Events

From the Beverly Hills West Legislative Committee:

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CALL TO ACTION!!!

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THE POTENTIAL MAJOR CHANGE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS WHICH MAY OCCUR IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS IS UNKNOWN TO MOST AFRICAN AMERICANS 

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Byron Allen, an African American, American businessman, former comedian, and TV mogul brought a $20 billion lawsuit for racial discrimination against Comcast and Charter Cable for their refusal to carry his networks or even meet with him. Mr. Allen alleges that Comcast and Charter Cable are in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracting. He lost the case at the trial court level and won at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Comcast then appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

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At stake now is the possible ending of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (specifically Section 1981).  In addition to Comcast taking a position against the Civil Rights Act of 1866, now the Department of Justice is involved. Comcast has allotted 10 minutes of its 30-minute Supreme Court argument to William Barr’s Department of Justice.

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At this juncture, it does not matter whether you believe in Byron Allen's position or not.  In any case, it is important for us to rally together and bring pressure on Comcast to dismiss the case pending before SCOTUS and scheduled for oral argument on November 13, 2019; or to appeal to Byron Allen to settle with Comcast, if possible. A LOSS OF THIS CASE MEANS THE SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, HISPANIC AMERICANS, INDIAN AMERICANS AND ALL OTHER PROTECTED CLASSES FOR YEARS TO COME.

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We propose that we alert the media, our organizations, civil rights lawyers and powerful law firms to bring these parties together for a result that is palatable to both sides. We need to make our positions known and get our collective voices heard. We need to be seen in front of the Supreme Court if this matter is not settled prior to November 13, 2019.

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THIS POTENTIAL MAJOR CHANGE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS WILL CHANGE LIVES. Can we risk SCOTUS overturning the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in favor of Byron Allen? Can we risk ANY diminishment to the Civil Rights Act of 1866? 

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Note that Comcast is the parent company of Focus Features which produced Harriet. The producers cast a non-African American to play the role of Harriet.  While we are pleased that our Nigerian/British sister is talented and working and that so many African Americans are able to be in a movie portraying the heroism of Harriet Tubman, do you want to support the film knowing that you are fueling the coffers of Comcast?  That decision must be made by each African American.  

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We have included a few links to information on these issues.  

How Byron Allen's $20 billion dollar lawsuit could be a game changer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjTFW-5aoBg&feature=youtu.be

https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/harriet-movie-naacp-comcast-civil-rights-law-1866-cancels-screening-new-jersey-20191028.html

https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/comcast_withdraw/

Team spirit and effectiveness were evident on Saturday, March 23 as the HHS facet and HeartLinks committee members welcomed community attendees to the second Community Health Forum. 

A delicious healthy breakfast and the “learn and live” presentations offered by our chapter’s physicians and the Los Angeles Fire Department on lowering/managing  blood pressure, reducing blood sugar, controlling cholesterol and just eating better were takeaways attendees can put to immediate use.

Congratulations on a job well done and for once again providing our communities with wellness small steps to big lifestyle changes to save lives and live healthier.