Long Branch, NJ – It is a normal routine for Avery Grant. On the scheduled days, the community activist, Long Board of Education member, Volunteer Executive Director of the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Long Branch, NJ, and former runner for Mayor of the city attends the Long Branch City Council meetings. Grant says he attends the meetings to address his concerns as a citizen of the community. Most recently, he has been going to the council meetings as a representative of the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Long Branch to get a permit for a plaque to honor two deceased chairpersons, Sharmaine Patterson and Julia Wheeler. But as his attendance to the meetings continued, Avery Grant saw how things can turn around in a blink of an eye.

On January 5th, Mr. Grant alleges he received very disparate treatment from Mayor Adam Schneider and council members while trying to make a professional presentation. Determined not to remain silent, on January 26th, Avery Grant returned for business as usual to fight for causes that concerned him. But this time his appeal to the council would end up having him interrupted and ultimately removed from the podium to speak. The video of Avery Grant during the Long Branch City Council meeting on January 26th has made its rounds on Facebook, and what initially caught my attention.

That day Avery Grant says he attended the meeting to address the council about the treatment he received at the January 5th meeting and to continue his plight with the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Long Branch to request a permit for a plaque. But Avery Grant never got to finish his speech or his appeal as he was cut off mid-sentence by a council member and Mayor Adam Schneider. In the video Grant begins with stating the policy of a citizen to address the council. You must state your name, address, and the group you’re with, if any. Each person has five minutes to speak. Grant begins to address the council about the treatment he received on the Jan. 5th council meeting.

“I was appalled … I was appalled because in 1959, I received better treatment sitting at a whites only cafeteria counter in Louisville, KY than I received here. Maybe I should have expected this because some of your family roots probably go back to when the Ku Klux Klan marched down ..”. It then becomes inaudible as Grant is interrupted by Mayor Adam Schneider and a woman council member identified as the President. “I’m not going to stop, this is my time”, Grant says. The woman tells Grant to continue his speech, but the exchange words and interruption continued. You can hear Mayor Adam Schneider say “are you comparing me to the KKK? … That is offensive and a bigoted comment”. Grant never had the chance to finish and was asked to leave the mic and sit down. That he did, he says.

Grant says he was interrupted because of his comment on the KKK but he says he never said or his intentions were to say the Mayor or his family was a KKK member. In his speech that he never got to finish, Grant speaks of the history of Long Branch “when the KKK used to hold parades down Broadway – and blacks had to sit in the balcony at the movie theater”. Grant says he was only speaking of the history of Long Branch. It can be seen that he might have been connecting it to present day.

You can be the own judge and jury of the video. But Grant says the treatment he received from Mayor Adam Schneider and council members was “appalling and disrespectful” and this “isn’t the first time it has happened”. Grant has affirmed despite the treatment he received that night, he will continue his plight for the community of Long Branch, NJ and the Concerned Citizens Coalition.

When asked about how everything went down, Grant says he felt badly because that night was supposed to be about Sharmaine Patterson and Julia Wheeler and all the wonderful things they have done for the Long Branch community. They deserve recognition and the plaque he is fighting for them on the Seaview Avenue Bridge.

The Concerned Citizens Coalition of Long Branch was formed by Sharmaine Patterson and Julia Wheeler when 30 – 40 residents in two public housing projects became very sick from fumes from the the excavation of highly contaminated sol at a site next to them. Grant was one of the people called by them to take the sick to the hospital. Patterson and Wheeler were instrumental in causing the new Seaview Avenue Bridge to be built, caused 292 residents to be compensated for personal injuries and sickness in $30 million lawsuits, caused the New Jersey Natural Gas company to give $5 million to support the rents for these residents to relocate, helped upgrading the Long Branch Sewage Treatment Plant to reduce toxious orders, and assisted with the approval of HOPE VI funding.

During my interview with Grant, he asserted that he feels Long Branch council should have more concern for the betterment of the community, which is predominately black. In regards for the plight against the toxic area around Seaview Manor, Grant said:

“The city is the first line of defense”. Meaning, the people of the community should feel comfortable coming to them first before going to anyone else.

Grant says Long Branch has transformed into a fine community but still needs to continue to work together for the betterment of the community. Grant feels the sense of community has greatly diminished. Programs like the Soccer League, the International Festival no longer exist. And that the community is not directly benefiting from Pier Village and eminent domain has destroyed that. So just like any activist would, he feels like there is still more work to do.

Avery Grant says he plans to attend the city council meeting on February 9th to continue to keep addressing the concerns of the community and fight for the plaque for Patterson and Wheeler. He encourages people in the community to come if they have issues themselves. Long Branch City Council meetings are held 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7:30 PM in the Conference Room.

Video Credit : Anthony DeLuca Jr.

Asbury Park, NJ – Many Monmouth County residents came out to the first of many free expungement sessions to be held at St. Stephen AME Church in Asbury Park, NJ. The session was organized by C.A.N Community Action Network of Asbury Park. The session allowed Monmouth County residents to have questions and concerns about their criminal record and how the expungement program works answered.

C.A.N of Asbury Park realized the urgent concern of individuals in the community to get their lives back after facing an unfair systematic justice system. People’s deepest concerns were being able to assimilate back into society. There were community volunteers and lawyers that provided their service pro-bono to be able to help with the process of expungement.

The ground rules for the expungement process was communicated to the audience in attendance. They were told that the expungement process will be a continuum effort to get the system to work for them.

Step 1 for people who met the all criteria is to get get a copy of their criminal record and return back to the next meeting that is schedule for Friday April 8th 2016, at 7pm at the St. Stephen AMEZ Church in Asbury Park NJ.

The Asbury Park Neptune (APN) chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. of New Jersey is teaming up with Perkins (Hwy 35 Neptune) this Saturday April 2nd to raise money for their scholarship fund. Perkins will be donating 15% of every check with the attached coupon to their chapter. Please bring your husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends, children, and friends to Perkins and have a meal for APN!

Join the NUPES as we welcome the newest line of the Asbury Park-Neptune Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., R.O.A.D.- “Resurrection Of A Dream”. This line embodies the “The Dreamers” vision of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor with dignity and pride. Support them as they embark on the long R.O.A.D. to bridge the emerging traditions of our bond with the 105 years of tradition which has been cultivated by our brotherhood. These new brothers represent the re-emergence of APN.

Saturday April 16th 7:11p

Walter J. Conley Lodge #1379

91 Throckmorton Street, Freehold, NJ 07728

$20 Entrance Fee of $10 w/ canned good

Pericles is currently running at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ until May 8th. The play by William Shakespeare is directed by by David Schweizer and choreographed by Dan Knechtges. The production adds a different twist to Shakespeare’s play with a comedic undertone and original music by Rinde Eckert with musical direction by Ian Axness. Pericles is set in a dive bar at the end of the world, East Village-esque, with a hip live band onstage.

Pericles is a captivating story about romance and adventure. When Pericles discovers King Antiochus’ incestuous relationship with his daughter, Pericles must leave his Kingdom. Through this journey he is troubled by the loss of his beloved wife, Thaisa while navigating and battling a brutal storm at sea. Overwhelmed with grief, Pericles entrusts the care of his newborn daughter, Marina to Governor Cleon and his wife, Dionyza believing that his child will be well taken cared of. But as Marina grows to be more beautiful and charming than Cleon and Dionyza’s own daughter, Dionyza plots to murder Marina. Pericles is an entralling story that takes the audience through some twists and turns. Two River Theater manages to take Shakepeare’s classic piece and staged the production with a modern spin.

Featured in the cast is J. Clint Allen, Philippe Bowgen, Rinde Eckert, Ellen Harvey, Kevin Mambo, Nikki Massoud and Mary Testa. The Musicians include Ian Axness and Will Bernard.

Pericles will run until May 8th. For more information, please visit trtc.org

This is huge as Michael Jordan has relatively been silent for years on the issues of race and policing. The basketball legend has released a statement sharing his sentiments on the events happening in America :

As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers. I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well, Michael Jordan said.

“I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late. I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers – who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported.

“Over the past three decades I have seen up close the dedication of the law enforcement officers who protect me and my family. I have the greatest respect for their sacrifice and service. I also recognize that for many people of color their experiences with law enforcement have been different than mine. I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change.

“To support that effort, I am making contributions of $1 million each to two organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Institute for Community-Police Relations’ policy and oversight work is focused on building trust and promoting best practices in community policing. My donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s oldest civil rights law organization, will support its ongoing work in support of reforms that will build trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference.

“We are privileged to live in the world’s greatest country – a country that has provided my family and me the greatest of opportunities. The problems we face didn’t happen overnight and they won’t be solved tomorrow, but if we all work together, we can foster greater understanding, positive change and create a more peaceful world for ourselves, our children, our families and our communities.”

Long Branch, NJ – It was a long overdue battle, but with the help of the Concerned Citizens of Long Branch, they got it done! On Saturday October 8th, a dedication ceremony was held at Seaview Avenue bridge to honor Sharmaine Patterson and Julia Wheeler for their contributions to the Long Branch community in helping trail blaze the remediation of the gas plant site and troutman’s creek insuring the health and safety of the community!

Asbury Park, NJ – On Tuesday October 26, the Monmouth County Democrats held a Black American Caucus, a candidate forum of local public officials running for office in the upcoming November 8th election. As the election nears, community members came to St. Augustine’s Church in Asbury Park, NJ to hear candidates positions on how they plan to advocate for change within their communities in Monmouth County, NJ.

Attendees were Jeffery Cantor, running for Sheriff, Matthew Doherty & Brenda C. Fulton, running for Board of Chosen Freeholders, Vincent Solomeno, III running for Surgo, and Lorna Phillpson, running for District 4 Congressional Seat, with guest speakers Congressman Frank Pallone, and Daniel Harris, who is running for Asbury Park City Council. Each candidate spoke about the plans they planned to change or implement if elected into officer.

The tone was clear, there is a need for change within our educational system when it comes to student loan debt and more representation of African-Americans within our government. Frank Pallone talked about an African-American who was accepted to Rutgers Engineering School, but decided to get a two year degree because he didn’t want to incur an enormous amount of debt.  Frank Pallone said that’s absolutely insane as everyone should have the opportunity to become that lawyer, doctor, or engineer without being deterred because of student loans.

The conversation continued with New Jersey high costs of  living as Loran Phillpson, who is running for District 4 Congressional Seat, talked about the need to make New Jersey wages higher and livable.

“A living wage in New Jersey is $20, and here we are fighting for $15 dollars and that still isn’t enough”

The forum was very candid as many of the candidates talked about the need for more black representation in our community and the curbing of systematic racism.

Jeffery Cantor who is running for Monmouth County Sheriff stressed the importance for the need for more African-American representation in government office.

“There are more African-Americans in jail, than there are representing in office”.

Check out some highlights below of the forum. Be sure to be in the know about the candidates that are running for office. Election day is November 8th!

A video is starting to go viral of a woman and her daughters being arrested after she called the police to assist with a matter. The woman has now been identified as Jacqueline Craig and her two daughters. They have now been released from custody. 

The video shows a Fort Worth, TX police officer antagonizing, manhandling, and then arresting the woman and her daughter. Initially, the woman called the police because a man (neighbor), who happens to be white, had allegedly assaulted her 7-year-old son for “littering”. After briefly speaking with the man, the police officer walks over to the woman and says:

“What’s going on with you?”

“My daughter and son came home, saying that this man grabbed him and choked him,” the mother said as her daughter recorded. “I came around here and asked him. I said, ‘Why did you put your hands on my son?’ He said, ‘Oh, he threw some paper and I told him to pick it up.’ He said he defied him and that’s why he did it…you don’t have the right to choke somebody’s son. My son is 7-years-old, you don’t have the right to grab him and choke him.”

In response to the mother’s obvious concerns and distress, the police officer asked in a condescending tone, “Why don’t you teach your son not to litter?”

“He can’t prove to me that he did or didn’t, but it doesn’t matter,” the mother said. “That doesn’t give him the right to put his hands on him.”

The officer then responded, “Why not?”

Things now go to another level. At this point, the mother, visibly upset told the officer that he didn’t know what she taught her children, made it clear that he was wrong for interrogating her in the manner he was instead of the man that assaulted her 7-year-old son.

The officer, completely suffering from selective memory forgetting that he had not just suggested that the man had a right to assault her child, asked, “Why are you yelling?”

She explained that she was “pissed off” that he would even suggest that her son deserved to be assaulted and questioned her parenting skills, to which he responded, “If you keep yelling at me, you’re going to piss me off and I’m going take you to jail.”

When the woman’s daughter attempted to get in between her and the officer, he pushed her out of the way, grabbed the mother pushed her to the ground, pressed a Taser into her back, then pointed the Taser at her family.

Watch The Video Below:

The man who allegedly assaulted the child stood by quietly as the police officer treated a group of black women, mother and daughters, like they were nothing but violent criminals.

The police officer eventually detained the person recording the assault and took her phone.

At the beginning of the video, you can hear one of the daughter’s say, “Don’t yell, mama.”

In certain cases, we would request to see more information before jumping to conclusions. However, this video gives me all the information I need to see this was unjustified. The way this officer escalated and antagonized this woman was unprofessional. He dismissed the alleged violence by a man towards a 7-year-old and directed his focus and questioned parenting skills to a concerned mother. His job is not to be a judge and jury, but to protect and serve when citizens call you while in distress. He failed big time. Three innocent people are still sitting in jail for calling the police to protect them.

This situation is one of the many reasons why, unfortunately, people of color are afraid to call the police or interact with them. This police officer was nothing but a coward with a gun displaying aggression while abusing his power. This is why people say black lives matter. It is not about an organization, it is literally about the statement. Black lives do matter and this officer that day showed it didn’t.

We are still waiting for a statement from the Fort Worth police department on the matter.

Join the NUPES as we welcome the newest line of the Asbury Park-Neptune Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., R.O.A.D.- “Resurrection Of A Dream”. This line embodies the “The Dreamers” vision of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor with dignity and pride. Support them as they embark on the long R.O.A.D. to bridge the emerging traditions of our bond with the 105 years of tradition which has been cultivated by our brotherhood. These new brothers represent the re-emergence of APN.

Saturday April 16th 7:11p

Walter J. Conley Lodge #1379

91 Throckmorton Street, Freehold, NJ 07728

$20 Entrance Fee of $10 w/ canned good

Memorial Day is a day to commemorate those who have served in our armed forces and for their dedication. Union General John Logan is often credited for founding Memorial Day. The commander-in-chief of the Veteran’s organization entitled “Grand Army of The Republic” issued a decree establishing a day that would be called “Decoration Day” on May 5th, 1868.

But a crucial part of its history has been erased. On May 1st, 1865 former Black slaves started Memorial Day in America. It occurred in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp.

As African-American Registry Reports:
They dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. Together with teachers and missionaries, Black residents of Charleston organized a May Day ceremony that year which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers.

The freedmen cleaned up and landscaped the burial ground, building an enclosure and an arch labeled, “Martyrs of the Race Course.” Nearly ten thousand people, mostly freedmen, gathered on May 1 to commemorate the war dead. Involved were about 3,000 Black school children newly enrolled in Freedmen’s schools, mutual aid societies, Union troops, Black ministers, and White northern missionaries. Most brought flowers to be placed on the burial field. Years later, the celebration would come to be called the “First Decoration Day” in the North.

David W. Blight described the day: “This was the first Memorial Day. African Americans invented Memorial Day in Charleston, South Carolina. What you have there is black Americans recently freed from slavery announcing to the world with their flowers, their feet, and their songs what the war had been about. What they basically were creating was the Independence Day of a Second American Revolution.”

Join the NUPES as we welcome the newest line of the Asbury Park-Neptune Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., R.O.A.D.- “Resurrection Of A Dream”. This line embodies the “The Dreamers” vision of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor with dignity and pride. Support them as they embark on the long R.O.A.D. to bridge the emerging traditions of our bond with the 105 years of tradition which has been cultivated by our brotherhood. These new brothers represent the re-emergence of APN.

Saturday April 16th 7:11p

Walter J. Conley Lodge #1379

91 Throckmorton Street, Freehold, NJ 07728

$20 Entrance Fee of $10 w/ canned good