VALLEY SWIM CLUB “Whites only” pool in 2009?

Valley Swim Club

Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, 65 children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club that their camp had a contract to use. Apparently, the people at the club didn’t know that the group of kids was predominantly Black.

When the campers entered the pool, White parents allegedly took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club’s staff asked the campers to leave. The next day, the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that their payment would be refunded. When asked why, the club’s manager said that a lot of kids “would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club.”1

A “Whites only” pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. The club’s actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act.2 Whether or not any laws were violated, a “Whites only” pool should be something every American condemns.

Please join us in doing exactly that, and please email your friends and family and invite them to do the same. Your signature will also be used to call on the Department of Justice to evaluate suing the facility under federal law. It takes just a moment to do both, here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=2241-454937

Obama is President but that doesn’t mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface.

We all know stories like this one — similar incidents play out quietly every day in different communities across the country. The difference in this case is that folks got caught and there was a contract in place that makes for a potentially illegal act.

Standing up now isn’t just about making things right for these kids in Philadelphia or bringing consequences to this swim club (called the Valley Swim Club). It’s about creating a climate of accountability everywhere. If we can publicly shame the Valley Swim Club and hold them accountable for this incident, it will make others think twice before engaging in what appears to be blatant discrimination.

Please join us in condemning the Valley Swim Club’s behavior and calling on the Justice Department to investigate whether they violated civil rights laws. And please ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=2241-454937

Thanks and Peace,

– James, Gabriel, William, Dani and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 10th, 2009

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU — your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

https://secure.colorofchange.org/contribute/?id=2241-454937

References:

1. “‘Pool Boots Kids Who Might “Change the Complexion,’” NBC Philadelphia, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/90Zyr

2. “Section 1981 Summary,” Employment Law Information Network
http://www.elinfonet.com/1981sum.php

More Resources:

“60 Black Kids Booted from Philly Pool For Being Black — Speak Out,” Jill Tubman at Jack and Jill Politics, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/GkJTs

VIDEO: “Please Don’t Change the Complexion of our Pool,” This Week in Blackness, 07-08-09

“Swim Club Accused of Discrimination,” FOX 29 Philadelphia, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/7EKGy

“Valley Swim Club: Day Two,” Adam B at Daily Kos, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/qbpSA

Troy Davis Execution Halted

On Monday, the Court postponed, until September, a decision on granting “habeas corpus” to Troy Davis. That’s at least a temporary victory for you, me, and the tens of thousands of other people who have been working so hard to stop the execution of a man who’s likely innocent.

On Monday morning, the NAACP and a diverse group of religious and civic leaders delivered over 10,000 hand-signed petitions from Chatham County residents to District Attorney Larry Chisolm, urging him to stop the execution and reopen the case. Another 50,000 petitions from around the nation were also delivered. Now, we have all summer to persuade the DA to reopen this case.

So all summer I am going to be wearing an “I am Troy” t-shirt to publicize the case and recruit more folks to work for Troy’s freedom.

Would you like to wear a Troy t-shirt like mine? You can, when you donate $25 or more to the NAACP.

As you know, Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. There is no physical evidence tying him to the crime and seven out of nine witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony. New evidence and new testimony have been presented to the Georgia courts, but the justice system refuses to consider this evidence — evidence we believe could save Troy’s life.

As I write, our top grassroots organizers are on the ground in Georgia, meeting with lawmakers and ministers, mobilizing law students, and reaching out to District Attorney Larry Chisolm and others who could reopen the investigation and save Troy’s life.

Your tax-deductible donation today will help pay for grassroots organizers, media advertising, and other expenses of our campaign to save Troy. Plus, with your gift of $25 or more, we’ll send you a free “I Am Troy” t-shirt so that you can wear your support of Troy.

Like me, I’m sure you want to hold those who commit violent crimes accountable and keep our communities safe. But executing a man who might well be innocent won’t accomplish this.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS SCHOOL/JOBS

If you have or know adults between the ages of 18-31 with a high school diploma, the Federal Aviation Association is taking applications for Air Traffic Controller School . We all have kids and know kids in the right age group (under 31) and with some effort they could reach a salary of over $100,000 with benefits in about 3 years! You need only a high school diploma to apply and credit is given for college on the exam.

They need to go to this Website: http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/ for details and to fill out the application immediately – even if they don’t know if they’d want to attend immediately – it’s the federal government and it may take them months to call..

The key is to apply NOW.

There will be a lot of retirements coming up rather quickly and they need to line up training to accommodate these openings. It’s my understanding that the FAA rarely has an open application such as this and that the jobs are coveted. The person who shared this has a 28 year old daughter who is well into 6 figures and has plenty of time for travel/recreation and has started another career on the side. This is a great opportunity and it should be noted that choosing a site like Anchorage or Indianapolis to train is a likely acceptance into the training program – after-which you can transfer anywhere in the country that has a tower.

The Innocent of Death Row: Troy A. Davis

Troy Anthony Davis is an African American man who has spent the last 18 years on death row for a murder he did not commit. There is no physical evidence tying him to the crime and seven out of nine witnesses have recanted. New evidence and new testimony have been presented to the Georgia courts, but the justice system refuses to consider this evidence, which would prove Troy Davis’ innocence once and for all. CLICK HERE TO SIGN HIS PETITION

CLICK HERE TO VISIT NAACP’s I AM TROY CAMPAIGNE

Troy Antony Davis

African American Teleconference #2

The first conference was quite a success! We identified some major concerns and discussed organizing for action plans. This week we will lay the groundwork for stategic planning and building a sound base to move us forward.

Read caller reviews:

“I just wanted to commend you for establishing the weekly calls. Tonight’s session was full of energy and ideas, and the callers are ready & willing to get to work. Job well done. I’ll do my very best to participate next week. Let’s also get moving on having some small business & start up workshops as soon as possible.”
–Sonya Toler, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.

“Thank you for hosting these teleconferences on such important issues facing our community in Northeastern PA. Hopefully, we will not only identify the problems, but we will come away from each of the conferences with action plans to implement the solution(s). I look forward to next Thursday. I thought the dialogue was very interesting and re-enforced a lot of what we each already knew. I especially appreciated the opportunity to learn that there are pockets of individuals in the Poconos ready to take action!! and the Governor’s office had resources to help us with some of our solutions.” –Everlena Holmes, Executive Director, Justice Watch.

You are invited to:

Participate in the discussion of the African American Community.

You don’t have to get dressed or leave home! Just grab your beverage and make the call!

The Teleconference will be held every Thursday evening in June at 7:pm Sharp.

Mark your calendar – And help spread the word!

Thursday, June 11 – 7:pm
Thursday, June 18 – 7:pm
Thursday, June 25 – 7:pm

Who should attend: African Americans in general, African American community leaders and African American organization directors/officers.

To participate in the calls contact: msmelanian@gmail.com

Brenda Williams Slain By Police Officers

Scranton Native

Four city police officers have been placed on paid leave pending an investigation into the fatal shooting of Air Force veteran, Brenda Williams, 52 at her North Scranton home.

She was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center upon arrival after she was shot multiple times by officers inside her second-floor apartment at 1501 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Additional details about the incident, which apparently unfolded over the course of more than an hour, were difficult to come by Friday as investigators clamped a lid on the release of information.

African American Teleconference

African American Teleconference – NEPA State of Emergency

Participate in the discussion of the African American Community beginning June 4, 2009.

You don’t have to get dressed or leave home! Just grab your beverage and make the call!

The Teleconference will be held every Thursday evening in June at 7:pm Sharp.

Mark your calendar!

Thursday, June 4 – 7:pm
Thursday, June 11 – 7:pm
Thursday, June 18 – 7:pm
Thursday, June 25 – 7:pm

We will Discuss:

–The conditions and lack of progress in the African American Community of NEPA.
–The elimination of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.
– The reason our concerns are generally ignored.
– Has the Hispanic Community surpassed us in accomplishment?
– What we must do differently.

Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, Sonya Toler will join one of our calls (date to be announced in a follow-up email)

Guest speakers will be announced once they are confirmed.

If you are interested in presenting topic information please contact me at MsMelanian@gmail.com

Conference call #

for conference call number and access code contact: msmelanian@gmail.com

Important Call instructions:

Please reply to this email “I will Attend” if you will participate in the Teleconference.

Please email me to request Topic Time (5 – 10 minutes) by contacting me in advance of the date you would like to address a specific topic in accordance with the above.

Elimination of African American Affairs!

Hello GACAAA Supporters,

Normally, we are asking people how is it that we can assist them. Today, I am writing with the hope that you will be willing to take some time out to assist the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.

You may have heard about a Senate Bill that eliminates many aspects of state government such as the Pa. Council on the Arts. Well, that bill also eliminates the African American Advisory Commission as well as a host of other needed human services.

Would you write a letter to the Senate leadership asking them to withdrawl Senate Bill 850 and adopt the provisions in House Bill 1416. I’ve provided a draft letter but would appreciate it if you would add a personal touch to what you send. Below are links to both pieces of legislation and the contact information for the Senate Leaders. They need to know that this kind of sweeping legislation is not tolerable.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0850&pn=0953

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1416&pn=1738

Senator Jake Corman

Senate Box 203034

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3034

jcorman@pasen.gov

717-787-1377

Senator Dominic Pileggie

Senate Box 203009

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3009

dpileggi@pasen.gov

717-787-4712

Senator Joseph B. Scarnati III

Senate Box 203025

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3025

jscarnati@pasen.gov

717-787-7084

There is also a two-day public hearing on Senate Bill 850 on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22, hosted by the House Committee on Appropriations. The hearings will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday in the Majority Caucus Room, room 140 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.

Sonya M. Toler
Executive Director
Governor’s Advisory Commission on
African American Affairs

AUGUST 1 – UNITY FESTIVAL

As I Move on – A Brief History of my past.