Minnesota Timberwolves Look For Second Fan Who Allegedly Made ‘Racially Charged’ Comments At Draymond Green
The second fan left before security could approach them
After ejecting a basketball fan accused of making a “racially charged” comment toward Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green on Thursday, May 8, the Minnesota Timberwolves said it is looking for another individual who was allegedly involved.
In a statement, the NBA team confirmed the ejection of the first person violating the league’s fan code of conduct during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Warriors and Golden State Warriors at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Green was called a racial slur while he was on a stationary bike in the tunnel near his team’s bench.
Timberwolves security removed the first fan, but “a second individual who was identified by surrounding patrons as making racially charged comments towards Green left on his own before the arena security could confirm his identity,” the Timberwolves said in a statement. “The team is continuing to investigate an additional action may be taken.”
“The Timberwolves and Target Center are firmly committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all,” the team added. “Racist, hateful, or threatening behavior has no place at our games or in our community and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
After the game, which the Warriors lost 117-83, Green vented to the media.
“I’m sick of the agenda to make me look like the angry Black man. I’m not an angry Black man,” Green said. “I’m a very successful, educated Black man with a great family. And I’m great at basketball, I’m great at what I do. The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”
Howard University Celebrates Largest Graduating Class In HBCU’s History
Howard's 157th Commencement ceremony saw over 3,000 graduates walk across the stage.
Howard University is celebrating a new milestone with its class of 2025. The HBCU honored its largest graduating class in its history, with 3,167 degrees conferred.
According to WJLA, Howard’s 157th Commencement ceremony saw over 3,000 graduates walk across the stage, with graduates across multiple colleges from fine arts to business receiving their diplomas. One particular graduate made history of her own.
Cheryl Hawkins received her Ph.D. in history while establishing herself as the eldest graduate for this year. The 72-year-old overcame the obstacle of being a teenage mom to reach the highest pinnacle of academia.
“This was a long-term goal, and to reach it at this stage in my life. It’s kind of special,” Hawkins told the news source. “I think a little bit more about things before I make decisions about them.”
Howard University held its commencement ceremony on May 10, with LeVar Burton as the keynote speaker. According to The Dig, the graduating class represented 44 states and 29 countries, boasting a 13% increase from last year’s graduates.
“I know sometimes life won’t let you go at it right away. I’m a good example of that, but keep it in your heart and your spirit to do it. Education is our key,” Hawkins said. “Once you know something, you cannot unknow it. So we need to learn all we can about life ourselves and what talents we came here to share with the world.”
Another graduate, who reigns as the youngest in the class of 2025, shared her experience accomplishing this goal at a less-than-usual age.
“Your age isn’t something that comes up on the regular in class. So you kind of forget that you are a little younger than some of your peers.” 19-year-old Joyce Sob told 7News.
The festivities continue to show Howard’s growing standing among HBCUs and research universities. The school recently solidified its R1 Carnegie classification status, making it the sole HBCU currently holding this ranking. It can now further compete with other universities regarding its research opportunities.
As the university celebrates new records, its Board of Trustees also acknowledged the legacy and magnitude of obtaining a Howard degree.
“Deeply embedded into this terra firma are the footsteps of past alumni who have trod the Long Walk to end their Howard sojourn and receive their hard-earned, well-deserved Howard degree,” expressed Howard Board of Trustees Chairman Laurence C. Morse.
Jasmine Crockett Reveals Democrat Donors Are Rallying Behind ‘The Safest White Boy’ Ahead Of 2028 Presidential Race
Crockett told host Clay Cane that she heard it from a donor’s mouth and can assure voters that it's not a person of color.
During a SiriusXM podcast interview, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) hinted that the Democratic party is already rallying behind the “safest white boy” to support as a candidate ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Without mentioning any names, Crockett said “one specific candidate” is being floated around as she spoke about her party’s alleged fear of having a woman jump in the race again. “It is this fear that the people within the party, within the primary system, will have about voting for a woman because every time we voted for a woman, we’ve lost, so far,” she said in a clip of the Urban View town hall.
“And I think that that’s a natural fear because we just want to win.”
NEW: Rep. Jasmine Crockett says Democrat donors want the 'safest White boy' for their 2028 candidate and claims "they – have chosen… it’s not a black person nor a woman"
"There’s a lot of people that are like, you know what? Like, let’s go find the safest White boy we can… pic.twitter.com/lfqmv27PTe
Doubling down on her claim, she told host Clay Cane that she heard it from a donor’s mouth and can assure voters that it’s not a person of color. “No, for real. And to be clear, when we talk about them, I can tell you that there is one specific candidate,” Crockett said. “I had a donor on the phone with me telling me that all the donors are lining up behind that candidate. So I can tell, and I tell you, it’s not a Black person, nor a woman, OK?”
While that may not be a shocker for some Democratic voters, the outspoken congresswoman touched on some of the reasons behind “they” — referring to the same party members who supported former President Joe Biden — not putting a woman up as the new candidate. “People fail to recognize how unique Trump is. They continue to say ‘well we lost,’ well they both lost to Trump,” she said.
“Trump, who is a misogynist, Trump, who is going to ramp up the misogyny in the first place because that’s what he does. He is disrespectful. Like right now, he still doesn’t know how to deal with me.”
Some of the Democratic Party names being whispered include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, former Vice Presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the second woman to lose to President Donald Trump in November 2024.
Fox News anchors speculated that former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg may be in the running because he took his pronouns down and has a beard. “Those are two things necessary to run a country,” one anchor said.
Pete Buttigieg “just took his pronouns down recently.” The Fox & Friends cohosts speculate on which Democrats will run for president in 2028. pic.twitter.com/PGdhh0uPmq
However, Crockett’s name hasn’t been left out of some conversation since she is considering the position as top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, succeeding Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, according to The Dallas Morning News. She is currently the panel’s vice ranking member, often going viral for advocating for numerous topics, such as transgender athletes in women’s sports, against her ranking Republican colleagues.
Quincy Jones’ Custom-Built Bel Air Mansion Up For Sale At A Whopping $60 Million
Jones spent six years building the custom-made five-bedroom, 17-bathroom mansion.
Quincy Jones’ estate has listed the late mega-producer’s Bel Air mansion for sale. The estate hopes to sell the home for a whopping $60 million.
Jones spent six years on custom builds for the five-bedroom, 17-bathroom abode. He sought the design efforts of his former classmate and architect, Gerald Allison, FAIA. The stone-sided structure came to life in the early 2000s while becoming part of Jones’ formidable legacy in Hollywood.
“My father loved his home so much,” said the producer’s daughter, Rashida Jones. “He created it from the ground up with his boundless imagination and the talent of his high school friend, legendary architect Jerry Allison. Our family has a lifetime of wonderful memories and meaning imbued in this home.”
David Kramer and Andrew Buss of Compass’s David Kramer Group listed the house. Kramer also emphasized the home’s “pedigree and scale” that came with its iconic owner, who died in November at 91.
“With a rich cultural legacy, this iconic estate has welcomed Hollywood royalty, global dignitaries, and legendary artists. Just minutes from Sunset Boulevard, it stands as one of the most exceptional view estates in all of Los Angeles, offering rare privacy, pedigree, and scale,” shared the realtor in the caption.
Like Jones’ worldly approach to music, his house represents the international destinations that inspired him. The home’s primary living room, shaped in a central rotunda, took inspiration from an African mud hut. As for the materials used for the home’s foundation, Egyptian pyramids led to the incorporation of travertine, alabaster, and limestone. Furthermore, his self-proclaimed “global gumbo” found at the estate made it part of his enigmatic charm.
“The whole world is represented here, from Morocco to Nefertiti to the Tang dynasty,” he told Smithsonian in a 2008 interview.
The property spans 2.3 acres in the exclusive Bel Air area, also the neighborhood of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s mansion. Jones’ long-time estate features a double-height atrium, a wine-tasting room, a game lounge, and a screening room. The home includes a gallery, a reception area, and a security office to add to its magnitude.
With expansive views of the San Gabriel Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and the famous Los Angeles skyline, its new owners can enjoy its impressive amenities, including a tennis court, a cabana, and an infinity-edge pool.
Winston-Salem State University Honors Former Football Coach, Bill Hayes, With Honorary Doctorate
The ceremony took place May 9 at WSSU's spring commencement
A former football head coach at Winston-Salem State University, Bill Hayes, has been given an honorary doctorate from the institution.
According to HBCU Gameday, the ceremony occurred on May 9 at WSSU’s spring commencement. Hayes enjoyed a long career as a football coach, with a winning record of 89-40-2 from 1976 to 1987. He led the Rams to three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships (1977, 1978, 1987) and five CIAA Southern Division titles. The football team had consecutive undefeated regular seasons in 1977 and 1978.
The coach left the school and hooked up with the school’s rival, North Carolina A&T, in 1988. He led the school to three MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) championships and retired from coaching in 2003.
Hayes also made his mark as an athletic administrator. He served as athletic director at North Carolina Central University and Florida A&M University before returning to WSSU in 2010. He became the fifth athletic director at the school and stayed at WSSU until he retired in 2014.
The former coach’s background in football started in high school, where he played for Hillside High School before he took his talent to NCCU, where he played his collegiate career at the center and linebacker positions. While playing there for four years, he earned three All-America recognitions before graduating with a physical education degree in 1965.
His coaching career started after he graduated from college when he became an assistant coach at several high schools: Northside High School in Gretha, Virginia (1965), Paisley High School (1966) and North Forsyth High School (1967-71) in Winston-Salem, N.C., even doing a stint as his alma mater, Hillside High School (1972).
He became a college coach in 1973 as the offensive backs coach at Wake Forest University, making Hayes the first Black coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference. After three years at Wake Forest, he left to start his legendary career at Winston-Salem State University.
Sza Brought Out This Special Guest To Her ‘Not Beauty’ Pop-Up In New Jersey Hometown
Kendrick Lamar showed up to support his tour partner in her hometown pop-up.
Sza traveled back to her hometown of East Rutherford, New Jersey, to host an extra special pop-up for her beauty brand, Not Beauty.
Sza recently launched the makeup company while on her joint Grand National tour with fellow TDE label-mate Kendrick Lamar. Before this pop-up, Sza stated that the products, consisting of lip glosses and lip liners, would only be sold at experiences during her tour stops.
While that is mainly true, interested buyers could visit the pop-up regardless of whether they bought a concert ticket. However, her hometown’s experience slightly differed. She announced that the two-day event would happen at the American Dream Mall, making this the first pop-up at a shopping plaza of this magnitude.
“JERSEY and NEW YORK WE DOING IT MAJORRR . MEET ME AT AMERICAN DREAM MALL TOMORROW AND FRIDAY !! (There’s a pathway that connects to the stadium),” The Grammy winner wrote on her Instagram. So excited to see you at our first mall pop-up!!”
Sza typically meets fans during the events leading up to showtime. However, she brought in her tour partner to make this pop-up more than “alright.”
Kendrick Lamar showed up to meet fans who crowded three floors of the expansive mall. The duo took photos with a tiny music lover as Sza’s hometown fanbase screamed and shouted.
THANK YOU KENDRICK FOR COMING TO TODAYS NOT BEAUTY POP UP !!!! 🪲⛺️ SEE YALL ON STAGE !!! 🥹 pic.twitter.com/tYd0sPf3AO
“THANK YOU, KENDRICK, FOR COMING TO TODAY’S NOT BEAUTY POP-UP!” she exclaimed alongside some bug emojis. SEE YOU ALL ON STAGE!!!
While Sza mainly does music, the singer has expanded her art this year into movies and makeup. The One of Them Days actress recently spoke toVogue about why her beauty brand is ironically called “Not Beauty.”
“[It] was representative of a reminder of: Don’t try to be these other brands, don’t try to be anything,” she told the publication. “Don’t just make a random celebrity brand just because you can. My whole life is about being pressure-free but still trying your best, and that’s what Not is about.”
Sza and Lamar later performed their two-night stint at the MetLife Stadium, conveniently across from the mall. While fans can only catch the products in person, Sza aspires to expand her “Not” empire into other sectors, such as furniture and farming.
‘Sinners’ Not-So-Subtle Nod To Voodoo Is Just One More Way Ryan Coogler Connects The Diaspora
Coogler’s "Sinners" offers a compelling cinematic exploration of Black spiritual traditions, moving beyond simplistic portrayals often seen in mainstream cinema.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners wasn’t just a movie; it was a journey–a plunge into the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where the land itself whispers stories of the past, pain, resilience, and a spiritual heritage that refuses to be erased. Coogler, a storyteller who understands the weight of our stories – think Black Panther, think Creed – doesn’t shy away from the shadows. He embraces them, and in Sinners, he uses those shadows to illuminate a truth about Black spirituality that Hollywood has too often distorted.
Sinners hummed with a different kind of energy, a spiritual energy that vibrates beneath the surface of the regular vampire narrative. It’s in the way Coogler centers Voodoo and Hoodoo, not as cheap thrills or exotic curiosities, but as living, breathing traditions that have shaped Black life in the South for generations.
Hoodoo’s Grounded Presence
Wunmi Mosaku’s portrayal of Annie is a revelation. She wasn’t a mystical caricature, and Coogler took great care to ensure she wasn’t seen that way; she’s a Hoodoo woman, herbalist, and rootworker. She embodies the power of Conjure, that blend of African spiritual science, Native wisdom, and whatever else we had to grab onto to survive.
Annie’s knowledge of plants, her ability to see what others can’t, her fierce protection of her community – that’s Hoodoo. It’s about healing what’s broken, shielding ourselves from harm, and calling on the spirits for guidance. It’s practical, sacred, and a testament to our ancestors’ ingenuity. She’s the bridge, showing us a world hidden in plain sight.
Haint Blue: A Veil and a Shield
The color blue in this film isn’t just a design choice. That “haint blue” that coats Annie’s home and clings to her clothes is a language. It’s the color of protection, a shield against the unseen, against those “haints” that would harm us. It reminds us how our people, even in the face of unimaginable cruelty, found ways to guard their spirits. That blue is a visual echo of a spiritual battle, a constant reminder that we’ve always had to fight for our souls.
The Ancestral Echo
Sinners understands that our past isn’t dead. It’s alive, it’s in our blood, it shapes who we are. Coogler wasn’t afraid to show that connection, that conversation between the living and the dead that’s at the heart of Voodoo.
But it isn’t a simple story of good ancestors and evil spirits. The past can be a source of strength, but can also hold darkness and unresolved pain. Sinners gets that complexity. It shows that our spiritual inheritance is a tangled web; we must navigate it with wisdom and respect.
Voodoo’s Deep River
While Hoodoo flows through Sinners, the deep river of Voodoo is always there, too. Voodoo, with its structured theology and pantheon of loa, is the mother tradition, the source from which Hoodoo draws so much of its power.
You might not hear the word “loa” on the screen, but you feel their presence. You feel it in how the film explores possession and shows the power of spiritual forces to shape human events. Dr. Yvonne Chireau spoke about Coogler’s interest in that “ancestor moment,” where the sacred and the everyday blur. That blurring, that intermingling of worlds, is Voodoo at its core.
Erzulie Dantor and Erzulie Freda: A Comparison and Contrast
In Haitian Vodou, Erzulie is a complex and multifaceted loa, or spirit, who embodies various aspects of femininity and love. She is a powerful figure, and her manifestations are diverse. Two of her most prominent manifestations are Erzulie Dantor and Erzulie Freda, who, while related, possess distinct characteristics. I also have to acknowledge the colorism and polarization present in the depictions of Dantor and Freda. Erzulie Freda is often represented with lighter skin and is associated with beauty and luxury. In comparison, Erzulie Dantor(whom I’m an initiate of) is depicted with darker skin and linked to strength and resilience, reflecting societal biases.
It’s also important to note that in traditions like Dominican Vodou, which is organized around the concept of the 21 Divisions (or “Las 21 Divisiones”), Erzulie, or spirits analogous to her, may also appear within that framework, demonstrating the breadth and adaptability of these spiritual traditions.
Qualities: Erzulie Freda is associated with beauty, luxury, romance, and pleasure. She is often depicted as light-skinned, adorned in fine jewelry and clothing. She’s seen as charming, flirtatious, and somewhat capricious.
Associations: Love, beauty, wealth, refinement, the arts.
Temperament: Can be seen as both compassionate and generous, but also jealous, spoiled, and demanding.
Symbols: Hearts, fine jewelry, perfume, flowers, pink, white, and blue.
Erzulie Dantor
Qualities: Erzulie Dantor is a fierce protector of women and children, particularly those who have suffered hardship or injustice. She is often depicted as a dark-skinned, strong, and independent woman, sometimes holding a child.
Temperament: Strong-willed, protective, and capable of great wrath, but also deeply caring and devoted to those she protects.
Symbols: Knives, a heart pierced by a knife, the colors red, blue and green.
Comparison and Contrast with Annie and Mary in Sinners
While Sinners isn’t a direct retelling of Vodou, we can draw some interesting parallels between these Erzulie manifestations and the characters of Annie and Mary:
Annie and Erzulie Dantor: The Hoodoo woman in Sinners shares several qualities with Erzulie Dantor.
Both are strong, protective figures who are deeply connected to their community. Annie’s knowledge of Hoodoo and willingness to use it to defend her people aligns with Dantor’s role as a protector.
Both are associated with a certain earthiness and practicality. Annie’s focus on healing and herbalism, and Dantor’s connection to the struggles of women and mothers, reflect this.
Both possess a fierce, protective energy.
Mary and Erzulie Freda: Mary’s character, though complex, has some echoes of Erzulie Freda.
Mary’s initial vulnerability and dependence on others could be loosely compared to Freda’s more delicate and capricious nature.
If we consider Freda’s association with beauty, there might be a parallel to how Mary’s appearance and perceived innocence play a role in the film’s events.
However, this is where the comparison becomes more nuanced. Mary transforms the film, gaining strength and agency, aligning her more with Dantor’s resilience.
In conclusion, Coogler’s Sinners offers a compelling cinematic exploration of Black spiritual traditions, moving beyond simplistic portrayals often seen in mainstream cinema. By centering the traditions of Hoodoo and Vodou, Coogler provides a nuanced perspective on a beautiful tradition and history. The film portrays these practices not as relics of the past but as dynamic forces that continue to shape identity, community, and resilience.
Through characters like Annie and Mary, Sinners explores the complexities of these spiritual traditions, including themes of protection, healing, ancestral connection, and the challenge of navigating legacies. In doing so, the film invites viewers to reconsider their understanding of Black spirituality and its vital role in the ongoing narrative of the African diaspora.
Maïmouna Tirera Is The Only Black Woman Eyeglass Designer in France
Maïmouna Tirera founded Maïwax Eyewear in 2015. She is France's only Black woman eyeglass designer and introducing Africa to French eyewear.
From Senegalese patterns, denim, and other natural materials, there are hundreds of custom eyeglasses inside Maïwax. Maïmouna Tirera founded the brand in 2015. She is France’s only Black woman artisan lunetier (eyeglass designer).
Tirera is an optician by trade, but she realized early in her career that most frames did not fit faces well. She also noticed the industry lacked color and originality. Tirera decided to change that, especially as customers began demanding unique styles. She moved to Eastern France near the Swiss border to train in the art of designing eyeglasses. It’s a rare skill for people in France. According to Tirera, there are only 30 across the country, and only one other Black eyeglass designer.
While opticians can sell eyeglasses from different brands in France, only a handful of people are considered artisan luneiters.
“Artisan is an official title. It means that you have been trained,” Tirera said through a translator.
How The Black Eyeglass Designer is Introducing Africa To French Eyewear
Tirera drew inspiration from her African origins in Senegal when she started the brand in 2015. Her goal was to promote French craftsmanship and African culture. Each collection has an element that reminds people of Africa, including wax fabrics found in West Africa, cowrie shells, and Bogolan fabric from Mali.
All Maïwax frames are made from cellulose acetate, a natural plastic obtained primarily from cotton. Through a lengthy manufacturing process that takes place right in her shop, the plant fiber is transformed into a rigid and shiny sheet for eyeglass making.
For the first eight years, her boutique shop was in the heart of La Goutte d’Or, a neighborhood in Paris’s 18th arrondissement known as the “Little Africa of Paris.”
As her brand grew, she recently moved to the Quartier Saint-Paul, part of Paris’s historic Marais district. The move is significant for Tirera, who says she didn’t consider herself an artist growing up. She followed her passion and now has one of France’s most successful eyewear shops.
“It’s a real pleasure [to be here],” she says when asked about her reaction to creating a successful company. “When someone comes in with ideas, I [enjoy] working together. This is really about exchanging ideas and [collaborating] to create the finished product.”
Tirera takes orders worldwide for her custom eyeglasses and sunglasses, whether customers have a prescription or not.
Award-Winning Actress From ‘Law & Order’ Donates $1M Gift To Alabama’s Oldest HBCU
The actress announced her donation while delivering her keynote speech during commencement.
Award-winning “Law & Order” actress S. Epatha Merkerson has donated $1 million to Talladega College.
The Emmy winner, who played Lt. Anita Van Buren on the police drama, was also the keynote speaker at the HBCU’s commencement ceremony on May 4. She encouraged students to embrace this next chapter and move forward with the lessons gained from their time at Talladega.
Receiving her honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the event, Merkerson surprised graduates and the school’s supporters with the heartwarming news. She told news stations of the importance of giving back while noting the immediate warmth she felt upon stepping onto the HBCU campus.
“It’s important to give back,” she told WRBC6 following the graduation. “I have had a lot of luck in my career, and I came down here and met some wonderful people who embraced me immediately. I felt at home, and I love what this college has done over 150 years.”
Merkerson is an acclaimed screen and stage actress, earning four NAACP Image Awards and a Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe Award. She also received two Tony Award nominations for her performance in the theater.
The “Law & Order” actress played on the procedural from 1993 to 2010, continuing her career with a starring role in NBC’s “Chicago Med.” The college also detailed her humanitarianism, as she advocates for diabetes awareness, cancer prevention, tobacco-free initiatives, and the upliftment of young women through multiple nonprofits.
Merkerson’s philanthropy will now support the school as it enters a new era for its community. Talladega also recently announced its new president, Willie L. Todd Jr., who will lead the school as it advances its scholarship.
Talladega’s Board of Trustees also expressed its gratitude for Merkerson’s generosity. The board’s chair, Rica Lewis-Payton, called the funding a “powerful example” that will impact the next generation of leaders.
“This transformative gift from S. Epatha Merkerson sets a powerful example of philanthropy and will have a profound impact on Talladega College. It ensures that this institution remains a beacon of light in the community that fosters the development of future leaders for generations to come,” said Lewis-Payton, as reported byABC3340. “We are privileged to have generous friends and donors, such as Ms. Merkerson, who believe in the mission of our historic institution and who are willing to invest in its future.”
New York Lowers Prison Guard Hiring Age To 18 While Struggling To Hire Correction Officers
Other states such as Florida, Maine and New Jersey permit 18-year-olds to be hired as correctional officers.
Spectrum News 1 reports that the new minimum hiring age for prison guards in New York is set to be lowered from 21 to 18 to boost correction officer hiring status after a strike resulted in over 2,000 guards being fired.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the measure, approved by state lawmakers in early May 2025, into law as other states, such as Florida, Maine, and New Jersey, permit 18-year-olds to be hired as correctional officers.
The law will include some provisions for hiring younger guards, including policies prohibiting them from obtaining or using firearms or transporting inmates outside prisons. Hired guards must also be supervised when performing “contact roles” with inmates during the first year and a half of employment.
The shortage has resulted in the state corrections commissioner ordering the early release of some inmates, limited to inmates convicted of minor crimes and already granted release for the near future. Other inmates convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies, or serious felonies, including murder, terrorism, and arson, were not on the eligibility list for early release.
According to NPR, younger guards could be hired after dozens of guards walked off the job in February 2025 during a strike protesting poor working conditions. Hochul deployed the state National Guard to prisons to maintain operations during the strike. However, more than 2,000 guards who refused to return to work were terminated when the strike ended, even with the state and guards’ union reaching a deal.
Hochul even banned the terminated guards from holding other state jobs.
Prison officials made concessions to get officers back to work, including an overtime pay rate 2.5 times the hourly rate for 30 days and a promise that officers would escape departmental discipline if they returned.
The strike highlighted how tense work culture was for corrections officers as they felt the state didn’t do enough amid the increased violence and scrutiny within some state prisons. The killing of New York state prison inmate Robert Brooks made headlines after 10 former correctional officers were seen on video beating him while handcuffed.
In addition to Brooks, fellow inmate Messiah Nantwi succumbed to injuries sustained by a series of alleged beatings by guards. Ten guards were charged in Nantwi’s death, including two with murder charges.
