'Time for a New Flag'

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FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 | CLARIONLEDGER.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK The Clarion-Ledger - 06/12/2020 Page : A001 Senate panel ‘Time for a new flag’ advances Miss. appeals court nominee

Matthew Daly ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judi- ciary Committee on Thursday advanced a federal appeals court nominee from Mississippi, despite Democratic objec- tions over derisive comments he made about former President Barack Obama and his signature health care legislation. The GOP-led panel en- dorsed Mississippi Ap- peals Court Judge Cory Wilson Wilson on a 12-10, party- line vote. The nomina- tion now goes to the full Senate. Wilson, a former Republican state legislator who has been on the state appeals court for 16 months, was nominated by President Donald Trump for a seat on the New Or- leans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court, which hears cases from Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, is considered one of the most conservative appeals courts in the nation. Before becoming a judge last year, Wilson frequently criticized Obama and other Democrats and called pas- sage of the Affordable Care Act “per- verse” and “illegitimate.” Wilson also wrote that he hopes the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the law, which Obama signed in 2010. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said Working Together Mississippi, a diverse coalition of faith and civic institutions, push for a change to the state flag during Wilson lacks judicial temperament. a press conference outside St. Peter's Cathedral in Jackson Thursday. BARBARA GAUNTT/CLARION LEDGER “He has repeatedly demonstrated he’s a right-wing politician” even after becoming a judge in early 2019, Interfaith clergy call In a resounding a voice, they said any There is renewed hope that the Leg- she said. discussion of what design should re- islature might act to change the state Wilson, 49, said during his confir- for immediate change place the current flag must not impede flag, which contains what is commonly mation hearing last month that he ex- the current goal: Taking down a flag as- known as the confederate battle flag. pressed opinions about Obama, Hilla- Giacomo Bologna Mississippi Clarion Ledger sociated with white supremacy. “It is time,” said Bishop Brian Seage ry Clinton and other Democrats when USA TODAY NETWORK “Anything is better than what we’ve of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississip- he was a GOP lawmaker and adviser to got now,” said Bishop Ronnie Crudup of pi. “It is time for a new flag that truly top state officials. As a judge, he puts A group of interfaith leaders stood on New Horizon Church International. represents all of us... We call for our aside his past criticism of Democrats the steps of the Catholic cathedral in People have been protesting for racial legislative leaders to act now.” and some of their policies, he said. He downtown Jackson Thursday morning, justice in Mississippi and across the nation Bishop Joseph Campbell of the also pledged to follow the precedent of calling for the immediate removal of the this month at levels not seen since the civil Mississippi state flag. rights movement more than 50 years ago. See FLAG, Page 4A See SENATE, Page 4A

June 13, 2020 9:51 am (GMT -5:00) Powered by TECNAVIA Families question unresolved cases of police misconduct

Wilton Jackson Mississippi Clarion Ledger Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lu- USA TODAY NETWORK mumba addressed policing in Jackson in a statement last week when protests After the death of George Floyd in were perhaps at their peak in the United Minnesota and ensuing nationwide States. protests, past cases of police brutality “We remain focused on building a po- have faced renewed scrutiny across the lice department based on trust, integri- country. ty, and community collaboration. We This week, families in Jackson remain dedicated to justice,” the mayor brought attention to cases in which said in a statement. Jackson police officers have not been charged after deadly encounters with ‘Why do we have to live where we citizens. Family members spoke out can’t be protected?’ about the inaction and need for police reform at the Sweet & Associates law Bettersten Wade, the sister to the firm in Jackson. Robinson, said in a news conference Dennis Sweet IV, attorney at Sweet & Tuesday with Sweet that she wants jus- Associates, represents the families of tice for her brother. George Robinson and Mario Clark, two According to a lawsuit filed by Rob- black men who died after separate en- inson’s family, officers “mercilessly beat counters with Jackson police officers. “ Robinson on Jan. 13, 2019, and he died “Black people are being assaulted by two days later. people in blue. You can see the root Hinds County Coroner Sharon Gris- growing all over the country,” Sweet IV ham-Stewart said the state medical ex- said. “We have to make sure we take aminer found that George Robinson Bettersten Wade calls for justice for her late brother George Robinson, who was care of our root in our soil and these died of a subdural hemorrhage, caused killed by Jackson police in 2019. Wade spoke on behalf of her family at a press family members so that we can uplift conference held at the law offices of Sweet & Associates in Jackson on Tuesday. the rest of the country.” See FAMILIES, Page 4A SARAH WARNOCK/CLARION LEDGER

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Continued from Page 1A by blunt force trauma to the head, according to the state medical examiner. The state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. “They weren’t even looking for him, they were looking for someone else, in- stead, they killed my brother,” Wade said. “What the city of Jackson going to do about it? How are we going to stop police brutality? Why do we have to live where we can’t be protected and served?” Three officers were named in the lawsuit — Anthony Fox, Desmond Barney and Lincoln Lampley — as well as Amer- ican Medical Response Inc., the ambu- lance company that responded. The officers were placed on paid administrative leave after the incident, per stan- dard law enforcement policy. The Jackson Civil Service Commis- sion ordered Fox, Barney and Lampley to be reinstated to their regular duties, but the city has not complied with the commission’s order. Fox and Barney are no longer with JPD. Lampley has been reassigned to a different department within JPD and is not patrolling the streets, according to public information officer Sam Brown. In October 2019, police spokesman Sgt. Roderick Holmes told the Clarion Family members, at a press conference held at the law offices of Sweet & Associates in downtown Jackson on Tuesday, say Ledger the department is awaiting find- they want justice over what they describe as police brutality. PHOTOS BY SARAH WARNOCK/CLARION LEDGER ings from a Hinds County District Attor- ney’s investigation. As of this week, there is no court record of any officer be- “While I swiftly supported the termi- were before supposedly join this “thin, ing indicted in Robinson’s death. nation of the JPD officers involved, that blue line?” To me and my family, it is a The district attorney did not return decision that was later reversed by the line soaking with blood of innocent peo- multiple calls for comment for this article. civil service commission,” the mayor ple and we are tired of it and we want a Dennis Sweet III, an attorney for said. “Since then, the Jackson Police change here in the city of Jackson.” Sweet & Associates, said Mayor Lu- Department has referred the case to the mumba “calls the shots” when it comes District Attorney and the administra- Arresting officers policies and procedures. tion has exercised all of its authority “He is the commander-in-chief, and power to support an objective re- Lee Edward Bonner was shot by po- Sweet said. “If there is going to be view of this case.” lice on Feb. 21, 2018, in the 1300 block of change, he needs to do it.” Deer Park Street. Police said officers Candice Cole, a spokesperson for Lu- ‘Blood of innocent people’ were investigating possible drug activ- mumba, said because the case is pend- John Knight III, left, and John Knight ity near Jackson State University when ing, the city won’t comment. Sr., right, speak at a press conference John Knight Sr. stood next to his son, they came in contact with Bonner and held by the law offices of Sweet & John Knight III, Tuesday. In September another man. They immediately ran, ‘Nothing has been done’ Associates in downtown Jackson on 2018, Knight III was pulled over by then police said. Tuesday. Then Jackson police officer JPD officer Vincent Lampkin. Officers chased the men to a nearby Mario Clark was diagnosed with Vincent Lampkin was convicted of Knight III told the Clarion Ledger that abandoned house. The other man es- paranoid schizophrenia at a young age. assaulting John Knight III during a Lampkin pulled him out of his car, as- caped while Bonner shot at officers with On Valentine’s Day 2019, he suffered a traffic stop in May 2018. saulted and handcuffed him on I-55 a handgun, police said. The officers — psychotic episode. Frontage road near Olive Garden in Roy Dickerson and Warren Hull — re- Shelia Ragland, Clark’s mother, north Jackson. He said the officer never turned fire, striking Bonner. called 911 for help. Ragland told local The case is now in the hands of the told him what he pulled him over for and A grand jury voted to not indict Dick- media that officers showed up at her Hinds County District Attorney’s office. eventually unlatched the handcuffs and erson and Hull. door, “hogtied” Clark with handcuffs Pamela Hilliard, the maternal grand- let him go without charges. Both officers involved were placed on and started beating and kicking him. mother of Clark’s daughter, held a sign Lampkin was fired from the Police administrative leave while an internal Clark was rushed to the hospital by am- in honor of him and her granddaughter Department and sentenced to one year and criminal investigation was con- bulance and put on life support. He died at the same news conference at the law in jail in the case. ducted. Brown said Wednesday that shortly after midnight on the morning of firm. She wants justice for Clark. “They are supposed to protect us, they Dickerson is no longer on administra- Feb. 20 at Merit Health Central. “Nothing has been done, Hilliard are not suppose to beat us and they are tive leave. Clark’s death was ruled a homicide said. “Black lives matter but I believe all not supposed to kill us,” Knight Sr. said. Dennis Sweet IV said change needs with the cause being “blunt force inju- life matters. It is not a black or white “They are supposed to arrest us and take to happen. ries with probable asphyxial compo- thing, it is not right what they are doing us to jail and let the judge be the judge. “When there is probable cause for ar- nent,” according to his death certificate. to our people. If you could look at my Thankfully, my son is still living.” rest, we ask for an arrest to be made and Three Jackson police officers — Antho- granddaughter’s picture and have a Knight said not all officers are bad but then let the justice system take care of ny Thompson, Darryl Robison and heart to fight for her, that is why I am wondered when instances of police bru- itself,” Sweet IV said. Enike Smith — and their supervisor here.” tality would stop. Contact Wilton Jackson @wcjack- were fired after an internal affairs inves- Lumumba addressed the Clark case “What is making these officers turn son@gannett.com. Follow @wiltonreports tigation by the department. in a statement last week. their back on who they are or who they on Twitter. The Clarion-Ledger - 06/12/2020 Page : A004

All the Democrats in the House will Flag vote to change the state flag, Johnson Senate said, meaning they need about 40 Re- Continued from Page 1A publicans who will vote with them to Continued from Page 1A suspend the rules and get a new bill to Church of Christ likened the flag to “a change the flag onto the House floor. a Supreme Court ruling that upheld large splinter in my hand.” Johnson has heard there are some the health care law. The Rev. Jason Coker of the Coopera- Republicans quietly whipping votes, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said tive Baptist Fellowship said he was born saying that about 20 Republicans are Wilson has demonstrated hostility to in the Delta and many in his family want on board so far. voting rights in Mississippi. In 2011, he to keep the current flag. Coker urged Mis- It’s unclear if they’ll get the 40 Re- dismissed concerns from the Missis- sissippians to remember Jesus’s most publican votes needed. sippi chapter of the NAACP that a voter important teaching: “Love God and love A spokeswoman for Speaker Philip ID law would suppress the vote as your neighbor.” Bishop Ronnie Crudup of New Horizon Gunn, who has previously voiced sup- “poppycock, unless you count the Rachel Glazer, a member of Jackson’s Church International explains "by not port for changing the state flag, did not dead vote.” In 2013, he wrote that then- Jewish community, compared removing changing the flag, we're saying to the respond to a request for comment. Attorney General Eric Holder had the flag to the story of Abraham smash- world, nothing has changed." “The Speaker, of course, is not lead- “whined” that voter ID laws were part ing idols. BARBARA GAUNTT/CLARION LEDGER ing this charge, but helping,” Johnson of an illegitimate orchestrated effort “As the modern lynchings of black said. “He has stated his position on by Republicans to suppress poor and people by police have risen to the fore- this issue for quite some time.” minority voting. front of the national consciousness, we taking down the state flag and it’s im- If there is a vote in the House, John- Harris called Wilson’s record “ex- can longer claim that this issue is mere- portant to reach out to them. son said it’s possible it could take place tremely problematic at this moment ly one of historical significance,” Glazer “The wider we can expand this coali- within a few days, but more likely to in time, especially when just this said. “To be complacent on this issue is tion, this solidarity the stronger we will happen in the ensuing weeks. week we saw voter suppression in the to be complicit.” be,” Kopacz said. “I think we can tap into “The moment is what dictated the state of Georgia,” including voting While some prominent politicians those traditions and those communities urgent move,” Johnson said. “I think machine breakdowns, shortages of have spoken up about changing the flag, and there will be a response.” people saw this as an opportunity — provisional ballots and “hours-long many remain silent. the country is watching.” lines in primarily black and brown The state flag has been a third rail in Will Legislature vote on the flag? Any flag vote in the Legislature communities.” Mississippi politics for years. Reporters would be to adopt what’s known as the Harris, one of three black senators, pointedly asked Gov. Tate Reeves at least House Minority Leader Robert John- “Stennis flag,” a flag designed by Lau- said it would be “a particular affront to five times at a press conference this week son, D-Natchez, spoke to the Clarion rin Stennis, the granddaughter of Sen. the people of Mississippi, a population how he personally felt about the flag.Each Ledger Thursday morning, shortly be- John C. Stennis. that has 38% African Americans, to time, Reeves danced around the question, fore a scheduled interview with John Stennis, who died in 1995, was have Judge Wilson preside over voting saying it should be up to the voters. MSNBC. Johnson said he’s gotten calls a staunch segregationist during a long rights cases in that state.” While the interfaith group Working from CNN and across the nation about career in Washington, though later in Judiciary Committee Chairman Together Mississippi had representatives changing the flag. life voted to reauthorize the Voting Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., bristled at the from multiple Christian faith as well as Is- “We’re talking and we’re still trying to Rights Act. criticism by Democrats. lam and Judaism at Thursday’s press encourage people to do the right thing, the “I know some people have a prob- “Who do you think we’re going to conference, a reporter noted there was no brave thing,” Johnson said. “Let’s change lem with it is because it’s called the pick? We’re going to pick people that one from the Southern Baptist Conven- the flag now while we’re in session, and we Stennis Flag,” Johns said, but that’s think like us that will be good judges,” tion, a denomination whose members can do something good for the state and missing the point. Graham said at Wilson’s hearing last tend to lean conservative on social issues. change the image of the state.” The point, Johnson said, is getting month. “And when you get in charge, if A 2010 report from the Association of While more than 64% of Mississippi the Confederate battle flag off the Mis- you ever do, you’re going to pick people Religion Data Archives found that the voters chose to keep the state flag in sissippi flag, and any legislation will not from your world,” Graham told Demo- Southern Baptist Convention is the larg- 2001, Johnson said he now believes a refer to the flag as the “Stennis flag.” crats. est denomination in Mississippi by far, majority of Mississippians want it to “That flag will not be called the Mississippi’s two Republican sen- with nearly 1 million members, though change. It should be up to the Legisla- ‘Stennis flag,’” Johnson said. “... It will ators, Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde- not all are adherent. ture to make that call, he said. just be the new Mississippi flag.” Smith, praised Wilson, saying his Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of Jackson’s “The Legislature in 1894 adopted this Contact Giacomo “Jack” Bologna at credentials, intelligence and respect Catholic diocese said he believes there flag,” Johnson said. “The Legislature in 601-961-7282 or [email protected] for the rule of law are without ques- are Southern Baptists who agree with 2020 needs to take it down.” . Follow him on Twitter @gbolognaCL. tion.