Pro-Palestinian protesters, NYC, traffic, bridges

Hundreds Arrested, Tempers Flare After NYC Pro-Palestine Protests Block Bridges

Traffic was disrupted for nearly two hours. One Black driver confronted the protestors about blocking the bridges.


On Jan 8., protests against the Israeli bombing of Palestinians in Gaza led to an altercation between a Black man and several protestors blocking the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City.

Gothamist reports that the protest was a collaborative effort between several advocacy groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Right to Return Coalition. In addition to blocking the Williamsburg Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Holland Tunnel were all shut down by protestors for over an hour.

Traffic had been halted by around 9:30 a.m. and would not resume until approximately 11:15 a.m., when officers arrested protestors at the protest sites and traffic began to flow freely. According to the NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, Tarik Sheppard, the NYPD arrested 216 people and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey arrested 109 people. 

Like Black Lives Matter protests, which used the same tactic of disruption of traffic, the protestors called for an end to airstrikes in Gaza and raids by the Israeli military. Israel’s offensive in Palestine has killed almost 23,000 Palestinians. Many of those people are civilians.

Mon Mohapatra, a protestor at the Brooklyn Bridge, told Gothamist, “The point is disruption. We were trying to cause gridlock and traffic back-ups throughout downtown Manhattan at the same time. We were trying to scale up and we were trying to show that we’re a united front for Palestine…until there’s a permanent ceasefire.”

Other New Yorkers expressed frustration with the tactic of the protests, getting out of their vehicles to complain both to police and protestors as well as Gothamist.

Angel Morel, a 50-year-old sanitation worker, told the outlet, complained that his job had been placed in jeopardy after he had waited nearly an hour. “The citizens always pay at the end,” he said.

According to Reuters, New York Mayor Eric Adams agreed with the motorists who were upset with the protestors.

“The goal is to peacefully protest without doing major disruption to the city, some people are not just driving to and from, across our bridges to go to their place of employment, some of them are dealing with some real emergency-type issues,” he said.

Some demonstrators drew parallels between the Israel Defense Forces, the New York Police Department, and the Ku Klux Klan, chanting “NYPD, KKK, IDF they’re all the same,” while others carried banners reading “Lift the Siege on Gaza,” “Ceasefire Now,” and “End the occupation.”

“The siege on Gaza needs to end and I’m ready to put my body on the line to end it,” one protestor was heard saying on video as she was led away from the scene by a police officer, her hands behind her back. 

RELATED CONTENT: Young Black Voters Hesitant On Biden Reelection Due To Lack Of Palestine Support

Idris Elba Takes A Stand Against Knife Violence In The UK With Chilling New Campaign

Idris Elba Takes A Stand Against Knife Violence In The UK With Chilling New Campaign

This is how you use your platform for change!


Award-winning British actor Idris Elba is fighting against violent knife crimes, specifically among the youth, in a new eye-opening campaign.

Created by the organization Don’t Stop Your Future (DSYF), the campaign is designed to amplify the “voices of marginalized communities and those most affected by knife crime.” DSYF’s website features a touching video of victims before a music video for Elba’s song, “Knives Down,” is played.

To launch the campaign, Elba formed a protest in London’s Parliament Square on Dec. 7. As as government leaders made their way into work, protesters stood in front of rows of neatly folded clothes representing the children who lost their lives to knife violence in 2023. 

Posting images on Twitter, Elba, a father of two, called on the British government to take action so that no more families suffer from the results of zombie knife and machete violence.

“Today, I’m calling on the government for change. Serious youth violence is rising across the country, meaning that hundreds of promising lives are being cut short,” Elba wrote. “Every day, the feeling of helplessness in us parents grows bigger and bigger. The government promised to ban zombie knives and machetes. We need this promise delivered.”

Unlike the United States, the United Kingdom has strict gun control laws in place. However, UK stats show that four in 10 homicides involve a knife or sharp object, according to ABC News. According to statistics, 21 teenagers were killed in 2023, 18 stabbed to death. A ban on machetes and knives that look threatening was proposed in August 2023 but has yet to be approved by Parliament. 

Several lives have been claimed since then. 

In September 2023, 15-year-old Elianne Andam was stabbed to death by her friend’s ex-boyfriend on their way to school in South London. The victim reportedly stepped in between the former couple to break up a scuffle when the scorned lover allegedly pulled out a black, thin knife and put it through Andam’s neck. Alfie Lewis, 16, was killed in November 2023, and 16-year-old Harry Pitman died from fatal stab wounds while celebrating New Year’s Eve at Primrose Hill in London.

As concern over knife crime increases, and especially with school back in session, Elba thinks this is the right time to speak up.

“I can’t stay silent as more young lives are lost to these brutal and heartless crimes,” Elba said. “As school returns, too many young people will not be joining their classmates, and too many grieving families have lost a young person they love in recent years.”

schools on wheels, The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye

The Weeknd Partners With School On Wheels To Aid 1,000 Homeless Students In Los Angeles

The Weeknd has partnered with School on Wheels to support over 1,000 homeless students in Los Angeles as they conclude the school year.


Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is extending his philanthropic efforts to support over 1,000 homeless students in Los Angeles as they conclude the school year. Partnering with the L.A.-based nonprofit organization School on Wheels, the four-time Grammy winner aims to address the educational challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tesfaye’s generous donation to School on Wheels will facilitate tutoring services, literacy tools, and connections to post-high school mentorship opportunities through the BUS (Believe-Understand-Succeed) program. Additionally, the initiative will provide technology assistance, including Chromebooks and other laptops, internet access, and specialized software programs such as Renaissance Star Assessments, MyOn, and Freckle. These tools aim to enhance learning skills and tailor the curriculum to meet the individual educational needs of the students of Los Angeles.

This philanthropic endeavor aligns with Tesfaye’s commitment to positively impact communities. In recent years, he has made significant donations to charitable organizations in Ethiopia and Lebanon. Furthermore, he contributed $1 million to support MusiCares and COVID relief for hospital workers in his native province of Ontario. Also, through his XO Humanitarian Fund, he directed $2.5 million to Gaza, a contribution set to furnish over four million meals for those impacted by the conflict. Collaborating with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and holding the title of Goodwill Ambassador since October 2021, The Weeknd’s initiative is making a substantial impact. The recent donation ensures that more than 173,000 Palestinians receive food assistance for two weeks. With a total raised amount of $5 million, The Weeknd’s fund is actively working to provide aid and relief to individuals facing challenges in accessing regular meals.

Unhoused students faced disproportionate setbacks during the pandemic, resulting in a significant decline in academic progress. The release states, “The pandemic erased two decades of progress in math and reading, and researchers have documented that the poverty rate is the best predictor of the extent of that learning loss.”

By partnering with School on Wheels, Tesfaye seeks to empower homeless students, recognizing the importance of providing them with resources and support to overcome the challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. The initiative reflects his ongoing dedication to leveraging his platform for meaningful contributions and making a tangible difference in the lives of those facing adversity.

NAACP, lawsuit

Sacramento NAACP Leaders Face Financial Impropriety Allegations In County Food Delivery Program

Greater Sacramento NAACP President Betty Williams and Sacramento NAACP branch education chair Salena Pryor have been suspended.


NAACP leaders in Sacramento are suspected of using personal businesses to manage a county-sponsored food delivery program that operated from March 2022 to June 2023.

The Sacramento Bee obtained financial filings that appear to indicate that the currently suspended Greater Sacramento NAACP President Betty Williams and the Sacramento NAACP branch education chair Salena Pryor listed their organizations as independent contractors.

As part of Sacramento County’s food insecurity pilot program, 1Solution LLC, an outreach and staffing firm run by Williams, and Pryor Consulting, run by Pryor, each were paid as part of the $2.5 million contract. 

Dine-In 2, as the program was known, was a joint project between the Sacramento NAACP and Family Meals Sacramento, which delivered meals to residents during the pandemic. According to county documents, $225,000 in salary was paid out to the two companies. Pryor and Williams also allegedly personally benefited from the arrangement. Pryor was paid $8,000 a month or $120,000 for a year’s worth of work as a business compliance officer. Williams, listed as both an executive director and an administrative assistant, received $21,600 and $48,000, respectively, for each role she was listed in. 

The national NAACP’s auditors informed Williams that they suspected her of financial impropriety a month after the Greater Sacramento NAACP submitted their annual financial report in April 2023.

By October, the NAACP suspended her membership, and in a letter, the national NAACP President/CEO Derrick Johnson wrote, “I am satisfied that your continued membership in the Association presents a danger of harm to the NAACP and the Sacramento Branch NAACP. Action is necessary to prevent or mitigate that harm.”

Some Sacramento County NAACP members have alleged that Johnson’s suspension of Williams is political in nature because she was gearing up to challenge for the California NAACP presidency in October. Some of Williams’ supporters even protested outside of a Burlingame hotel where the NAACP California/Hawaii state convention took place a few days after Williams and other members were asked to step down. 

The national NAACP is still investigating allegations of financial mismanagement while Sacramento County officials have requested records pertaining to the Dine-In 2 program while Williams was over the Sacramento County NAACP.

Additionally, some local restaurant owners have said they were frustrated with how the program was being run. One restaurant owner, who spoke to the Sacramento Bee on condition of anonymity due to an NDA signed with Williams, said that some compensation payments were late and as a result, they had questions about where the money was going. According to the restaurant owner, some owners waited months to receive checks for meals and deliveries prepared under the program. 

Bobby Bivens, a former national NAACP board member and longtime Stockton NAACP branch president, is now an administrator with Sacramento County NAACP. Bivens is one of several leadership shuffles that the Sacramento County NAACP has instituted after the departure of Williams and other leaders in the Sacramento County NAACP branch. 

Bivens told the news outlet that he is hoping for a quick resolution.

“It takes time,” he said. “The board wants to be fair to everybody. I’m looking forward to (national officials) quickly reaching a conclusion to this. What we do, no one else does. We’re not stopping the services that are being provided. We want to make sure they keep going as they’ve been going.”

RELATED CONTENT: Illinois NAACP President Asked To Resign After Calling Migrants ‘Savages’ And Accusing Them Of Rape

Steve Harvey, Katt Williams, Gary Owen, comedian,

Gary Owen Reveals Pay Issues While Working On Steve Harvey Talk Show


The Katt Williams effect continues with Gary Owen tossing his hat into the ring to talk about the low pay he received while working on Steve Harvey’s former talk show. 

Owen’s name was brought up during Williams’ now-viral interview with Shannon Sharpe. As a result, Owen took to his Getsome with Gary Owen podcast to open up about his time working with Harvey, whom Williams accused of stealing jokes from fellow comedian Mark Curry.

According to Owen, he made more from three episodes of Hip Hop Squares than he did, working three days a week for two weeks on Harvey’s former talk show.

“I just did Hip Hop Squares, the show DeRay [Davis] used to host, and I filmed three episodes in one day on Hip Hop Squares and made four times the money I made doing two weeks of The Steve Harvey Show,” Owen revealed in a clip shared online.

https://twitter.com/ArtOfDialogue_/status/1744470977260470338

The House of Payne star went on to explain how he landed the gig on Harvey’s talk show after initially appearing as a guest to promote his reality show. Two episodes were filmed a day for the two weeks Owen served as an announcer. 

“It was only two people on the show every week. It was me and Steve,” Owen continued. “I just pretty much said, ‘Give it up for Steve Harvey,’ and I announced the guests and go back to my dressing room.”

Owen impressed Harvey enough to receive an offer to join the show as his “sidekick,” which could lead to his own “spinoff.” But Owen got a “bad feeling” once he met with one show producer who shot down all of his creative ideas.

“He’s shooting everything down. He goes, ‘No, no, we’ll handle that. We’ll handle the sketches,’” Owen recalled.

“You ain’t gon’ tell me that whatever you’re coming up with is funnier than what I’m coming up with,” he quipped.

The comedian also shared that he was only paid the SAG minimum wage and could not make a living from the income. He admitted to having to turn down comedy gigs during the week because of the demands of the low-paying gig with Harvey.

After just two weeks, Owen decided to quit. He later clarified that his confession wasn’t to bash Harvey because he knows “this is not on Steve Harvey. This is the powers that be behind the scenes.”

Stephen A. Smith, presidential run

Stephen A. Smith Rips Into Jason Whitlock Saying He Is ‘Worse Than A White Supremacist’

Smith dedicated approximately 45 minutes to tearing into Whitlock.


The feud between Stephen A. Smith and Jason Whitlock has reached a point where Smith’s response made Katt Williams’ recent criticism of fellow comedians pale in comparison.

Whitlock accused Smith of being the “Kevin Hart of the sports media” when he started his criticism of the Fast Take host and stated that his fellow sportscaster is an industry “plant” placed at the top by ESPN and Disney. He disses Smith’s journalistic skills and says because he lacks them, it’s easier to control him. He lambasted Smith by critiquing his book and saying, “It just doesn’t add up!”

In the episode, Whitlock accused Smith of embellishing his life story in his tome, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes.

The post sent Smith into such a tizzy that he dedicated approximately 45 minutes to tearing into the “fat bastard.” He started his show off by acknowledging that he spoke to his pastor to warn him of what he was about to do in preparation to rip Whitlock a new one. He also stated that he told his bosses at ESPN what he was about to embark on. And then he proceeds to do so.

“I mean it from my soul when I say this is the worst human being I’ve ever known,” Smith said. “I don’t know of another human being worse than Jason Whitlock. He is a piece of s**t. He’s the dude that’s going to have a funeral and ain’t going to be no pallbearers; he is the absolute worst.”

He said that Whitlock was worse than a white supremacist.

“I could not imagine, as a Black man, knowing our history, anything worse than a white supremacist. That is until Jason Whitlock came along. He’s worse than them. He is the worst, most despicable, lying, no-good, fat-ass human being I have ever known in my life.”

In between his rant, he discusses instances of Whitlock’s shortcomings and even states he has a clause in his contract that says he will NEVER work with Whitlock. But he ends his monologue by saying, “I hate this bastard. Not even far more than a little bit. He is the worst human being any of you will ever meet. You get within a mile of his presence, wrap your arms around yourself to protect your soul. He is Cain! He is a devil! The worst.

“That’s all I have to say. Y’all have a nice day. I’m going to go about my business. I will not speak about this piece of s**t again. Peace and love.”

Smith has promised that he will never speak on Whitlock again. His adversary has responded, but Smith has kept his word so far.

Run for Something Civics , political elections

National Run For Office Day To Boost Representation At Every Level Of Government 

This year, nearly 41 million Gen Zers (ages 18-27) will be eligible to vote in the next presidential election.


Do you know a young person who aspires to incite change on a local or state level? There comes National Run For Office Day. Nonprofit organizations Civic Nation and Run for Something Civics are seizing a unique opportunity to increase representation at every level of government. 

The new campaign invites and encourages underrepresented people in elected office, including young people, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities, to run this election cycle, according to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

On Jan. 23, the event will take place in New York City to raise awareness about running for local office. The community, as well as current elected officials, are welcome. To kick off the campaign, the organizations are looking to spread the message of National Run Office Day through social media, in-person events and creative content.

This year, nearly 41 million Gen Zers (ages 18-27) will be eligible to vote in the next presidential election, including over 8 million youth (ages 18-19) who have aged into the electorate since 2022. However, research supports historically low voting rates among young people of color compared to white youth. History repeated itself both in 2020 and 2022. The highly diverse population often faces many issues and barriers relating to voter participation. Civic Nation and Run for Something Civics have designated a day to provide a different pathway to electoral engagement.

“Nearly 70% of races on the ballot during the November 2022 midterm elections were unopposed or uncontested, including 85% of state elections and 67% of local elections — so there is a place for young people and other underrepresented groups on the ballot,” the press release stated.

A study from IGNITE found a popular motivator behind Gen Z women and non-binary votes. In fact, approximately 70% would be more likely to vote if there were more women, people of color, and young candidates who are passionate about the issues they care about.

“Government works best when it is truly representative of the communities it serves. We can change government from the bottom up by recruiting and electing young and diverse people to local and state elected offices, especially those who have been historically left out of the political process,” said Amanda Litman, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Run For Something Civics. 

“Voting allows us to hold our elected officials accountable for the decisions they make, but when the people leading our state and local governments run for office, again and again, uncontested, it undermines the power of people and our democracy. There is a simple solution — more people should run for office. That’s why Civic Nation is proud to partner with Run for Something Civics on National Run For Office Day to ensure our elected officials at all levels are reflective of the people they represent,” said Valerie Jarrett, Board Chair of Civic Nation. 

Furthermore, the announcement provided some statistics to know:

  • The median age among Americans is 38 years old, yet the average age in the U.S. Senate is 63. 
  • Only 20% of people in state legislatures are under 45.
  • The median age of school board members is 59.
  • Thirty of the 50 U.S. governors are 60 or older, and the average U.S. mayor of a major city is 58.
  • Among state legislators, only 33% are women, 10.5% are Black, 6% are Latino, and 4% are Asian/Pacific Islander
  • Nationwide, only 0.2% of elected officials publicly identify as LGBTQIA+. 
     
William Barber, Greenville, North Carolina, enlist, probe, civil rights, AMC

Rev. William Barber Enlists Civil Rights Powerhouse Harry Daniels To Probe Movie Theater Incident

Rev. William Barber II held a press conference in Greenville, North Carolina, outlining the course of action following his expulsion from a movie theater last month.


Renowned civil rights activist Rev. William Barber II held a press conference in Greenville, North Carolina, on Jan. 8, outlining a course of action following his expulsion from a North Carolina movie theater last month, according to ABC11. The incident occurred during a screening of The Color Purple at AMC Fire Tower 12 theater in Greenville when Barber, who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis, was asked to leave after bringing his own stool to the venue.

In response to the incident, Barber introduced national civil rights attorney Harry Daniels during the press conference. Daniels, who will oversee the investigation into the matter, emphasized a goal of training rather than seeking termination of involved parties.

“We’re not in the position of wanting people terminated or fired; that doesn’t serve our overall desired purpose, but we can get them trained so maybe they can train others,” Daniels said during the conference.

Also accompanying Barber were advocates from the American Association of People with Disabilities, highlighting the broader context of the incident in relation to disability rights.

Barber had previously met with Adam Aron, president of AMC Theaters, on Jan. 2 in Greenville. Following the meeting, Barber expressed encouragement but also stressed the importance of broader considerations beyond his individual experience. He stated, “This isn’t about William Barber or one night in December. It’s about the law. It’s about treating every man, woman, and child who has disabilities with compassion and dignity.”

AMC Theaters issued an apology to Barber for its mishandling of the incident. Daniels characterized it as a race issue and a human rights issue. He urged empathy, saying, “Make no mistake: This was an injustice, not just to Bishop Barber, but to all of us. Every family knows someone who needs additional accommodations.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rev. William Barber II To Head Yale Divinity School Center For Public Theology And Public Policy

Angela Bassett Delivers Powerful Oscars Speech, ‘There Is Room For Us All’

Angela Bassett Delivers Powerful Oscars Speech, ‘There Is Room For Us All’

Bassett's words resonated as a statement on inclusion, a tribute to trailblazers, and a promise to continue paving the way for diverse talent.


After receiving an honorary Oscar at the Academy’s 14th Governors Awards, Angela Bassett brought the audience to cheers with a powerful speech that emphasized representation, praised Black women trailblazers, and paid blessings forward.

Sharing a kiss with her dear “sister” Regina King, a visibly emotional Bassett took the stage, dressed elegantly in a glittering gown befitting Hollywood royalty, at the Jan. 9 ceremony in Los Angeles. “I have considered acting my calling and not just my career,” the Black Panther actress said. “I do this work because I find it meaningful, and I hope in some way that it makes a difference and has an impact.”

A grateful Bassett shared words from actress, dancer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne. “‘It’s so nice to get flowers while you can yet still smell the fragrance,’ and indeed, it is.”

The award makes Bassett the second Black actress to receive an honorary Oscar, the first being the late Cicely Tyson, whom Bassett called her “dear friend and mentor,” in 2018. “Having a chance to work with and learn from Ms. Tyson is one of the most memorable and treasurable experiences of my career,” the Oscar winner told the audience.

Bassett said the award is a “testament” to Tyson’s legacy and represents her “contributions to this medium of film.”

She spoke to the generations of Black actors to come and paid tribute to those who paved the way for Black talent to be seen and recognized for their contributions, like Gone With the Wind actress Hattie McDaniel, the first Black person to ever win an Oscar at the 12th Annual Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 29, 1940. Bassett echoed the words of actress Fay Bainter, who said at the time that the plaque “opens the doors of this room” and “moves back the walls and enables us to embrace the whole of America.”

Ghost actress Whoopi Goldberg was spotlighted for being the second to receive the coveted award 50 years later.

Bassett also acknowledged actresses Jennifer Hudson, Halle Berry, Lupita Nyong’o, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, and Ariana DeBose as “beacons of possibility and hope for little Black and brown girls who aspire one day to pursue the dream of becoming an actor.” She mentioned standing on the shoulders of trailblazers such as Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll, and Rosalind Cash. “Had it not been for their resilience continuing to fight through their fears and the uncertainty and their willingness as they fought for every role, I would not have had a representation of what was possible for me.”

Bassett, who BLACK ENTERPRISE reported was named in December as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood,” proudly dedicated her Oscar to the women she’s had the honor to portray — those who “stand up when they are told to stand back,” “speak up when they are silenced,” and “remain determined when they are told they are defeated.”

She left her fellow Black actors with the confirmation that their contributions matter and their performances have uncovered different perspectives.

Tristan Thompson, Amari Thompson, guardianship, brother, mother, death

Tristan Thompson Becomes Special Olympics Global Ambassador

"As a Global Ambassador, I will help inspire others to be more inclusive and take action to help change the stereotypes that exist for people with disabilities.”


Cleveland Cavaliers player Tristan Thompson is about to take on an important role that may be bigger than his day-to-day role in the NBA.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Special Olympics International announced Thompson’s appointment as Special Olympics’ newest global ambassador. Thompson’s younger brother, Amari, was born with disabilities.

“I’m excited and honored to partner with Special Olympics,” said Thompson in a written statement. “This is a great opportunity to support an amazing organization but also use my platform and voice to help support athletes with intellectual disabilities. As a Global Ambassador, I will help inspire others to be more inclusive and take action to help change the stereotypes that exist for people with disabilities.”

As an ambassador, the Cavaliers player will use his platform and experiences dealing with a person with disabilities to help promote inclusion within sports. His work will entail working with local and global entities through the Special Olympics worldwide, specifically with Special Olympics France, Special Olympics Brazil, Special Olympics Canada, and Special Olympics Ohio.

“Special Olympics is honored to name Tristan Thompson as our newest Global Ambassador,” said Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics International. “At Special Olympics, a more inclusive world begins with sports, and the impact extends far beyond the playing field. Tristan demonstrates passion and dedication to creating a more inclusive world where exclusion has no place and everybody belongs and is respected. We join Tristan in his commitment to elevating inclusion in communities around the world and look forward to working with him to positively change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.”

Thompson is just the latest global ambassador to join the team. Other active NBA players include the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, the Chicago Bulls’ Andre Drummond, and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard. Former NBA players include Ricky Rubio, Dikembe Mutombo, Sam Perkins, and Yao Ming. The Washington Mystics’ Elena Delle Donne from the WNBA is also an ambassador.

After Thompson’s mother passed away in January 2023, he filed and gained temporary legal guardianship of his brother. He is currently still trying to gain permanent legal custody.

RELATED CONTENT: Tristan Thompson Under Probe Over Petition to Gain Guardianship Of His Younger Brother

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