www.mississippilink.com VOL. 23, NO. 25 APRIL 13 - 19, 2017 50¢ The many woes of Wells Phillip Gibbs and James Green: Fargo Bank th Part 1 47 Annual Memorial Ceremony By Dr. John E. Warren Intergovernmental Affairs NNPA Contributing Writer On Tuesday March 28, The Office and Wreath-Laying at JSU of the Comptroller of the Currency downgraded Wells Fargo Bank’s By Janice K. Neal-Vincent elect 2017-2018, asserted that rating from an “Outstanding” to a Contributing Writer similar acts of violence ex- “Needs to Improve” rating which The 47th Annual Memorial ist today. Additionally, others the bank had previously enjoyed. Ceremony and Wreath-Lay- gave a charge that neither the The Office of the Comptroller of the ing in honor of Phillip Gibbs school nor the public at large Currency is an independent govern- and James Green was held on should forget the tragedy. ment agency within the U.S. Trea- Gibbs Green Pedestrian Plaza Referencing racial slurs and sury Department that supervises all on the campus of Jackson State attacks, James “Lap” Baker banks and federal savings associa- University Monday, April 10. (JSU Class of 1970) said, “It tions. This was the site that is important that the students, Although action comes on the changed the face of what is re- faculty, and everyone never heels of an agreement by Wells ferred to as the ‘yard,’ jargon forget. It was the students who Fargo Bank to pay $110 million to among the JSU family. Present closed this street (Lynch Street) settle a lawsuit against it by custom- was a small crowd of students, down, who said, ‘No more!’” ers who filed a class action suit for faculty, and Gibbs’ peers from Baker continued, charging for the opening of fake bank accounts in the classes of 1970-72. all to examine themselves. their names, this is just another one Student unrest at JSU par- “I taught out here 24 years. I of many lawsuits against the bank alleled with national student asked 45 students what hap- in recent months and years. The unrest due to protests against a pened May 14th and 15th. Not amount might seem small compared number of ills that stirred emo- one hand went up. It’s been 47 to the revelation last September that tions and gave rise to an out- years and we still forget. Four the bank opened over 2 million fake spoken platform, became the hundred sixty rounds of shots accounts in customer names and order of the day. were fired. They got away with without their permission. During his campaign Presi- it. We weren’t killing each oth- In a separate lawsuit last Septem- dent Richard Nixon vowed to er in the 50s and 60s, but we’re ber, Wells Fargo agreed to pay $185 end the Viet Nam War but he doing that now.” million in fines and penalties to fed- called to draft 150,000 more Technical director – sound eral regulators and the Los Angeles soldiers to fight in that war. technician at JSU – Doug City Attorney’s office for “unrea- Students, families and teachers Stringfellow, noted: “It’s very sonable sales practices.” The two were affected by the cry. Other Gloria McCray, wreath holder and sister of Phillip Gibbs, is surrounded by Gibbs’ peers of Jackson State’s good to continue this because actions totaled $295 million. This issues such as women’s rights, 1970- 1972 Class. PHOTO BY JANICE K. NEAL-VINCENT history is important in all as- latest settlement covers at least 10 poverty and racism brought pects. In my program I inves- other lawsuits. forth numerous voices of the and Green, a 17-year-old Jim for the class of 1970 and con- due to protests. He reached out tigate daily how things come The period covered by the $110 young. Hill High School senior who flicting messages regarding the in identification establishment into being. It’s good that stu- million settlement begins January 1, Hence, May 14 and 15, 1970 was headed home after leaving tragedy. due to commonalities between dents are reminded. It is the 2009 and ends upon the execution of were days that then known as his job, were shot and killed Later during a forum, the Stu- the two campus’ incidents. responsibility of faculty to the settlement agreement put forth Jackson State College and the by police. The social upheaval dent Government Association Today many remember that inform the students about this Tuesday, if accepted by the court community were impacted as resulted in pandemonium, hos- president of Kent State Univer- JSU, as opposed to Kent State, significant event that has im- and the parties involved. These pay- never before. On the 14th stu- pitalization of 12 who were sity, Frank Fresina, addressed received little national attention pacted so much of Jackson outs are in addition to the $3.2 mil- dents were confronted by city wounded, distrust of police of- the JSU family in the histori- that links to the slogan “Black State’s legacy.” lion Wells Fargo has paid customers and state police. On the 15th ficers, President John A. Peo- cal Dansby Hall Auditorium Lives Matter.” Those present at Robert Luckett, Ph.D., who on over 130,000 potentially unau- two tragic deaths occurred. ples, Jr. closing JSU for the end regarding his school’s tragedy the memorial ceremony echoed directs the Margaret Walker Gibbs, a 21-year-old student of the school academic year, in which four students were the slogan in their own words. Wells Fargo majoring in political science cancellation of commencement killed by national guardsmen Alexis Moore, SGA president- Gibbs Green Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Allen Harper lived his mission: IN MEMORIAM Pamelia Parice Curry ‘To Protect and Serve’ The Mississippi Link Newswire and gave stuffed animals and Pamelia Parice Curry is the other treats to family and Downtown cop died Friday due to injuries in motorcycle accident oldest daughter of Laura Cur- friends. She always had her ry Hough and Chester Curry. hand out, not to receive, but to By Othor Cain Then the unthinkable hap- She was born in Jackson Mis- give to others. Pam had great Editor pened. Harper collided with an- sissippi September 18, 1956. shopping skills; she could al- Saturday, April 1, started out as other vehicle at the intersection She transitioned from pain ways find bargains and she a pretty normal day for Jackson of State and High Streets. and suffering on earth to her shared those bargains. police officer Cpl. Allen Harper The city paused as news began heavenly home Tuesday, April Pam was a member of Col- Jr. He did chores around the to spread about an off-duty offi- 4, 2017, where she joined her lege Hill Missionary Baptist house, ran errands and checked cer being struck by another vehi- father Chester Curry, sister Church under the leadership off his to-do-list as tasks were cle. This incident remains under Paula Hannah, grandmother Curry of Rev. R.E. Willis and later completed. Allen was off duty investigation. Preliminary results Hannah Smith, and uncle Rev. Hosea Hines and Rev. from his full time job with the showed the vehicle made a turn in Speigel McCallum. 25 years she worked for Ser- Michael T. Williams. She Jackson Police Department, a job front of Harper. Pam is a product of the vice Masters and served as a continued her membership at he did well and loved, a job he Harper Fast forward to Friday, April 7. Jackson Public School Sys- home health care provider. College Hill until 2012 when held for 22 years. What a difference a week makes. tem where she was always She also worked for the Mis- she became a founding mem- As the sun was beginning to wards downtown Jackson to work Harper’s family decided to re- very creative and could make sissippi Crime Lab for 10 ber of Crossroads Missionary fade to make room for a glisten- another job that also brought him move him from life support and something not so great into years. Baptist Church, pastored by ing moon-light, Harper was rid- joy – being a security officer at something beautiful. She was Each holiday, especially ing his motorcycle, heading to- Underground 119. Harper no stranger to hard work. For Easter, she prepared baskets Curry Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Verdi’s timeless classic Eighteenth Share this issue with a Annual friend “RIGOLETTO” Crossroads Film by mailing it to: Inside Society/Film A grand 71st season finale for MS Opera Festival Page 19 Page 18 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK APRIL 13 - 19, 2017 www.mississippilink.com Youth Fish Camp to be held at Private John Black Rose Theatre announces Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo auditions for ‘Boeing-Boeing’ The Mississippi Link Newswire Assistant Director Larry Bull. tions to MDWFP Camp Fish The Mississippi Link Newswire The Mississippi Department “Classroom discussions and 2017, Attention: Larry Bull, Auditions for Boeing-Boeing are Monday, of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks hands-on exercises led by MD- 1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson, May 1 and Thursday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. at (MDWFP), Mississippi Wild- WFP fisheries biologists, MWF MS 39211. All Applications Black Rose Theatre Company, 103 Black life Federation (MWF), and the volunteers, and hatchery per- must be received by June 12. Street, Brandon. United States Fish and Wildlife sonnel will help students gain Accepted participants will be The cast includes: Service will host a Youth Fish a better understanding of fish, notified by June 16. For more Robert – American Camp at the Private John Allen fishing, and fisheries manage- information about MDWFP Bernard – American Bernard’s perfect life gets bumpy when his National Fish Hatchery in Tu- ment.” Fish Camp, contact Larry Bull Gretchen – German accent friend Robert comes to stay and a new and pelo June 20 and 21.