Charles H. et al. v. The District of Columbia et al.Corrado [email protected]  A proposed class action alleges the District of Columbia has failed to provide special education to students with disabilities who have been incarcerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 55-page complaint alleges incarcerated students with disabilities have instead received for more than a year “work packets in lieu of classes,” and been left to effectively “teach themselves all of their subjects.” The case argues that without “swift” intervention from the court, incarcerated students with special education needs will “continue to languish without education and the critical supports they need, causing irreparable education and social-emotional harm.” Filed by attorneys with the School Justice Project, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and a D.C. law firm, the lawsuit states that high school students with disabilities and special education needs who are detained in the District of Columbia’s Central Detention Facility and Correctional Treatment Facility (the D.C. Jail Complex) are enrolled in an on-site school called the Inspiring Youth Program (IYP), run by District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, DCPS, the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and the District “eliminated these students’ classes and have since effectively abandoned efforts to teach them.” Per the suit, the DCPS stopped in-person classes for all students on March 13, 2020 and began the transition to distance learning later that month. Students learning from home were provided by DCPS “class materials and direct instruction by teachers” via an online platform with two-way videoconference classes, the case says. According to the lawsuit, however, classes never resumed in any format for roughly 40 students enrolled in DCPS at the D.C. Jail Complex, “all of whom have disabilities and special education needs,” the suit stresses. From the complaint: “While other students resumed virtual (and later in-person) classes the students at IYP only received work packets. These work packets are inaccessible for students with disabilities, many of whom, are functioning below grade level in reading comprehension and writing skills. DCPS has the work packets sporadically dropped off at the students’ cells or uploaded to tablets and expects the students to complete the work on their own with no teacher instruction. Then, after the work is collected, the students never see their assignments again and receive little to no feedback except for generalized progress reports or final grades at the end of each term. Students are also not receiving mental health counseling or their other required services. The lack of these critical services, like counseling, leaves these vulnerable students to cope on their own.” The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act and D.C. law require that the defendants provide or otherwise ensure IYP students, each of whom possesses an Individualized Education Program (IEP) tailored to their academic needs, receive a free appropriate public education, the proposed class action says. For students in the D.C. Jail Complex, DCPS has “systematically failed” to implement their IEPs by halting class instruction and related services, the suit claims. In what the complaint describes as “the most extreme of implementation failures,” the plaintiffs, according to the lawsuit, have not received regular teacher instruction, let alone the specialized instruction they require, or regular related services in conformity with their IEPs since March 13, 2020. As the case tells it, the work packets students at the D.C. Jail Complex receive are a poor substitute for the real thing. “The work packets cannot provide these students with the specialized instruction and support that they need and do not replace their classes or counseling sessions,” the lawsuit says, stressing that the students require direct instruction that calls for teacher-student interaction either in person or virtually. The complaint says that the allegations contained therein are “not the result of an error or mistake, but a deliberate decision to abandon the educational welfare and needs of students detained in the D.C. Jail Complex.” More from the suit: “Plaintiffs are members of a vulnerable student population. These detained students must grapple with the challenges caused by their disabilities while being entirely dependent on the District government. Unlike students in the community who are learning at home, they cannot enroll in another school or district. They cannot avail themselves of family to assist in obtaining alternative educational services or help securing the services of a private tutor. They rely solely on defendants, and defendants have left them to languish.” Named as defendants in the case are the District of Columbia, District of Columbia Public Schools and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The lawsuit can be read below. The Cherry Fund seems to not be operating. Here's Why:
Even if they fire things up again, why not post about HIV related things on their social media. I still want to know what they did with the money they got from last years event and why they didn't refund all monies back to those who purchased tickets. Shame. Shame. Shame. If you knew what was happening, if you overlooked shady transactions if you just didn't care because you too were pocketing from Cherry - hope you feel good about it, hope it haunts you and hope karma is not very kind to you. PS, Capital Pride - you don't get a pass for not recognizing World AIDS Day either. Your private apology and refusal to apologize publicly and to commit to those within the LGBT community still living with HIV/AIDS and who have supported Capital Pride should be discussed within our own, but more importantly if you are actually apologetic about the oversight - then account for the oversight and recommit - publicly. Tom Donohue HIV+, advocate & Activist 
Backstory: A quick trip to Walmart Its close to 11pm and I needed a few things from Walmart quick for a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. I've only been to this Walmart one other time at Christmas however upon arriving via my GPS I noticed several squad cars leaving the parking lot at least one being a Prince Georges County. I parked and walked to the entrance passing by two Bladdensburg police cruisers running with their lights on - not the primary bar lights some smaller side window lights. As I passed by I recalled just hours before an ANC Meeting which I was on where it was discussed a MPD unit had been stolen as a result of it being left unattended while at a call. This had me wondering if other departments had this issue and so I had decided that I would inquire on my way out. As I walked into the entrance life was all normal for a Walmart store. Now, lets not forget that I use to work for Walmart as an Assistant Store Manager so I have an idea on how things are handled. I did not see any police or any sign of concern and frankly I didn't think too much about it. I checked out again no sign of anything. The greeter checked my receipt as I purchased a TV and I walked outside where standing just to the side of one of those running units was an officer on the phone. I stood by waiting to see if he would become free to discuss my inquiry whether or not their department had any sort of policy in relation to cruisers being left running. The officer acknowledged me so I began to ask, immediately he became defensive and his tone took a tone I had not been expecting. He told me that it was "None of my concern" in fact he told me this several times while engaged with him. My response was one of well yes it is as I'm a tax paying citizen and now I took offense to his challenge. It was a short exchange of maybe two minutes or so I had asked for his name as his behavior towards someone asking him a perfectly acceptable accountability question was alarming and I decided I would file a complaint. Then, he dismissed me and went inside. Now I stood there outside shocked at how he was responding to a simple inquiry and soon followed him inside because I wanted to know whether or not he had his body camera on as I would have filed a FOIA to obtain the footage and expose how this officer conducted himself. He was still on the phone however I did ask him that one question of which he decided to ignore me. There was another officer in the open doorway (to which I assume was the security office off of the customer service desk) he made contact with me and asked if there was anything he could help with. I began to tell him I was trying to see if the officer on the phone had his body camera on and That's when the officer on the phone basically told him not to worry about me and to leave me be - I was like oh, wow. The officer in the door way basically said the he was the corporal and was his supervisor. I then was surprised and asked the Corporal if this was an appropriate way in handling this situation. What he did next was disgusting. He asked me whether I was harassing him or not "Are you harassing me?" as though some sort of police intimidation and fear of arrest for harassment would send me away I replied "I guess so" I asked him again about the body camera whether it was on or not and he finally told me that it wasn't on and I left. Its unfortunate I don't have this engagement to share however, during the complaint process I became even more concerned. I understand that my complaint is regarding something mundane however when I could not find a way to file a compliant against the officer so I decided to call the Chief of Police of Police, Chief Tyrone Collington, Sr.
Here you will hear the Chief of Police's return call to me which he informs me he was actually on the call with the Corporal overhearing the conversation.
Now at this point I was just going to write a written statement and email it to the Chief, all of a sudden out of the blue I get this call from Internal Affairs Lt. Silver. This is a very strange phone call especially from Internal Affairs. Lt. Silver had no interest really in listening to me and for someone that was about to investigate another officer it was very clear whose side he was on. I am very concerned if this officer is reviewing complaints and or involved in any decision making process.
At this point I sat on my concerns for almost a week. The more I thought about it and listened to it The more concerned I got with the departments response to this especially given the behavior by LT. Silver barely allowing me a word edge wise and debating the actions of the officer with me. Is he to be a neutral party or his attorney? So I decided to go to the Mayors office, I called the Mayors office and explained the situation clearly stating I did not want to talk to the Police Chief yet who was I transferred to? Chief Collington.
So after a few days, I began to think about this matter some more and decided to call the Mayors office. It was a bit confusing however the woman told me the Mayor worked part time and to email her however in the meantime she would connect me to someone - an interesting note that as I was explaining the situation to the woman I mentioned that I had got this call from Internal Affairs and her response was suggested that maybe Bladensburg had no Internal Affairs department but that maybe she wasn't correct, I do continue to find it interesting that I search for an internal affairs department in Bladensburg and I see nothing mentioning Lt. Silver as part of Internal Affairs. Now in relation to the recording of the telephone conversations: Let me be very clear. I own a small business where lots of details are shared, in the spirit of transparency its fair to inform that none of these folks speaking with me on the phone knew their calls were being recorded. Frankly I didn't even think about it until yesterday when I downloaded the conversations and played them back for review. What I did find interesting is how concerned the Chief of Police was about his conversations with me. Holding police accountable is important they are the ones we are suppose to trust. The trust is compromised with me and the Bladensburg Police Department and I look forward to hearing from anyone with information that may add to this discussion. You may contact me at [email protected]. District of Columbia – D.C. Recording Law Summary:D.C. Code § 23-542 Note: Additional details pertaining to the call I made to the Mayors office and the intimidation tactics were added on Feb 15, 2021 at 7:45am.
These pictured are just a few of the guns off the street. In total over the two weeks 109 guns removed.   Anyone who knows me knows I have been a HUGE supporter of Capital Pride for years If you have looked at either the front cover of the Pride Guide or within its pages or on its website, with in the Advocate.com, You've seen just some of my hard work capturing the many celebrations of Capital Pride the last five years as one of its Official Photographers. I have donated all of time, I have covered all my expenses & have even purchased cameras to capture Pride in ways that they ever have. For instance every year I have created a time-lapse video highlighting the work that is being done during the parade on the other side of town - the prep for the Pride Concert and festival. I have got to know Ryan and much of the board why? Because I have always been around them during their events. They know the time I have given back to my community by offering my professional services to the organization. So it pains me greatly to express my deepest disappointment for their lack of anything really of this years World AIDS Day. No programming, No mention on their Twitter feed, between the four asks for money of our community they posted a link from one of the local LGBT publications listing the several events marking the day, That was it. No personal message about WAD, no programming in fact they were not even mentioned in the link once as them doing anything for WAD. With this said, I'll also highlight that The Cherry Fund which raises money each year specifically for local HIV/AIDS organizations made no mention of it at all. Maybe they are too busy figuring out next years event - I'm still wondering why they did not refund 100% of the cancelled tickets from this years event. They held money back citing expenses and contracts - well let me tell you something - Cherry you list every contact or person who held you to a contact during a World Wide Pandemic because they should be publicly shamed and called out. However I have to wonder if this is really the case. Now... Back to Capital Pride - I'd say they are one of the most publicly visible organizations in DC How could they overlook, yes overlook World AIDS Day. They could have easily put together some virtual Zoom event. I could have reached out to Dr. Fauci for them to discuss how Covid19 was affecting those infected and maybe how they as an organization could help support those who are positive during this time. Instead they ask four times on that day for money from that same community, all on this one day typically saved for reflection on the lives lost. I am profoundly insulted and disappointed that the HIV community was overlooked. When Ryan, the Executive Director saw my original posting a few days later he responded to my post by issuing a half ass apology which made it sound like they did a whole heck of a lot (some of which I can not confirm) making excuses and standing up for the efforts they did make which was NOTHING. See original post here  So rather than putting this apology on all their social media platforms and sending out an email to its list-serve Ryan responds to my post, I suppose to keep their "falling short" and their apology quiet. Now I have been living with HIV for close to twenty years, I personally find this short coming not only heartbreaking but their private apology insulting. Ryan, where are Capital Prides Priorities? In a stressful time such as this with this years Pride cancellation and with many of us frightened to contract Covid-19 where is the support of Capital Pride for our community, Capital Pride could have supported us in many ways with the vast network you folks had you could have simply checked in with our community asked if our community needed anything I am confident someone could have helped someone if they needed. That aside how could you folks overlook World AIDS Day, frankly its embarrassing. This is in my opinion a grave mistake, one that the Board of Directors headed by Ashley Smith should look at and determine whether your priorities are still with the LGBT community. Yes, its that bad and everyone should ask themselves how Capital Pride could let this happen and then to try to keep it private only issue an apology to those who had read the original post and not apologize to the entire HIV/AIDS community. After the five years of working to help make Capital Pride better, It saddens me to have to question your ability to continue to lead this organization. It pains me and hurts me personally, but it pains and hurts me for all within my community who thought better of Capital Pride I know I for sure did. Tom Donohue Official Photographer Capital Pride Alliance Supporting every brother and sister who is positive and in remembrance of all those who have gone before us we refuse to continue to be   Dear LGBT Community and those who Support us. I have been back and forth if I should post this however there are too many in this DC community not to speak out about it. Can anyone tell me where Capital Pride and The Cherry Fund were for World AIDS Day? On neither Twitter accounts is the day even mentioned however CP did ask our community for money. They even pinned that post to their page on 12/1/20. Now CP was nice to re-tweet a tweet that discussed some events however made not one specific mention to the day. The Cherry Fund - the organization which its whole (well most of it) Existence is to support the HIV/AIDS community didn’t even post a thing on either social media. Some may think I’ve been critical of Cherry - it’s clearly for good reason. I’d also like to call out Metro Weekly, & Washington Blade for their lack of accountability of looking into The Cherry Fund, no announcement of the cancellation of this years events, no asking questions why the organization withheld so much from ticket buyers - what in God’s earth did they do with money from tickets, and is there a conflict of interest with The Cherry Fund donating money back to Blade Foundation? Because you all sure have been quiet about all of this. Don’t tell me COVID-19 and contracts and such because that is BS what DJ, what airline, what hotel, what anything was holding any non-profit organization to anything due to COVID-19? If anyone did we should demand to know who and publicly shame them as even in the for-profit world its unrealistic not to mention unprofessional to hold folks to contracts during a world wide pandemic. I’d like to know where the money went and who held them to any contract because they should be ashamed of themselves, and why have they said nothing not one thing not even World AIDS Day? Fellow LGBT members and the community that loves and supports us, Why has some of the biggest names abandoned the HIV community, so Capital Pride couldn’t have held a free virtual program, maybe invited Dr. Fauci or maybe talk about HIV and how COVID is affecting the HIV community - something. As far as Cherry Fund, Allen loves to have his picture all over everything how come they haven’t posted anything since early this year? Are they still operating? Ed Bailey your $5,000 in 2016, $20k contribution in 2017 and subsequent donations should get you some pull... Ask them for an audit our community means a lot to you I know it, make some inquiries, lets hold them accountable.  Please don’t over look this because if they go under, many local organizations will suffer and so will the cause. So begin asking questions - where is 2019 taxes? That may give some insight. Capital Pride is the money the Cherry Fund given you is that really to support the organization or is it hush money? Well come on why are you not asking some of these questions? Ryan Bos, Ashley Smith What happened to World AIDS Day, from what I can tell you folks did nothing, didn’t even mention it on your twitter feed, but you did pin an ask for us the community to give you money - on a day normally used to reflect on those who have died. Update: Board Member for Capital Pride Vernon A. Wall Replied to the original Facebook posting what follows is my response. SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ORDER (Amended 11/05/20) By Order issued on March 18, 2020, and reaffirmed on May 29, 2020, the Joint Committee of Judicial Administration authorized the Chief Judge to issue orders extending the period during which deadlines are suspended, tolled, and extended for all statutory and rules-based time limits in the D.C. Code, and the Superior Court Rules, during the current judicial emergency and consistent with the best interest of the administration of justice... Chief Judge ordered that (except as otherwise specified) all deadlines and time limits in statutes, court rules, and standing and other orders issued by the Court that would otherwise expire before June 19, 2020 including statutes of limitations, are suspended, tolled, and extended during the period of the current judicial emergency. As indicated in that order, the deadlines and time limits may be further suspended, tolled, and extended as circumstances change. Suspension, tolling, and extension will continue to the extent specified in this Order until at least January 15, 2021. The Court will provide at least 60 days’ notice before ending all suspension, tolling, and extension of deadlines. The Court is expanding the types and number of cases it will hear through January 15, 2021. 
"It is with great sadness that I announce that Timothy passed away at 3:10 pm this afternoon surrounded by myself and friends, after a 5 month battle with leukemia" Tim's partner also named Tim posted on his Facebook page. This sadly was no surprise as in recent months Tim has struggled and knew his time was coming to an end. As a result Tim asked Mark S King to share with the world that he was facing death by writing for MarkSKing.com As Timothy Ray Brown Faces Death, A great Love Endures in the article Mark shares with the world a bit about both Tim and Tim had met, he discusses how Tim was "The first man in history cured of HIV" Its a real good read, if you haven't seen it please take a moment to do so.
I first met Tim at the International AIDS Conference, I've included a few photo of him and I and some of the people both had known yet never met before. He was indeed a very shy guy but you could always tell he appreciated all of the love and affection towards him. He himself was a very warm guy it was truly an honor to meet and get to know him. Yesterday Timothy Ray Brown recorded this message: https://www.facebook.com/692922852/videos/10158957173282853/ Here is the rest of Tim's reflection on the passing of Timothy Ray Brown - It is with great sadness that I announce that Timothy passed away at 3:10 pm this afternoon surrounded by myself and friends, after a 5 month battle with leukemia. Timothy was born on March 11, 1966 , and grew up in Seattle as an only child with his mom Sharon. He enjoyed summers with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Idaho. Tim also became lifelong friends with Corrinne Balinsky, Jake Miranda and Elaine Fitch while living in Seattle. Timothy lived in Berlin from 1993 to 2010 with his former partner Michael Dastner while he worked in a cafe, and he was a German- English translator. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1995 and then in 2007 he was diagnosed with AML. He had two stem cell transplants that put his AML into remission and cured his HIV with the CCR5 delta 32 deletion. In 2010, Tim moved back to the US and became public about his status as the Berlin Patient and was on the cover of Poz magazine in June 2011. Tim committed his life’s work to telling his story about his HIV cure and became an ambassador of hope. Tim also gave numerous blood and tissue samples to researchers after his cure. I met Tim when we were both living in Henderson NV, one day after my birthday, on 3/29/13. I was instantly attracted to his smile , wit, handsome face, and very sweet nature. We enjoyed being around each other all the time so I asked him to move in with me 6 months later. Tim liked our frequent trips to Palm Springs to visit friends and for my doctor appointments. Tim suggested we move there and we agreed. We arrived at a perfect time of year in January 2015. Tim was a happy and gentle soul but he did get cranky if he didn’t have his double espresso in the morning! He loved watching Good Morning America , MSNBC , and politics in general. Tim was really looking forward to Election Day on 11/3/20. He enjoyed our frequent movie outings and watching Netflix. Tim formed lasting friendships with HIV researchers, doctors and activists. Tim got involved as a PrEP and U=U activist and was glad more tools were available for HIV prevention. Tim’s absolute favorite thing to do was traveling abroad. We had amazing times with trips to Amsterdam, Berlin, South Africa, Portugal,Spain, and Vancouver. Tim particularly enjoyed our trip to Cape Town when he spoke to students at the Desmond Tutu HIV center, and to Amsterdam for the International AIDS Conference in 2018. I am truly blessed that we shared a life together but I’m heartbroken that my hero is now gone. Tim was truly the sweetest person in the world. Tim’s spirit will live on and the love and support from family and friends will help me through this most difficult time. Celebrate Tim’s life and always have Hope. You’re my angel now. I love you forever Tim! Cherry 25Th Is CANCELLED. READ THIS NOW Just days left to claim 40% Refund - yes only 40%!9/24/2020  On September 8, 2020 The Cherry Fund announced the cancellation of its 25th Anniversary Benefit Weekend. They are required to do this and there is important information about your refunds. They are giving you 40% of your ticket prices back, plus Eventbrite will refund all processing & transaction fees (this is something that Eventbrite is doing for everyone not The Cherry Fund) BUT HERE IS THE VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION: You must take action with your tickets and passes by September 30, 2020. If no action is taken, you will be issued a full refund in the form of an Eventbrite credit towards a future event produced by The Cherry Fund. (Hoping they are still around then) Here is what they say you need to do: Option 1: Log into your Eventbrite account, access your ticket(s) or pass(es) that you’ve purchased for our 25th Anniversary benefit weekend and request a monetary refund. Cherry will refund 100% of all processing and transaction fees and 40% of your base price ticket or pass purchased. Please allow 14 business days from the time of the request to see the funds returned to your account associated with the original form of payment used (ie. Debit, VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover). or Option 2: Log into your Eventbrite account, access your ticket(s) or pass(es) that you’ve purchased for our 25th Anniversary benefit weekend and request a credit. You will be issued a refund for the full amount you paid in the form of an Eventbrite credit that can only be used towards a future Cherry Fund event. Now important to note that on July 31, the eventbrite cherry page looked like this: https://web.archive.org/web/20200731101937/https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cherry-fund-25th-anniversary-weekend-tickets-65562678737 the reason that may be important is this lists the refund policy at that time, meaning this new policy was recently posted. From Eventbrite page it suggests the following: 1.2 Refund Process. In general Eventbrite refund policy is described here: https://www.eventbrite.com/support/articles/en_US/Troubleshooting/eventbrites-organizer-refund-policy-requirements?lg=en_US  Frankly I want to know who is holding this non-profit to contracts during a world-wide pandemic!I call bullshit on this we have contracts we can't get out of. Well I'll tell you what - you tell me what vendor will not let you out of your contract because I want to expose them tool I don't know any entity that has a contract to be executed during this pandemic that has not with due time released an entity from this obligation/ If this holds true I want to know so we may bring attention to these vendors and demand they release The Cherry Fund a non-profit organization.
Don't you think The Cherry Fund should have an independent financial auit performed? Its time. |
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