WHY THAT MOM WAS RIGHT WHEN SHE PUBLICLY DISCIPLINED HER SON FOR VIOLENTLY PROTESTING — AND WHY OTHER PARENTS SHOULD DO THE SAME!

April 30, 2015

WHY THAT MOM WAS RIGHT WHEN SHE PUBLICLY DISCIPLINED HER SON FOR VIOLENTLY PROTESTING — AND WHY OTHER PARENTS SHOULD DO THE SAME!

By Orrin Hudson, founder of Be Someone

Mother Disciplines Son For Protesting

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — As I watched the video of rioters in the streets of Baltimore, I wanted to cry… For my country, for the city of Baltimore but more importantly, for each and every young person I saw participating. Most of them were high school students, and I want to reach out and touch each one. I want to prove to them they can be someone. Is it too late to convince them they can be contributors? And that they can succeed if they believe in themselves?

I believe there is hope. My heart, however, was enlightened when I saw the video of Toya Graham, the single mom who refused to let her son join the mob taunting police and tearing down the city. You have probably seen it… Is there anything stronger than a mothers true, tough love? She was not about to let her son make the wrong choice. She was not about to give up her dearest position in life to others who didnt care what happened to him as long as they could use him for their own agenda.

I dont know this woman but I love what she did. She served as an example. Each of us must be as committed as she was and is. All that is required for our communities to be destroyed is for good people to sit back and watch them. We got to get in the game and be someone!

That kid was me 40 years ago, and that mom was my mom. Desperate times cause for desperate measures!

And where were the other parents? They had to have known that their children were involved in the violent rioting. They were not at home. So where did they think they were? What did they think they were doing?

We must not give up on our young people and we must convince them they can be winners, not losers. My goodness, we have so much work to do!

Freddie Gray. Walter Smith. Eric Garner. Michael Brown. No matter the color of your skin, there’s sadness when we hear these names – African-Americans killed by police. In each case, there have been community protests. In three of these deaths, there have been violent demonstrations. The latest in Baltimore has left a part of the city in ruins.

Let’s stop the madness, but it starts at home.

Let’s quit making excuses, and quit allowing our children to take to the streets to tear down our society. Quit falling for the lie you cant make it in this world because the deck is stacked against you. I know firsthand you can succeed if you make the right choices. I took control of my life when I learned success is up to me not some faceless “system” that wants me to fail.

I love my country. I believe it truly is a land of opportunity but only IF we take advantage of the avenues to success that are afforded to us. No, its not easy. Yes, it takes determination, focus and grit because admittedly, there are obstacles on any path. Truly, it takes a “knock me down, and get back up” attitude. We must convince our young people to act constructively, not destructively!

Orrin Hudson is the founder of Be Someone, an Atlanta, GA-based non-profit that uses the principles of the game of chess to teach urban youth that there is a consequence for every move – whether on the chess board or in life. Learn more about Hudson and his award-winning program at www.BeSomeone.org.

Watch the Video of Toya Graham and her son:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUS7GRlAnlM

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Dispute Outside Church Leaves 2 Fatally Shot, 4 Injured

Birmingham Times

April 30, 2015

[Dispute Outside Church Leaves 2 Fatally Shot, 4 Injured]

NEW YORK (AP) — A dispute outside a New York City church where a funeral was taking place triggered a shooting that left two people dead and four others injured, police said.

Authorities said 15 rounds were fired at about 8:30 p.m. Monday outside Emmanuel Church of God in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush neighborhood, where mourners had gathered for the funeral of a 38-year- old man who died of natural causes.

Four men and two women were struck by gunfire. Two men, ages 40 and 44, died.

Two other 40-year-old men, a 38-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman were listed in stable condition early Tuesday.

Police believe there were multiple shooters. They said shots were fired from in front of the church and from the crowded church. It was not known how many bullets hit the church.

Several cars sped away after the shooting and no arrests have been made. Police said a silver vehicle seen near the church was stopped in a different Brooklyn neighborhood.

City Councilman Jumaane Williams, whose district includes East Flatbush, said he planned to join Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams at an anti-gun rally near the church on Tuesday to speak out about the need for measures to combat senseless acts of violence.

He told WABC-TV that the shooting was a “reckless” abandonment of life.

“If we can prevent retaliatory shootings from this particular shooting I think we will have something positive to talk about,” he said. “My hope is that the law enforcement will be able to do their job and hold the shooters accountable.”

Investigators were examining surveillance video and interviewing witnesses early Tuesday.

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U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS REISSUES COMMUNITY POLICING RECOMMENDATIONS

Birmingham Times

April 30, 2015

U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS REISSUES

COMMUNITY POLICING RECOMMENDATIONS

Mayors and Police Chiefs Issue Report, Calling for Outside Investigators

For Police-Involved Shootings

Washington, D.C. – As the situation in Baltimore continues to unfold, the nation’s mayors today are reissuing their recommendations on improving community policing, initially disseminated under the leadership of U.S. Conference of Mayors President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson at the Conference’s 83^rd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. in January.

The recommendations were unveiled by Gary (IN) Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, who chairs the USCM Working Group of Mayors and Police Chiefs, following a four-month review of policies and best-practices nationwide, during a session titled “Strengthening Community Policing in the 21^st Century.

Participants in that session included Mayor Freeman-Wilson, Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs Jerry E. Abramson; Philadelphia Police Commissioner and President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing Co-Chair Charles Ramsey; George Mason University Professor and President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing Co-Chair Laurie Robinson; and U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Office Director and Task Force Executive Director Ronald L. Davis. The session was moderated by Mayor Johnson and included an open question and answer period with hundreds of mayors in the audience.

The Conference’s working group was formed by Johnson following the tragedy in Ferguson and an October meeting in Little Rock, AR where over 100 mayors and police chiefs met at the William J. Clinton Center in Little Rock, AR to discuss different community-policing strategies, lessons to be learned from the situation in Ferguson and ways to build trust between law enforcement and city officials. The group was charged with developing a series of recommendations for local and national actions intended to improve policing in America.

The full report of recommendations, which will inform the work of President Obama’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing, is available at www.usmayors.org, but topic areas of focus are as follows:

1. Building police-community trust;

2. Improving police department practices;

3. Assuring timely and accurate communications;

4. Conducting independent investigations;

5. Addressing racial and economic disparities;

6. Providing national leadership.

During the Community Policing session, Johnson said, “Mayors stand at the crossroads of their communities. We are the leaders best positioned to bridge the gaps in trust and understanding our residents, all of whom want what is best for our cities.” Johnson also participated in the first public listening session of President Obama’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing on January 13 in Washington, D.C.

Commenting on the work of the USCM Working Group, Mayor Freeman-Wilson said, “Mayors and police chiefs know full well that effective community policing is practiced in a constitutional manner by many police departments, and the vast majority of police officers have developed trusting relationships with the communities they serve. But, we also know there ought to be full confidence with the public in our law enforcement. … If our quest is to achieve a sense of justice in our communities, we have a responsibility to address these issues whenever there is a police-involved death. … This an opportunity for mayors to lead and we can choose to navigate around these issues, or we can create a new landscape in our communities to create a better future for our children.”

Of the mayors’ recommendations, Chief Ramsey said, “We will use this document to help us in our work moving forward. We need the support of the nation’s mayors to help us meet our deadline.” The Task Force’s report to President Obama is expected by March 2, 2015.

Executive Director Davis spoke of his office’s on-going work with The USCM saying, “The COPS office is tasked with supporting the work of the President’s Task Force. We know that trust is key to public safety and requires strong relationships. It is a great honor to serve in this capacity and we appreciate the work of the nation’s mayors.”

During the Winter Meeting, mayors also released the public safety findings results of a Zogby poll, which surveyed public perceptions of local, state and federal government officials in late December. The poll (at usmayors.org) found that:

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being no trust of local governments to provide public safety and 5 being the highest trust, 54% of Americans polled gave a “trust” score of 4 – 5, while only 19% gave a 1 – 2.
Cities’ police departments received even higher ratings in protecting the safety and rights of minorities —62% high and 32% low. This was something—to varying degrees—that all races and ideologies agree upon by majorities, though, minorities’ ratings are lower. Whites offer a 66% high to 29% low performance for the police; Hispanics 60% to 34% and African Americans 50% to 43%. Liberals offer 54% to 39%; conservatives 73% to 24%; and moderates 60% to 35%.

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The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

AG ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CONVICTIONS FOR SERIAL OFFENDER ALREADY SERVING LIFE SENTENCE FOR PREVIOUS COLD CASE CONVICTION

Birmingham Times

April 30, 2015

AG ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CONVICTIONS FOR SERIAL OFFENDER ALREADY SERVING LIFE SENTENCE FOR PREVIOUS COLD CASE CONVICTION

(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Luther Strange announced that his Cold Case Unit has achieved additional convictions against a man who has multiple previous violent convictions and is already serving a life sentence for a case investigated by the unit.

Patrick O’Neal Warren pleaded guilty yesterday to first-degree rape and attempted murder in Jefferson County Circuit Court. Warren admitted his guilt in attacks upon two women, one in March of 2008, and another in December of 2008. In both cases, Warren used a knife against his victims. He was sentenced today to two additional life sentences, to run concurrently with the one he is serving.

Warren currently is incarcerated for an April of 2006 robbery in Calhoun County, to which he pleaded guilty in December of 2011. Specifically, Warren pleaded guilty to attacking an Anniston woman at knifepoint and then stealing her vehicle and money. He received the maximum sentence of life imprisonment due to two prior felony convictions in 2001: for a Hale County robbery in which he used a knife, and for a Jefferson County rape in which he used a knife.

“This is an extremely dangerous man who repeatedly committed violent crimes and who would be a threat to the community if he was ever released,” said Attorney General Strange. “With these additional life sentences, he should spend the rest of his life in prison so that our society will be safe from his vicious crimes.”

The Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit is a project conducted in partnership with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, to investigate violent crimes that previously had been closed due to lack of investigative leads. The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Attorney General commended Special Agents of his Cold Case Unit and thanked the Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon Fall’s office, noting in particular Assistant Deputy District Attorney Julie McMakin, for prosecution of the cases that resulted in yesterday’s convictions. Valuable assistance was provided throughout the Warren cases by the Bessemer, Birmingham and Anniston police departments.

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UPDATE: Jones Stripped Of UFC Title, Suspended

Birmingham Times

April 30, 2015

UPDATE: Jones Stripped Of UFC Title, Suspended

Jon Jones has been stripped of his UFC light heavyweight title and suspended indefinitely following his arrest in New Mexico on a hit-and-run that police say left a pregnant woman with a broken arm.

The UFC announced the extraordinary penalties Tuesday night for violations of its athlete code of conduct policy following Jones’ latest arrest in a string of misbehavior.

“Got a lot of soul searching to do,” Jones posted on his official Twitter account Tuesday. “Sorry to everyone I’ve let down.”

UFC President Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta apparently met with Jones in Albuquerque before making their decision, which deprives the promotion of a major star. Jones is widely considered the world’s best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist.

“He’s very disappointed. He’s upset,” White told Fox Sports, the UFC’s official broadcast partner. “He wanted to go down as one of the greats, or the greatest ever. He’s disappointed, but it is what it is. It was the decision we had to make.”

Jones was scheduled to face No. 1 contender Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23, headlining one of the promotion’s biggest shows of the year.

Instead, No. 3 contender Daniel Cormier will face Johnson for the title. Cormier lost to Jones in January, several weeks after Jones tested positive for cocaine use.

Cormier was scheduled to fight on a card in New Orleans on June 6, but agreed to take his second straight title shot on 3 1/2 weeks’ notice.

“For us to have to go in and strip him of his title and suspend (Jones), you know, it’s not fun,” White said. “But the show goes on. Anthony Johnson is ready for this fight, and Daniel Cormier was beyond pumped to get this opportunity.”

Jones’ talent and personality have made him one of the sport’s most prominent figures and a staple of the UFC’s major pay-per-view shows. He became the youngest champion in UFC history in March 2011, and he defended the 205-pound belt eight times.

Earlier Tuesday in Albuquerque, the 27-year-old Jones made his first court appearance with his lawyer, but left without speaking to reporters. He faces a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injuries.

Jones was released Monday on a $2,500 bond. A judge did not impose travel restrictions on Jones.

According to police, witnesses said that Jones ran from a crash Sunday that hospitalized the pregnant woman but quickly came back to grab “a large handful of cash” from the car. Authorities say the accident occurred in southeastern Albuquerque when the driver of a rented SUV ran a red light.

Officers found a pipe with marijuana in the SUV as well as MMA and rental car documents in Jones’ name, according to the police report.

Although Jones (21-1) reigns atop the sport after his lengthy run of dominant fighting, he has endured legal problems and questionable behavior during most of his championship reign.

Jones was arrested in 2012 after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole in Binghamton, New York. He had his driver’s license suspended after being charged with DWI, but did no jail time.

Last August, Jones and Cormier were involved in a brawl in the lobby of the MGM Grand casino while appearing at a promotional event. Jones was fined $50,000 and ordered to do community service by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

In early December, Jones tested positive for metabolites of cocaine while training. Jones was allowed to compete because the test was conducted out of competition, and he beat Cormier at UFC 182.

When the failed drug test became public, Jones publicly apologized for a “mistake,” but spent just one day in a drug rehabilitation center before checking himself out.

Jones is a native of upstate New York, but lives in New Mexico and works under prominent local trainer Greg Jackson. Jones has two brothers who play in the NFL.

Albuquerque is a hub for MMA fighters who train at Jackson’s gym and use the city’s high altitude to prepare for bouts.

Popular Bards & Brews Takes Place This Friday at the Central Library

Birmingham Times

April 30, 2015

Popular Bards & Brews Takes Place This Friday at the Central Library

WHO: Birmingham Public Library

WHAT: Bards & Brews Program for May 2015

WHEN: Friday, May 1, 2015

WHERE: Central Library Downtown, 2100 Park Place

TIME:              Music by Dan Turner starts at 6:30 p.m. and Poetry Performances begin at 7:00

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM:  Birmingham Public Library’s (BPL) popular Bards & Brews poetry performance/beer tasting series takes place this Friday at the Central Library of the Birmingham Public Library System. Usually held the first Friday of each month, the May event features beer provided by Straight to Ale of Huntsville--The J. Clyde will handle the pouring. The event is made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Admission is free and open to the public; however, attendees must be at least 18 to enter and 21 to participate—ID is required.

The festivities start at 6:30 p.m. with live music, beer tasting and light refreshments. The poetry begins to flow at 7:00 p.m. with Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins serving as our host.

The June Bards & Brews will be an Open Mic on June 5 at the Avondale Regional Library, 509 40th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222. For more information, call 205-226-3670, email hm@bham.lib.al.us  or visit the Bards & Brews Facebook page or bplonline.org/bardsbrews.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BPL

For additional information about the programs and services of the Birmingham Public Library, visit our website at www.bplonline.org and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The mission of Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality library service to our citizens for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment. This system—with nineteen locations and serving the community for 128 years—is one of the largest library systems in the southeast.

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USW Urges U.S. to Get Tough with Japan on Trade Deal

Birmingham Times

April 29, 2015

USW Urges U.S. to Get Tough with Japan on Trade Deal
U.S. job losses, deficits, currency disciplines, rules of origin not addressed

Washington, D.C. (Apr. 29) – Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), released the following statement after today’s address to a joint session of Congress by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan.

“Prime Minister Abe delivered a speech highlighting the strong partnership between his country and the United States. There is much that our two countries can do together to promote growth and opportunity around the world. We value the alliance as we value USW alliances with trade union brothers and sisters in Japan.

“But the Prime Minister was here in Washington, in part, to try and put the finishing touches on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) 12-nation trade agreement. At this point, the potential benefits for Japan to continue the lopsided trade benefits it enjoys are great, while the opportunities for U.S. farmers, businesses and workers are rather limited.

“Time after time, U.S. trade negotiators have promised the American people that Japan will change, that the latest trade initiative will finally open up the Japanese market to our products. However, year after year we have seen the results: rising trade deficits with Japan, a closed market to our products and lost opportunities for America’s workers.

“Last year, the U.S. ran a trade deficit in autos and auto parts with Japan of $48.3 billion. While the TPP is expected to have a lengthy phase-out period on U.S. tariffs on autos coming into our country, the tariff on auto parts will be reduced more quickly. This will only add to the huge deficit we already run, which has cost thousands of workers their jobs.

“Promises of market access in Japan in the critical auto parts sector are unlikely to yield much, and since the negotiated text is unavailable to be viewed by the public, our union is unable to verify those promises.

“In addition, the Obama administration continues to not even ask for the inclusion of meaningful and effective disciplines to combat currency manipulation – a practice that Japan has employed in the past to steal market share, sales and jobs from U.S. producers and their workers. Other TPP countries like Malaysia also engage in currency manipulation, but the administration refuses to even consider action on this predatory trade practice — despite the fact that a bi-partisan majority in Congress favor such action.

“The USTR’s inability, or unwillingness, to strengthen country ‘rule of origin’ standards in free trade agreements has become problematic. Rule of origin standards determine how much of a product must be from the free trade area (FTA) to qualify for all trade benefits. Unfortunately, USTR has consistently permitted high standards to be reduced.

“The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) required 62.5% of the content originate within the FTA, which was reduced to 50% in the US-Australia FTA and further to only 35% in the US-Korea FTA. Lower rules will lead to additional U.S. auto part job losses.

“It would be unfortunate if we let a car imported from a TPP country duty free to contain 65% auto-parts from non-TPP partners like China. Especially since the administration continually argues that we must write the rules, or China will.

“If we allow rule of origin standards to be eroded, we are already letting China write the rules in trade.

“Japan’s Prime Minister Abe is right to fight for concluding the TPP, since the advantages for Japan appear to be great, while the benefits for the U.S. are still questionable. Congress should thoroughly review the proposed text and make sure that an agreement doesn’t continue the lopsided relationship we already face.

“Stopping the ‘Fast Track’ proposed legislation recently introduced in Congress is the right path for American working families who don’t want a bad trade deal rammed through without needed amendments.”

For USW resources on why the Hatch-Wyden-Ryan Fast Track (S.995/H.R. 1890)bill is wrong: CLICK HERE. The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed among industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, plus the service and public sectors. See us at: http://www.usw.org/.

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From Self to Servant

Birmingham Times

April 29, 2015

From Self to Servant

Edit Bro Ced (Servant) — Brother Ced as Servant

Yes, we often think saved means it’s all about us. First saved deals with salvation, being secure.
Then Paul says, “but he shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and he shall be witness unto me. ” Acts 1-8 (KJV).
Matthew says, “Ye are the light of the world,” Matt. 4:15 (KJV), and not the church. When we think of serving we think of giving and Satan tells us we have nothing to give, have no money, no food, no clothes to give out. God says, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world,” 1 John 4:4 (KJV). Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give thee.” Acts 3:6 (KJV).
All I am saying saints is that “He must increase but I must decrease,” John 3:30 (KJV). Saints we ask God so many times Lord use me and anoint me. I hear in my spirit God saying if I do anoint you, what are you going to do with it? Go to church and show off for people or will you do what God anointed Jesus for, found in Luke 4:18 (KJV).
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” These are the reasons God anoints saints for His will, not ours.
I am afraid that in today’s time it is a gift gone wild because the only time we use our gift is when they are paying us. A true gift cannot be bought with money. In Acts 8:18-19 (KJV), the Bible says, “when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, give me also power, that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”
Saints there’s so much work to do. The Word says in Matthew 9:37 (KJV), “Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” Every time God uses us we do not have to be seen on television. When we do it, it often puts focus on us instead of the people we are serving.
What are you saying Bro. Ced? We have a church on every corner but
do not have pastors on every corner. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (KJV).
Saints we all can serve in different ways. The writer says, “A man ‘s gift maketh room for him and bringth him before great men, Proverbs 18:16 (KJV), which simply means find your lane and ask God to perfect you. Do not try to perfect yourself and He will use you.
Saints, can I testify for a second? I started going to the bus station 10 years ago. People were calling me crazy and now today, 10 years later, my name is known all around.
All I am saying is, “don’t let nobody turn you around; keep on walking, keep on talking, marching up the freedom lane.”
Remember “being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1-6 (KJV).
I often say today’s generation have preachers named Lil Wayne, JZ, Beyonce, Niki Minaj and Lil Boosie, they are preaching the wrong message to our young generation today. If we are going to catch the fish we must go to the lake outside of our church. We must go to the highways and byways. What gets me is that some of us will talk about young people but we won’t go and talk to them. We will drive by yet we won’t stop by them.
So, my brothers and sisters, if you have been convicted, go get your brother. Luke 22:31-32 (KJV) says, “The Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen by brethren.”
Am I my brother’s keeper or am I going to keep watching my brother kill one another, watching my brothers go to prison, or, am I going to be a servant?
Remember Saints, we “must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4 (KJV).
Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many – which means – what He told His disciples in John 13:5 (KJV), I will wash your feet, great example of “self to servant.”

May God Test You,
May God Bless You,
May God Rest You,

Yours Truly,
Bro. Ced.

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s Statement on the Rescue of Nearly 300 Nigerian Women and Girls

Birmingham Times

April 29, 2015

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s Statement on the Rescue of Nearly 300 Nigerian Women and Girls

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) released the following statement on reports that 200 girls and 93 women were rescued from Boko Haram camps by the Nigerian military in the Sambisa forest.

“Today’s report brings me great hope. My heart goes out to these women, girls, and their families, who have experienced their worst nightmare.

“I am hopeful that the Chibok schoolgirls, who were kidnapped over a year ago, are a part of this rescue by the Nigerian military.”

“Tomorrow, I am urging my fellow Congresswomen to wear something red in honor of the missing Chibok girls and vote together in the well of the House of Representatives. Together, we will call attention to the atrocities committed by Boko Haram, call for the return of all of the kidnapped girls, and hold Nigeria’s leaders accountable. It takes the political will of the Nigerian government and the conviction to do what’s right to eradicate Boko Haram and end their tragic reign of terror.

“I will not stop speaking, tweeting, and fighting on behalf of these girls and their families until our girls are safely returned.”

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BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS HOME PHONE CUSTOMERS CAN REACH FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN NEPAL FOR FREE

Birmingham Times

April 29, 2015

BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS HOME PHONE
CUSTOMERS CAN REACH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
IN NEPAL FOR FREE

Birmingham, AL (April 28, 2015) – In order to ease concerns as customers reach out to friends and family members in Nepal, Bright House Networks announced its commitment to make all Home Phone customer calls to Nepal free of charge through the end of May. Retroactive to calls beginning Saturday, April 25 and continuing through May 31, Bright House Networks Home Phone customers will not be charged for any calls to land lines or cell phone numbers in Nepal.

Customers who are making calls to Nepal during the program timeframe will be issued a credit on their Home Phone account for any direct dial calls made to Nepal, with no hassle and no need to do anything else. Credits for all calls made during the program time period will appear on customer accounts in June, 2015. Calls to operators or directory assistance are not direct dial calls, so these will be charged at the usual rate.

About Bright House Networks

Bright House Networks is the sixth largest owner and operator of cable systems in the U.S. and the second largest in Florida, with technologically advanced systems located in five states including Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and California and two of the top 20 DMAs.

Bright House Networks serves approximately 2.5 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data, home security and automation and voice services. The company also offers a strong portfolio of customizable, advanced business solutions for video, voice, data, cloud-based and managed services. The company is MEF-certified and also received the Cisco® Master Service Provider Certification under the Cisco Cloud and Managed Service Program, the first cable operator in the United States to achieve this designation. Bright House Networks also owns and operates exclusive, award-winning, local news and sports channels in its Florida markets.

For more information about Bright House Networks or our products and services, visit brighthouse.com.

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