Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 4-9-21

Features
Police Department Unveils Monument Honoring Officers
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Saturday, members of the community came together at the Tampa Police Department, 411 N. Franklin Street. The purpose of the gather- ing was to unveil a historic monument paying trib- ute to four officers who filed a lawsuit to end discrimination at the department.
The monument highlights the actions of now retired Lt. Clarence Nathan, Sgt. Rufus Lewis Cpl. Frank Gray, and Officer James Dukes. The four men, now referred to as the “Fearless Four,” filed the lawsuit with the U. S. Equal Em- ployment Opportunity Commission, against the Tampa Police Department in 1974.
Their action led to a conciliatory agreement that affected the city, county, and state govern- ments and created fairer practices and policies for all minority officers and city employees.
Mayor Jane Castor and Chief Brian Dugan paid tribute to all four officers by unveiling the Historic Monument which is located on the first floor of the Tampa Police Department.
Clarence Nathan said, “It was greater than what we had expected. It exceeded my expecta- tions.
“When we started out, numerous thoughts came into vision about the blatant disregard and disrespect Black officer endured. But the lawsuit changed the entire city government. Our goal was to make it a better work environment for every- one.”
Rufus Lewis said, “I was very impressed and overwhelmed. I thought this was something I
The Fearless Four are shown standing in front of their photographs while at the Tampa Police Depart- ment.
would never see. It was just breath-taking. It’s for the community and the world to understand the things Blacks had to endure for no reason. I always have to thank God for His blessings and my parents for raising me the way they did.”
Frank Gray said, “It’s nice to receive your flowers while you can see them and hear kind words while you can feel their comfort.”
James Dukes said, “It was the greatest thing that could have happened to us. I’m glad the Chief, the Mayor, Councilman Orlando Gudes, and City Council decided to recognize this great occasion. It has changed the history of Tampa and government forever.”
During the 70s and 80s, the Tampa Police De- partment began promoting Blacks to positions of rank. A trail blazer, Curtis Lane became the first Black to reach the ranks of Major, Colonel, and Deputy Chief.
Bennie Holder became the first Black ap- pointed to the rank of Chief of Police.
Gilbertina (Tina) Wright became the first Black woman to reach the ranks of Lt. Captain, Major, and Assistant Chief during her tenure.
(Photography by Tonya Lewis).
COVID 19 Mobile Vaccination Site Will Offer Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
Hillsborough County
Commissioner Gwen Myers is in partnership with Florida Division of Emergency Management, and the Florida Department of Health with the state COVID vaccination pro- gram to host a Mobile Unit of Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Sunday, April 11, 2021, be- tween 10 a. m. and 5 p. m., at Greater Bethel M. B. Church, Inc., located at, 1207 North Jefferson Street, downtown, Tampa where Dr. Brett Snowden serves as Pastor.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will serve a maximum of 400 eligible individuals aged 18 and older on a first come basis. This is another opportu- nity for persons who wants to be vaccinated to come to the Mobile unit.
“There is no on-line regis- tration or telephone registra- tion....just show up, complete form, and be vaccinated. We
COMM. GWEN MYERS
want everyone who wants to be vaccinated to have an opportu- nity to come on Sunday and re- ceive this service,” said Commissioner Myers.
“In addition, we appreciate the continuing partnership with the City of Tampa Police Department who has always provided traffic control to en- sure public safety of our citi- zens during COVID events,” said Commissioner Myers.
Tampa Attorney Recalls His Relationship With Congressman Hastings
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Congressman Alcee Hastings passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2021 of pancreatic cancer in Ft. Lauderdale He was 84 years old.
He was Florida's first Black federal judge, after being appointed in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. He was part of the first Black members of Congress from Florida since Reconstruction.
He had a stellar career, starting out as a civil rights attorney.
Atty. Warren Hope Dawson recalls his re- lationship over the past years with Congressman Hastings, since they were law school students.
At one point, they were both at Howard Uni- versity in Washington, D. C., studying law. Hast- ings transferred and earned his law degree from Florida A&M University Law School.
That separation did not hurt their connection as friends as Atty. Dawson also returned to Florida to begin his practice. “I knew him as a lawyer, judge and congressman.”
When Hastings ran for office, Atty. Dawson (who was President) asked him to be the keynote speaker for the National Bar Association. That was in 1983.
Hastings became a Circuit Judge in Ft. Laud- erdale, while Joseph Hatchett of Clearwater was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court.
Justice Hastings was charged with a crime while a federal judge. Atty. Dawson testified as a character witness on his behalf. Justice Hast- ings was acquitted and removed from the federal
ATTORNEY WARREN HOPE DAWSON
CONGRESSMAN ALCEE HASTINGS
judgeship. “He immediately ran for Congress and got elected 15 times, serving more than 30 years in the U. S. Congress from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area,” Atty. Dawson stated.
“Congressman Alcee Lamar Hastings, a fellow lawyer and contemporary of mine, was an American politician and judge. He was a Democ- rat and served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 23rd Con- gressional District from 1993 to 2013 and Florida's 20th Congressional District from 2013 until his death.”
The 20th district includes most of the major- ity-black precincts in and around Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. He previously served as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida for 10 years.
“Throughout his career, Alcee distinguished himself in his willingness to speak truth to power. Simply stated, he was a fighter for the causes he believed in and he was a champion for the under- dog, the unrepresented and the unpopular,” Atty. Dawson said.
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