Brad Avakian, commissioner of the Oregon State Bureau of Labor and Industries, traveled to The Skanner's offices last week to make one thing clear – the economic downturn will not slow down the state's efforts to pursue civil rights complaints. He said that legislature budget cuts are hitting hard at agencies across the board, but that BOLI's commitment to civil rights will remain front and center for his department. Click here to see on YouTube Avakian's explanation on how to file a successful civil rights complaint with BOLI.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams is teaming up with Sen. Rod Monroe (D-Portland) to support a bill that would extend Portland's design review authority to rapidly developing areas of the city. "As Portland aspires to build sustainable, livable neighborhoods, we need tools to ensure that new multi-family housing in our town centers and main streets are of the highest quality," said Mayor Adams. "Good design is not just aesthetic; it's a matter of long-term value, neighborhood livability, and stopping low-quality infill housing." . . .

Marian Anderson couldn't sing at Constitution Hall or even a local high school because of the color of her skin. So the opera singer performed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in April 1939 and sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee.''  Unlike other events then, the 75,000-person crowd that had gathered to hear the African-American woman sing wasn't segregated. Blacks and whites stood together. Senators and Supreme Court justices also came on that Easter Sunday. The event came to symbolize the ideal of America's racial equality.  On Sunday afternoon, 70 years later when the U.S. has its first black president, there will be another free concert at the Lincoln Memorial, this one designed to commemorate the 1939 landmark event. . . .

On March 24, 2009, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it will open up converter box coupon applications to those households that have expired or misplaced coupons.  Affected Seattle families that were originally left to shoulder the cost of a digital converter box alone can now reapply for $40 coupons to offset the cost of the box.  However, some affected families who live in single room occupancies or group housing will need donated coupons, since their addresses may not be recognized by NTIA. To help needy families, you can donate unused, unneeded coupons to . . .

With a proposed 18 percent cut in city funding, the Neighborhoods Small Grants Program will be discontinued. This program has offered direct funding for volunteer-driven community projects such as: gardens, helping seniors, tutoring, tree planting, community dialogues, etc. In response, the Northeast Coalition is launching a new Community-Building Fund dedicated to continuing the Neighborhoods Small Grants Program and funding additional community impact programs. . . .

Most people say they plan to use this year's tax refund to pay bills, deciding in this sour economy to be more frugal with their annual windfall.
Fifty-four percent of those receiving refunds said they intend to pay off credit card, utility, housing and other bills, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll released Monday. That compares with 35 percent who said the same thing a year ago.
Only 5 percent, about the same as a year ago, said they planned to go on a shopping spree.
The survey found that 38 percent of those receiving a refund said they plan to spend at least part of it. But the spending appears to be mostly on basic needs: 17 percent said they would use the money for everyday needs such as food and clothing. It was 7 percent a year ago.
Phillip Barks of Aberdeen, Md., said he and his wife, Kristy, have spent their $3,800 refund. Most went toward a credit card bill . . .

Tierra Willoughby, 11 and Ryshun Sampson 11, take a gourmet cooking workshop at the Ashia Circles Annual Black Girl's Harambee in Seattle. About 50 girls between 10 and 14 participated in the event.  The all day conference included a naming ceremony and mind, body and spirit themed workshops.
Photo by Susan Fried

Photo: Pennsylvania State Rep. Jewell Williams
PHILADELPHIA (NNPA) - A growing contingent of community leaders and state legislators have called for a meeting with Mayor Michael Nutter, police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison to address allegations of police misconduct and abuse. . . .

Portland Copwatch announces its three-part spring training cycle--Orientation to Portland Copwatch, Your Rights and the Police Seminar, and How to Copwatch Training--to be held over the course of two Saturdays in May. Portland Copwatch has scheduled a cycle of the three trainings for those who wish to volunteer or those who are just curious about police accountability issues. . . .

For the first time in 25 years, the number of African Americans incarcerated in state prisons for drug offenses has declined substantially, according to a study released by The Sentencing Project. There has been a 21.6 percent drop in the number of Blacks incarcerated for a drug offense, a decline of 31,000 people during the period 1999-2005. While overall drug offenses rose only 1 percent during this period, federal drug inmates increased by 32 percent. The study, The Changing Racial Dynamics of the War on Drugs, also documents a corresponding rise in the number of Whites in state prison for a drug offense, an increase of 42.6% during this time frame, or more than 21,000 people. . . .