Naomi Campbell in Kenya by Luis Alberto Rodriguez for i-D Magazine!
In a moment when Black talent and Black creatives — and other people of color, too — are dominating magazine content and culture, it’s startling to read the legendary Naomi Campbell say that photographer Luis Alberto Rodriguez is “the third photographer of colour I’ve worked with in my whole career in fashion.”
AOC hopes that we can all agree that Naomi’s statement is profoundly disturbing and one that cuts through the clutter of babble about why creatives of color are finally popping up everywhere— like it’s raining Black creatives. If you’re a Black creative, you’re hired.
Given all the years we’ve lived without Black talent in magazines, advertising and on the runways — even though they are the drivers of culture in America for decades — expect to see the disproportionate number of them now and certainly into the near future.
I’ve referred multiple times to the fact that I put my Victoria’s Secret job on the line over Naomi Campbell. In a moment of pre-Christmas, window marketing weak-knees, my colleagues were seriously concerned about Naomi going solo in VS windows across America. I did make the statistical argument for just how many VS customers were women of color, as I was a walking stat machine even though I operated in the creative end of the business.
Understand that the campaign was finished. This VS marketing moment was the final sendoff of our first wave of holiday marketing from the home office. And people were getting cold feet about consumer response in some small Midwestern city. I came of age as a young woman in a fashion industry that believed that using models of color depressed sales.
When questions about remixing the marketing with older shots and reprinting, I knew drastic action was required. This is an action that people of principle can take all over the fashion industry. Quite simply, I said “If we don’t stop this conversation about redoing the marketing over Naomi’s solo windows, I will resign.”
If you know Anne, you understand that I spoke 5-10 sentences, not one. But you get my point. My colleagues knew that I meant every word of this dropping the gauntlet, radical promise.
It’s fair to say that you better be very talented and a true asset to your company, when you make such a declaration. Riding high on two promotions in six months, I knew I was on the VS good girl list.
AOC is glad that Naomi Campbell uses her voice still to confront this topic of fashion industry racism on an ongoing basis. Returning to Naomi’s full statement for i-D, she said:
“It was just very real, very organic. And I felt proud, humbled and happy to be part of a shoot with young creatives that are all my skin colour, and that I’m getting to work with them after so many years of being in fashion industry. It’s very rare that this has happened to me. Luis is the third photographer of colour I’ve worked with in my whole career in fashion.
Naomi Campbell is proactive in her optimism, which is another new twist from the supermodel.
“At the end of 2020, my main reflections were on the need for us to move upward and forward. We have to rise to every challenge and walk through it. And we will get through it. 2021 is going to be a great year, we’ve just got a few more bumps to get through first. Nothing disappears overnight, but we just need to get through this first quarter. After that, I believe that this is going to be an amazing year.
Check out all the great fashion credits at i-D
#RHOA: Fans Think Kandi Burruss Is Pregnant After ‘RHOA’ Midseason Trailer Airs!
Fans think Kandi Burruss is pregnant after seeing the midseason trailer for Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA). Social media went ablaze with speculation regarding a video clip that showed Kandi sporting what appeared to be a baby bump.
“I never thought that I would see this body be pregnant again,” Kandi says in the midseason trailer. An image of the RHOA walking in a shape hugging dress further added to the rumor mill. Some media outlets announced Kandi’s expectancy of another child with her husband, Todd Tucker. A few social media fans, however, realized the midseason clip probably had something to do with Burruss’s onscreen character in a production she filmed last year.
Todd shared a candid of Kandi in-character last October while jokingly asking, “Another addition to the family, babe?” Some fans gave congratulatory remarks then, while other social media followers paid attention to the background setting long enough to determine Kandi’s “pregnancy” was merely a role for either television or film.
“She is in a trailer, which means she is playing a role in a movie, show, or a play,” one observant fan said. “Her character is pregnant,” the supporter added. Another social media follower said, “You know this is how rumors start. People are allergic to reading and can only comprehend pictures. They’re gonna run with this.”
Todd and Kandi expanded their family nearly two years ago with the birth of their daughter, Blaze Tucker. The celebrity couple sought the services of a surrogate because of Kandi’s fertility issues that would have made it difficult for her to physically conceive and give birth to another child.
Burruss, at first, felt a bit apprehensive about surrogacy. The RHOA star, however, gained a different perspective about the process after learning Bravo host Andy Cohen was also expanding his family by way of a surrogate.
Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker parent four children – Kaela, Riley, Ace, and Blaze – together. You can see Burruss and her blended family every week on the Real Housewives of Atlanta
#NewMusic: From Lil’ Mo – Broken Heart!
Veteran R&B singer Lil’ Mo is back with her new song “Broken Heart”. She created this single with Vanessa Bryant and Lauren in mind as they both have gone through losses in their lives.
LISTEN HERE
It’s always a treat to hear from Lil’ Mo who hasn’t been releasing a lot of music these days. Her last official album came out in 2014. Her voice is still in great shape so hopefully we get to hear more from Mo. She had also been recording her podcast “The Lil Mo Show” but appears to have taken a break from it.
#HipHopNews: Lil Wayne Announces New Young Money Compilation!
When it comes to recording new music, Lil Wayne is a alien so we’re pretty sure he will be releasing a solo project very soon.
But apart from that, he is also working on a compilation album for his Young Money imprint. Appearing on Fox Sports Radio’s “Up On Game” weekend show podcast, Weezy announced that a compilation to highlight the artists on his roster is in the works at the moment. Aside from that, he has shot a video for his recent song ‘Ain’t Got Time‘ with Foushee and recorded a new track titled ‘Rocket Fire’ on Friday which he calls his “favorite.”
The last Young Money compilation called Rise of The Empire was released in 2014. It featured appearances from Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Christina Milian, Shanell, Mack Maine, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Gudda Gudda, Lil Twist and more.
Aretha Franklin Estate Reaches Deal With IRS To Pay Off Claimed $7.8 Million Tax Debt!
When Aretha Franklin died in 2018, a powerful creditor came calling: the Internal Revenue Service.
The IRS claimed the singer’s estate owed more than $7.8 million in unpaid income taxes, interest and penalties, piled up from 2010 to 2017. Even while other thorny dramas in the Queen of Soul’s ongoing probate battle played out, sometimes pitting family against family, the IRS remained the mightiest hammer hanging overhead.
Now, in a major breakthrough, Franklin’s four sons and the IRS have reached an agreement that would speed up payment of the remaining tax burden — while giving the sons an injection of money from their late mother’s fortune.
At the moment, the heirs receive no money from the estate because of the IRS situation.
In a petition filed Feb. 19 in Oakland County Probate Court, the estate said the proposed arrangement includes an immediate $800,000 payment to the IRS, though the estate continues to dispute the overall balance owed.
Since Franklin’s death, the estate has been steadily paying on the tax debt — and its ever-accruing interest — while formally appealing the agency’s claimed total. As of December, the balance on the IRS books stood at $4.75 million.
The new filing says the final IRS bill will be determined “by agreement or litigation.”
Meanwhile, the deal between the estate and the IRS maps out how posthumous Aretha Franklin revenue will be allocated until the tax debt is settled. Backdated to Jan. 1 of this year, it includes new income from song royalties, licensing agreements and other money streams.
The deal calls for 45% of quarterly revenue to go toward the existing IRS balance.
Another 40% would be directed to an escrow account to handle future taxes on the newly generated income.
The remaining 15% of revenue would be used for managing the estate.
The agreement also sets up immediate $50,000 payments to each of Franklin’s four sons — Clarence, Edward, Teddy and Kecalf — and clears the way for other quarterly cash payouts to them.
The proposed deal, authorized by 10 attorneys representing the sons, was submitted to the court by attorney Reginald Turner. The Detroit lawyer and incoming American Bar Association president was appointed last year as temporary personal representative of the Franklin estate.
The proposed order must be approved by Judge Jennifer Callaghan to take effect.
Franklin died in August 2018 after a long battle with pancreatic tumors. The Detroit star’s estate proceedings have unfolded as her life and career continue to loom large via high-profile music celebrations, commercial TV placements and film projects, including MGM’s “Respect” biopic with Jennifer Hudson (August) and National Geographic’s eight-part “Genius” series (March 21).
Forensic Expert Thinks Tiger Woods Fell Asleep Before Car Crash!
Golf legend Tiger Woods was involved in a single-car crash last Tuesday. He ended up suffering a shattered right leg, resulting in doctors inserting a rod and placing screws in his foot and ankle.
Nearly a week later, various parties are still trying to piece together what precisely led to the accident.
At this point, two things are known for certain: why Woods was in a huge rush prior to the incident, and that video footage from his drive doesn’t show him moving erratically.
What remains unclear, however, is why he ended up wrecking his car.
This week, Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today decided to investigate an increasingly popular question pertaining to this whole ordeal: Did Woods fall asleep at the wheel?
“To me, this is like a classic case of falling asleep behind the wheel, because the road curves and his vehicle goes straight,” Jonathan Cherney, a consultant who provides car crash analysis as an expert witness in court cases and former police detective, told USA Today.
“It’s a drift off the road, almost like he was either unconscious, suffering from a medical episode or fell asleep and didn’t wake up until he was off the road and that’s where the brake application came in.”
Another expert, Felix Lee, an accident reconstruction specialist, told USA Today said that based on the evidence he has seen, “speed wasn’t that much of an issue” in what transpired. Rather, “it was just some kind of inattention that caused the curb strike.”
Rami Hashish, a principal at the National Biomechanics Institute, an organization which reviews the cause of accidents, posited that “Woods’ very delayed response” suggests “he wasn’t paying attention at all.”
Last week, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva suggested that inattention to the road, for any one of a number of reasons, may have led to the crash.
“That stretch of road has had quite a few accidents over the years. In fact, from January of last year to Tiger Woods’ incident, a total of 13 accidents, four of them with injuries,” he said, per ABC 7. “So, definitely, this stretch of road is challenging, and if you’re not paying attention, you can see what happens.”
Officials have suggested that Woods was sober when they found him and that what happened was simply accident.
Woods’ team provided an update on Friday noting that he had “been moved to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and received follow-up procedures on his injuries.” They also confirmed that “the procedures were successful and he is now recovering and in good spirits.”
Additional details regarding what led up to Woods’ accident should continue to emerge in the coming weeks and months. At that point, a clearer picture of the cause of the crash will likely become available.
Gal Gadot confirms She's pregnant again!
It's another "Wonder Woman" sequel ... of sorts: Gal Gadot is pregnant with her third child.
The "Wonder Woman 1984" star announced her pregnancy Monday with a sweet Instagram photo featuring her husband of 12 years, Israeli real-estate developer Yaron Varsano, and their two daughters, Alma, 9, and Maya, 3.
"Here we go again," Gadot captioned the image, which featured her family cradling her small baby bump. She included an emoji to ward off the "evil eye" on social media.
The reveal comes the day after Gadot, 35, presented at the 78th Golden Globe Awards,where she took the stage in a voluminous white Givenchy babydoll dress that hid her belly and sparked speculation online about a pregnancy. (It should be noted that her statement Tiffany & Co. pendant also attempted to wrest attention away from her bump, as did the her loose-fitting frock's butterfly sleeves.)
The DC action star appeared in person at the bicoastal awards show — taking the stage at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills — to present the award for best foreign film to "Minari." Gadot was introduced by co-host Tina Fey, who, from New York, quipped about being mistaken for the Israeli star.
Gadot's daughters have ties to her two "Wonder Woman" projects. She was famously pregnant with her second child during "Wonder Woman" reshoots, and her eldest recently appeared in "WW1984" in a scene with director Patty Jenkins' son, Asa.
She's set to appear next in the action film “Red Notice,” which she finished last year, as well as a controversial "Cleopatra" remake and a new screen adaptation of an Agatha Christie mystery, “Death on the Nile."
T.I. Reportedly Not Returning For Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania!
T.I. is out of Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
According to both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, the actor-rapper will not be reprising his supporting role as Dave for the third entry in the blockbuster franchise. You'll recall the character is an old prison buddy of Paul Rudd's good natured thief-turned-pint-sized superhero, Scott Lang. And as a member of the X-Con Security crew with Luis and Kurt, played by Michael Pena and David Dastmalchian respectively, the trio helps Ant-Man on his continuing adventures.
While things can certainly shift in the script (especially minor characters) before a film's start date, it's unclear if the news is related to T.I.'s quickly-escalating legal predicament. Yesterday, The New York Times published a story detailing sexual abuse allegations by 11 people against T.I., real name Clifford Harris, and his wife Tameka "Tiny" Harris. However, Variety quotes insiders from Disney, which owns Marvel, as saying that T.I.'s character was never slated to return to the threequel in the first place.
Tyrone Blackburn, a lawyer for the accusers, sent Attorney Generals of California and Georgia, where the alleged crimes took place, letters detailing instances of drugging, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and rape over a period dating back as far as 2005.
Blackburn is calling on law enforcement to launch a criminal inquiry into the matter and there's already been fallout for T.I.'s career. Last month, VH1 suspended production of the couple's reality series, T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle, in light of the abuse claims.
Steve Sadow, a lawyer for T.I. and Harris, flatly denied the allegations in a statement, calling them "baseless" and a "sordid shakedown campaign."
"We fully expect that if these claims are thoroughly and fairly investigated, no charges will be forthcoming," said the attorney.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is once again being helmed by Peyton Reed, started shooting last month in Turkey with principal photography set for this summer. The film is expected to debut sometime in 2020, and purportedly dives much deeper into the Quantum Realm. Returning with Rudd are Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne, aka The Wasp, Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne, and Michael Douglas as Hank Pym. They'll be joined by newcomers Jonathan Majors as Ant-Man's classic nemesis, Kang the Conqueror, and Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang, Lang's daughter.
This Virginia school district says it isn't banning Dr. Seuss' books. On the annual Read Across America Day, it's just no longer emphasizing them!
A school district in Virginia recently made headlines for allegedly banning books by Dr. Seuss.
But Loudoun County Public Schools(LCPS), located in Ashburn, said it is not banning books by the famous children's author. It's just discouraging a connection between "Read Across America Day," which was created to get kids excited about reading, and Dr. Seuss' birthday. Both fall on March 2, and have often been "historically connected" to each other, the district said in a statement.
"Research in recent years has revealed strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr. Seuss," LCPS said in its statement, which links to School Library Journal article from 2018 about the National Education Association focusing its Read Across America efforts "on Diversity Not Dr. Seuss."
Examples of racial undertones in the books include "anti-Japanese American political cartoons and cartoons depicting African Americans for sale captioned with offensive language," LCPS wrote.
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"Given this research, and LCPS' focus on equity and culturally responsive instruction, LCPS provided this guidance to schools during the past couple of years to not connect Read Across America Day exclusively with Dr. Seuss' birthday."
Dr. Seuss had a long history of publishing racist and anti-Semitic work, spanning back to the 1920s when he was a student at Dartmouth College. There, Dr. Seuss once drew Black boxers as gorillas, as well as perpetuating Jewish stereotypes as financially stingy, according to a study published in the journal "Research on Diversity in Youth Literature."
That study, published in 2019, examined 50 books by Dr. Seuss and found 43 out of the 45 characters of color have "characteristics aligning with the definition of Orientalism." The two "African" characters, the study says, both have anti-Black characteristics.
Two specific examples, according to the study, are found in the books "The Cat's Quizzer: Are YOU Smarter Than the Cat in the Hat?" and "If I Ran the Zoo."
"In ("The Cat's Quizzer"), the Japanese character is referred to as 'a Japanese,' has a bright yellow face, and is standing on what appears to be Mt. Fuji," the authors wrote.
Regarding "If I Ran the Zoo," the study points out another example of Orientalism and White supremacy.
"The three (and only three) Asian characters who are not wearing conical hats are carrying a White male on their heads in 'If I Ran the Zoo.' The White male is not only on top of, and being carried by, these Asian characters, but he is also holding a gun, illustrating dominance. The text beneath the Asian characters describes them as 'helpers who all wear their eyes at a slant' from 'countries no one can spell.'"
The study also argues that since the majority of human characters in Dr. Seuss' books are White, his works -- inadvertently or not -- center Whiteness and thus perpetuate White supremacy.
LCPS said Dr. Seuss books are still available in its schools libraries and classrooms, "however, Dr. Seuss and his books are no longer the emphasis of Read Across America Day in Loudoun County Public Schools."
"We continue to encourage our young readers to read all types of books that are inclusive, diverse and reflective of our student community, not simply celebrate Dr. Seuss," LCPS said.
Eddie Murphy reveals why he refuses to collaborate with Megan Thee Stallion!
Megan Thee Stallion is flying high at the top of the charts as one of the hottest female rappers in the game. However, famed actor Eddie Murphy has made it clear that he just could not collaborate with the “Body” rapper.
On Friday, Feb. 26, Murphy made an appearance on “The Tamron Hall Show” to promote the “Coming 2 America” sequel. During the interview, he was asked whether or not he would consider recording any new music. Although Murphy’s main focus is on acting and film production, he did see musical success in 1985 when his single, “Party All the Time” produced by Rick James, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. But now?
According to Murphy, things are different now. He explained that age is the issue; not talent or lack thereof.
“Megan Thee Stallion?! I’m 59, I can’t be doing nothing with no Megan Thee Stallion,” Murphy said laughing. “You know how crazy I would look doing something with Megan Thee Stallion? I’m gonna be 60 in April. I can’t be having Megan Thee Stallion doing her stuff and I’m standing next to her with my old ass playing my guitar.”
He added, “I have my first grandchild. Once you’re a grandpa, you can’t do no tracks with Megan Thee Stallion.”
“Coming 2 America” premieres on March 5 on Amazon Prime.
Nike VP Ann Hebert Resigns Following Discovery of Family Ties to Sneaker Reseller!
Nike’s North American vice president and general manager Ann Hebert has now resigned following revelations of her family ties with an avid sneaker reseller.
Hebert, who has worked at Nike for more than 25 years, voluntarily resigned after revelations were made by a Bloomberg article published earlier last week, following her 19-year-old son Joe Hebert. According to the report, his sneaker resale business West Coast Streetwear used an American Express credit card in his mother’s name to purchase a staggering $132,000 USD worth of limited edition shoes on one occasion to later flip for profits, and frequently managed to purchase sneakers at discounted rates from retailers like Foot Locker.
While Joe acknowledged his relationship with his mother Ann and her position as VP and GM at Nike, he maintained that her role was far removed from what his business involved and that he had never benefited from any insider information or his family’s relationship with the sportswear giant. Nike also revealed to Bloomberg that Ann had disclosed all relevant information regarding her son’s business to the company back in 2018.
Since her resignation, Nike has officially made the announcement via a press release, saying it’ll elect a new head of its North American market shortly.
Cardi B Says She's Ready To Collab With Lizzo!
A Cardi B-Lizzo collab could be on the way sooner rather than later!
On Sunday (February 28), the "WAP" rapper took to Twitter to gush over photos of the "Truth Hurts" singer, but it quickly turned into a music negotiation with her fans.
"These pics do it for me," Cardi captioned four sizzling photos of Lizzo that she'd posted to Instagram over the weekend. Fans did not waste time reacting to Cardi's tweet as many sent their requests for a Cardi-Lizzo collab. "Now drop that collab with her," one fan wrote. The "Up" rapper then responded, "Can I do a song first that I can put her on?"
However, after another fan tweeted, "YESSS WE WANT A COLLAB," Cardi asked her fans to stop "pressuring" her.
"Ok but stop pressuring me to do stuff," she wrote. "I can’t even show love to people with 100 collab collab collab."
While Lizzo didn't react to Cardi's tweet about a possible collab, she did reshare Cardi's initial tweet on her Instagram Story. "Damn this might get me back on Twitter," she wrote.
As fans know, Cardi revealed that she wanted to have Lizzo make a cameo in her "WAP" music video last year. However, Lizzo was unable to make it because she was out of town when she and Megan Thee Stallion shot the video "I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ because I had a whole vision about how I want to see Lizzo and everything," Card said in September.
J.J. Watt agrees to two-year contract with Arizona Cardinals!
Free-agent pass-rusher J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced Monday.
Terms were not disclosed, but a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter the deal is worth $31 million and includes $23 million guaranteed.
Before the Cardinals announced the agreement, Watt broke the news by sharing a photo on Twitter:
Watt later indicated he and his wife, Kealia, were traveling to Arizona on Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill's plane. He tweeted two photos, one of himself posing with Bidwill and the other of himself and his wife sitting in Bidwill's plane.
"I'm excited to get started," Watt said on the tarmac after the plane landed. "Very excited to get started, get to work, get to know the people of Arizona."
Watt, 31, was released by the Houston Texans, who granted his request on Feb. 12, ending his 10-year run with the franchise.
Four days later, Watt's former Texans teammate and current Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins posted on Instagram a photo of himself and Watt edited to be in a Cardinals uniform with the caption: "Let's finish what we started..."
Hopkins reacted to Monday's news by tweeting: "Life is good in Arizona!"
Watt will reunite with Vance Joseph, the Cardinals' defensive coordinator, who was the Texans' defensive backs coach during Watt's first three seasons in Houston.
In Arizona, Watt will be paired with fellow pass-rusher Chandler Jones, who leads the NFL in sacks since he was drafted in the first round in 2012 with 97. Second during that span is Watt with 95.5.
Watt's addition meant minimal changes to the Cardinals' odds for the 2021 season from Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill. Their odds to win the Super Bowl remain 40-1 and to win the NFC remain 20-1. Arizona's odds to win the NFC West moved from 7-1 to 6-1, still the longest odds of the four teams in the division.
"The one thing I can promise you is I'm going to work my ass off every single day to make you proud," Watt said. "Very proud to be a part of the 'Bird Gang' and the 'Red Sea.'"
In 2020, Watt ranked 15th out of 119 qualified pass-rushers in pass rush win rate, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He finished the season with five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception he returned for a touchdown. He has been plagued with injuries recently, having played 16 games in a season only twice since 2015.
Pressure is in the Cards. Since 2012, nobody has more sacks than the Cardinals' new tandem of Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt.
After the Texans drafted Watt with the No. 11 pick in 2011, he became the face of the franchise, winning three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2012 to '15. Watt is one of three players to win that award three times.
A five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro, Watt was by far the most productive pass-rusher in Texans history with 101 career sacks.
Man Says He’s Kim Kardashian’s Husband, Tries To Break Into Her Home!
A trespasser claiming to be Kim Kardashian’s husband tried to gain access into her Los Angeles home last week.
The unnamed 24-year-old man managed to breach the main entrance gate at Kardashian’s Hidden Hills home at approximately 6:30 p.m. on February 24th. However, he was stopped before he could enter the house. When security questioned him, he claimed that he was married to the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star.
The security officers alerted law enforcement, who cited him for trespassing. The man was also placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold but has since been released.
The ordeal was particularly frightening because it comes nearly four-and-a-half years after the 40-year-old beauty mogul was tied up and robbed by thieves in her Paris hotel room. Since then, she has noticeably increased her security, with guards at “every edge” of her property.
Neither Kim Kardashian nor her reps have publicly commented on the break-in attempt.
Florida cop who shot Black woman in face with rubber bullet cleared of wrongdoing
The Florida cop who shot a Black woman in the face with a rubber bullet during a Black Lives Matter protest last summer has been cleared of any wrongdoing for the incident.
On Friday (Feb. 26), LaToya Ratlieff expressed her disappointment after hearing that Fort Lauderdale Detective Eliezer Ramos would not face any consequences for the shooting. “It was expected,” she said. “We’ve seen this happen too many times ... when it comes to Black life.”
“If nothing else, it’s invigorating because it reaffirms why we were in the streets marching ... and why this doesn’t end today,” she added.
Sergeant investigating cop who shot protester says, “He’s a good guy”
Last May, Ratlieff attended a George Floyd protest in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The demonstration reportedly began to turn violent and she headed towards her vehicle to go home. That’s when the rubber bullet struck her face, a half-inch above her right eye. The bullet shattered her eye socket.
According to video footage, Ratlieff was walking a few feet away from officers who were dressed in riot gear. She was seen screaming as blood gushed from her injury. According to the Sentinel, some officers could be heard saying “Get that motherfucker” and “Pop his ass” while speaking about the demonstrators.
Navy veteran dies after police kneel on his neck for almost 5 minutes
Ramos previously claimed that he was not aiming for the woman, but instead was trying to shoot at a man behind her who was allegedly throwing tear gas canisters back at police.
On Thursday (Feb. 25), Fort Lauderdale Police Interim Police Chief Patrick Lynn announced that Ramos would be exonerated for the shooting. The officer “identified and targeted an individual who hurled a projectile at our officers with an intent to cause them harm” and it was not the officer’s “intent” to hit Ratlieff, Lynn said during the news conference.
The police chief also apologized to Ratlieff on behalf of the police department, however, she said it was “disingenuous.”
Courthouse Where Derek Chauvin Will Be Tried For The Murder Of George Floyd Has Been Blocked Off With Barbed Wire And Fencing!
The courthouse where former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will be tried has been surrounded with barbed wire and fencing ahead of his trial for the murder of George Floyd.
Chauvin, 44, has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter after he kneeled on George Floyd’s neck last year on May 25. The ex-cop pressed down on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while he was handcuffed on the ground and yelling that he could not breathe. There are three other officers involved in the case; according to KTLA, the other officers will go on trial in August.
Floyd’s murder ignited an international outcry, with millions calling for justice and the end of racism and police brutality. According to TMZ, construction crews have been building up barriers to block off potential masses of people who may show up to await the trial results. The barriers will be built around the Hennepin County Courthouse, the Minneapolis City Hall, and the Hennepin County Jail. The blockage consists of concrete walls, non-scalable fencing, and barbed wire.
The city council also hired six social media influencers to help spread “city-approved” messaging during the trial. However, some people feel this is a tactic the city council is using to shell out biased information.
While the city is bulking up security, community members say this entire ordeal is the result of Chauvin’s poor decisions. They are concerned about what may happen if Chauvin is acquitted. Elias Usso’s pharmacy on Lake Street was destroyed after only one year of being open after Chauvin killed Floyd. He called Chauvin’s actions “the murder of an innocent man” He added, “One police officer did that. Something has to change.”
The jury for the trial will be selected on March 8. Opening statements will begin on March 29.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘ROPE-A-DOPE’
That feeling you get when your outfit is on point!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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