VOLUME 88 - NUMBER 14
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009
TELEPHONE (919) 682-2913 PRICE: 30
Obama taps 2 more for federal appeals courts
By Larry Margasak
WASHINGTON (AP) - Presi
dent Barack Obama on April 2 nom
inated a federal judge from Mary
land and another from New York to
serve on U.S. appeals courts, mov
in'! to change the political balance
of both courts.
The Maryland judge. Andre
Davis, would serve on the Virgin
ia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals if confirmed by the Senate.
His confimiation would give the
circuit six Democratic-appointed
and six Republican-named judges,
leaving three vacancies. The court
has handled cases involving terror
ism defendants or detainees.
Gerard Lynch would fill the only
vacancy on the New York-centered
2nd Circuit, giving the court seven
Democratic and six Republican
judges. The court often presides
over Wail Street-related financial
said in a statement. "They will be
voices of reason and evenhanded-
ness on the Second and Fourth Cir
cuses.
"Judges Lynch and Davis are
two jurists with exceptional records
of integrity and fairness." Obama
cults."
There currently are 15 vacancies
in federal appeals courts covering
12 geographically based circuits.
The courts often provide the last
word on a variety of issues affecting
Ameris'iiis. Their decisions cover,
among other matters, civil rights,
searches and seizures, age and gen
der discrimination. religious liberty,
capital punishment, abortion.
First Calvary Baptist Church at the corner of Kent and Morehead Avenues taking shape, i he new edi
fice will replace the old building. The church worships at 2000 Lakewood Avenue in Lakewood Shopping
Ccnter. fPhoto By Lawson)
NATO Allies Back President Obama s Afghan Initiative
Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American
(NNPA) ■ President Obama has won commitments from NATO allies for an additional 5.000 troops, trainers
and mentors in Afghanistan, according to wire reports.
The president expressed satisfaction with the result, even though the promises don't come close to matching
the planned addition of 21.000 U.S. troops.
Obama also won a strong endorsement for his new policy in Afghanistan, which is focused on rooting out
al-Oaeda from the border w ith Pakistan, stepping up training for Afghan military and police forces, and working
cioseK with Afghanistan's neighbors, according to the Associated Press.
The president called pledges from Britain. France. Germany and others to help in Afghanistan "the kinds of
commitments that historically you don't see at a conference like this." adding. "What was pledged here today was
significant."
NATO officials said more than 10 countries had promised additional troops, trainers or money. "Many of us
have stepped up to the plate this morning." said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. "When it comes
to Afghanistan, this summit and this alliance have delivered."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who co-hosted the conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel,
said Obama made a strong case for the assistance in outlining his new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. The
strategy focuses more resources than in the past on rooting out al-Qaeda havens between the two countries.
"It was so easy to work with him." Sarkozy said of Obama. "He showed his leadership. He showed how com-
initted he was.'*
NATO countries currently have about 30.000 troops in Afghanistan. In contrast. U.S. forces number about
jS.OOO. and Obama is adding 17.000 more combat troops and 4.000 trainers.
The president stressed that troops to train and mentor Afghan forces and police are needed just as much as
combat troops in the country's dangerous south, where the Taliban is strongest. *The troops that we're sending in
no less important." he said.
gay rights, corporate wrongdoing,
review of federal regulations and
terrorism.
In eight years, the Bush admin
istration had the opportunity to tilt
the courts to the right. Obama can
now make them less conservative.
The 2nd Circuit covers Vermont
and Connecticut as well as New
York. The 4th has jurisdiction in
West Virginia, Mary land and the
Carolinas as well as Virginia.
Lynch, who was appointed to the
federal bench in 2000 by President
Bill Clinton, handled several high
profile cases
He presided over a sexual ha
rassment and retaliation suit by a
vice president of Madison Square
Garden against her employer and
then-New York Knicks coach Isiah
Thomas. Lynch allowed the case to
go to trial, and a jiny returned an
$11.7 million verdict for the plain
tiff. The suit subsequently was set
tled.
Lynch was the judge in the trial
of recording artist **Lii Kim" and an
associate on charges of conspiracy,
obstruction of justice, and perju-
r\' in a case related to a shooting.
Both defendants were convicted of
conspiracy and all perjuiy counts.
Lynch sentenced Lil' Kim to a year
and a day in prison.
In a major heroin distribution
and murder rase, he sentenced three
aeienaants to lire without parole.
And he was part of a three-judge
panel that upheld the Communica
tions Decency Act against a First
Amendment challenge. The rul
ing was affirmed by the Supreme
Court.
He has served as a federal and
New York prosecutor, chief counsel
for the New York State Commission
on Government Integritx and an as
sociate counsel in the Iran-Contra
independent counsel's office.
“Judge Lynch is a class act. a
world-class legal mind, and one
of the sagest judges of the district
court." said Sen. Charles Schumer.
D-N.Y. “We could not have a better
nominee to this critical couit."
Davis has issued several far-
reaching opinions on cases involv
ing civil rights and people with dis
abilities.
In two cases where African-
American restaurant patrons
claimed they were subjected to
hostile treatment. Davis established
a framework for evaluating such
claims. While the standards were
adopted by several federal courts,
the 4th Circuit declined to do so.
Davis' presence on the 4th Circuit
could strongly influence the appel
late court in civil rights cases.
In another ruling. Davis issued
one of the first federal court opin
ions to comprehensively analyze
the Americans With Disabilities
Act. His analysis was frequently
cited by other federal courts look
ing at the requirements of the law.
He ruled that Baltimore City
courthouses were not wheelchair-
accessible in violation of the dis
abilities law and ordered the city
and state to create a plan to make
the buildings accessible. He ruled
in favor of a restaurant patron who
claimed he wasn't provided wheel
chair access to a restroom.
Davis once struck down Bal
timore's set-aside program for
construction contracts for minori
ty-owned and women-owned busi
ness.
Davis has been a judge for 22
years, and this is his second shot at
an appellate seat. Clinton nominat
ed him for the 4th Circuit in Octo
ber 2000. but the Senate didn't vote
before the Bush administration took
office.
Named to the federal bench by
Clinton in 1995. Davis has served
as an appellate attorney in the Civil
Rights Division at the Justice De
partment and as a federal piosecu-
tor in Maryland.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski. D-Md..
said Davis has “extensive judicial
experience and a history of civic
engasement."
Rev. Clifton Davis addresses NCCU’s Executive Masters Of Pub
lic Administration (EMPA) Class on How Religion relates to Public
Policy in the field of Public Administration. (Photo By Lawson)
US high court lets Abu^
Jamal’s conviction stand
WASHINGTON (AP) - Mumia Abu-Jamal has'4^ his bid for a new
trial in the killing of a police officer in 1981.
The U.S. Supreme Court said April 6 it will not take up‘A,bu-Jamal‘s
claims that prosecutors improperly excluded blacks from the jury'tkq^con-
vicled him of murdering Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner.
Since Abu-Jamal's 1982 conviction, activists in the United States and
Europe have rallied in support of his claims that he was the victim of a rac
ist justice system. Abu-Jamal. 54. has kept his case in the spotlight through
books and radio broadcasts.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld Abu-Ja-
mal's conviction but held his death sentence invalid. The appeals court said
it would not second-guess state court rulings rejecting Abu-Jamal's claims
of bias in the composition of the jun .
The high court considered only the conviction. The state has separate!)
asked the court to reinstate the death sentence, but the justices have not
acted on that request.
A Philadelphia jury convicted Abu-Jamal. who is black, of killing
Faulkner, who was white, in 1981 after the patrolman pulled over Abu-
Jamal's brother in an overnight traffic stop.
Prosecutors say Faulkner. 25. managed to shoot Abu-Jamal during the
confrontation. A wounded Abu-Jamal. his own gun lying nearby, was still
at the scene when police arrived, and authorities consider the evidence
aeainst him overwhelmina.
Michelle Obama Wows Londoners
L
By. Dorothy Row ley
Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers
(NNPA) - Stylish hair, clothes and shoes.. Buffed arms and an unmis
takable air of grace, beauty and poise.
They're all synonymous with first lady Michelle Obama who continues
to wow crowds ever)'where she goes - and her trip this week to the United
Kingdom along w ith President Barack Obama has been no difierent.
While the president dove right into the serious business of the G20 eco
nomic summit, the first lady was becoming the toast of the town. cos\ iiig
up with the Queen of England, sitting for tea. visiting an inner cit) all-girls
school, and touring a cancer ward.
"She's a real breath of fresh air." CBS anchor Katie Couric w as quoted
as saying by phone on April I from London. Meredith Vieira from NBC's
Today show gushed that “Every body in Europe is enthralled w ith her."
Both w omen, no doubt, were echoing the sentiments of many w ho said
Mrs. Obama had acquired a powerful presence in London.
During her visit to the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School which enrolls
about 1.000 girls ages 11 -17. the students were in awe.
“The amazement and adoration on the face of the girls and the authentic
way Obama reacted to them was just wonderful thing to watch." London's
Daily Mirror reported.
The paper also noted that about 300 students and residents had shrieked.
“We love you!" as the first lady arrived at the school in Islington. North
London.
Greeted by 100 students. Mrs. Obama applauded enthusiastically after
they regaled her with a string of stirring performances, and in a show of
the informal style that has endeared her to millions around the world, she
high-fived one of the solo singers and hugged students, according to the
Daily Mirror.
“Wow! I can't follow that. Thank you for that warm welcome. My hus
band is going to be very-jealous of my afternoon because I am spending it
with all of you." Obama said. “When I look at a performance like this, it
reminds me that there are diamonds like this all over the world."
Obama's visit with the Queen went just as well.
However during the reception, it appeared that Obama momentariK
breached a rigid ancient protocol when she reciprocated Her Majesty'i
openness by also gently draping her arm across the back of the Queen, hi
doing so. Obama was widely revered, proi 'ting observers to say that she
had merely exuded her usual warmth and that the Queen - who normal!)
doesn't like to be touched - had very easily adapted.
Meanwhile, Obama who reportedly can : be seen wearing the same
outfit in public more than once, has been tin ilk of the fash- 'n world fer
her simnlistic vet