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Vice President Harris Urges Voters to Demand Commonsense Gun Policies
CHICAGO - Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a moderated conversation at Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund’s annual Gun Sense University conference held at the McCormick Place Friday August 11, 2023, highlighting the Biden-Harris administration’s historic progress on advancing common sense Gun safety policies. She was joined by moderators Jason George, Actor (Grey's Anatomy, Sunset Beach) and Angela Ferrell -Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action. Photo by Naimah Latif
“One in Five Families Have Been Affected By Gun Violence”
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Chicago Friday morning prepared to address one of the nation’s most pressing emergencies.
“Gun violence is the leading cause of death of our children,” declared Vice President Harris, adding that one in five families have been affected by gun violence. “We need elected leaders to have the courage to act.” Photo by John L. Alexander
Illinois Leadership Team Supports Common Sense Gun laws
Vice President Harris is greeted at the airport by Attorney General Kramer Raoul and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. The Vice President praised the work of Illinois government leaders in supporting the work of the Biden- Harris Administration. As Illinois gears up for the 2024 Democratic Convention to be held in Chicago, public safety is a top concern. Everyone should be alarmed at the epidemics of deaths from guns, Vice President Harris said, noting that children are dying from suicide, homicide, and accidental shootings from adults’ unsecured weapons. Photo by John L. Alexander
Vice President Declares That Arming Teachers is Not The Answer
Moderators Jason George and Angela Ferrel Zabala applauded the work of the Biden-Harris administration in pushing for stricter gun laws to protect public safety, despite opposition and pressure from from gun lobbyists. Vice President Harris pointed out,, “Our administration, President Joe Biden and I, were able to pass the first meaningful gun safety legislation in 30 years.” Under their administration, she said, substantial resources have been put into solutions involving mental health services and community based response, but more needs to be done to pass common sense gun laws to protect lives. “We love our country and we will challenge our country to live up to its promise.”
Vice President Harris remarked that unlike when she was growing up and on the first day of school children focused on learning their teacher’s name and where the bathroom is, “Our babies are learning the teachers name, where the bathroom is and how to sit quietly if there’s an active shooter!” The suggestion of strapping guns on teachers is definitely not the answer to mass shootings in schools, Vice President Harris said emphatically. “Our teachers want to teach! We don’t pay them enough as it is!” Photo by Naimah Latif
VP Harris to youth: “Your generation is everything to this issue.”
A few audience members were allowed to pose a question to the Vice President. Brenda Mitchell, a Chicago mother who suffered a tragic loss, asked the Vice President, in her travels across the country talking to families who experienced gun violence, what did she learn? Vice President Harris replied, “The trauma can’t be overstated. Without treatment trauma is inherited. I have prosecuted cases, I have seen homicides, I understand the importance of healing, therapy and treating the trauma.”
Erin, a young Pennsylvania women from the Millennial/Gen Z age group asked, “How can my generation have an affect on this situation?”
Vice President Harris answered, “Your generation is critical. When your generation starts to vote in numbers I see this changing completely. Your generation is everything to this issue.” Photo by Naimah Latif
STATE REPS JOIN 21ST WARD ALDERMAN RONNIE MOSLEY
Opens an Office Accessible to the People and the Elected Officials
CHICAGO - Recently elected 21st Ward Alderman Ronnie Mosley introduced constituents to his new office location at 10801 South Halsted Street that is accessible by public transportation, has ample parking space, is available for meetings with other elected officials serving Chicago’s south side, and is equipped to house the regular actives presented each week. Joining Alderman Mosley (second from right) at his Open House held Wednesday August 9, 2023, is (left to right) State Representative Robert Rita,(28), State Representative Mary Flowers (31), State Representative Mary Gill (35) and State Representative Justin Slaughter (27). The office is open Mondays 9am to 7pm, and offers Constituent Night, 2pm - 5pm for Seniors, Veterans and the Disabled, and 5pm to 7pm for the general public. Tuesdays through Thursdays the office is open 9am to 5pm and Fridays 9am to 3pm. The 21st ward, which the latest remap expanded to include parts of the old 34th Ward, is now the largest ward in the city of Chicago. Alderman Mosley presides over a monthly Townhall Meeting on the 4th Saturday of the month at the Carter G. Woodson Library, 9525 S. Halsted Street from 9:30am to 11:00am January through October. Photo by Naimah Latif
President Biden Presents Bidenomics To Chicago
President Joe Biden lands at O'hare Airport in Air Force One, as the security officials await his disembarkment, after which he would head to downtown Chicago where an official gathering assembled to hear details of how his economic plan would stimulate financial growth and opportunities in the inner cities. President Biden has emphasized the importance of stimulating local economies by creating jobs in the trades to rebuild the cities' infrastructure. He encouraged businesses to help grow the economy by using a work force trained in the trades offered by city colleges and universities. Photo by John L. Alexander.
Officers salute their Commander in Chief President Joe Biden as they prepare to escort him to his destination in downtown Chicago. President Biden traveled though skies still cloudy and overcast from smoke blowing into the U.S. from Canada's fires. Photo by John L. Alexander
Mayor Brandon Johnson Tackles Chicago's Migrant Challenge
DESPITE COMMUNITY PROTEST, CITY COUNCIL VOTES IN FAVOR OF $51 MILLION FOR MIGRANTS
Final Vote on Ordinance: 43 Yes, 3 No, 4 Absent
CHICAGO - In its second meeting under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago City Council voted to spend $51 million in funding from the 2021 budget surplus to pay for food, transportation and shelter for migrants from Central and South America who were bussed to Chicago from Texas. Chicago residents representing both sides of the issue were allowed to present testimony at the Council meeting Wednesday May 31, 2023. Alderman David Moore (17) was one of the three "No" votes on the ordinance. He made an impassioned plea for his colleagues to also vote "No" and to first take care of the neglected residents who have been asking for help for years. He noted that the 17th Ward represents both African American and Hispanic residents whose needs have too long been ignored. Photo by Marcus Robinson.
Mayor Johnson Hears Public Demand Funding For All
Likely anticipating the intensity of discussion on the issue of Chicago providing $51 million to recent migrants, Mayor Brandon Johnson set a tone of order, cooperation and civility in his first City Council meeting Wednesday March 24, 2023. The vote on the controversial issue was deferred to the following week, May 31st. Many of the community activists who had not been able to get inside the Council chambers the previous week were allowed to sign up to speak and were given time to express their frustration and dismay at the situation, whether strongly in favor or strongly opposed to the ordinance. Although at times Mayor Johnson had to repeatedly call for order, all points of view were heard before the final vote was taken. Some Aldermen promised to also support a proposed Reparations bill for African Americans. Photo by Marcus Robinson
Alexi Giannoulias Is New Secretary of State
Newly elected Secretary of State Alexander (Alexi) Giannoulias honored outgoing Secretary of State Jesse White for his many years of service. Mr. Giannoulias previously served as the 72nd Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. He said his top priority is to restore the public's trust in government and its elected leaders. Photo by Naimah Latif
Susana Mendoza Continues As Controller
Susana Mendoza is the 10th Comptroller of Illinois, serving since December 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, she formerly served as Chicago City Clerk. She reminded voters that since her election as Comptroller, she has always made sure those doing business with the state were paid on time. Photo by Naimah Latif
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins DOT Sec. Buttigig along with Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Bobby Rush as Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval Carter, Jr. explains plans for completion of the modernization of the 95th street CTA terminal. Photo by Marcus Robinson.
Mayor Lightfoot Dismisses FOP Lawsuit
Photo by Parthenia Luke
STATEMENT FROM CHICAGO MAYOR LORI E. LIGHTFOOT
Issued Wednesday, December 1, 2021
“Today, at my direction, the City’s Department of Law voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 without prejudice.
“This Verified Complaint for Injunctive Relief was initially filed in response to the president of FOP Lodge 7, John Catanzara, repeatedly calling for his members to engage in an illegal work stoppage or strike—which is strictly prohibited under Illinois Law. The past few weeks have shown what I have said from the beginning to be true: that our brave police officers are smarter than their FOP leadership, and care more about their city, their fellow Chicagoans, and upholding their sworn oath to protect and serve, than they do Catanzara’s frivolous demands to stop working.
“It should be noted, that should the FOP or John Catanzara take any further action toward encouraging an illegal work stoppage or strike, we can and will immediately refile this action.
“From day one when this requirement was announced in August, this entire process has been and will continue to be about protecting the lives and safety of all Chicagoans. The data shows that we are succeeding in that mission, and that police officers recognize that protecting and serving in the times of global pandemic means ensuring that that they are vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of officers who have come into compliance with the City’s vaccine reporting mandate, as well as the mandatory vaccination policy, have continued to grow since October 15th, and I have complete confidence that the entire Department will be in compliance with City policy in the near future.”
President Joe Biden Issues Executive Order
Message to the Congress on Imposing Certain Sanctions on Persons Undermining Peace
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 212(f) and section 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 8 U.S.C. 1185(a)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to deal with the threat posed by the situation in the West Bank, including in particular high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction. Such actions constitute a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East region and undermine the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. I find that these actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and I have declared a national emergency to deal with that threat.
The order authorizes the blocking of property and interests in property of any foreign person determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:
(i) to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions -- including directing, enacting, implementing, enforcing, or failing to enforce policies -- that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank;
(ii) to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, planning, ordering, otherwise directing, or participating in certain actions -- including acts of violence or threats of violence targeting civilians, efforts to place civilians in reasonable fear of violence, property destruction, or seizure or dispossession of property by private actors -- affecting the West Bank;
(iii) to be or have been a leader or official of certain entities that have engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, such activities;
(iv) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any person blocked pursuant to the order; or
(v) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person blocked pursuant to the order.
The order also authorizes the blocking of property and interests in property of any foreign person determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to have committed or have attempted to commit, to pose a significant risk of committing, or to have participated in training to commit acts of terrorism affecting the West Bank. In addition, the order suspends the entry into the United States of any noncitizen determined to meet one or more of the above criteria.
The order authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the order. It directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to implement the order as it applies to visas, and it directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to implement the order as it applies to the entry into the United States of noncitizens. All executive departments and agencies of the United States are directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement the order.
I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 1, 2024.
Photo of President Biden exiting Air Force 1 by John L. Alexander
