In 1997, as part of their re-election platform, John Major’s Conservative government committed itself to providing the Queen with a replacement for the now-aging Royal Yacht, while the Labour Party quietly declined to say anything. Following Labour’s victory on 1 May 1997 one of their early announcements was that the vessel would be retired by the end of the year and no replacement would be built. The newly-removed Conservative benches argued that the expenditure given aside for the vessel was more than justified by its pivotal role in foreign policy and promoting British interests abroad, with a particular emphasis on the role of the personal touch provided at such State occasions by the Queen herself.

Her composure was tested to the limit on the 11th December 1997 when HMY Britannia was formally decommissioned; it really hurt. For the Queen, there were forty-three years of memories of a haven where she could be herself and she is said to have wept as the band played the national anthem for the final time aboard. These days Britannia lies permanently moored as an exhibition ship at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, Scotland. When you go look around it, there’s a picture of Queen Elizabeth and it says, “The place where I feel most free,” which just says it all. There’s talk, although not from the Queen, of a new privately funded yacht which is gathering momentum.

“The place where I felt most happy.”
Queen Elizabeth II
HMY Britannia

This particular commentator would very much support seeing the Queen being given a yacht again; I think she’d even be quite happy to get Britannia back with a lick of new paint and some new carpets. With all the support given to her over this Diamond Jubilee bank holiday weekend, I can’t think that there would be much public objection either. Perhaps a seemly gift for a monarch who has done so much for her country not only during her reign but throughout an entire life dedicated to public duty in the face of an ever-changing world.

Most people in their eighties have stopped changing. For the Queen, that isn’t an option. Central to the monarchy’s survival is the constant need to adapt and stretch out to everyone from thinkers and leaders to the crowds at garden parties.

When God Save The Queen is played, some people still stand to attention. She has lived at attention. Sixty years of never standing still. To think, for example, that in 1947 the Cold War really froze and yet in 1990 it’s over without a general war or a global nuclear exchange and if you consider that a woman who was monarch when Stalin was in the Kremlin has seen through all that. She’s got on with the job, she hasn’t expressed public angst either at being monarch or at being monarch of a declining nation, she’s just got on with it. So it’s arguably the case that she’s been a very good front person during this period when in many ways Britain has de-Victorianised, downsized, de-Imperialised and she has been terrific for that.

What the Queen’s managed to do is to bring the monarchy into the 21st-century as best as she can and she has shown that it is a constant evolving machine that continues to reflect society and move with the times; it is important it does for its own survival. Eighty per cent of people now say that they want to remain loyal subjects of the Queen; whilst support for the monarchy is highest among the over-55s, at 88 per cent, even in the 18-24 age group 73 per cent favour the current system with just 17 per cent wanting a republic. Across all age groups the picture is even sharper with less than 12 per cent wanting a US-republican style of government.

Her personal and family approval ratings higher than at any point in recent memory, with IPSOS-MORI placing her in the high-80s, have we now perhaps seen a closure of the dark days of the nineties? Is the Royal Family popular again? Two things, to me, prove this which are not perhaps focused on the Queen herself: crowds and crowds of loyal citizens shouting out for Philip in support of him during his sudden hospitalisation, and the sight of the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall riding side by side in the open-top State Landau. That, certainly, is something that nobody would have expected a decade ago at the Golden Jubilee.

The Queen seemed touched, genuinely touched, today at the outpouring of support and affection that came from the hundreds of thousands of people who thronged towards Buckingham Palace to see the Royal Family standing as with tradition on the balcony. The Queen was joined on the balcony by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. She smiled throughout the appearance, visibly pleased, and waved as the thousands of people roared with applause, some sporadically breaking into impromptu renditions of the national anthem. The Queen’s Guard then gave three cheers, with the words “hip hip hooray” echoing down the Mall. As the Queen waved goodbye, the crowds cheered but expressed their disappointment that the celebrations were drawing to a close, shouting: “We love the Queen”, while deafening applause rang out until the royals went back inside.

Many congratulations to you, Ma’am, for your Diamond Jubilee.

(and thanks for the two days off!)

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, HRH The Prince of Wales, Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, HRH Prince Henry of Wales

WBBM Newsradio’s Nancy Harty reports the Illinois Retail Merchants Association polled 1,267 registered voters about a number of issues during Emanuel’s first year in office.

The survey found 71 percent of people said they think teachers should wait until an independent arbitrator issues a report, making recommendations on a union contract, before the Chicago Teachers Union holds a strike vote.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Nancy Harty reports

David Vite, the group’s president, said, “They want teachers in the classroom. They want teachers to see what the arbiter says before they make a decision on whether to vote for a strike, or not.”

Chicago Public Schools teachers cannot legally go on strike until after an independent arbitrator’s report is issued, but they can vote to authorize a strike at any time. The Emanuel administration wants the union to wait until after the arbitrator’s report is issued this summer, but many teachers will be on vacation when that happens, and the union has hinted it could call a strike authorization vote before then.

The poll also found Emanuel gets a 64 percent job approval rating, 78 percent liked how he handled the NATO Summit, and 57 percent believe he has improved the city’s business climate.

Vite said the group conducted the poll to get a sense of how Chicagoans view Emanuel’s first year in office.

“Seventy-percent or so of folks saying he did a great job, that’s very high marks,” he said.

Below are quotes from the late Barbara A. Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia – who examined the violence issue from all sides – and realized that it is a complex issue that requires a team effort to fix.

Stop the Violence Activist Barbara Thurmond co-founded Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. in June 1991 with her sister Earnestine Covington.

Barbara Thurmond stood tall for human rights, victim’s rights, civil rights, stopping the violence, equity in education and banning assault weapons – and she also believed in personal responsibility for one’s actions and the need for firm family values taught by parents when children are small.

Thurmond also recognized that many external factors contribute to the violence in African-American communities like racism, poverty, no jobs, drugs, lack of education, and in many cases an apparent lack of respect for the preciousness of human life.

Thurmond and her group were sometimes labeled racist and polarizing but she loved everyone and fought for the lives of black youth – and all people.

Those who  accused Thurmond and the group of those charges, often refused to look at the entire picture of the violence crisis.

“We are realists,” Thurmond said.

“Volunteers working to save people from their own destruction,” she said.

Editor’s note: Barbara Thurmond was a mentor and a very wise person – and her quotes are just as important today in addressing black on black violence – and all violent crime – that persists as a leading cause of death and incarceration especially for young black men.

Barbara Thurmond fought for the rights of the crime victims who survive – and the thousands of blacks who have died in Augusta because of violence (just since the death of MLK) and the millions who have died across America

She tried to protect the children of all races:

“They were not just numbers – they were our lovers, our friends, sisters, brothers.

They were our sons and daughters.”

—
The quotes and thoughts of the late stop the violence advocate Barbara A Thurmond:
—

“In 1997 in Augusta, 79 percent of the homicides were the result of gun violence. Every two seconds a gun comes off the assembly line in America.”

In one year in America, 5,285 children were killed by handguns

Georgia wears the title of the gun belt and the gun-running state of the nation”

—

Keep assault weapons off streets – ban assault weapons

(The federal ban on assault weapons expired in Sept. 2004 – and efforts for a new ban has yet to even be voted on by U.S. lawmakers)

“The AK-47, Tec-9 and the Uzi are weapons of mass destruction used in America’s most notorious massacres.

Police are out-gunned – assault weapons are a threat to the safety of our dedicated police officers and the public.

Assault weapons are made to kill many people at one time.

Georgia is a high-volume gun state.

In 2003 Georgia ranked fourth in the nation in the number of high-crime gun stores that are responsible for at least 200 crimes between 1996 and 2000.

We need sensible gun laws, enforcement of existing laws and concerted local efforts to make our city, state and nation safer.

Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. joins with the Million Mom March, Georgians for Gun Safety and the Brady Campaign for Handgun Control in supporting the assault weapon ban and all efforts to reduce firearm injuries and death.

Why would anyone want these weapons back on the streets of America?”

—

“What has not changed is the disproportionate number of blacks who die as the result of violence.

We must address the leading cause of death of African-Americans.

It is painfully obvious to me that black-on-black homicide is a threat to African-Americans in Augusta.

African-Americans are six times more likely to be murdered than whites in Augusta.

Homicides account for more deaths of black men ages 25-44 than does heart disease, cancer or diabetes.

We cannot continue to ignore black-on-black homicides – Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.

Black leaders, this is our war and we must stay on the battlefield, armed with courage, truth, persistence and faith.

Voting, economic empowerment and the removal of the Confederate flag are all important issues; issues that we all must be concerned about.”

—

“I was disappointed to learn that the Richmond County Board of Education decided to pull “Kaffir Boy” (by Mark Mathabane) from the reading list of a literature class at Hephzibah High School after complaints from a parent.

I was drawn into the daily lives of a people who lived in hideous conditions under apartheid. The unjustified humiliation and degradation are difficult for most people to fathom.

We must not take this powerful degradation out of context and denigrate the spirit in which it was written. Like other indescribable evils of the past, we don’t want to discuss the politics of the horror.

As African-Americans, we are too comfortable. We have to be angry when others denigrate our struggle.”

—

“What other group of people would have their people lead the homicide list every year and not address it?

When I see 10 out of 15 are black that has an impact on me.

We are raising awareness of gun violence, working on stricter gun laws and educating the public. It has made our community safer.

It’s important to keep our movement alive.”

—

“There is a cultural acceptance of violent behavior.

There is a certain amount of lawlessness allowed in the black community.

There is a culture of African Americans that I don’t understand — their feelings about life and death are different.

They abide by their own set of rules.

There’s still too much black-on-black crime.”

—

“There are a disproportionate number of African-Americans in prisons in the state of Georgia.

We make up 30 percent of the state’s population and 70 percent of the state’s prison population.

Until that problem changes, we will not support any amendments or bills that will keep people in prison longer.

Those who commit crimes need to be accountable and responsible for their actions – but when young people are sentenced to 20 to 25 years for nonviolent offenses that is a crime committed against their souls.”

—

“We are here to remember the 36 people who lost their lives in 1996 to senseless acts of violence.

They were not just numbers – they were our lovers, our friends, sisters, brothers.

They were our sons and daughters.”

—

“What we’ve learned about the Legislature is that you’ve got a bunch of folks who go to Atlanta and forget the people they represent.

It might not be different for us, but we’re going to try.”

—

“In 1995 Senate Bill 109 proposed that sales of handguns be limited to no more than one gun per person per month.

Who wants to buy more than one gun a month?

A person who has a criminal record and cannot purchase handguns finds someone who is clean to make the purchases, paying him, say, $40 profit on each gun.

That’s gunrunning.

Georgia leads the nation in gunrunning.

It is legal to buy large quantities of guns in the state of Georgia.

We can speculate that these guns were used for shootings, robberies and drug deals.

Over the years far too many guns recovered from crimes in other states have been traced back to Georgia.

It is estimated that the cost of firearm injuries in the United States per year is $20.4 billion.

And although the cost is high, the emotional toll on victims and their families cannot be measured in dollars.

How long will the state of Georgia continue to contribute to the great sorrow felt by the families of those killed or wounded by Georgia’s guns?

In 1991, Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. identified the easy accessibility of guns as a contributing factor to the epidemic of black-on-black violence.

In the effort to fight for better gun control, we joined Georgians Against Gun Violence, Handgun Control, Inc. and The Million Mom March.

We have worked tirelessly over the years with the above organizations by making monetary contributions and supporting gun legislation at the state and federal level.

We are in an ongoing battle with the National Rifle Association for sensible gun control.”

—

“During this century, American justice has been a mockery for black people.

Black males have the highest victimization rate of any group.

This has been proven true once again.

Black males (are) victimized over and over again – first by the killer and then by the criminal justice system.

The moment the decision was made to release the accused killer on a $50,000 bond, the family would also feel victimized again and their pain intensified.

When the criminal justice system fails to keep murder suspects behind bars, it has a marked impact on the victim’s family and community.

When those who have killed are allowed to move freely about the community, without immediate consequences for their inappropriate behavior, it sends the wrong message to impressionable minds.

It’s the opinion of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. that injustice and double standards within the justice system are contributing factors to black-on-black violence.”

—

“Ten years ago on a hot day in June, my sister and I were motivated by fear to bring attention to the epidemic of black-on-black violence.

In 1991, Augusta/Richmond County had the highest homicide rate ever recorded.

Ninety seven percent of these homicides were blacks killed by other blacks.

We understood early on that black-on-black violence was bigger than one brother killing another.

One of the many facts we identified was the injustice and double standards of the criminal justice system.

Historically, blacks had not been punished harshly enough for killing other blacks, and we were convinced that this contributed to the epidemic of black-on-black violence.

We needed to understand the terms “murder,” “voluntary manslaughter,” “plea bargain” and bonding criteria.

Ten years ago Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.  dared to dream of a world in which all crime victims and their families are treated with compassion and dignity.

In 1993 we met with District Attorney Danny Craig to voice our concerns about the lack of prosecution of black-on-black homicides.

He listens to the voices of all crime victims and has prosecuted homicide cases equitably.

We have seen more murder convictions for black-on-black homicide.

We believe this has contributed to the decline in these incidents.

Compared with 10 years ago, we are a much better system and a safer community.

We pay tribute to Sheila Stahl, director of the Victims Assistance Department of the Augusta Richmond County judicial system.

Our collective dream of victims’ justice is built upon the painful realization of the nightmare that crime has wreaked on our community.

At times funeral homes contact us when victims are without funds for burial.

We contact Victims Assistance and they help families apply for funds.

We communicate with the office weekly, sometimes daily.

Together we share the burden of those whose losses are immeasurable, and who feel such a tremendous obligation to stand for the rights of their loved ones.

Their pain and suffering are our incentives to continue efforts to prevent crime. Black crime victims are no longer nameless, faceless entities.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s the type of killings changed; they were more random, different from the Saturday-night brawls and crimes of passion.

We saw in the 1970s that killers were younger, cold-blooded, and without conscience or remorse.

Why had African Americans become the victims and victimizers?

In the 1980s we experienced the President Reagan-induced poverty, an increase in cocaine use and the introduction of crack cocaine.

One year after the introduction of crack cocaine, gun manufacturers increased their production by 42 percent.

The lethality of firearms escalated from low-caliber to high-caliber revolvers and semi-automatics.

The media has severely damaged the African-American image by desensitizing young people to violence and death as it continues to glamorize illegitimacy.

Is there a connection between the disproportionate number of blacks assigned to special education and the disproportionate number of black male victimizers?

Those in special education are unable to feel good about themselves, are labeled stupid, robbed of self-esteem, and feel nothing is expected of them.

It is part of an instilled inferiority and dehumanization process.

This can lead to dropping out of schools, illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and ultimately criminal activity.

To blame others would be easy, but we knew if we were to truly make a difference, it would take honesty.

We had to take a critical self-inventory and analysis.

In the 1970s and 1980s, middle class blacks fled the inner city, leaving it without positive role models.

Too many black intellectuals have refused to remain in some visible way connected to black cultural life and the social misery of the underclass.

The Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. defines the underclass family as headed by a single female, members are welfare dependent, marginally educated, chronically unemployed and engaged in repeated patterns of criminal deviance.

The act of creating new life is taken so lightly that school children sing about it.

Repetition becomes a fact, and it condemns young mothers to a life of poverty, poor education and welfare.

It is difficult for a single, teen-age mother to promote psycho-social development in her children when she is deprived of that development.

We must take responsibility for our own behavior in order to change things that are wrong.

If we improve our community, we improve our city.

If we improve our city, we improve our state and nation.

Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.  has been labeled racist and accused of causing polarization.

We are volunteers working to save people from their own destruction.

We are realists.

We see things as they are and not the way we would like them to be.

We joined with organizations across the state and nation and will stand with anyone if they stand for what is right for all.

Our focus has been and continues to be advocating for black homicide victims.

We ask for continued support of this city as we continue our passionate efforts to reduce crime and violence.”

—

“Two years ago 40-year-old David Holt was murdered.

This was a heinous crime.

The family, friends, co-workers and indeed the greater Augusta community suffered a terrible loss.

On June 1, 22-year-old Shanta White and her unborn child were murdered.

This also was a heinous crime.

On the night she was killed, her family lost their future.

Everything that Shanta and her unborn child would have been is now gone forever.

What do these two crimes have in common?

Both cases were assigned to the same investigator.

Both killers are still at large.

Both victims were employed by the same company.

Both victims were children of God, made in his image.

Until their killer(s) are brought to justice, their families cannot begin the healing process.

That is where the similarities end.

Sam’s Club, the common employer, has offered a $400,000 reward for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of (white male) David Holt’s killer(s).

The Sheriff’s Department mailed a questionnaire to several zip codes seeking information on the murder of Mr. Holt.

What about (black female) Shanta White and her unborn child?

Who is willing to come forward and offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her killer(s)?

We know that offering reward money is no cure-all for crime and violence, but it is one of many tools used by law enforcers as they work to solve and prevent crime, apprehend criminals and bring them to justice.”

—

“The highly publicized school shootings in a period of 18 months include: Springfield, Oregon; Fayetteville, Tennessee; Edinboro, Pennsylvania; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Paducah, Kentucky; Pearl, Mississippi; and Littleton, Colorado.

In these incidents Americans have been shown another face of youth violence, white suburban males.

These shootings have prompted federal lawmakers to address the issue of gun violence in America.

Republicans and Democrats debate daily the issue of gun control.

Newspapers, magazines and television news shows are flooded with articles on gun violence.

The Justice Policy Institute estimates that 900 black youths were killed in the United States during the 18 months since the school shootings began.

It has been estimated that between 1985-1995 – 75,000 black males were slain in the United States.

If 75,000 hearses were lined up, they would stretch approximately 300 miles.

Ironically, this is comparable to the distance between Augusta and Birmingham, the cradle of the civil rights movement.

Such disparate treatment of victims is obvious and leaves many questions unanswered.

For instance, where were the outrage, the politicians, the media and the nation’s search for answers on how to end youth violence?

We are not insensitive to the tragedy in Littleton.

In fact, we have sympathy for the victims and their families regardless of race.

However, as a nation we must be as outraged over the death of 900 black males as we are about the tragedy at Columbine High School.

The nation must focus on violent crime prevention for all youth.

Until that day Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. will be the voice for black crime victims.”

—

“National Crime Victims Rights week is being observed through April 25.

During this time, organizations that assist victims of violent crime in Augusta have joined together to promote greater public awareness about the rights and needs of crime victims.

The theme of this year’s observance is “Victims Right’s Right for America.”

Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. are an advocate for all victims of all crimes, regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status or religious influences.

The thrust of our focus is victims of black on black homicide.

Historically the judicial system has not been sensitive to black crime victims.

Since 1991 Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. has assisted victims in our area.

Among the many services offered by the group are counseling, education, and financial assistance for burial and referral to other agencies.

Last year in Augusta there were 28 homicides.

Crime is no longer “someone else’s” problem because tomorrow that “someone else” might be someone you know or love.”

—

“This week is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in America.

Proclaimed by the president and governors across our country, the theme for this special commemoration is “Let Victims’ Rights Ring Across America.”

It is a special week dedicated to those who have been injured and killed by criminal victimization.

It is also a time to recognize and reflect upon the many accomplishments on the local, state, and federal levels that have improved rights and services extended to crime victims in our nation.

For whom does the bell of victimization toll?

Each year in America, nearly 39 million individuals become victims of crime.

Sadly, statistics show that for over half of these victims, it is not the first time nor will it be the last.

Becoming a victim of crime has become a rite of passage in our violent nation.

The National Education Association reports that each day in America, 100,000 children carry guns to school, 260,000 children miss class because of the fear of being physically harmed and 40 students are killed or injured by firearms.”

—

“We have much to celebrate.

Fourteen years ago, Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. was organized to serve this community and ensure fundamental rights for all crime victims.

Since 1994, we have seen crime victims and their families treated with compassion and dignity.

There are more than 10,000 community- and system-based organizations that help victims in the aftermath of crime.

And more than 32,000 laws have been passed at the federal and state levels that define and protect victims’ rights.

Yet there remains much work to be done, and many challenges that will put our shared values to test.

We must remain vigilant in our efforts to guarantee the same values that offer help and hope to victims of crime.

When you value justice for all people who live in America, you value victim rights and services.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. told our nation that “if we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values – that all reality hinges on moral foundations, and that all reality has spiritual control.”

The moral foundation of the victim-assistance field is one of compassion and caring, justice and equal rights.

The bricks and mortar we have used to create a nation that values justice, individual and community safety have fueled our efforts for more than 14 years.

These values are our vision for a future in which rights and services for victims and survivors of crime are not the exception to the rule, but the rule itself.

All Augustans have reasons to be thankful.

Homicides continue to decline each year, particularly black-on-black homicides.

In 2004, Augusta-Richmond county homicides were at an all-time low: 14 homicides were recorded.

Black males continue to make up the majority of slaying victims, causing us to focus on causes of crime in the black community.

As encouraging as this progress is, much work needs to be done.

Simply stated, we need to recommit ourselves and intensify our efforts.

Sororities, fraternities, community-based organizations, educators, religious leaders, churches and mentors are doing great works with the youth in Augusta; your hard work and dedication have contributed to this decline.

No matter what is going on in the world, our children have to succeed; our communities have to be made whole.”

—

“Most people in America will be a victim of or witness to a crime in their lifetime.

Crime victims need to feel safe in reporting crimes.

Crime victims need the protection of their core rights to information and notification, protection, participation, and restitution.

Many victims never report crime because of trauma and fear – damaging victims’ abilities to focus, function and work.

We have much work to do to validate the harm (crime victims) have endured.

Listen to their voices and concerns.

Protect their rights as victims.

Lives are irrevocably changed (in violent crimes) like the robbery victim who is left a paraplegic, the family whose breadwinner is murdered, the battered woman who hides her bruises in hopes of hiding her chronic suffering, and the child-abuse victims who hear the threats of their abusers and never disclose their victimization.

Victims and survivors of crime (must be) assured that they are not responsible for what happened, and that the persons who hurt them will be brought to justice.”

—

“Sen. Don Cheeks, R-Augusta, used his “position of influence to have a convicted sex offender not register with the state’s sex offenders’ registry.”

(Those) in positions of power and authority often manipulate laws.

The real tragedy (are political favors) at a time when children need help.

(Political favors mean) not holding offenders responsible for their actions.

Legislators have made at least 5,500 contacts on behalf of prisoners and parolees in a custom that benefits whites primarily (in a Georgia) inmate population that is two-thirds black.

In Georgia slavery days the laws were manipulated by white plantation owners to ensure cotton was picked.

The white boss would go to the prosecutor and judge on Monday, following the weekend killing of a black by another black, and he would tell them not to prosecute the killer, because he needed the able body back at work to toil in the fields.

This practice had a lasting effect on black people and to this day, we continue to feel the effect of political favors.”

—

“I can’t get used to the stupidity and senselessness.

A baby-mama drama, a fragile ego and a gun are ingredients for a homicide.

Repetitious childbearing out of wedlock by different partners is taken too lightly in our society.

The mothers will use these children as a way of manipulating the daddies and, more often than not, it has deadly consequences.

It’s easy to blame the victim for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The purpose of a gun is to kill.

When a person makes a conscious decision to carry a loaded gun, the decision has been made to kill.”

—

“An example of courage”

Augusta Chronicle Editorial Honoring the Life of Barbara A. Thurmond

Courage defined the life of Barbara Ann Thurmond, whose funeral services are being held today at Augusta’s Tabernacle Baptist Church.

She died much too young at age 56, but in that brief life she displayed enough courage for many lifetimes.

One could even say she wrote the book on courage.

Joy in my Heart: My Journey From Hopelessness to Happiness, released two years ago, recounted the pain, trials and tribulations she suffered after being diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor in 1983 that forced her into a wheelchair as a paraplegic.

Though Mrs. Thurmond was debilitated physically, she refused to let the illness defeat her feisty spirit and enduring spirituality.

“The wheelchair never set boundaries on her,” said one friend.

Indeed, the physical challenge simply spurred her to triumphs in other areas of her life.

Disgusted by homicides in her community, Mrs. Thurmond and her sister, Earnestine Covington, founded Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. in 1991 to combat Richmond County’s rising violent crime rate.

It took considerable personal courage for the sisters to base such a group in their Augusta neighborhood, and to work with law enforcement, yet they did just that.

And they were effective too.

District Attorney Danny Craig credits Mrs. Thurmond’s leadership for playing a key role in cutting Augusta’s crime rate to one of the lowest in the state.

“She was effective and never afraid to tell the entire community to ‘Stop the violence,’ ” said Terence Dicks, a longtime friend and fellow organization member.

Mrs. Thurmond’s courage was an inspiration to our community.

We join her family and wide circle of friends in mourning her passing.

She will be sorely missed.

——-
Scroll down for more on Barbara Thurmond words captured for us in newspaper articles, guest editorials and letters to the editor to the Augusta Chronicle
——-

Mankind still has the need to continue with murder across America:

Augusta, Georgia Area Homicides Database and Map Created by the Augusta Chronicle
From 2005 to present
Killings in Richmond County, Columbia County, and Aiken County, South Carolina
Victims/Courts/Stats/Race/Gender
http://chronicle.augusta.com/data/homicides
More homicide victims stories:
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2010-06-11/homicides
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/11/19/met_301784.shtml

Augusta Chronicle series on homicides in the Augusta area:

Nichole Campbell, of Augusta stands by the graves of her murdered brothers.
They died 8 years apart.
Nicole frequently visits the church cemetery where her brothers, Anthony and Sergio, are buried. Augusta Chronicle Photo by Corey Perrine/Staff

Impact of homicide goes beyond victims, killers
Saturday, June 12, 2010
By Mike Wynn
Staff Writer
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2010-06-12/impact-homicide-goes-beyond-victims-killers

Too many young Augustans have been shot in the head – or murdered in some other brutal fashion.
Holding an X-ray of a patient whose head has a bullet lodged in it, is Dr. Michael Hawkins, who has led the Medical College of Georgia’s trauma unit for 20 years.
He said there is no easy way to tell family members about violent deaths.
Augusta Chronicle Photo by Jackie Ricciardi/Staff

Who commits homicides?
Suspects in killings often have records
Sunday, June 13, 2010
By Sandy Hodson
Staff Writer
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2010-06-13/suspects-killings-often-have-records

Due to the violence including the murders of three local law enforcement officers, parents in the Augusta, Georgia area often worry if it is safe enough outside for the children to go play.
Makayla and Alaina Dowling play with a bucket of cool water outside their home in T&S Mobile Home Park in Aiken, South Carolina.
Their father, Eric Dowling, says that the neighborhood has improved enough that he will allow his daughters to play outside.
Photo by Zach Boyden-Holmes/Staff

Where do homicides happen?
“Residential areas see more crime”
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
By Adam Folk
Staff Writer
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/aiken/2010-06-15/residential-areas-see-more-crime

Employers, employees often become victims
June 19, 2003
By Vicky Eckenrode
Staff Writer
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2003/06/19/bus_378865.shtml
Contact reporter Vicky Eckenrode
706-823-3227
vicky.eckenrode@augustachronicle.com
——-
Editor’s note: Below is more info on the above quotes from various stories, guest editorials and letters to the editor involving Barbara Thurmond and printed in the Augusta Chronicle:
——-

“Raps Georgia law protecting gun industry”
Barbara Thurmond says the National Rifle Association owns the Republican Party and all our legislators
3/4/99
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/03/04/op_255148.shtml

In the wake of record violence in Augusta, Barbara Thurmond wrote a 1999 guest editorial because Georgia “passed a law prohibiting cities from suing gun manufacturers” an act proving that National Rifle Association owns state lawmakers.

“In 1997 in Augusta, 79 percent of the homicides were the result of gun violence.

Every two seconds a gun comes off the assembly line in America.

In one year in America, 5,285 children were killed by handguns,” Thurmond wrote adding gun violence is a problem in Augusta, Atlanta and other U.S. cities.

Thurmond applauded Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell’s “to hold gun manufacturers responsible for the madness and may-hem caused by guns in Atlanta” and other Georgia cities.

Georgia wears “the title of the gun belt and the gun-running state of the nation,” Thurmond said.

“The National Rifle Association own the Republican Party and “own our legislators,” she wrote
——-

“Kaffir Boy is insightful novel”
9/19/04
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/09/19/let_428935.shtml

Banned in Augusta schools:

“Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa” by Mark Mathabane

In 2004, Barbara Thurmond wrote a letter to the editor because the school board banned a book about Apartheid:

I was disappointed to learn that the Richmond County Board of Education decided to pull “Kaffir Boy” from the reading list of a literature class at Hephzibah High School after complaints from a parent.

Calling “Mark Mathabane’s inspiring, moving and inspiring story “one of triumph and the resilience of the human spirit,” Thurmond was upset school board member Ken Echols called the book filth, sickening and unacceptable and demanded it banned because of only one sexual reference in the 339-page story about triumph over Apartheid.

At issue, is “sex acts between soldiers and boys” because “boys offered their bodies in exchange for food.”

“I was drawn into the daily lives of a people who lived in hideous conditions under apartheid,” Thurmond said. “The unjustified humiliation and degradation are difficult for most people to fathom.”

Apartheid is “strict racial segregation” in South Africa “to maintain social, economic and cultural dominance by the white minority,” she said.

“We must not take this powerful degradation out of context and denigrate the spirit in which it was written.”

Thurmond asked if the ban is “about sex or is it about politics?”

“Like other indescribable evils of the past, we don’t want to discuss the politics of the horror.”

“As African-Americans, we are too comfortable. We have to be angry when others denigrate our struggle,” she said. “I am an African-American who has made the connection to Africa.”
——-

“Black leaders see range of Kerry support”
10/22/04
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/10/22/met_432015.shtml
By Staff Writer Dena Levitz

In a news story about the 2004 Presidential campaign between Senator John Kerry and George W. Bush, Barbara Thurmond said she’d vote for Kerry but had no real attachment to him – a sentiment King-Era Democrats have expressed because they feel Democratic politicians – like their Republican opponents – are out of touch with voters and bought off by special interests – counter to human rights and compassion.

Like other Augusta black leaders, Thurmond said the important issues in 2004 were:

The economy

Loss of jobs overseas

Improving funding for the No Child Left Behind Act

The Iraq War
——-

“Black slayings lead homicide data”
1/22/03
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2003/01/22/met_365849.shtml
By Staff Writer Greg Rickabaugh

In a January 2003 story entitled “Black slayings lead homicide,” Barbara Thurmond, the president of Augusta-based Blacks Against Black Crime Inc., said the unabated killings are the reason her organization continues its education campaign.

“What other group of people would have their people lead the homicide list every year and not address it?” she asked. “When I see 10 out of 15 (are black), that has an impact on me.”

While the numbers show that a high number of slaying victims are black men, there are actually fewer being killed each year in Richmond County.

In 1998, 21 blacks – 17 of them men – were homicide victims.

In 2002, that number was cut in half.

Ms. Thurmond remembers years with more than 60 slayings, most of them of blacks.

She believes her group’s outreach to prosecutors and neighborhood organizations is among the reasons for the drop in black homicides.

“Of course, to those families who lost a loved one” the murder rate “decrease doesn’t mean anything,” she said. “We are raising awareness of gun violence, working on stricter gun laws and educating the public. It has made our community safer.”

15 Augusta murders in 2002:

The 11 black murder victims:
Gary Collins, 46; Anthony Campbell Jr., 26; Johnny Henderson, 42; Henry L. Murray III, 22; Betty Lou Abraham, 71; Alvin L. Cummings, 56; Carlton Lamb Jr., 34; Marcus D. Taylor, 28; Daniel Samilpa, 47;Thomas Dyson Jr., 31; Aldreco O. Booker, 27;

The four white murder victims:
Stephanie Nicole Burnett, 16; Wanda Graham, 45; James Henry Williams, 38; Marty Thomas Gibson, 48;
——-

“Service remembers local victims of violent crimes”
4/28/02
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/04/28/met_341064.shtml
By Staff Writer Timothy Cox

Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. held a victims’ rights program and candlelight homage to recent Augusta murder victims in April 2002 as part of the annual National Crime Victim Rights week.

Violent behavior has increased in America due to a “lack of respect and discipline” because “we have lost control of our children” triggering a “more violent society” that can only be fixed by good parenting and community action, said guest speaker Clarence Davis, a longtime Maryland lawmaker who grew up in rural Washington, Georgia.

Among the 2002 Augusta murder victims remembered with candles were college student Niteka Wesbey and father -to-be Rodney Johnson.

Blacks Against Black Crime is the only victims’ rights group in the Augusta area, said co-founder Barbara Thurmond.

“It’s important to keep our movement alive” even though there’s been a recent but temporary decrease in Augusta violent crimes, she said.
——-

“Augustans remember 25 victims”
5/1/99
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/05/01/met_260373.shtml
By Court Reporter/Staff Writer Sandy Hodson

In May 1999, Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. held a victim’s rights ceremony to remember the 25 murder victims in Augusta during 1998.

Among those remembered was shooting victim 21-year-old Tyrone Cathcart Jr. – and the murder victim’s mother Patricia Colon vowed to join the group that provides services and assistance to crime victims because “all this killing has to stop” and something positive has come out of his death.”
——-

Augusta, Georgia  double killer Antonio Ruffin has already killed once, when he was free to kill again.

“Speaker probes crime in black community”
7/27/99
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/07/27/met_266527.shtml
By Crime Reporter/ Staff Writer Meghan Gourley

Barbara Thurmond was not surprised that 27-year-old convicted murderer Antonio Ruffin had killed before he slaughtered Michael Young.

If Ruffin had gone to prison in 1991 for beating a black man to death – he would not have been free to murder of Michael Young less than 8 years later.

When Ruffin was finally was sentenced to life in prison in July 1999, his criminal record included drugs, assault and an involuntary manslaughter conviction in which he received 10 years of probation for using a pipe to beat to death another man.

“There is a cultural acceptance of violent behavior,” said Ms. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime told the Augusta Kiwanis Club. “There is a certain amount of lawlessness allowed in the black community.”

The nonprofit Blacks Against Black Crime identifies problems that contribute to the disproportionate number of black victims, aid families of victims and help fight crime.

Violent criminals in black communities often come from single-parent households, and many of them are brought up without values and accountability, Thurmond said.

“There is a culture of African Americans that I don’t understand — their feelings about life and death are different,” she said. “They abide by their own set of rules.”

Blacks are further victimized by the court system, she said.

Blacks are not held accountable often enough – such as with the case of Antonio Ruffin – and they are often released from jail, committing more crimes.

Thurmond found disparities among bond amounts.

The lowest bonds were set in black-on-black crimes, and the highest were black-on-white crimes.

More info on Augusta’s double killer – Convicted murderer Antonio Wellington Ruffin:

Born in 1971, Antonio Wellington Ruffin is serving “life” for a 1999 Augusta murder that included the charges of firearm possession by a convicted felon and possession of firearm during a crime.

Ruffin was 20 years old when he received probation for a killing in 1991 – and after violating that probation by killing again in 1999 – he received a longer sentence for cocaine possession (7 years) than the conviction for involuntary manslaughter (less than 6 years).

Georgia Department of Corrections:
http://www.dcor.state.ga.us
http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/GDC/OffenderQuery/jsp/OffQryForm.jsp
http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/contactus/jsp/form.jsp
404-656-4661

Georgia State Department of Pardons and Paroles and the Office of Victim Services
http://www.pap.state.ga.us
http://www.pap.state.ga.us/ParoleeDatabase
VictimServices@pap.state.ga.us

The Georgia Corrections and Parole Board Victim Information Program (V.I.P.):
http://www.pap.state.ga.us/opencms/export/sites/default/victims_services/VIP_Program.html
1-800-593-9474
——-

Local crime rate falls but not rape, sexual assault
December 29, 1998
By Staff Writers Chasiti Kirkland, Emily Sollie, Tom Corwin and Jason B. Smith
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/12/29/met_248658.shtml

Barbara Thurmond said a decline in crime is more than just numbers as it means that her son, George, and other young men in Augusta did not become a statistic.

“It means lives were saved,” said Ms. Thurmond, president and co-founder of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.

Following the national trend of declining crime rates, 7 percent fewer violent crimes reported during 1997 in Augusta.

During 1998 in Richmond and Aiken counties violent crime declined over 1997 for most violent crimes, except for rape, also mirroring a national trend. In Columbia County crime declined except for murder due to two incidents of multiple homicides.

“I hate statistics,” said Richmond County sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ronald Strength said.

“Numbers are very volatile. They’re like the stock market. No one can control crime. The numbers might be down this year, and everyone’s patting you on the back, but they might go up again next year.”

And people have not caught on to the decrease and probably do not feel safer, Ms. Thurmond said.

“There’s a lot of hype about crime,” Ms. Thurmond said.

There has been progress, after all there were 50 Augusta murders in 1991, the year Blacks Against Black Crime was founded, said Thurmond, whose group works on preventing crime.

“We started out of fear – thankfully, today I can say things are better and we’re all happy about that,” Thurmond said. “But there’s still too much black-on-black crime.”
——-

State senate proposes to abolish parole
1/27/98
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/01/27/met_221389.shtml

By Lawrence Viele, Staff Writer Tracie Powell contributed to this article and members of the Morris News Service

ATLANTA – Augustans protested in front of the Municipal Building after the Georgia Senate approved a constitutional amendment to kill parole as of July 1999.

While they don’t condone crime, the protestors are against abolition of parole because blacks make up a huge part of the Georgia Prison population..

“There is a disproportionate number of African-Americans in prisons in the state of Georgia,” said Barbara Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime, a victim-advocacy group.

“We make up 30 percent of the state’s population and 70 percent of the state’s prison population. Until that changes, we will not support any amendments or bills that will keep people in prison longer,” Ms. Thurmond said.

“Those who commit crimes need to be accountable and responsible for their actions,” Thurmond said. “But when young people are sentenced to 20 to 25 years for nonviolent offenses, that is a crime committed against their souls.”

The Senate Republican proposal abolishes parole for all crimes, but Democratic leadership want to determine which crimes fit under the no-parole mandate that still must be passed by the house.
——-

Black youths gather, carry on unity goal
9/27/98
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/09/27/met_240185.shtml

About 100 black youths gathered in May Park in Augusta during September 1998 at a follow-up event to the Million Youth Movement.

“We have an unfinished agenda,” said Terence Dicks, assistant director of “Think Big ’98,” a program designed by Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. to reduce adolescent violence and drug abuse.

“We have not finished business,” said Mr. Dicks, one of several speakers urging the audience to continue the work of the Million Youth Movement.

“We have got to keep going. I ask all of you who are active right now to remember us on Oct. 16, the anniversary of the Million Man March,” Dicks said.
——-

‘They were our sons and daughters’
By Augusta Chronicle Staff Writer
4/14/97
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/04/14/met_206781.shtml

In remembrance of those slain in the Augusta area, 36 white candles burned in crystal votives during April 1997 at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church with each flame a life extinguished by homicide in 1996.

“We are here to remember the 36 people who lost their lives in 1996 to senseless acts of violence,” said Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. co-founder Barbara Thurmond at a memorial service commemorating murder victims from Richmond and Columbia counties.

“They were not just numbers, they were our lovers, our friends, sisters, brothers,” she said. “They were our sons and daughters.”

Seven months earlier after an evening church service, Linda Washington returned home to the awful, heart-wrenching news that her only son had been murdered.

Beloved son and father, who dreamed of enlisting in the Army, Michael “Connie” Washington, 20, was gunned down Sept. 4, 1996 while searching for a friend.

“My son’s life was gone,” said Mrs. Washington with pain in her voice “His dreams and hopes were gone.”

“He’s not just a statistic, Connie “was loved and he loved.”

In an effort to galvanize the community against violence, about 115 people gathered to remember.

“A lot of these people died at a very young age” pursuing the violent lives espoused by popular movies and musicians, said Terence Dicks, treasurer of Blacks Against Black Crimes.

“Death is the wrong way to go towards immortality,” Mr. Dicks said.
——–

To ensure constitutionality, Georgia lawmakers re-work bill that would keep accused murderers behind bars until trial
By Augusta Chronicle Staff Writer
2/09/97
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/02/09/met_203762.shtml

In the face of criticism that it is unconstitutional, lawmakers are re-working a proposal to keep accused Georgia murderers behind bars until they can be tried.

The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits excessive bail or fines.

“The wait is a little hard,” said Barbara Thurmond, co-founder of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. – an Augusta anti-violence group that has been pushing for the bill.

“I really do understand though,” she said. “When you’re talking about something that affects people’s constitutional rights it gets a little sticky.”

Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney Danny Craig, who is writing the bill for Rep. Henry Howard, D-Augusta, said the bill needs to be rewritten to make sure it will be constitutional.

Mr. Craig said the bill would help keep violent offenders from repeating their crimes while out on bail.

“There is simply no reason that the community should be subjected to having this violent killer in their midst,” he said.
——-

Bill would keep suspects behind bars
1/16/97
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/01/16/met_202644.shtml

Former Augusta police officer Frank Howard found a system that did not work when he tried to get justice for the killer of his 17-year-old daughter in 1992.

Mr. Howard and other members of Blacks Against Black Crime – a local anti-violence organization – are working with state Rep. Henry Howard to introduce a bill that would keep people charged with murder behind bars until they can be tried.

After Howard’s daughter was shot to death in July 1992, accused killer Catara Hill was freed from jail on $15,000 bail.

“It was like they were saying my daughter’s life was only worth $15,000.”

Mr. Howard waited for months while the trial was repeatedly postponed because the trials of incarcerated defendants took precedence while Ms. Hill was free to walk the streets.

The bill would reassure the community that dangerous offenders would be taken off the streets and could reduce the number of revenge killings, said Barbara Thurmond, head of Blacks Against Black Crime.

“Part of me died with her that day. That’s why I’m working so hard now,” Mr. Howard said, who had lost faith in the criminal justice system.

Mr. Howard took part in anti-violence drives and led a petition on the bail issue two years ago.

“What this seems to suggest is that we really think you’re guilty and we’re going to treat you that way until you can presume otherwise,” said attorney David Watkins.

Calling the bill unconstitutional, Augusta attorney Jack E. Boone, Jr. said the bill also doesn’t take into account the defendant’s record or the circumstances of the crime.”

The U.S. Constitution Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail or fines.
——-

Locals await State Legislature consideration of no-bond bill for murderers
1/12/97
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/01/12/met_202458.shtml

Shortly after Phalonda Howard was murdered in July 1992, her killer walked out of jail after posting a $15,000 bond.

Even though the killer was eventually sent to prison, Howard’s killer was allowed to roam the streets – thus delaying her trial and exposing the public to possibly more violence including retaliation and new crimes.

For those reasons, people charged with murder should not be out on bail, said Ms. Thurmond, co-founder of the Augusta based nonprofit anti-violence group Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.

Ms. Thurmond has been working with state Rep. Henry Howard to introduce a bill to keep people charged with murder and manslaughter in jail until they can be tried in court.

Defense lawyers and other legal groups will fight the bill to keep accused murderers in jail.

“What we’ve learned about the Legislature is that you’ve got a bunch of folks who go to Atlanta and forget the people they represent,” she said. “It might not be different for us, but we’re going to try.”
——-

‘Georgia gunrunners take toll on state’
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Barbara A. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Crimes, Inc. in Augusta
11/09/02
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/11/09/let_357661.shtml

In 1995 Senate Bill 109 proposed that sales of handguns be limited to no more than one gun per person per month.

Who wants to buy more than one gun a month?

A person who has a criminal record and cannot purchase handguns finds someone who is clean to make the purchases, paying him, say, $40 profit on each gun.

That’s gunrunning.

Georgia leads the nation in gunrunning.

It is legal to buy large quantities of guns in the state of Georgia.

According to The Augusta Chronicle Oct. 25, “Erich Olaf Tate pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic guns,” the agent said.

He said between 100 and 200 guns were taken to New York over a period of two to three years.

We can speculate that these guns were used for shootings, robberies and drug deals.

Over the years far too many guns recovered from crimes in other states have been traced back to Georgia.

The cost per firearm fatality is higher than any other type of fatal injury or for any of the four leading causes of death.

It is estimated that the cost of firearm injuries in the United States per year is $20.4 billion.

Taxpayers pay most of these bills.

And although the cost is high, the emotional toll on victims and their families cannot be measured in dollars.

How long will the state of Georgia continue to contribute to the great sorrow felt by the families of those killed or wounded by Georgia’s guns?

In 1991, Blacks Against Black Crimes identified the easy accessibility of guns as a contributing factor to the epidemic of black-on-black violence.

In the effort to fight for better gun control, we joined Georgians Against Gun Violence, Handgun Control, Inc. and The Million Mom March.

We have worked tirelessly over the years with the above organizations by making monetary contributions and supporting gun legislation at the state and federal level.

We are in an ongoing battle with the National Rifle Association for sensible gun control.
——-

‘Justice system unfair to blacks’
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Barbara A. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. in Augusta
6/08/02
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/06/08/let_343083.shtml

According to the May 19 Augusta Chronicle, Superior Court Judge William D. Jennings III agreed to set bond for Rufus Owens, the alleged killer of Anthony Campbell Jr.

Although Mr. Owens is facing murder and weapon charges, he was granted a $50,000 bond.

During this century, American justice has been a mockery for black people.

Black males have the highest victimization rate of any group.

This has been proven true once again.

Mr. Campbell is one of those black males, victimized over and over again – first by the killer and then by the criminal justice system.

The moment the decision was made to release the accused killer on a $50,000 bond, the family would also feel victimized again and their pain intensified.

When the criminal justice system fails to keep murder suspects behind bars, it has a marked impact on the victim’s family and community.

When those who have killed are allowed to move freely about the community, without immediate consequences for their inappropriate behavior, it sends the wrong message to impressionable minds.

One year ago, Cedric Jackson was allegedly killed by Claude Wiggleton, Jr.

A year later, this case has not been resolved and the defendant has remained out of jail after posting a $40,000 bond.

It is the opinion of Blacks Against Black Crimes that injustice and double standards within the justice system are contributing factors to black-on-black violence.

Editor’s note: Updates since Barbara Thurmond wrote her guest editorial

Richmond County jury rules shooting death of Cedric Jackson is justifiable homicide in acquitting former Augusta police detective’s son Claude Wiggleton, Jr. of voluntary manslaughter.

Meanwhile …

Still free on bond and awaiting trial, drunk murder suspect Rufus Owens Jr., 28, of Augusta was killed in March 2003 when he flipped his SUV in an early morning drunk driving accident in south Augusta – and luckily did not kill anyone else.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2003/03/31/met_474794.shtml

He died about 10 months after Barbara Thurmond wrote this guest editorial.

The victim – Mr. Anthony Campbell, Jr. – was shot at his home after an argument over a slumber party.

In a tragic twist, the victim’s brother – Sergio Campbell – was murdered in an unrelated shooting 8 years later (2010) at the age of 22.

Augusta brothers are both murdered in unrelated incidents eight years apart: Mr. Anthony Campbell, Jr.  and – Sergio Campbell

The first in an argument about a slumber party and the second in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2010-06-12/impact-homicide-goes-beyond-victims-killers
——-

‘A decade of advocacy for black homicide victims brings changes to system’
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Barbara A. Thurmond, president and co-founder of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
7/18/01
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/07/18/op_319437.shtml

TEN YEARS AGO on a hot day in June, my sister and I were motivated by fear to bring attention to the epidemic of black-on-black violence.

In 1991, Augusta/Richmond County had the highest homicide rate ever recorded.

Ninety seven percent of these homicides were blacks killed by other blacks.

We understood early on that black-on-black violence was bigger than one brother killing another.

One of the many facts we identified was the injustice and double standards of the criminal justice system.

Historically, blacks had not been punished harshly enough for killing other blacks, and we were convinced that this contributed to the epidemic of black-on-black violence.

In 1991 the average bond for a black defendant in a black-on-black killing was $20,000.

This aspect of the criminal justice system has changed.

In 2001, for example, a 24-year-old man was released on $100,000 bond after the murder of a 42-year-old victim.

Defendants are spending more time in jail as the result of more trials.

Initially we met with Judge William Fleming in an effort to understand the system.

We needed to understand the terms “murder,” “voluntary manslaughter,” “plea bargain” and bonding criteria.

TEN YEARS AGO Blacks Against Black Crime dared to dream of a world in which all crime victims and their families are treated with compassion and dignity.

In 1993 we met with District Attorney Danny Craig to voice our concerns about the lack of prosecution of black-on-black homicides.

He listens to the voices of all crime victims and has prosecuted homicide cases equitably.

We have seen more murder convictions for black-on-black homicide.

We believe this has contributed to the decline in these incidents.

Compared with 10 years ago, we are a much better system and a safer community.

We pay tribute to Sheila Stahl, director of the Victims Assistance Department of the Augusta Richmond County judicial system.

Our collective dream of victims’ justice is built upon the painful realization of the nightmare that crime has wreaked on our community.

At times funeral homes contact us when victims are without funds for burial.

We contact Victims Assistance and they help families apply for funds.

We communicate with the office weekly, sometimes daily.

TOGETHER WE share the burden of those whose losses are immeasurable, and who feel such a tremendous obligation to stand for the rights of their loved ones.

Their pain and suffering are our incentives to continue efforts to prevent crime. Black crime victims are no longer nameless, faceless entities.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s the type of killings changed; they were more random, different from the Saturday-night brawls and crimes of passion.

We saw in the 1970s that killers were younger, cold-blooded, and without conscience or remorse.

How did we get to this place?

Why had African Americans become the victims and victimizers?

In the 1980s we experienced the President Reagan-induced poverty, an increase in cocaine use and the introduction of crack cocaine.

One year after the introduction of crack cocaine, gun manufacturers increased their production by 42 percent.

The lethality of firearms escalated from low-caliber to high-caliber revolvers and semi-automatics.

The media has severely damaged the African-American image by desensitizing young people to violence and death as it continues to glamorize illegitimacy.

IS THERE A connection between the disproportionate number of blacks assigned to special education and the disproportionate number of black male victimizers?

Those in special education are unable to feel good about themselves, are labeled stupid, robbed of self-esteem, and feel nothing is expected of them.

It is part of an instilled inferiority and dehumanization process.

This can lead to dropping out of schools, illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and ultimately criminal activity.

To blame others would be easy, but we knew if we were to truly make a difference, it would take honesty.

We had to take a critical self-inventory and analysis.

In the 1970s and 1980s, middle class blacks fled the inner city, leaving it without positive role models.

Too many black intellectuals have refused to remain in some visible way connected to black cultural life and the social misery of the underclass.

THE URBAN Institute in Washington, D.C. defines the underclass family as headed by a single female, members are welfare dependent, marginally educated, chronically unemployed and engaged in repeated patterns of criminal deviance.

The act of creating new life is taken so lightly that school children sing about it.

Repetition becomes a fact, and it condemns young mothers to a life of poverty, poor education and welfare.

It is difficult for a single, teen-age mother to promote psycho-social development in her children when she is deprived of that development.

We must take responsibility for our own behavior in order to change things that are wrong.

If we improve our community, we improve our city.

If we improve our city, we improve our state and nation.

Blacks Against Black Crime has been labeled racist and accused of causing polarization.

We are volunteers working to save people from their own destruction.

We are realists.

We see things as they are and not the way we would like them to be.

We joined with organizations across the state and nation and will stand with anyone if they stand for what is right for all.

THE LAST 10 years have been challenging.

The sacrifices have been many.

Our focus has been and continues to be advocating for black homicide victims.

We ask for continued support of this city as we continue our passionate efforts to reduce crime and violence.
——-

‘Why no reward for White’s killer’
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Barbara A. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
7/18/00
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/07/18/edi_292917.shtml

Two years ago 40-year-old David Holt was murdered.

This was a heinous crime.

The family, friends, co-workers and indeed the greater Augusta community suffered a terrible loss.

On June 1, 22-year-old Shanta White and her unborn child were murdered.

This also was a heinous crime.

On the night she was killed, her family lost their future.

Everything that Shanta and her unborn child would have been is now gone forever.

What do these two crimes have in common?

Both cases were assigned to the same investigator.

Both killers are still at large.

Both victims were employed by the same company.

Both victims were children of God, made in his image.

Until their killer(s) are brought to justice, their families cannot begin the healing process.

That is where the similarities end.

Sam’s Club, the common employer, has offered a $400,000 reward for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of (white male) David Holt’s killer(s).

The Sheriff’s Department mailed a questionnaire to several zip codes seeking information on the murder of Mr. Holt.

What about (black female) Shanta White and her unborn child?

Who is willing to come forward and offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her killer(s)?

We know that offering reward money is no cure-all for crime and violence, but it is one of many tools used by law enforcers as they work to solve and prevent crime, apprehend criminals and bring them to justice.
——-

‘Claims racist response to violence’
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Barbara A. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.
7/05/99
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/07/05/edi_265057.shtml

Although juvenile crime is down in America, the media reports give a different impression.

The highly publicized school shootings in a period of 18 months include: Springfield, Ore.; Fayetteville, Tenn.; Edinboro, Penn.; Jonesboro, Ark; Paducah, Ky.; Pearl, Miss., and Littleton, Colo.

In these incidents Americans have been shown another face of youth violence, white suburban males.

These shootings have prompted federal lawmakers to address the issue of gun violence in America.

Republicans and Democrats debate daily the issue of gun control.

Newspapers, magazines and television news shows are flooded with articles on gun violence.

In contrast, Vincent Schiraidi, director of the Justice Policy Institute, estimates that 900 black youths were killed in the United States during the 18 months since the school shootings began.

In addition, according to an article published in the Baltimore Sun, it has been estimated that between 1985-1995 – 75,000 black males were slain in the United States.

If 75,000 hearses were lined up, they would stretch approximately 300 miles.

Ironically, this is comparable to the distance between Augusta and Birmingham, the cradle of the civil rights movement.

Such disparate treatment of victims is obvious and leaves many questions unanswered.

For instance, where were the outrage, the politicians, the media and the nation’s search for answers on how to end youth violence?

We are not insensitive to the tragedy in Littleton.

In fact, we have sympathy for the victims and their families regardless of race.

However, as a nation we must be as outraged over the death of 900 black males as we are about the tragedy at Columbine High School.

The nation must focus on violent crime prevention for all youth.

Until that day Blacks Against Black Crimes will be the voice for black crime victims.
——-

‘Marks Crime Victims Rights Week’
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Barbara A. Thurmond
4-23-98
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/04/23/op_226616.shtm

National Crime Victims Rights week is being observed through April 25.

During this time, organizations that assist victims of violent crime in Augusta have joined together to promote greater public awareness about the rights and needs of crime victims.

The theme of this year’s observance is “Victims Right’s Right for America.”

Remember too, that Blacks Against Black Crimes are an advocate for all victims of all crimes, regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status or religious influences.

The thrust of our focus is victims of black on black homicide, because historically the judicial system has not been sensitive to black crime victims.

Since 1991 Blacks Against Black Crimes has assisted victims in our area.

Among the many services offered by the group are counseling, education, and financial assistance for burial and referral to other agencies.

Last year in Augusta there were 28 homicides.

Crime is no longer “someone else’s” problem because tomorrow that “someone else” might be someone you know or love.
——-

‘Plugs victims’ rights; cites statistics’
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Barbara A. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.
4-14-97
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/04/14/edi_206791.shtml

This week is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in America.

Proclaimed by the president and governors across our country, the theme for this special commemoration is “Let Victims’ Rights Ring Across America.”

It is a special week dedicated to those who have been injured and killed by criminal victimization.

It is also a time to recognize and reflect upon the many accomplishments on the local, state, and federal levels that have improved rights and services extended to crime victims in our nation.

For whom does the bell of victimization toll?

Each year in America, nearly 39 million individuals become victims of crime.

Sadly, statistics show that for over half of these victims, it is not the first time nor will it be the last.

Becoming a victim of crime has become a rite of passage in our violent nation.

For example, the National Education Association reports that each day in America, 100,000 children carry guns to school, 260,000 children miss class because of the fear of being physically harmed and 40 students are killed or injured by firearms.
——-

Asks ‘Baby Face’ to sing different tune
Augusta Chronicle Guest Editorial by Terence A. Dicks, spokesperson for Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
6/18/97
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/06/18/edi_210076.shtml

After 378 years of struggle and resistance against forces ranging from legal slavery to systemic assaults through education, environmental and judicial means, African-Americans continue to rise to the occasion.

In the wake of redistricting of our Southern-most areas to the church burnings across this country, we now face genocide through our music.

That force which once gave us hope now claims our youngest talent through homicide – i.e. Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls.

This is a frontal assault on black youth in a serious time of welfare reform, and a record breaking epidemic of teen pregnancy – but along comes the song “My Baby’s Daddy,” by B-Rock and The Biz.

No other self-respecting people would allow this song to feed a corrupt spirit that already affects our youth.

One only needs to look at the break down of the black family, the disrespect for the black church, and an increase of black on black violence to see that these lyrics are harmful, undermining, and self-destructive.

Please join with us as we respond to producer Kenneth “Baby Face” Edmonds, who was recently cited by Time as one of the 25 most influential people in the country.

Let us let him know that we would like for him to use his influence in another way.
——-

‘Victim assistance is stronger’
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara Thurmond, founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.
4/03/05
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/04/03/let_449223.shtml

We have much to celebrate.

Fourteen years ago, Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc. was organized to serve this community and ensure fundamental rights for all crime victims.

Since 1994, we have seen crime victims and their families treated with compassion and dignity.

There are more than 10,000 community- and system-based organizations that help victims in the aftermath of crime.

And more than 32,000 laws have been passed at the federal and state levels that define and protect victims’ rights.

Yet there remains much work to be done, and many challenges that will put our shared values to test.

We must remain vigilant in our efforts to guarantee the same values that offer help and hope to victims of crime; when you value justice for all people who live in America, you value victim rights and services.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. told our nation that “if we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values – that all reality hinges on moral foundations, and that all reality has spiritual control.”

The moral foundation of the victim-assistance field is one of compassion and caring, justice and equal rights.

The bricks and mortar we have used to create a nation that values justice, individual and community safety have fueled our efforts for more than 14 years.

These values are our vision for a future in which rights and services for victims and survivors of crime are not the exception to the rule, but the rule itself.

As the “father of the victim-impact statement,” James Rowland once said, “Justice will not be served until victims’ rights are not just observed annually, but practiced daily.”
——-

‘Homicide decline should inspire’
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara A. Thurmond, co-founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
2/23/05
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/02/23/let_444380.shtml

All Augustans have reasons to be thankful.

Homicides continue to decline each year, particularly black-on-black homicides.

In 2004, Augusta-Richmond county homicides were at an all-time low: 14 homicides were recorded.

Black males continue to make up the majority of slaying victims, causing us to focus on causes of crime in the black community.

As encouraging as this progress is, much work needs to be done. Simply stated, we need to recommit ourselves and intensify our efforts.

Sororities, fraternities, community-based organizations, educators, religious leaders, churches and mentors are doing great works with the youth in Augusta; your hard work and dedication have contributed to this decline.

No matter what is going on in the world, our children have to succeed; our communities have to be made whole.
——-

‘Keep assault weapons off streets’
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara A. Thurmond, co-founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
7/31/04
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/07/31/let_423842.shtml

(The federal ban on assault weapons expired in Sept. 2004 – and efforts for a new ban has yet to even be voted on by U.S. lawmakers)

Pleading for the renewal of the “ban on assault weapons,” Barbara Thurmond noted that “these weapons of mass destruction” have been used in “America’s most notorious massacres” like the 1999 Columbine High School death spree and the “2003 D.C. sniper shootings.”

“The AK-47, Tec-9 and the Uzi” have caused our police to be “outgunned” and are a continued “threat to the safety of our dedicated police officers and the public,” Thurmond wrote in a July 2004 letter to the editor.

“Assault weapons are made to kill many people at one time,” Thurmond stated.

“Georgia is a high-volume gun state,” Thurmond said, citing a survey by “Americans for Gun Safety” that concluded in “2003 Georgia ranked fourth in the nation in the number of high-crime gun stores” that sold weapons “responsible for at least 200″ crimes between 1996 and 2000.

“We need sensible gun laws, enforcement of existing laws and concerted local efforts to make our city, state and nation safer,” she wrote.

“Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. joins with the Million Mom March, Georgians for Gun Safety and the Brady Campaign for Handgun Control in supporting the assault weapon ban and all efforts to reduce firearm injuries and death.”

Thurmond asked:

“Why would anyone want these weapons back on the streets of America?”
——-

‘Be mindful of victims’ rights’
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara A. Thurmond, co-founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
4/16/04
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/04/16/let_412349.shtml

“Most people in America will be a victim of or witness to a crime in their lifetime,” stated Barbara Thurmond in an April 2004 letter to the editor adding violence and terrorism have a “profound effect on feelings of safety and security.”

Noting the annual April National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Thurmond stated crime victims “need to feel safe in reporting crimes” and need the protection of their “core rights to information and notification, protection, participation, and restitution.”

“Many victims never report crime because of trauma and fear” and many suffer a devastating psychological impact “damaging victims’ abilities to focus, function and work,” Thurmond wrote.

“We have much work to do to validate the harm (crime victims) have endured” and listen to “their voices and concerns” while protecting “their rights as victims,” she said.

“Lives are irrevocably changed” during violent crimes like “the robbery victim who is left a paraplegic, the family whose breadwinner is murdered, the battered woman who hides her bruises in hopes of hiding her chronic suffering, and the child-abuse victims who hear the threats of their abusers and never disclose their victimization,” Thurmond wrote.

“Victims and survivors of crime” need to be “assured that they are not responsible for what happened, and that the persons who hurt them will be brought to justice,” Thurmond stated.
——-

“Stop exercising political favors”
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara A. Thurmond, co-founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
2/18/03
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2003/02/18/let_376096.shtml

Noting that Sen. Don Cheeks, R-Augusta, used his “position of influence to have a convicted sex offender not register with the state’s sex offenders’ registry,” Thurmond stated she was further alarmed that those “in positions of power and authority” often “manipulate laws” during a time when children are in the midst of a violence crisis.

“The real tragedy,” Thurmond stated, is the political favors continue “at a time when children need help” but instead see examples of lawmakers doing political favors and therefore not “holding offenders responsible for their actions.”

She cited an Atlanta Journal-Constitution story that revealed in the previous five years state “legislators have made at least 5,500 contacts on behalf of prisoners and parolees” in a “custom (that) benefits whites primarily” in a Georgia “inmate population (that) is two-thirds black.”

Thurmond stated in the February 2003 letter to the editor that in Georgia’s slavery days the laws were manipulated by white plantation owners to ensure cotton was picked.

“The white boss would go to the prosecutor and judge on Monday, following the weekend killing of a black by another black, and he would tell them not to prosecute the killer, because he needed the able body back at work to toil in the fields,” Thurmond wrote.

“This practice had a lasting effect on black people and to this day, we continue to feel the effect of political favors,” stated Thurmond fearing children are the next group to suffer from political favors.
——-

“Jury’s ‘not-guilty’ verdict appalls and perplexes observer”
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara A. Thurmond, co-founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
9/16/02
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/09/16/let_352959.shtml

After attending a decade of black on black murder trials in Augusta, Barbara Thurmond said she “can’t get used to the stupidity and senselessness” of the violence.

“A baby-mama drama, a fragile ego and a gun are ingredients for a homicide,” she wrote in a September 2002 letter to the editor.

“Repetitious childbearing out of wedlock by different partners is taken too lightly in our society,” said Thurmond who believed proper parenting and a sense of personal responsibility would prevent black on black crime.

“The mothers will use these children as a way of manipulating the daddies and, more often than not, it has deadly consequences,” wrote Thurmond – upset that a jury found a father not guilty in the shooting death the unarmed boyfriend of his “baby’s mama” in an incident that also saw “the baby hit his head on the wall” during an altercation.

“It’s easy to blame the victim for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“The purpose of a gun is to kill,” Thurmond wrote – describing some gun-toting black males as having a “fragile ego” who are “craving respect.”

“When a person makes a conscious decision to carry a loaded gun, the decision has been made to kill,” Thurmond stated.

An advocate for getting assault weapons and handguns off the streets, Thurmond said she agrees with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference that “guns are bad news, and they bring sad news.”
——-

“Black-on-black homicide should remain a priority issue” in Augusta Chronicle
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara A. Thurmond, co-founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
3-7-02
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/03/07/let_337310.shtml

“What has not changed is the disproportionate number of blacks who die as the result of violence,” said Barbara Thurmond in a March 2002 letter to the editor reacting to a drop in the crime rate. “We must address the leading cause of death of African-Americans.”

Thurmond said it is “painfully obvious to me” that “black-on-black homicide is a threat to African-Americans in Augusta.”

“African-Americans are six times more likely to be murdered than whites” in Augusta, said Thurmond who did her own investigation and calculations – after a newspaper article on murders did not take race into account – concluding there was not a pattern to violence in Augusta. “Homicides account for more deaths of black men ages 25-44 than does heart disease, cancer or diabetes.”

“We cannot continue to ignore black-on-black homicides – Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away,” she wrote

“Black leaders, this is our war and we must stay on the battlefield, armed with courage, truth, persistence and faith,” Thurmond stated listing some of the underlying causes of black on black violence. “Voting, economic empowerment and the removal of the Confederate flag are all important issues; issues that we all must be concerned about.”
——-

Raps paper for “lack of objectivity”
Augusta Chronicle Letter to the Editor by Barbara A. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
4/3/00
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/04/03/edi_285922.shtml

According to the March 12 Chronicle, Christopher Andrews died of cardiac wounds at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital after allegedly being stabbed by Alicia Hall.

I’m a lay person without a law degree, but because of the commitment to the cause of victims’ rights, I’ve had to familiarize myself with the process of reaching a verdict in a case such as this.

When did The Chronicle become prosecutor, jury and judge? What happened to objective reporting?

I have no opinion on the case due to the fact that evidence hasn’t been presented in a court of law.

All I’ve read is hearsay, pro and con, in favor of the victim and defendant.

Mr. Andrews has a right to have his case heard in a court of law before a verdict is reached.

It is unfair and manipulative of the media to render a verdict of self-defense. To do this is extended victimization of Mr. Andrews.

Let’s allow the judicial system to do its job.

I feel that District Attorney Danny Craig is capable of getting to the truth.

We expect newspapers to report facts and information, saving opinions for the editorial page.

(Editor’s note: The Augusta Chronicle quoted Alicia Hall’s mother, who said the attack on Christopher Andrews was in self-defense.)
——-

“Campaign to protest crime fulfills co-founder’s dream”
Remembering Barbara Thurmond Book and Goals Augusta Chronicle
10/18/06
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/10/18/met_100934.shtml

“Don’t stop – the kids need you,” said Barbara Thurmond’s mother Lillian – during an October 2006 service at New Creation Missionary Baptist Church that kicked off her daughter Barbara Thurmond’s last wish – a 40-day campaign of prayer and fasting to protest crime in Augusta.
——

“An example of courage”
2006 Augusta Chronicle Editorial Honoring the Life of Barbara A. Thurmond 9/01/06
By Augusta Chronicle Editorial Staff
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/09/01/edi_94880.shtml

Courage defined the life of Barbara Ann Thurmond, whose funeral services are being held today at Augusta’s Tabernacle Baptist Church.

She died much too young at age 56, but in that brief life she displayed enough courage for many lifetimes.

One could even say she wrote the book on courage.

Joy in my Heart: My Journey From Hopelessness to Happiness, released two years ago, recounted the pain, trials and tribulations she suffered after being diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor in 1983 that forced her into a wheelchair as a paraplegic.

Though Mrs. Thurmond was debilitated physically, she refused to let the illness defeat her feisty spirit and enduring spirituality.

“The wheelchair never set boundaries on her,” said one friend.

Indeed, the physical challenge simply spurred her to triumphs in other areas of her life.

Disgusted by homicides in her community, Mrs. Thurmond and her sister, Earnestine Covington, founded Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. in 1991 to combat Richmond County’s rising violent crime rate.

It took considerable personal courage for the sisters to base such a group in their Augusta neighborhood, and to work with law enforcement, yet they did just that.

And they were effective too.

District Attorney Danny Craig credits Mrs. Thurmond’s leadership for playing a key role in cutting Augusta’s crime rate to one of the lowest in the state.

“She was effective and never afraid to tell the entire community to ‘Stop the violence,’ ” said Terence Dicks, a longtime friend and fellow organization member.

Mrs. Thurmond’s courage was an inspiration to our community.

We join her family and wide circle of friends in mourning her passing.

She will be sorely missed.
——-

Remembering Barbara Thurmond, James Brown ‘Music, sermon energizes audience at MLK celebration’
Augusta Chronicle story By Staff Writer Sylvia Cooper
1/16/07
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2007/01/16/met_112649.shtml

Music, prayers, speeches, a rousing sermon and memorial tributes marked the official 14th annual Martin L. King, Jr. Memorial Observance CSRA is Monday at Beulah Grove Baptist Church.

Greetings were given by Beulah Grove’s pastor, the Rev. Sam Davis; Augusta Commissioner Bernard Harper; Imam Mohamad Alhomsi, Dr. Jim Cruickshanke, the CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital; Rabbi Robert G. Klensin of the Congregation Children of Israel; and Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver.

Mr. Copenhaver told the crowd that as he was leaving a breakfast earlier in the day, a reporter asked, “Are we living the dream in Augusta, Ga.?”

“And my answer to the question was, ‘We are beginning to live the dream in Augusta, Ga.,’ ” Mr. Copenhaver said.

“My goal is for Augusta, Ga., to be the living embodiment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, and I know working together we can and will get there.”

The mayor said he was committed to working with the Rev. Larry Fryer to get a King statue for Augusta.

The keynote speaker, the Rev. Frank K. Kennedy Jr., pastor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Lanett, Ala., had the crowd of more than a thousand on its feet with his sermon about the importance of being authentic and the need everyone has for “a lifetime guarantee of roadside assistance.”

The program included a special commemoration for James Brown and memorial tributes to Coretta Scott King; Rosa Parks; Barbara Thurmond, a co-founder of Augusta’s Blacks Against Black Crime Inc.; Pat Jones, the director of the Augusta Youth Center; Juvenile Court Judge Herbert E. Kernaghan Jr.; longtime State Court Judge James E. Slayton; and longtime Richmond County school board member B.J. Annis.

Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com

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Augusta, Georgia Area Homicides Database and Map Created by the Augusta Chronicle

From 2005 to present

Killings in Richmond County, Columbia County, and Aiken County, South Carolina

Victims/Courts/Stats/Race/Gender

http://chronicle.augusta.com/data/homicides

More homicide victims stories:

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2010-06-11/homicides

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/11/19/met_301784.shtml

Augusta Chronicle series on homicides in the Augusta area:

Impact of homicide goes beyond victims, killers

Saturday, June 12, 2010

By Mike Wynn

Staff Writer

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2010-06-12/impact-homicide-goes-beyond-victims-killers

Photos:

Nichole Campbell, of Augusta stands by the graves of her murdered brothers.

They died 8 years apart.

Nicole frequently visits the church cemetery where her brothers, Anthony and Sergio, are buried.

Augusta Chronicle Photo by Corey Perrine/Staff

Dr. Michael Hawkins, who has led Medical College of Georgia’s trauma unit for 20 years, shows the X-ray of a patient whose head has a bullet lodged in it.

He said there is no easy way to tell family members about violent deaths.

Augusta Chronicle Photo by Jackie Ricciardi/Staff

Who commits homicides?

Suspects in killings often have records

Sunday, June 13, 2010

By Sandy Hodson

Staff Writer

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2010-06-13/suspects-killings-often-have-records

Where do homicides happen?

“Residential areas see more crime”

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

By Adam Folk

Staff Writer

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/aiken/2010-06-15/residential-areas-see-more-crime

Photos:

Makayla and Alaina Dowling play with a bucket of cool water outside their home in T&S Mobile Home Park in Aiken, S.C.

Their father, Eric Dowling, says that the neighborhood has improved enough that he will allow his daughters to play outside.

Photo by Zach Boyden-Holmes/Staff

Employers, employees often become victims

June 19, 2003

By Vicky Eckenrode

Staff Writer

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2003/06/19/bus_378865.shtml

Contact reporter Vicky Eckenrode

706-823-3227

vicky.eckenrode@augustachronicle.com

——-

December 29, 1998
By Staff Writers Chasiti Kirkland, Emily Sollie, Tom Corwin and Jason B. Smith

Obama’s 2012 campaign already looks very different. While he has lost the majority of institutional funding to his business friendly opponent Mitt Romney, his grassroots campaign is surprisingly larger, more diverse, and stronger than it was four years ago. This has lead the current President to slightly out fund Romney, but still far from even doubling his opponent’s figures. The reason Obama can enjoy stronger public support than Romney is because of the difference in his campaign priorities. Romney spends the majority of his monthly funds on TV adds (around $18 million) and radio air-time ($13 million), while Obama barely spends $9 million in both of those categories combined. Where the President does focus his funding is in grassroots spending ($15 million) and online campaigning ($23 million). This difference makes Obama’s money harder and less stable to acquire than Romney’s steady flow of institutional cash, but significantly helps in rebuilding the presidents image and support.

The effectiveness of this risky strategy has already become apparent 195 days before election day. Obama’s support has jumped from low forties in December to low fifties today, proving that his focus on grassroots campaigning not only works, it could very well lead to another crushing victory (unlike the tight election many analysts are predicting). The important fact to remember is that besides a dismal jobs figure for March with only 120,000 jobs (125,000 jobs are needed simply to keep up with population growth) Obama support has still risen steadily. Even in the face of strong republican criticism, a significant drop in funding, and a floundering economic recovery, the people continue to side with Obama’s views. They still believe in his vison of a New America, and still see the truth in the equality he preaches. In the end that is the President’s greatest weapon, that he is one of us.

Populist mayor is a little more popular

From Forum Research this morning comes the somewhat surprising news that the mayor’s popularity has slowly started to recover. The pollster puts him at a 47% approval rating, up significantly from the 40% range he’s been mired in since last summer.

The uptick proves that Ford is at his most popular than when he’s not trying to achieve anything substantial. His attempts to implement major policy and budget changes through 2011 resulted only in battered and sinking poll numbers. The quieter, less divisive tone he’s struck since the end of March has him on a better track with his soft-supporters.

The same poll also revealed that Ford would be competitive in a three-way mayoral race in 2014, which isn’t surprising at all. Frankly, if the left and centre-left political factions can’t get on the same page and mount a united front against Ford with a strong candidate, they both deserve to lose.

Casino debate rolls on, but no municipal pay-off

Toronto’s casino debate continues, with talk of it being a ballot question in 2014. Reports say that MGM and other big-ticket Vegas casino conglomerates are already eyeing the city for a major casino resort development. Giorgio Mammoliti even attempted to sway people to the pro-casino side by citing the possibility of Celine Dion coming to town.

Our hearts, they go on.

Arguments on this issue continue to focus far too much on the perceived morality of government-backed gambling. I have trouble with this line of debate because it’s not as if Toronto doesn’t already have gambling: slot machines are ringing at Woodbine seven-days-a-week and there are off-track betting storefronts located city-wide. The sky hasn’t fallen.

The more relevant question is whether a casino will have a sustained, positive impact on the city’s finances. All signs point to bust.

OLG isn’t looking to make municipalities rich. Instead, they’re looking to stick a local government with the costs of servicing a massive new entertainment complex while the province gets rich off direct gaming revenues and the Ontario share of the HST. By comparison, city revenues look to be virtually microscopic.

Unless council is able to get the province to offer far better terms on a casino deal than other municipalities have been granted, this whole debate remains a waste of time and a distraction from more important civic issues.

Rob Ford’s Toronto: pools empty, zoos closed?

After last month’s scare with new sports fees that almost were, we got word this week about further fallout from council’s 2012 budget decisions. In short: a number of pools and wading pools across the city may still close and the small zoos at High Park and on Toronto Island are still threatened.

The cost of maintaining all threatened facilities is, in practical terms, minuscule: less than a million dollars a year combined.

These cuts remain on the table mostly because they were overlooked during last year’s rushed and divisive budget process, as councillors and citizen groups worked to protect libraries and transit. Residents deserve a fair chance to provide feedback and look at the value-for-money these facilities provide. Council should step in and ensure no pools or zoos close until after a more thorough consultation and budget review process.

For love of fried chicken

Every now and then, I enjoy some fried chicken, even though I know it’s not always the healthiest thing to eat. If this seems like an irrelevant point to make in the context of a post about city politics, then, well, good. It’s completely irrelevant. Let’s keep our eyes on the issues that matter.

2012 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Conference is June 18-20, 2012 in Arlington, VA

2012 38^th National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Conference will be held August 19-22, 2012 in San Diego

The April 4th Revisited: National Youth Violence Prevention Conference was held on April 4, 2012 at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta

2012 Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. Annual Violence Awareness Program event was held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Beulah Grove Community Resource Center in Augusta, Georgia

2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was April 22-28, 2012

Excerpts from book “Joy in my Heart: My Journey from Hopelessness to Happiness” by Barbara Thurmond published by AuthorHouse in 2003 in paperback and hardcover

Editor’s Note: My dear friend and mentor Barbara Thurmond would have been embarrassed by this tribute to her efforts – feeling it is much more important for us to concentrate on the issues of black-on-black violence and victim’s rights – and I agree.
Hope this and subsequent posts do both.

By Rev. Terence A. Dicks and Greg Peterson

(Augusta, Georgia) — Former Neonatal ICU nurse and longtime community activist Barbara A. Thurmond hoped to stem the killing of children, teens and others in African American neighborhoods across Augusta, Georgia — and co-founded a group with her sister that aimed to stop black-on-black violence during an especially violent time in the city’s history that claimed the lives of many youth.

From a wheelchair that confined her body (but not her heart), Ms. Barbara Thurmond stood tall in her effort to stop the violence that was killing Augusta’s youth — an effort that lived on after her death.

Founded in June 1991, the anti-violence group Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. was the brainchild of Thurmond and her sister, Earnestine Covington.

After years of escalating violence in Augusta’s black communities that peaked several times, the pair started the group when Augusta had its highest murder rate ever — and 97 percent was black-on-black – and in a tragic irony many occurred on Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Ten years after the creation of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc., Thurmond said the antiviolence group “dared to dream of a world in which all crime victims and their families are treated with compassion and dignity.”

Thurmond said in addition to stopping violence and getting guns off the streets, one of the related problems was the embedded racism in Augusta that allows blacks to be treated differently by authorities and in public perception.

“We understood early on that black on black violence was bigger than one brother killing another,” Thurmond said. “One of the many facts we identified was the injustice and double standards of the criminal justice system.”

Barbara Thurmond

Barbara Thurmond added that “the media has severely damaged the African American image.”

The various forms of violent media “desensitizes young people to violence and death and it continues to glamorize illegitimacy,” she said

Thurmond ask the important question “is there a connection between the disproportionate number of blacks assigned to special education and the disproportionate number of black male victimizers?”

“I ‘live in the hood’ and when I want to find out what is going on in a situation of conflict, I know who my contacts are — they trust me and I trust them,” Thurmond said.

“All children will grow up in an environment made better through adequate medical care, child care and education in supportive and responsible families free from poverty, abuse and crime”

“If only Ms. Thurmond were alive today maybe the black-on-black violence in Augusta could be reduced because of her spirit and love for people”

— said Rev. Terence A. Dicks of Augusta, a member of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. from 1991 to 2006 and served as the group’s chief financial officer from 1995 to 2002.

Augusta Chronicle photo of Barbara Thurmond used in an October 2006 story by Nikasha Dicks, Augusta Chronicle reporter, entitled “Campaign to protest crime fulfills co-founder’s dream” about the Thurmond’s death.

Thurmond, who passed away in August 2006, “was disturbed at black on black crime” in the early 90′s.

It led her to form an organization to bring awareness to the problem — and despite her illness, she never left the fight,” states a news story about her death by WRDW TV-12 in North Augusta, South Carolina.

Thurmond was “a rare individual with rare insights,” the News 12 story pointed out.

That crime problem is just as scary nationwide causing many civil rights leaders to speak out again the crime rate.

“We just decided to call it what it was,” Thurmond stated in 1997. “We were blacks who were addressing the epidemic of black on black crime.”

People should “turn to each other and not on each other,” said civil rights leader and former Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) President Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery.

July 1999 Augusta Chronicle photo of Barbara Thurmond (right) for July 27, 1999 article entitled “Crime in Black Community” written by Augusta Chronicle Crime Reporter Meghan Gourley

Thurmond was very concerned at the number of African American males involved in violence and the rate they were dying, according to Dicks, who calls Thurmond as a “friend and a mentor and a comrade.”

“She was in a wheelchair – and she could not walk – but did more than any minister, any educator and any professional I ever met,” Dicks said.

1997 Augusta Chronicle photo of Barbara Thurmond for a January 12, 1997 story entitled “Locals await Legislature” about the brutal murder of Phalonda Howard of Augusta.
Thurmond is sitting next to a “stop the Killing” campaign poster

The Augusta anti-violence group was formed because of the alarming increase in violent and non-violent crimes that involve African Americans under the age of 30 — and way to often in their teens — perpetrating crimes against other African American youth, adults and the elderly.

“Group members starting to get the same feelings we got back in the 80′s (when the crime rate spiked) that there is something wrong including there are too many shootings,” Dicks said.

“Even today, there are too many dead bodies showing up in the African American Community in Augusta and across the United States,” Rev. Dicks said with a heavy heart.

Police say that similar groups are needed across the country to battle the problem and save youth from dying and going to prison.

Barbara Thurmond (left), President of Blacks Against Black Crime. Inc., listens to Dr. Bill Reese (right) discuss crime prevention an “Out-Smart Crime” Community Resources and Crime Prevention Conference held on April 1, 1999 at Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia.

Barbara Thurmond said communities can become safer when prosecutors, victim rights advocates and neighborhood groups work together

“We pay tribute to Sheila Stahl, director of the Victims Assistance Department of the Augusta Richmond County judicial system,” Thurmond said in a guest editorial in the Augusta Chronicle.

Richmond County District Attorney Danny Craig “listens to the voices of all crime victims and has prosecuted homicide cases equitably, Thurmond said.

“We have seen more murder convictions for black-on-black homicide” and “this has contributed to the decline” in violent crime

Sheila Stahl (left) listens to other panelists at a 1991 Crime Prevention Conference in Augusta, Georgia. Stahl was the director of the Victims Assistance Department of the Augusta Richmond County judicial system.

“Compared with 10 years ago, we are a much better system and a safer community,” Thurmond stated in July 2001.

Our collective dream of victims’ justice is built upon the painful realization of the nightmare that crime has wreaked on our community.

Stahl and Thurmond both were among the many panelists for a Community Resources and Crime Prevention Conference held on April 1, 1999 at Augusta State University that included many speakers and a logo stating “Out-Smart Crime.”

Program for April 1999 “Out-Smart Crime” Community Resources and Crime Prevention Conference in Augusta. Georgia.

Before her death in August 2006 Thurmond wrote a book about her life in a wheelchair, her love for Augusta’s youth – and all humanity.

Entitled “Joy in my Heart: My Journey from Hopelessness to Happiness” — Thurmond wrote the book of memoirs to explain the struggles in her life that empowered and inspired her efforts stop the raging violence in African American communities across the Augusta area.

“I am honored and grateful that Barbara Thurmond saw fit to make me part of her book that sadly depicts black on black youth violence in Augusta, GA,” said Rev. Terence A. Dicks of Augusta, who is part of of the book written by Barbara Thurmond.

Thurmond was one of five women in the U.S. who received the Essence Award from Essence Magazine as “women who go above and beyond” involving community involvement and volunteerism.

Thurmond was selected as the $10,000 grand prize winner of the 2001 Women of Wonder (WOW) contest – given to an African-American woman between the ages of 25 and 54 who has made a significant impact in the lives of others – and sponsored by the Aunt Jemima® Brand of Quaker Foods and Beverages in partnership with the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

The “unselfish efforts” of Barbara Thurmond “to fight crime in her community and seek healing for crime victims epitomizes the spirit of the Women of Wonder contest,” said Pamela Jordan, spokesperson for Aunt Jemima.

Thurmond was given the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Award in 2006.

Barbara Thurmond was baptized at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta at an early age.

She received her early education from the Richmond County School System and was a proud graduate of Lucy C. Laney High School Class of 1968.

Barbara was employed as a Neonatal ICU Nurse at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta — and a Neurology nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Institute in New York, New York from which she medically retired.

Some Blacks Against Black Crimes activities included: victim’s rights advocacy, the “Stop the Killing” campaign, college scholarships and the “Think Bigger” programs in Jennings Homes, Gilbert Manor and Underwood Homes.

Some of the organizations that recognized her work included: Essence Magazine, The National Council of Negro Women, the Georgia Black Legislative Caucus, the Georgia House of Representatives, the State of Georgia and the City of Augusta.

Barbara was born to Mrs. Lillian C. Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia and the late Mr. Ernest Thurmond.

(Scroll down to see more information about Thurmond’s life, news coverage about her efforts, her many honors/awards, her family and other information)

——-

Barbara Thurmond took her crusade against black-on-black violence to the public through articles, stories, and guest editorials in The Augusta Chronicle newspaper in Augusta, Georgia

The Augusta Chronicle newspaper also wrote editorials about the causes created by Thurmond and many others who helped – and the paper memorialized the courageous activist following her untimely death.

Stop the violence activist Barbara A. Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia co-founded Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. with her sister Earnestine Covington in June 1991.

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/89297580?access_key=key-2nny5yvqnamzdixtx5l1

Part of an Augusta Chronicle Editorial reacting to the August 2006 death of Barbara Thurmond

Courage defined the life of Barbara Ann Thurmond, whose funeral services are being held today at Augusta’s Tabernacle Baptist Church.

She died much too young at age 56, but in that brief life she displayed enough courage for many lifetimes.

One could even say she wrote the book on courage.

“Joy in my Heart: My Journey From Hopelessness to Happiness,” released two years ago, recounted the pain, trials and tribulations she suffered after being diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor in 1983 that forced her into a wheelchair as a paraplegic.

Though Mrs. Thurmond was debilitated physically, she refused to let the illness defeat her feisty spirit and enduring spirituality.

“The wheelchair never set boundaries on her,” said one friend.

——-

The Renée Olubunmi Rondeau Peace Foundation Website Has a Tribute to Barbara Thurmond on its website
http://www.rorpf.org

The Renée Olubunmi Rondeau Peace Foundation (RORPF) was formed by Elaine and Gordon Rondeau of Augusta, Georgia in August, 1997 after the murder of their daughter, Renée on the 31^st of October, 1994.

National Coalition of Victims In Action
(NCVIA) is a component of the Renée Olubunmi Rondeau Peace Foundation
The memorial to Barbara Thurmond on the NCVIA Board of Directors page recognizes her efforts with the “Tools for Change” project:

http://www.rorpf.org/NCVIA%20Board%20of%20Directors.htm

Barbara Thurmond Memoriam by National Coalition of Victims in Action (NCVIA) Board of Directors:

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/88124569?access_key=key-agz4wzy54glvpch2ywm

Georgia Lawmakers honored Barbara Thurmond for her crusade against violence and for protecting children

Barbara Thurmond Honored in 2005 by Georgia House of Representatives in House Resolution 2267:

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/88115176?access_key=key-1aiqagtmxbn7iqas9a1o

Barbara Thurmond

Barbara Thurmond was honored in 2005 by the Georgia House of Representatives in a resolution sponsored by Georgia Rep. Henry Howard and Georgia Rep. Quincy Murphy, both Democrats of Augusta:
http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2005_06/fulltext/hr2267.htm
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20052006/64234.pdf
(Scroll down to read the full text or click on the above links)

Georgia House of Representatives Resolution 2267

Sponsored by Georgia State Representative Henry “Wayne” Howard, (D-Augusta) District 121 and Georgia State Representative William “Quincy” Murphy (D-Augusta) District 120

A RESOLUTION

Honoring Barbara Thurmond for her commitment to helping victims of violent crimes

WHEREAS, Barbara Thurmond was recently nominated to receive the National Organization for Victim Assistance Award for 2006 which is presented annually to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals and programs in the victims’ movement; and

WHEREAS, Barbara has done outstanding work in service to victims of crime in Richmond County, Georgia, and also has done a fantastic job as the Executive Director of Blacks against Black Crimes, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, a nurse by profession, she retired at the age of 34 as a result of a catastrophic illness and she continues to be a voice for victims and survivors even though she is confined to a wheelchair; and

WHEREAS, she has been a comfort and inspiration to hundreds of victims and their families with whom she has worked to obtain victims’ justice and assistance and she is also a survivor of a homicide victim, her stepdaughter, Tina; and

WHEREAS, Barbara has received the Essence Award from Essence Magazine and was selected as one of five women in the United States “who go above and beyond,” based upon her community involvement and volunteerism, by the National Council of Negro Women; and

WHEREAS, she is a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, the Black Heritage Commission, the Central Savannah River Area Girl Scouts, Handgun Control, Inc., Able/Disabled, the Association of Georgians With Disabilities, and other organizations too numerous to list.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor Barbara Thurmond for her tireless efforts in support of the victims of violent crime and their survivors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Barbara Thurmond.
——-

Barbara Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia was the $10,000 grand prize winner of the 2001 Women of Wonder (WOW) contest involving African-American woman between the ages of 25 and 54 who make a significant impact in the lives of others.

Sponsors: Aunt Jemima® Brand of Quaker Foods and Beverages and the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

Thurmond received her prize during a ceremony at the NCNW National Headquarters in Washington D.C.

Thurmond was nominated by her daughter, Aquanetta Betts, and was chosen from thousands of nominees because of her tireless efforts to fight black-on-black crime and seek justice for crime victims and their families.

Thurmond founded Blacks Against Crimes, Inc.; launched a “Stop the Killing” movement that identified the causes of black-on-black violence; was director of “Think Bigger,” a monthly program developed to reduce youth violence and drug abuse; used the media to raise awareness of the problem, organized a speakers bureau, was an advocate for victims’ rights and was a member of ten additional community boards without compensation.

“Ms. Thurmond is a woman whose relentless fight for empowerment makes her a woman of wonder,” said Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Chairperson and NCNW President Emerita.

The “unselfish efforts” of Barbara Thurmond “to fight crime in her community and seek healing for crime victims epitomizes the spirit of the Women of Wonder contest,” said Pamela Jordan, spokesperson for Aunt Jemima.

“The ten-year partnership between the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. and the Aunt Jemima® Brand of The Quaker Oats Company has helped us celebrate the positive influence of African-American women, not only on our communities, but on the world,” Dr. Height said.

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/89283080?access_key=key-r9j6j6jzl37kclj9m44
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/89283015?access_key=key-1ydtwlu0me5ibz2zgll0

Augusta, Georgia Television Station WRDW TV-12 stories about the stop the violence efforts of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. Founder Barbara A. Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia

TV-12 did stories about the admirable causes created by Thurmond and many others who helped in the fight – and the TV station memorialized the courageous activist following her untimely death.

Stop the Violence Activist Barbara A. Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia co-founded Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. with her sister Earnestine Covington in June 1991.

The WRDW-TV station is technically located across the Savannah River in North Augusta, South Carolina.

We thank WRDW-TV for its many stories about Barbara Thurmond – and this .pdf is a compilation of the TV-12 news stories.

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/89300225?access_key=key-14jh8fqt33i653esnhgi

WRDW TV-12 (North Augusta, South Carolina) coverage remembering the accomplishments of Barbara Thurmond upon word of her death in August 2006
http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/3753382.html

Blacks Against Black Crimes Founder’s Message Lives On

Barbara Thurmond was disturbed at black on black crime in the early 90′s.
It led her to form an organization to bring awareness to the problem…and despite her illness, she never left the fight.

By Reporter Domonique Benn
August 28, 2006

People who knew Barbara Thurmond say she was a rare individual with rare insights.

The retired nurse co-founded Blacks Against Black Crimes back in 1991.

The people who helped her bring awareness want to secure her legacy as they continue to fight black on black crime.

Barbara Thurmond was disturbed at black on black crime in the early 90′s.

It led her to form an organization to bring awareness to the problem…and despite her illness, she never left the fight.

Now, with Thurmond’s death, others are left to carry the torch.

Blacks Against Black Crimes formed in 1991.

At the time, Augusta had its highest murder rate ever.

97 percent were black on black.

Organization member Terence Dicks says he’s seeing a mirror image.

“Actually, we are almost back to where we were,” he says.

Barbara Thurmond, founder of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc., found a disturbing trend back in the early 90′s.

“We just decided to call it what it was,” she said in 1997.

“What it was, we were blacks who were addressing the epidemic of black on black crime.”

“She was really concerned at the number of African American males and the rate they were dying,” Dicks says.

And some say it is slowly becoming an epidemic again, with recent murders and violence on Martin Luther King Boulevard, Eve Street, Pepperidge, and a gas station shooting.

Investigator Richard Roundtree says all of them were crimes committed by blacks on blacks.

“Right now it’s still a problem,” he says. “We have a lot of violent acts happening in our community. Unfortunately they are within some racial structure.”

“There are those of us who are starting to get the same feelings we got back in the 80′s that there is something wrong,” Dicks says, “that there are too many dead bodies showing up that there are too many shootings.”

So they’re picking up the pace once again, this time without Barbara Thurmond…the woman who left too soon, but never left anything undone.

The Sheriff’s Department agrees that more organizations like Blacks Against Black Crimes are needed in the community to help with the fight.

Barbara Thurmond’s funeral is set for later this week.
—

TV-12 coverage of the Barbara Thurmond “Farewell to an Angel”
http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/3809441.html

Augusta Remembers an Angel: Barbara Thurmond

Today, family, friends, and city leaders paid their last respects to a woman who spent much of her life fighting black on black crime and challenged the community to stand up.

By Reporter Domonique Benn
September 1, 2006

The city has proclaimed September 1 a day of mourning on behalf of Barbara Thurmond and her works on behalf of the community.

Today, family, friends, and city leaders paid their last respects to a woman who spent much of her life fighting black on black crime and challenged the community to stand up.

Barbara Thurmond was challenged herself, but she did not allow her disability to handicap her life.

Former mayoral candidate Willie Mays and Mayor Pro Tem Marion Williams both called Thurmond friend.

“My friend Barbara was a person who owned a wheelchair, but that wheelchair did not own Barbara,” said Willie Mays.

“When she got ill, she still continued to fight to change the structure of the community as to what’s going on,” Marion Williams said.

A disturbing trend was going on in Augusta during the early 90′s, and it was Barbara Thurmond who worked to end black on black crime.

Sheriff Ronnie Strength calls her a friend of the sheriff’s office.

“It was a great concern of hers, and it’s a great concern of all of ours,” he said. “I just hope somebody picks up where she left off.”

“Because of her concern for her community, violent crimes went down and victim respect went up,” said Rep. Quincy Murphy.

But there will be big shoes to fill. Thurmond leaves behind a rich legacy.

District attorney Danny Craig met Thurmond soon after she began Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.

“They went to government, schools, neighborhoods and they went to the streets,” he recalled.

“She did not allow her situation to take charge of her life,” said Thurmond’s cousin, Melvin Ivey.

“A few mornings ago our angel got her wings and just in eternity with her best friend the one who understood her and the one she never took her hand from,” Mays said.

Even after her death, today at her funeral, Thurmond was awarded a National Victims’ Assistance Award.
—

TV-12 coverage of anti-violence goals and dreams of the late Barbara Thurmond and the effort by churches to stem violence
http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/4413161.html

Local Churches Fight Violence With Prayer, Fasting

Local churches unite to fight increasing black on black crime.
It was the dying wish of Augusta’s Barbara Thurmond, a longtime crime fighter.
Today, it’s a reality.

By Reporter Stephanie Baker
October 16, 2006

Local churches unite to fight increasing black on black crime.

It was the dying wish of Augusta’s Barbara Thurmond, a longtime crime fighter.

Today, it’s a reality.

The group Blacks against Black Crime says the problem is out of control, and that’s why they’re kicking off a 40 day prayer vigil at New Creation Baptist Church.

The group’s leader says the goal is to remind people through prayer to value human life.

All the recent crime has a single mother living in fear.

Janice Dukes recently found herself face to face with the barrel of a gun…while her baby was in the car.

She says she was robbed at gunpoint in the Burger King drive-thru.

“All the time you always got to watch your back,” she told News 12.

“Ever since it happened I’m in after dark…and that shouldn’t have to be.”

Frank Johnson, president of Blacks against Black Crime, Inc., says crimes like that are part of an alarming trend.

“Folks are starting to devalue human life…and devaluing life is what we’re against,” he said.

Sgt. Richard Roundtree says black on black crimes are happening more often in areas with high African American populations, like Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Cooney Circle off Olive Road.

Those crimes continue to rise, with ten this weekend alone…including a shooting, a stabbing, and a drive-by shooting.

“Anytime you introduce a weapon into any situation, there’s potential for loss of life…and that’s our concern,” Sgt. Roundtree told News 12.

The sheriff’s office reports more than 2000 violent crimes in recent months, from simple assault to homicide.

That’s why Frank Johnson is turning to prayer.

“Right now we’re stopping to seek God’s guidance to see how God would solve this,” he said.

“We just need the community to come together,” said Janice Dukes.

They’re looking to God and the community to make black on black crime scenes a thing of the past.

The group is passing out Bible verses encouraging people to respect others. They’re also calling for a fast.

Everyone across the area is invited to participate in the prayer and the fast.
——-

The HEART of Barbara Thurmond

Barbara Thurmond and Blacks Against Blacks Crimes, Inc. joined with other organizations to create a innovation project called HEART (Health, Education Augusta Richmond Tools) – that was designed to improve the troubled aspects of African-American life and focused on communities suffering most under the negative effects of the disparities in health outcomes and treatment like African Americans and Latinos.

Those involved in the project included Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and community representatives, Blacks Against Blacks Crimes, Inc.; a pilot grant from the Southeast Community Research Center Tools for Change Project; funded by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation; Augusta-Richmond County Community Partnership for Children and Families, Inc.

HEART prioritized health issues, research and collect data in an effort to implement effective programs to improve health disparities in the black community to “make our city a better place in which to live” and is “crucial to the health and future of the African-American Community,” said Barbara Thurmond, Blacks Against Blacks Crimes, Inc. president.

Issues included environmental pollutants and waste sites created by local industries, high rates of cancer and other illnesses, poverty, crime, violence, and racism, and access to acceptable healthcare.

“Together we can make a difference in the lives of a substantial number of people,” said Thurmond, shortly before her untimely death.

The info on the project was explained in the Community Cornerstone (Winter/Spring 2005) A quarterly newsletter of the Augusta-Richmond County Community Partnership for Children and Families, Inc.

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/89284717?access_key=key-2n7dhne5ggw378um5vz1

——-

Barbara Thurmond, The Kwanzaa Gallery and the The African American Experience

Barbara Thurmond was involved in Family and Community: The African American Experience by the Kwanzaa Gallery Founder/Instructor Frank M. Johnson, Sr. of Augusta, Georgia.

http://www.kwanzaagallery.org/Family&Community.pps

The Kwanzaa Gallery, Inc.
“In Order To Make the Dream Real:
The Dreamer Must Awaken, Then Go To Work”

The Kwanzaa Gallery, Inc.
1419 Champion Pines Lane
Fort Gordon, Georgia
30909

http://www.kwanzaagallery.org
http://www.att.net/scripts/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=206&ck=&ver=hb2.1

The Kwanzaa Gallery, Inc. is a family owned, nonprofit corporation, created to address the issues and concerns that affect the capability of the African American people to contribute toward a productive, cohesive, diverse society.
The Kwanzaa Gallery, Inc Founder and CEO Frank M. Johnson, Sr. is a graduate of Kansas State University.
A decorated military Vietnam Era veteran, Mr. Johnson has majored in Business Organizational and Human Resource Management.
Mr. Johnson is a co-founder of the Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce, the Augusta Summit of African American Business Enterprises, the CSRA African American Association, and graduate of the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

706-737-4747 (Business)
706-615-3859 (Cell)
706-787-1467 (fax)
rites@bellsouth.net
Family And Community: The African American Experience

Dedicated to the Work Started by Carter G. Woodson:

Carter G. Woodson

Think Bigger, Stop the Miseducation, Stop the Madness, Stop the Killing

The Family and Community: The African American Experience PowerPoint Presentation includes Barbara Thurmond of Augusta.
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/88263878?access_key=key-1e47jpoufrp4rj3yxup5

Before her death in 2006 Barbara Thurmond wrote a book about her love for Augusta’s youth and all humanity.

Entitled “Joy in my Heart: My Journey from Hopelessness to Happiness,” the book chronicles her experiences and explains the efforts stop the raging violence in African American communities across the Augusta area.

“Joy in my Heart: My Journey from Hopelessness to Happiness“

Paperback
Publisher: AuthorHouse

ISBN-13: 9781410769237
ISBN-10: 1410769232
8/14/2003 published
584 pages

Hardcover
Publisher: AuthorHouse

ISBN-13: 9781410769244
ISBN-10: 1410769240
8/1/2003 published
580 pages

AuthorHouse:
http://www.authorhouse.com

——-

The 2012 Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. Annual Violence Awareness Program event was held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Beulah Grove Community Resource Center in Augusta, Georgia.

Here are the TV news stories about the 2012 Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. Annual Violence Awareness Program in Augusta, Georgia

WAGT NBC 26: Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. Tackles Issue of Violence by Courtney Khondabi, reporter for NBC Augusta
http://www2.nbc26.tv/news/2012/apr/22/black-against-black-crime-inc-tackles-issue-violen-ar-3653326
http://nbc26.tv/ar/3653326/

NBC 26′s Courtney Khondabi reports on Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. as they tackle local violence

http://vp.mgnetwork.net/viewer.swf?u=dc907c86de2c102f8fb5001ec92a4a0d&z=AGT&embed_player=1

Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc. Tackles Local Violence by Jillian Benfield, reporter for WJBF News Channel 6
April 22, 2012
http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2012/apr/22/black-against-black-crimes-inc-tackles-local-viole-ar-3653550
http://wjbf.com/vi/127749/
http://video.wjbf.com/v/55629272/black-against-black-crimes-inc-tackles-local-violence.htm

A group focused on black on black crimes in the Augusta area is revamping their efforts.
Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. held a forum on April 21, 2012 to discuss ways to stop the violence and assist crime victims as part of the 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Video still photo by WJBF News Channel 6′s Jillian Benfield who covered the story

Augusta, GA – A group focused on black on black crimes is revamping their efforts.
Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc. held a forum this weekend to discuss ways to stop the violence as part of national crime week.
This group says we see it too often in Richmond County…a black man dying at the hands of another black man.
“Any violence is too much, but the things happening in Augusta is horrendous.” Kirby Turner is the Augusta Chapter President of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.
He says since the 90′s, they have been trying to reach out to all community members to find ways to stop the violence.
“We hear about the shootings, we hear about the cuttings, the stabbings, but what we’re not talking about is the mental abuse, the things that people are going through that’s causing them to get to that point.”
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2008 the prison and jail population was 60% African American.
According to the Black on Black Crime Coalition, 43% of all murder victims in 2007 were African American, 93 % of whom were killed by other African Americans.
“I put it a lot as hatred and ignorance,” says Turner.
Turner says they try to focus on programs like this one to make a dent in those numbers. Turner says this group wants to get even more involved in our county, especially in the schools.
They hope that by educating children while they’re young, Richmond County will have a safer future.

http://vp.mgnetwork.net/viewer.swf?u=78499d68dec0102f8fb5001ec92a4a0d&z=JBF&embed_player=1

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/89385306?access_key=key-ara26xw5ybif9uro0tb

Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. Annual Violence Awareness Program event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/387956301234646

The following information from Mr. Kirby L. Turner should be of great importance to everyone who cares about our youth – and there should be similar efforts and campaigns across the South, our major cities, the entire United States and, in fact, The World!

Facebook page about the event has been created by Kirby L. Turner
https://www.facebook.com/events/387956301234646
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1585117503

Beulah Grove Community Resource Center
1446 Lee Beard Way
Augusta, GA
30901-3414

706-722-4999 (office)

Kirby L. Turner

Kirby L. Turner stated and posted a very important message to all who are concerned about our youth:

“The whole world is having problems.

In the CSRA we as a hole are having the most and the most importance, Why?

I am glad you asked, The crimes here are in our faces and it must STOP!

Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. holds an Annual Violence Awareness Program.

We want to give those who have had violence in their lives a chance to express themselves and WE show them some LOVE.

Kirby L. Turner
kltinc@earthlink.net
https://www.facebook.com/events/387956301234646

——-
Related Links and information about Barbara Thurmond’s church and favorite pastors:
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Augusta, Chicago, Presidential politics, The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III and the late Barbara Thurmond

By Greg Peterson with info/quotes directly from Wikipedia and an unedited part of a story in the Augusta Chronicle written by Staff Writer Dena Levitz that includes quotes from Moss and Thurmond

In 1997, The Rev. Otis B. Moss III moved to Augusta, Georgia – where he’d spend almost a decade – as pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, originally founded in 1885 as Beulah Baptist Church.

The church served as a local base during the Civil Rights Movement.

Stop the violence and victim’s right advocate Barbara A. Thurmond attended Tabernacle Baptist Church and Moss was her favorite pastor.

On Friday, September 1, 2006, Rev. Moss III would officiate at the funeral of Barbara Thurmond – following her untimely death on August 25, 2006 at the Medical College of Georgia.

Funeral services for Thurmond were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2006 inside her Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Even while the community mourned the loss of Thurmond and her fight to protect children, Rev. Moss III just made the decision to leave Augusta after two important and destiny-laden job offers.

One offer was to succeed his father – Rev. Otis Moss, Jr. – as pastor of the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

The other offer was to move to Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ, an 8,500-member United Church of Christ megachurch to become the successor of the popular but controversial Reverend Jeremiah Wright – who was destined for national controversy over his no holds barred blunt sermons because one of his flock was soon-to-be President Barack Obama.

After prayer and fasting, Moss says he felt God’s call was for him to go to Chicago in June 2006, initially as Wright’s assistant.
This also meant changing from leading a Baptist Church to being pastor at the United Church of Christ (UCC).

Wright gave his last sermons as pastor on February 10, 2008.

After some guest sermons, Moss took the pulpit on March 9, 2008

Then-Senator Barack Obama and family were members of Trinity United Church of Christ, and on March 13, during his 2008 presidential campaign a controversy broke out over racially and politically charged sermons by retiring Pastor Wright.

National Public Radio story about the Reverend Jeremiah Wright entitled “Following in Footsteps of a Controversial Minister”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88607509

While Obama’s candidacy had brought attention to the church, this brought even more attention to it.

Moss is a board member of popular magazine “The Christian Century.”

In an October 22, 2004 Augusta Chronicle story that included quotes from Barbara Thurmond, Rev. Moss was asked his opinions about the presidential campaign between incumbent Republican Georgia W. Bush and Democratic contender Sen. John F. Kerry – just two weeks before the General Election.

The “South’s Oldest Newspaper–Established 1785” the Augusta Chronicle is the star of a southern newspaper chain well-known for its right-wing editorials.

The Augusta Chronicle story was entitled “Black leaders see range of Kerry support” (10/22/04) and was written by Staff Writer Dena Levitz.

Below are excerpts from the story – to read the entire story click on this link:
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/10/22/met_432015.shtml

The Rev. Otis B. Moss III, the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, said there are some black Augustans who will vote for Mr. Bush because of his opposition to gay marriage, but overall he thinks Mr. Kerry’s stock is actually rising in the black community.

Throughout the summer the sentiment was very much against Mr. Bush, but not really in favor of Mr. Kerry because he was not connecting with black voters and their issues, the Rev. Moss said.

In the past month, though, ambivalence toward Mr. Kerry appears to be turning to support, mainly because of a few recent events, the Rev. Moss said.

“They’re upset about the attacks by (Bush adviser) Karl Rove’s team on Kerry in reference to his service in the Vietnam War.

They saw it as an attack on them and anyone who thought the war was not completely right,” the Rev. Moss said.

That the president did not attend the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People convention also turned black voters on to Mr. Kerry, he said.

Barbara Thurmond, the president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc., a local nonprofit agency, said her vote is undoubtedly going to Mr. Kerry, although she has no real attachment to him.

What Ms. Thurmond said she does care about is the economy, the loss of jobs overseas and improving funding for the No Child Left Behind Act – three issues that arose when black community leaders were interviewed.

Another deciding issue among black voters is the war in Iraq.

This sense of betrayal extends to both parties, which is why blacks struggle to find a candidate they can get behind, the Rev. Moss said.

“Republicans distance themselves from issues of affirmative action, freedoms and civil liberties,” he said. “Democrats take our vote for granted to try to get the support of the soccer mom.”

Still, the Rev. Moss said the swell of negativity against the sitting president will propel a large number of black voters to the polls, even young black voters.
Wikipedia page about the 2004 Presidential Election:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2004
—

The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia: Barbara Thurmond loved her church and pastor

Photo by David William Reed

Beautiful photo of the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia taken on April 3, 2011 by David William Reed of Norcross, Georgia (via flickr – username davidwilliamreed)

Tabernacle Baptist Church
Augusta, Georgia
http://www.tbcaugusta.org
http://www.tbcaugusta.org/staff.asp

The Reverend Charles E. Goodman, Jr. serves as the Senior Pastor/Teacher of The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, GA.
Pastor Goodman is a native of North Carolina.

The church was founded in 1885 by the Reverend Dr. Charles Thomas Walker (1858-1921) – who was described as a noble thinker, writer and preacher.
Born a slave and orphaned at the age of 8, Rev. Walker overcame obstacles to become “an ordained Baptist minister, a writer, a newspaper publisher, a speaker and some say one of the most influential men and theologian in America at the turn of the century.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kHA6vvEoqk
http://negroartist.com/writings/Civil%20War%20era%20and%20post%20Civil%20War/Life%20of%20Charles%20T.%20Walker,%20D.D.pdf
http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/floyd/floyd.html
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14243569

The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia
Photo by Rebecca Rogers

Tabernacle Baptist Church
1223 Laney-Walker Boulevard
Augusta, GA
30901

706-724-1230 (church office)
706-724-1231 (fax)

Sunday morning services
8 a.m. Worship services
9:30 a.m. Sunday school
11 a.m. Worship services
—

The Rev. Otis B. Moss III
Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago:
http://www.trinitychicago.org
http://www.trinitychicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=40
http://www.trinitychicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=27

Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois
60628

773-962-5650 (church)
773-962-0164 (fax)
info@TrinityChicago.org

Church Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Reception Desk Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sundays: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Akiba Bookstore
400 West 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois
60628

Akiba Bookstore:
773-962-5660
888-962-5660

AKIBA Bookstore Hours:
Monday – Thursday – 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday – Following All Worship Services

The Rev. Otis B. Moss III
Former Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis_Moss_III

Rev. Otis B. Moss III is named pastor of the nationally-renowned Trinity United Church of Christ (UCC) in Chicago
http://www.chicagodefender.com/article-4703-the-rev-otis-moss-iii-to-be-installed-at-trinity-church.html
—

The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.:

Friend of U.S. Presidents, highly respect black leader, after 33 years of service Moss retired in 2008 from Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, 1956 graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, served for over 10 years as chair of the Morehouse College Board of Trustees; serves on the Morehouse board’s executive committee; board member and regional director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), presently serves President Barack Obama on the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnership Council, was the special guest of former President Bill Clinton at the 1994 Peace Treaty signing between Israel and Jordan, was co-pastor with Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA – and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss Current Trends in Religion.
His son – the Rev. Otis B. Moss III – served as Barbara Thurmond’s pastor in Augusta and had moved to a major position in Chicago when she died and he returned to officiate Thurmond’s funeral.
http://www.morehouse.edu/about/boardbios/omoss.html
http://centralumchurch.com/docsfor200/drmoss.pdf
http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=1049&category=religionMakers
http://www.dorothycottoninstitute.org/about-dorothy-cotton-institute/dci-dorothy-cotton-institute-national-advisors/rev-dr-otis-moss-jr/

The Rev. Otis B. Moss III celebrated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a multifaith gathering on February 23, 2012 at Amherst College:
https://www.amherst.edu/aboutamherst/projects/campus_challenge/video/node/382844

The Rev. Otis B. Moss III is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-otis-moss-iii
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-otis-moss-iii/blue-note-gospel_b_1126621.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-otis-moss-iii/christianity-faith_b_1178369.html

http://day1.org/1443-the_rev_otis_moss_iii

The Rev. Otis Moss III speaks out about Tragic Teen Murders in Chicago and the official youtube page of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk9QQpd1_ns
http://www.youtube.com/TRINITYCHGO

“Redemption in a red light district: Messages of hope, healing, and empowerment” by Rev. Otis B. Moss III (2000) 128 pages
http://www.amazon.com/Redemption-red-light-district-empowerment/dp/1885066759
http://books.google.com/books/about/Redemption_in_a_red_light_district.html?id=IK9pAAAACAAJ

FOUR-G Publishers
Winter Park, Florida
http://isbndb.com/d/publisher/four_g_publishers.html

ISBN:
1885066759
ISBN-13:
9781885066756

Subjects: Baptists
—

“We Have Nothing to Lose” by Rev. Otis Moss III (Jan 15, 2010) – Unabridged, Audio Edition Available at Audible.com
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“Preach!: The Power and Purpose Behind Our Praise” by Rev. Otis Moss III, Rev. Otis Moss, Jr. and Andrew Young (Jun 30, 2012)
Pilgrim Press, 96 pages

ISBN:
082981907X
ISBN-13:
9780829819076

Subjects: Religion, Sermons, Christian
—

“We Are All Trayvon Martin” by Rev. Otis Moss III (Apr 13, 2012)
“We must dismantle the fraternity of racism and build an altar of love and justice,” writes the pastor of President Obama’s former church
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/13/we-are-all-trayvon-martin.html

Rev. Otis Moss III wrote:

Trayvon Martin was violated by the cruelty of gun violence, but was violated again by privilege, power, and the cruelty of a system that believes black boys, whether on the honor roll or college bound, are suspect.
Black boys in hoodies are aesthetically and unconsciously calling for violent action.

Black boys who do not “acquiesce” to strange men without “judicial” authority asking for information or a passbook are considered instigators.
Black boys who are late to school, or laugh with friends, and engage in silly teenage behavior are “examples of gangster culture.”

None of my white friends will ever have to worry about his or her child in the same manner.
My son, smart, creative, funny, caring and witty, will be viewed as a threat, suspect or suspicious, by certain sectors of society.
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The Richmond County School Board Bans Books

Barbara Thurmond opposes banning books and ideas – especially when the book is important lesson to the black youth of our nation

Barbara Thurmond was deeply disappointed in the narrow views of the Richmond County Board of Education when in 2004 it voted to ban the acclaimed book “Kaffir Boy” by Mark Mathabane – about overcoming the evils of Apartheid – because of one innocuous but painfully accurate sexual reference in the 339 page book.

The book “Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa” is a 1986 autobiography by Mark Mathabane about his life under the South African apartheid regime.

Author Mark Mathabane

Mark Mathabane describes the utter horror and brutality of the apartheid system in the 60s and 70s and how he escaped.

Despite being a poor black youth from the township Alexandra, Mathabane developed into a well-known tennis player.
Mr. Mark Mathabane details how young black children dealt with humiliating racism and stereotypes fostered by South African apartheid.
Because of his quest for education and talent, Mathabane rose out of “despair and destitution and make something of himself,” Wikipedia states.

“Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa” by Mark Mathabane

http://mathabane.com
http://mathabane.com/mark_mathabane_books.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaffir_Boy
http://www.amazon.com/Kaffir-Boy-Autobiography-The-Youths-Apartheid/dp/0684848287
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kaffir-boy-mathabane/1100534091
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Kaffir-Boy/Mark-Mathabane/9780684848280
http://www.shmoop.com/kaffir-boy
http://www.classzone.com/novelguides/litcons/kaffir/guide.cfm
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Honoring two community servants and victim’s rights advocate who Barbara Thurmond respected: Then-D.A. Superior Court Judge Danny Craig and D.A.’s office victim assistant coordinator Sheila Stahl:

Former Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney and Superior Court Judge Danny Craig – whom Barbara Thurmond said – put victims first and gave long terms to violent offenders

Barbara Thurmond recognized then-Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney Danny Craig for helping to reduce black-on-black violence because he implemented some of the requests of her group resulting in “a much better system and a safer community.”

Craig listened to “the voices of all crime victims and has prosecuted homicide cases equitably,” Thurmond said. “We have seen more murder convictions for black-on-black homicide” and “this has contributed to the decline” in violent crime.

After first being elected in 1993, Craig served District Attorney of the Augusta Judicial Circuit for about 15 years.

If Barbara were alive today – she’d still be contacting Craig, who is now a superior court judge.

Former Augusta Judicial Circuit D.A. Danny Craig raises his hand on Monday, February 18, 2008 in the Georgia Senate chamber of the Capitol in Atlanta to take the oath of office for Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge. Mr. Craig’s wife Crystal Craig watches holding a Bible. (Morris News Service Photo by Walter C. Jones) http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/02/19/met_187864.shtml

In Feb. 2008, Craig became a Superior Court Judge – appointed by the governor to replace 11-year Judge Neal Dickert who resigned and returned to private law practice.

Assistant D.A. Rebecca “Ashley” Wright to replace Craig as District Attorney in 2008 and she has won re-election since.

Superior Court Judge Danny Craig handles domestic, civil and criminal cases for Richmond, Columbia and Burke Counties in east Georgia.

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/15669567.html
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/02/19/met_187864.shtml

Always willing to serve, Judge Craig has portrayed well-known local figures of the past during Historic Augusta’s “Walk With the Spirits” cemetery tours including at Summerville Cemetery and Magnolia Cemetery, one of Augusta’s oldest cemeteries.
Judge Craig’s historical portrayals included a famous Augusta, Georgia father and son:

The Rev. James Sanford Lamar (1829-1908), the pastor of First Christian Church, publisher of The Christian Union and later associate editor of the Christian Standard (wrote “Organon of Scripture: Or the Inductive Method of Biblical Interpretation”).

Joseph Rucker Lamar (1857-1916), an Augusta lawyer and United States Supreme Court Justice in the early 20th century who died after only five years on the court (Dec. 17, 1910 – Jan. 2, 1916) after falling into ill-health – dying only 8 years after his father.

Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Craig
735 James Brown Blvd.
Suite 4206
Augusta, Georgia
30901

Teresa Thompson, Secretary

706-821-2365 (office)
706-721-1091 (fax)
http://www.augustaga.gov/index.aspx?NID=1257
Court Calendar by County
Richmond County Calendars
Columbia County Calendars
Burke County Calendars

Barbara Thurmond requested paying tribute to victim’s right advocate Sheila Stahl of Augusta, Georgia – who worked for then-D.A. Danny Craig:

Richmond County District Attorney’s office Victim Assistance coordinator Sheila Stahl (right) talks with Jason Glista (left), the husband of serial murder victim Marni Glista, before the arraignment hearing for mass murderer Reinaldo Rivera at the Augusta Law Enforcement Center.
Reinaldo Rivera sits on Georgia’s Death Row awaiting execution for the murder and rape of four Augusta area women: Army Sgt. Marni Glista, 21, who died on Sept. 9, 2000; Tabitha Bosdell, 17; Melissa Dingess, 17; and Tiffaney Wilson, 17.
Photo by Jonathan Ernst, Augusta Chronicle Staff

Honoring Sheila Stahl, who was director of the Victims Assistance Department of the Augusta-Richmond County judicial system until February 2002.
Stahl worked feverishly on many levels to help victims of crime:
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/07/11/met_211177.shtml
http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rivera-reinaldo-photos-1.htm
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/01/02/met_277233.shtml
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/02/01/liv_509727.shtml
http://chronicle.augusta.com/images/headlines/110400/slideshow2/slide11.html
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Barbara Thurmond was a big advocate for preventing crimes and helping victims and believed in those who protect and help sexual assault, rape and domestic violence victims – and among those leaders in the Augusta area is Anne Ealick-Henry:

Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services (RCSAS) at University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia
http://www.universityhealth.org/body.cfm?id=38115&action=detail&ref=45

Anne Ealick-Henry, executive director
aealickhenry@uh.org
706-774-2740 (office)
706-774-8759 (fax)

Anytime of the day or night victims of rape and sexual assault can call these numbers:
706-724-5200 (24-Hour Crisis Line in Augusta)
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Check the RCSAS Calendar of Events for specific dates of events and other information or call 706-724-5200

Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services
University Hospital
1350 Walton Way
Augusta, Georgia
30901

Facebook page for the Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services (RCSAS) in Augusta
Building a community free of sexual violence
http://www.facebook.com/RCSAS/info
http://www.facebook.com/RCSAS

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
http://www.justice.gov/usao/gas/pr/2010/21SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth.pdf

April 2012 Sexual Assault Awareness Month events held in Augusta:
16th Annual Take Back the Night Rally and Walk to Prevent Sexual Violence

Augusta State University brings awareness to sexual assault
ASU counselor Shannon Nix at 706-737-1471
http://www.asupr.com/asureport/2012/04/asu-brings-awareness-to-sexual-assault
http://guides.aug.edu/saam
http://www.asubellringer.com/students-unite-against-sexual-violence/

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
2012 national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign
http://www.nsvrc.org/saam

http://www.nsvrc.org/blog/saam

http://www.facebook.com/nsvrc
http://www.youtube.com/nsvrc

Vimeo page for National Sexual Violence Resource Center
http://vimeo.com/nsvrc

https://twitter.com/#!/nsvrc
@NSVRC
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center provides information about sexual violence through collaboration, prevention and resources.

The Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault
http://www.gnesa.org

Sexual Assault

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• Refuge House (Florida)
• Alabama Coalition Against Rape
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry Search Page

Domestic Violence

• Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Georgia Commission on Family Violence
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Child Abuse

• Child Advocacy Centers of Georgia
• Prevent Child Abuse Georgia
• National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect

Child Sexual Abuse and Incest

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
• National Center for Victims of Crimes
• Rape Abuse Incest National Network

Victim Assistance

• NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance)

Political Activism

• NOW (National Organization for Women)
• National Womens Political Caucus
• Feminist.com
• Planned Parenthood

Allied Groups

• Men Stopping Violence
• American Association of University Women
• Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

http://www.cdc.gov/injury/anniversary/index.html?s_cid=injury20ann_102

Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals
http://www.gach.org
http://www.gach.org/snews.php?n=64&Sexual_Assault_Awareness_Month_Activities_to_Include_16th_annual_Take_Back_the_Night_Rally_and_Walk_to_Prevent_Sexual_Violence

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://gcadv.org

Women in Philanthropy Awards 2012: Grant Awards were given in March 2012 to five Augusta groups including $40,000 to Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services and SafeHomes of Augusta for counseling and support groups for the victims of sexual assault
http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2012-03-23/women-philanthropy-awards-grants-5-augusta-groups

Anne Ealick-Henry

Anne Ealick-Henry is on the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc. Board of Directors Development Committee
http://www.gshg.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216&Itemid=185

Ms. Ealick-Henry is the executive director of Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services at University Hospital in Augusta.

She serves on the board of directors of Prevent Child Abuse Augusta and the Georgia Network (Coalition) to End Sexual Assault as well as on the Rape Crisis and Sexual Services Advisory Board; state advisory committee for Prevent Child Abuse Georgia; the Augusta Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Task Force and Sexual Assault Protocol Committee.

She is a past board member of the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault.

Ms. Ealick-Henry has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Augusta College.

Her scouting career began early on as a Brownie; she remained active through Senior Girl Scouts and has volunteered as a troop leader and service unit manager.
She was a board member of the Girl Scouts of Central Savannah River Council, serving a term as first vice president, and received the Girl Scout Thanks Badge in 2006.

An Augusta resident, Ms. Ealick-Henry has just served a one-year term on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc.

Ms. Ealick-Henry serves on the 2011-2012 Community Advisory Board of the Junior League of Augusta, Georgia
http://www.jlaugusta.org/augusta/npo.jsp?pg=detail33
—

Georgia Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard, (D-Augusta) District 121
http://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=131&Session=21
http://appweb.augustaga.gov/WEBLINK8/DocView.aspx?id=21446&page=1&dbid=0
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Henry_Howard

Georgia Rep. William “Quincy” Murphy (D-Augusta) District 120
http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/house/bios/murphyQuincy/murphyQuincyBio.htm
http://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=177&Session=21
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Quincy_Murphy
—

The Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) (or Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act) was a subtitle of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994

The 10-year ban on assault weapons expired on September 13, 2004
Despite many attempts to renew the federal assault weapons ban – no bill has reached the floor of the U.S. Congress for a vote.

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
http://www.bradycenter.org

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
http://www.bradycampaign.org

Facebook page of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
http://www.facebook.com/bradycampaign

Twitter site of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
@bradybuzz
We want an America free of gun violence.
We educate about the dangers of guns in homes.
We honor victims and advocate for strong laws.
Strong Gun Laws Work!
https://twitter.com/#!/bradybuzz

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Shocking and Tragic Gun Death and Injury Stats:
http://www.bradycampaign.org/xshare/Facts/Gun_Death_and_Injury_Stat_Sheet_2008__2009_FINAL.pdf

Wikipedia page about the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brady_Campaign

Wikipedia page on the Million Mom March/Rally on Mother’s Day, Sun., May 14, 2000:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_Mom_March

Facebook page of the Million Mom March
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Million-Mom-March-Mothers-Day-2011-in-Washington-DC/153380204718360

Million Mom March
http://www.millionmommarch.com
http://www.bradycampaign.org/chapters/

To create a Million Mom March Chapter email:
mmmchapters@bradymail.org

Greater Atlanta Million Mom March Chapter
Valerie, President
Email the Chapter
Donate to the Atlanta Chapter
Click here to help us build in other areas of Georgia
Click here for Georgia state gun laws

—

The Urban Institute
Washington, D.C.
http://www.urban.org/index.cfm
http://www.urban.org/about/contact.cfm
http://www.urban.org/about/officers-and-trustees.cfm

Urban Institute
2100 M Street, N.W.
Washington, DC
20037

202-833-7200 (office)

—

Nonprofit Georgians for Gun Safety
http://www.georgiansforgunsafety.org
http://www.georgiansforgunsafety.org/links

Georgians for Gun Safety
http://georgiansforgunsafety.com
info@georgiansforgunsafety.com

Americans for Gun Safety Foundation info on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americans_for_Gun_Safety_Foundation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm_safety

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):
http://www.fbi.gov

Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI):
http://gbi.georgia.gov

FBI links to the official U.S. states and tribal Sex Offender Lists/Registry:
http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/registry

State of Georgia sex offender registry:
http://gbi.georgia.gov/00/channel_faq/0,2627,67862954_86708497,00.html
http://gbi.georgia.gov/00/channel_modifieddate/0,2096,67862954_87983024,00.html
http://services.georgia.gov/gbi/gbisor/SORSearch.jsp

State of Georgia list of state agencies:
http://www.georgia.gov/00/topic_index_channel/0,2092,4802_937045,00.html

The Official Directory of State Patrol and State Police was founded, built and is managed by Senior Sergeant (Retired) Terrance D. Martin.
Sergeant Martin retired in 1994 from the Vermont State Police after 28 years.
http://www.statetroopersdirectory.com
Click HERE for Main Menu
Click HERE for Personal Home Page

—

Honoring Mr. James Rowland, Father of the Victim-Impact Statement:

• Founding member of the National Organization for Victim Assistance
• Former Director of the California Department of Corrections
• Former Director of the California Youth Authority
• Founding Chair of the American Correctional Association’s Task Force on Victims of Crime
• Former deputy sheriff in San Bernardino County, California

Interview with Mr. James Rowland:

An Oral History of the Crime Victim Assistance Field – Video and Audio Archive hosted by the University of Akron and Justice Solutions
http://vroh.uakron.edu/summaries/Rowland.php

Justice Solutions:
http://www.justicesolutions.org

National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA): Championing Dignity and Compassion for Victims of Crime and Crisis
http://www.trynova.org

National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
510 King Street, Suite 424
Alexandria, VA
22314

Victim assistance:
800-879-6682 (800-TRY-NOVA)
If you are having a life threatening emergency, please call 911
http://www.trynova.org/help-crisis-victim/overview

703-535-6682 (office)
703-535-5500 (fax)

38^th National Organization for Victim Assistance Conference
http://www.trynova.org/conference
http://youtu.be/hjojws493gE

The nationally and internationally recognized NOVA Conference has been providing quality training in victim assistance and crisis response since 1975.
This annual training resource involving four days of over 100 skill-based workshops, plenary events and networking opportunities.

Patti LaBelle sings the National Anthem at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2011 37th NOVA Conference, August 15, 2011, Philadelphia

2012 NOVA Conference is August 19-22, 2012 in San Diego

Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
1380 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, California
92101

Office of Victims of Crime (OVC):
OVC is one of seven components within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Joye E. Frost, Acting Director
http://www.ovc.gov

2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
http://www.crimevictims.gov

2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
April 22-28, 2012
Letter From OVC
Letter From NCVC
At A Glance
Frequently Asked Questions
Resource Guide Overview
Maximizing Communication and Awareness
Resource Guide Artwork
Working with the Media
Landmarks in Victims’ Rights and Services
Statistical Overviews
Additional Resources

Order Online:
Resource Guide
Theme Poster (Free Guide/Poster but $5 S&H total cost)

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) aka Justice Dept.:
http://www.justice.gov

http://www.justice.gov/spanish

http://www.facebook.com/DOJ
http://www.youtube.com/TheJusticeDepartment

Official DOJ Twitter account:
https://twitter.com/#!/TheJusticeDept
@TheJusticeDept
DOJ does not collect comments or messages through this account.
Learn more at:
http://justice.gov/privacy-file.htm

Office of the Attorney General
202-514-2001

United States Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.
http://www.justice.gov/ag

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
20530-0001

Department of Justice Main Switchboard
202-514-2000

Office of the Attorney General Public Comment Line
202-353-1555
Directory of Department Officials
Report a Crime
Get a Job
Locate a Prison, Inmate, or Sex Offender
Apply for a Grant
Submit a Complaint
Report Waste, Fraud, Abuse or Misconduct to the Inspector General

National Institute of Justice (NIJ):
http://www.nij.gov

The 2012 NIJ Conference
June 18-20, 2012

Marriott Crystal Gateway
Arlington, VA
Register now

The theme for 2012:
Turning to Science
Enhancing justice
Improving safety
Reducing costs

Questions about June 2012 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Conference:
email Maureen McGough
maureen.q.mcgough@usdoj.gov

South Carolina Crime Victims’ Council: The Voice for South Carolina Crime Victims
http://www.sccvc.org

Your Victim Impact Statement:
http://www.sccvc.org/sccvc/documents/Your_Victim_Impact_Statement.pdf

South Carolina Crime Victims’ Council (SCCVC) Office
1900 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC
29210-7047

803 413-5040 (voice)
803-359-3900 (fax)
Directions To SCCVC Office
email SCCVC Executive Director Laura Slade Hudson
laurahudson@sccvc.org

South Carolina
Mothers Against Drunk Driving of South Carolina (MADD)
South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
SCIway – South Carolina Information Highway
National
N.C. Victim Assistance Network
N.C. Victim Assistance Network Newsletters
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
National Center for Missing Adults
National Crime Victim Law Institute
Federal
Federal Agencies/Resources Bureau of Justice Assistance
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Kidnap and Missing Persons
National Archive of Criminal Justice Data
National Criminal Justice Reference Service
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Institute of Corrections
National Institute of Justice
National Sex Offender Registry
Office for Victims of Crime
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Office of Justice Programs
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Office on Violence Against Women
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Dept. of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services Victim Assistance
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center on PTSD
U.S. House of Representatives Victims’ Rights Caucus

International
Victim Assistance Online
The International Victimology Website
——-

Walton Options for Independent Living:
For People With Disabilities, the Options are Endless
http://www.waltonoptions.org
http://www.waltonoptions.org/aboutus.html
WJBF TV-6 news story on an open house at Walton Rehabilitation Health System in Augusta (April 25, 2012):
http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2012/apr/25/walton-rehabilitation-health-system-behavioral-med-ar-3675481

http://www.facebook.com/people/Walton-Options/100000117375027

Georgia:
Walton Options
948 Walton Way
Augusta, Georgia
30901

706-724-6262 (office)
706-724-6729 (fax 1)
706-724-4404 (fax 2)
Relay: 711

South Carolina:
Walton Options
325 Georgia Avenue
North Augusta, South Carolina
29841

803-279-9611 (office)
803-279-9135 (fax)
Relay: 711
—

Tools for Life
Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program
Options for greater freedom by increasing access to – and acquisition of – assistive technology (AT) devices and services for Georgians of all ages and disabilities so they can live, learn, work, and play independently in communities of their choice

http://www.gatfl.org
http://www.gatfl.org/ContactUs/TFLTeam.aspx
http://www.gatfl.org/ContactUs.aspx
http://www.gatfl.org/TFLNetwork.aspx
http://www.gatfl.org/TFLNetwork/Augusta.aspx

Tools for Life:
Info@gatfl.org
1-800-497-8665
Your Local Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC)

Principal Investigator Joy Kniskern
Joy@gatfl.org
—

Jim Cherry Teacher Center (JCTC):
Providing professional learning, technical assistance and coaching for school systems on a variety of topics related to students with disabilities including:
http://www.teampeachtreebikes.com/glrsTEMP/index.php
http://www.teampeachtreebikes.com/glrsTEMP/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=3
http://www.teampeachtreebikes.com/glrsTEMP/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3

The Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) is a network of seventeen centers throughout Georgia that provide training and resources to educators and parents of students with disabilities.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
http://www.glrs.org

GLRS locations across Georgia:
http://www.glrs.org/location.htm

East Georgia GLRS
http://team.glrs.org/ecglrs
GLRS East Georgia office in Augusta
1-800-282-7552
Systems Served: Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkes Counties

Richmond County Board of Education
East Central Georgia Learning Resources System
Central office
864 Broad Street
Augusta, Georgia
30901

706-826-1128 (office)
706-826-1010 (office)
706-826-4624 (fax)
Jessie Stewart, Director ext. 3479
Kathy Ellis, Program Specialist ext. 3476
Patricia Smith, AYP Specialist
Emma Whiters, Graduate First! Collaboration Coach
Clarisa Lee, Secretary ext. 3475

http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/georgia-learning-resources-system

Association of Georgians With Disabilities
http://www.endeavorfreedom.org/Art83.htm

RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) Technical Assistance Project, a federally funded project of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education
http://www.resna.org
http://www.empowermentzone.com/tech_dir.txt

Able-Disabled Advocacy
http://able2work.org
——-

Barbara Thurmond believed that youth organizations are vital to helping to raise well-rounded positive children and teens – our future adults – and spoke often of her love for the benefits of the Girl Scouts in the Augusta area and across the world:

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc. – formerly Central Savannah River Council of the Girl Scouts in the Augusta area
http://www.gshg.org

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc.
1325 Greene Street
Augusta, Georgia
30901

706-774-0505 (office)
706-774-0045 (fax)

Cheryl Hecker
checker@gshg.org
http://www.gshg.org
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Girl-Scouts-of-Historic-Georgia/89606809766
http://www.youtube.com/user/GirlScoutsGA

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc. on twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/gagirlscouts
@GAGirlScouts
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place

——-

Black children need the support of parents
Photo courtesy Voice of Detroit

Voice of Detroit: The city’s independent newspaper, unbossed and unbought
“Black Crimes Against Black Humanity”
Posted on 04/19/2011 by Diane Bukowski

Voice of Detroit contributing editor Greg Thrasher

By Greg Thrasher
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2011/04/19/black-crimes-against-black-humanity

“Do blacks care about black on black crime?”
Jan. 2009 story

Ta-Nehisi Coates

By Ta-Nehisi Coates, a senior editor for The Atlantic, where he writes about culture, politics, and social issues for TheAtlantic.com and the magazine. He is the author of the memoir The Beautiful Struggle.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2009/01/do-blacks-care-about-black-on-black-crime/6557/

An organization similar to the anti-violence group founded by Barbara Thurmond and Earnestine Covington in Augusta, Georgia:

Center for Healing Hearts and Spirits: Black-on-Black Crime Coalition
http://www.hhscenter.org/bonbstat.html

America’s Black Holocaust Museum educates the public about the ongoing injustices endured by people of African heritage in America
http://www.abhmuseum.org

An op-ed on black-on-black crime in the New York Times:
Playing the Violence Card By Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Op-Ed Contributor
April 5, 2012
If Barbara Thurmond had written this op-ed, she would have concentrated more on personal responsibility.
So while the author concentrates on solving the societal problems related to black-on-black crime – (that Barbara would also agree with) – she would want us to take more personal responsibility in solving the problem – like proper parenting, strong family values and much more.
However, Barbara would also say that we must work together to come up with solutions – and that the opinion of everyone who cares – must be heard.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/06/opinion/playing-the-violence-card.html
—

Stop the Killing Campaigns:

Stop The Killing Campaign For “A Better Brooklyn”
http://www.facebook.com/abetterbrooklyn

Story on Peace Week Against Violence in New York City and the effort to Stop the Killing from Black Radio Network: Rap music mogul Russell Simmons called for “all senseless killings and street violence to end because law enforcement can’t do it alone.”
http://www.blackradionetwork.com/stop_the_killing_campaign_launched_

SKSW Campaign (the Global Campaign to Stop Killing and Stoning Women)
http://www.wikigender.org/index.php/The_Global_Campaign_to_Stop_Killing_and_Stoning_Women
http://www.violenceisnotourculture.org/home1

Stop Political Killings Campaign
http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/taxonomy/term/15/0?page=3

Save the Children: Stop the killing in Syria petition
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stop-the-killing-in-syria

Save the Children
http://www.savethechildren.org
——-

Remembering Stop the Violence and Killing advocate Barbara A. Thurmond through her stories, letters to the editor and editorials in Augusta Chronicle:

This Augusta Chronicle photo of a murder scene is similar to other countless murder sites that happen daily in American cities and are all too common in inner city locations – and that saddened the late Barbara Thurmond, co-founder of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.
Similar death scenes happen every week and sometimes several times a week just in the Augusta, Georgia area.
Please do what you can to stop the violence in your community.

Black slayings lead homicide data by Greg Rickabaugh
have what I would call promising leads,” the major said. Barbara Thurmond, the president of Augusta-based Blacks Against Black Crime Inc., said the killings are the reason her organization continues its education campaign. “What other group
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2003/01/22/met_365849.shtml

Celebrating the lives of Barbara A. Thurmond and others who are anti-violence leaders: Music, sermon stir audience at celebration
Brown and memorial tributes to Coretta Scott King; Rosa Parks; Barbara Thurmond, a co-founder of Augusta’s Blacks Against Black Crime Inc.; Pat Jones, the director of the Augusta Youth Center; Juvenile Court Judge Herbert E. Kernaghan, Jr.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2007/01/16/met_112649.shtml

Campaign to protest crime fulfills co-founder’s dream
all the churches, fellowship with them and let them know that we are here,” said Frank Johnson, the head of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. Ms. Thurmond, a co-founder of the organization, died Aug. 25. She had founded the organization to
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/10/18/met_100934.shtml

Across the Area: Vigil to be held for violence in Augusta
to kick off a 40-day prayer vigil in response to killings and gun violence in Augusta.
Frank Johnson, the head of the group, said the group founded by the late Barbara Thurmond is asking all churches in the area to join in the vigil.
Ms. Thurmond, 56, a graduate of Lucy C. Laney High School, died this summer.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/10/15/met_100596.shtml

Keep reaching for the dream
Monday, Jan. 15, 2007
(4 and a half months after the death of Barbara Thurmond)
it’s time we cared about how every neighborhood looks and feels to live in.
That we need to keep the spirit of Barbara Thurmond alive, and end black-on-black crime in Augusta.
Dr. King might chuckle about sounding old and all, but that
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2007/01/15/edi_112384.shtml

Raps Georgia law protecting gun industry
Augusta, Georgia. How long will Georgia wear the title of the gun belt and the gun-running state of the nation? Not only does the National Rifle Association own the Republican Party, they also own our legislators. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/03/04/op_255148.shtml

Augusta Chronicle photo of teacher Edward Maner and authors from a February 20, 2005 story entitled “Book fairs teach value of reading” by Staff Writer Greg Rickabaugh about the Murphey Middle School annual Family and Community Book Fair:
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/02/20/met_443864.shtml
Pictured above are Murphey Middle School teacher and author Edward Maner (right) who got local authors Eunice Harris (from left), Christine Deriso and Rich Everitt to come to the school’s book fair. Photo by Augusta Chronicle staff photographer Rob Carr.
Worried about the growing problem of illiteracy in public schools, teacher Edward Maner at Murphey Middle School helps organize annual book fairs at the struggling school that saw nearly half the pupils not pass state requirements in 2004 for reading and language arts.
Maner suggested the school literacy committee invite authors to the school in an annual event that has been growing ever since including 40 authors in 2005.
There is “a problem with reading in our public schools,” Maner said.
“People are reading on a lower level. The only way that is going to improve is to read, to push and emphasize reading”
The school-sponsored Family and Community Book Fair allows pupils, parents and the public to meet book authors from the Augusta area and the Southeast, Mr. Maner said.
The students met writers and were given suggested reading including author Barbara Thurmond, who wrote “Joy in My Heart: My Journey From Hopelessness to Happiness.”

It appears the book fairs and other education efforts has helped the students at Murphey Middle School in Augusta based on 2010 state test scores for grades 6 – 8:

http://www.trulia.com/schools/GA-Augusta/Murphey_Middle_School

Book fairs teach value of reading
Worried about the growing problem of illiteracy in public schools, Murphey Middle School teacher Edward Maner has organized annual book fairs at the struggling school, where nearly half the pupils did not pass state requirements for reading and language arts last year. Manner attracted 10 authors to the fair the first year, and 20 the next year. Now, he has 40 authors for the third annual event including author Barbara Thurmond, who wrote “Joy in My Heart: My Journey From Hopelessness to Happiness” and her pastor, The Rev. Otis Moss III, author of “Redemption in a Red Light District.” Among the other authors set to appear are poetry author Eunice Harris and former WAGT-TV anchor Rich Everitt, who wrote Falling Stars: Air Crashes that Filled Rock & Roll Heaven. A list of authors and their work: Donna Brown: The Essence of Innocence … Undeniable Betrayal … Unforgiven Love; Arimae Burrell: Looking Back with Love; Cynthia Butler: The Beginning of Forever; Lucinda Clark: View From the Middle of the Road Where the Greenest Grass Grows; Cathy Cobb: Creations of FireKawand Crawford: Love, Loyalty and Dangerous Games; Ruth Crawford: The Woods Afire; Jewel Daniels: The Enterprising Entrepreneur; Sam Davis: When the Multitude Comes; Christine Deriso: Dreams to Grow On; Rich Everitt: Falling Stars: Air Crashes that Filled Rock & Roll Heaven; Barbara Franklin: Turning Around; Gregory Fuller: From Bliss to a Blizzard; Kenneth Gainous: Be a Contender, Not Just a Contestant!; Elouise Golphin: Poetry for All Reasons; Patrick Green: Son Down; Cornell Harris: Dare 2 Dream Like King; Eunice Harris: Love Pearls; Ira Harrison: Acts of Joy; Marti Healy: The God Dog Connection; Walter Lamb: So You Think You Are A Good Citizen; Mattie Lawson: From Colored Water Till Now; Willie Lewis: Purple Patches Down On The Side Of The Road; Stanley Lott: Slavery and the U.S. Government; Phyllis Maclay: A Bone for the Dog; Edward Maner: Looking at Real Life through the Eyes of an American Bad Boy; Elaine Mitchell: Powerful Words of Wisdom; Wayne O’Bryant: Who is Rael?; Yadira Payne: Out of the Rain; Sylvia Ramsey: Pulse Points of a Woman’s World; John Rigdon: Battle of Aiken; Lynette Samuel: The Middle is the Best Part!; Jayme Smalley: As the Butterbeans Boil; Gerald Smith: Black American Series – Augusta, Georgia; Jerry Smith: It’s Still Time to Stop Blaming the White Man; Henry Summerall Jr.: Glorify God With Your Body; Candy Williams: You Knew I Was an Addict; Michael Williams: An Extension of Time to Die for: Maylee’s Nightmare
Auto download copy of Augusta Chronicle story courtesy SylvialRamsey.com: “Book fairs teach value of reading” by Staff Writer Greg Rickabaugh about the Murphey Middle School annual Family and Community Book Fair
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/02/20/met_443864.shtml

‘Kaffir Boy’ is insightful novel
denigrate our struggle. I am an African-American who has made the connection to Africa. Although I have not made the physical journey, I have made the mental journey with the hope of one day making the physical one. Barbara Thurmond Augusta
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/09/19/let_428935.shtml

“They were our sons and daughters”
pursuing the violent lives espoused by popular movies and musicians, said Terence Dicks, treasurer of Blacks Against Black Crimes. “Death is the wrong way to go towards immortality,” Mr. Dicks said. The Rev. Oscar Brown, pastor of
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/04/14/met_265057.shtml

Augusta anti-violence group, the district attorney seek bill to prevent accused killers from being released on bond before trial
Constitution prohibits excessive bail or fines. “The wait is a little hard,” said Barbara Thurmond of Blacks Against Black Crime – a local anti-violence group that has been pushing for the bill. “I really do understand though,” she said.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/02/09/met_203762.shtml

Lawmakers re-work Georgia no parole bill to ensure constitutionality
will be constitutional. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits excessive bail or fines. Blacks Against Black Crime – a local anti-violence organization – is working with Mr. Howard on the bill. Mr. Howard said he hopes
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/02/02/met_203466.shtml

Killer of former cop’s teen daughter – is paroled in 2011 – about 19 years after she committed murder:
Former Augusta Police officer becomes activist after his daughter’s murder – and then is shot himself in drive-by shooting

Above is an Augusta Chronicle photo from January 1997 of activist and former Augusta cop Frank Howard – seen holding the photo of his murdered teen daughter Phalonda Howard.

17-year-old Phalonda Howard was murdered nearly 6 years earlier in July 1992 by a teen – Catara Levelle Hill.

While awaiting her murder trial, Hill was free on the streets of Augusta on a $15,000 bail on a murder charge – thus delaying her trial in the death of 17-year-old Phalonda Howard of Augusta.

Killer Catara Hill was freed from jail – and allowed to walk the streets – while awaiting her murder trial for killing Frank Howard’s teenage daughter Phalonda.

The photo of Frank Howard holding his daughter’s photo is for January 16, 1997 Augusta Chronicle story entitled “Bill would keep suspects behind bars.”

Of course, Howard did not realize that he would be shot and wounded nearly 5 years after this photo was taken while he was an activist with Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. and its future president.

The story is about a bill introduced by Georgia State Rep. Henry Howard of Augusta that would keep people charged with murder behind bars until they can be tried.

Ms. Hill was eventually convicted – and reconvicted – for the murder, but the four-year ordeal tested Mr. Howard’s Christian faith.

Mr. Howard eventually forgave Ms. Hill for his daughter’s death but used the tragedy to help other victims of violent crime.

The bill would reassure the community that dangerous offenders would be taken off the streets and could reduce the number of revenge killings, said Barbara Thurmond, head of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.

“Part of me died with her that day. That’s why I’m working so hard now,” said Mr. Howard in the Augusta Chronicle news story.

Meanwhile in a tragic irony, Frank Howard – a former Augusta Police officer – was wounded in the chest during a November 9, 2001 drive-by shooting by Glenn W. Stephenson, 41, who was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and a weapons violation.

Frank Howard was shot by Glenn W. Stephenson during November 2001  – while driving home Stephenson’s estranged wife – Jacqueline Stephenson, who had a restraining order against her estranged husband.

Mr. Stephenson already was facing charges of aggravated stalking and making harassing telephone calls before the shooting, Assistant District Attorney Charles Weigle said.

And as often happens the nightmare for victim’s continues – as convicted killer Catara Levelle Hill was paroled by the state of Georgia on May 31, 2011 at the age of 37.

The parole comes bout 19 years after Hill murdered 17-year-old Phalonda Howard.

Hill lists an address in Cornelia, Georgia – and must report to a parole office in Clarkesville, Georgia (706-754-6701).

She is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds – as Georgia gambles she will never kill again.

Above is a State of Georgia parole photo of convicted Augusta teen killer Catara Levelle Hill – paroled about 19 years after she murdered 17-year-old Phalonda Howard.
And as often happens, killer Catara Levelle Hill was paroled by the state of Georgia on May 31, 2011 at the age of 37.

Hill’s parole came some 19 years after the July 1992 murder of 17-year-old Phalonda Howard of Augusta, the beloved daughter of a former Augusta cop.

Hill said she shot Phalonda Howard because she “was running her mouth off.”

Hill lists a parole address in Cornelia, Georgia – and must report to a state parole office in Clarkesville, Georgia (706-754-6701).

She is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds – as Georgia gambles she will never kill again.

Bill would keep suspects behind bars
that system. Mr. Howard and other members of Blacks Against Black Crime – a local anti-violence organization – are…revenge killings, said Barbara Thurmond, head of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. “Part of me died with her that day.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/01/16/met_202644.shtml

Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. Activist Frank Howard Shot in Chest on Nov. 18, 2001 in Car During Drive-by Shooting:
Victim Frank Howard is Activist With Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. and a Former Augusta Police Officer

Blacks Against Black Crime Activist Frank Howard Shot; Howard is a former Augusta Police Officer
Superior Court Judge Robert L. Allgood granted Jacqueline Stephenson a restraining order against her estranged husband. Mr. Howard, an activist with Blacks Against Black Crime and a former city police officer, was driving Ms. Stephenson home when, investigators say, Mr. Stephenson…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/11/18/met_327505.shtml

Locals Crusaders Against Violence Await Legislature
though the killer was eventually sent to prison, it still bothers Barbara Thurmond. Ms. Thurmond – head of Blacks Against Black Crime, a nonprofit anti-violence group based in Augusta – doesn’t think people charged with murder should be out…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/01/12/met_202458.shtml

State senate proposes to abolish parole #1
disproportionate number of African-Americans in prisons in the state of Georgia,” said Barbara Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime, a victim-advocacy group. “We make up 30 percent of the state’s population and 70 percent of the state’s
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/01/27/met_221387.shtml

State senate proposes to abolish parole #2
disproportionate number of African-Americans in prisons in the state of Georgia,” said Barbara Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime, a victim-advocacy group. “We make up 30 percent of the state’s population and 70 percent of the state’s
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/01/27/met_221389.shtml

Local crime rate falls
did not become a statistic. “It means lives were saved,” said Ms. Thurmond, president and co-founder of Blacks Against Black Crime. Augusta appears to be following the national trend of declining crime rates. There were 7 percent fewer violent…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/12/29/met_248658.shtml

Augusta Chronicle photo from a May 1, 1999 story entitled “Augustans remember 25 victims” by Staff Writer Sandy Hodson, who covers courts for The Augusta Chronicle
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/05/01/met_260373.shtml
Patricia Colon (pictured) remembers every word of her last conversation with her 21-year-old son, Tyrone Cathcart, Jr. on April 26, 1998 – neither realized he would soon be dead.
Colon felt a sharp pain in the back of her head just before her telephone rang with the even more painful news of the murder of her son who was shot in the head in his manufactured home in Plantation Acres in Hephzibah.
Eleven days after Mr. Cathcart was killed, his fiancée gave birth to a baby boy – for whom the now dead father had bought an Easter basket for just before the murder.
The slaying remained unsolved for four years, but in 2002 Richmond County Sheriff’s Department investigators never stopped probing the murder case.
One of the original suspects, 24-year-old Frank Thomas Harewood of Augusta was charged with felony murder, malice murder and felony possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/11/13/met_358217.shtml
The disposition of case is hazy because Harewood’s name doesn’t appear in on-line state of Georgia prison records or in news stories.
Strangely however, 4 years later, a man with the same name and address, but wrong age, was sentenced under the First Offender Act to four years’ probation, fined $1,850 for possession of cocaine.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/11/30/ric_106435.shtml

Augustans remember 25 victims
21-year-old Tyrone Cathcart, Jr and 24 other Augusta residents slain in 1998 will be remembered at a dinner to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at an event sponsored by the Augusta chapter of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. – that provides services and assistance to crime victims.
Patricia Colon, the mother of murder victim Tyrone Cathcart, Jr  will attend the dinner and hopes to work with Blacks Against Black Crime, talking to young people because “all this killing has to stop.”
“I don’t have any answers but I think a lot of positive has come out of his death for his friends. But for us, it’s just a loss,” Colon said.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/05/01/met_260373.shtml

Speaker probes crime in black community #2
behavior,” said Ms. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime. She spoke at Monday’s meeting of the Augusta…would not have been out to kill Mr. Young. Blacks Against Black Crime, started in 1991 by Ms. Thurmond, is a nonprofit…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/07/27/met_266527.shtml

Speaker probes crime in black community #1
behavior,” said Ms. Thurmond, president of Blacks Against Black Crime. She spoke at Monday’s meeting of the Augusta…would not have been out to kill Mr. Young. Blacks Against Black Crime, started in 1991 by Ms. Thurmond, is a nonprofit…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/07/27/met_266528.shtml

Augusta Chronicle photo of Maryland lawmaker Clarence Davis for an April 28, 2002 story entitled “Service remembers local victims of violent crimes” by Staff Writer Timothy Cox. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/04/28/met_341064.shtml
Reared in rural Washington, Georgia in the early 1950s, lawmaker Clarence Davis easily recognizes the changes in America’s violent behavior telling about 100 people at a victims’ rights program – inside the Beulah Grove Community Resource Center – that the lack of respect and discipline has been a large part of creating more a violent society.
Parents and society “have lost control of our children,” said Mr. Davis, a 20-year Maryland state delegate who now lives in Baltimore.
During the National Crime Victim Rights Week breakfast sponsored by Augusta-based Blacks On Black Crime, Inc., Mr. Davis said Baltimore became known for its homicide and crack-cocaine statistics in the early 90’s, so he called Vietnam War buddies and confronted neighborhood thugs.
“It’s time for the community to take matters in hand,” he said.
“They started calling us vigilantes,” after the men knocked on the doors of those suspected of criminal activity – adding approach was successful and that crime has since subsided in Baltimore.
“Our goal is a safe, sound community, and we must open our eyes,” Mr. Davis said. “We have the power to make a difference.”
The candlelight homage was held to remember local homicide victims in the past two years.

Augusta Chronicle photo of a candlelight homage that was held to remember local homicide victims in Augusta during a National Crime Victim Rights Week breakfast sponsored by Augusta-based Blacks On Black Crime, Inc. that was taken for April 28, 2002 story entitled “Service remembers local victims of violent crimes” by Staff Writer Timothy Cox:
Deadra Williams, 26, and daughter Tierra, 18 months, lit a candle to honor Ms. Williams’ boyfriend and the child’s father, Rodney Johnson, who was shot and killed behind the S&S Cafeteria on Walton Way in November 2001.
Candles were lit to remember Niteka Wesbey, a college student caught in a cross-fire during a gang-related apartment shooting in November 2000.
Barbara Thurmond, who co-founded Blacks Against Black Crime in 1991, said her group is the only victims’ rights movement in Augusta-Richmond County.
“Although crime has decreased here, it’s important to keep our movement alive,” she said.

Service remembers local victims of violent crimes
cross-fire during a gang-related apartment shooting in November 2000. Barbara Thurmond, who co-founded Blacks Against Black Crime in 1991, said her group is the only victims’ rights movement in Augusta-Richmond County. “Although crime…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/04/28/met_341064.shtml

Black leaders see range of Kerry support
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) convention also turned black voters on to Mr. Kerry, he said. Barbara Thurmond, the president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc., a local nonprofit agency, said her vote is undoubtedly going to Mr. Kerry, although she has no real
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/10/22/met_432015.shtml

—

Augusta Chronicle Editorial: Courageous Barbara A. Thurmond Fought to Prevent Violence Crimes by Augusta Chronicle Editorial Staff:

An example of courage
life. Disgusted by homicides in her community, Mrs. Thurmond and her sister, Earnestine Covington, founded Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. in 1991 to combat Richmond County’s rising violent crime rate. It took considerable personal courage…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/09/01/edi_94880.shtml

—

Barbara A. Thurmond Guest Editorials in Augusta Chronicle:

Georgia gunrunners take toll on state
contribute to the great sorrow felt by the families of those killed or wounded by Georgia’s guns? In 1991, Blacks Against Black Crimes identified the easy accessibility of guns as a contributing factor to the epidemic of black-on-black violence…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/11/09/let_357661.shtml

Justice system unfair to blacks
posting a $40,000 bond. It is the opinion of Blacks Against Black Crimes that injustice and double standards within the…Editor’s note: The writer is the president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. in Augusta.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/06/08/let_343083.shtml

A decade of advocacy for black homicide victims brings changes to system
criteria. TEN YEARS AGO Blacks Against Black Crime dared to dream of a world…improve our state and nation. Blacks Against Black Crime has been labeled racist…president and co-founder of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/07/18/op_319437.shtml

Why no reward for White’s killer?
is one of many tools used by law enforcers as they work to solve and prevent crime, apprehend criminals and bring them to justice. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editors’ note: The author is president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/07/18/edi_292917.shtml

Claims racist response to violence
crime prevention for all youth. Until that day Blacks Against Black Crimes will be the voice for black crime victims. Barbara…Editor’s note: The writer is president of Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/07/05/edi_265057.shtml

Augusta Chronicle Photo from a Sept. 27, 1998 story entitled “Black youths gather, carry on unity goal” as about 100 black youths gathered in May Park in Augusta for a follow-up event to the Million Youth Movement.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/09/27/met_240185.shtml
Alexander Smith (pictured), chairman of the event’s organizing committee, said the Labor Day weekend Million Youth Movement in Atlanta was organized by black leaders to promote unity among the nation’s black youth who were given marching orders, an agenda and a platform to “empower our youth, first and foremost spiritually, politically, socially, economically and academically” and “empower our youth to take control of their destiny.”
“We have an unfinished agenda,” said Terence Dicks, assistant director of “Think Big ’98,” a program designed by Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. to reduce adolescent violence and drug abuse.
“We have not finished business,” Mr. Dicks told the crowd. “We have got to keep going. I ask all of you who are active right now to remember us on Oct. 16, the anniversary of the Million Man March.”

Black youths gather, carry on unity goal
“We have an unfinished agenda,” said Terence Dicks, assistant director of “Think Big ’98,” a program designed by Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. to reduce adolescent violence and drug abuse. “We have not finished business,” Mr. Dicks told the crowd. “We have got to keep going. I ask all of you who are active right now to remember us on Oct. 16, the anniversary of the Million Man March.”
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/09/27/met_240185.shtml

Ask `Baby Face’ to sing different tune by Terence Dicks for Barbara Thurmond
25 most influential people in the country. Let us let him know that we would like for him to use his influence in another way. Terence A. Dicks, Augusta (Editor’s note: The writer is a spokesperson for Blacks Against Black Crime.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/06/18/edi_210076.shtml

Marks Crime Victims Rights Week
Right’s Right for America.” Remember too, that Blacks Against Black Crimes are an advocate for all victims of all crimes…sensitive to black crime victims. Since 1991 Blacks Against Black Crimes has assisted victims in our area. Among the…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/04/23/op_226616.shtml

Plugs victims’ rights; cites statistics
school, 260,000 children miss class because of the fear of being physically harmed and 40 students are killed or injured by firearms. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editor’s note: The writer is president of Blacks Against Black Crimes.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/04/14/edi_206791.shtml

—

Barbara A. Thurmond “Letter to the Editor” printed in Augusta Chronicle:

Victim assistance is stronger
have much to celebrate. Fourteen years ago, Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc. was organized to serve this community and…The writer is the founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/04/03/let_449223.shtml

Homicide decline should inspire
decline. No matter what is going on in the world, our children have to succeed; our communities have to be made whole. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editor’s note: The writer is a co-founder and president of Blacks Against Black Crime.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/02/23/let_444380.shtml

Keep assault weapons off streets
no choice but to keep his word on this issue. Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. joins with the Million Mom March, Georgians…Thurmond Augusta (Editor’s note: The writer represents Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc., an Augusta organization.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/07/31/let_423842.shtml

Be mindful of victims’ rights
hurt them will be brought to justice. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editor’s note: The writer represents Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc., an Augusta organization.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/04/16/let_412349.shtml

Stop exercising political favors
political favors. We would hate to have children be the next group of people to suffer as the result of political favors. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editor’s note: The writer is the president of Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2003/02/18/let_376096.shtml

Jury’s ‘not-guilty’ verdict appalls and perplexes observer
not guilty of manslaughter. Though, the jurors believed that the defendant was justified in killing the victim. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editor’s note: The writer is the president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. in Augusta.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/09/16/let_352959.shtml

Black-on-black homicide should remain a priority issue
prevented. In Augusta in 1991, 66 homicides were black-on-black. In Augusta in 2001, 13 homicides were black-on-black. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editor’s note: The author is the president of Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2002/03/07/let_337310.shtml

Activist Barbara A Thurmond raps paper for ‘lack of objectivity’
saving opinions for the editorial page. Barbara Thurmond, Augusta (Editor’s note: The author is president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. The Chronicle quoted Alicia Hall’s mother, who said the attack on Christopher Andrews was in self-defense…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/04/03/edi_285922.shtml

Augusta Chronicle Editorials that mention group Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc:

How to curb youth crime
watches. Then they can reach out to social agencies and institutions – churches, PTAs, Safe Streets Inc., Blacks Against Black Crime Inc., etc. – that exist to help communities become more safe, civil, livable and proud. There’s plenty…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/09/19/edi_428921.shtml

—

Promoting then-upcoming events involving group Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc – Augusta Chronicle “Across the Area” section:

Area briefs: Victim’s Rights Dinner Scheduled in Augusta
Victims’ rights dinner scheduled To commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Augusta organization Blacks Against Black Crimes Inc. will hold a victims’ rights dinner at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Peter S. Knox Center, 326 Greene St…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/04/30/met_260275.shtml

Across the area: Vigil Will be Held for Violence in Augusta
will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Vigil will be held for violence in Augusta Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. and New Creation Missionary Baptist Church will hold a special service tonight to kick off a 40-day prayer…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/10/16/met_100718.shtml

Across the area: Vigil to be Held for Stopping Violence in Augusta
breakfast and memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. today. Vigil to be held for violence in Augusta Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. and New Creation Missionary Baptist Church will hold a special service Monday night to kick off a 40-day…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/10/15/met_100596.shtml

Across the area: Rally to be Held to Fight Slayings and Gun Violence in Augusta
slayings and gun violence that have occurred in the area this year, according to Frank Johnson, the president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. The rally is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 2006 at Second New Hope Baptist Church, 1035 10th St. For more information…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/11/27/met_106131.shtml

Across the area: Rally to be Held to Fight Slayings and Gun Violence in Augusta
gun violence that has occurred in the Augusta area this year, according to Frank Johnson, the president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. The rally is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 2006 at Second New Hope Baptist Church, 1035 10th St. A number of area…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/11/26/met_106011.shtml

Across the area: Rally to be Held to Fight Slayings and Gun Violence in Augusta
gun violence that have occurred in the Augusta area this year, according to Frank Johnson, the president of Blacks Against Black Crime Inc. The rally is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 2006 at Second New Hope Baptist Church, 1035 10th Street. A number…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/11/20/met_105219.shtml

—-

Augusta Chronicle stories with others involved with group Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc.:

March had impact, black leaders say
responsibility of their homes and getting involved in civic activities,” said John Covington, acting president of Blacks Against Black Crime. “But it hasn’t been that effective (in) to trying to get the point across to other members of the community…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1996/10/14/met_199972.shtml

—

Obits: Remembering Activist Barbara A. Thurmond who tried to protect the lives of children from violence

Barbara A. Thurmond (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
In 1991, she and her sister were inspired to create Blacks Against Black Crimes, Inc. The motivation was the number of homicides in the black community.
Some Blacks Against Black Crimes activities included: victim’s rights advocacy…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/09/01/obi_94962.shtml

Barbara A. Thurmond (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
Trinity Baptist Church Cemetery, Tignall, GA. Ms. Thurmond was an Author and Founder of the Organization, Blacks Against Black Crime, Inc. Survivors are her mother, Mrs. Lillian Cade Thurmond; one son, Mr. George (Deidra) Johnson, II…
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/08/31/obi_94788.shtml

Barbara A. Thurmond (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Entered into rest Friday, August 25, 2006 at the Medical College of Georgia, Ms. Barbara A. Thurmond of Cornell Drive. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 1, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. from Tabernacle
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/08/30/obi_94596.shtml

Barbara A. Thurmond (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Entered into rest Friday, August 25, 2006 at the Medical College of Georgia, Ms. Barbara.
Thurmond of Cornell Drive.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 1, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. from Tabernacle
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/08/30/obi_94623.shtml

Barbara Thurmond left memories that will be forever cherished in the hearts of her loved ones:

Her mother: Mrs. Lillian C. Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia

Her son: George (Deidra) Johnson of Trenton, South Carolina

Two daughters: Antoinette (Rev. Da’Henri) Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia and Aquanetta (James) Betts of Pikesville, Maryland

One brother: Darrell Thurmond of Augusta, Georgia

One sister: Earnestine (John) Covington of Augusta, Georgia

Four grandchildren: Da’Henri Ramsey Thurmond, Jr., Barbara Maxine Thurmond, Evan Tanks Johnson and Bailie Tanks Johnson

One nephew: Ernest (Angie) Covington

One niece: Ericka (Jessie) Covington-Wright

Plus numerous cousins, other relatives and special friends.

Funeral arrangements were handled by:

W. H. Mays Mortuary
1221 James Brown Boulevard
Augusta, GA

(706) 722-6401

—

Since the death of Barbara Thurmond numerous efforts have been started to stop youth violence including by the children of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 2012.

April 4th Revisited: National Youth Violence Prevention Conference was held on April 4, 2012 at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta:

Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with projects to protect children from violence
King Center CEO Bernice King and Martin Luther King, III have created separate youth violence prevention projects with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , The Carter Presidential Center, The Prevention Institute and The Martin Luther King, III Institute for Social Justice and Human Rights, Inc.

Press Release:
http://www.preventioninstitute.org/press/press-releases/848-martin-luther-king-jr-legacy-embodied-in-launch-of-new-initiative-for-community-peace-and-thriving-youth.html

The King Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have expanded their 2008 partnership to prevent youth violence and address health threats that disproportionately impact minorities and the low-income.

“The King Center’s partnership with the CDC has tremendous potential for reducing youth violence and helping to correct these disparities, through educational outreach and using the King Center’s resources to promote community awareness, action, and mobilization,” said King Center CEO Bernice King

http://www.thekingcenter.org

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention

http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/king-center-and-cdc-expand-partnership-to-prevent-youth-violence

Martin Luther King, III Institute for Social Justice and Human Rights, Inc.:
Saving Lives and Building Dreams

Martin Luther King, III
P. O. Box 2625
Atlanta, Georgia
30301

404-478-7185 (office)
http://www.mlkiii.org
mlk3press@yahoo.com

http://www.facebook.com/MLKingIII
http://www.Facebook.com/SavingLivesBuildingDreams

Saving Lives and Building Dreams 2012 on twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/savinglives12
@savinglives12
Prevention Institute and the Martin Luther King, III Institute for Social Justice and Human Rights, Inc. present April 4th Revisited: Saving Lives and Building Dreams, a day of youth peace and non-violence.

The mission of The Martin Luther King, III Institute for Social Justice and Human Rights, Inc. is to be an international vehicle for social justice and human rights for education, advocacy and direct social activism to identify and apply innovative solutions to address the evils of oppression, racism, poverty, slavery and militarism.

The Prevention Institute:

Prevention Institute
221 Oak Street
Oakland, CA
94607

510-444-7738 (office)
Prevent@preventioninstitute.org

The Prevention Institute in Oakland, California is a national non-profit dedicated to placing prevention at the center of efforts to improve community health, equity and well-being
http://www.preventioninstitute.org
http://www.facebook.com/PreventionInstitute.org

Prevention Institute on Twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/search/%40preventioninst
@preventioninst
Prevention Institute aligns strategy, policy and collaboration to build health, foster equity and eliminate injury where people live, work, learn and play

The Carter Center (President Jimmy Carter):
Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope
http://www.cartercenter.org
http://www.cartercenter.org/about/contact.html

The Carter Center
One Copenhill
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA
30307

404-420-5100
800-550-3560
carterweb@emory.edu

http://blog.cartercenter.org
http://cartercenter.org/news/multimedia/rss.html
http://cartercenter.org/news/multimedia/podcasts/index.html

http://www.facebook.com/cartercenter

The Carter Center on twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/CarterCenter
@CarterCenter
Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter & Rosalynn Carter with @EmoryUniversity, the Center wages peace, fights disease, & builds hope worldwide

“Ultimately, the work of The Carter Center is about helping people achieve better opportunities and watching hope take root where it languished before,” said President Jimmy Carter.

The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

Georgia Coalition to End Sexual Assault

The Mis-Education of the Negro [Paperback]

Carter G. Woodson

5:47 Governor Tom Corbett says he will sign the Voter ID bill.

5:48 The Justice Department blocked a similar Voter ID bill in Texas.

5:58 If Mitt Romney can win either Mississippi or Alabama in today’s primaries, he could lock up the Republican nomination.

6:09 NBC is shooting a pilot at the Philadelphia School District building.

6:13 Former Phillies Reliever Brad Lidge says this years Washington Nationals team may be the most talented team he’s played for.

Brad Lidge (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

6:26 The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is considering elminating toll takers and moving exclusively to EZ-Pass.

6:40 Jerry Sandusky’s lawyer, Joseph Amendola is demanding more evidence from prosecutors or a dismissal in the case.

6:44 Joe Paterno’s family released a statement criticizing the Penn State Board of Trustees for again detailing why Joe Paterno was fired.

6:52 Former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter says President Obama abandoned him after he voted in favor of his healthcare bill.

7:10 Chris talks to Scott Rudich from Round Guy Breweries about the process of building a brewery and dealing with the Liquor Control Board.

8:10 Chris talks to Julie Chen and Aisha Tyler from CBS television’s The Talk

Aisha Tyler (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Heart Truth)

8:41 Chris Christie is standing by his response to a law student and Navy SEAL that confronted him over the merger of Rutgers-Camden and Rowan.

He’s running at 47 to 43 against Mitt, and 48 to 44 against Santorum.  That Tweedledum/Tweedledee result for the GOP hurts Mitt’s electability argument against Santorum.

The President is down among voters with lower incomes, which makes sense, since they feel higher gas prices the most.

Wait until the GOP nomination is set and the focus will be turned towards Obama and his terrible record. The media is going to have a hard time making people believe things are better under Obama.

From CBS News:

President Obama’s approval rating has hit the lowest level ever in CBS News polling, according to the latest CBS News/New York Times survey. The drop may be partially attributable to rising gas prices.

Just 41 percent of Americans approve of the job Mr. Obama is doing as president, according to the poll, conducted from March 7 to 11. Another 47 percent disapprove of his performance, up from 41 percent last month.

Mr. Obama’s approval rating was 50 percent last month.

…Mr. Obama’s job rating on the economy remains about the same as it was last month – 39 percent approve, while 54 percent disapprove.

The economy and jobs remains the most important problem facing the country today, according to 51 percent of Americans. Three in four Americans think the economy is at least somewhat bad, including 30 percent who say it is very bad.

More Americans, 30 percent, say the economy is getting better; 24 percent say it is getting worse. The public’s economic outlook was slightly better last month, when 34 percent said the economy was getting better.

Continue reading>>>

According to Gallup, the President’s approval rating rose from a Februrary rating of 48% and his weekly average approval rating rose to its highest point since last May. Just after he took office in 2009 his approval rating was at its peak, 67%.

The recent focus on the issues of contraception and abortion were thought to bolster Obama’s ratings among women, but the Gallup poll showed that the President’s support grew most among men, from 41% to 45%. Among women the President had a 51% approval rating, up from 49%.

The polls seem to indicate that as the US economy improves so does the President’s job approval rating. Similarly, though, if gasoline prices continue to rise, his approval numbers are just as likely to fall.

Disapproval of President Obama’s handling of the economy is heading higher — alongside gasoline prices — as a record number of Americans now give the president “strongly” negative reviews on the 2012 presidential campaign’s most important issue, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Increasingly pessimistic views of Obama’s performance on the economy — and on the federal budget deficit — come despite a steadily brightening employment picture and other signs of economic improvement, and they highlight the political sensitivity of rising gas prices.

via Gas prices sink Obama’s ratings on economy; bring parity to race for White House – The Washington Post.

Achilles Heel 

For the past three years the Energy policies of President Obama have stifled production and have continued to increase regulations on Energy production.  While production of oil has increased, the increase in regulations has had a negative impact on our ability to become energy independent.  Not to mention failed initiatives like Solyndra, which proved to be a disaster.

Americans continue to pay high prices for gas, which correlates to higher prices for food and other goods that we consume.  Many argue that the payroll tax cut helped to save Americans from the high cost of gas, but the price of gas has consumed the tax cut if not well and above what was actually put in the American peoples pockets.

This administration has squandered many opportunities to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, including the Keystone Pipeline, off-shore drilling, and Oil Shale opportunities around the country.  Many of these ventures would not only lower our gas prices in the coming years, but would significantly decrease our dependency on foreign oil, which is a direct relationship to our National Security.

In 1980 President Jimmy Carter lost the election in part to High Energy Prices.  Inflation was at 15% and the cost of gas and energy was debilitating to many in the country.  As a result the American people elected Ronald Reagan, who worked to decrease gas prices, and decrease regulations.

The 2012 Election could prove to have a similar result.  Every time we fill up at the pump we are reminded of how much the current administration has failed.  Just 3 years ago, when Obama took office, gas was roughly $1.89 per gallon.  Now the average around the nation is $3.81 and $4.11 for Disel.  Prices are projected to top $4.00 by summer.  With the current state of affairs in the Middle East, it is evermore imperative that we decrease our dependency on foreign oil, yet this President doesn’t seem to understand that, as he demonstrated by rejecting the Keystone Pipeline.

In North Dakota where private drilling is happening, the unemployment rate is at 3% and they have thousands of jobs that need to be filled.  Houses are being built and they have a surplus in the state budget.  This could be the same story around many parts of the country if we had an administration that would support and invigorate our ability to create our own energy.

I implore you to vote Anti-Obama in the upcoming election.  Next time you go to the pump ask yourself what you would have paid 3 years ago, or as Newt Gingrich says, how much would you have saved if gas was $2.50 per gallon or cheaper.  Not only would you save when filling up your tank, but you would save on your grocery bill and other products you consume.

Combine the economic numbers, the record long-term unemployment numbers, the record deficits, record national debt, record bankruptcies, record foreclosures, record poverty, record food stamp usage, credit downgrade and record of lies/broken promises, Obama is in bad shape. Obama is lucky he has the media on his side and much like they did in 2008, they will twist the facts to help with the reelection of a record failure.

“There’s not too much change in regards to the governor,” said Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo. “45 percent of voters approve of his performance while 38 percent disapprove.”

But he said it’s a much different story for state legislators. Among those surveyed, 66 percent disapprove of their performance while only 22 percent approved.

“What’s happened in the legislature is that voters perceive it as a very partisan institution,” said DiCamillo. “That the parties of the two sides are never really coming together.”

KCBS’ Mark Seelig Reports:
[audio_link url="http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/nyc.podcast.play.it/media/d0/d0/d0/dZ/dX/dW/dT/ZXWT_3.MP3" name="California Voters Still Approve Of Governor Brown But Not State Legislature" artist="Mark Seelig"]

Despite that, a proposal to make the Assembly and Senate part time jobs does not garner much support among California voters – 45 percent oppose such a move while 39 percent think it’s a good idea.

The poll also asked people how they felt about the direction in which California is headed. 62 percent said the state is on the wrong track while 32 percent think California is heading in the right direction. DiCamillo said they are ugly numbers but it does represent an 11 percent increase in those feeling better about the state’s overall situation.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)