The National Cannabis Industry Association, the first organization dedicated to lobby Congress on behalf of the cannabis industry for medical marijuana, swarmed Capitol Hill for the first time March 30 with Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) at the forefront. “This is not an industry looking for special treatment but an industry looking to be treated on […]
Author Archives: Erica Butler
AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Poet Brings Home $2,000 in D.C. Poetry Slam Contest
More than 300 people lined the walls of U Street’s Liv nightclub March 30 to see participants compete for $2,000 in Graffiti DC’s first-ever poetry slam contest. The group, a brainchild of Benny Blaq and Benny Blaq Entertainment, consists of main “slammers” Drew Law, Ya Ya, Rasheed and Pages, with many more poets across the […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Councilman Proposes South Capitol Street Tragedy Memorial Act
Washington, D.C. Councilmember David Catania March 30 introduced the South Capitol Street Tragedy Memorial Act of 2011. The law would use mental health screening and better enforcement of truancy in an effort to curb crimes among D.C. youth, Catania said. The proposed legislation was unveiled on the first anniversary of a shooting that left four […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Md., Del. Attorneys General Fight Checkpoint Detection Apps
Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler and Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden March 28 asked Google and Apple to ban smartphone applications that allow drivers to share the location of drunken driving checkpoints. The two state top lawyers have joined the growing chorus of lawmakers who claim the software helps users avoid law enforcement efforts to […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Upset Sulaimon Brown Leaves D.C. Council Hearing as Key Details Emerge in Gray Probe
The DC council’s probe into the allegations of cronyism and nepotism in hiring that have stained Mayor Vincent Gray’s administration and caused the firing or resignation of several staff members began with a hearing March 28. But while six witnesses were called to testify before the legislative body, Sulaimon Brown—who made headlines this month when […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Gray Lists Goals, Avoids Ethics Scandal in State of DC Address
“I don’t think there should be any cuts,” said Allen Burriss, an attendee at Mayor Vincent Gray’s State of District address, March 28 at the newly-renovated Eastern High School. Burriss and other like-minded D.C. residents may have been disappointed when Mayor Gray mentioned the “deep cuts” needed to close the $325 million gap in the […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
PETA Protests Washington, D.C. Circus
As little feet splashed through what was left of the rain, a friendly-looking person dressed as an elephant greeted them as soon as they exited the Chinatown/Gallery Place Metro stop in Washington, D.C. The costumed individual held a red sign, which read “Free Coloring Books”—with PETA in a small print at the bottom. The Ringling […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Pay-to-Play Claims Bear Legal Ramifications
With allegations of cronyism, nepotism and corruption shrouding Mayor Vincent Gray a mere three months into his term, public sentiment toward the new administration is turning sour. But Gray and his staff may have to face more than voters’ displeasure if former mayoral candidate Sulaimon Brown’s pay-to-play allegations are proven true. With several government agencies […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Social Media Impact on D.C. Metro Fights Uncertain
WASHINGTON- With a cell phone in one hand and a group of cheerleaders on the sideline, teenagers can easily make a fight viral in less than 30 seconds. Washington, D.C. Metro riders are all too familiar with this as two brutal fights involving youth surfaced on local and national blog sites. Two recorded fights on […]