Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 4 February 1999 — Page 4

The Muncie Times, February 4,1999, Page 4

NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled By Andre Scott Group, protests teen’s fatal shooting by police RIVERSIDE, Calf. — The shooting of a 19-year-old African American teen-ager sparked protest in front of the Riverside Police Department. Tyisha Miller was shot 12 times as she sat in a locked car with a flat tire. Police are denying charges of any excessive force. They said Miller had a gun and that when they smashed one of the vehicle’s windows. Miller lifted her gun. Family members are demanding for a federal investigation. Two wealthy men fund racist groups SPOKANE, Wash. — Two wealthy entrepreneurs, Vincent Bertollini and Carl Stray, are handing over big bucks to promote financially-strapped white supremacist groups and their movements. Recently the two men financed a mass mailing of racist and anti-Semitic posters and videos to about 3,000 homes. Both men have refused to be interviewed. Local human rights groups are upset over the amount of money being spent to perpetuate racial and bias activity in their community. Smith to head Fisk University NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Fisk University has selected Dr. John L. Smith, Jr., as its new president. A native of Baptrop, La., Smith is a graduate of Lincoln University who has an earned doctorate degree from the University of Missouri. Before accepting the presidency of Fisk University, Smith was dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Florida, for the past 10 years. New Orleans mayor engaged

NEW ORLEANS, La.~ Once called one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial has announced his engagement. Morial told the press that he has proposed to news anchor reporter, Michelle Miller. Miller is a native of Los Angeles, Calif. The attractive couple have to set a wedding date McCall won’t seek statewide office NEW YORK, N.Y. — Comptroller Carl McCall was recently re-elected with 2.9 million votes, making him the largest vote getter in the November election here. Speculation immediately spread that McCall, an African American, would run for governor of New York or for retiring U. S. Sen. Patrick Moniyhan’s seat. But McCall told a recent press conference, “I am not a candidate for either office and I have much to do in this position.” NAACP chief lauds Clinton’s race report BALTIMORE, Md. — President and CEO NAACP Kweisi Mefume commended President Clinton’s Race Report led by historian Dr. John Hope Franklin;. Findings included in the report urged more dialogue on race relations. It also found a need to better educate the nation on how the history or racial dominance of white European Americans manifests itself throughout every aspect of the lives of people of color. Mfume is calling on the president to implement an Executive order to continue to work of promoting racial, ethic and religious tolerance. Thompson quits as Georgetown University’s coach John Thompson, one of the

larger-than-life figures in college basketball, recently stepped down as men’s head basketball coach at Georgetown University. At a well-attended press conference at the McDonough Arena, Thompson said that he was not retiring but was resigning to take care of some personal business. “I still love basketball. I plan to stay here at Georgetown University and assist the university anyway I can. “As a teacher, I advise my students that sometimes they have to address things in their lives that need attention. As a teacher, Thompson is now following his own advice and saying ‘Stop John’. “Am I healthy? Yes. If you want me to prove it, I have some boxing gloves in the back and I will take up anyone.” The coaching legend was replaced by his 18-year assistant Craig Esherick. Esherick becomes the 16th basketball coach, at the school. “I would be a complete fool trying to change anything that coach Thompson has put into place,” he said. “We have a good group of guys here and we can win” Thompson denied that he was trying to get the general manager’s job with the Los Angeles Clippers. He said that he was not seeking an NBA job at the time. He said he would work as a special assistant for the school president Leo O’Donovan. O’Donovan credited Thompson with putting Georgetown on the map. “As president of Georgetown University, I’d like to express the great pride we feel in the achievements of John Thompson and our athletic program during last 27 years,” O’DONOVAN said. “John Thompson has built an excellent and enduring basketball tradition at this university. When I say that, I’m not referring primarily to 596 victories, the six Big East Championships, the three Final Four appearances and the national title. “I’m not referring to his having coached the U. S.

Olympic team in 1988 or the Hall of Fame induction that will be one day be at Johns. I am referring to the fact that Georgetown University, under John Thompson’s visionary leadership, developed a men’s basketball program in which the young men are students first and in which the Jesuit motto “care for the whole person” is the real bottom line.” Rev. Lyons seeks venue change for racketeering trial Defense attorneys have asked for a change of venue for the trial of the Rev. Henry Lyons, president of the National Baptist Convention USA, because there are only three blacks in the 100member jury pool, according to a St. Petersburg newspaper. Lyons is on trial on racketeering and grand theft charges. The newspaper reported that defense attorney Denis de Vlaming and Grady Irvin filed a motion for the venue change. “Everybody wants a jury of their peers,” said De Vlaming. “I represent an African American. I’d prefer to have more African Americans in the pool. “But this is out of my control.” Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court Judge Susan Schaeffer said she would hear the motion but will likely deny it. Pizza Hut settles bias suit CHICAGO, 111. — Pizza Hut, after settling a harassment suit with an African American family, said no discrimination was involved. The 16-member Burton family said it was harassed, threatened with a mop handle and taunted with racial slurs. A federal judge in the case, ruled that Pizza Hut employees’ actions appeared to be racially motivated. The family had ordered 16 pizzas. The Burtons were told they could eat at the restaurant.

When the family arrived at the restaurant they were refused plates and utensils and were told they could not have any drinks. Other actions by the employees included blasting a jukebox, turning the lights off and on and following the family to the parking and uttering racial slurs. Black launches new education magazine WASHINGTON, D. C. — The United Negro College Funds research department released a new publication called Just Facts. The magazine focuses on African American education from pre-kindergarten through adulthood. The magazine according to United Negro College Fund president Bill Gray, will present essential information required to inform the public over improving access and quality of education. Among the findings included in the premier issue: more African Americans are going to college than ever before; the number of African Americans entering graduate programs increased by 50 percent between 1990 and 1996. Stokes urges black legislatures to unite U.S. Rep. Louis Stokes (DOhio) told a recent gathering of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators that an alliance between their organization and the Congressional Black Caucus should be formed. “There is an urgent necessity for the organization to come together,” Stokes said. “Coming right after the black vote of 1998, the alliance would send a powerful shock wave through American politics.” Stokes said that based on blacks’ percentage of the population, there should be 53 blacks members in the 435seat House of Representatives

See BRIEFS, page 5.