www.mississippilink.com VOL. 25, NO. 51 OCTOBER 10 - 16, 2019 50¢ Key witness in Amber Guyger’s What Matters murder trial shot to death 2020 – Issues that Joshua Brown feared his testimony could lead to his murder, impact minority Elected offi cials demand police fi nd his killer or killers communities BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors (standing) announcing new “What Matters 2020” initiative while in Houston for the Demo- cratic Party debate. By Jeffrey L. Boney One group that has made a ma- NNPA Newswire Contributor jor impact in this country and Every vote counts and elec- that has done a great job of en- Brown offering eyewitness account during Guyer’s trial. tions have consequences! gaging and energizing people The 2020 presidential elec- of color relative to getting in- tions will defi nitely have conse- volved in social issues and poli- By Frederick H. Lowe Looking through his apartment quences and it will be important tics has been the Black Lives TriceEdneyWire.com door’s peep hole, he could see that every vote is counted and Matter (BLM) Global Network. Botham Jean’s neighbor who Guyger walking, back and forth, accounted for. Founded in 2013 by Patrisse testifi ed courageously and tear- while talking on the phone. Mo- Everyone and everything Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal fully as a prosecution witness in ments earlier, Guyger was on her in this country is impacted by Tometi in response to the ac- the murder trial of former Dallas phone telling an unnamed person someone in a position of po- quittal of Trayvon Martin’s cop Amber Guyger, was found she went to the wrong apartment. litical leadership who shapes murderer, George Zimmer- shot dead Friday night in Dallas. Guyger claimed she walked public policy and who makes man, what started as a hashtag, Joshua Brown, who lived in Jean’s apartment by mistake, decisions regarding the very has now grown into a global across the hall from Jean, died thinking it was hers. She saw legislation that we must all ad- chapter-based, member-led or- of multiple gunshot wounds, Lee Jean and immediately assumed here to, in one way or another. ganization in the United States, Merritt, an attorney for the Jean he was a burglar. This includes city council- United Kingdom and Canada. family, wrote in a statement post- Guyger fi red two shots at the members, mayors, governors, The organization’s mission has ed on Facebook. Brown feared unarmed Jean, hitting him in judges, county, state and federal been to mobilize determined that someone would murder him Guyger Jean the chest and heart. She said she representatives and even our activists who are committed to because of his testimony that led fi red because he failed to obey President. fi ghting anti-black racism and a 12-person jury to fi nd Guyger Flats apartments. of two people who sounded like her commands. Jean died from Knowing how important it is discriminatory reforms world- guilty of the September 6, 2018 Brown, 28, testifi ed that he they were meeting by “surprise” a wound to his heart at Baylor to vote is one thing but getting wide. murder of Jean inside his fourth- was down the hall from the apart- The gunshots followed “right af- Brown engaged in the process is an en- Minority Communities fl oor apartment in the South Side ment when he heard the voices ter,” he said. tirely different thing altogether. Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Willie Simmons receives high praise and endorsements for Transportation Commissioner By Jackie Hampton Publisher A press conference was held October 7 on the steps of the Hinds County Courthouse on behalf of Senator Willie Simmons, candidate for Trans- portation Commissioner of the Central District of Mississippi. Simmons was surrounded by individuals who declared their support of his candidacy. Mary Coleman, former U.S. District 65 House of Repre- sentative, served as moderator. Speaking on Simmons’ behalf were Senator John Horhn, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy and State Representative of Holmes County Bryant Clark. Hohrn said, “The sleeping giant is awake now; you can tell the others you cannot keep ignoring us because we are going to elect someone who hears our voices and addresses our needs. We are go- Simmons Continued on page 3 Simmons speaking Espy speaking A letter from Searching Share this issue with a friend the JSUNAA for Black by mailing it to: President Confederates Inside Page 18 Page 17 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK OCTOBER 10 - 16, 2019 www.mississippilink.com www.mississippilink.com OCTOBER 10 - 16, 2019 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 3 Minority Communities Simmons Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 In an exclusive interview, Cullors tells the Commonsense Gun Laws ing to elect someone who will build better Also offering verbal endorsements were NNPA Newswire that BLM was invited to attend LGBTQAI roads and better bridges in our communi- Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, State the third installment of the Democratic Presiden- Human Rights ties. We are going to elect Willie Simmons Representative Alyce Clark and public pol- tial Debate, which was hosted in Houston, Tex- In addition to introducing this initiative, BLM as the next highway commissioner for the icy advocate Kelly Criss. as, at Texas Southern University (TSU), which plans to directly interact with candidates and stu- Central District of the great state of Mis- Simmons thanked them all for their com- is an HBCU located in the heart of Houston’s dents, and will be launching technology applica- sissippi.” ments and wrapped up the press conference historic Third Ward – a place known for its rich tions aimed at increasing voter registration and Espy said Simmons is an able man of by claiming victory as the next transporta- black history and culture. The debate marked the turnout in 2020. integrity and professionalism, whom he tion commissioner of the Central District. frst presidential campaign debate at an HBCU “We will engage and empower all black folks, has known for thirty-five years. He said He thanked those attending the press con- since 2007. our allies, and under-served communities to use he knows his wife and children and he will ference and going on record to support him. While in Houston for the debate, Cullors an- their collective voices and votes to achieve the use every fiber of his being to help get him Simmons spoke of the work he has done nounced that BLM was rolling out a new nation- outcomes we want, need and deserve in 2020,” elected to include knocking on doors, mak- for the past 27 years to include developing wide initiative to help increase voter registration Cullors tells the NNPA Newswire. “We will edu- ing robocalls and standing at podiums to relationships which ensures him of being and turnout. Cullors, along with co-founder of cate BLM constituents about candidates and the speak on his behalf, even when he has a prepared for the task at hand. He spoke of the Los Angeles chapter of BLM Melina Abdul- issues that impact black voters most, and pro- hoarse and raspy voice. his experience while serving as chairman lah and Managing Director Kailee Scales, in- mote voter registration and voter turnout among Espy spoke of the 27 years Simmons of the Senate Transportation Commit- troduced the new nationwide initiative entitled the black community, our allies, and Generation has represented his district in the Missis- tee and chairman of the sub-committee to – ‘What Matters 2020 – Issues That Impact Z. This initiative will inspire and motivate peo- sippi Senate and commended him for his put together a $1.3-billion transportation Minority Communities,’ with a dedicated focus ple to ask themselves and their candidates are work. He said, “Most recently I traveled budget which was passed on to three com- on getting the vote out for the 2020 presidential you really addressing ‘What Matters in 2020?’” throughout the district Senator Simmons missioners. He said his experience has election. In measuring the success of the initiative, Cul- is campaigning in and saw all the potholes prepared him to become the one who will Cullors states that BLM’s goal is to hit all ma- lors states that they will be monitoring the re- and bridges in need of repair.” Espy said he allocate that budget and he will make sure jor cities where black folks live and engage Gen- sults based off the outcomes that come prior to spoke with vendors who never were able all 22 counties are treated fairly. eration Z to increase voter registration, turnout the 2020 election. to get appointments with those in authority Simmons has represented Senate District and overall engagement. “We will know that we are successful when for the possibility of receiving contracts. 13 for 27 years where he advocated for af- “Black voters have traditionally been the each candidate has an acceptable and tangible “When Simmons gets to MDOT, he will fordable quality healthcare, quality educa- Democratic Party’s most loyal constituency and comprehensive plan that specifcally addresses make sure everyone will have a chance to tion, equal rights and better job opportu- younger voters represent the future of the party,” racial injustice, criminal justice reform, police be represented, said Espy. nities for all Mississippians. He thanked said Cullors. “We thought it was important that brutality and reparations, among other issues that Clark said, “For so long the transporta- God, his family, his supporters and those we use this platform to ensure that our constitu- impact the black community,” Cullors states. tion needs for our people have been ne- who went to the polls and voted for him ency has the resources to be informed when Since the organization’s inception in 2013, glected and we now have a candidate in and encouraged all citizens of the Central tuned into the debate and that the candidates BLM has been on the frontline of many issues this race that will represent all 22 counties District to vote for him in the upcoming know just how impactful our vote will be to this impacting minority communities including po- so that the poor and impoverished areas election.