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“I started thinking, ‘what if that was me, or my mother or cousin?’ I’d want to know someone was rooting for my return”
By Dorothy Randall Gray | LONG BEACH – When Princess Murray was recipient of a full basketball scholarship to Loyola University WNBA’s Lisa Leslie was one of her teammates.
That may have been in her thoughts when she read about Brittney Griner, Olympian and WNBA basketball star imprisoned in a Russian jail since December 2021 for having hash oil in a vape pen in her backpack. Brittney recently received a 9 year sentence.
“I put myself in that position and started thinking, ‘what if that was me, or my mother or cousin?’ I’d want to know someone was rooting for my return, especially the Black LGBT community. “
A short time ago, Princess Murray sat in LA’s blazing 90 degree weather talking with three others who responded to her call to action regarding Brittney Griner.
“I wanted to do something and didn’t think anybody would help me. I was just trying to start a conversation and look how God works.”
Help arrived in the form of a call from community activist and executive director of ‘In The Meantime Men,’ Jeffrey C. King, offering her a place to hold the peace rally she envisioned, and a staff to assist in making it happen.
The Bring Brittney Back Peace Rally is scheduled to take place Sunday, August 21, 3-5pm at the Carl Bean House, 2146 W. Adams Blvd, LA 90018. #BringBackBrittney
The seeds of Princess’ desire to help people were planted early in her life. Though her South Central family was poor, her parents were always helping others, feeding the hungry and taking care of homeless people.
“When I was 6 years old I remember there was a homeless person sleeping on the sofa, and one sitting at the dinner table. It made me angry! I asked why they did this? Can’t these people take care of themselves?”
They replied, “You never know when you might be in that position one day.”
“I don’t know my dad. He’s been in prison since I was 3 and still is. I’ve got the best stepfather anyone could ask for.” When both parents fell into drug use Princess was put in foster care until her grandmother came and got her out.
She dreamed of joining the fire department but failed the exam twice. She pleaded with her captain, “Just give me one more chance.” On her third try she not only passed but went on the become captain of her graduating class, the only black, only woman and the only lesbian in that class. For 10 years Princess worked as an EMT firefighter.
“I never thought I’d be helping people the way my family did. 90% of calls were from people who needed help. Some died in my arms, some I cried over.”
That career ended after one particularly tragic car accident in Calabasas in which a mother survived but her four children didn’t.
“In the ambulance all the mother talked about were plans she had made for her children. We weren’t allowed to tell her they were dead. I said to myself, I can’t do this any more.”
Princess is now working with the Stars Behavioral Health Group in Long Beach helping foster and transitional aged adolescents. She dreams of opening a beautiful restaurant where she can serve decent meals to the homeless and not have them wait on long lines or pay for food.
“I believe I’m here to help. This is my purpose. I’m living my parent’s dream.”
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The person’s age, identity and gender have not yet been determined, but they are believed to be a person who frequents the park
LOS ANGELES – The body of an unidentified person deceased found hanging from a tree near the Griffith Park’s merry go round was likely a suicide a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday.
The body was discovered at around 12:30 p.m. on fire and hanging from a tree. Los Angeles City firefighters put the flames out and LAPD detectives investigated and found no signs of foul play, determining that most likely the cause of death was suicide.
“It appears to be self-immolation,” said LAPD detective Michael Ventura. “This is going to be somebody who brought some gasoline, brought some lighters. We have had, they are rare, but we do have cases where people will self-immolate. Or they choose to set themselves on fire.”
The person’s age, identity and gender have not yet been determined, but they are believed to be a person who frequents the park on a regular basis Ventura said.
Independent freelance journalist Vishal P. Singh, who was on scene tweeted about the incident:
Firefighters from @LAFD are carefully removing things from the tree in Griffith Park. @LAPDHQ and the Park Rangers are here, too, investigating the body found hanging from a tree and on fire here. pic.twitter.com/5xBxviZRki
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or dial 988
All of City Council left except for Councilmembers Raman, Harris-Dawson, & Bonin who have previously voted against the expansion of 41.18
LOS ANGELES – After protestors angrily voiced opposition and one charged towards the council dais disrupting the LA City Council’s impending vote Tuesday on a mass expansion of 41.18 zones, which will prohibit encampments of unhoused persons near schools and daycare centers, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Riot Squad was called-in.
The meeting erupted into chaos after a member of the public who was speaking climbed over a bench and charged toward Council President Nury Martinez. Police quickly filled the council floor to apprehend the person and another member of the public. Activists screamed at police, and at least one audience member attempted to spray water on officers.
Martinez abruptly recessed the meeting as dozens of activists in the room chanted “Abolish 41.18!” – a reference to the city law prohibiting homeless encampments at libraries, freeway overpasses and other locations.
Jonny Peltz, a freelance reporter for Knock LA, a nonprofit community journalism project, live tweeted the proceedings.
Before meeting starts there are chants of “Shame on you!” pic.twitter.com/7HdnvdOQgD
Crowd holding up mostly ‘abolish 41.18’ signs. Council President told the crowd to “grow up” as they were jeering pic.twitter.com/28dVNpZF4j
BREAKING: Riot squad now out at City Hall. Two protesters have been arrested pic.twitter.com/gX9utGVHLj
Crowd is staying and chanting. All of City Council left except for Councilmembers Raman, Harris-Dawson, and Bonin (who have previously voted against the expansion of 41.18). LAPD also lining the side of City Council chambers pic.twitter.com/Whmvd9P2xf
KTLA reported the Council voted to ban homeless encampments within 500 feet of city schools and day care centers after protesters again rallied against the expanded motion.
The final vote on the motion 11-3 in favor of the widespread ban.
Before the updated motion passed, camps were banned within 500 feet of facilities deemed sensitive, such as schools, day care facilities, parks and libraries but only if those areas have been designated for enforcement.
Tuesday’s vote means a blanket ban on encampments within 500 feet of every private school and day care centers in the city.
“If you come here to commit crime, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, you will be jailed or imprisoned,” said O’Farrell
HOLLYWOOD – The Los Angeles Police Department has been deploying additional resources over the past seven months as the neighborhoods around Hollywood have experienced sharp increases in petty thefts, robberies, shootings and homicides.
On Wednesday, Out Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell hosted an event to spotlight more aggressive actions being taken by the LAPD and other city officials to stem the uptick in crime in the heart of the City’s entertainment district.
“If you plan to come to Hollywood to commit crime, you are not welcome,” said Councilmember O’Farrell. “All Angelenos should feel safe where they live and work. By bringing additional LAPD shifts to Hollywood, we are strengthening the holistic approach my office is taking to public safety – one that brings unarmed services to people in distress, while ensuring our LAPD officers have the necessary tools to effectively prevent and address crime.”
“If you come here to commit crime, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, you will be jailed or imprisoned,” said O’Farrell adding; “There is no permissiveness in Hollywood. We’re not going to permit or tolerate that.”
“That’s really basically about 200 more officers out on the street here on Hollywood Boulevard. “They’re going to be on foot, they’re going to be in patrol cars, they’re going to be on horseback, they’re going to be on bikes,” LAPD Deputy Chief Blake Chow told attendees and reporters attending the event.
Year to date, Hollywood has seen a 75% increase in homicides and 35.6% increase in shots fired, while robbery and theft have risen by 19.4% and 24.7% respectively, compared to 2021. This latest effort to enhance public safety follows Councilmember O’Farrell’s groundbreaking work to bring the CIRCLE program, the City’s first unarmed model of crisis response, to Hollywood, in addition to supporting a City budget that accounts for attrition rates within LAPD’s ranks.
“People need to feel safe when they’re in Hollywood,” said Deputy Chief Chow. “We’re thankful to Councilmember O’Farrell for these additional resources and look forward to quickly putting them to use to prevent, deter and address crime.”
“Public safety requires robust collaboration and an all-hands-on-deck approach,” said James Hegler, Director of Operations for the CIRCLE Program. “We’re proud of our successful working relationship with Councilmember O’Farrell and LAPD, which helps us bring unarmed services to Angelenos in need so that LAPD can focus their resources on actual crime.”
“Public safety is an essential part of a thriving local economy,” said Kathleen Rawson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hollywood Partnership. “As Hollywood emerges from the pandemic, having officers on the street and available to respond to calls is necessary for our businesses to safely keep their doors open and welcome visitors back to this iconic boulevard.”
In addition to deployment of added LAPD resources, O’Farrell on Wednesday introduced a motion that, when approved by the City Council, would strengthen LAPD’s presence in Hollywood with additional officer shifts.
The $216,000 effort would be funded directly by O’Farrell’s office as part of his comprehensive approach to public safety in Hollywood a spokesperson said in a statement.
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