SLICE REPORT WEEK-ENDING 3.26.21: Biden speaks to press, Voter suppression bill in Georgia, Reparations in Illinois
Georgia governor under fire for election law
On Thursday, Georgia voters protested Gov. Brian Kemp for singing a bill that Democrats claim suppresses the black vote. The election law overhaul gives the State Election Board new powers to intervene in county election offices and to remove and replace local election officials. The GOP-backed action even restricts people from handing out bottled water to those waiting in long voting lines -- giving food or drink under the law is considered a misdemeanor offense intended to prevent political organizations from influencing the vote. In his first presser with the media Thursday Pres. Joe Biden called the legislation a blatant attack on the Constitution and "Jim Crow in the 21st Century". Later adding angrily, "You can't provide water for people about to vote." Give me a break." The Justice Department is investigating the latter restriction. Several Civil Rights organizations are challenging this new law in court. Former Responding in a statement, Donald Trump is still pushing the fairytale that the election was stolen from him there and it's "too bad these laws were not changed earlier."
Arkansas aims latest laws at LGBT community
Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas sent a message on Friday that trans athletes must stay in their lanes. He prohibited male born athletes from participating in school sports with females. He also signed a law allowing doctors to refuse to treat patients based on religious or moral objections, which opponents say aims to reject patients from the LGBTQ community. Hutchison says the legislation does not override federal discrimination laws.
The strength of COVID-19 vaccinations are being tested in new trial of college students
Doctor Anthony Fauci just announced there's a new Covid-19 trial for college students that began on Thursday. The trial seeks to determine the rate of contagiousness among students. It will answer the question of whether vaccinated, asymptotic people can spread the infection.
Plus, moms-to-be using the au naturale feeding methods have a major advantage over bottled formula. of ew research finds that pregnant moms who were vaccinated for the Coronavirus were immune. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, also found the moms’ antibodies were present in their umbilical cord blood and breast milk, suggesting they pass on immunity to their babies.
Supermarket massacre in Boulder
On Monday a gunman purchased an AR55 automatic weapon and used it it kill 10 people at a King Super grocery store in Boulder Colorado. Four days later, investigators still don't know why 21-year-old Al Aliwi Alissa who survived the rampage acted out in terror. His attack was the seventh shooting massacre in seven days which CNN reports was due to an increase in violence as the nation moves to re-open. This tragedy has revived the debate on gun control reform.
Spotlight on Women's History - Mahalia Jackson was an advocate for Civil Rights
Mahalia Jackson not only used her voice to sing, she used it as a warrior for civil rights -- marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jackson was sometimes shunned in the church for her bluesy style which propelled her to becoming the first commercially viable, "cross-over" gospel singer. She refused to sing anything but gospel, turning down many offers to convert to mainstream music. That may be due to former bluesman Thomas Dorsey being her pianist. For more on the life of the "Mother of Gospel" watch Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia on the Lifetime Network on Saturday April 3 at 8/7 Central.
Mona Austin reporting.
