A bill to hunt and find racists who killed some of those involved in
the Civil Rights Movement and others before 1969 is now in the U.S.
Senate after passing the House 422-2 this summer. The two
representatives voting against the bill were presidential candidate
John Paul (R-TX) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA). The chief Senate
sponsor is presidential candidate Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Only two
presidential candidates are cosponsoring the bill: Barack
Obama (D-IL) and Joseph Biden (D-DE).
The House version,
H.R. 923, authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2008 - 20017
for the U.S. Justice Department to hire special investigators to work
on solving civil rights crimes dating back before 1969 including that
of Booker T. Mixon of Clarksdale, MS and Emmett Till of Chicago, IL.
In 1959, Mixon’s body was found lying on side on a road. Police
claimed it was a hit-and-run, though family members cited his naked
body and the extensive amount of flash torn from his body as evidence
of murder. Till’s body was found in the Mississippi River with a
cotton gin tied to his neck.
Alvin Sykes, of Kansas City, MO and president of the Emmett Till
Justice Campaign, is the primary force behind the cold case bill.
If the bill passes, "the bill will be the engine for the most
comprehensive criminal manhunt ever in this country," he told the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
While some of the most notorious crimes took place in a district now
represented by Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the chief sponsor of the House
bill was John Lewis (D-GA). “I’d like to thank my dear friend and
colleague, Mr. Lewis of Georgia for leading the effort,” said
Thompson. “The first step toward erasing the injustices
that have haunted the families of the victims is to, as a nation,
acknowledge the resolve these unsolved murders.”
Photo:
Emmett Till alive and in casket.
Hickey
Freeman Trunk Show
Everards Clothing is
having a Hickey Freeman
Trunk Show at its Georgetown Store, 1802 Wisconsin Avenue in
Washington, Saturday, November 10 from 11a to 5p. A Hickey
Freeman
representative will be on hand. The event, wine, hors d’oeurvres,
and
great company is complimentary.
Picture: Louis Everard of Everard's Clothing.
About
Interiors Year End Furniture Sale
About Interiors, one
of our Build/Renovate Your Own Castle partners, is holding a
spectacular year-end sale on all its inventory Thursday, November 8 to
Sunday, November 11 (they are closed Saturdays). About Interiors
will mark items from 10 to 50 percent off. The Beltsville store
is open 10a-6p M-F and 12-5p Sunday.
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Burlesque
Basics 101 at The Sex Museum
Known as “the art of
the tease,” burlesque is a celebration of women, comedy and
intellect. Peekaboo Pointe, a seasoned choreographer, will teach
the art at The Museum of Sex, Tuesday, November 13 from 7p-9p.
Whether you want to shake it on stage or for that special someone, this
exotic striptease workshop explores the essentials for your future
“bump and grind.”
Peekaboo
will cover a brief history of burlesque as well as its current
revival. Then you will get your chance to grab some heels, a
slinky dress and a pair of stockings and get ready to “go-go” your way
on stage
Classes
take place at 233 Fifth Avenue (at 27th Street) in New York.
Admission is $20 for members, seniors, and students; $25 for
nonmembers. Space is limited for this women’s only workshop.
Tickets for the workshop can purchased at the front desk, or in advance
by calling 212-689-6337 x115.
Women of Brewster Place -
Outstanding
World Premier
Stage Performance
by Wayne A.
Young
The world premier of The Women of Brewster Place was
the best performance that I have ever seen at Arena Stage.
Besides the superior singing, the production included outstanding
special effects that helped bring the stories of seven non-privileged
to life. The production run through Sunday, December 9.
Planetwalker
by Wayne A. Young
Surprisingly, John Francis’ story about his concern for the
environment was just as entertaining as it was informative. The
National Geographic Society will release his book early next year and a
movie is in the works. Expect more on the Planetwalker in the May
- July print issue of Port of Harlem.
The House version,
H.R. 923, authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2008 - 20017
for the U.S. Justice Department to hire special investigators to work
on solving civil rights crimes dating back before 1969 including that
of Booker T. Mixon of Clarksdale, MS and Emmett Till of Chicago, IL.
