Page 4 - 5-12-15 Tuesday's Edition

Local Gunman Robs Women
In East Tampa Beauty Salon
Mayor Says NO! To Suspending Citations To Bicyclists
BEAUTY SHOP
The armed suspect entered Andrews Sisters/Mercedes Beauty Salon on Thursday afternoon. He fled after robbing the patrons and salon operators. (Photography by BRUNSON)
ROBBERY VICTIMS
Ms. Gertude Andrews, Ms. Grace Jones, and Ms. Mer- cedes Battle were three of the six victims of the robbery. (Photography by BRUNSON)
After obtaining cash from the customers, he ran from the scene. He is described as a Black man approximately 6 feet tall and weighing between 130 to 145 pounds. He was wearing a black shirt and dark colored jeans.
On Wednesday, April 29th, City Council Chair, Frank Reddick was invited to a meeting with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Tampa-Hillsborough NAACP. The meeting was called to discuss what to do about the police department’s targeting of African Americans in writing citations to bicy- clists.
“We were asking Mayor Bob Buckhorn to suspend the citations until the review from the Justice Department has been completed,” said Chair Reddick.
“The Mayor said no. Attor- ney Warren Dawson asked if the Council has the power to hold up the confirmation of Eric Ward as the new Police Chief. My response was that I’m not in a position of con- firming whether I will or won’t hold it up.”
Chair Reddick said he’s met with Chief Ward as part of a committee they’re on about youth summer employ- ment.
“What I don’t understand is
Councilwoman Lisa Mon-
FRANK REDDICK CITY COUNCIL CHAIR
telione was also at the meet- ing, but the media quoted me as saying I wanted the confir- mation held up. That’s a com- plete misquote.”
Council Chair Reddick
said there is still a problem with the citations, and he plans to monitor the act through the police depart- ment, as well as meeting with Chief Ward to find a solution to the problem.
Calls to Mayor Buck- horn’s office weren’t re- turned.
On Thursday afternoon, an unidentified man robbed an East Tampa business. He fled the scene on foot.
According to police, the man entered Andrews Sisters/Mer- cedes Beauty Salon, 3619 N. 29th Street, shortly after 12:30 p.m. He was wearing a ban- dana to cover his face as he pointed a handgun at the cus- tomers and stylists and de-
manded money.
The women inside the busi-
ness at the time of the robbery were: Ms. Grace J. Williams, Ms. Gertrude Andrews, Ms. Amazing Grace Jones, Ms. Mer- cedes Battle, Ms. Cassan- dra Murphy, and Ms. Brenda Battle. None of the victims were injured, police said.
Local March Supported Baltimore
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
“Either you stand for some- thing, for fall for anything.” That old quote has been the standard that has guided Ali Muhammad (Clarence Jones) to speak out against injustice and other problems going on in Tampa.
On Saturday, May 2nd, Muhammad led a group of about 60 people in a down- town protest on the heels of what’s going on in Baltimore, Maryland.
“The protests have trans- formed from violent to victori- ous after prosecutors announced they would charge six police officers with various crimes after a Black man died from injuries sustained while in police custody last month.
“I grabbed my bullhorn and got in front of the group as we gathered near Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. We marched through downtown to the Tampa Police Department with drivers honking their horns in support.”
Ashley Green, an organ- izer of the march and a mem- ber of Dream Defenders, said she fears things might get
Protesters gather outside of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
worse.
“I’m really scared we’re not
going to have more people join us until somebody dies. That’s too late, and we need to act now before that happens.”
Muhammad said the protest was meant to show solidarity with other groups across the country calling for justice for Black men who have died at the hands of po- lice.
“We want to sustain the dis- pleasure we all have after the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Freddie Gray, and others before them.”
Ashley Johnson, another organizer, said the call for jus- tice in Baltimore was heard.
“I think it put pressure on the city and those in charge. I think the protests expedited the process of charging the six officers.”
Muhammad said he and the other protesters were out to call for an end to all racial profiling and police harass- ment.
“It only takes one person freaking out and it only takes one mistake before somebody gets killed. If that happens, Tampa could see the same spark of anger and unrest that has resulted in riots in Fergu- son and Baltimore.
“We are marching and protesting for real change, be- cause no one wants to be afraid of the police.”
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL-BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015