Philadelphia Private Swim Club Forces Out Black Children

July 9, 2009 By mrDaveyd

Philadelphia Private Swim Club Forces Out Black Children

Update: The public email and phone number for The Valley Swim Club is 215-947-0700 and info@thevalleyclub.com. The President of the club is John Duesler.

In 2009 and the age of Obama we still have blatant discrimination as Black kids in Philadelphia were told they would pollute the water if they swam at a private club

NBC reports that more than 60 African-American campers from Northeast Philadelphia were turned away from a private swim club because — according to John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club — “there was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club.”

It may surprise some Americans to learn that not only do certain private clubs still refuse to admit African-Americans, women, and gay people, but that this kind of enrollment discrimination is considered perfectly legal.

While the total number of private clubs is unknown, there are around at least 4,000 private golf clubs, according to Golf Digest. Of course, since these clubs are private, their exact enrollment standards aren’t part of the public record, so there is no way to know for sure if they discriminate against ethnic minorities, women, or homosexuals. Furthermore, even if they do adopt official “white males only” policies, these practices are considered “legal” in some jurisdictions, though many clubs have been sued for discrimination.

Because of the shroud of secrecy surrounding enrollment at private clubs, these discriminatory practices usually only come to light when the media catches a prominent politician on the fairway. Katon Dawson, South Carolina GOP chairman and former candidate for the RNC chair, was forced to resign from the Forest Lake Club after members made public the fact that the club has a whites-only restriction and no black members. Then there was Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), who hosted a golf fundraiser at a whites-only club back in 2000 along with then-lawmakers Bob Ney and Tom DeLay.

Back in 1992, Bill Clinton was accused of attending an all-white private golf club, though Mark Grobmeyer, the Little Rock lawyer who played at the club with Clinton, denied there was a “no blacks” policy. Why were there no black players then? Mr. Grobmeyer replied, “None have applied.”

President Kennedy was once challenged by future Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg, over his membership at the Links Country Club because the club excluded Jews from membership. President Kennedy reportedly chuckled and replied, “Hell, Arthur, they don’t even allow Catholics.”

This recent case of discrimination at the Philadelphia club is merely a continuation of discriminatory admission standards. Such official bans on non-Anglo Saxon men may seem superfluous considering outrageous membership fees are usually enough deterrence to keep non-white people off the golf courses and out of the pools, but when The Creative Steps Day Camp managed to pay the $1900 for their young campers to enter The Valley Swim Club, the staff resorted to drastic measures.

“When the minority children got in the pool all of the Caucasian children immediately exited the pool,” Horace Gibson, parent of a day camp child, wrote in an email. “The pool attendants came and told the black children that they did not allow minorities in the club and needed the children to leave immediately.”

Remarks like that make it difficult to remember that it’s 2009. According to attorney Benjamin Leedy, another shameful episode occurred a little over a decade ago when Hall Thompson, founder of the all-white Shoal Creek club in Birmingham, AL (site of the 1990 PGA Championship,) declared that his club would not be pressured into accepting African-American members. “This is our home, and we pick and choose who we want,” he said.

Leedy cites another recent example in 2003 at the Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters, where Martha Burke, head of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, demanded that the club allow women to become members. Hootie Johnson chairman of Augusta National, responded “There may well come a day when women will be invited to join our membership, but that timetable will be ours and not at the point of a bayonet.”

In 2001, Birgit Koebke and Kendall French, a lesbian couple registered as domestic partners under the California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2003, sued Bernardo Heights Country Club alleging that the club discriminated against them on the basis of sexual orientation. The club’s membership privileges were only available to members’ spouses and children, but not to members’ domestic partners. In 2005, the California Supreme Court concluded “that since, under California law, registered domestic partners have rights equivalent to legal spouses, the question of whether the club’s practice of granting playing privileges to members’ spouses but not to members’ registered domestic partners constituted unlawful discrimination under California’s anti-discrimination law must be left to a jury decide.”

This most recent case of discrimination in Philadelphia is particularly sinister because it involves banishing children. “I heard this lady, she was like, ‘Uh, what are all these black kids doing here?’ She’s like, ‘I’m scared they might do something to my child,'” said camper Dymire Baylor.

What a terrible lesson to teach two children — one white and one black. The white child learns to fear those who are different from them. The black child learns there is something “wrong” and “dirty” about their very existence. Hopefully, another more enlightened swim club will welcome the campers from The Creative Steps Day Camp, who are now looking for a place to keep cool during the summer.

Cross-posted from Allison Kilkenny’s blog. Also available on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow Allison Kilkenny on Twitter: www.twitter.com/allisonkilkenny

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-kilkenny/philadelphia-private-swim_b_228253.html

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Big Beef in Congress: Shelia Jackson Lee vs Peter King Over Michael Jackson

July 9, 2009 By mrDaveyd

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Big Beef in Congress: Shelia Jackson Lee vs Peter King Over Michael Jackson

Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee wants Michael Jackson to be honored and his set to battle dipshit Congressman Peter King

*Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston took the stage at Michael Jackson’s public memorial on Tuesday and pushed for a House resolution that would officially honor the King of Pop “forever and forever and forever and forever and forever.”

But if some on Capitol Hill have their way, the resolution will never even see tomorrow.

Introduced on June 26, the day after Jackson’s death, House Resolution 600 lists several charitable acts by the singer over his long career and proclaims him as an American legend, musical icon and world humanitarian.

While holding up a framed copy to enthusiastic applause from the Staples Center crowd, the Texas Democrat gave folks a taste of how the measure will be debated on the House floor.

“We understand the Constitution. We understand laws and we know people are innocent until proven otherwise. That is what the Constitution stands for,” Jackson Lee said, of course referring to Jackson’s past allegations of child molestation.

The assertion was brought up in recent days by New York Republican congressman Pete King, who called Jackson a “pervert, child molester, pedophile” in a video he posted on YouTube.

Without mentioning King by name, Jackson Lee reminded everyone that Michael Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges, and criticized those who “don’t understand the hearts of entertainers” and “don’t know how they heal the world on behalf of America.”

After Jackson Lee’s speech at Jackson’s service, King vowed Tuesday to do “whatever I have to do” to oppose the legislation.

According to the Associated Press, the Michael Jackson resolution is currently sitting in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of which Jackson Lee is a member and King is not.

Usually, non-controversial resolutions honoring a person who has died or carried out a noteworthy accomplishment move quickly from committee to the House floor and then pass on a voice vote. An opponent could ask for a recorded vote, which then requires a two-thirds majority for passage. So far, Jackson Lee’s resolution has just one co-sponsor, Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif.

In noting the pop icon’s humanitarian efforts, Jackson Lee said he visited her Capitol Hill office in 2004 to discuss a tour with African ambassadors that would raise money to fight AIDS. But his child molestation charges at the time prevented him from leaving the country without a court order. Jackson Lee also mentioned Jackson’s visit to wounded veterans of the Iraq war at Walter Reed Hospital while in Washington.

source: http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur54547.cfm

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: Big Beef in Congress: Shelia Jackson Lee vs Peter King Over Michael Jackson, Davey D Hip hop news-Sheila jackson lee takes on peter King, Eur report-Shelia Jackson lee, House Resolution 600, HR 600, Michael jackson resolution, peter King

Why the new Webcaster Royalty Deal w/ Sound Exchange Stinks

July 9, 2009 By mrDaveyd

“Pureplay” Webcasters Settlement Still Stinks
Posted: 08 Jul 2009 12:02 AM PDT
By Jerry Del Colliano

SoundExchange, negotiating for the record labels, and webcasters struck a compromise announced yesterday that defines more reasonable royalty payments for a longer period of time — 2006 (retroactively) to 2015.

There’s no doubt that the compromise is better than the Copyright Royalty Board’s initial verdict that would have seen webcasters paying the labels virtually 100% of their revenue or more.

Hey, that kind of makes 25% — one quarter — look good, right?

Not so fast.

If webcasters were dead with the last iteration of SoundExchange’s taxation, they are only half dead now.

Dead nonetheless. Life in prison instead of death by lethal injection.

If you haven’t seen the nuts and bolts of this compromise forced by Congress and signed by the President, Kurt Hanson is my go-to man on these kinds of issues.

The compromise doesn’t cover terrestrial radio streams and broadcasters should be on their knees thanking God for that. Not that terrestrial streaming has much of a future in webcasting. It’s just that radio has enough problems already.

Kurt outlines the three main benefits for those who choose to swallow this bitter medicine:

1. It cuts the CRB per-performance rates for 2007-10 by approximately a third to a half.

2. It establishes per-performance rates for 2011-15 — with annual increases, to be sure, but nowhere near as huge as the kind of annual increases the CRB was coming up with, and without the risk and expense of participating in another CRB proceeding for that period.

3. And it gives smaller webcasters a chance to grow into these rates — with a “percentage of revenues” royalty rate for a webcaster’s early years (about 14% until they hit $1.25 million in annual revenues, and 25% for about a year thereafter). (Note, however, that this provision expires at the end of 2014.)

Expect to keep more records — and I don’t mean vinyl.

Webcasters would have to provide SoundExchange with census reports — actual tunes played and total listenership — and retain server logs for a minimum of four years. And smaller webcasters can pay a “proxy” fee, skip the paperwork and be poorer yet.

This compromise stinks.

It’s barely a compromise if the net effect of it is to hamstring a potential growth industry that is beneficial to the labels.

I say that because the record industry is holding music discovery hostage by taxing businesses that actually promote their songs and artists.

And if you think paying up to 25% of your revenue is a good deal, I wonder if the labels would like to pay up to 25% of all their revenue to webcasters or radio stations in return for the privilege of exposing their artists.

Congress and your local music label — local to Washington — have ganged up on entrepreneurs who want to fully utilize the Internet for one of the things it does best — music discovery.

So, Pandora may opt for these new rates but it’s a bad deal for them — remember, 25% is the starting maximum and rates will go up.

This fish stinks the longer it’s on paper.

The labels have effectively killed off their own business by not buying Napster when it could — opting to sue it instead and encouraging clones.

Trying to tax radio stations even though every young person knows radio stations are the last place to go to discover new music. Let’s be honest.

If the labels could have gotten this deal in 1950 for radio airplay, they would have killed off their golden age of manufacturing vinyl and keeping all the profits. And after all, the record labels were the ones who screwed the starving artists they now romanticize as they lobby away.

Now the labels — through SoundExchange — have the momentum. They are getting their way. Instead of flat out killing off the webcasters of the future, they’ve hog-tied them.

Celebrate if you must, but there’s very little to be happy about.

Any agreement that starts — starts — by taxing the webcasters on one-fourth of their revenue over $1.25 million is a no-win for all parties.

Webcasters can’t sell enough Google AdSense to be viable and if they could, their viability just decreased when they accepted this offer of Hemlock from the labels.

Webcasters might argue that they were under a deadline to come up with an agreement or else have the terms decided for them. That is true.

But my answer is — if the agreement doesn’t work for webcasters, come up with another business.

Feature only music that is rights free.

Music is free anyway to the next generation — look around and see how many young people actually pay for music.

Freeze out the labels from the webcasting world — let them have up to 25% of nothing.

A much smaller, more reasonable charge is prudent but in today’s economy accepting the “pureplay” compromise is tantamount to dooming an entire emerging industry.

If you want a business model, don’t look at the record labels to come up with it. Look at their record.

So, webcasters can survive but not thrive.

Pandora can continue.

This year Pandora will do about $30 million and right off the top, 25% of that goes to the record labels under this deal.

Some economic stimulus plan, eh?

source: http://insidemusicmedia.blogspot.com/2009/07/pureplay-webcasters-settlement-still.html

For those of you who would prefer to get Jerry’s daily posts by email for free, please click here. IMPORTANT: Service cannot start until you verify an email from “Feedburner” immediately after you sign up (may have to check your filtered mail).

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Industry news & Views, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: "Pureplay" Webcasters Settlement Still Stinks, davey d hip hop news -webcaster deal stinks, Jerry Del Colliano-webcaster deal stink, Kurt hanson, Pandora, Sound exchange, Why the new Webcaster Royalty Deal w/ Sound Exchange Stinks, Why the new Webcaster Roylaty Deal w/ Sound Exchange Stinks

Chuck D & Funk Expert Rickey Vincent Speak on the Music & Political Legacy of Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5

July 6, 2009 By mrDaveyd

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Listen to the History of Funk pt 1-retrospective look at Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5

1-Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt1-Michael jackson & the Jackson 5

2-Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt2-w/Chuck D How MJ influenced Hip Hop & Politics

Professor Rick Vincent-author of History of Funk drops a lot of insight about the musical legacy of Michael Jackson and his brothers

Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 are considered steller musicians and entertainers who changed the game in major ways. Oftentimes when we speak of them they are presented as if they came out of nowhere and their musical prowess came out of a vacuum. We wanted to give people some deeper insight into their music and what it meant to Soul, Funk and the Black community.

We sat down with Professor Ricky Vincent aka the Uhuru Maggot, author of the landmark book The History of Funk. We sat down and walked through the history of MJ and the Jacksons and talked in depth about their influences ranging from James Brown to Stevie Wonder. We talked in depth about their roots including how MJ and his brothers grew up in Gary, Indiana. We talked about the important role Gary played in Black America, both in terms of having one of the country’s first African American mayors and the 1972 meeting by Black folks to set a nationwide agenda.

We talked about their father Joe Jackson and who he is and how he spent alot of childhood and teenage years in Oakland, California. Vincent talked about the vibrant blues scene that was in full gear when Joe jackson was around in West Oakland and how that may have been a foundation for his musical ambitions.

We spoke about Michael Jackson and his dancing history. We talked about his signature moves ‘The Robot’, The Moonwalk and locking and noted how these were popular dance styles well known in various hoods throughout California for years prior to Michael introducing them to the rest of the world.

We talked about the struggles the group had when MJ’s voice changed and how Motown executives wanted them to follow a particular pop formula while the group pushed to establish a new sound that was more soulful, funky and contemporary. Eventually the tension became so great that the group left Motown and joined Epic. Because Motown owned the name The Jackson 5, the group changed their name to The Jacksons. Complicating their situation even more was the fact that older brother Jermaine married Berry Gordy’s daughter hence he went on to stay at Motown and do a solo career.

We talk about the influence James Brown had on Michael and how he went out and pretty much adapted much of Brown’s delivery, showmanship and overall style. We explore the music from that time period in the mid 70s and note how the group found themselves under the gun as they tried to keep up with icons like Stevie Wonder, George Clinton, Sly Stone, BT Express and an array of ‘child groups like the Sylvers who had bursted on the scene and were hitting hard.

Ricky reminded us of how George Clinton and his p-funk mob were in Detroit recording songs and that their style and influence was definitely felt. because he was connecting with the hood, the Jacksons were forced to step it up and become alittle more raw with their music.

We end this segment by highlighting the various musical directions the group took.

Here’s the link to part1

Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt1-Michael jackson & the Jackson 5

———————————————————————————–

Chuck D spoke about Michael Jackson's political side and how he influenced his love for Hip Hop

In pt 2 we are joined by Chuck D of Public Enemy where we have an indepth discussion about MJ and his politics and how Chuck was introduced to Hip Hop via Mike.

Chuck talks about the important role legendary songwriters Gamble & Huff played in pushing Mike and his brothers. Author Ricky Vincent talks about how the message in the music is part of a much larger tradition within Black music.

Chuck D also talks about how some of Michael Jackson’s records which were used as breakbeats influenced him and made him embrace Hip hop more. In particular is the vintage cut ‘Music’s Taking Over’. Chuck also talks about the sample they used from MJ in the song By The Time I get to Arizona.

Chuck also talks about the important influence Michael Jackson had in the realm of videos.

We play lots of Jackson’s political songs as well as the cuts that inspired Chuck D.

We conclude the interview by talking about MJs War with Sony Music and Tommy Mottola, his charitable works and the importance of being named the King of Pop.

Here’s the link to pt 2

Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt2-w/Chuck D How MJ influenced Hip Hop & Politics

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Breakdown FM Interviews, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: Berry Gordy, Breakdown FM, Chuck D, Chuck D & funk Expert Rickey Vincent Speak on the Music & Political Legacy of Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5, Davey D Hip Hop news, History of Funk, James brown, Michael Jackson, Sly stone, The Jacksons

Charges Dropped Against the SF8

July 6, 2009 By mrDaveyd

daveydbanner

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 13:17:23 -0700>
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/07/06/18605916.php
Subject: [Freethe SF8] Charges Dropped – Jalil pleas no contest

Finally, after years of unified resistance by the brothers and a the
building of massive support, Califonia State prosecutors were forced
to admit that they have insufficient evidence against the San Francisco 8.

Charges against four of the defendants were dropped and Jalil
Muntaqim pled no contest to conspiracy to commit voluntary
manslaughter. He received credit for time served (close to 2 1/2
years in County Jail) and 3 years probation. He will return to New
York to fight for parole.

The courtroom at 850 Bryant Street was packed with SF 8 supporters
after a rally of hundreds and a huge Free SF 8 banner was displayed
on the hillside of Bernal Heights to be seen from all over the city.

“This is finally the disposition of a case that should never have
been brought in the first place,” announced attorney Soffiyah Elijah.

Francisco Torres still faces a court hearing on August 10th.

A more in-depth story will follow.

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles Tagged With: Charges Dropped Against the SF8, Jalil Muntaqim, SF8

Chuck D & Funk Expert Rickey Vincent Speak on the Music & Political Legacy of Michael Jackson & the Jackson5

July 6, 2009 By mrDaveyd

daveydbanner

Listen to the History of Funk pt 1-retrospective look at Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5

1-Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt1-Michael jackson & the Jackson 5

2-Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt2-w/Chuck D How MJ influenced Hip Hop & Politics

Professor Rick Vincent-author of History of Funk drops a lot of insight about the musical legacy of Michael Jackson and his brothers

We end this segment by highlighting the various musical directions the group took.

Here’s the link to part1

Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt1-Michael jackson & the Jackson 5

———————————————————————————–

Chuck D spoke about Michael Jackson's political side and how he influenced his love for Hip Hop

In pt 2 we are joined by Chuck D of Public Enemy where we have an indepth discussion about MJ and his politics and how Chuck was introduced to Hip Hop via Mike.

Chuck also talks about the important influence Michael Jackson had in the realm of videos.

We play lots of Jackson’s political songs as well as the cuts that inspired Chuck D.

We conclude the interview by talking about MJs War with Sony Music and Tommy Mottola, his charitable works and the importance of being named the King of Pop.

Here’s the link to pt 2

Breakdown FM-History of Funk pt2-w/Chuck D How MJ influenced Hip Hop & Politics

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Breakdown FM Interviews, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: Breakdown FM-The History of Funk-A retrospective into the musical Legacy of MJ and the Jackson 5, Chuck D, Chuck D & funk Expert Rickey Vincent Speak on the Music & Political Legacy of Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5, Davey D Hip Hop news, History of Funk, retrospective with Michael jackson and the Jackson 5, Ricky Vincent

Cynthia McKinney released, returning to United States

July 5, 2009 By mrDaveyd

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McKinney released, returning to United States

By RHONDA COOK, LARRY HARTSTEIN

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday, July 05, 2009

cynthiamckinneypink-225 Cynthia McKinney’s mom said she’s learned that her daughter is on the way home.

Leola McKinney said a friend who contacted the U.S. Embassy in Israel reported that the former congresswoman was released from Israeli custody and taken to Ben Gurion International Airport.

“We finally got word that she was released,” Leola McKinney said late Sunday afternoon. “We don’t know what time she is supposed to fly out. All we know is that they took her to the airport.

“I would be more relieved when I know she’s on the flight,” Leola McKinney added. “But I am relieved that she’s away from there.”

McKinney had been in custody since Tuesday, when she and 20 others were swept up by the Israeli Navy while allegedly trying to sail through a navy blockade. The group says it was attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

McKinney and the rest of her group could have been released soon after they were taken into custody but they refused to sign a document admitting they violated Israel’s blockade, according to McKinney’s parents. The group was due to appear in an Israeli court Sunday.

Leola McKinney said she had no information about the court hearing.

Leola McKinney said she had not spoken with her daughter since shortly after she was taken into custody.

Cynthia McKinney and other members of the “Free Gaza Movement ” left Cyprus Tuesday on the Greek-registered ship Arion.

Their ship was stopped when they tried to pass through the Israeli Navy’s security blockade at Ashdod. The group was taken into custody and their ship was seized. Israel officials promised to deliver by ground all of the humanitarian supplies that were on the boat.

Family, friends and supporters say Cynthia McKinney believed she was in international waters and was free to pass.

“The Israelis hijacked us because we wanted to give crayons to the children of Gaza,” Cynthia McKinney said in a recorded statement delivered via telephone and posted on the internet site YouTube.

The office of the Consulate General of Israel in Atlanta said in a statement released Friday, “According to Israeli law Ms. McKinney and her fellow crew members were suggested to sign a form acknowledging their deportation… Since Ms. McKinney has refused to do so, she is expected to appear before an Israeli judge on Sunday, July 5, and afterwards be returned home as soon as possible.”

Civil rights leader the Rev. Joseph Lowery, head of the Atlanta-based Coalition for the People’s Agenda, said he and others have spoken by phone with the Consulate General of Israel.

“Whatever happened, there was no harm done,” Lowery said. “She was not carrying munitions, but medicine. We hope Israel will show compassion and release her and let her go on to deliver the much-needed medicine to the Gaza Strip. … If she were carrying guns, that would be a different thing. [But] she was carrying humanitarian aid.”

Israeli officials blame McKinney and her group for the controversy, saying they were looking for confrontation to attract publicity. The officials note that Palestinian Authority and the rest of the international community had agreed to the off-shore blockade to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza. Gaza is controlled by Hamas, which is classified by the U.S. and European Union as a terrorist organization.

Leola McKinney said the trip would have received no “publicity if they had been allowed to deliver supplies to Gaza. They [Israel] made an issue out of it by taking the boat and escorting them into Israel.”

Billy McKinney, Cynthia McKinney’s father and a former state legislator, said his daughter was only trying to show “the devastation in Gaza… Anybody who has a humanitarian spirit would not want to see those people live in those conditions.”

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: Cynthia McKinney released, Free Gaza, Free Gaza Movement, Israeli Navy’s security blockade, returning to United States, Rev. Joseph Lowery

Chuck D of Public Enemy Releases YouTube Video Tribute for Michael Jackson

July 2, 2009 By mrDaveyd

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ChuckD-performing-150 Lots of people have been weighing in on the passing of Michael Jackson. Even more have been weighing in on on what a proper tribute looks like in the aftermath of the BET Awards fiasco. One person who has stepped to the plate is music icon Chuck D of Public Enemy. he sent out this video the other day of his own tribute to Michael jackson. He explained that he took some time out and put this together on I Movie. It underscored my questions-Where was the simple video montage from BET?

Also included in this story is a video of Chuck D talking about the importance of music that was released during the Civil Rights struggle..

Enjoy and pass along…

Below is the video of Chuck D talking about the importance of music during the Civil Rights Struggle.

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Essential videos to peep, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: Chuck D, Chuck D Michael jackson tribute, Chuck D of Public Enemy Releases YouTube Video Tribute for Michael Jackson, Civil rights struggle, Davey D Hip hop Corner, Davey D Hip Hop news-chuck D, Michael Jackson

Update: Anti-Gang leader Alex Sanchez Denied Bail

July 2, 2009 By mrDaveyd

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We received news that Alex Sanchez was denied bail yesterday. Alex is our comrade, executive director of Homies Unidos, and co-founder of All of Us or None. He was arrested in a federal racketeering conspiracy raid in Los Angeles last week. Alex has been a leader of gang truce efforts in Los Angeles for over ten years. All of Us or None will be working with Homies Unidos and Alex’s friends and family across the nation to win his release on bail.
A website is being launched this week so people can keep updated about Alex and the fight for his freedom:
www.wearealex.com

Alex Sanchez Denied Bail

Prosecution Case Decried as “Weak”

By Tom Hayden
For The Nation

Anti-Gang leader has been framed in trumped up charges and now has been denied bail

LOS ANGELES. A federal magistrate today denied Alex Sanchez bail in his gang conspiracy trial as expected, but the prosecution entered a surprisingly “weak” case according to defense counsel.

If the bail denial is endorsed by federal judge Manual Real, an appeal to the US Ninth Circuit Court could take months, keeping Sanchez in federal isolation. His defenders argue that bail denial is a violation of his equal opportunity to participate in his own defense, tipping the scales of justice against the indigent defendant, former gang member and decade-long leader of Homies Unidos, a gang prevention organization highly regarded in juvenile justice circles.

Sanchez appeared in court today chained and shackled, dressed in a white prison uniform. He made brief eye contact with his family and supporters, tapping his heart in a gesture of love and strength. He remained quiet through the proceeding.

In arguing that Sanchez was a danger to the community and a flight risk, the prosecution case revealed the core of its conspiracy case for the first time since Sanchez was arrested at home at 6 a.m last Wednesday.

In the eye of this observer, who has personally experienced and covered many past conspiracy cases, the prosecution’s narrative seemed weaker than others brought during the police and FBI’s long wars against crime, the Left, revolutionaries, anti-war activists and, more lately narco-terrorists and violent gangs. As Father Gregory Boyle argues, the problem is not so much a police conspiracy as a deep ignorance and cultural bias in the ranks of prosecutors and law enforcement. Both a conspiratorial mindset and ignorance seemed on display today, leading Sanchez’ attorney Kerry Bensinger to call the government case “weak” and “laughable.” A notably professional attorney who refuses to argue the case in the media, Bensinger reddened and shook his head at several points during the proceeding.

As evidence that Sanchez leads a “double life” as community healer by day and secret member of a hierarchical racketeering organization [mara salvatrucha] by night, the prosecutors offered the following evidence:

that Sanchez claims to support gang tattoo removal as a path out of the gang life, but has a gang tattoo across his chest. In fact, laser tattoo removal programs, which are painful, lengthy and expensive, are offered only for the hands, wrists, neck or other areas which are barriers to training and employment programs. Fr. Boyle credits Sanchez will helping 250 young people undergo tattoo removal. Sanchez openly admits he was a tattooed member of MS in the 1980s and early 1990s. [As a state senator, I authorized $2 million for tattoo removal programs.]

that Sanchez has a long criminal record. But defense counsel noted that several of Sanchez’s previous convictions have been struck down, and that those which remain are two offenses dated in 1991. Subsequently, Sanchez has not only been exonerated of past offenses in LA Superior Court, but granted political asylum by an immigration judge during the Rampart police scandal in 2002.

That a poem by Sanchez was found in papers taken by police during a house raid several years ago.

That Sanchez appeared in a 2000 photo taken at a gang peace conference in San Francisco, smiling with an associate and posing with gang signs. Attorney Bensinger noted that millions of young people, including his own kids, sometimes throw gang signs without such behavior being criminal.

That several weeks ago, Sanchez and several young men were talking and drinking after a sporting event, when police rolled up and took notes on field identification cards. There were no charges made.

On the most sensational charge of conspiracy-to-murder, the prosecution introduced an LAPD underground officer who wiretapped Sanchez, among others, without the required turning over of transcripts of the actual wiretaps to the defense. Sanchez’ attorney objected to his inability to cross-examine or obtain evidence through discovery. But the officer, Frank Flores, was allowed to take the stand anyway, in support of charges which have yet to be examined. The prosecution argued that the tapes of multiple phone calls around May 5-6, 2006, will reveal arguments, tensions and threats among several gang members, including Sanchez and Walter Lacinos, aka “Cameron”. Sanchez, according to the still-unreleased tape, is quoted as saying “we go to war”, without any further context or quotation. Lacinos was killed the following week in El Salvador by an unnamed MS member, according to the prosecution account.

A sentence such as “we go to war”, without context, could be prophecy, prediction or warning, but is hardly sustainable evidence of ordering a gang killing. The case itself may open up the shadowy world of LAPD collusion with Salvadoran police and the unsolved murders of numerous Homies Unidos members deported back to El Salvador in the past decade.

Many might ask why Sanchez isn’t simply tried for accessory to murder in the proper state or local court. The plain reason is that the evidence would be insufficient. Enter the RICO racketeering conspiracy laws, named after the gangster named “Rico” in an Edward G. Robinson film, which make guilt-by-association the basis of responsibility for concrete “overt” acts. [For example, during the 1969 Chicago conspiracy trial, eight defendants were accused of conspiring to cross interstate lines and carrying “overt acts” in furtherance of said conspiracy. It was not necessary that the eight knew each other. I was charged with the overt act of letting air out of a police car’s tires. Bobby Seale’s overt act was giving a speech in broad daylight. Jerry Rubin, if I recall, was charged with throwing a sweater at a police officer.]

Alex Sanchez will have to show that he was not an active participant in any crime and that his presence on wiretapped conversations was not evidence of murderous intent, and/or that multiple dangers precluded him from just hanging up. It is possible that the tapes themselves will unravel into garbled discussions proving nothing resembling a conspiracy. But the government will refuse to release the tapes for as many months as possible, while Sanchez remains locked away. In the end, the conspiracy may prove to be the LAPD and FBI elements who continue to blame Sanchez for causing them embarrassment in the Rampart scandal a decade ago, when they tried to imprison and deport him.

A movement to demand bail and a fair trial for Alex Sanchez was announced immediately after the bail denial, with the website www.wearealex.com . Led by Homies Unidos activists, the defense committee released over one hundred letters from Salvadoran community leaders, gang prevention groups from across the country, and an array of clergy including Father Boyle, Rabbi Allen Freehling, Rabbi Steve Jacobs, and Minister Tony Muhammed of the Nation of Islam, who attended the bail proceeding. #

Tom Hayden is a former state senator and author of Street Wars [Verso, 2005]

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: Alex sanchez, Davey D Hip Hop news -july 2 2009, davey D's Hip Hop Corner, Father Gregory Boyle, Homies Unidos, Kerry Bensinger, Mara Salvatrucha, MS 13, Tom hayden, Update: Anti-Gang leader Alex Sanchez Denied Bail

How Michael Got Gangsta With Sony Music Over Black Music & Racism

June 30, 2009 By mrDaveyd

daveydbanner

How Michael Got Gangsta With Sony Music Over Black Music

Michael Jackson was not as timid as one might think when it came to doing battle with the industry. Not too many people wanna talk about his battle with Sony Music

This is what I liked about Michael Jackson. Call him weird, call him eccentric, but the man was no dummy and he would step if needed to.. I am including a story we ran the day after Michael Jackson was in Harlem where he called out Tommy Mottola and Sony Music. He said Mottola was a racist which was bold given that at the time Motola was one of the industry’s most powerful executives in the industry..

This is the article that we ran in June 2002 in my FNV Newsletter

-Davey D-

SHARPTON, COCHRAN & MJ GEAR UP TO BATTLE MUSIC BIZ!

The article below is reprinted with permission from Ayana Soyini asoyini@khamouflage.com who documented this historic event which originally appeared on the website http://www.goldeneyesonline.com. The new website is Khamouflage Productions www.khamouflage.com

PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES…
PASS THE WORD ALONG TO STAY INFORMED!

http://www.daveyd.com/fnvjuly112002.html

Greetings: On Tuesday July 9, 2002 I attended a music industry summit
in Harlem at the headquarters of the National Action Network. The
Summit was called by Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton, Johnny Cochran, Michael
Jackson and many other prominent people in the entertainment, legal,
and political activist communities. Contrary to what some of the
media has been reporting, the Summit was not solely for the airing of
grievances by Michael Jackson. As you may or may not know, Michael
recently said some very candid, open and straightforward comments
about the historical racism and economic disparity that is prevalent
in the music industry. This has been extremely detrimental,
specifically to the African-American community who has historically
been at the forefront of innovation in America. One cannot talk about
the history of the United States without talking about the
contributions African-Americans have made. Most notably, all
recognized popular American musical art forms have been created and
developed first from within the African-American community (i.e.
Blues, Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Soul etc…)

Our music was often called “race music” by white Americans to
highlight the fact that as a people, the African-American experience
is unique and our expressions culturally rich. Let me emphasize once
again that the focus of this Summit was not on Michael Jackson. No.
The focus of this Summit was on calling attention to the historically
corrupt, exploitative and one-sided business dealings perpetuated by
the music industry. The focus was on what particular strategies can
be implemented to end the injustice.

Let me clear up some of the inaccurate reporting being done by the
larger media outlets.

THE LIES: Michael Jackson is disgruntled because his last musical
project “Invincible” only sold 2 million copies and he is desperately
trying to save his career.

THE TRUTH: Michael informed the audience that Invincible has actually
sold 10 MILLION copies worldwide to date and he is personally
satisfied with the numbers.

THE LIES: Michael has gone crazy and this is just another “bizarre
publicity stunt” to call attention to himself.

THE TRUTH: The larger media outlets have always been fond of attacking
him at random. Michael was in Harlem just 7 weeks ago along side the
likes of former President Bill Clinton at a fundraiser for the
Democratic National Committee and the larger media outlets called him
an ICON then. Why is he “Wacko Jacko” now for bringing up some very
real issues that directly impact peoples lives?

THE LIES: The idea that racism and economic disparity exists in the
music industry is farfetched considering the success of certain
individual artists and people like Will Smith, Mariah Carey, Sean “P
Diddy” Combs etc…

THE TRUTH: There are absolutely no Black owned public relations firms,
travel agencies, advertising agencies etc… that have contracts with
any of the major corporate labels. If $20 million dollars is being
spent on marketing and promotion of an African-American artist or
someone doing a recognized African-American art form, then why have
the talents of African-American business men and women been overlooked
and not deployed to help facilitate the process? Are African-American
businesses unable to effectively market, promote and work in tandem
with any of the major labels? With African-American consumers making
up a large percentage of the buying public through our extensive
spending power, how much of the monies generated from successful
commercial endeavors pushed by the music industry goes back into
African-American neighborhoods? For every Will Smith who has
generated tons of income for his employers you have a multitude of
artists stuck in unfair contracts that find them in debt to their
label for expensive which they have no control or say of.

THE LIES: Many African-Americans in the music industry do not support
this cause.

THE TRUTH: This has been a long-standing concern in the
African-American community. A broad based coalition has already been
mobilized. Some of the supporters who were in attendance included:

Londel McMillan – the legal mastermind who helped Prince free himself
from a horrible contract with Warner Bros. He also represents the
Artist Empowerment Coalition which includes members such as Stevie
Wonder & Chaka Khan.

Terrie Williams – founded the Terrie Williams Agency in 1988 and is
recognized as one of the top public relations and communications
firms. She has written a number of best-selling books and has a
client roster which includes Fortune 500 companies.

Dave Mays – founder of The Source magazine. One of the more popular
and influential publications geared towards Hip Hop music, culture and
politics.

James Mtume – Musician and Producer extraordinaire as well as a
longtime community activist and spokesperson.

Shakim Compere – Manager of Queen Latifah and Flavor Unit Enterprises.

David Patterson – New York State Senator.

Doug E. Fresh – longtime Hip Hop entertainer and grassroots community
activist.

Also in attendance were reps from National Music Distribution, family
members of W.C. Handy (credited with pioneering Blues music), the
daughter of Otis Blackwell (the man responsible for writing many of
the hit records for Elvis Presley) and many others just too numerous
to mention. The room was packed and the media turnout was extensive.
There are many who support the issues being discussed and are
committed to lending support whether quietly behind the scenes or by
more visible and public actions. Look for a possible Class Action
Lawsuit to be filed as well as an upcoming meeting being called with
the heads of the 5 major distributors and their respective label heads
(i.e.. Tommy Mottola, Clive Davis, Doug Morris etc…).

In closing, please don’t believe the false hype and negative media
propaganda tactics deployed by the larger communications outlets.
They are only presenting distorted facts in an effort to discredit
what is credible. They are trying to put the emphasis on a few people
(i.e.. Michael Jackson… who happens to be the best selling artist
of all time and has generated BILLIONS of dollars) to fool you into
believing that this issue is irrelevant and inconsequential to the
lives of the everyday person. If you have any sort of conscious or
soul, please don’t make snap judgments as to the motives of this
movement and the people who are spearheading it. It is really the tip
of the iceberg of a long overdue need to reform how big business
operates in the United States and globally. It is also tied into the
growing Reparations Movement that has also attracted many heavy
hitters (i.e.. Russell Simmons). It is time for this generation to
pick up the torch and continue to build on what our ancestors have
accomplished so far. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently
stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Thank
you for reading and Blessed Love!!

Ayana Soyini, CEO Goldeneyes Entertainment
http://www.goldeneyesonline.com http://www.ayanasoyini.com
PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES…
PASS THE WORD ALONG TO STAY INFORMED!

Below is a video we attached where, Jackson speaks before a crowd in London and explains whats really cracking off. He starts speaking about 3 minutes into this 9 minute video..

Below is an article where long time activist Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory’s Comments On Michael Jackson
By Bakari Akil II

http://politicalpalace.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/4626

Dick Gregory spoke about sinister forces at work trying to undermine Michael once he took on these record labels

Dick Gregory, activist, health guru, ex-comedian as well as advisor to many influential people is a man who has been a mainstay in American culture for decades. As a friend to Michael Jackson for many years he offered insight to the current situation involving Mr. Jackson and provided a perspective that has not been evident in many media outlets.

On a radio show entitled Make it Plain, hosted by WOL’s Mark Thompson in Washington, D.C., Dick Gregory stated in response to the mad media frenzy and tilt toward guilt coverage, that those who believe in Michael Jackson’s guilt or innocence should first ask for truth to be exposed. Whether it is damaging for Michael Jackson or not, he insisted that truth is the most important aspect of this issue.

However, Mr. Gregory does not believe that Mr. Jackson is guilty of the
charges and raised many questions concerning the events leading up to the actions of law enforcement and consequent media coverage. He asked why was it necessary for 40 police officers and 20 FBI agents to raid Michael Jackson’s property. More specifically, why were FBI agents present, especially since the allegations against Mr.Jackson are not a federal offense?

He also questioned the legitimacy of the claim of law enforcement that they did not know of Mr. Jackson’s whereabouts and the timing of the raid. According to Mr. Gregory, there is a monetary element to this entire situation. He states that Michael Jackson purchased the Beatles catalog for nearly $48 million and it is now worth $1.5 billion. He also owns the rights to the Elvis catalog and found out after his purchase of the Beatles collection that these rights also included ownership of Little Richard’s catalog of which, Michael Jackson promptly called Mr. Richard and returned it to him.

His suspicions arise from the fact that Michael Jackson has taken out loans and his lenders wanted collateral, which was none other than his Beatles catalog. Mr. Gregory stated that Michael Jackson did not mind offering that up as collateral because every time he would come out with a record he would make around $500 million from his efforts. For those who doubt those claims, he explained that there is a mischaracterization that occurs when
people think about what is success for Michael Jackson. Although he different. He also admonished the audience not to forget that Michael Jackson embarrassed SONY and music mogul Tommy Mottola when he claimed that they were racist and that they took advantage of and mistreated Black artists.

Not holding anything back, Mr. Gregory stated that Rev. Al Sharpton, who came to the defense of Michael Jackson during this time was soon
overwhelmed by media coverage of a video tape which showed individuals attempting to frame him in a drug deal.
He went even further stating that this type of behavior could be traced to Bill Cosby and the suspicious murder of his son Ennis, who was gunned down while changing the tire of his Mercedes on a California highway. He claims that this happened after Mr. Cosby hinted that he wanted to purchase NBC when it was up for sale.

Dick Gregory also alleged that when they showed Michael Jackson in
handcuffs, it was symbolic and when they handcuffed him, they handcuffed us all (Black communities). He stated that they allowed Mr. Jackson to board his private plane in Las Vegas, fly back to California and then handcuffed him and immediately took them off when inside the police station. According to Mr. Gregory, law enforcement had not judged him an extreme flight risk if they let him fly in and obviously not a danger if they immediately uncuffed him once inside, so why the posturing?

Mr. Gregory further intensified his discourse by reiterating that the value of Michael Jackson’s catalog cannot be underestimated and asserted that Mr. Jackson could easily be killed, have it consequently ruled a suicide and thus his collection will be forfeited in lieu of his debt.

He further commented that people such as Liz Taylor, whom he knows Michael would rush to their aid in times of need, have not come to his defense or spoke out on his behalf. He also talked about how many people take “Michael” for a joke, yet he is very intelligent and that he knows what is going on.

Yet for all his concerns, Dick Gregory stated that Michael Jackson will
“come out clean” in this dilemma and he called for people to say a daily
prayer for the “truth to come out” about this situation concerning Mr.
Jackson at 12:00 P.M., no matter what the time zone. He believes,
ultimately, people will be shocked at what that truth is.

In the final analysis, many may balk at the comments and observations of Mr. Gregory, believing that governmental officials, media organizations and corporations in the music business may be beyond collusion or conspiracies (when two or more make a conscious effort to bring about a certain reality), which is fine. Yet, free and independent thought that Mr. Gregory exhibits is absolutely necessary, especially in an era where fact and fiction has taken an equal seat in mainstream media and thought.

Return to Davey D’s Hip Hop Corner

Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: Al Sharpton, Angry Black man Michael Jackson, Dick Gregory, FNV Newsletter, How Michael Got Gangsta With Sony Music Over Black Music & Racism, How Michael Got Gansta With Sony Music Over Black Music, Jackson vs Tommy Mottola, Johnny Cochran, Michael Jackson vs Sony Music, Michael Jackson vs Tommy Mottola, Tommy Mottola

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