civil rights
Benjamin Crump, attorney, civil rights leader and author, will address graduates at Texas Southern University’s Spring 2021 Commencement. The ceremonies will take place at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Alexander Durley Stadium. Renowned civil rights attorney Crump is the founder and principal owner of Ben Crump Law and has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice. Crump’s tireless advocacy has led to legislation preventing excessive force and developing implicit bias training and policies. He has represented families in several high-profile civil rights cases including, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown as well as the residents of Flint, Michigan, who were affected by the Flint River’s poisonous water. Crump also represented nine of the 13 black women who were victims in the Holtzclaw Oklahoma City Police rape case in 2015 and worked on the precedent-setting U.S. Supreme Court case involving excessive police force against Houstonian Robbie Tolan in 2008. “Ben Crump exemplifies moral courage. Throughout his career, he has spoken truth to power, reminding us of the impact that a single voice can have,” said TSU Interim President Ken Huewitt. “As our graduates prepare to make their difference in the world, I have no doubt they will find both strength and inspiration in his words.” Crump is the President of the National Civil Rights Trial Lawyers Association and previously served as President of the National Bar Association. He was the first African-American to chair the Florida State University College of Law Board of Directors and currently serves on the Innocence Project Board of Directors. Crump is the founder and director of the Benjamin Crump Social Justice Institute. “Commencement is a special celebration of commitment, hard work and learning,” said TSU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research Dr. Kendall T. Harris. “I am so proud of our students and excited for the wisdom Attorney Crump will share that will help them make significant changes and impact on their communities, the nation and the world.” Among dozens of accomplishments, Crump has been recognized with the NAACP Thurgood Marshall Award, the SCLC Martin Luther King Servant Leader Award, the American Association for Justice Johnnie Cochran Award, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Eleanor Roosevelt Medallion for Service. Crump graduated from Florida State University and received his law degree from FSU College of Law. He is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post Black Voices, CNN, and USA Today.
Vernon Jordan, the legendary civil rights activist and former advisor to President Bill Clinton, died peacefully at his home Monday evening surrounded by family. He was 85 years old. Jordan grew up in the south and studied law at Howard University. He joined the civil rights movement and helped build a lawsuit against the University of Georgia’s integration policy in 1961. Jordan worked as a field director for the NAACP, Director of the Southern Regional Council for the Voter Education Project, and served as the President of the National Urban League. Jordan’s close political friendships further elevated his status, leading him to become an advisor for President Clinton. He also worked with presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. “Today, the world lost an influential figure in the fight for civil rights and American politics, Vernon Jordan. An icon to the world and a lifelong friend to the NAACP. His contribution to moving our society toward justice is unparalleled,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “In 2001, Jordan received the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal for a lifetime of social justice activism. His exemplary life will shine as a guiding light for all that seek truth and justice for all people.” No immediate cause of death has been released.
After 56 years, the family of Malcolm X is calling to have his murder investigation reopened. A former New York Police Department undercover officer made a deathbed confession, writing a letter claiming that the wrong man was accused in Malcolm X’s murder, and in fact, the FBI and NYPD were involved. “I am aging with failing health; recently I have learned of the death of Mr. Thomas Johnson and are deeply concerned that with my death his family will not be able to exonerate him after being wrongly convicted in the killing of Malcolm X,” Ray Wood wrote. In the letter, Wood also shares that the arrest of Johnson was a cover-up to hide his involvement in the murder. “On February 21, 1965, I was ordered to be at the Audubon Ballroom, where I was identified by witness while leaving the scene. Thomas Johnson was later arrested and wrongfully convicted to protect my cover and the secret of the FBI and NYPD,” the letter stated. Wood said his NYPD supervisor ordered him to lure Malcolm X’s security team away from the ballroom that day, in order to leave the minister vulnerable to attack. Wood said he actually got the two security team members involved in the Statue of Liberty plot five days before Malcolm was to appear at the Audubon, and the two were arrested, therefore not present on the day of the assassination. The details of the confession have not been verified, but attorney Benjamin Crump, who is now representing Malcolm X’s family, is asking for the case to be reopened. Crump wants the District Attorney to offer “restorative justice” to the family.
WASHINGTON – A horse-drawn carriage, the American flag, military salutes and an outpouring of love and support from leaders across the nation, Rep. John Lewis was laid to rest in grand fashion. It’s not that anyone is surprised, but in true Donald Trump fashion, the president of the United States announced he would not be attending memorial services for the late civil rights leader who died July 17 from pancreatic cancer. Lewis was 80 years old. A six-day memorial service was planned for Lewis, who would lie in state at the Capitol. The public would be allowed to pay respects on Monday and Tuesday. “No, I won’t be going, no,” Trump told reporters. Q: “Do you plan on paying your respects to Congressman Lewis either today or tomorrow at the Capitol?” President Trump: “No. I won’t be going. No.” pic.twitter.com/dRYg3uCxpi— CSPAN (@cspan) July 27, 2020 Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence, however, would be in attendance. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden also honored Lewis. Lewis was known for making “Good Trouble.” The civil rights icon served in Congress for more than 30 years and fought against segregation and discrimination against Black Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. He was an organizer of the March on Washington, being the youngest speaker to address the crowd, and was also a member of the original Freedom Riders. He risked his life for what he believed in, having been beaten and jailed several times. Lewis made his final journey on Sunday across the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where a 25-year-old Lewis and other unarmed marchers were met by state and local police who attacked them with clubs, fracturing Lewis’ skull in what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” “I gave a little blood on that bridge,” Lewis said about that day. “I thought I was going to die. I thought I saw death.” This time, 55 years later, the bridge was covered with rose petals in Lewis’ honor. John Lewis is carried across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where he helped lead a march for voting rights in 1965, for the last time. The rose petals on the ground represent the blood spilled on Bloody Sunday. pic.twitter.com/EU0KPQo88l — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 26, 2020 Trump and Lewis were not fans of one another. In 2017, Trump tweeted that Lewis was “all talk … no action or results,” after Lewis announced that he would not attend Trump’s inauguration. “I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” Lewis told NBC’s “Meet the Press” before the inauguration. “I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected and they have destroyed the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.” Trump ordered the White House to lower flags to half-staff in honor of Lewis. He also tweeted his condolences. “Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing. Melania and I send our prayers to he and his family.” This is not the first funeral that Trump did not attend. He did not attend services for the late GOP Sen. John McCain or Rep. Elijah Cummings, who many say bore a striking resemblance to Lewis. We will forever be grateful to those who fought the good fight for us. No trouble like “Good Trouble.” We will make sure the legacy continues. #RIP
“I have admired the work of Congressman John Lewis for many years. His life’s work has truly inspired me to fight for what I believe in and social equality,” KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker said.
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