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Morning Briefing: An ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Shirt Results In Death Threats
A protester holds a sign reading 'I Can't Breathe' outside the District Attorney's office (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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As America grapples with repeated, undeniable images of police brutality, some of our neighbors here in L.A. County are still opposed to public statements against such violence. After wearing a t-shirt with the words “I Can’t Breathe” to teach her 9th grade English class, one woman says she’s now receiving death threats.
“The emails ... came by the hundreds, all to varying degrees of threat” after a parent screenshotted her in the shirt and posted it to Facebook, she said (the teacher asked that we not use her name). “I tried to block them because it was scaring me so much.”
Other educators have come out to support the teacher, wearing their own clothing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. But the teacher is still living in fear.
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“This has forced us from our home,” she said, “and caused ... mental anguish and stress.”
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
The Past 24 Hours In LA
Race In L.A.: The 8 Percent is a new project from KPCC+LAist exploring how Black migration, community and culture have shaped and changed L.A. A new program seeks to help veterans of color deal with the subtle and overt ways racism affects their mental health. A teacher at El Camino Real Charter High School is facing death threats for wearing an "I Can't Breathe" t-shirt to her virtual classroom. Anti-racism protesters have filed a class action lawsuit against the L.A. Sheriff's Department, claiming that deputies violated their rights and used unreasonable force.
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Coronavirus Updates: California has a new four-tier, color-coded reopening blueprint that goes into effect Aug. 31, and will allow hair salons to open once again. As the twin disasters of COVID-19 and fire season sweep through California, thousands of residents are pitting risk against risk as they figure out where to evacuate. A compromise bill intended to prevent a wave of evictions in California was announced.
Party Foul: L.A.’s City Attorney filed a misdemeanor complaint against TikTok stars Bryce Hall and Blake Gray, claiming that they violated both the municipal code and the “Safer LA” Emergency Declaration when they allegedly threw a large party earlier this month.
First Person: Contributor Brenda Dupré writes about overcoming the racism she endured growing up in suburban Orange County. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium march in East L.A., KPCC/LAist journalists Erick Galindo and Chava Sanchez walked the march’s route in search of information, history, and their own connection to the movement.
Weekend Reads
There's a lot going on in the world right now, and it’s hard enough to keep up with our day-to-day lives without also trying to stay current on the news. But if you have some time this weekend, these articles provide some much-needed insight into the current moment in L.A., as well as some news you may have missed:
When crime rates go down in neighborhoods with heavy gang violence, one local pastor says it’s because of the hard work done by gang leaders to bring about peace – not the police or politicians who get credit. (LA Sentinel)
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A look inside a “Bridge Home” in Los Feliz, designed to create temporary housing for Angelenos with nowhere else to go . (Los Feliz Ledger)
City Councilman Gil Cedillo writes about how the Chicano Moratorium influenced his life. (The Eastsider)
Here’s how Chubby Rice, a multi-generational Chinese restaurant in Hawthorne, is holding up during COVID-19. (LA Taco)
The L.A. chapter of the Brown Beret National Party is holding its own march to commemorate Rubén Salazar and the Chicano Movement. (Boyle Heights Beat)
This grassroots organization is working towards turning voters in the San Fernando Valley away from President Trump. (San Fernando Sun)
Meet Saviii 3rd, Long Beach’s most promising up-and-coming rapper. (The LAnd)
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Photo Of The Day
The Silver Dollar Bar sign hangs inside Sound of Music, the record shop that now occupies the space where journalist Ruben Salazar was killed on August 29, 1970. Salazar was struck in the head by a tear gas projectile fired by a Sheriff's deputy during the Chicano Moratorium anti-Vietnam War protest.
(Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
This post has been updated to reflect changes in what's coming up for today.
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