NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch No. 1112

NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch No. 1112
Founded 1944

Reno-Sparks NAACP executive committee and general membership meetings
Second Thursday of each month
Northern Nevada Hopes
Third Floor Community Room
580 W. 5th Street @ Ralston * Reno, NV 89503
Executive Committee 6:00 p.m.
General Membership 7:00 p.m.
In-person meetings are cancelled until further notice. We are working toward Zoom/Skype virtual sessions.
Thanks for your patience.

SIGN UP TO BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE BRANCH: Heartfelt thanks to all new members and contributors.
We are processing your donations and will thank you individually in due course. Please stay tuned.

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BREAKING NEWS AND THEN SOME—>

Updated on 8-12-2020 GMT

Coronavirus rides the bus & Black Lives Matter whited out
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 8-12-2020 Sparks Tribune

Mississippi West: honkytaunts and alabaster bastions
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 8-5-2020 Sparks Tribune

HOT AUGUST STRIFE 2020 Demonstrations and Good Trouble
BRING MOTHER HUG HOME: School board Hug High re-naming vote must be reconsidered for Dolores Feemster
First-ever summertime MLK Highway Caravan

Sparks City Hall strikes a blow for white guys
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 7-22-2020 Sparks Tribune

A giant has fallen: John Lewis, 1940-2020

Together, you can redeem the soul of our nation
"Answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you believe."
Rep. John Lewis' final words published at his request on the day of his funeral
New York Times Guest Editorial / July 30, 2020

July 17, 2020 (NYTimes.com) — John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement whose bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, and who went on to a long and celebrated career in Congress, died. He was 80.

Washoe law enforcement announces new expedited information policy on officer-involved shootings, including copcam video
UPDATE: All three major departments agree / Separately: Sparks City Hall defaced with red paint
KRNV TV-4/KRXI TV-11 July 15, 2020
UPDATE 2:40 p.m. PDT July 15, 2020 — NAACP President Lonnie Feemster: "The NAACP was not consulted. We need a regional approach. There are many other Washoe police departments such as those at the University of Nevada-Reno,the Washoe County School District and tribal law enforcement. We will be making further recommendations. Regional consistency is required."
Mr. Feemster will appear on northwestern Nevada TV-2 and TV-4 later today. Also monitor the Reno Gazette-Journal

Sparks mayors respond with passive-aggressive, patronizing racism
"So, boys and girls..."
By Siobhan McAndrew / rgj.com 7-14-2020 / Reno Gazette-Journal 7-15-2020

Sparks police killing analysis: Could 18 year-old Miciah Lee have been saved?

Former sheriff: Establish citizen police review board
By Anjeanette Damon & Marcella Corona / rgj.com 7-6-2020 / Reno Gazette-Journal entire front page feature / Sunday 7-12-2020

Black Lives Matter protestors confronted by machine-gun toting Trumpistas in front of Nevada Legislature
By James DeHaven / rgj.com 7-11-2020 / Reno Gazette- Journal 7-12-2020

Use special legislative session to end Nevada's most racist, wasteful policy
By Nevadan Drew Johnson, Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty / rgj.com 7-8-2020 /Reno Gazette-Journal op-ed 7-12-2020

Branch President Lonnie Feemster will participate in a half-hour special on KOLO TV-8 on Saturday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m. PDT.
Turn on, tune in, tell a friend.

Feemster: Reject, re-evaluate, reform, renew
By Josie Glassberg / Sierra Nevada Ally / 7-9-2020

Fair warning to the rich, famous & powerful
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 7-15-2020 Sparks Tribune

There just ain't no cure for stupid
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 7-8-2020 Sparks Tribune

Feemster: Police reform needed after Sparks shooting
By Marcella Corona / rgj.com 6-29-2020 / Reno Gazette-Journal front page 7-1-2020

Ship of Fools: Washoe County as derelict ocean liner
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 7-1-2020 Sparks Tribune

KEOLIS-19: TRANSIT SYSTEM DEFIED GOVERNOR'S MASK ORDER
Then put out a press release denying they did so (updated 7-12-2020)
TEAMSTERS: Reno-Sparks-Washoe passengers, families and workers jeopardized
U-News 6-26-2020 / Updated 6-29-2020

Watch Reno-Sparks NAACP President Lonnie Feemster's interview with KRNV TV-4 at 6:00p.m. PDT Monday June 22

Growing up black in Reno �> Attorney David Gamble's personal memoir
Guest editorial / rgj.com 6-14, Reno Gazette-Journal Sunday June 21, 2020

CAPITAL OFFENSE —> On closed Carson Street, Black Lives Matter protesters chant 'I can't breathe'.
By Ed Komenda & Jason Bean / rgj.com 6-20 / Reno Gazette-Journal Sunday 6-21-2020

Kneeling isn't enough � Activists demand sweeping change
Interview with Reno-Sparks NAACP President Lonnie Feemster
By Elliott Wailoo / Los Angeles Times 6-18-2020

Government shuts down when it should step up
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 6-17-2020 Sparks Tribune

Reno journalist attacked as Black Lives Matter protest turns chaotic
Reno Gazette-Journal / 6-15-2020

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE DEPT.

On 6-11-2020, The New York Times reported that "With the presidential election looming, Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., had intended to use 2020 to demand a fair census and voting rights, declaring 'a year of existential threats to the black community.' " (Hmmm...whom do we know who's been saying that all year? Oh, yes — Reno-Sparks NAACP President Lonnie Feemster.)

"Then came COVID-19," The Times continued, "which Ms. Bass has spent months pointing out has disproportionately killed people of color." (Sound familiar, branch members?)

Congresswoman Bass, 66, the first African-American woman to become speaker of California's or any state legislature, is now in her fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives and chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. She is the principal author of the police reform bill now before the body.

She also holds a brown belt in taekwondo. As far as we know, President Lonnie is only into political martial arts.

Top 10 cures still go begging
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 6-10-2020 Sparks Tribune

FLAILING OVERTURNED TURTLE: Have we reached a turning point?
By Frank Rich / New York Magazine 6-9-2020

OUTBACK SURPRISE: Fallon, Nevada �> Black Lives Matter protestors hug Second Amendment supporters
Reno Gazette-Journal / 6-8-2020

View Reno-Sparks NAACP President Lonnie Feemster's June 6 & 7 appearance on KTVN TV-2's Face the State half-hour program

Most arrested after May 30 Reno riot were innocent downtown residents
Most live within walking distance of downtown, one 700 feet from City Hall
Mississippi West alive and well: City lawyers advise arrestees to plead guilty or face days or weeks in jail
Reno Gazette-Journal / Sunday front page 6-7-2020

Reno reimposes martial law

Tuesday, 02 Jun 2020 17:12:30 (PDT) [Official City of Reno bulletin] Reno, Nevada USA — Out of an abundance of caution for public safety, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve has issued citywide curfews starting at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, June 2. The curfew will be in effect nightly from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning and will continue until terminated by Mayor Schieve. During the hours of the curfew, no person — with the exception of law enforcement, military and other emergency response personnel, government officials and authorized media — shall enter or remain in the public right of way, public parks or any other public place in Reno unless they have an essential reason to be out (i.e. people traveling to/from work or seeking emergency care, etc.). Residents are asked to adhere to the curfew to help protect the safety of our community. [More at Reno.Gov]

Don't let fear and anger convert us to Germany 1933
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 6-3-2020 Sparks Tribune

NAACP CALLS FOR CALM & SHOOTING TRANSPARENCY
Downtown Reno Black Lives Matter rally turns violent
RENO CITY HALL SET ON FIRE

RENO, NEV. (Updated 7:54 p.m. PDT 6-2-2020 / 02:54 June 3 GMT) — Saturday afternoon's downtown Reno Black Lives Matter rally turned violent after adjournment as evening approached. People jumped on cars near the casino center Reno Arch. Windows were broken at businesses, the Washoe County Courthouse and Reno City Hall. Its first floor set afire, tear gas was used to keep crowds away from the 14-story high-rise. Arrests were made. Gov. Steve Sisolak called out the Nevada National Guard. Citizens put hands in the air shouting "don't shoot." KOLO TV-8 telecasted live, joined by two other network affiliates much later in the evening. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve ordered a citywide curfew which was expanded to cover the entire county. The Reno-Sparks NAACP called for calm and transparency regarding all shootings, local and elsewhere. Stay tuned.

NAACP calls for calm, demands police transparency
Family of 18 year-old killed by Sparks Police in January still waiting for answers
By James DeHaven / rgj.com 5-31-2020 / Reno Gazette-Journal 6-1-2020

From England on the day Reno rioted
Policing in the US is not about enforcing law. It�s about enforcing white supremacy.
By Georgetown University Prof. Paul Butler/ The Guardian / London UK 5-30-2020

"I can't breathe!" Again.

Reno, NV (5-28-2020) — Monitor KOLO TV-8 May 28 and 29 regarding Northern Nevada police issues which have received new currency thanks to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. See Ed Pearce's report which first aired at 5:23 p.m. PDT Thursday 5/28. It will post on their website later in the broadcast day. It may re-air in their 5:30 and 6:30 newscasts; 11:00 p.m. is also a good bet, as is Friday morning starting at 4:00 a.m. PDT. Reno-Sparks NAACP President Lonnie Feemster was interviewed as well as local law enforcement officials regarding longstanding cases and issues yet unresolved. Monitor this website for local stories and recent national links hereinbelow.

And join the branch. We need you.

Lonnie L. Feemster

LICENSE TO KILL: "Qualified immunity" means year-round open season

Supreme Court may review police immunity
Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas in rare agreement
Sotomayor: "An absolute shield" (in more than 9 of 10 cases)
By Richard Wolf / USA Today / Reno Gazette-Journal 5-30-2020

US Supreme Court decisions let cops get away with murder
New York Times Editorial / 5-30-2020

Judge-made qualified immunity doctrine nullified police accountability
Will the Supreme Court re-think its 1982 decision?
George Will — Washington Post / Reno Gazette-Journal 5-17-2020

SMOKING GUNS

In 2015, the Reno-Sparks NAACP Inaugural Eddie Scott/Bertha Woodard Human Rights Advocacy Award honored the editors, journalists and staff of the Reno News & Review for their internationally recognized work on police-involved homicides (Fatal Encounters), their viral exposé of the racist writings of Nevada State Assembly Speaker-designate Ira Hansen, R-Sparks (who stepped down a result), and When Hate Comes to Town, a history of area hate crimes.

Fire, pestilence and a country at war with itself: Trump abdicates presidency
"A pandemic unabated, an economy in meltdown, cities in chaos over police killings. Our supposed leader is not governing. He�s golfing, watching cable TV and tweeting."
By former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich / The Guardian London/UK 5-31-2020

Fury in the streets over latest in long line of Minneapolis police killings
News Roundup / New York Times front page / 5-28-2020

Anti-lockdown protests have their roots in white supremacy
Jamelle Bouie / New York Times 5-10-2020

Why does the U.S. military continue to celebrate white supremacy with bases named for Confederate Army traitors?
New York Times Editorial 5-24-2020

Veterans' dismay on Memorial Day
Black troops fight but rarely get U.S. military top jobs
Of the 42 most senior commanders, only two are black
By Helene Cooper / New York Times 5-25-2020

My best wishes, thoughts and prayers go out to everyone. Stay safe.

Lonnie L. Feemster
President, Reno Sparks NAACP
Vice-President, NAACP Tri-State Conference of Idaho/Nevada/Utah
Nevada State Director, NAACP National Voter Fund

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening, May 12, voted to re-name the former Hug High School for the late State Sen. Debbie Smith, D-Sparks

For Debbie Smith (4) : Andrew Caudill, Katy Singlaub Simon Holland, Ellen Minetto and Malena Raymond
For Dolores Feemster (3) : Jacqueline Calvert, Scott Kelley and Angie Taylor

Re-name former Hug High for Dolores Feemster
By William C. Webb, John A. White, Jr. and Andrew Barbáno / RGJ.com 5-7-2020 / Reno Gazette-Journal op-ed 5-10-2020

1929-2018

2:44 p.m. PDT 5-12-2020 Via e-mail
DEAR FELLOW RENO-SPARKS-WASHOE TAXPAYERS

In just a few hours, the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees will judge a fight they created from whole cloth. For whom to re-name the former Hug High should have been settled last November when a poll of the members in an open meeting reflected 4 of 7 votes for 37-year Hug High counselor and NAACP matriarch Dolores Feemster (1929-2018). But that was too easy. Inexplicably, they took no formal vote.

So the game of delay, diffuse and de-fuse was perpetrated and here we are today with a closed meeting that only those with high-speed computers can view. (See RenoSparksNAACP.org) What a country.

Now, six months later, it's a tossup and the elected officials plan to decide in a closed quarantined meeting viewable only via YouTube. There will be no public interaction. The only way you can support Dolores is to e-mail the board members via publiccomments@washoeschools.net — even during the meeting which begins at 4:00 p.m. PDT today. They monitor their computers to stay awake so let's give them a meaningful video game.

The school board too often falls back on Internet polling and communication, which has been the case in this dragged-out process. As a result, Mrs. Feemster's northeast Reno neighborhood has been shortchanged. In addition, the board's own school naming policy (No. 7110) states that "To ensure community engagement, the District will use available media, including the Internet and direct mail, to inform...the community of the name submission and selection process."

We are aware of no school district attempt to inform the taxpayers of northeast Reno about this process via direct mail. We have received angry responses from our fellow mushrooms.

Sports analogies oversimplify public affairs, but one is appropriate in this case because the school board has treated this like a videogame for almost a year. Both the school board and its naming committee made recommendations mostly based on e-mail volume. Today, I am submitting names of Dolores supporters who have no web access. Many northeast Renoites often can't afford such luxuries.

Lower income communities of color like northeast Reno have far less computer capability and Internet access than others. Yet, under Nevada's legendarily regressive taxation system, lower income people pay a disproportionate share of taxes for services like schools and roads. So how do those kids get distance education computers for this fall?

Here's the score at this hour based on my sources, 50 years of Nevada political experience and my familiarity with the seven individuals on the board.

Right now, Dolores is down 3-2 with 2 runners on base in the bottom of the 9th. You are up to bat. Use your e-mail to get us home.

Here are just a few of the prominent individuals who have informed the board of their support for Mrs. Feemster:

Attorney and Former Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly Byron L. "Bill" Bilyeu, R-Elko. (See below.)

Bishop Gene Savoy, International Community of Christ; Past-President, Nevada Clergy Assn. (1999-2017)

Arlen Melendez, Chair, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony

Grant Leneaux, University of Nevada history professor emeritus

Rev. William C. Webb, Pastor Emeritus, Second Baptist Church

Susan Robinson, Former Exec. Director, N. Nev. Literacy Council

Attorney John A. White, Jr., whose parents were the first non-African-Americans to join the Reno-Sparks NAACP back in the apartheid 1950s. His mother, Helen Stewart, recruited her friend Dolores and the rest is history,

Washoe County Commissioner Kitty Jung and former Washoe County District Attorney Cal Dunlap spoke in favor of Mrs. Feemster at November's school board meeting

Now hit your computers. This is important.

Be well. Raise hell. Stay safe.

Andrew Barbano
CesarChavezNevada.com
RenoSparksNAACP.org
ProtectOurWashoe.org
NevadaLabor.com
SparksTrib.com
BallotBoxing.US
Barbwire.US
(775) 747-0544

Mr. Speaker Bilyeu's letter to the school board—>

May 11, 2020

Dear Members of the Washoe County School Board:

The Washoe County School Board has a great opportunity to make a gesture for and to the community they live in and the community they were elected to represent and serve. It is a simple gesture, which, in my opinion would have a profound positive impact in Northeast Reno AND could help the Board to lessen the impression of many in the community that the Board, appears at times, to be notably tone-deaf to the public they serve.

I have lived in Reno for 34 years and I will have practiced law for almost 50 years. I have had the privilege of being a public servant in various capacities on countless Boards, committees and organizations and have spent time in service as a Deputy District Attorney of two Nevada Counties and as the Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly. I have been active in State and National politics for years. I am now retired from everything other than trying to be a deserving grandfather, husband and a contributing citizen.

I recite these things simply to identify myself and provide some background for my belief that the Board should seize upon this opportunity to do the right thing. To take advantage of this opportunity, all the Board has to do is name their new tech school in honor of the late Dolores Feemster. I never met Ms. Feemster but I do know her from others and from the legacy that she has left behind. She was not a great public figure as those things are reckoned and yet, within the community where she lived and worked, she was a tower of service and strength. She was a dedicated public servant, a respected community leader who worked to improve the lives of those she touched and a courageous civil rights leader during times when Nevada was a less enlightened place than it is today.

I for one, have long disliked the habit of naming any public facility for a politician, be they alive or dead. There are too many politicians whose names adorn buildings, streets and other public places. There is always a rush to have a so called "public servant's" name adorn an edifice. It is rare when a governing body names a public facility for some one who simply serves the public and who serves the public simply.

I will leave it to others to chronicle Ms. Feemster's many achievements in detail. They should not be ignored. They should be honored. The way to honor them is to memorialize Ms. Feemster's accomplishments by naming the new facility for her.

I urge the Board to name the facility for Ms. Dolores Feemster.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Byron L. (Bill) Bilyeu

E-mail addendum: Complete text at RenoSparksNAACP.org along with a substantial but by no means complete archive of Mrs. Feemster's accomplishments. No one has yet found time to take on the herculean task of cataloging all the trophies, plaques, certificates and newspaper clippings found in all those boxes at her house. (Her shelves and walls were reserved for dozens of family photos.)

2:32 a.m. PDT 5-11-2020
Via e-mail

TO: Reno-Sparks NAACP e-lists

DEAR FRIENDS AND FELLOW MEMBERS:

As you may have seen in Sunday's Reno Gazette-Journal, our local school board will vote tomorrow, Tuesday May 12, about re-naming the former Hug High School for former Reno-Sparks NAACP President Dolores Feemster. As many of you know, she worked there as a counselor for 37 years and her little house just down the street became the northeast Reno community center. The re-purposed facility will become a tech/trade school.

Four of the 7 school board members expressed support for Dolores in an open meeting last November when this was originally to be decided. Inexplicably, they took no formal vote.

Now, six months later, it's a tossup and the elected officials plan to decide in a closed quarantined meeting viewable only via YouTube. There will be no public interaction. The only way you can support Dolores is to e-mail the board members via publiccomments@washoeschools.net

The board has fallen back on Internet polling and communication throughout this process and as a result, Mrs. Feemster's northeast Reno neighborhood has been shortchanged. In addition, the board's own school naming policy (No. 7110) states that "To ensure community engagement, the District will use available media, including the Internet and direct mail, to inform...the community of the name submission and selection process."

We are aware of no school district attempt to inform the taxpayers of northeast Reno about this process via direct mail.

Lower income communities of color like northeast Reno have far less computer capability and Internet access than others. Yet, under Nevada's legendarily regressive taxation system, lower income people pay a disproportionate share of taxes for services like schools and roads.

This is why RenoSparksNAACP.org displayed an address by which citizens could support Mrs. Feemster via US Postal Service. (That option is now out of time.)

Please distribute this e-mail widely. Those without Internet access may call me with their names and phone numbers at (775) 747-0544. I will forward their support to the board.

Please feel free to do the same, but use separate e-mail transmissions. Unfortunately, this entire process has been colored by e-mail volume rather than a rational discussion of the various well-qualified candidates. All the contenders are worthy, but our friend Dolores stands in a class by herself. The Reno Gazette-Journal and Sparks Tribune articles at RenoSparksNAACP.org (see below) convincingly make that case, along with the substantial archive about her life and contributions.

Please carbon-copy me with what you send to the board. They will convene at 4:00 p.m. PDT on Tuesday. Stay safe.

Thanks so much for your time and your help.

Sincerely,

Andrew Barbano, First Vice-President
NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch No. 1112
CesarChavezNevada.com
RenoSparksNAACP.org
NevadaLabor.com
SparksTrib.com
(775) 747-0544

SUPPORT DOLORES AT THE WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

A final-final-final decision on re-naming the former Hug High will be made on Tuesday, May 12, 2020. The meeting WILL NOT be open to the public and comments will only be taken online. (Citizens without computer access will thus be shut out. They may call Reno-Sparks NAACP First Vice-President Andrew Barbano at (775) 747-0544 with their names, city of residence and phone number. He will compile a list of Dolores supporters and send it to the school trustees. Thank you.)

The only way to view the closed meeting live will be via the school board's YouTube page. It starts at 4:00 p.m PDT. School naming is agenda item No. 5.09. You may send e-mails during the meeting but we strongly advise voting early and often. [WARNING: YouTube allows comments on its web pages but those are NOT MONITORED by school board members during meetings. YT is not FB. The ONLY way to get your opinion on the record is via mail, either electronic or paper.]

To send your support for Dolores to all seven school board trustees, please do so via both of these addresses: <Samantha.Fredrickson@washoeschools.net> or <publiccomments@washoeschools.net>. Volume of e-mails will have an impact in this detached environment. If you can, please click on your e-mail program's "RR"/return-receipt request feature so that school district staff may confirm arrival your message. Please cc (carbon-copy) or bcc (blind carbon-copy) Reno-Sparks Branch First Vice-President Andrew Barbano via <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>

You may also send in comments via the US Postal Service at P.O. Box 30425, Reno NV 89520 but do it NOW! Anything mailed after Saturday May 9 may not make it in time. Watch this site for continuing updates.

This is important! Thank you and stay tuned.

Make Dolores Feemster's light shine brightly
Renaming of former Hug High before school board Tuesday, May 12
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 5-6-2020 Sparks Tribune

Under Fire
School trustees cancel 2-26-20 vote re-naming Hug High
Open meeting law violation and conflicts of interest alleged
Former Reno-Sparks NAACP President Dolores Feemster back in the hunt
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 2-26-2020 Sparks Tribune

UNR historical website needs interviews with 1960s Reno-Sparks Branch members this week
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 4-29-2020 Sparks Tribune

AFL-CIO Workers Memorial Day April 29, 2020
Including 11 Las Vegas Culinary Union workers dead of COVID-19

Wisconsin and US Supreme Courts forced citizens to risk lives to vote
Extraneous postmark dictum will disallow votes in November
By Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-Elect Jill Karofsky / NYTimes 4-29-2020

Unions: Pandemic used to foil labor organizing nationwide
By Jessica Silver-Greenberg & Rachel Abrams / NYTimes 4-29-2020

1930s ReRun? Nationwide wildcat strikes may revitalize crippled labor movement
Organized capital, hostile courts and a cruel president: "US Supreme Court conservative majority ready to make entire US an open shop"
By Jamelle Bouie / NY Times op-ed 4-29-2020

Three Reno VA hospital AFGE Union members die of virus
First victim, African-American Bruce McAlister, 47, followed by ER nurse Vianna Thompson, 52, who died in the hospital's ICU, and medical technician Alex Gousev, 57
Reno Gazette-Journal 4-journalist team series 3-30 thru 4-10-2020

April 9 / updated May 12 and June 11, 2020

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Lonnie L. Feemster, President (775) 722-0042
NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch No. 1112
<lonnielfeemster@netscape.net>

April-May-June Reno-Sparks NAACP meetings cancelled
Officers and Executive Committee will meet via online conference

Lonnie L. Feemster

I have been at work in study of the large amount of information about the serious problems caused by the Covid 19 Virus. We have a great challenge globally, nationally, locally and on a personal level. Here are good sources of information to help anyone in need during and after the current Covid 19 health emergency.

NAACP National website Coronavirus info
Washoe County Health Dept. Covid 19 information
U.S. Centers for Disease Control
State of Nevada Health Response Info
University of Nevada Sanford Center for Aging
Northern Nevada HOPES free (or sliding scale) community health center
Nevada Health Link / Obamacare
At Nevada Health Link, you may purchase state-certified health insurance plans based on your income.
Local information resources: Dial 211 from any phone

I am working on a virtual NAACP meeting for those who can participate.

We can join with many in our country and internationally to “stay physically distanced and socially connected.“ Call, text, mail, e mail and communicate with others and help however you can. I have some suggestions from many sources around the world and welcome any ideas on best practices that others have found.

PHYSICALLY DISTANT and SOCIALLY CONNECTED — SHOW YOUR LOVE
You can be physically distant and maintain, or even increase, social contact with others during this human challenge to contain and stop the Covid 19 Virus. Even remote social contact can help reduce loneliness. Show genuine interest in others, share positive news and bring up good memories which will enhance relationships and anxiety.

Some suggestions when you are physically distant and socially connected:

1. Say hello or wave to your neighbors from over a fence or across a balcony.
2. Use technology to stay in touch and telephone and letters.
3. Share information on where to find resources and help. Assist people in your life who may not have access to the internet or who cannot easily use the internet to shop online.
4. Talk and share with others who are in your home.
5. Exercise, meditate and keep a daily routine to reduce your stress level.
6. Remember family and friends who need support as well as others in your community. Your show of kindness to others will help them and increase your sense of purpose and good will.

My best wishes, thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.

Lonnie L. Feemster
President, Reno Sparks NAACP
Vice-President, NAACP Tri-State Conference of Idaho/Nevada/Utah
Nevada State Director, NAACP National Voter Fund

Entrenched Inequality: Black Americans Bear the Brunt as Virus Spreads
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot: "Shocking" figures
New York Times front page main story / 4-8-2020

The Pandemic's Missing Data
We're not collecting stats on race and ethnicity we desperately need
By Aletha Maybank, American Medical Assn. Chief Health Equity Officer / New York Times 4-8-2020

Are you ready to die for your country?
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 4-8-2020 Sparks Tribune

Without tests, we're flying blind
By Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal, Kaiser Health News Editor in Chief / New York Times 4-7-2020

Virus is not an equal opportunity killer
By Charles M. Blow / New York Times 4-6-2002

Harriet Glickman dies at 93
The woman who got Franklin added to the "Peanuts" comic strip
New York Times 4-5-2020

Annual Reno-Sparks NAACP Health and Environmental Justice Symposium

March 12, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Lonnie L. Feemster, President (775) 722-0042
NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch No. 1112
<lonnielfeemster@netscape.net>

Andrew Barbano, First Vice-President (775) 786-1455
<barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>
RenoSparksNAACP.org

March 12 Reno-Sparks NAACP meeting cancelled
NAACP TO HOST EMERGENCY TELE-TOWN HALL AHEAD OF CORONAVIRUS’ LIKELY IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

RENO, Nev. — Reno-Sparks NAACP President Lonnie Feemster today announced responses to the Coronavirus/COVID 19 pandemic.

"A number of of people have indicated they will not be able to attend the scheduled Reno-Sparks Branch executive committee and general membership meetings on Thursday evening, March 12. Accordingly, I do not believe it possible to achieve a quorum for either. I am therefore postponing business until the regularly scheduled meeting of April 9, 2020. Please call, text or email me if there are issues that need immediate attention," Feemster said.

"All committee work will continue and I have included some information (below) that may be of interest. Executive Committee and officers are being asked to determine if a special meeting may be required this month.

"After reviewing the U. S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advisory information and the Washoe County Health District spokesperson's input, I feel we can relieve some anxiety and reduce the speed of flu, which will help the local health agencies if there is an increase in the Corona Virus/Covid 19 problem in our community. This is a rapidly changing situation and the information hereinbelow is also available at NAACP.org/

Lonnie L. Feemster
President, Reno Sparks NAACP
Vice President, NAACP Tri-State Conference of Idaho/Nevada/Utah
Nevada State Director, NAACP National Voter Fund

NAACP EMERGENCY TELE-TOWN HALL

Baltimore, MD (March 11, 2020) – On Sunday, March 15, at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 Pacific, the NAACP will host an Emergency Tele-Town Hall — "Coronavirus: COVID-19 and its potential impact on communities of color."

As a civil rights organization and stewards of human rights, the NAACP is feverishly working to ensure that the policies and practices that are born out of this pandemic justly address the health, economic and social needs of all people.

In the United States alone, nearly 1,300 cases of COVID-19 have been reported. Because of the racial and economic inequalities embedded within our country’s infrastructure, the effects of the Coronavirus are likely to be compounded in Black and Brown communities.

“The truth is, there are so many within this nation that are disenfranchised from receiving adequate and affordable care due to socio-economic circumstances," stated Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “This virus will have dire consequences on so many, but specifically African Americans who suffer from higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, lung disease and heart disease.

"With guidance from our Emergency Management Task Force, our Environment and Climate Justice program has put together Ten Equity Implications of the Coronavirus Outbreak in the U.S. which can be viewed on our website," he noted.

Marjorie Innocent, Ph.D., NAACP senior director of health programs, stated, “The safety and well-being of our communities is our primary concern, and we will continue to advocate for access to quality, affordable and timely healthcare and the elimination of race-based discrimination so that the effects of this virus don’t linger long after the outbreak is managed.”

"The Emergency Tele-Town Hall will feature health experts and panelists who will speak to how we can lessen the negative repercussions of this pandemic on our communities." Media interested in joining the Tele-Town Hall may register here.

CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCACY TRAINING INSTITUTE (CRATI)

Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute (CRATI) trains officers and representatives of local units to do the work of the NAACP. The CRATI reaches out to empower our civil rights leaders with new information and skills to aid in our fight for justice and equality. The CRATI is designed for each unit (Adult and Youth) to send participants who will train and lead others.

2020 CRATI UPDATE
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) have advised companies to not only consider canceling non-essential business travel, but to be prepared to modify, postpone, or cancel large events for the safety and well-being of participants.

Yesterday, President Johnson released the following statement regarding Travel Restrictions Due to the Coronavirus.

Given the serious and rapidly changing nature of the Coronavirus outbreak, the NAACP has instituted an immediate restriction on domestic and international travel for all staff. Keeping our staff and volunteer community safe and informed is our top priority. In this moment, it is important that we heed the advice of health officials to implement preventative safety measures. Unless absolutely necessary, staff travel will be restricted until further notice.

In light of this guidance and the threat COVID-19 could pose, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institutes (CRATI).

We know how important this training is to the advocacy work of the NAACP and we will be working to provide an alternative to ensure that those needs are met. Look forward to receiving web-based training opportunities in the near future.

The most up-to-date guidance and resources about the Coronavirus may be accessed here.

____________________________

The Reno-Sparks Branch and Laborers' International Union Local 169 are major sponsors of the region's annual César Chávez celebration which has been re-scheduled to Saturday, May 30, at Reno's Atlantis Resort. The late Dennis Myers will become the first journalist inducted into the César Chávez Nevada Labor Hall of Fame. (CesarChavezNevada.com/)

Reno-Sparks Branch No 1112 will celebrate its founding at its 75th Anniversary Freedom Fund Banquet this coming October. An array of other events involving the US Census, voter education and registration, among others, will be announced as they are finalized.

The Reno-Sparks Branch is part of the nation's oldest civil rights organization which dates from 1909.

Longtime Reno activist and business leader Lonnie L. Feemster is serving his fifth non-consecutive term as Reno-Sparks Branch president. He is Vice-President of the NAACP Tri-State Conference of Idaho/Nevada/Utah and Nevada State Director of the NAACP National Voter Fund.

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Under Fire
School trustees cancel 2-26 vote re-naming Hug High
Open meeting law violation and conflicts of interest alleged
Former Reno-Sparks NAACP President Dolores Feemster back in the hunt
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the Wednesday 2-26-2020 Sparks Tribune

SUPPORT DOLORES AT THE WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

To e-mail all seven school board trustees, click here:<BoardMembers@washoeschools.net> Tune in, turn on, show up at the East 9th Street school board chambers. PERHAPS a final-final-final decision on re-naming the former Hug High will be made on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Perhaps. This is important! Stay tuned.

2019 Black History Archive

Annual Health and Environmental Justice Symposium

Springtime for fat cats & unburied hatchets
Blast from the Past: One of Dolores Feemster's greatest hits is made current by The New York Times.
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the 2-12-2020 Sparks Tribune

Love saves a life on Reno's mean streets
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the 2-5-2020 Sparks Tribune

Courage and repression: Black history has lessons for us all
By Dennis Myers / Reno News & Review cover story 2-7-14

Reno-Sparks NAACP Commemorates "Great White Hope" Fight of the Century

Yerington racism case settled

Dolores Feemster 1929-2018

Latest Klannish Nevada racism reports
Darryl K. Feemster, Sr., 1962-2017

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MLK weekend events

NEW JIM CROW AUTHOR: "Everything has changed and nothing has changed"

INJUSTICE ON REPEAT: From mass incarceration to mass deportation, our nation remains in denial
By Michelle Alexander / The New York Times / Jan. 17 & 19, 2020
Printable text version

Ms. Alexander has just released the 10th anniversary edition of her seminal bestseller, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness," from which the above is adapted.

READ IT. PRINT IT. POST IT. CIRCULATE IT. IT'S IMPORTANT!

In hoc signo vinces.

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