Sunday, June 7, 2020

Disaster Declaration Process in the United States. June 2020

https://www.blackemergmanagersassociation.org/p/disaster-declaration-process-in-united.html

This page provides procedural information regarding the Stafford Act declaration process and is intended for emergency managers, elected officials, media, and stakeholders interested in the formal declaration process. All emergency and major disaster declarations are made solely at the discretion of the President of the United States.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act) §401 states in part that: "All requests for a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists shall be made by the Governor of the affected State." A State also includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Republic of Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are also eligible to request a declaration and receive assistance through the Compacts of Free Association.

As a result of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, federally recognized Indian tribal governments now have the option of pursuing a declaration directly from the President. FEMA has developed Tribal Declarations Pilot Guidance, which provides more detailed and specific guidance for Tribal requests.

FEMA has codified the declaration process at 44 C.F.R. Part §206, Subpart B.

System Failure: Law Enforcement. From Legal profession and those within.

All components of the Judicial and Legal Profession.
"You are either part of the change and solution, or part of the problem"/
Which are you?

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-how-law-enforcement-needs-to-change-20200606-oz6byfrq45divgqxm2tv5jqeeu-story.html

How law enforcement needs to change: A former prosecutor speaks to her ex-colleagues

We have a policing crisis in this country. And I don’t just say that as a member of Congress, or as a concerned citizen. I say that as a career prosecutor.

For black and brown Americans, this comes as nothing new. In fact, many of those who have been most adversely affected by our nation’s policing practices are probably tired of hearing people like me point out the obvious. And rightfully so.

I will never fully understand what our communities of color face on a daily basis. And I’ve tried to spend these last few days listening and learning instead of talking.

I’m writing this now because I think it’s important for people who have worked in law enforcement to speak out. It’s important for people like me to state clearly and definitively that this system — which I was a part of — is broken. And it has been for some time. The deep-rooted failings of police practices in the black community have been laid bare far too often in recent years with tragic consequences. From Amadou Diallo to Eric Garner, to Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and now Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, David McAtee and George Floyd. And yet, we’ve taken no substantive measures to address the chronic violence that police departments disproportionately inflict upon communities of color.

During my two decades as a prosecutor, I saw some of the best that law enforcement had to offer — dedicated men and women who cared deeply about the communities they served. But I also saw the very worst — the misconduct, excessive force and the institutionalized racism that plagues too many departments. And worse still, I’ve seen how officers who had no business carrying a badge and a gun were allowed back on the street, even as they posed a threat to public safety. Officers like Derek Chauvin.

That’s why we first need to repeal 50-a, a New York State law that keeps all police disciplinary records confidential. Too often, instances of police brutality involve officers with long histories of misconduct. The warning signs are there, but the public isn’t allowed to see them. Repealing 50-a must also be accompanied by the creation of a federal database that would track officers who have been fired for misconduct to ensure that they are not rehired in other jurisdictions...................................

(More, Click Link above)

System Failure: Law Enforcement. Defunding

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/05/defunding-the-police-us-what-does-it-mean

US policing

What does 'defund the police' mean? The rallying cry sweeping the US – explained

Activists have long advocated taking money from police and reinvesting it in services. The idea is now seeing a wave of support.................

(More, Click Link Above)

System Failure: Law Enforcement in the U.S. . Funding from U.S. DOJ and NCJRS system.

Trust and credibility of Fire\EMS, and Emergency Management are being hindered by loss of on entity in the response to disasters\crisis, saving lives, serving and protecting the public. The credibility lost from the Law Enforcement element in the process.

Great emphasis must be placed on not only saving lives, and protecting those that law enforcement servers, but changing the funding the money allocations to States, Counties, Cities, and local juridictions.

Research all avenues to obtain a picture of the local system structure.

Google 'model of u.s. law enforcement system'

Check: https://cops.usdoj.gov/ \ for funding for community based policing.

It is not a point of revising, and reformation. Vulnerable and marginalized communities, Black, Latinx, and vulnerable members of the community have save the reforms, body cameras implemented, cultural competency and other education and training implemented.

But the same results are still occurring.

Change shall have to come in a total revamping of the entire system.

BEMA International

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Stories are our key. Are you listening?

Thank you Rudy.

Are others listening to what
NLFRTA and
BEMA International
are saying for our survival, for our future?

CDS

Black Emergency Managers Association Interntional 1231-B Good Hope Road. S.E. Washington, D.C. 20020 Office: 202-618-909 bEMA International
Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, Coordination, Community engagement, and Partnering (C5&P) A 501 (c) 3 organization

National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association

1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 601

Washington, DC 20005

Office: (202) 628-8833

Fax No.: (202) 393-1816

Email: latinofarmers@live.com

Twitter: @NLFRTA

Website: www.NLFRTA.org

From:
Subject: Are you listening? Fwd: Letter

I feel compelled to share this, but I think this group, in particular, needs to hear it.

For those of you in this community still thinking that there isn't internal anti-racism work you need to do, you are still not listening.

Ruth Tyson shared their personal story at UCS. There were pieces of her narrative I will never fully understand as a fair-skinned Latina woman, but for many points, I felt as if they could have been in the room with me.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/132Ow3_FYcTQdc73pyAe0V_IIoIzq4nktYpZ-V4MZRTY/edit

I want to also recognize that there is still work that I and the Latinx community have to do, given the Latinx communities’ deep and active history of its own racism. I also personally believe these accounts can also resonate with those working for institutions of color, as passed oppressive & sexist behavior is alive and well.

I want to be clear, although I am making this specific ask, this does not replace, but is a part of the anti-racist work, that I hope all of us have and must continue to do. To unequivocally say that Black Lives Matter and demand that institutions and leaders that perpetuate white supremacy be held accountable.

It is your responsibility as those who represent organizations who want to “grow the movement” are “committed to equity and diversity” to examine the power and privilege you hold right where you stand and work every day.

To those who have worked with me for years, who may think positively of me in a personal or/or professional sense. I want you to know that I was moved to tears, but I am so tired I could not express them. I have been trained and mentored to normalize this behavior, to accept it as a sacrifice of process, to make my white colleagues feel safe and unthreatened unless I selectively choose otherwise.

I feel remorse that at this moment, I personally could not detail my own story, as Ruth has bravely done. Given that I have unconsciously and consciously buried my own experiences for so long in order to continue to do this work or perhaps more simply there are just too many instances to keep track of.

So thank you, Ruth, for telling your truth, for having the wisdom and courage not to bury your pain and to choose joy instead. I hope I can learn from it and continue to do my work to grow.

Finally, before you reach out to ask what you can do, I am going to need you to 1. Read Ruths' story and support Ruth (Info below) 2. Self-reflect on your own privilege and past behavior 3. Commit to do the work and be specific about your first actions 4. Please share with the community and your white peers that you are doing this work and hold them accountable. The BIPOC community can not do this work for you, just as you learned the policy you advocate on, learn what you need to do to be anti-racist.

Cashapp: $payruthtyson

Venmo: @ruth-tyson

Patreon.com/momentofruth

In Solidarity & Service,

Amanda

This letter is being shared widely with Ruth's permission. Please share and support her if it moves you to do so.

Amanda M. Aguirre

COO & Executive Vice President

My Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: GreenLatinos Information < >
Date: Thu, Jun 4, 2020 at 3:07 PM
Subject: [GreenLatinos] Letter: Speaking Truth to Power

From: Ruth Tyson <\g>
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 9:15 AM
To: All Employees <ucsusa.org>
Subject: Farewell <3

Good morning colleagues, comrades, acquaintances,

Today is my last day at UCS. I wrote about the very difficult decision to end this chapter in my life, and my thoughts on recent tragedies and (some of) UCS' role in them.

Thank you for all the lessons and allowing me to witness all of your stories, minds, energies, and beautiful selves. Wondering what's next for me? Me too! I have no idea, but I plan to spend this summer taking care of myself. Breathing, releasing, healing. Getting to know and falling in love with myself and my community again.

If you've ever had a meaningful interaction with me (or have no idea who I am and would like to get to know me), please consider subscribing to my newly launched patreon channel. By doing so, you can support my survival as well as stay connected, experience my art and journey through music and other expressions along my path.

P.S. took me a lot of emotional labor to write this, and to endure almost 3 years at this institution, and I am now without income indefinitely. I invite you to send some compensation if you've learned anything valuable from me over the years. Or if you would just like to invest in my wellbeing.

Cashapp: $payruthtyson

Venmo: @ruth-tyson

Patreon.com/momentofruth

If you'd like to stay in touch, you can reach me at ruth.lani.tyson@gmail.com

To infinity and beyond!

ruth

Systems Failure: Placated in the past, same results?

A complete redesign of the Law Enforcement profession is needed.

Now, not one year or two years. but now.

We have tried body cameras.
Successful?

We have talked of community engagement.
Successful?

We have talked and implemented a change in training, cultural competency,
Successful?

Analogy.
If Law Enforcement were a car.
After so many repairs, adjustments, and additions
there comes a point where\when you have to
change for a newer model, a 21st Century Model.

Systems Failure: The Failure of Law Enforcement to Serve and Protect

With the same fervor and expediency that created the organization and structure at the Federal level for the Department of Homeland Security. This fervor change must also be conducted with great expediency at the Federal, State, County, City, townships, and other jurisdictions for the establishment of a new law enforcement model in the the U.S.

Communities will continue to lose trust in law enforcement if changes across the board are not enacted.

Now is the time for Federal Elected Officials, Governors, Mayors, City Council members,, Law Enforcement officials, and community members to make the change.

We must proceed with a change across the board, or members of the community. Vulnerable members, the 'whole community' will foresee 'business as usual' in both the Courts, and Law Enforcement.

Why does BEMA International comprised of homeland security, emergency management, Fire\EMS, Law Enforcement members voice this concern for change?

The profession of law enforcement plays a key role in all phases of emergency management (preparedness, planning, response, recovery, mitigation) within the incident command system (ICS).

https://www.emergency-management-degree.org/faq/what-role-does-law-enforcement-play-in-emergency-management/

WHAT ROLE DOES LAW ENFORCEMENT PLAY IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT?

Without the trust, credibility, and transparency in our law enforcement profession and changes needed for 2020 and beyond. A ‘business as usual’ approach will be the norm.

To our elected officials make the change.

Sincerely,

Charles D. Sharp

Charles D.Sharp

Cornell University Climate Fellow

Chairman Emeritus\CEO

Black Emergency Managers Association International

1231-B Good Hope Road. S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20020

Office: 202-618-909

bEMA International

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.

In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. This may well be mankind’s last chance to choose between chaos or community.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘Where Are We Going From Here: Chaos or Community’.

Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, Coordination, Community engagement, and Partnering (C5&P)

A 501 (c) 3 organization.

Friday, June 5, 2020

For your community. Know your rights while protesting. June 5, 2020

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHILE PROTESTING

Right to Free Speech…

- You have a first amendment right to peacefully assemble and petition the government.

- You can engage in free speech activity in any public forum (sidewalks, parks, etc.).

- You have the right to hand out flyers on public sidewalks so long as you are not blocking private entrances to buildings.

If Stopped by Police…

- Remain calm.

- Do not run.

- Explain that you are expressing your 1st amendment right to free speech.

- Ask if you are free to leave.

If Under Arrest…

- Do not resist.

- Explain that you first, wish to invoke your right to counsel and second, that you wish to remain silent.

- Do not speak to police or sign any documents without the presence of a lawyer.

Right to Consent Being Searched…

- You have the right to refuse consent to a search of your personal belongings.

- Police can pat you down if they suspect you have a weapon or if you have been arrested.

- You do not have to consent to any further searches.

Right to Photograph & Record…

- You have the right to photograph anything in plain view in a public space.

- You have the right to take note of an officer’s badge number, patrol car information, or police unit if you feel your rights have been violated.

- Police cannot legally demand to see your photos or videos without a warrant.

Right to an Adequate Time to Disperse…

- Police may give a dispersal order if there is a clear and present danger.

- Officers must give a reasonable time and unobstructed path.

- This order must be clear and detailed, including how much time individuals have to disperse, and an explanation of the consequences for failure to disperse.

REPORT ANY COMPLAINTS OF VIOLATION OF RIGHTS TO THE POLICE AGENCY’S INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION OR CIVILIAN COMPLAINT BOARD.

DC LEGAL ASSISTANCE HOTLINE FOR PROTESTERS:

(202) 888-1731

This material is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact an attorney for advice pursuant to any particular issue or problem.

D.C. Protest. June 5, 2020

Update: Important to note that this is a UDC Law-organized event and while we hope many friends will join us, we do not anticipate such a large crowd at the US Capitol that it will be difficult for individuals to maintain appropriate safe distancing as necessitated by the pandemic.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

The UDC Student Bar Association and UDC Black Law Students Association have asked me to share this invitation to join their peaceful and legal protest march this Saturday, June 6.

Meet up them at the SW corner of Pennsylvania and 3^rd in NW Washington, DC at 1 pm. From there, we will proceed to the White House.

All are asked to wear masks - and to wear UDC T-shirts if you have them.

Also please note, Saturday is supposed to be rainy but hot so please come prepared to stay hydrated.

Please see the students' letter, protest rights and COVID-19 warning below.

You can donate in support of their ongoing efforts at www.law.udc.edu/donations.

Thank you,

Joe Libertelli

Dear Alumni,

The SBA would like to invite and encourage you to march with us this Saturday, June 6, 2020, from 1-5 pm.

We will meet near the United States Capitol (SW corner of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW & 3rd Street, SW) at 1 pm. From there, we will walk to the White House. We will hear speeches from UDC Law Dean Renée Hutchins, Alumna Amber Ivey, '17 and others. We will create awareness about the ongoing injustices surrounding our city and our nation. We wish for this protest to be an educational moment. We will provide “Know Your Rights” handouts to the crowd, as well as other important information about police reform and other actions that must take place for social justice to become a reality in our city and in our nation. Help ensure the collective power of our voices is heard by joining us!

This march will be a peaceful protest. As law students and members of the legal academic arena, we will carry ourselves with poise and elegance from start to finish. In this moment, we represent something bigger than our individual selves. Let us honor the memory of our fallen brothers and sisters, by channeling our justified rage into a united and solemn model of nonviolent organizing.

Because our nation is still in the middle of a pandemic, we urge all participants to take caution and stay informed about the current guidance regarding going out in public spaces. Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for up to date information on how you can stay safe. At minimum, we ask that you please wear a mask at all times while you are with us.

We hope to see all of you on Saturday, and encourage you to show your UDC Pride by wearing UDC paraphernalia to the march. If you would like to know how you can assist or for any general questions, please contact SBA@udc.edu.

UDC Law Student Bar Association & Black Law Students Association