WINNER OF SIX SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS FOR 2022
Celebrating 58 Years - Vol. 58, No. 3 • November 3 - 9, 2022
Capture the Moment
Page 35
The Latest Attack on Affirmative Action Heads to the Supreme Court Maya Pottiger WI Contributing Writer
5 Students from universities in North Carolina joined demonstrators from across the country at the U.S. Supreme Court on October 31, 2022, while arguments were heard seeking to eliminate consideration of race in college admissions. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chants of “this is what democracy looks like” filled the air outside of the Supreme Court on Monday. Protestors lifted signs and donned blue shirts that read #DefendDiversity and Affirm Opportunity, Affirm Our Future. This was the scene ahead of the Supreme Court hearing arguments that aim to reverse affirmative action, or the lawful practice of considering race as a factor in college admissions decisions. More than 100 protestors were gathered outside the Supreme Court by 9 a.m., more than an hour before the arguments started — some local, others traveling from North Carolina and Massachusetts, to make their voices heard. Most appeared to be in support of affirmative action. Mayah Emerson, the senior higher education access coordinator at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, says she was “saddened but not disheartened” to learn that the Court was hearing new arguments against affirmative action. She traveled to D.C. because her colleague was in the courtroom arguing “on behalf of students and
ATTACK Page 51
District Residents Demand Silverman Drop out of At-large Race
Silverman Refutes Recent Campaign Finance Ruling Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer Those who’ve rallied around D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) during this election cycle have gone toe-to-toe with supporters of the incumbent At-Large D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I), a self-described vanguard for government ethics and accountability. In the aftermath of a D.C. Office of Campaign Finance (OCF) ruling that found Silverman in violation of campaign finance laws, some McDuffie’s supporters have called for Silverman to drop out of the at-large race. A Tuesday morning rally on the front steps of the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest attracted community members and other At-large D.C. Council
ELECTIONS Page 9
5 Teachers with the Washington Teachers Union marched for a new contract in front of the Anacostia Metro Station. (Courtesy photo/WTU)
Teacher Contract Negotiations at a Standstill
Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer Contract negotiations between the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) are at a standstill, even as public school administrators and other government employees have finalized their contracts with the city.
CONTRACT Page 12
BEE Page 12 Area Celebrating 58 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 Readers ThroughoutSPELLING The Metropolitan