VOL. 53, NO. 39 • JULY 12 - 18, 2018
Show Someone You Care During National Black Family Month
Slain Reporter Remembered Page 13
Prince George’s Democrats Demand Fairness in Primaries
Street Artists Blast Noise Bill By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins Percussionist Malik Dope Drummer made a name for himself on the streets of D.C. playing covers of popular songs on a uniquely designed snare drum as passersby at the city’s busiest Metro stations made their daily commutes. Last year, a viral video clip of Malik’s public shows propelled him to regional and national stardom, cementing his status as a prominent figure in D.C.’s music scene and reinforcing the benefits of public platforms. However, pending legislation penalizing high noise levels in public spaces could discourage street vocalists and instrumentalists from making what Malik asserts has been a lucrative career move.
NOISE BILL Page 36
By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
reporters that she learned about the number of unlicensed teachers after the report. She acknowledged knowing that some teachers were unlicensed but said she didn’t realize just how many. “I think that everybody should be certified who teaches in DCPS because that’s the rule,” Williams said. Approximately 1,000 D.C. Public Schools teachers don’t have a D.C. teaching license, according to a yearlong investigation by local television news station WRC-TV (Channel 4). An analysis of databases obtained under the Freedom of Information Act from D.C. Public Schools and the Office of the State Superintendent
Although Maryland Democrats want to present a unified front into this year’s general election, some Prince George’s County voters aren’t feeling the love. A petition started by Wala Blegay, a candidate who came in fourth place in the June 26 Democratic primary as a delegate to represent the 25th legislative district, said some county voters have been deceived b y sample ballots marked as “official.” For instance, some Democrats in the southern part of Prince George’s received paraphernalia headlined “Official District 27 Democratic Primary Sample Ballot.” It requested voters choose candidates such as Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III for governor; re-elect Susie Proctor as state delegate; and elect county council members Mel Franklin and Karen Toles for the council’s new two atlarge seats. Blegay said an interview some voters brought those mailers to the ballot box as a way to bubble in those choices. She said literature in the 2014 gubernatorial election didn’t use the word “official.” Blegay said the petition will be presented to the county’s Democratic Central Committee at its meeting Tuesday, July 17 to outlaw the word “official” on campaign literature and formally declare mail-
EDUCATORS Page 44
DEMOCRATS Page 5
5 Frederick Douglass portrayed by actor Phil Darius Wallace gets up close and personal with guests and delivers a speech in the front yard of the Frederick Douglass house in Southeast on the 4th of July as part of the National Park Service’s celebration of history and freedom. /Photo by Roy Lewis
D.C. Officials Irked by Report of Unlicensed Teachers
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
5 Citizens say pending legislation unfairly targets Blacks. /Photo by Sam P.K Collins
D.C. Councilman David Grosso leads a chorus of city leaders to express outrage over a new report that revealed a large number of District public school teachers are unlicensed. “I am again frustrated with D.C. Public Schools over this most recent failure to properly follow established law and regulations,” said the at-large council member, who chairs the Committee on Education. “These licensing requirements were put in place to ensure that our students are safe and that we have quality educators in our schools.” The D.C. State Board of Education President Karen Williams told
Celebrating 53 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area