Update, 10/15/2020, 3:30 p.m.: the council approved Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria's resolution to create a list of city assets named for individuals and examine their past for racism or bigotry. The motion passed 4-1, with Garry Bredefeld voting no, and Mike Karbassi and Paul Caprioglio not recording votes. Listen to this...
Is Fresno Unified Racist? Trustees Argue Over Anti-Racist Resolution Intent
The topic of racism, which moved front and center this year on the national radar after a series of incidents involving police killings of black people, was spotlighted Wednesday evening when Fresno Unified trustee Terry Slatic objected to an agenda item that declared the district an anti-racist institution and stated...
State Schools Chief Announces New Anti-Hate Education Initiative
The California Department of Education is starting a new education initiative to help students better understand and respect people of different races, ethnicities, religions, genders, and gender identifications, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said Monday. Thurmond was joined in the virtual news conference by California legislators and representatives...
Guaranteed Income Gains Favor as Mayors Across the Country Sign On
A growing number of mayors across the country support giving cash to low-income families with no restrictions on how they can spend it — part of a growing movement to establish a guaranteed minimum income to combat poverty and systemic racism. The effort is being led by Michael Tubbs, the...
ACLU Complaint Says Clovis Unified Fails to Quell ‘Racially Hostile Environment’
The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California has filed a complaint with Clovis Unified School District on behalf of a Black student who says he has been racially profiled, disciplined differently than fellow classmates, and subjected to a "racially hostile environment." The ACLU, which has filed a previous complaint...
2 People Shot to Death During Protest Over Kenosha Shooting
KENOSHA, Wis. — Two people were shot to death during a night of anti-racism protests in Kenosha in a possible vigilante attack carried out apparently by a young white man who was caught on cellphone video opening fire in the middle of the street with a semi-automatic rifle. The gunfire...
Racist Taunt Shows Up on Computer Screens in Madera South Class
Anitra Jones' son was attending one of his Madera South classes Wednesday morning when a chat box suddenly surfaced on his screen, with a hateful and racist message repeated 40 times. Jones said it's not the first time one of her children, who are African American, was hit by racist...
Dystopian Series 'Watchmen' Leads All Emmy Nominees With 26
LOS ANGELES — “Watchmen,” cloaked in superhero mythology and grounded in real-world racism, received a leading 26 nominations Tuesday for the prime-time Emmy Awards. The series, which captured America’s deep unease as it faces racial and political clashes amid a pandemic, was nominated as best limited series and received bids...
Sierra Club Truth-Telling: Monument Removal, Calling Out Muir's Racism
LOS ANGELES — The Sierra Club is calling out its founder, naturalist John Muir, for racist remarks he made more then a century ago as the influential environmental group grapples with a harmful history that perpetuated white supremacy. Executive Director Michael Brune said Wednesday that it was “time to take...
CEO Resigns After Racist Rant to Fresno Bar Server Caught on Video
Jason Wood, the chief executive officer of a Florida-based digital marketing company, resigned Friday after his racist rant at a Fresno tavern went viral on social media. "Due to recent events, Actionable Insights is announcing the resignation of Mr. Jason Wood as our Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately," the company...