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Reparations supporters vow payback after CA state Democrats block two bills: 'Political price to pay'

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Reparations supporters vow payback after CA state Democrats block two bills: 'Political price to pay'

A pair of reparations-related bills for the descendants of enslaved Black Americans failed to pass in the California legislature last week, but supporters say they’re not going down without a fight.

The two bills led by Democrats that would have greenlit reparations were considered key components of some lawmakers’ ambitious efforts to pass legislation aimed at atoning for what they said was a legacy of racist policies that drove disparities for Black people, from housing to education to health. Authored by Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford of Inglewood, Senate Bill 1331 would have created a new state fund for reparations, while Senate Bill 1403 would have established a state agency to oversee these efforts and determine who would be eligible. 

After hours of heated debate and protests last week, Democratic state lawmakers and the California Legislative Black Caucus chose to proceed without the bills. While the Democratic-led California legislature did pass a spate of other bills aimed at remedying past racial injustices, none of these would provide direct payments to African-Americans. 

BLACK CALIFORNIANS WARN NEWSOM OF ‘DIRECT IMPACT’ ON HARRIS AFTER DEMOCRATS KILL SLAVE REPARATION BILLS

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Members of Coalition for a Just and Equitable California protest and demand lawmakers take up a vote on two reparations bill in the rotunda on the last day of the legislative year Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Tran Nguyen)

Reparations supporters, however, are vowing revenge, CalMatters reported. Some are reportedly weighing the idea of recalling Black caucus members and other state Democrats who blocked the bills from going through.

“They plan on showing up at town hall meetings in some of the legislators’ districts, and at least one group has filed an ethics complaint with the special committee on legislative ethics against the caucus. The complaint alleges corruption and improper influence played a role in the bills’ fates,” according to CalMatters.

“There has to be a political price to pay,” Chris Lodgson, who has been working with state lawmakers on reparations since 2019, told the nonprofit news organization.

“This hurts in a different way because what we saw was our own people stop our own people. That hits different,” he said.

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California Legislative Black Caucus Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson said Saturday that the Black Caucus pulled the bills, adding the proposals need more work.

“We knew from the very beginning that it was an uphill battle … And we also knew from the very beginning that it would be a multiyear effort,” Wilson told reporters.

PROTESTS ERUPT AT CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL AFTER PAIR OF REPARATIONS BILLS SHELVED

Protests erupted outside the Capitol Saturday as reparation advocates demanded the lawmakers who held up the bills be held accountable.

Reparations

A person wears a Reparations Rally hat during a rally for reparations at the African Burial Ground National Monument on July 23, 2021.  (Getty Images)

“This type of betrayal cannot go unanswered,” the Coalition for a Just & Equitable California wrote on X. “There must be a political price to pay. Gone are the days when politicians of any race or party can disrespect Black Americans and expect no political consequences. We are not captured. We do not belong to any party or special interest. We are the living embodiment of our Ancestors who built this state and this country over 400 years and who are owed Reparations. We’re coming…No…We’re HERE, to get our checks and more.”

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The California Legislative Black Caucus did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News’ Bradford Bentz contributed to this report.

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Wyoming

Woman, 25, fatally shot in Wyoming

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Woman, 25, fatally shot in Wyoming


KENT COUNTY, MI – A 25-year-old Wyoming woman was fatally shot Sunday, Sept. 8.

Wyoming police arrested a suspect.

The shooting was reported around 12:40 p.m. Sunday, in the 3400 block of Bluebird Avenue SW, north of 36th Street.

Police found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where she later tied.

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Police have not released names of the victim or suspect.

Detectives continue to investigate circumstances leading up to the shooting. Forensic Services Unit workers investigated at the scene. Police asked anyone with information to contact police 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org.



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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco 49ers' Tatum Bethune sees huge support ahead of opener against Jets

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San Francisco 49ers' Tatum Bethune sees huge support ahead of opener against Jets


A Florida family has shown immense support for the San Francisco 49ers ever since rookie linebacker Tatum Bethune joined the team.

Bethune was the Niners’ 251 draft pick, and his mom, Shavon Bethune, flew all the way from Miami to cheer her son on in the team’s opener against the New York Jets on Monday.

“I’m excited. I want him to do his best. We always have this little thing we say, ‘Go make them remember your name. You have been doing this since you were a little boy, so make them remember your name,’” she said.

The Florida State University alumnus was drafted in the seventh round. Before playing as a Seminole, Bethune played three seasons at the University of Central Florida, where he recorded 185 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles over 35 games.

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In his final season at FSU, he led the team with 71 tackles. In the 2023 season, he also recorded 38 assists, 33 solo tackles, an interception, and three passes defended. By the end of the regular season, he was named Third-Team All-ACC.

The rookie linebacker started his football career at just 4-years-old. Now, his mom is collecting everything she can with her son’s name on it.

“I’m here to cheer on my son, Tatum Bethune. This is his first NFL game Monday night lights,” Shavon said.

The 49ers’ first game comes a little over a week since first-draft pick Ricky Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery in San Francisco’s Union Square.

The robbery sparked commentary from city officials pledging to hold the shooter accountable and up safety measures.

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The Niners’ season debut also comes amid a controversial tailgating policy.

The new policy, dubbed directed parking, would allow parking lot attendants to direct cars to the next available parking spot. The team said it hopes the new policy will help with “reducing congestion, improved safety, enhanced accessibility, time savings and improved traffic.”

Since the policy’s announcement, over 3,600 fans have signed a Change.org petition saying the policy would make it harder for groups to park near one another and that its implementation is a sign of poor communication between the Niners and fans,

Despite the recent events and controversies, Bethune’s family said they plan to be the loudest cheerers at Monday’s game.

“Tomorrow, I am going to be the loudest cheerer for Tatum,” said Ayden Smith, Bethune’s cousin.

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Andrew Mendez and Robert Handa contributed to this report.



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Denver, CO

Denver police: Driver fled after 2-car crash caused serious injuries

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Denver police: Driver fled after 2-car crash caused serious injuries


DENVER (KDVR) — Denver police reported that northbound Colorado Boulevard was closed as of about 10 p.m. on Sunday due to a two-car crash.

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The Denver Police Department said officers were investigating a serious bodily injury crash in the area of East 18th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard involving two motorists, and said one had fled the scene. The other was transported to a local hospital.

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The agency said Colorado Boulevard was closed at 17th Avenue, and alternate routes were advised. The intersection borders a corner of Denver’s City Park and is close to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Further details were not available Sunday night.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.



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