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A6 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 8 January 2019

Alabama civil rights institute rescinds Angela Davis honor

By JAY REEVES, Associated tions movement targeting
Press Israel’s treatment of Pales-
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) tinians.
— Black activists on Mon- The civil rights institute’s
day called for leadership president and CEO, An-
changes and protests at drea Taylor, said in October
an Alabama civil rights mu- that the organization was
seum after it rescinded an “thrilled to bestow this hon-
award for political activ- or” on Davis whom she de-
ist Angela Davis, a move scribed as “one of the most
the mayor said followed globally recognized cham-
complaints from the Jewish pions of human rights, giv-
community. ing voice to those who are
Speaking outside the Bir- powerless to speak.”
mingham Civil Rights Insti- But the institute announced
tute, located in the same Saturday that in late De-
downtown area where cember, “supporters and
civil rights violence once other concerned individu-
shocked the nation, orga- als and organizations, both
nizers told a news confer- inside and outside of our
ence that Davis, a Birming- local community, began
ham native, was wronged to make requests that we
by the decision to rescind reconsider our decision.”
the honor. In this Feb. 19, 2015, file photo Angela Davis, author, educator and iconic civil rights activist, The statement did not in-
Davis, a longtime activist speaks during her visit to the University of Michigan-Flint, in Flint, Mich. dicate what criteria Da-
who has supported Pales- Associated Press vis didn’t meet, nor did it
tinian rights and criticized Shuttlesworth Human Rights Mayor Randall Woodfin return an email message identify the origin of the
Israeli policy, is on a par Award, named for the late said he was “dismayed” by seeking comment; neither complaints. Many people
with civil rights legend Rosa minister who once promi- the decision, which he said did a California-based responded with outrage on
Parks, said activist Frank nently led civil rights dem- followed “protests from our agency that represents Da- Twitter and Facebook.
Matthews. onstrations in the city. local Jewish community vis. Mayor Woodfin called the
“This is the ultimate insult In a statement posted on its and some of its allies.” Davis , 74, has spent de- museum’s decision a reac-
to deny Angela Davis her website over the weekend, The longtime executive di- cades fighting for civil tive and divisive decision
inheritance,” he said. Mu- the publicly funded muse- rector of the Birmingham rights. She was an active and offered to facilitate
seum leaders should quit, um said it was canceling a Jewish Federation, Richard member of the Black Pan- a community dialogue in
he said, and protests will be gala set for next month and Friedman, did not immedi- ther Party, Student Nonvio- response. While the city
held. Other speakers called rescinding the award after ately return a phone mes- lent Coordinating Commit- helps fund the museum,
for a boycott. directors concluded Da- sage seeking comment. tee and Communist Party one of the top tourist draws
The institute announced vis “unfortunately does not A representative of the Bir- USA. She also is an outspo- in Alabama, it doesn’t get
in September that Davis meet all of the criteria on mingham Civil Rights Insti- ken supporter of the Boy- involved in “programmatic
would receive the Fred L. which the award is based.” tute did not immediately cott, Divestment and Sanc- decisions,” Woodfin said.q

Man arraigned from hospital bed in crash that killed Mummers

Associated Press Campbell, of Bear, Dela-
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man ware, is charged with three
who apparently stabbed counts of homicide by ve-
himself before driving into hicle in the deaths of Den-
an SUV in Philadelphia, kill- nis Palandro Jr., Joseph Fer-
ing three people, has been ry and Kelly Wiseley.
arraigned from his hospital He also faces one count of
bed on homicide charges. aggravated assault and re-
Bail was set at $1.75 mil- lated charges.
lion for 29-year-old Keith No attorney was listed for
Campbell after Monday’s Campbell in online court
arraignment. documents.q
Witnesses told police
Campbell crossed the
median into oncoming
traffic while speeding be-
fore crashing into the SUV
Wednesday.
Two of the three killed were
members of a string band
that had performed in the
annual New Year’s Day
Mummers Parade.
A fourth person suffered a Police prepare to tow the damaged vehicles driven by stabbing victim Keith Campbell from an
broken pelvis and other in- accident scene at 7th Streets and Packer Ave., in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.
juries. Associated Press.