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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 2018)
August 22, 2018 Page 5 Clyburn in Line for Speaker In an exclusive interview with the Black Press, Rep. Jim Cly- burn, D-S.C., said he would be up for the challenge of replacing Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, even as he has emerged as a favorite among his peers to become the first African American to hold that position and possibly Speaker of the House if the Democrats win control of the chamber. He also voiced his con- tinued support of Pelosi. In the same interview, Clyburn, 78, stressed that his priority at Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. School Drivers Approve Contract After over a year of negotia- tion, Special Education school bus drivers at Portland Public Schools last week voted 71 to 9 to approve a new collective bargaining agree- ment with the district, just hours before a school board meeting where they would testify that eve- ning. The new starting wages would be $18.50, an amount landed on by both parties at mediation two weeks ago and an increase from the district’s previous last final of- fer by 54 cents. The school board still must vote to approve the new contract, and if they do, the con- tract will remain in effect for two years, according to Almagamated Transit Union Local 757. Driver and union represen- tative Beth Blumklotz told the Portland Observer they didn’t get every concession they asked for, but she thought “this was the best we could do without going on strike.” “We have a lot of success to be proud of,” Blumklotz said, de- scribing the movement from an initial offer of no increase from their $16.25 starting wage and a two year wage freeze as “an ac- complishment.” Drivers and allies rallied last week in front of district offices to celebrate their milestone, which was the culmination of a tense back and forth between the school board and drivers, who held many demonstrations and testimonials throughout the year. Aretha Franklin’s Legacy C ontinueD from P age 2 social justice from his pulpit. “Her songs were songs of the movement,” Andrew Young, the former King lieutenant and U.N. ambassador, said Thursday. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T. ... That’s basi- cally what we wanted. The move- ment was about respect.” The SCLC often struggled fi- nancially, but Franklin played a vital role in keeping the move- ment afloat. “Almost every time we need- ed money, there were two people we could always count on: Are- tha Franklin and Harry Belafon- te,” Young said. “They would get together and have a concert, and that would put us back on our feet.” King and Franklin were like spiritual siblings, sharing a bond rooted in their Christian faith, Young said. King would often ask Franklin to sing his favor- ite songs, “Amazing Grace” or “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” When King was assassinated in 1968, Franklin sang “Precious Lord” at his funeral in Atlanta. -Associated Press contributed to this article. Family Holds PSU Accountable C ontinueD from P age 3 community’s expression of grief after the temporary memorial is removed. “The family asked for photo- graphic memory books, and we are working with their representa- tives to prepare them,” the state- ment read. Student groups and activ- ists have also been voicing their continued opposition to keep- ing armed officers at the school and the NAACP Portland branch called the incident “an egregious violation of civil and civic rights.” Surveys of the school’s students and faculty showed the majori- ty were opposed to the policy to arm private security guards in 2013. The decision to arm officers was approved by a vote from the school’s board of trustees in 2015. the moment is to work with other Democrats to ensure wins for them for the midterm elections on Nov. 6 by zeroing in on 37 districts across the country the he and Congres- sional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond believe can be won this year, which would wrest control of the House from Republicans. Clyburn added that prioritizing the black vote, not relying on a solely anti-Trump platform, and advertising in the Black Press will be keys for Democrats to clinch their dominance in the House this November. Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Ernest J. Hill, Jr. Agent 311 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211 503 286 1103 Fax 503 286 1146 ernie.hill.h5mb@statefarm.com 24 Hour Good Neighbor Service R State Farm R
