AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/category/opinion/)
Austin minister Ira Acree, senior pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, will be joining other faith leaders Wednesday to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s his message to West Side residents, especially those who aren’t sure they want to be vaccinated when it’s their turn.
It’s been nearly 14 years since 15-year-old Yasmin Acree went missing from her Austin home, yet the family still has no answers about her whereabouts. Rev. Ira Acree, one of Yasmin’s relatives, is pushing for answers once again. The family and West Side faith leaders are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Yasmin.
When churches reached out to Michele Clark High School Principal Charles Anderson about how they could support students and teachers after the murder of 16-year-old student Kierra Moore, his response was simple: Be the church and be present. The community is invited to support the students from 7:15 to 8:20 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25. Stay a few minutes or the entire time.
Members of Illinois African Americans for Equitable Redistricting to Governor have a message for go. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats: “You have made a mockery out of the Voting Rights Act.”
“What does a focus on Black Lives look like? First, we have to VALUE Black Lives. We have to be honest about the history of Black Lives in our country and in our city. Stories have to be told about the past and the present,” says state Rep. La Shawn Ford.
What does a focus on Black lives look like? asks state Rep. La Shawn Ford.
“First, we have to VALUE Black lives. We have to be honest about the history of Black lives in our country and in our city. Stories have to be told about the past and the present, Ford says.
Rev. Ira Acree and David Cherry, co-chair and president of the Leaders Network, say everyone must work together to reform and reimagine policing in our communities.
“We need mental health support to match the police deployment on the South and West sides of Chicago,” writes state lawmaker La Shawn Ford. He believes in the public health approach to violence, which sees violence as preventable not inevitable.
Rep. La Shawn Ford reflects on the significance of June 19th now being recognized as a state holiday in Illinois.
Valerie F. Leonard, founder of Nonprofit Utopia, warns residents of predominantly Black neighborhoods their rights will be diminished under approved legislative maps awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.
A new state law protects a person who provides emergency medical assistance to someone who’s experiencing an overdose. A Good Samaritan in these cases cannot be arrested, charged or prosecuted for drug violations. State Rep. La Shawn Ford lauds the new law, noting more Good Samaritans are needed to give naloxone, the medication used to reverse an overdose.
