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Volume 133 No. 35

THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM

$2.00

MARCH 29, 2025 - APRIL 4, 2025

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

A global protest is planned for cities around the world on April 5. In America, unrest has been growing for weeks as funding cuts to programs tied to health, education and more are put into effect. Shown here, protestors speaking up on behalf of veterans in Detroit, Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-Md-04) (center) standing up for fired federal workers in Washington, D.C., and University of California, Berkeley Professor Ula Taylor (right) as she speaks against decisions recently made by the 47th president of the United States.

George Foreman, the fearsome Protests against rollback of heavyweight who became a rights and protections beloved champion, dies at 76 set for April 5 By Stacy M. Brown

George Foreman became the heavyweight champion of the world in his 20s, only to lose his belt to Muhammad Ali in perhaps the most memorable fight in boxing history. A full 20 years later in 1994, the 45-year-old Foreman became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship, throwing one perfect combination to steal Michael Moorer’s title in an epic upset. Few fighters ever had more big moments than Big George Foreman — and even after he finally left the ring, he was only getting started. The fearsome heavyweight, who lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Ali before his inspiring second act as a surprising champion and a successful businessman, died the night of March 21. Foreman was 76. Foreman’s family announced his death on social

Tens of thousands of people in the United States and around the world are preparing to take to the streets on Saturday, April 5, in what organizers are calling the largest single day of protest since Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term. With more than 600 events planned across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and multiple international cities, the message is unified and urgent: Hands off our rights, our resources, and our democracy.

afro.com

By Greg Beacham

AP Photo

Heavyweight champion George Foreman responds to cheers of crowd in stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire Oct 26, 1974, during a weigh in for his title defense against Muhammad Ali. media, not saying how or where he died. “A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father and a proud grand- and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility and purpose,” his family wrote. “A humanitarian, an Olympian and twotime heavyweight champion of the world, he was deeply respected. A force for good, a man of discipline, conviction and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name—for his family.” A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear and awe as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt. Foreman left the sport a few years later, but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening. The middle-aged fighter then pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts

in boxing history, flooring Moorer — 19 years his junior — with a surgical right hand and claiming Moorer’s two heavyweight belts. Foreman’s 20 years is easily the longest gap between heavyweight title reigns. “His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten,” former heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, said on X, formerly Twitter, as he expressed his condolences. Foreman’s transformation into an inspirational figure was complete, and he fought only four more times — finishing 76-5 with 68 knockouts — before moving onto his next career as a genial businessman, pitchman and occasional actor. Outside the ring, he was best known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which launched in the same year as his victory over Moorer. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and made him much wealthier than his sport ever did. “George was a great Continued on A3

In London, demonstrators will gather in Trafalgar Square from 3 to 5 p.m. BST, joining the movement alongside Americans, Canadians, Brits and others from around the world. “They’re threatening to invade Canada, Greenland, and Panama—and daring the world to stop them. Well, this is the world saying ‘NO,’” organizers said. “This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.” In the United States, the centerpiece protest is scheduled for Washington, D.C., where thousands are expected to convene at the Washington

Monument at noon for a massive rally on the National Mall. Organizers say the protests are a response to Trump and congressional Republicans’ efforts to gut essential programs like healthcare, Social Security, public education and civil rights protections— moves that have sparked nationwide outrage. “This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy Continued on A3

One year later: Residents and business owners continue recovery efforts from Key Bridge collapse By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com and Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com Nearly a year ago, the Dali container ship lost power and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the structure to plunge into the Patapsco River at 1:29 a.m. on March 26, 2025. At the time of the collision, eight construction workers were filling potholes on the bridge and were sent crashing into the water. Only two survived. The disaster temporarily halted access to the Port of Baltimore, the leading U.S. port for automobiles, farm machinery, sugar and gypsum. For 11 weeks, salvage teams

AFRO Photo / James Fields

Baltimoreans like businesswoman Courtney Speed are still feeling the impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

“I heard it collapse. I didn’t know it was the bridge. I thought it was a bad truck accident on the access road.” Continued on A3