African-Americans

April 8, 2008 -- A report in the Politico today exposes McCain's disconnect with the African American community in his home state just days after McCain acknowledged having made 'a mistake' when he opposed making MLK Day a holiday. According to the report, despite having represented Arizona over the past quarter century McCain has not established a strong relationship with the state's black community.

As the Politico notes, "the widespread perception of activists in the state's traditional civil rights organizations and the African-American press is that McCain has consistently treated them with indifference."

The following are excerpts of the story:

Arizona Blacks: Where's McCain?
Politico
By: Jonathan Martin
April 8, 2008    » read more »

Prepared remarks provided below

April 04, 2008 -- Fort Wayne, IN - Speaking in Fort Wayne this morning, Senator Barack Obama commemorated the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, calling on Americans to continue King's lifelong pursuit of social and economic justice.

Barack Obama supporters: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)

Obama was introduced at the event by Mike Riley, Indiana Campaign Chairman for Senator Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 presidential run. Riley was with Kennedy in Indianapolis when word hit that that Dr. King had been killed.    » read more »

Legislation creates commemorative coin celebrating the progress of the Civil Rights Act

April 2, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today applauded the House of Representatives' passage of legislation to create a commemorative coin to recognize the landmark strides of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Senator Barack Obama: Photo by Daniella Zalcman (CC)    » read more »

Soledad O’Brien Anchors Documentaries, Special Reports for Four Months Beginning on Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death

Underscores Her Plan to Fight HIV/AIDS Plaguing the African-American Community

2/7/2008 -- On the seventh annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Senator Clinton underscored her commitment to fight HIV/AIDS at home and abroad, and to reduce the disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS in communities of color. HIV/AIDS is a worldwide epidemic and impacts tens of thousands of Americans each year.    » read more »

February 1, 2008 -- Today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, Vice Chair Lottie Shackelford and Black Caucus Chair Virgie Rollins issued the following joint statement celebrating the start of Black History Month:    » read more »

2/1/2008 -- February is Black History Month and a time when we honor the significant contributions that African-Americans have made to the American culture and way of life. We reflect and pay special tribute to the courageous men and women who through their action and steadfastness opened doors paving the way for future generations. They were true American trailblazers and their efforts made an indelible mark on our great country.    » read more »

1/30/2008 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley has proclaimed February as Black History Month and urges citizens to observe and honor the influence of African Americans on the cultural heritage of North Carolina. Educational opportunities are planned for museums and historic sites across the state during the month of February.    » read more »

Events scheduled in Minnesota to raise awareness

January 25, 2008 -- Every day, 72 African Americans are infected with HIV in the United States. Although African Americans are approximately 13 percent of the population of the U.S., they represent nearly half of the total AIDS cases reported in this country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).    » read more »

January 18, 2008 -- As the nation prepares to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, the Economic Policy Institute warned that a national economic recession will result in disproportionately high unemployment rates for African Americans unless Congress enacts an emergency program to reduce joblessness and restore working people’s purchasing power.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (Dec. 18, 2007) – Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow top newspapers to own a broadcast station in the same media market. Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, issued the following statement:    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- Washington, DC – “I am deeply disappointed by the FCC's decision to overturn longstanding media cross-ownership rules, and to do so with a grossly flawed and widely criticized process.

The FCC is now actively promoting industry consolidation, but it is not addressing serious questions about consumer choice and localism. The Commission acted without giving the public sufficient time to comment.

And the Commission completely disregarded the concerns of a bipartisan group of more than 25 Senators who urged a more deliberative approach.    » read more »

12/18/2007 -- WASHINGTON, December 18 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on today’s vote by the Federal Communications Commission to overturn a 32-year-old media cross-ownership ban and allow broadcasters in the nation's 20 largest media markets to also own a newspaper:    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ruling to allow greater media consolidation across the country. This ruling will allow large media outlets to become larger, potentially cutting out small business, women and minority-owned firms.    » read more »

December 17, 2007 -- Springfield, IL -- The African American members of the Illinois General Assembly today unanimously endorsed Barack Obama for President. The African American members of the Chicago City Council unanimously endorsed Obama this fall.

"Barack Obama has spent 20 years delivering change we can believe in to communities across Illinois," said Senate President Emil Jones.    » read more »