June 21, 2018
City News Service
The Los Angeles Police Department today released the first of a planned series of “Critical Incident Videos” designed to help the public understand preliminarily what officers face during a use-of-force confrontation.
The 16-minute video, available on the LAPD's website, is the first toc be released under a program authorized by the Police Commission that calls for such a video to be made public within 45 days of certain types of use-of-force incidents, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said.
The video includes audio from a 911 call and police officer body cam footage, along with narration from LAPD officials.
The video released Wednesday was taken May 6, when officers took 25- year-old Jose Chavez into custody in the 4400 block of Towne Avenue. Officers had gone to the location on a report of a prowler, and arrested Chavez into custody after subduing him with a beanbag shotgun and a Taser.
After being handcuffed, Chavez stopped breathing, and he died at a hospital. The cause of Chavez' death was deferred, pending the results of toxicology tests, which are still not in, Beck said.
“It’s very important to the Los Angeles Police Department that we be as accountable as possible,” Beck said at a news conference at police headquarters where the video was released. “And so, to do that, we are going to release more and more information regarding the use of deadly force ...”
Luis Carrillo, the attorney representing Chavez’s family, called the video “highly produced,” “heavily edited and slanted in favor of the LAPD.”
Beck cautioned that the “Critical Incident Videos” are designed solely to give the public an update on a police confrontation, and they do not represent a final report judging officers’ actions .Beck said there may be as many as 40-50 such incident videos released annually.
Such final reports — known as “end of incident” reports — can take months to produce, can be several hundred of pages in length and will now include the Critical Incident Videos, Beck said.
The video released Wednesday was distilled from at least 50 hours of police videos, including body camera footage. It includes a narration that guides the viewer through the chronology of an event.
Carrillo’s law firm has filed a claim against the city on behalf of Leodegario Chavez, the slain young man’s father. It alleges the officers used excessive force and negligently or intentionally caused Jose Chavez’s death, called for the release of the full video.
“We still have not seen the full video which is roughly two hours long,” he said. “We do not have an autopsy report yet and the video leaves out crucial portions such as the four-minute gap that shows how Mr. Chavez ‘became agitated.’”
During this standoff, there were no crisis intervention negotiators helping Mr. Chavez understand why police had drawn their weapons.
“Before the public makes any decision on this, we urge the LAPD to release the full, raw portion along with the complete autopsy report so we can all view exactly how the police officers behaved throughout this tragic incident.”
June 21, 2018
City News Service
A City Council committee today approved language for a potential ballot measure that would create special cannabis sales taxes and fees to create a neighborhood health fund with the goal of revitalizing communities damaged by the war on drugs.
The Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee also subsequently approved a temporary lowering of the gross tax sales receipts on marijuana businesses for several years as a way to soften the blow the potential levies would have.
The potential ballot measure approved by the committee would go before city voters in the Nov. 6 general election, with the title of “Cannabis Reinvestment Act.” The measure, which still needs approval from the full council, would impose a 1 percent gross receipts tax on all commercial activity, a $5 surcharge for tickets sold for temporary cannabis events and a $5 surcharge for any test of cannabis products conducted by a licensed commercial cannabis testing laboratory.
The resulting health fund would be used to support youth leadership and civic engagement, after-school programs and educational opportunities, as well as improved local health services in minority communities “as they recover from pernicious drug laws,” according to a motion introduced by Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
Marijuana has been legal for recreational sales and use in California since Jan. 1, and the Los Angeles City Council drafted a series of rules and regulations last year in preparation for the new industry.
Harris-Dawson, who represents many Latino and Black neighborhoods in South Los Angeles, outlined his support for the health fund in a letter to the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee before it initially considered a vote on the fund in May.
“Even as we stand on this precipice, we must recognize that we stand squarely in the shadow of the unjust War on Drugs. This atrocity targeted Angelenos of color, decimated neighborhoods, ripped families apart and criminalized the illness of addiction,” Harris-Dawson wrote. “Today, we have an opportunity to build new systems and shape an industry in ways that recognizes wrongs, respect all residents, and intentionally builds a more equitable society.”
Citing several Drug Policy Alliance studies, Harris-Dawson said 80 percent of people federally incarcerated for drug offenses are Black or Latino, and that Black Angelenos are arrested for marijuana possession at seven times the rate of whites.
Some representatives of the cannabis industry spoke out against the tax to the committee.
“This ballot proposition is a fool’s errand wrapped in a clown’s bow,” said Adam Vine, a co-founder Cage-Free Cannabis, an organization that says it is dedicated to helping the cannabis industry and consumers repair harms of the war on drugs. “We need you to fund this equity program from the general fund and we need it yesterday. We need solutions that address the scope of the problem from South L.A. to the Valley to Boyle Heights and beyond. If you want solutions we have plenty of innovative problem solvers right here in this room, but a 1 percent tax carved up by council districts is not a solution for equity, justice and repair in this industry.”
Approximately $40.2 million in gross receipts tax revenue from cannabis activity is assumed in the 2018-19 city budget, and a city report said approval for a special cannabis tax of 1 percent is estimated to generate approximately $4.37 million annually.
The committee also approved a separate motion that would include a 2 percent reduction to the medical cannabis and recreational cannabis rates, to be restored in 0.5 percent increments over four years; a 0.75 percent reduction to the distribution and testing laboratory rate to be restored in 0.25 percent increments over three years; and a 1.5 percent reduction to the cultivation and manufacturing rate to be restored in 0.5 percent increments over three years. The lower tax would be implemented on Jan. 1, 2020, and the reduction will be completely phased out by Jan. 1, 2024.
June 21, 2018
Special to the L.A. Watts Times
The Brotherhood Crusade, a community organization founded in 1968 by civil rights activist Walter Bremond. For 35 years businessman, publisher and civil rights activist Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. led the Institution and today, Brotherhood Crusade President and CEO Charisse Bremond Weaver hosted a 50th Anniversary Community Thank You Event on Friday, June 15, 2018 at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.
The event was designed to be a “thank you card” for partners, donors, sponsors, elected officials and volunteers for supporting Brotherhood Crusade programs and services. Over 700 attended the celebration, which included music, food, historical exhibits and videos.
Special remarks were given by CA State Senator Holly Mitchell, CA State Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, President & CEO Charisse Bremond Weaver and Board Chairman Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. 
Proclamations and resolutions were awarded to the organization, including a U.S. Congressional Records Resolution from the 115th Congress (House of Representatives) Second Session by Congresswoman Karen Bass, 37th Congressional District of California.
Distinguished guests who attended the event included:
• CA State Senator Holly Mitchell
• CA State Senator Steve Bradford
• CA State Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer
• Civil Rights Advocate and Activist Danny J. Bakewell, Sr.
• SEIU 2015 President Laphonza Butler
• United Domestic Workers President, Doug Moore
• NBA Legend AC Green
• Actress Dawnn Lewis
• CBS Sports Director Jim Hill
• Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey
• City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson (District 8)
• Dr. Robert Ross, The California Endowment
An organization with a rich legacy for making an impact in the Los Angeles community, Brotherhood Crusade was headed up for 35 years by businessman, publisher and civil rights activist Danny J. Bakewell, Sr.
“50 years is a great milestone to commemorate the great work that we have done within the community,” said Board Chairman and past president Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. “This wouldn’t be possible without the support of so many individuals and other organizations. Brotherhood Crusade was founded to be the driving force within our own community as an example of what we can achieve through self-determination and self-reliance as a community and as a people. I can’t express how proud I am of the vision that my friend and Brotherhood founder Walt Bremond had, the great work, advocacy and accomplishments during my time as President and the great achievements of Charisse, our board of directors and our staff as we move the Brotherhood Crusade into the next 50 years. This legacy was only attainable because so many people (too many to name) were committed to the idea of Black people supporting those programs, projects and ideas that are the best for our community.”
Now, Brotherhood Crusade President and CEO Charisse Bremond Weaver continues the legacy of her late father Walter Bremond and mentor, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., as she maintains partnerships and forges new alliances to build on the organization’s historic impact.
The organizations’ principal mission is to champion equality and equity by removing and/or helping individuals overcome the barriers that deter their pursuit of success in life and facilitate opportunities for a better quality of life via health & wellness, academic success, increasing financial literacy, access to artistic & cultural awareness and building community agencies & institutions.
Charisse Bremond Weaver, Brotherhood Crusade’s President and CEO said, "We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate having reached this monumental milestone. We would like to thank all of our partners, donors and friends for your support and participation in our 50-year history of serving the community with pride, compassion and commitment. Whether you donated a dollar or thousands of dollars, your partnership means the world to us. This event was our way of expressing gratitude because our history and future are rooted in this community, the people we serve and the people who make it possible for us to move our mission to serve forward."
To learn more about Brotherhood Crusade and upcoming 50th Anniversary news, visit https:// brotherhoodcrusade.org/.
To donate to Brotherhood Crusade programs and services, visit http://igfn.us/f/neb/n.
June 14, 2018
City News Service
The National Basketball Players Association Foundation and the LA84 Foundation announced today that they are issuing a request for proposals to refurbish local basketball courts in underserved communities in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
The NBPA Foundation said the $150,000 of grants are part of the legacy of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
“We are excited to be working with the LA84 Foundation and local partners across the city to create amazing places to play for the children of Los Angeles," said Sherrie Deans, executive director of the NBPA Foundation.
Los Angeles Laker Kyle Kuzma is featured in a video that promotes the launch of the RFP. That video can be viewed at www.la84.org/ball.
“I am happy to be a part of this announcement and to let people know about the opportunity to improve their local basketball courts with the help of the NBPA Foundation and the LA84 Foundation,'' Kuzma said.
The organizations said that opportunities to play basketball are often based on family income and zip-code, or a ``pay equity'' gap that the grants are aimed to help narrow.