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Stay of execution granted for Abu-Jamal
Shortly after the Congressional Black Caucus released a statement
, expressing its concern about the unresolved issues in the Mumia Abu-Jamal
case, a stay of execution was granted.
Gov. Tom Ridge had signed a death warrant setting Abu-Jamal s Dec. 2
execution date after an appeal for a review in this case was rejected by the
Supreme Court on Oct. 4.
U.S. Reps, Chaka Fattah. D-Pa.. and John Comers, D-Mich.. spoke on
behalf of the 38-member caucus, stating that justice can only be served
through a new trial.
"The only thing we knowTor sure is that he has not been given due
process and that alone is enough for a new trial." said Fattah.
A statement by the CBC said. "Even if he were guilty, there should be a
more solid assurance of fact before he is put to death. If he is innocent,
putting him to death on the basis of current evidence makes the government
guilty of the very thing for which it is accusing Abu-Jamal."
In 1982. Abu-Jamal. a radio journalist and former Black Panther who
criticized violence and racism within the Philadelphia Police Department,
was convicted of killing Daniel Faulkner, a White Philadelphia police officer.
?- Maishah English
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Waters calls rejection of White racist
"We stand here today to draw a line in the sand, a line beyond which we
will not allow anyone to cross." said Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., during a
recent protest rally outside the U.S. Capitol, sparked by the Senate's Oct. 5
... decision to deny the judicial nomination of Missouri Judge Ronnie White for
a federal District Court appointment.
Although Republicans charge their actions were fair, this served as the
first time since 1987 that a judicial nomination was rejected by the full Sen
ate
"Senator (John) Ashcroft. R-Mo.. played the 'race card.' He played it by
'acting in the most racist way to deny a qualified African American his right
ful position on the federal bench. I know a racist when I see one," Rep.
Waters said.
Senate Republicans, who failed to act on the nomination during last
year's 105th Congress, justified their actions toward Judge White as a vote
against his opposition to the death penalty.
Others at the rally included: Reps James Clyburn, D-S.C.; William Clay,
D-Mo.; Elijah Cummings. D-Md.; Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas; Donald
Payne, D-N.J.; Melvin Watt. D-N.C.; Albert Wynn. D-Md.; and Delegate
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
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Recovery continues in Eastern North Carolina
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As recovery operations for Hurricane Floyd reach the one-month mile
stone. residents in North Carolina's devastated eastern half continue to try
to put their lives back together. With the help of monetary and material
donations from around the country and assistance from the Federal Emer
-- gency Management Agency (FEMA). the restoration process is moving
ahead slowly.
"FEMA has been very responsive to the residents down there; so have a
lot of volunteer organizations." said Michael Suggs, senior director of pub
lic affairs for R.J. Reynolds, after visiting Tarboro. where his parents and
other family members lost everything in the hurricane. "There is a great spir
it of voluntarism People have really poured out their hearts and money."
Currently, federal funding to assist the state exceeds SI 35 million with the
largest components including: $41.8 million approved for emergency hous
ing and grants to individuals and families: $65.5 million approved for 1,394
low-interest Small Business Administration loans; and S28 million obligated
to pay for 66 mission assignments in the disaster area conducted by other
federal agencies.
? However. Suggs said that theffunds being allotted are insufficient based
on the magnitude of the calamity, which he Said resembles a third world
country. "Low-interest loans are being offered, but a lot of the people don't
have the ability to repay them. What they need are grants;"
He said while the devastation is as bad or worse than depicted by the
media, the survivors are optimistic.
"There is a real sense of going-forwardness.1' he said. "Their spirit has not
? been broken. They want to rebuild their city." <
Since the presidential disaster declaration on Sept. 16.61.840 North Car
olinians have registered for assistance by calling FEM As toll-free application
hotline. - La Wanza Spears - .
INTERNATIONAL
U.N. approves peacekeeping mission In Sierra Leone
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) The U.N. Security Council unanimously
approved the creation of a new peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone, which is
intended to deploy some 6,000 soldiers to the West African nation within one
month.
The council's approval of the U.N. Mission in Sierra Leone, which will
assist in demobilizing government and rebel troops and monitor a cease-fire
in effect since July, marked the first major U.N. commitment to peacekeep
ing in Africa since U.N. troops withdrew from Rwanda and Somalia four
years ago. Farhan Haq
Beninois teachers refuse to return to Nigeria
COTONOU, Benin (IPS) - More than 90 Beninois teachers hired to
teach French in Nigeria have refused to return to the West African country,
citing poor wages and living conditions.
See N*w* Brief* on A10
INDEX
OPINION 1 A6
SPORTS ?1
RELIGION ?9
CLASSIFIEDS ill
HEALTH _ L C3
ENTERTAINMENT C7
CALENDAR CIO
This Week In Black History...
Oct. 4, 1943 - Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
founder H. Rap Brown is born in Baton Rouge. La.
Oct..4, 1944- Dancer Pearl Primus makes her Broadway debut.
She will become known for blending African and American
dance traditions.
Oct. 7, 1897 Elijah Poole is born in Sandersville. Ga. He will
become known as Elijah Muhammad, one of the most influen
tial leaders in Nation of Islam history.
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Blacks
lead in
computer
purchases
By BENNIE M. CURRIE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO -a The increase in
computer-related purchases by black
consumers last year was consider
ably greater than the increase for
whites, according to a market
research firm's report.
The findings are published in
"The Buying Power of Black Amer
ica," a report compiled annually by
Chicago-based Target Market News,
which tracks black consumer trends.
The firm attributes the increased
spending to a hardy economy and a
boost in black household income.
In 1998. black spending on Inter
net serv ices, computer hardware and
other computer-oriented services
outpaced the previous year by 143
percent, according to the study.
Spending on computer products by
white consumers during the period
rose about 10 percent, the study says.
Blacks spent $1.3 billion on
computer-related equipment and ser
vices last year, the study says.
See Computers < ti AIO
Cardinal blessing
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The Journal Gazette, Matt Sullivan
Hi* Fminence Francis Cardinal Arinxm, of Nigeria, prmsidmnt of the Fanlifiud Council for kiter-KeMgious
Dialogue at tho Holy Sao in Homo, gives a blessing to throe Fort Wayne Catholic school children Mon
day at the Cuthedial of the Immaculate Conception, in Fort Wayne, Ind., telebiutbig AM Saints Day.
Arinxe, who was the commencement speaker for Wake Forest University's May graduation ceremo
ny, may become the first black pope in more than 1,000 years.
Census launches aggressive campaign
Fight is on to get "hard-to-count
groups," minorities to fill out forms
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON - The
advertising starts next week
and will culminate in March as
the Census Bureau tries to
make sure everyone knows the
national head count is under
way.
The agency kicked off its
effort Wednesday, focusing on
the theme: "This is our future.
Don't leave it blank."
* Officials are trying to
increase the share of people
who fill out and mail back
their census forms because the
agency's biggest expense is for
the hundreds of thousands of
people who go out in search of
folks who do not respond.
The agency is launching a
$167 million paid advertising
effort, including television,
radio, outdoor and print - var
ious ads in 17 different lan
guages - seeking to reach
everyone in America.
By next March the census
will be the third largest broad
cast advertiser, trailing only
McDonald's and Burger King.
"America cannot have a
successful census without the
support of the American peo
ple," said Rep. Dan Miller, R
Fla., chairman of the House
Government Reform's Census
subcommittee.
Census Day is April 1,
2000. The results will be used
to reapportion seats in the
House and many state and
local districts and to distribute
$185 billion in federal aid to
cities, states and communities.
In the past, census promo
tions have relied on free public
service announcements, which
usually ran on television and
radio at odd hours when few
were tuned in.
This year the ads will pre
sent messages about Census
2000 for the general public, as
well as specific messages for
blacks, Hispanics, Asians,
American Indians, native
Hawaiians and other Pacific
Islanders and Alaska natives. -
"Today's event underscore?
a broad-based commitment to
ensure that Census 2000 is the
most accurate, complete and
fair count possible," said Com>
merce Secretary William M;.
Daley. The Census Bureau is
part of the Commerce Depart
ment.
"This is the people's cen
sus," added Census Director
Kenneth Prewitt. "We believe
everyone counts, and we want
this message to reach every
person living in the United
States, Puerto Rico and the
island areas."
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"GM is driving my business Worldwide."
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William Mays,
President and CEO,
Mays Chemical Inc.
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After ten years as a thriving business, we were ready for the
next big step. So when my company was awarded a General
Motors contract, it was the catalyst we needed to do business
I
worldwide.
Going global can be risky, and it means a lot to us that GM
is the company working with us to get there. That's because
GM doesn't simply do business with small and minority
businesses. It takes an interest in our success, and makes its >
expertise available. So we can continue to help General Motors
manufacture quality cars and trucks, while we begin to take our
business around the world.
M General Motors.
| People In Motion
CHEVROLET ? PoNTIAC ? Ol DSMOBII.E ? BUICK ? CADILLAC ? GMC
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