Amateur video shows teenage brawl on North Ave. near McDonald’s

Posted on: 4:46 pm, May 29, 2012, by Chip Brewster

MILWAUKEE — Sun and warm weather over the Memorial Day Weekend brought crowds to Milwaukee’s lakefront, but they didn’t stay there. Dozens of teens left a trail of disturbances Sunday, May 27th in a neighborhood that’s seen this before, and it was caught on camera!

Warm weather, mixed with a holiday weekend is a recipe for a busy day at the beach. When it ended, large groups of teenagers climbed the hill and wandered down North Avenue. Some of them tried to steal patio furniture, but that was just the beginning.

A group of beach-goers ended up at the McDonald’s restaurant on North Avenue. At around 8:25 Sunday night, the McDonald’s was the scene of a teenage brawl.

FOX6 News obtained amateur cell phone video showing the chaos (see below).

“I seen like, eight motorcycle cops, two horse cops, about five cop cars, seven cops across the street. They were right here on the sidewalk right in front of McDonalds, and they were climbing over the rail bottoms, standing here yelling to go, stop, or keep fighting,” Alan Miller, who witnessed the ordeal, said.

The owner of the McDonald’s restaurant did not want to go on camera or release surveillance video of the incident. However, she described about 30 teens involved in the fight. She said during the chaos, a broom was used as a weapon, and two chairs were thrown.

The McDonald’s owner says police showed up quickly and were able to disperse the crowd of teens.

Miller is a regular at the McDonald’s, and has seen this kind of thing before. He says it won’t be the last time either.

“I figured everyone walking down to the lake cause it’s a nice day, I think something’s going to happen that day,” Miller said.

The incident is similar to one last Fourth of July when a mob ransacked a gas station just a few blocks away.

A Milwaukee Police Department spokeswoman says the department made only four arrests Sunday evening — all for resisting or obstructing an officer.

Malcolm X: “You’re A Political Chump!”

Many people have an opinion about Malcolm, but what he said in this piece still holds true today if not moreso.

Peace Family,

WW

Our first lady Michelle Obama, who has showed a display of class and elegance in and out of the White House, recently told People Magazine that if she could be anyone else, she would choose to be R&B diva Beyonce. Out of all the black men and women who have been pioneers, leaders, and fighters in this society–including herself– Michelle Obama said she would be Beyonce. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, why would she want to trade it in to be a singer?

“Gosh, if I had some gift, I’d be Beyoncé. I’d be some great singer,” Mrs. Obama told People magazine in an interview released on newsstands last week. “The power of music, being able to play an instrument. … It looks like musicians just have the most fun.”

Because fun is an important factor to look for when choosing a role model for your kids. I thought we were past the “all black kids want to be singer, rappers, and athletes” stereotype.

Look, I’m not hating on Bey, I’m actually a huge fan of her music and her performances are always full of art and energy. She has it all–Grammy’s, a beautiful baby, a famous rapper husband, and a reported net worth of over $300 million.

But what work has she done outside of the entertainment world, primarily work that helps our communities and children? And please don’t give me a list of charities she tossed a few dollars to over the years, or tell me how she and Jay got soooooo many gifts for baby Blue Ivy, they had to give a lot of them away to charity. Even Brad and Angelina do work in Africa.

I guess I expected my first lady to name someone who has directly influenced changes in the world we live in. Notice when Mrs. Obama explained why she would be Beyonce, she highlighted Beyonce’s ability to “play an instrument.” There are so many philanthropists, writers, and even other artists to choose from who have given their time and put in physical work to causes worldwide. R&B singer Alicia Keys, just to name one, is a well-known ambassador for Keep A Child Alive, traveling to Africa and speaking to children and teens who have lost their parents to AIDS. She’s also a spokesperson for Frum Tha Ground Up, a charity focused on encouraging and motivated our young people to be successful.

Our first lady is blessed to be in a position where she can constantly influence young people in our nation. So many people look at the Obamas and say, “If they can do it, I can do it too,” to whatever dreams and goals they may have. I’m not saying Beyonce isn’t a positive icon, I was just hoping for more in the answer to this question. Why not name someone outside of the entertainment business as role models for our children? Name someone they may not have heard of, so they can learn more about their history and contributions to our country? Someone who can inspire them to learn more about causes they can contribute to in their community? Or is that too cliche?

It should be noted that Beyonce is as big of a fan of Michelle also. Beyonce contributes to Michelle’s “Let’s Move” campaign, targeted at childhood obesity. In an open letter that Beyonce posted on her website, she praised the Obama as the ultimate example of a strong African-American woman.

To each its own I suppose.

This answer is better than naming Tami Roman or Evelyn Lozada for sure.

Follow me on Twitter @srenae89

via BET News

Barbara Graves, wife of Black Enterprise magazine publisher and founder Earl Graves Sr., passed away early Friday morning at age 74 from gallbladder cancer.

Ms. Graves was instrumental in helping her husband launch Black Enterprise magazine in 1970, and held every major position at the company, including editorial director, circulation director and chief financial officer. Since its founding, Black Enterprise has grown to become a trusted source of business, investing and wealth-building information for African-Americans with a paid circulation of 500,000 and a readership of approximately four million.

“My mother was a steadfast and loving partner and counselor to my father; his quiet source of strength and inspiration,” said her son, Earl Graves Jr., the president and CEO of Black Enterprise, in a statement. “She served as mentor and guide to several generations of employees, managers and professionals. Above all, she genuinely cared for every member of the Black Enterprise family, and held a special passion for children and young people in particular.”

Also among Ms. Graves’ contributions to the Black Enterprise legacy is the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, the premier networking event and conference for women executives of color, which she co-founded.

“We are all simply heartbroken by the passing of Barbara Graves. She was a longtime friend of mine and supporter of not only Black Enterprise but black media in general. The consummate mother and wife, Barbara raised an incredible family of businessmen as well as supported her husband, Earl, in growing an important multimedia brand that elevated African-American business, wealth and entrepreneurship. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She will be missed,” Debra L. Lee, Chairman & CEO of BET Networks said.

Mrs. Graves is survived by her husband of over fifty years, her three sons and eight grandchildren.

Grin and Barrett, The Debate Mayor Barrett Does Not Want You To See!

Congressman Tom Barrett attacks Milwaukee in debate with acting Mayor Pratt.

Yes we found some rather interesting video the Barrett camp does not want you to see but we got it!

Barrett, All Around the State the Same Song!

MATA Community Media

Tom Barrett VS Marvin Pratt – Milwaukee Mayoral Debate 2004

http://blip.tv/MATAMCM/tom-barrett-vs-marvin-pratt-milwaukee-mayoral-debate-2004-5950961

http://www.milwaukeecommunitymedia.com/2012/02/22/the-milwaukee-mayoral-debate-2004-marvin-pratt-vs-tom-barrett/

After losing his seat as a US Congressman, Tom Barrett faces then incumbent Marvin Pratt in a debate for Mayor of Milwaukee.

Run Date: March 20, 2004

Run Time: 27:33

In this 2004 meeting between Mayor Marvin Pratt and Congressman Tom Barrett you will find some similar themes, some potential integrity complaints, war on women, and some outright nonsense from the congressman as he laid it on thick to become mayor.

I know people don’t have time to watch the entire 25 minute video so I took the liberty of pointing out important highlights for you.

7:10 Barrett’s Focus

Then Congressman Barrett points out the loss of manufacturing jobs in Milwaukee, Crime, and Integrity in government.

Fast forward to 2012 and you will find we are still focusing on lost manufacturing jobs, crime, and integrity in government. In 2004, Milwaukee had the 3^rd highest dropout rate and largest educational gap in the nation. Funny we are worse off nine years into his mayorship than in 2004.

Barrett attacked Pratt on these things saying Pratt protected the status quo. Barrett has not made a dent in any of these issues! He did in fact protect the status quo during his terms as Mayor of Milwaukee. On top of protecting the status quo, Barrett said he would make the City of Milwaukee more accessible to its citizens. The only accessibility I see has been with absentee voting for this 2012 recall election. Funny how all city agencies were closed except for the voting polls on Memorial Day.

As far as integrity we have crime numbers that are false, a police chief battling his own ethics and conduct, a emergency response system that does not work, parking checkers on the loose writing bogus tickets, towing cars and impounding them to make quotas, no-bid contracts to friends of Barrett costing the city millions in overbidding and not recouping monies we could be getting in submitting metals and scraps. There is also a question as to whether those contracts are cutting out minority business because they were not bid on as required by law. There are growing reports of police profiling in certain parts of the city and unspeakable brutality of minorities especially. Now we find that a hotel we sold land to for $1 was worth 2.5 million. This hotel is now two payments behind in their loan. Guess who will be picking up that tab?!

At 12:00, The topic of division comes up. Sound familiar? Well it should. This Mayor seems to show a clear pattern of divide and conquer himself. Barrett and his minions divided the city racially in 2004, attacking Pratt on everything from late WE Energy Payments to being incompetent. Fast forward to 2012, here we go again with the Democratic version of divide and conquer as Barrett takes his talents of destruction statewide! From keeping Milwaukee racially divided to making Wisconsin ground zero for political grandstanding. He is no stranger to tearing down and not to big on the rebuilding trust or civility business. Milwaukee has remained #1 in segregation under this mayor and all those promises he made to restore “civility” in 2004, did he ever? No he did not! Now we are to trust he can heal the state? Well if Milwaukee was healed from his 2004 divide and conquer strategy, Wisconsin will certainly never be whole again! He never reached out to Mayor Pratt to implement existing programs and ideas for making Milwaukee a less segregated city. He did absolutely nothing about segregation and again if I may, silence is complacency. I am tired of the left excuse of “well Milwaukee has always been this way.” As if that is an acceptable answer to how we live in this city. That is racism as well! What that response tells me is that white Milwaukee could care less about segregation and they are as complacent about it as Mayor Barrett.

Where is the task force on segregation? Where is the healing in the hood? Cease Fire Sabbath is a safety net for Barrett because he wants us to do the leg work but take the credit for it. You get out in these streets and you do something about the crime in the city. Stop cooking crime stats and start talking to these young people out here and find out what they have to say. Spend some time with Urban Underground, the Peace for Change Alliance, or the groups who work successfully with these youth to offer them some hope. How about supporting Black Enterprise and shop Black, ride our busses or be seen somewhere other than in the safety of the Black church?

At 14:40 Economic Development is the topic. Barrett says he is a salesperson and he knows how to sell Milwaukee! Sorry I had to laugh; he could not get Kohl’s or any other business in here. He lost major conventions to other cities and is having a tough time trying to bully his 2 mile trolley into the city. A trolley that many reports say could further segregate the city. He says Milwaukee is “Open for Business” (sound familiar, did Walker steal this?) and that Milwaukee is the “most livable city in the country.” Really now? Again is that using your crime stats or the FBI’s? Not much of a selling point when you also consider our educational system is in a state of emergency, that little segregation problem, and the urban blight lining the city upon entering it. There is massive black flight out of this city. MPS and all schools citywide are reporting sharp drops in minority attendance which is solid proof that we are loosing families at a rapid pace. Not to mention Mayor Barrett your wife does not even want to teach in the MPS system and you put your own kids in private school. How can you sell our education and services if you yourself don’t even use the product?

At 17:40 Pratt Finally Fights Back! He challenges the congressman about vilifying Milwaukee through statistics and horror stories about how bad Milwaukee was in 2004. BUT he would call on people to invest in the city. Now ain’t that calling the kettle black? Did he not use this same tactic against Walker but when convenient he used it too! HYPOCRITE! If we remember the Journal Sentinel was not a friend to Marvin Pratt at all and gave Barrett a pass on most everything. Although he had no plans, programs, budgets to offer, just empty words. He was also challenged on ethics on his fundraising because he told many donors and Mayor Pratt on four different occasions he was set on being the governor and raising money for that alone.

17:20 Barrett admits Milwaukee was his second choice. He did not really want to be mayor, but if it was between becoming irrelevant and being mayor, he would choose mayor. So from the start we were a step child for Barrett, a second choice, a place to settle until he could become governor. However we allowed this and we have been an abused victim of his hatred of having to settle for option two ever since!

19:00 Pratt cites specific plans and budgets and Barrett offers nothing specific. This has been his strategy in the recalls too. Stick and move, jab and duck. No one has called upon him to submit a budget, a plan, a specific, detailed map of where he wants to take Wisconsin. It has been almost two months and no one challenges him on this. Walker in your next debate you must harp on this. Are we going to let him become governor with no agenda other than “I am not Scott Walker.”

20:00 “You don’t seem like your from Milwaukee!” Barrett makes this claim but never defended us. Exactly how are Milwaukeeans supposed to act and why did he not defend the city he was trying to sell? Seems to me he was more apologetic then a proponent of this city.

21:30 Incarceration and Segregation Fleshed Out. In Milwaukee, kids with incarcerated parents were 70% more likely to become residents of the justice system and 40% more likely to drop out of school. Barrett had no plan or answer to this subject. Meanwhile Pratt points out specific meetings with other cities and cites his programs that are still operating now (Kings of Success and 100 Black Men). We can see a clear pattern of having no vision and the burden on our community from being led by the clueless. Again no task force, no work with Chief Flynn or Sheriff Clarke to curb this trend which is no longer a trend anymore, it is reality for our youth in Milwaukee.

24:00 Barrett Attacks MPS and the fact that at that time we had six superintendants within nine years. Most of these people were run out of town by the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association. This was the time to put an end to their union tyranny. Dr. Fuller and Dr. Korte were nationally heralded education reformers with proven success, but when it came to tackling the MTEA they did not stand a chance. Barrett did nothing to support those superintendants and he is M.I.A. now since MPS backed him off from taking over the system. He showed no courage, fire, or passion when it came to standing up to the silliness of MPS. Again addressing integrity, when board members where going on vacations and running up tabs he did nothing, did not call on them to resign, or asked MPS or the School Board to do something about this abuse of education money. He said nothing about Bradley Tech spending thousands on a pool it did not have and many other MPS abuses. He looked the other way and said very little.

24:30 again admits Milwaukee was not his first choice for employment.

I encourage you all to watch the entire presentation and make your own judgments. You will find that this mayor is not a visionary and had no plans in 2004. He certainly does not have any for 2012 or beyond especially statewide.

What I did see is that this person wanted to be governor for a long time now and he did not care how he got there and what he did until he was governor. Sorry I cannot unleash him on the state in good conscious. My kids deserve better and as a gift from Milwaukee to the rest of the state it would be best to keep him contained here as you do not want the same blight to come to your neck of the woods.  

Black Milwaukee you may want to pay extra attention to the crime and education conversation or lack thereof from then Congressman Barrett. Can you say you are in a better place with nine years of his leadership? This video reveals a lot because it shows he has not evolved or changed his message.

Peace Family,

WW