CIVIL RIGHTS TRIP ENDS
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-8th) on Sunday completed a three-day civil rights pilgrimage through Alabama, commemorating the 40th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," March 7 1965, when marchers crossing the Edmund Pettus bridge into Selma were beaten by Alabama State Troopers.
The journey was led by U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia), who was part of the original march. Also taking part was a bi-partisan, 40-member delegation from both houses of Congress as well as South African leaders and crafters of U.S. civil rights legislation.
"It was a great symbol of how much progress has been made in the last 40 years," Van Hollen said. "This time instead of being met by Sheriff Jim Clark and his police squad beating the marchers, you had a police force of African Americans and whites providing security."
Van Hollen cited several moving events during the journey through Montgomery, Birmingham, and Selma, including singing psalms in the church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached.
He said that the journey refocused him on the inequalities that remain in American society.
The challenges of the civil rights era "have been replaced by another very real set of challenges," he said. "That congressional district remains one of the poorest congressional districts in the country. ... Equal opportunities in education is the next generation — the next phase of the civil rights movement."
Asked whether discrimination against Arabs and Muslims in post-9/11 America mirrors the historic discrimination against African-Americans, Van Hollen said, "There is a danger of grouping people together. The lessons should be that you judge people … by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin or their ethnicity or their religion."
"Those who are complacent are complicit in injustice," he said. "When people see injustices it’s their responsibility not to look the other way but to act. Even if they're not direct parties in what's happening they have a responsibility to get involved."
FORDYCE-WILLIAMS TRIAL MOVED
Schmouree Fordyce-Williams, 20, who is charged with the Sept. 6 rape, sexual assault, and robbery of a 19-year-old Potomac woman will stand trial in late May after a judge granted a continuance.
Fordyce-Williams' trial was scheduled to begin March 7, but in a March 3 hearing, Circuit Court Judge Ann Harrington granted a motion by Public Defender Allen Drew, who represents Fordyce-Williams, to delay the trail due to "the late identification of experts."
A psychologist has been meeting with Fordyce-Williams at the facility where he is being held. That evaluation may be important in considering statements Fordyce-Williams made to police which comprise "a substantial part of the evidence against him," according to Drew.
According to police reports and court documents, Fordyce-Williams and three other men entered the victim's home on Falls Chapel Way through a basement-level sliding glass door, entered her bedroom and woke her up at gunpoint; one of the men left, and the remaining three, including Fordyce-Williams, raped and sexually assaulted her, then demanded money and drugs before leaving with several laptop computers and other items.
As part of the hearing, Fordyce-Williams, formerly of Gatewater Drive in Potomac, agreed to waive his right to be tried with in 180 days of his first court appearance, a right protected by Maryland law.
Fordyce-Williams is now scheduled for a five-day jury trial before Circuit Court Chief Judge DeLawrence Beard. If convicted, Fordyce-Williams faces the possibility of life in prison.
CRYOR RECOGNIZED
Del. Jean Cryor (R-15) has been selected for the Leadership Maryland Class of 2005. She is among 52 leaders selected by the program and will attend one and two-day conferences throughout the year focusing on issues such as economic development, human services, criminal justice and diversity.
Leadership Maryland is an independent, nonprofit organization designed to inform top-level executives from the public and private sectors about the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the state of Maryland.
THREE ARRESTED IN MALL THEFTS
Five people were detained and three were arrested by Montgomery County Police Feb. 26 after loss prevention officers at Westfield Shoppingtown Montgomery reported a man stealing clothes from mall stores.
The man reportedly entered the Limited Brands Company and other stores and filled a bag with clothing while female suspects distracted the store employees, then left without paying.
Officers located the man's vehicle and recovered $30,000 worth of merchandise from 11 different stores.
Daniel Moreno, 24 of East Elmhurst, N.Y. is charged with three counts of theft under $500 and 10 counts of theft over $500. Valentina Beltran, 34, of Laurel is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit theft over $500. Liliana Saldarriaga, 34, of Jackson Heights, N.Y. is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit theft Over $500.
COMMUNITY CENTER SEEKS STUDENTS
The Potomac Community Center Advisory Board is recruiting two student board members. The board is looking for either a current freshman or sophomore willing to serve two years. Submit a letter of interest to Larry Chloupek, Chair, PCC Advisory Board, 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 no later than March 31. For more information, contact Larry Chloupek at 301-469-6514.
POTOMAC THEATER COMPANY PLAY
The Potomac Theater Company performs "What’s a Wolf to Do? The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks & The Three Little Pigs" March 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Bullis School, Blair Family Center for the Arts, 10601 Falls Road, Potomac. Tickets are $10. For reservations call 301-299-8571 and leave a message.
PARTY PLANNING AT B'NAI TZEDEK
Congregation B'nai Tzedek will hold its annual Simcha Showcase on Sunday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which brings together planners, photographers, caterers and others helpful in planning a party, is free and open to the public. Contact Joanne Spielman, 301-251-0516 or jbspielman@aol.com.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Oculus, a band consisting of Thomas S. Wootton High School students, is one of seven bands selected out of more than 30 applicants for a Battle of the Bands sponsored by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Six other bands consisting of county high-school students will perform. The bands compete at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street on Saturday, March 12, 7-11:30 p.m. Admission is $5, and a student ID is required.
CHURCHILL FOOTBALL REUNION
The 1977 and 1978 state champion Churchill football teams are holding a reunion April 8-10 at Pooks Hill Marriott. For more information, call Jay Dove at 240-643-0046 or Jim Hamm at 301-983-0446.