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James Meredith Risked his Life doing Civil Rights Work. At 90, He Says Religion Can Help Cut Crime

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Jun 27, 2023

James Meredith Risked his Life doing Civil Rights Work. At 90, He Says Religion Can Help Cut Crime

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — James Meredith knew he was putting his life in danger in the 1960s by pursuing what he believes was his divine mission: conquering white supremacy in the deeply, and often violently, segregated state of Mississippi.

A half-century later, the civil rights leader is still talking about his mission from God. In recent weeks, he made several appearances around his home state, urging people to obey the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule in order to reduce crime. On his 90th birthday on Sunday, Meredith said older generations should lead the way.

“Old folks not only can control it — it’s their job to control it,” Meredith told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday after an event honoring him at the Mississippi Capitol.

Meredith is a civil rights icon who has long resisted that label because he believes it sets issues such as voting rights and equal access to education apart from other human rights.

During the event, Meredith fell while trying to stand and speak. He leaned on an unsecured lectern, and it crashed forward with Meredith on top. People nearby scrambled to return him to a wheelchair.

Meredith suffered no visible injuries. An ambulance crew checked him later, and then Meredith went to his home in Jackson to have a birthday celebration with his family. His wife, Judy Alsobrooks Meredith, said Monday that he was spending time with grandchildren and showing no signs of pain.

In October 1962, federal marshals escorted Meredith as he enrolled as the first Black student at the University of Mississippi, while white people rioted on the Oxford campus. Mississippi’s governor at the time, Ross Barnett, had stirred mobs into a frenzy by declaring that Ole Miss would not be integrated under his watch.

Meredith was a 29-year-old Air Force veteran who had already taken classes at one of Mississippi’s historically Black colleges, Jackson State. NAACP attorneys represented him as he obtained a federal court order to enter the state’s flagship public university. After a largely solitary existence at Ole Miss, Meredith graduated in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

After graduating, Meredith set out to promote Black voter registration and show that a Black man could walk through Mississippi without fear. In June 1966, a white man with a shotgun wounded Meredith on the second day of a march from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi. With Meredith hospitalized, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Stokely Carmichael and other civil rights leaders continued the march, often followed by long lines of activists and local people.

Less than three weeks after he was shot, Meredith had recovered enough to join the final stretch of what became known as the March Against Fear. It ended at the state Capitol, where an estimated 15,000 people gathered for Mississippi’s largest civil rights rally.

This year, Meredith had planned to walk 200 miles (322 kilometers) in Mississippi to spread his anti-crime message — roughly the same distance as the March Against Fear. Instead, he made a series of appearances in recent weeks, often using a rolling walker, a wheelchair or a golf cart.

On Sunday, Meredith rode in a golf cart for the final quarter-mile (0.40 kilometers) from Jackson City Hall to the Mississippi Capitol, led by a high school marching band and accompanied by dozens of people on foot. A racially diverse group of about 200 people sought shade under magnolia and oak trees while listening to songs, speeches and a child’s poem praising Meredith.

FILE – James Meredith, whose 1962 enrollment as the first Black student at the University of Mississippi sparked bloody riots, is seen after receiving his bachelor’s degree during a graduation ceremony in Oxford, Miss., Aug. 18, 1963. Meredith is still talking about his divine mission. In the weeks leading up to his 90th birthday on Sunday, Meredith made several appearances around his home state, urging people to obey the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule to reduce crime, and saying that older generations should lead the way. (AP Photo/Jim Bourdier, File)00

Flonzie BrownWright, a longtime Mississippi civil rights activist who participated in the 1966 March Against Fear, said she believes Meredith is a genius at creating strategies for social change.

“He is a very smart man, endowed with a lot of old-fashioned wisdom. He has been able to use that for the greater good of his people,” BrownWright said Sunday. “I love him like a big brother.”

In the decades since Meredith integrated Ole Miss, the university has erected a statue of him on campus and has held several events to honor him and his legacy.

John Meredith said Sunday that his father had a profound effect on higher education, but the March Against Fear had a greater impact on him as a son because it demonstrated the importance of elections.

“The silent gift of voting is the ability to help shape the laws under which you live. It is the beauty and the curse of America,” said John Meredith, the current city council president in Huntsville, Alabama. “Participation in voting yields inclusion, diversity and opportunity. Failure to vote results in the loss of freedom … and government oppression.”

At the Capitol birthday celebration, Iyanu B. Carson, a 5th grade student from Jackson, read her poem titled “90 Years of History,” saying she aspires to be like Meredith.

“You made the choice to use your voice, you were strong and made them believe you belonged,” Iyanu said. “Today we celebrate history, and Mr. Meredith, history is you! We’re proud of your accomplishments and all that you have been through.”

Supreme Court Upholds State Court’s Authority in Election-Related Case, Rejects Republican Argument

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Jun 27, 2023

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Supreme Court Upholds State Court’s Authority in Election-Related Case, Rejects Republican Argument

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to impose new restrictions on state courts regarding election-related matters.
The decision came as the Court ruled against Republicans in North Carolina fighting for a congressional district map that favored their candidates.

The justices voted 6-3, stating that the North Carolina Supreme Court had acted within its authority by deeming the map a partisan gerrymander under the state Constitution.
The ruling rejects the “independent state legislature” theory, an obscure legal argument made by Republicans.
The theory argues that state courts have limited power to strike down election laws enacted by state legislatures.

However, the Supreme Court’s decision refused to adopt this broad interpretation, much to the relief of voting rights groups and Democrats concerned about potential limitations on state court authority.
Former President Barack Obama expressed his approval of the Court’s decision, tweeting, “Today the Supreme Court rejected the fringe independent state legislature theory that threatened to upend our democracy and dismantle our system of checks and balances.”

The “independent state legislature” argument centers on the language of the Elections Clause in the Constitution, which states that election rules “shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof.”
Proponents of the theory claim that this language gives state legislatures ultimate power over federal election rules under state law, potentially overriding any constraints imposed by state constitutions.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing the majority opinion, agreed that state courts could apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures exercise the power granted by the Elections Clause.
However, he noted that state courts should be within the bounds of ordinary judicial review when conflicts with federal law arise.

Federal courts can intervene in such cases, according to the Court’s conclusion.
The North Carolina Supreme Court had previously issued the ruling.
Still, following the midterm elections, the court composition changed to Republican control, and the decision was recently overturned.

That development raised questions about whether the Supreme Court needed to decide the case at all.
Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by fellow conservative justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, dissented, arguing that the case was moot.

Thomas expressed concern that the decision would create confusion in lower courts, potentially leading to more cases resembling the controversial Bush v. Gore ruling in 2000 and ultimately resulting in Republican George W. Bush becoming president.
In a separate opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh hinted that the Court might address the scope of state court authority in a future case.
He emphasized that the Court had established a general principle for federal court review of state court decisions in federal election cases.

He suggested that a more specific standard would be distilled in due course.
Although the congressional map in North Carolina will be redrawn before the 2024 election due to a state law provision, the Supreme Court’s ruling suggests that the new map is likely to favor Republicans heavily.
Had the Court embraced the “independent state legislature” theory, it would have impacted redistricting disputes and other election-related rules, including issues like mail-in voting and voter access to the polls.

This theory could have also called into question the power of governors to veto legislation.
Chief Justice William Rehnquist had endorsed a version of the theory in the 2000 Bush v. Gore case.
During the recent oral arguments, several justices referenced Rehnquist’s opinion to support the notion of constraining state officials, including judges, from making changes to election laws enacted by legislatures without proper legal grounding.

Supporters of former President Donald Trump cited the “independent state legislature” theory in various cases related to the 2020 presidential election.
Republicans, including Tim Moore, used the theory after the North Carolina Supreme Court invalidated the congressional district map last year. They argued that the state court had exceeded its authority.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case but maintained an interim map for the 2022 midterm elections, in which Democrats and Republicans each won seven seats.
The Supreme Court had previously declined to intervene in election-related cases involving the theory. However, during the litigation, four conservative justices indicated some level of support, fueling hopes among proponents of the theory.
The argument had various versions, some of which sought to limit the authority of state courts in specific circumstances, while others aimed to provide state legislatures with virtually unchecked power.

Prominent figures supporting the theory included John Eastman, a lawyer involved in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Eastman argued that then-Vice President Mike Pence could block the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory on January 6, 2021.
Conservative groups advocating for stricter voting restrictions and claiming widespread voter fraud also supported the theory.

Democrats and voting rights activists had raised concerns about the case, particularly in light of attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
It is worth noting that many high-profile Republican candidates who questioned or denied Biden’s victory lost in the 2022 midterm elections.
“This 6-3 decision should put an end to the radical theory that state legislatures can operate without being bound by state constitutions or judicial review,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

“The fight to end partisan gerrymanders is still ongoing, and politicians in North Carolina and other states may still try to lock in their power through biased maps, but today’s decision confirms that those legislators’ power is not absolute. Today’s decision is a relief for everyone concerned with free and fair elections.”

California NAACP Conference Honors 1968 Olympics Heroes

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Jun 27, 2023

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California NAACP Conference Honors 1968 Olympics Heroes

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

The California Hawaii State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (CA/HI NAACP) held its 11th annual Legacy Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event took place on June 24 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento.

At the event, the NAACP paid tribute to 1968 Olympic medalists Dr. Tommie Smith and Dr. John Carlos, and 1967 Olympic Project for Human Rights co-organizers Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Kenneth Noel. These men were honored for their contributions to the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

All the honorees except Smith were present at the ceremony. Smith’s friend Darrell Goode accepted the award on his behalf.

“If you receive this award, it exemplifies greatness of your career whether it’s in politics, whether it’s in business, or whether it be activism,” said Rick Callender, President of the CA/HI NAACP.

“I’m sure you can see why now our current inductees are receiving this honor. It just shows you what an incredible impact they had on the lives of everyone in their fight for civil rights,” he added.

After placing first and third in the 200-meter dash at the Olympic Games in Mexico City, sprinters Smith and Carlos ascended the medal stand to receive their respective gold and bronze metals with second-place silver medalist Peter Norman of Australia. During that historic moment, the men led a protest to draw attention to racial discrimination and other negative conditions affecting Black people in America and across the globe.

Shoeless, donning black socks to represent Black poverty, and wearing beads to protest violence against African Americans, the athletes raised a black-gloved fist to show support for Black and oppressed people. Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to show Black pride.

The iconic image of their stance on the podium and their bold display of the Black power movement’s most recognizable symbol (the raised fist) was seen around the world. That moment changed the racial dynamics of international sports forever.

Dr. Harry Edwards (Legacy Hall of Fame recipient), at the podium, and Dr. Kenneth Noel organized the protest at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. He is shown here with CA/HI NAACP President Rick Callendar and Carolyn Veal-Hunter (CA/HI NAACP treasurer) at the Legacy Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Sacramento. June 24, 2023. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

After their stand against racial injustice, Smith and Carlos never relinquished their medals even though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prohibits protests at the games. They were immediately asked to leave the games in Mexico City.

Carlos said it was a widespread myth for decades that the IOC took his and Smith’s medals.

“They never took our medals. It was pure propaganda,” Carlos told California Black Media. “They were saying for years that they took our medals but what it really was a fear factor. They said it to try to instill fear into every Black athlete after 1968.”

Carlos, Smith, Edwards and Noel were associated with San Jose College’s track and field team in the mid-1960s. Facing discrimination as students on the campus, Edwards and Noel orchestrated rallies, protests and social justice events to attract African American student-athletes and fellow campus activists.

Noel and Edwards started The United Black Students for Action (UBSA). They both noticed that Black student-athletes could use their fame to elevate civil rights issues. They both converted UBSA into the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), a civil rights organization created to boycott the 1968 Summer Olympics.

On Oct. 16, 1968, Smith won the 200-meter race in a world-record time of 19.83 seconds. Norman finished second with a time of 20.06 seconds, and Carlos was third with a time of 20.10 seconds.

“There were several other people who were really important in our lives and involved in the struggle too,” said Noel, who was known as a gifted middle-distance runner. “One of the things that I will say about the fight for human rights is we endeavored to change the paradigm of what it means to be a champion athlete. Not only to perform on the field but to get involved in politics, and support activities in our communities.”

Edwards, an emeritus professor of Sociology at the University of California Berkeley, and former scholar-athlete at San Jose State College (today San Jose State University), encouraged African American athletes to protest the 1968 summer Olympics in Mexico City with the support of the Project for Human Rights.

Edwards, a long-time consultant at the San Francisco 49ers, is a proud and committed social activist.

In 2016, Edwards supported then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s controversial protest against excessive use of force by police officers.

Kaepernick took a knee during the playing of the National Anthem before each game, as a way of bringing attention to police brutality against Black people in the United States.

After the first time Kaepernick kneeled, Edwards told him to give him his uniform immediately because his action would be a monumental moment in sports and representative of the new wave of civil rights. Edwards sent the garment to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., alongside Carlos, Smith, and Muhammad Ali’s exhibits.

Shown left to right at the CA/HI NAACP Legacy Hall of Fame ceremony, Darrell Goode (received award for Dr. Tommie Smith), Rick Callendar (CA/HI NAACP president), Dr. John Carlos (Legacy Hall of Fame recipient), Dr. Kenneth Noel (Legacy Hall of Fame recipient), and Dr. Harry Edwards (Legacy Hall of Fame recipient). Dr. Tommie Smith, a gold medalist in the 1968 Olympics, could not attend the induction ceremony in Sacramento. June 24, 2023. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

“He felt strong enough about it to put his career and life on the line. Look at the number of death threats and other things that happened to him. He put it all on the line in order to make that statement,” Edwards said. “He was saying we are better than this. He started a movement that swept the world.”

The Legacy Hall of Fame honors outstanding community leaders who have fought tirelessly to advance the civil rights movement while also creating vital funding for local unit capacity building, youth leadership programs, and NextGen Leadership programs and initiatives, according to the CA/HI NAACP.

Racism and Sexism Infects English Cricket, an Independent Report Finds

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Jun 27, 2023

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Racism and Sexism Infects English Cricket, an Independent Report Finds

By JAMES ROBSON, AP Sports Writer

Racism, sexism and class-based discrimination continue to infect English cricket, an independent commission has found.

A long-awaited report into the state of the sport was published on Tuesday by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, known as the ICEC. Among its findings, racism was “entrenched” in the English game, women were treated as “second-class citizens,” and cricket was a rare option in state schools.

Then, if anybody wanted to complain about the problems, the ICEC says the system was confusing and not fit for purpose.

England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson issued a public apology and described the report as a “wake up call.”

“I apologize unreservedly to anyone who has ever been excluded from cricket or made to feel like they don’t belong,” Thompson said. “Powerful conclusions within the report also highlight that for too long women and Black people were neglected. We are truly sorry for this.”

English cricket was rocked in 2020 when former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq said he was a victim of racial harassment and bullying through two spells at the nation’s most successful club from 2008-18.

During a tearful testimony at a parliamentary hearing in 2021, he spoke of the Islamophobia and bullying he was subjected to.

“Do I believe I lost my career to racism? Yes, I do,” Rafiq said at the hearing.

The ICEC received more than 4,000 submissions from people at all levels. Half said they experienced discrimination in the previous five years. But the figures were higher when separated by ethnicity: 87% of people with Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage, 82% of people with Indian heritage, and 75% of all Black contributors.

“We apologize unreservedly for these experiences, and are thankful for the courage of those who have shared them with the ICEC, whilst recognizing there will be many more who felt unable to give their accounts,” Thompson said.

Rafiq also praised to the British Press Association those who came forward.

“I hope that reading this report will be some closure to all the people that have contributed,” Rafiq said. “All of these people were brave enough to speak to the commission and I know there are a lot more out there suffering in silence. I just hope that this report reflects their voice and gives them a path to closure.

“It doesn’t matter how you speak or where you speak, any sort of decision to speak and contribute to such a huge issue within our society, within our game, takes a lot of courage.”

The ICEC was commissioned in November 2020 as part of the ECB’s wide-ranging effort to address allegations of discrimination and improve equality, diversity and inclusion in cricket. The findings were initially scheduled to be reported last year.

The report calls for “decisive action,” makes 44 recommendations and a number of sub-recommendations. The ECB said some reforms could be “implemented swiftly” but others would require “fundamental, longer-term changes to cricket in England and Wales, and its funding model.”

Thompson said the ruling body would take three months to consult with affected communities and form a plan of action, on timelines set out by the ICEC.

“We will use this moment to demonstrate that it is a game for all and we have a duty to put this right for current and future generations,” Thompson said. “My absolute commitment is for cricket to strive to be the most inclusive sport in England and Wales.”

The commission was chaired by Cindy Butts, who, among many roles, has held positions with the Independent Police Complaints Commission and anti-discrimination soccer charity Kick it Out.

The ECB said it had already made “significant improvements” since 2018, but added “the report makes clear that much more needs to be done.”

Chief executive officer Richard Gould added, “Making cricket more inclusive and reflective of the communities it serves is my No. 1 priority. This cannot and will not be a quick fix. We should view this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore trust in the game we love.”

England captain Ben Stokes said he was “deeply sorry” to hear the experiences of people who felt unwelcome or unaccepted.

“We need to do all we can to make people feel safe and be themselves at every level,” Stokes said in a statement at Lord’s.

“I have been an England player since 2011 and I feel very fortunate to be part of some incredibly diverse teams and love how everyone has a different story to tell. I am Ben Stokes, born in New Zealand, a state-educated pupil who dropped out of school at 16 with one (passed exam) in PE. I need help with the spelling and grammar in this speech and I am currently sitting here as the England men’s test captain.”

Tenants say a 3-Year Ban on Evictions Kept them Housed. Landlords say they’re Drowning in Debt

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Jun 27, 2023

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Tenants say a 3-Year Ban on Evictions Kept them Housed. Landlords say they’re Drowning in Debt

By JANIE HAR, Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Retiree Pamela Haile has paid property taxes, insurance and other bills on a house she lets out in Oakland, but for more than three years her tenants have paid no rent thanks to one of the longest-lasting eviction bans in the country.

The eviction moratorium in the San Francisco Bay Area city expires next month and Haile can’t wait. The 69-year-old estimates she is owed more than $60,000 in back rent, money she doubts she will ever see. Moreover, the tenants have trashed her house and it will cost tens of thousands of dollars to make it habitable, she says.

“It’s unbelievable and it’s like, how can they have the nerve to just let something like this happen? If this happened to them, how would they feel?” Haile said of her tenants. “Dealing with this whole thing gets me so upset.”

Eviction moratoriums were put in place across the U.S. at the start of the pandemic in 2020 to prevent displacement and curb the spread of the coronavirus. Most expired long ago, but not in Oakland or neighboring San Francisco and Berkeley, all places where rents and rates of homelessness are high.

While it’s more common to see tenants converging on city halls in California to demand greater protections, in Oakland and surrounding Alameda County small-property landlords staged protests earlier this year demanding an end to the moratoriums.

Many of the landlords were Black, like Haile, or Asian American, and they said the eviction bans had saddled them with debt and foreclosure worries while their tenants, who have jobs, live rent-free.

They scolded elected leaders for allowing tenants to self-certify that their inability to pay was tied to the pandemic. Unlike large corporate landlords, these small-property owners said they didn’t have the means to evict, and were eaten up by worry.

“There is nothing natural about being forced to house and have people live in your property for over three years and not pay,” said Michelle Hailey, who is also Black and owns a triplex where both her tenants stopped paying. “There is nothing natural, ethical or even humane about that.”

Alameda County let its moratorium expire at the end of April. In Oakland it ends July 15. Tenants must start paying rent in August in most cases, but cannot be evicted for back rent if their financial hardship was caused by the pandemic.

Moratorium backers called the bans a lifesaver that kept countless families housed and off the streets. They said low-income residents are still struggling from the pandemic and need protections from ruthless landlords.

Nationwide, eviction filings have come roaring back since the bans ended — to more than 50% higher than the pre-pandemic average in many cities, according to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, which tracks filings in three dozen cities and 10 states.

In California’s Alameda County, filings topped 500 in May, compared to 65 in April before the ban ended. That surpassed filings that averaged in the 300s before the pandemic in 2019.

In Oakland, a city rich in Black history, some Black families who migrated from the South during World War II were able to purchase homes, despite redlining and other discriminatory practices by banks and government.

But a recession and subprime mortgage crisis followed by rapidly rising home prices and gentrification pushed out many Black residents, and homelessness escalated.

Carroll Fife, a Black city councilwoman and housing advocate, called for a housing overhaul that focuses on homes for people instead of profit for a few. She acknowledged that some people “took advantage of the moratorium,” but says most renters desperately needed the help.

Hailey, the triplex owner, considers herself lucky because she was able to recoup some money through a rent-relief program. The tenants moved out, but she has a stack of bills and can’t afford to renovate.

She purchased the property in 1999 after earning big for writing some songs included on the first Destiny’s Child album. The artist figured the triplex would provide steady income as well as help fund her retirement.

“So this was my entire plan, and I’ve just kind of watched it go up in smoke,” said Hailey, 59. “We’ve never had a situation where you would have government-sanctioned freedom to not pay your rent.”

Haile doesn’t know why the family who rented the house her parents left her stopped paying rent in April 2020. The property management company said they couldn’t ask because of the eviction ban.

Reached by The Associated Press, the tenant, Martha Pinzon, said at the advice of a community nonprofit she stopped paying after she lost her hotel housekeeper job during the pandemic-triggered shutdown in March 2020. Even now, she can’t afford the $1,875 monthly rent on her pay as a custodian at a homeless shelter.

Pinzon’s 19-year-old daughter, Brigitte Cortez, said the moratorium gave her mother “peace of mind” during the pandemic. She said the property management company has for years ignored their requests for repairs.

“We’ve had a lot of troubles in this house since we’ve moved in,” she said, adding that they are looking for a new place to live.

Haile says the tenants never asked for repairs.

John Williams, 62, hopes that three years of worry and stress are coming to an end.

Williams, who is part of a lawsuit against Oakland and Alameda County over the bans, said his tenant stopped paying the $1,500 monthly rent when the pandemic started. She offered no explanation while operating a storage business out of the apartment and would not cooperate so he could get money from the city’s rent-relief program, he said.

As a Black man, Williams had experienced rental discrimination and he thought his Victorian duplex in West Oakland would be a way for him to retire and house others. He started renting to the mom with two kids in 2013.

In late 2020, he tried to sell the house, but she refused to move, and the sale fell through. In late 2021, Williams was so stressed he was hospitalized, placed on disability and could not work. He was forced to move into the unit above his tenant. It no longer felt like his house.

The tenant did not return messages from the AP left at a phone number for a business she operates.

Williams supports the purposes of the eviction ban, but wishes the city had considered landlords like him. He was about to lose his home on May 1, but was saved by a state mortgage-relief program that started accepting applications this year from landlords who reside in their duplexes and triplexes.

He plans to leave the city.

“I don’t want to be a home provider in Oakland,” he said. “This has been a really hard time.”

Buffalo Shooting Survivor’s Mom Faces Former Mayoral Hopeful in Local NY Primaries

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Jun 27, 2023

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Buffalo Shooting Survivor’s Mom Faces Former Mayoral Hopeful in Local NY Primaries

By MICHAEL HILL, Associated Press

One nearly became Buffalo’s first female mayor. The other was thrust into prominence after her son survived a racist mass shooting.

Democrats India Walton and Zeneta Everhart are pitted against each other in a race for a seat on Buffalo’s Common Council, one of many local government offices at stake in primary elections being held across New York on Tuesday.

The two Black women are vying to represent a part of the Rust Belt city still healing from a white supremacist’s attack that killed 10 people at a neighborhood supermarket just over a year ago. That mass shooting was followed by a punishing December blizzard that killed 47 people in the city and its suburbs, with a disproportionate number of the victims coming from Buffalo’s Black neighborhoods.

Walton, 41, is trying to make a comeback after a rollercoaster defeat in the city’s mayoral race in 2021. In that contest, she stunned the political establishment by scoring an upset win over the longtime incumbent, Byron Brown, in a primary where she ran far to his left as a democratic socialist.

With no Republican on the ballot, Walton briefly looked like a sure winner in the general election, too, but Brown came back as a write-in candidate and won with the support of centrist Democrats, Buffalo’s business community and Republicans who said Walton, a former nurse and labor organizer, was too liberal.

“The scale, obviously, is much smaller,” Walton said of the current race, “… but the goal is the same.”

While Walton remains a political outsider in Buffalo, Everhart, a former television producer, had been quietly building a more conventional career in politics as an aide to a state senator when tragedy thrust her into the spotlight.

Her son, Zaire Goodman, was one of 13 people shot at the Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo on May 14, 2022. Goodman, who worked part time at the supermarket, was hit in the neck but survived.

Weeks later, Everhart testified before Congress, telling members that some shrapnel will be left in her son’s body for the rest of his life. She’s continued to speak publicly in the months since about racism and gun violence in the U.S.

Everhart, 42, said Monday that she probably would have run for the seat, representing Buffalo’s Masten district, even if the attack never happened, but that it influenced her decision.

“Part of me wanting to run for Masten is about paying it forward because of the love that was shown to my son,” Everhart said during a phone interview. “People are still dropping off gifts, leaving things on my doorstep for Zaire. And that, to me, means that I have to give back to my community.”

The supermarket targeted by an 18-year-old white supremacist now lies just outside the district the two women are running to represent.

In interviews and on the campaign trail, the two candidates have highlighted their different approaches to governing, with Everhart citing her abilities as a coalition-builder and Walton stressing that she’s willing to fight a political establishment she says hasn’t done enough.

“The Democratic party here in Buffalo and a lot of people in power know that I’m going to bring something different,” Walton said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I’m not beholden to anyone. I have no political allies or enemies.”

Everhart has been endorsed by the county Democratic Party while Walton has been endorsed by the left-leaning Working Families Party.

The two women have known each other for years and Walton said they hug every time they see each other.

“We’re not adversaries, in my book,” Everhart said.

Primaries held across the state Tuesday will select party nominees for a variety of local offices, including some county legislators, town supervisors, district attorneys, mayors and members of the New York City Council.

There are no statewide offices on the ballot in 2023.

Major League Baseball Seeks to Increase African American Participation and Diversity

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Jun 27, 2023

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Major League Baseball Seeks to Increase African American Participation and Diversity

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

U.S. residents often call Major League Baseball Players the “Boys of Summer.”
But don’t use that moniker in African American communities because the sport has miserably failed its outreach there.
In recent years, MLB officials have faced a growing and significant lack of African American representation within the sport.

Despite poaching players from the fabled Negro Leagues over half a century ago, MLB has struggled to engage with the Black community.
MLB’s continued neglect and ignorance toward the influential voice of the Black Press is also hamstringing their efforts.

Tellingly, the absence of American-born Black players during the 2022 World Series, as highlighted by Dusty Baker, the manager of the World Series Champion Houston Astros, further underscored this issue.
The 2022 World Series marked the first time since 1950 that no U.S.-born Black players appeared in MLB’s showcase championship.

A new study by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida revealed that Black players accounted for only 6.2% of MLB opening day rosters in 2022, marking a decline from the previous year’s record low of 7.2%.
These figures represent the lowest recorded levels since the study’s inception in 1991, when Black players comprised 18% of MLB players.

Despite these alarming statistics, MLB officials believe there are promising signs that the percentage of Black players may soon experience an upward trajectory.
Last summer’s amateur draft witnessed a historic milestone as four of the first five players chosen were Black.

Those athletes were among the numerous participants in MLB’s diversity initiatives, including the MLB Youth Academy, the DREAM Series, and the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program.

In addition, MLB has committed $150 million over ten years in collaboration with the Players Alliance, a non-profit organization comprising current and former players working to enhance Black involvement at all levels.

Several years have passed since the inception of these programs, and now many of the younger participants have reached draft-eligible age.
To aid in the process, numerous Black former MLB players, such as Chris Young, who had a successful 13-year career and earned an All-Star nod in 2010, have gathered in Phoenix to support the combine.

Young recognized that while the diversity initiatives alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with baseball, the sport’s inherent expenses will likely persist.
Young told NBC News that he hopes more Black athletes will choose baseball over other popular sports like football and basketball, which have historically attracted top baseball prospects.

Examples like Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who chose football, serve as reminders of the competition baseball face.
The decision of this year’s top prospect, Duce Robinson, between pursuing professional baseball or playing tight end at USC further highlights the choices young talents must make.

Young emphasized the importance of making baseball a rewarding and viable option to entice and retain exceptional athletes.
He said the emergence of athletes like Mookie Betts, widely regarded as one of the game’s best, demonstrates the potential impact these individuals can have with the proper development of each team.

As Major League Baseball acknowledges the urgency of addressing the lack of African American participation, the league has promised to continue to invest in diversity initiatives, collaborate with influential organizations, and nurture young talents.
While significant challenges persist, such as MLB’s failure to engage the Black Press and other Black media, the hope remains that these efforts will bring a renewed sense of diversity and inclusion within the sport, marking a positive step toward a more representative future for Major League Baseball.

Mercenary Commander Reaches Deal with Kremlin, Exposing Russian Vulnerabilities and Wagner Group’s Role

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Jun 27, 2023

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Mercenary Commander Reaches Deal with Kremlin, Exposing Russian Vulnerabilities and Wagner Group’s Role

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-decade-long reign has fizzled out as the rebellious mercenary commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, abruptly reached a deal with the Kremlin.
The agreement entails Prigozhin exiting and ordering his troops to retreat, effectively ending the brief revolt.

However, many believe the uprising has exposed vulnerabilities within the Russian government forces and shed light on the activities of the Wagner Group, a controversial private military company.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, announced a deal in which Prigozhin, the commander of the Wagner Group soldiers, would travel to Belarus, a country that has backed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Charges of mounting an armed rebellion against Prigozhin will be dropped.
Furthermore, the Russian government said it would not prosecute Wagner fighters who participated in the revolt.
Meanwhile, those who did not join the uprising will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry.

Prigozhin promptly ordered his troops to return to their field camps in Ukraine, where they had been fighting alongside regular Russian soldiers.
The armed uprising led by Prigozhin, which threatened to march on Moscow, was met with strong opposition from Putin himself.
In a televised address to the nation, Putin referred to the rebellion as “betrayal” and “treason.”

However, the Kremlin decided to allow Prigozhin and his forces to go free. Peskov explained that Putin’s “highest goal” was to avoid bloodshed and internal confrontation that could lead to unpredictable results.

The move allowed the Kremlin to regain control over the situation.
In an audio clip released by his press service, Prigozhin defended his actions, asserting that the goal of Wagner was not to overthrow the government but to protest the mistreatment they perceived.

The Russian military denied the allegations that this mistreatment included attempts to integrate the group into the armed forces and launch a deadly attack against them.
Prigozhin did not disclose his current whereabouts.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal was one of Prigozhin’s key demands, appeared in a video on Monday, suggesting that Putin is unlikely to dismiss him immediately.

The video, released by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, showed Shoigu inspecting a command post for the war in Ukraine.
Its timing and content raised speculation about the minister’s status, but experts said no definitive conclusions could be drawn from it.

The terms of the agreement between the Kremlin and Prigozhin remained unclear.
Despite earlier statements from Peskov that a criminal case against Prigozhin would be dropped, it was revealed on Monday that he was still under investigation for mutiny.
Prigozhin’s future and the fate of Wagner’s 25,000 heavily armed troops remained uncertain.

Reportedly, the Russian military, which failed to impede Wagner’s advance towards Moscow, might face internal restructuring in the aftermath of the rebellion.
Prigozhin stated that Wagner had called off its march on Moscow to avoid harming Russian soldiers, asserting that their demonstration had served its purpose.
He did not provide further details about the future of his organization. However, he mentioned that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had offered to explore legal avenues for Wagner to continue its work.

While the authorities did not make immediate efforts to disarm or disband Wagner, recruitment centers in Tyumen and Novosibirsk, which had temporarily closed, resumed their activities, according to state news agency TASS.
Prigozhin was last seen in public on Saturday night as he departed from the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, heading towards an undisclosed destination.

Unforgettable Night of Music and Tributes at the 2023 BET Awards

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Jun 27, 2023

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Unforgettable Night of Music and Tributes at the 2023 BET Awards

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The electrifying atmosphere of the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles served as the backdrop for a momentous occasion as the 2023 BET Awards took center stage.

This year’s highly anticipated event celebrated 50 years of hip-hop with an unforgettable night of special musical medleys handpicked by Kid Capri.
The star-studded affair kicked off with an explosive performance by Lil Uzi Vert, setting the tone for an evening that would pay homage to the genre’s trailblazers.

Hip-hop pioneers such as The Sugar Hill Gang, MC Lyte (who also served as the night’s announcer), D-Nice, and Big Daddy Kane graced the stage, taking the audience on a nostalgic journey.

A heartfelt sing-along to the late Biz Markie’s iconic track, “Just a Friend,” brought emotion and nostalgia throughout the theater.
The night was ablaze with captivating performances from an array of artists, including Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Jeezy, Kid ‘N Play, Master P, Redman, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, Styles P, Warren G, Trina, and Trick Daddy.

Each artist brought a unique style and energy, igniting the stage with their music.
Drake led the list of nominees with an impressive seven nominations.
His recognition spanned categories such as Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Album of the Year for his collaboration with 21 Savage on “Her Loss,” and the prestigious Viewer’s Choice Award.

Following closely behind were 21 Savage and Lizzo, each receiving five nominations.
Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice, and SZA each received four nominations.
Patti LaBelle took the stage to pay tribute to the late Queen of Rock & Roll, Tina Turner.
LaBelle’s soulful rendition of Turner’s timeless hit, “The Best,” captivated the audience, honoring an icon who left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Another pinnacle moment came when Busta Rhymes received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Swizz Beatz presented the honor, celebrating Rhymes’ remarkable contributions as a rapper, producer, and pioneering figure in hip-hop.
The show fervently embraced the essence of hip-hop, bridging the gap between past and present, paying homage to the genre’s enduring legacy.
Artists and emcee Kid Capri exalted the memory of late hip-hop luminaries, offering snippets of their iconic hits, from Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. to Biz Markie and Pop Smoke.
Music took precedence, and the event appeared to capture the spirit and evolution of hip-hop.

In a surprise moment that stirred the crowd, Quavo and Offset, the surviving members of Migos, delivered a powerful performance of “Bad and Boujee.”
The emotional tribute included a poignant image of Takeoff, their late bandmate who tragically died in a shooting incident last December.
Their heartfelt cry, “BET, do it for Take,” resonated deeply with the emotional crowd.
From start to finish, the 2023 BET Awards paid homage to the roots of hip-hop while embracing its vibrant future.

UK Village Marks 80th Anniversary of Fight Against US Army Racism in World War II

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Jun 27, 2023

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UK Village Marks 80th Anniversary of Fight Against US Army Racism in World War II

By DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press

BAMBER BRIDGE, England (AP) — The village of Bamber Bridge in northwestern England is proud of the blow it struck against racism in the U.S. military during World War II.

When an all-Black truck regiment was stationed there, residents refused to accept the segregation ingrained in the U.S. Army. Ignoring pressure from British and American authorities, pubs welcomed the GIs, local women chatted and danced with them, and English soldiers drank alongside men they saw as allies in the war.

But simmering tensions between Black soldiers and white military police exploded on June 24, 1943, when a dispute outside a pub escalated into a night of gunfire. Private William Crossland was killed and dozens of soldiers from the truck regiment faced court martial. When Crossland’s niece learned about the circumstances of her uncle’s death, she called for a new investigation to uncover how he died.

The community has chosen to focus on its stand against segregation as it commemorates the 80th anniversary of what’s now known as the Battle of Bamber Bridge and America reassesses its past treatment of Black men and women in the armed forces.

“It’s a sense of pride that there was no bigotry towards (the soldiers),” said Valerie Fell, who was just 2 in 1943 but whose family ran Ye Olde Hob Inn, the 400-year-old thatched-roof pub where the conflict started. “They deserved the respect of the uniform that they were wearing.”

EXPORTING SEGREGATION

Black soldiers accounted for about 10% of the American troops in Britain during the war. Serving in segregated units led by white officers, most were relegated to non-combat roles such as driving trucks. U.S. authorities tried to extend those policies beyond their bases, asking pubs and restaurants to separate the races.

Bamber Bridge, then home to about 6,800 people, wasn’t the only place to resist. In a country then almost entirely white, there was no tradition of segregation.

What’s different about it was the desire of local people to preserve their story, said Alan Rice, co-director of the Institute for Black Atlantic Research at the University of Central Lancashire.

“If you’re fighting fascism, which these people were, it’s ludicrous, absolutely ludicrous, that the U.S. Army (were) encouraging a form of fascism — segregation,” Rice said.

Clinton Smith, head of the Black history group in nearby Preston, wants people to look more closely at what happened. The history “just can’t be allowed to wither on the vine.”

THE BATTLE OF BAMBER BRIDGE

Despite their friendships with the GIs, villagers weren’t able to head off the violence when Black soldiers, frustrated by their treatment and angry about race riots in Detroit, faced off with military police outfitted with batons and sidearms.

On that hot June night, Private Eugene Nunn was sitting at the Hob Inn bar when a white military police officer threatened to arrest him for wearing the wrong uniform. British soldiers and civilians intervened.

“Everyone was saying, ‘Leave him alone. He just wants a drink. It’s a hot day,’’’ Fell said as she recounted her mother’s story. “People just didn’t understand this viciousness.’’

When Nunn left the pub, the police were waiting. Tempers rose. A bottle smashed against the windshield of the police Jeep. Things escalated and it wasn’t until 4 a.m. that order was restored.

Military authorities sought severe penalties — 37 Black soldiers were charged with mutiny, riot and unlawful possession of weapons. Some 30 received sentences of between three and 15 years in prison, combined with loss of pay and dishonorable discharges. As the allies prepared for D-Day, many had their sentences shortened so they could be cycled back into the war effort.

While the court martial criticized the white officers for poor leadership, no records indicate they or the military police were disciplined.

LONGSTANDING CHANGE

Ken Werrell, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and retired professor of history at Radford University in Virginia, studied the proceedings and reviewed military records for an article published in 1975. He told The Associated Press the Black soldiers were badly treated.

But the broader story is that senior generals, focused on improving morale and performance, quickly ordered changes in the treatment of Black troops. Many of the officers commanding Black units were replaced and the army deployed more racially mixed police patrols.

“The Bamber Bridge affair was more than just a minor incident in World War II,” Werrell wrote. “It was one of a number of incidents in the Black’s and America’s continuing crusade for freedom.”

President Harry Truman in 1948 ordered the end of segregation in the military, though that took years to fully achieve. Lloyd Austin, a Black man and retired four-star general in the Army, is now secretary of defense.

That progress was too late for Crossland, a former railroad worker who was 25 when he died. Court martial evidence said only that he was found gravely wounded, with a bullet near his heart. Officers said they believed he had been caught in cross-fire between two groups of Black soldiers.

RE-ASSESSING HISTORY

Nancy Croslan Adkins, the daughter of one of William’s brothers, said she was never told about the circumstances of her uncle’s death. The family later changed the spelling of its last name.

Adkins, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, wants to know more about what happened.

“Having dealt with direct discrimination myself by integrating the school system in North Carolina, and the racial injustice that my parents faced, I would love an investigation,” she said.

Aaron Snipe, the spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in London, said he couldn’t prejudge any military decision, but President Joe Biden’s administration has shown a willingness to “right the wrongs of the past.”

Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy issued a formal apology to the families of 15 Black sailors who were dishonorably discharged in 1940 after complaining that they were forced to wait tables.

Snipe, meanwhile, will pay tribute to the people of Bamber Bridge at an event marking the anniversary.

“Part of this story is about their unwillingness to accept segregation orders or regulations that were pushed on them,” he said. “They pushed back.”

Sam Pollard’s Documentary Shines Light on the Rich Legacy of the Negro Baseball Leagues

Maria

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Jun 26, 2023

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Sam Pollard’s Documentary Shines Light on the Rich Legacy of the Negro Baseball Leagues

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

On the Black Press of America’s “Let It Be Known” show, renowned filmmaker Sam Pollard took center stage in an exclusive interview about his new film that shines a spotlight on the fabled Negro Leagues.

Pollard’s latest documentary, “The League,” will make its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival before a theatrical release in July.
Based on the book “The Negro Baseball Leagues” by Bob Motley and Byron Motley, the film counts as another triumph for Pollard, whose past directorial works include the critically acclaimed “Mr. Soul!”, “Sammy Davis, Jr: I’ve Got to Be Me,” and “MLK/FBI.”

The documentary also boasts Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the executive producer responsible for the Oscar-winning “Summer of Soul.”
The film illuminates that the sport was integrated in its earliest days, albeit with Black players forming only a minority of team members.

That changed in the late 1800s, as racist white players like Pop Anson of the Chicago White Stockings, who infamously refused to take the field with Black athletes, sparked a shift.
However, as Jim Crow laws engulfed the nation, Black players were banned from the game.
In 1920, Rube Foster, a trailblazing Black baseball pioneer who excelled as a pitcher, manager, and owner, founded the Negro National League.
Inspired by Frederick Douglass’ words, the league adopted the motto “We Are the Ship, All Else the Sea.”

Three years later, the Eastern Colored League emerged as a competitor, culminating in the inaugural Colored World Series in 1924.
Foster, hailed as the “father of black baseball,” serves as one of the documentary’s most compelling subjects.

Noteworthy for pitching seven no-hitters and inventing the screwball, Foster even taught the pitch to white player Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants, who popularized it.
Tragically, Foster met a grim fate, succumbing to the effects of a gas leak in a hotel room.
He suffered from delusions and spent several years institutionalized in an asylum before passing away at 51 in 1930.

Although the Negro National League eventually succumbed to the economic pressures of the Great Depression, other leagues emerged, serving as a springboard for numerous Black players who would later achieve legendary status.
Several of these players, including Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Satchel Paige, would eventually join Major League Baseball (MLB).

The documentary features captivating archival interviews with these players and more.
The film poignantly chronicles the immense challenges faced by Black players as they traversed the country, often denied accommodation in hotels and meals in restaurants.
Additionally, the Negro Leagues provided a home for many talented Latino players from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and other parts of Latin America.

Following World War II, with many Black service members having bravely fought for their country, pressure began mounting for the integration of MLB.
Notably, Paul Robeson became a prominent advocate for this cause. Despite years of resistance from MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who evoked comparisons to a character from “Birth of a Nation,” progress emerged.

Landis died in 1944, and three years later, Branch Rickey recruited Jackie Robinson as the first Black player to join the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson’s entry opened the door for other Black players such as Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, and Jim Gilliam, all of whom had roots in the Negro leagues.

Effa Manley, a formidable businesswoman, also features prominently in the documentary.
Known as the “First Lady of Negro Baseball,” she co-owned the Newark Eagles and became the only woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Manley fiercely advocated for fair compensation for Negro league teams when MLB began recruiting their players.
The integration of baseball eventually led to the decline of the Negro Leagues, which ceased operations by the late 1940s.

Through masterful use of vintage footage, interviews, oral histories, and contributions from modern-day historians and scholars, the documentary makes a case for the enduring significance of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

Reflecting on his connection to the project, Pollard said, “I grew up in the 1960s being a huge baseball fan… But what I did not know much about… was that [Jackie] Robinson had come out of the Negro Leagues and that the Negro Leagues had been home to Black and Latino ballplayers who had to play segregated baseball during the height of the Jim Crow era.”
Click here to view the full interview with Sam Pollard.

Supreme Court Ruling Limits Challenges to Unlawful Convictions for Innocent Federal Prisoners

Maria

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Jun 26, 2023

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Supreme Court Ruling Limits Challenges to Unlawful Convictions for Innocent Federal Prisoners

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court delivered a blow to the rights of federal prisoners, particularly those who may be completely innocent.

This week’s ruling in Jones v. Hendrix establishes a significant hurdle for prisoners seeking to challenge their convictions in court.
The case revolved around Marcus DeAngelo Jones, a federal prisoner convicted in 2000 of possessing a firearm after a felony conviction.

However, in a 2019 case called Rehaif v. United States, the Supreme Court declared that individuals could not be convicted under the felon-in-possession statute unless they were aware of their prior felony conviction at the time of possessing the gun.
Jones argued that he mistakenly believed his previous felony conviction had been expunged when he acquired the firearm, rendering his conviction invalid under Rehaif.

He said because he was unaware of his felony status, federal law did not make his possession of the firearm illegal.
Unfortunately, the Supreme Court’s ruling, as outlined in Justice Thomas’s opinion, prevents Jones from challenging his conviction altogether.

The outcome is because of a federal law known as Section 2255, which generally bars federal prisoners from making multiple challenges to their convictions or sentences.
Jones had previously succeeded in petitioning a federal court to vacate a portion of his sentence before the Rehaif decision, which Thomas argued extinguished his sole opportunity to challenge his conviction, even though Jones had no way of knowing that his claim of innocence would become potentially valid after Rehaif.

Although Section 2255 does include exceptions that allow for a second challenge under certain circumstances, Thomas narrowly interprets the provision, stating that the usual process is “inadequate or ineffective” to test the legality of a prisoner’s detention.
In her dissenting opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized Thomas’s restrictive construction and even mocks it by claiming that only a fire or mudslide could provide relief.

Thomas’s majority opinion extends the consequences beyond individuals like Jones, who hope to overturn their convictions due to developments like the Rehaif decision.
Many other individuals who are entirely innocent and wrongfully convicted will also be denied the opportunity for second appeals and remain unjustly imprisoned.
Before Section 2255’s enactment in 1948, federal prisoners had to challenge their convictions in the judicial district where they were incarcerated.

However, the system was impractical and burdensome for federal trial courts near prisons, as they often needed easier access to necessary records, evidence, and witnesses.
Section 2255 addressed this issue by requiring prisoners to bring challenges to the court that initially tried and convicted them, ensuring a more equitable distribution of cases among federal district courts, and providing the court most familiar with the prisoner’s case to hear the habeas suits challenging their confinement.

Although Section 2255 ordinarily restricts prisoners from filing a second habeas challenge if they were previously denied relief, it permits a second challenge if the usual process is “inadequate or ineffective” to test the legality of their detention.
However, Thomas characterized previous decisions allowing prisoners to file second challenges as an “end-run” around the limits set by federal law for habeas petitions.

He interpreted the “inadequate or ineffective” provision so narrowly that very few cases would meet its requirements, leaving prisoners fighting unlawful convictions with limited recourse.
In response, Justice Jackson argued in her dissent that Thomas’s reading of Section 2255 is completely unsupported by the text.

Both justices agreed on the historical purpose of Section 2255, which aimed to relieve the burden on district courts near federal prisons.
However, the statute contains no language that aligned with Thomas’s interpretation of the “inadequate or ineffective” provision.

Jackson asserted that Congress reenacted this exception in 1996, using identical language, and intended it to preserve prisoners’ ability to bring postconviction claims, including those based on statutory innocence, that might have been inadvertently barred by the language adopted in the amendment.

Experts said the outcome of the Jones case revealed not only the complexity of federal habeas law and the procedural challenges prisoners face but also a longstanding philosophical divide within the Supreme Court.

Liberal-leaning justices argued that the criminal justice system should primarily focus on determining a defendant’s actual guilt and provide adequate safeguards for challenging wrongful convictions.

On the other hand, conservative justices, including Thomas, emphasized finality in criminal judgments, even if it meant potentially denying the innocence claims of prisoners.