Staten Island District Attorney and New York Republican Dan Donovan (pictured), the man who failed to indict the cop who was responsible for the death of Eric Garner, is slated to run for Congress. Donovan is eyeing the seat which is held by Rep. Michael Grimm (D-NY) who is expected to resign from Congress after dealing with tax evasion claims. Grimm faced a 20-count indictment in April. In a statement released by Donovan, he said he is “deeply flattered by the enthusiastic expressions of support” that he has received and is strongly considering entering the race. “I will make an announcement after the due deliberation such an important decision deserves,” Donovan said in the statement. Donovan’s decision to enter the race will add another layer to the ongoing controversy concerning police brutality in New York City. Read more.
Chicago Teen Pens Letter to Santa Claus Asking for Safety and Gets Response from President
Every year children across the country pen letters to Santa Claus, in hopes of getting toys, electronics, and other material things. This year, Chicago teen Malik Bryant asked for something relevant to the obstacles within society today. Thirteen-year-old Bryant penned a letter asking for safety. He didn’t receive a response from Santa, but he got one from President Barack Obama. “All I ask for is for safety,” wrote Bryant. His letter was one of nearly 8,500 written by Chicago Public Schools students that were sent through a program organized by Direct Effect Charities. CEO of the charity Michelle DiGiacomo passed the letter on to Rep. Michael Quigley (D-Illinois) who then sent it to the White House. “Please know your security is our priority for me and everything I do as President,” wrote President Obama. Although Bryant was surprised that he got a response from POTUS, he believes there are still issues within the country that need to be resolved. “I’m surprised like he wrote it, but it’s not going to solve safety [issues] out here; it’s still dangerous,” he said. Read more.
Blacks in the U.S. Incarcerated At Higher Rates Than South Africans During Apartheid
According to a news study, The United States imprisons more African Americans than South Africa did during Apartheid. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that, in 2010, the incarceration rate for Black men in all of the country’s jails and prisons was 4,347 people per 100,000. A report released by The Sentencing Project showed that 851 black South Africans were incarcerated per 100,000 in 1993. “The United States imprisons a larger percentage of its Black population than South Africa did at the height of Apartheid,” said New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof. Read more.
