News & Current Affairs

View photos from Pittsburgh’s Hill District to protest Zimmerman verdict

More than 100 area residents gathered in Mellon Park to discuss the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial.

Two diverse rallies in Pittsburgh on Sunday merged at the Hill Distict’s Freedom Corner to speak out against the not guilty verdict issued Saturday night in George Zimmerman’s trial — culminating with a sit-in that blocked Centre Avenue.

UNION SQUARE — Hours after the decision of a Florida jury was released, clearing neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman of manslaughter and murder charges in the 2012 shooting death of the unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin, hundreds of protesters amassed in Times Square to decry the verdict.

In cities across the country, protests have taken shape in reaction to George Zimmerman’s acquittal of all murder charges in his second degree murder trial for the death of Trayvon Martin.

By Ariel Edwards-Levy

Americans have mixed feelings about the Supreme Court’s latest rulings, with a majority disapproving of its opinion on the Voting Rights Act, but in favor of two pro-gay marriage opinions, according to an ABC/Washington Post poll released Wednesday.

Dr. Ron Daniels, President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, will deliver the opening keynote address at George Fraser’s annual Power Networking Conference to be held this year in Dallas, June 27-29. (http://powernetworkingconference.com/agenda/).

Dr. Daniels’s speech is entitled “Declaration of Intent to Heal Black Families and Communities.” At the closing ceremony of the conference, Dr. Daniels will be presented with the “Living Legend” award.

(Chicago, IL)  Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. gives this analysis on SCOTUS Voting Rights Act decision……The 1965 Voting Rights Act was the implementing legislation in fulfillment of the 15th Amendment – 95 years later.

SACRAMENTO – June 25, 2013 – The nine-member California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) today harshly criticized the United States Supreme Court for its decision to strike down Section 4 of the historic Voting Rights Act on 1965.

Washington, DC – In response to today’s Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation  and convener of Black Women’s Roundtable said, “Today’s decision by the U. S. Supreme Court to invalidate Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is a travesty to justice for all Americans to have their voting rights protected.