round Rock." VILLAGER NEWS - June 6, 2020, Black Alicia protests in downtown Austin, Texas. Pflugerville Marches Pflugerville along with other groups, held a Black Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon Lives Matter March in the heart of Pflugerville, Texas. by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon The rally comes at the height of other rallies that VILLAGER Columnist VILLAGER NEWS - On June 7, 2020, the Aus- have occurred at national and international levels. tin Justice Coalition held a rally against police Demonstrators of all backgrounds, Blacks, Whites, shooting and police brutality. The rally starting Hispanics and Asian Americans marched together point was Huston-Tillston University, in which in the streets of Pflugerville until they reached their there were numerous speeches by activists and rally point. Also, community leaders, police officers, community leaders. The crowd then marched engaged citizens, and elected officials were present. from 7th street, crossing onto Congress Avenue, The rally was a showcase for unity against impunity. and stopped right at the gate of the Texas Capi- The common theme was the need to fight tol, due to the fact Governor Abbott closed the against impunity within the police force. Over the Capitol Complex and both the national guard and years, Black Americans have died at the hand of po- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were lice officers without reprimand. Some of these ex- guarding the complex with live round guns. tra-judicial killings make national news others don't. In certain instances, DPS attempted to incite In both, the case of George Floyd and Sandra Bland the crowd, but protesters did not react. As a re- has made national news. sult, the event remained peaceful. According to Black Pflugerville is a nonpartisan non-profit or- the AJC, "it is a grassroots, activist-led organizing ganization that encourages informed and active par- addressing criminal justice reform as well as eco- ticipation of Black people in the city of Pflugerville. nomic and social justice at the local level. Austin According to Black Pflugerville, "it is a group that is Justice Coalition also plans to meet local commu- devoting energy to passionately advocating for the nity needs, empower and enlighten community inclusion and civic engagement for the Black and stakeholders, mentor youth and young adults, as typically under-represented members of the well as increasing political involvement in minor- Pflugerville community. Get involved and become ity and underrepresented communities through- Sheldon with the Black Lives Matter. an ACTIVE member of the Black Pflugerville Pfamily out Austin." Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon today." Landmark Police Reform Bill Addresses A US Recession Began in February Funding, Chokeholds and Accountability in the Face of Coronavirus By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER | AP Economics Writer

By Associated For that reason, the On Friday, the gov- Press -The U.S. economy NBER typically waits ernment said that em- entered a recession in longer before making a ployers added 2.5 mil- February as the determination that the lion jobs in May, an un- coronavirus struck the economy is in a down- expected gain that sug- nation, a group of turn. In the previous re- gested job losses may economists declared cession, the committee have bottomed out. A Monday, ending the did not declare that the recession ends when By Defender News chokeholds, create a na- outcry for an overhaul of longest expansion on economy was in reces- employment and out- Service - House and Sen- tional registry to track policing. record. sion until December put start to pick up ate Democrats unveiled , Bass spoke with The economists 2008, a year after it had again, not when they sweeping legislation lower legal standards to Morning Edition‘s said that employment, actually begun. But in reach their pre-reces- Monday to overhaul po- pursue criminal and civil Rachel Martin about the income and spending this case, the NBER said sion levels. So it’s pos- licing in the U.S., follow- penalties for police mis- legislation ahead of its peaked in February and the collapse in employ- sible that the recession ing weeks of national conduct, and ban certain release on Monday. She then fell sharply after- ment and incomes was could technically end protests sparked by the no-knock warrants. (You said the biggest change ward as the viral out- so steep that it could soon. killing of George Floyd, a can read a summary of the legislation would break shut down busi- much more quickly de- Even if so, most Minneapolis man who the bill here.) bring is a shift in police nesses across the coun- termine that a recession economists expect a full died after a police officer After a moment of culture. try, marking the start of had begun. recovery could take two held his knee to Floyd’s silence for Floyd, con- The House of Rep- the downturn after The unemploy- years or more, with the neck for more than eight gressional Democrats resentatives is expected nearly 11 full years of ment rate is officially unemployment rate minutes. released their proposal to spend much of June economic growth. 13.3%, down from likely still 10% or higher Clad in Kente cloth, at a news conference on working on the mea- A committee 14.7% in April. Both fig- at the end of this year. Democratic leaders ex- Capitol Hill. sure, and Bass said she’s within the National Bu- ures are higher than in With few Americans plained during a press Chairwoman of the hopeful for bipartisan reau of Economic Re- any other downturn traveling, eating out or conference announcing Congressional Black support. It’s unclear how search, a trade group, since World War II. A shopping at anywhere the bill why the Justice Caucus Rep. Bass, the GOP-controlled Sen- determines when reces- broader measure of un- near their previous lev- in Policing Act is so nec- D-Calif., called it a ate will respond to it. sions begin and end. It deremployment that in- els, consumer spending essary in this moment. “transformative vision of House Speaker broadly defines a reces- cludes those who have — the primary driver of The proposal, titled policing in America.” The Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said sion as “a decline in eco- given up looking and the U.S. economy — the Justice in Policing CBC took the lead in Congress is standing with nomic activity that lasts those who have been could keep economic Act, would prohibit po- drafting a legislative re- those “fighting for justice more than a few reduced to part-time activity weak for many lice from using sponse to the national and taking action.” months.” status is 21.2%. more months. www.theaustinvillager.com CLASSIFIEDS THE VILLAGER/June 12, 2020~ Page 7 EMPLOYMENT | PROPOSALS | PUBLIC INFORMATION FOR SALE | FOR RENT | BIDS | MISCELLANEOUS The proposed Act lays out steps for better policing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and pursuit of happiness for so many Black neighbors. With its consideration by the House Ju- diciary Committee on Wednesday, I am eager to see House approval of our bill this month.” The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 will: · Hold police accountable in our courts by: o Amending the mens rea requirement in 18 U.S.C. Section 242, the federal criminal statute to conduct pattern and practice investigations; istry to prevent problem-officers from changing ju- prosecute police misconduct, from “willfulness” to o Incentivize states to create independent in- risdictions to avoid accountability; and a “recklessness” standard; vestigative structures for police involved deaths o Mandate state and local law enforcement o Reform so that individu- through grants; and agencies report use of force data, disaggregated by als are not entirely barred from recovering damages o Create best practices recommendations race, sex, disability, religion, age. when police violate their constitutional rights; based on the Obama 21st Century Policing Task force. · Improve police training and practices by: o Improve the use of pattern and practice in- · Improve transparency into policing by col- o Ending racial and religious profiling; vestigations at the federal level by granting the De- lecting better and more accurate data of police o Mandating training on racial bias and the partment of Justice Civil Rights Division subpoena misconduct and use-of-force by: duty to intervene; power and incentivizing state attorneys general to o Creating a National Police Misconduct Reg- o Banning no-knock warrants in drug cases; o Banning chokeholds and carotid holds; Austin City o Changing the standard to evaluate whether law enforcement use of force was justified from Council votes whether the force was reasonable to whether the force was necessary; in favor of o Limiting the transfer of military-grade equip- replenishing ment to state and local law enforcement; o Requiring federal uniformed police officers direct cash to wear body cameras; and assistance o Requiring state and local law enforcement to use existing federal funds to ensure the use of (AUSTIN, TX) - The mands from community distributed as direct fi- fund for most police body cameras. Austin City Council organizations asking for nancial assistance in the · Make lynching a federal crime by: unanimously voted in at least $70 million for form of ACH deposits. directly o Making it a federal crime to conspire to vio- favor of Items 40 and 49, direct financial assis- This was considered a late existing federal hate crimes laws. impacted replenishing the RISE tance. The new resolu- bold move by many Austinites, but fund to include an addi- tion only allocates $12 community organiza- Flintco, LLC is requesting proposals for the San tional $12 million for di- million for direct assis- tions, and as the $2 mil- Antonio Street Chilled Water Distribution is it enough? rect financial assistance tance to people facing lion were distributed to Extension Project. The work consists of approximately 450 linear feet of hack and bored Community to disproportionately financial hardship. 1,000 families in the span 24" chilled water main and appurtenances and advocates asked for impacted Austin resi- In March, the Eq- of 72 hours, it was seen as dents. The move comes uity Office awarded a the most equitable, effi- approximately 70 linear feet of jack and bored $70 million to be after rising pressure total of $2 million to lo- cient, and direct way to 12" chilled water main and appurtenances. directed to the RISE from community advo- cal community-based help the communities in This project will require the following services: fund, Austin City cates and members to groups and nonprofits. Austin that have been dis- traffic control, temporary fencing, erosion control, Council fell $58 replenish the RISE fund The $2M came from the proportionately affected concrete, asphalt, tree preservation, misc. steel, million short but fell short of the de- RISE Funding and was by Covid-19. fiber optic cabling, excavation, jacking & boring, tree protection, asphalt paving, site concrete, Over 700 (Austin, TX) - Texas and State Representa- pavement markings and utilities. Neighbors, Campaign for the Envi- tive Celia Israel in filing Proposals will be due on 6/16/20 at 10:00 AM by ronment joined North- a motion today to over- email to [email protected], via Advocates, and east Austin Landfill turn a May 7th decision SmartBidNet.com, fax at (512) 822-7500, or hand Local Elected Neighbors United—a by the Texas Commis- delivery to the Austin office of Flintco, LLC Officials Stand newly formed non-profit sion on Environmental located at 317 Grace Ln., Suite 150, Austin, TX citizens group com- Quality (TCEQ) to ap- 78746. Opposed to prised of residents and prove a registration for a Flintco, LLC is an EEO Employer and all HUB, Garbage Plan in businesses in a rapidly massive garbage opera- Minority and Small Local Business Northeast Austin growing neighborhood tion in northeast Austin. Celia Israel Subcontractors are encouraged to bid. near 290 and Springdale Waste Manage- hind the proposal to Neighborhood – as well as Travis County ment, the company be- “MGC Contractors Inc. is seeking qualified HUB certi- build a trash transfer sta- fied MBE/WBE/SBE firms. MGC will be accepting sub- Flintco, LLC is requesting proposals for the Domain Four Chillers tion, has a history of contractor and supplier bids for the following project: Texas Demolition Project. The work consists of the removal of four existing problems at its existing Department of Criminal Justice – Construct Elevated Stor- landfill, the Austin Com- age Tank with alternant bid, Replace Booster Station & chillers; three - 2,500 ton York OM machines; Chiller-1, Chiller-2, Chiller- Ground Storage Tank at the Michael Unit (Project No. 696- 3 and one - 750 ton chiller-5 from the Austin Energy Domain District Plant. munity Recycling and FD-20-B025 NTB). MBE/WBE/SBE certified firms that This project will require the following services: demolition, concrete, Disposal Facility, includ- are engaged in the following business practices: Elevated mechanical & electrical. ing the largest fine ever & Ground Storage Tank construction, Demolition, Civil Anticipated construction is scheduled to begin within 90 days of the bid, received by a garbage construction, Concrete construction, Earth Moving, Yard dump in the history of Piping, Pipeline, Pipe, Valves, Fittings, Electrical, SCADA, with a 90 day duration to substantial completion. Aggregates, Utility Locating, Fencing, Painting, Erosion RFI’s are due 6/8/20 by 2:00 PM. Texas. The transfer sta- Control, Material Testing. Proposal due date June 24, 2020 Proposals will be due on 6/16/20 at 2:00 PM by email to tion would be allowed to at 5:00 PM. No pre-bid conference will be held. Contract [email protected], via SmartBidNet.com, fax at (512) 822-7500, or process nearly one mil- documents are available upon requests and on the TDCJ hand delivery to the Austin office of Flintco, LLC located at 317 Grace lions tons of trash each Website. Proposers are required to fully comply with con- year, could store over- tract documents. Selections will be made on Qualifica- Ln., Suite 150, Austin, TX 78746. tions and Price. Bids may be held by MGC Contractors Please contact Tim Mielke ([email protected]) for project related night up to 2,500 tons in Inc. for a period of up to 120 days. For technical questions questions via email or (832) 973-6932. Please contact Shannon Brunner trailers covered with regarding this proposal please call David Kenley (512) 517- ([email protected]) for bid invitations via email or (512) 822- tarps and bring over 8922 or email [email protected]” 7468. 1,100 heavy truck trips Flintco, LLC is an EEO Employer and all HUB, Minority and Small Local per day through the Business Subcontractors are encouraged to bid. neighborhood. Travis County Healthcare District d/b/a Central DPR Construction is requesting bids/proposals for certain work components re- Health 1111 E. Cesar lated to the interior renovation of approximately 135,000 SF of office and amenity Chavez Street Austin, TX Are you interested in doing space for the Visa Austin Building I Renovation project located at Research Park 78702 Plaza, 12301 Research Blvd. Building I in Austin, Texas. Bids are due on or before RFP 2004-002 Advertising business with the City of Austin? July 8, 2020 by 2:00 PM. Please submit bids by email to Klent Hardin at and Media Services Due We are here for you! [email protected]; or via hand-delivered envelope to DPR’s Austin Office, located Date: 7/2/2020 by 2:00 Pm at 310 Comal Street, Suite 300. CT City of Austin Trade work includes: Miscellaneous Steel, Structural Steel, Flooring, Raised Scope of Work: The purpose Purchasing Office this RFP is to effectively and Access Flooring, Paint, Millwork, Doors, Frames and Hardware, Drywall, Acous- Vendor Registration tical Ceilings, Glass Demountable Partitions, Operable Partition, Wall Coverings, efficiently connect Travis County residents with low Window Coverings, Residential Appliances, Specialties, Glass/Glazing, Fire Pro- 512-974-2018 income to care and coverage, tection, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Alarm, and Telecommunications. and help taxpayers [email protected] Plans will be available at all local area plan rooms and DPR’s Austin office. A understand how health care is www.austintexas.gov/department/purchasing Pre-Bid/Proposal Meeting will be held at the site on June 18, 2020 11:00 AM planned, funded and For information on the City of Austin’s Minority/ (CST), June 19, 2020 11:00 AM (CST), and June 22, 2020 11:00 AM (CST) at the delivered. Ordering Women-Owned Procurement Program please contact the site, 12301 Research Blvd. (Building 1), Austin, TX 78759. You must notify DPR Instructions: Package can be Small & Minority Business Resources at 512-974-7600 downloaded from: https:// Construction what day you plan on attending to meet social distancing guidelines. or visit www.austintexas.gov/smbr. DPR Construction is an EEO Employer and all subcontractors and vendors, in- prod.bidsync.com/ cluding Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise Subcontractors and Sup- centralhealth, OR https:// pliers, are strongly encouraged to submit bids/proposals for this project. Certifica- www.centralhealth.net/ finance/purchasing/ OR http:/ tion must be in place with the City of Austin prior to submission of bid/proposal. /esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/ Page 8 ~ THE VILLAGER/June 12, 2020 THE DISPATCH www.theaustinvillager.com

COVID-19 Drug Development Could Benefit from Approach Used Against Flu (AUSTIN, TX) - A COVID-19. By modeling an infected person is new study from re- the impact of a pair of contagious and, there- searchers at The Univer- leading flu drugs, the fore, better limited the sity of Texas at Austin team found significant dif- spread of flu. has found that some ferences in effects be- “We found that antivirals are useful for tween oseltamivir, an treating even 10% of in- more than helping sick older antiviral treatment fected patients with people get better — they for flu that patients know baloxavir shortly after also can prevent thou- by the name Tamiflu, and the onset of their symp- sands of deaths and hun- a newer one, baloxavir, toms can indirectly pre- dreds of thousands of vi- which is sold under the vent millions of infec- rus cases if used in the brand name Xofluza. tions and save thou- early stages of infection. The researchers sands of lives during a The study, published found that the newer typical influenza sea- today in the journal Na- treatment — by effec- son,” said Robert Krug, a ture Communications, fo- tively and rapidly stop- professor emeritus of cused on influenza and ping virus replication — molecular biosciences, has implications for the dramatically reduced writing for a blog that ac- coronavirus that causes the length of time that companied the paper. CENTRAL TEXAS INTERFAITH STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND COVID SPENDING CITY OF AUSTIN - 6.4.20 Central Texas Interfaith commends the Mayor, Austin City Council and City Manager for unanimously approving a COVID spending framework that includes nearly $24 million new dollars for the RENT Program plus $12 million new dollars for the RISE Program for direct income support. That combined with other ad- ditional new sources puts the City of Austin well over the $40 million dollars in new rental assistance that Central Texas Interfaith has called for. It also includes tens of millions more in financial support for those in need. We look forward to working with the City of Austin and other organizations on implementation of these programs and beginning to look at our longer term economic recovery and workforce strategies.