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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 29 OcTOber 2019

Arkansas lawmaker, civil rights attorney John Walker dies

By ANDREW DeMILLO was black and that his free-
Associated Press speech rights were violat-
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — ed.
John Walker, an Arkansas "He was always the under-
lawmaker and civil rights dog, but would fight to be
attorney who represented on top," Richardson said
black students in a long- Monday.
running court fight over In recent years, Walker
the desegregation of Little criticized the state's 2015
Rock area schools, has takeover of the Little Rock
died. He was 82. School District because of
The Pulaski County coroner low test scores at several
said Walker died at his Little schools. A federal judge
Rock home Monday morn- in 2016 dismissed a lawsuit
ing but the cause of death filed by Walker and other
was not yet known. Funeral attorneys that claimed the
arrangements are pend- takeover was motivated
ing. by racial discrimination.
Walker, a Democrat had The state earlier this month
represented a Little Rock voted to return control of
district in the state House the district to a local board
since 2011. He had been that will be elected in No-
involved in some of the vember 2020.
state's most high-profile dis- "John always was a gen- In this March 25, 2015 file photo, Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock, speaks at the Arkansas state
crimination and civil rights tleman and proved ev- Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. - In this March 25, 2015 file photo, Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock,
cases, including the de- ery day that you can get speaks at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. Associated Press
segregation case, which along with people even
stemmed from a 1982 law- though there may be dis-
suit the Little Rock school agreements," Republican
district filed against the Gov. Asa Hutchinson said
state and neighboring dis- in a statement. "He worked
tricts over racial disparities tirelessly for the causes he
that remained decades af- championed and for the
ter the 1957 integration of people he represented."
Central High School. Walker spoke out in the
"What he did in this state House whenever he be-
made a difference for ev- lieved legislation's impact
eryone in this state," state on African-Americans
Sen. Joyce Elliott, chair- wasn't being considered,
woman of the Legislative and was an outspoken op-
Black Caucus. "I don't think ponent of voter ID require-
everyone will realize the full ments. A 2013 voter ID law
measure of that for quite was struck down by the
some time." state Supreme Court, but Investment
Federal judges have ruled the Republican Legislature
Little Rock and North Little passed a reworked version Leisure
Rock school substantially in 2017 and voters last year Family Time
complied with a 1998 de- placed the requirement in Enjoyment
segregation plan, and the the state's constitution.
two remaining districts in "I dare say you'll find any of Retirement
the case are seeking re- your colleagues in this body All that in one place: Coral Shell Condominium Aruba
lease. of my color who will sup-
Walker had also represent- port this," Walker said from
ed former Razorbacks bas- the House floor as he op-
ketball coach Nolan Rich- posed the 2013 measure.
ardson in his unsuccessful "It doesn't matter what their Contact us:
lawsuit against the Univer- leanings are. What you're Email: Marisabeldaboin@hotmail.com
sity of Arkansas challenging doing in effect is saying we Deluxerealestatenv@gmail.com
his 2002 firing. don't care about what you Phone: 297 594 6745 or 297 587 9170 (Aruba)
Richardson had claimed think, we're going to do this 58 4123277132 (Venezuela )
Website: https://www.coralshellaruba.com
he was fired because he anyway."q