www.mississippilink.com VOL. 24, NO. 36 JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2018 50¢ Jackson Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter holds prayer vigil in response to separated immigrant families By Cianna Hope Reeves the nation, legislators, public fi g- In response to the Call to Action Surrounding Greek chapters, JSU Student Intern ures, national and local community by the national headquarters, Jack- community leaders and citizens of After horrifi c footage of un- organizations called for a change in son Mississippi Alumnae Chapter Jackson all gathered at Smith Park documented immigrants housed in action. Included in the list of advo- (JMAC) held a prayer vigil for ad- in Jackson June 25 to pay tribute to cages and children being removed cates – Delta Sigma Theta Soror- olescents who were stripped from the lives who have been victimized Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. join in prayer to from their families were displayed ity, Inc., a prestigious organization their families as they sought refuge keep immigrant families united and safe as they seek refuge in on multiple media outlets across built on leadership and service. in the United States. Vigil Continued on page 3 the United States Mississippi Encouraging the Dems pick party stalwart Baria in fi ght for morality Senate runoff Baria By Jeff Amy Associated Press Mississippi Democrats in Tuesday’s runoff gave their U.S. Senate nomination to state Rep. David Baria, lining up behind a party stalwart to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker. Baria told supporters he has the experience Attendees listen to testimonies from members of the Poor People’s Campaign. to make the uphill campaign against Wicker and be a productive senator. He said he was a By Cianna Hope Reeves In response to the cry for change, the suffering and struggles that many tivist was assassinated before the or- known and trusted quantity, pointing to his re- JSU Student Intern a mass meeting was held Monday, had to face in the 1960s. ganization’s arrival in the eyes of the cord as a state legislator. Baria said he would In an effort to eradicate unjust ac- June 25, by the Mississippi Chapter After King spent time in Marks, American people. continue his advocacy of education, health care tions against Americans living in at Mt. Helm Baptist Church to en- Miss. which was then in the poor- Fifty years later, due to the nation’s and transportation in Congress, and voiced op- poverty, the national Poor People’s courage youth, public leaders, church est state of the country, the idea of cycle of a distorted moral agenda and position to President Donald Trump’s immigra- Campaign (PPC) has revived itself organizations and citizens to embark the organization dawned on him as the continuation of systematic rac- tion policies. across the country to rally for equal on the journey to assist the deprived. he witnessed a teacher feed her stu- ism, poverty and ecological devasta- “This is a change election,” Baria told The human rights for the disadvantaged, The Poor People’s Campaign, in- dents crackers and apples for lunch tion that has prevented impoverished Associated Press Tuesday night. “Democrats not in mules and trains like their troduced by Martin Luther King Jr., because that was all she had to give; families from being lifted out of their are excited and exuberant. Folks are ready to successor did in 1967 but in a more was planned to become a cross-racial he realized then how critical the fi ght uncontrollable circumstance, a plea make some change in Washington.” modern and intense way – marching coalition of impoverished Americans was for disadvantage families across for help has been called. Many Democratic politicians backed Baria, in hot degree weather and protesting to demand better living conditions the nation. the state House minority leader and an attorney, in front of state capitol buildings. and social reform in order to reduce Unfortunately, the civil rights ac- PPC over newcomer Howard Sherman. The husband Continued on page 3 of actress Sela Ward, Sherman voted as a Re- publican in California and donated to Wicker. Sherman said the donation was an effort to prevent a tea party Republican from winning. “I thought the state was ready for something Ben Jealous wins Maryland primary, vows different,” Sherman said. “I thought the state was tired of 50th. But they voted for a shepherd of 50th.” to topple Republican Gov. Larry Hogan Sherman and Baria were the top vote-getters in a six-candidate June 5 primary. Sherman was endorsed by state Rep. Omeria Scott, who By Ovetta Wiggins, Arelis R. “We will beat Larry Hogan the fi nished third. Many other offi cials, including Hernández and Robert McCartney same way we won the primary,” Jeal- Mississippi’s only Democratic member of Con- The Associated Press ous said in an interview Wednesday gress, Rep. Bennie Thompson, endorsed Baria. Ben Jealous, a former NAACP morning. “...Talking to everyone, Through June 6, Baria had raised less than president embraced by Sen. Bernie in every corner of this state, about $300,000, while Sherman raised $850,000, in- Sanders, decisively defeated Prince kitchen-table issues.” cluding $650,000 in loans to himself. George’s County Executive Rush- Jealous received strong backing “I think we’ve proved that money’s not ev- ern L. Baker III for the Maryland and outside money from wealthy lib- erything,” said Baria, who nevertheless prom- Democratic gubernatorial nomina- erals, unions and progressive groups. ised more effort on fundraising. tion Tuesday in a major victory for He offered bold proposals – includ- Wicker, who’s held the Senate seat since late the party’s progressive wing. ing state-based universal health care 2007, coasted to a primary victory June 5. The In a victory speech at an African- and debt-free college – that he be- incumbent congratulated Baria Tuesday, but American museum in Baltimore, lieves will energize voters, many of drew a quick contrast. Jealous, 45, lashed out at Republican whom seemed inclined Tuesday to “I want to continue working with President Gov. Larry Hogan, whom he called cast ballots for Hogan in the fall. Trump to grow our economy, secure our bor- a “gimmick governor,” and said he Hogan, who ran unopposed in the is not daunted by the incumbent’s record-high approval ratings. Jealous Baria Continued on page 3 Jealous and a supporter Continued on page 3 WJSU’s Carter-Simmers I’m Still Here Share this issue with a friend loses her battle against by mailing it to: breast cancer Inside Page 16 Page 18 IN MEMORIAM 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2018 www.mississippilink.com Lottie Lorene Williams Thornton Early childhood educator, community activist celebrated and remembered Mississippi Link Newswire at Jackson State College where her ed- marriage. an ambassador, he cited her consistent More than a hundred colleagues ucation was partially fi nanced through Lottie Thornton united with Far- service throughout her tenure and time and parishioners along with friends her fi rst place win in the fi rst oratori- ish Street Baptist Church in 1945. A to Jackson State. and family fi lled the sanctuary of the cal contest sponsored by the Masons devoted and supportive member, she “Lottie Thornton was an icon of Farish Street Baptist Church last week and Heroines of Jericho in December, served as a sunday school teacher, Jackson State College and Jackson to bid farewell to Lottie Lorene Wil- 1939. During her matriculation as a member of the choir and of the Junior State University,” said Peoples. “As a liams Thornton, Jackson State Univer- student, Lottie made history at Jack- Matron and E.B. Topp Circles, presi- founder who planted the seeds of Early sity alumna and architect of the Early son College by becoming the fi rst fe- dent of the Women’s Missionary Soci- Childhood Education, her guidance Childhood Education Program. male elected to serve as president of ety, deaconess and chairperson of the helped create and establish the Early A joyous and uplifting fellowship the Student Government Association. nominating committee. In recognition Childhood degree-granting program to the tune of “When We All Get To She completed her undergraduate de- of her indefatigable service, Lottie was during a time of limited fi nancial re- Heaven” opened the homegoing cel- gree with distinction as salutatorian the recipient of the 1999 Woman of sources and state support. Through ebration offi ciated by Dr. Hickman of the class of 1944. Lottie Williams the Year Award (Farish Street Baptist her continued work, the concept and M. Johnson, pastor and friend of the continued her education and received Church). design of the undergraduate program Thornton family for more than fi fty the Masters of Education degree from After her relocation to Phoenix, Ari- was advanced to the master’s degree years. The celebration was marked Ohio State University. zona in 2011, she joined the First In- level and later gave rise to the fi rst doc- by keynote tributes and acknowledg- The professional career of Lottie stitutional Baptist Church under senior toral program at Jackson State.” ments preceded by the Beyond the Williams was launched and spent at pastor, Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr. Her Lottie Lorene Williams Thornton Wall service rendered by members of Lottie Lorene Williams Thornton her Alma Mater. She served valiantly discipleship continued through active was preceded in death by her parents, Beta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha as a teacher in the Laboratory School memberships in the general mission her siblings and her husband. She Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. was marked by her love for linguistics and later as director of the Early Child- through the Maryvale Circle, the sun- leaves to cherish her memories her Members of the T.C.