dChan - Q Origins Project Archive

16 people arrested in undercover South Fulton prostitution sting

FOX 5 Atlanta3 hours ago

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. - South Fulton police say an undercover sting into prostitution in the city has resulted in more than a dozen arrests.

Officers say members of the South Fulton Police Department's Special Operations Division and Field Operations Division conducted the sting Friday along Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

In just a few hours, police arrested 16 people from around the metro Atlanta area and beyond and charged them with various charges ranging from pandering to solicitation of prostitution.

The suspects arrested ranged in age from 18 to 79 years old and included men from Florida and Mississippi.

South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows says the operation is the first of many in the city's fight against human trafficking.

"The Fulton Industrial corridor has been plagued with prostitution and illicit activity for decades," Meadows said. "The South Fulton Police Department is committed to changing this culture and providing the businesses and residents with a thriving industrial community, this detail is the first of many to help achieve this goal"

All the suspected offenders were taken to be processed at East Point Jail.

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/south-fulton-prostitution-sting-arrests

Federal grant provides $5.4 million for electric buses in Atlanta

FOX 5 Atlanta19 hours ago

ATLANTA - A federal grant will help fund electric buses to replace diesel buses in metro Atlanta.

The grant secured $5.4 million in funding for the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority's Xpress commuter bus lines.

The Federal Transit Administration projects the new buses to improve air quality in Fulton, Clayton and Henry counties.

"We have secured this funding because electrification of Georgia’s public bus fleet is an economic and environmental imperative. These new buses will reduce air pollution and increase the efficiency of transit in Georgia," Sen. Jon Ossoff said.

The grant came from the Federal Transit Administration's Low-No Program. The program helps local and state transit authorities purchase zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.

"This grant to modernize Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority’s bus fleet will help pave a path to a greener Georgia, and I’ll keep fighting in theSenate with Sen. Ossoff to provide affordable, clean transit options for all Georgians," said Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock.

Commies got to do commie things!

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/federal-grant-provides-5-4-million-for-electric-buses-in-atlanta

Gwen Berry turns from flag as national anthem plays at Olympic trials

Associated Press17 hours ago

This pic tells us everything we need to know

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - For the past week, they've played the national anthem one time a night at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.

On Saturday, the song happened to start while outspoken activist Gwen Berry was standing on the podium after receiving her bronze medal in the hammer throw.

While the music played, Berry placed her left hand on her hip and shuffled her feet. She took a quarter turn, so she was facing the stands, not the flag. Toward the end, she plucked up her black T-shirt with the words "Activist Athlete" emblazoned on the front, and draped it over her head.

"I feel like it was a set-up, and they did it on purpose," Berry said of the timing of the anthem. "I was pissed, to be honest."

Berry's reaction to the "Star-Spangled Banner" took its fair share of the spotlight on a blazing-hot second-to-last day at trials that also featured some blazing-fast times.

Gabby Thomas became the second-fastest woman ever in the 200, winning the final in 21.61 seconds. The only woman faster: Florence Griffith-Joyner. And, as expected, Grant Holloway won the 110-meter hurdles, though his time in the semifinals was the eye-opener. His 12.81 was only 0.01 off the world record.

Other winners Saturday included Emily Sisson (10,000), Katie Nageotte (pole vault), Maggie Malone (javelin), Rai Benjamin (400 hurdles) and Brittney Reese (long jump).

Not winning: Allyson Felix, who finished fifth in the 200, but already had her spot secured in the 400.

Also, Noah Lyles finished second in his 200 semifinal and looked somewhat shocked to see that 17-year-old Erriyon Knighton had beaten him to the line. Knighton finished in 19.88 to top an under-20 world record that had been held by none other than Usain Bolt.

Earlier, with temperatures reaching 101 degrees (38 Celsius) on the field, Berry earned her spot, and her platform at the Tokyo Olympics, grabbing the third spot by a scant 2 inches over Janee Kassanavoid.

Berry has promised to use her position to keep raising awareness about social injustices in her home country.

"My purpose and my mission is bigger than sports," Berry said. "I'm here to represent those … who died due to systemic racism. That's the important part. That's why I'm going. That's why I'm here today."

She found it to be no matter of coincidence that she was front and center during the anthem. Unlike the Olympics, they don't play anthems to accompany medals ceremonies at the trials. But the hammer throwers received their awards just before the start of the evening session, which has been kicking off all week with a video rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" played on the scoreboard.

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/gwen-berry-turns-from-flag-as-national-anthem-plays-at-olympic-trials

Anonymous ID: c6e62c June 28, 2021, 7:24 a.m. No.14005021 🗄️.is 🔗kun >>5489

Group that accredits metro Atlanta schools operates under public’s radar

By Kristal Dixon - The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionAlia Malik - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Most of Georgia’s public school systems are accredited by a nonprofit organization tasked with setting educational standards that prepare students for life after the classroom.

School districts shell out thousands of dollars each year to voluntarily adhere to guidelines set forth by Cognia, which for the last 126 years has been the leading accreditation agency.

Now that two of the state’s largest school districts — Gwinnett and Cobb — are under special review by the Alpharetta-based organization, the spotlight has turned tothis powerful group that largely operates without government oversight.

Much of how Cognia works and the people behind the nonprofit are a mystery to the general public, and at least one Georgia state legislator questions if more competition is needed in the school accreditation business.

ExploreGwinnett school district is under special accreditation review

Cognia declined to participate in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citing the special review process underway in Cobb and Gwinnett. However, President & CEO Mark Elgart told the AJC last month that the intent of accreditation is to provide a consistent set of standards for colleges to look at when accepting graduating high schools seniors.

“It is not set up to have competition,” he said, adding Cognia’s reputation has led to the company’s success. “It’s set up to provide standardization in educational expectations.”

More alternatives needed?

Cognia’s investigations into Cobb and Gwinnett schools could be an opportunity to scrutinize the company’s dominance in accrediting Georgia schools, said State Sen. Lindsey Tippins, a Republican who represents parts of Cobb County.

Tippins said Cognia’s decision to conduct a special review less than two years after renewing the Cobb County School District’s accreditation is “puzzling to me.”

Cognia previously told The AJC that it received about 50 letters of complaint about the district. Most of them center on concerns over the school board, district leadership and governance. Tippins said that number of complaints is a small percentage to the district’s student population of 107,000.

“Less than a year later, they are back under a special review that came at the instigation of probably more political motivation than academic motivation,” Tippins said, adding that the accreditation business might “need more alternatives or competition.”

In addition to declining an interview request, Cognia officials did not respond to specific questions about Tippins’ concerns.

Most of the complaints in Gwinnett also involve school district leadership and cross political and racial lines.

Last year’s election resulted in a Gwinnett school board divided between three Democratic members of color and two white Republicans who are also older and live farther north. Parents and community members on both sides of the schism began complaining to Cognia.

In a letter to the school district, Cognia said the complaints involve board members’ behavior and use of social media, as well as discriminatory student discipline in Gwinnett — a frequent grievance

What is Cognia?

According to its website, Cognia accredits 36,000 primary and secondary public and private schools in 85 countries, with nearly 30,000 of those institutions located in the United States. It also provides student assessment resources, professional learning opportunities and tools districts can use to improve leadership and student engagement, its website adds.

The nonprofit is governed by an 11-member board of directors and has an 8-member executive leadership team. Elgart has served as Cognia’s CEO for about 20 years and was compensated $924,850 in 2019, according to the nonprofit’s 2020 Internal Revenue Service filing.

The document also shows Cognia employed 545 people and engaged about 18,000 volunteers during calendar year 2019.

Cognia reported total revenue of $121.1 million against $120.5 million in expense in 2019, according to the filing.

The organization got its start in 1895 with the founding of two groups: North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

entities to form AdvancED, which underwent another merger in 2018 and renamed Cognia.

https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/group-that-accredits-metro-atlanta-schools-operates-under-publics-radar/OLSBXDAB4FHDTBBFHETAP7QEYU/

Ending state of emergency could cut wide swath in Georgia

Proof that programs make big bucks on shut downs

June 25, 2021

Some worry food aid could be reduced, health care workforce squeezed

Gov. Brian Kemp’s plan to end the 15-month state of emergency on July 1 is worrying workers, citizens and others who benefitted from the temporary measures put into place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kemp’s administration used his added powers to change millions of Georgia lives in ways big and small, from relaxing rules on licensing medical professionals, to easing weight limits on some commercial trucks, to accepting increased federal aid for families in need.

What happens once the emergency declaration ends is uncertain. Kemp has said he will issue a new order in its place next week, though he has given few details.

“We worked together — along with the Department of Public Health, dozens of state agencies, local leaders, private sector partners, and countless others — to protect both lives and livelihoods,” Kemp wrote in his announcement Tuesday. “Our economic momentum is strong, and people are getting back to normal. We have emerged resilient, and I thank all Georgians for doing their part.”

The other order he will issue next week, the statement said, “will continue aiding the state and Georgia job creators as they fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

ExploreAtlanta cuts restrictions for outdoor events with under 50,000 people

Tony Marshall is among those with a stake in the outcome: He represents nursing homes in the state, where approximately 6,000 nurses’ aides were allowed to postpone weeks of required training. Instead, they trained on the job after an eight-hour course.

Marshall has met with the governor’s staff, urging them not to end the program yet.

“Everybody understands the dynamics related to work force in our setting is at its most difficult period ever,” Marshall said. “I mean, we would certainly, if we lost 6,000 people, be at crisis level.”

Vicky Kimbrell, a lawyer for the Georgia Legal Services Program, is anxious about what the governor’s new order might mean for those struggling to put food on the table.

During the pandemic, the federal government increased food aid for some families through SNAP, the program formerly known as food stamps. As many as 750,000 Georgian SNAP recipients benefitted, with an extra allotment of $100 per month or more for a family of four.

But states must have their own emergency declarations in place to qualify for the extra food assistance. When the emergency declaration ends, those Georgia households may lose the additional support.

“This is going to severely hurt the seniors around the state who depended on this extra benefit for their food needs,” Kimbrell said.

Kyle Waide, CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, said if the support ended now that would put more pressure on food banks, as families continue to struggle with job loss and other issues. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said.

“I know the governor’s team is aware of and concerned about ensuring every Georgian has enough food; we’re on the same team,” Waide said. “We just need to see what kind of decisions they make over the next few weeks.”

https://www.ajc.com/news/coronavirus/ending-state-of-emergency-could-cut-wide-swath-in-georgia/DUGZPFEDGRGGFGLRFTC2JI6BFE/

A glossary of extremist and fringe movements

Yeah, the AJC are leftists

The far-right fringe is a mix of movements and ideologies, some of which are new and unfamiliar to many Americans. Here’s a look at some of the major organizations, the beliefs that motivate them, and the far-left movement that has sprung up to oppose them.

Militias — Paramilitary groups organized around the belief that they are preparing to counter an overreaching federal government. Such groups are heavily armed and refer to themselves as “constitutionalists” or “patriots.” They rely on their own reading of the U.S. Constitution for their perceived authority. Militias have been implicated in attacks on immigrant communities and other plots. Last year, a militia group in Michigan plotted to kidnap the governor.

Explore‘Castrate, kill, remove voting rights’: Ex-Marine, Georgia deputy was in extremist cell, feds say

Proud Boys — A right-wing, street-fighting group that is nationalist, anti-immigrant, misogynistic, and anti-LGBTQ+. The group is explicitly pro-Trump and typically members wear black and yellow polo shirts as a uniform. Proud Boys have been implicated in violent episodes around the nation and several leaders have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Oath Keepers — A part of the broader militia movement that believes they are preparing to defend against a tyrannical government. Oath Keepers recruit former military, law enforcement and first responders. Several Oath Keepers have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. One “lifetime” member of the group has pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the massive federal investigation into that attack.

Accelerationists — White supremacists who endorse violence to hasten the downfall of the government and pluralistic society and the establishment of a white ethno-state in its place. Accelerationist groups tend to be organized as small cells and some have been accused of plotting terrorist acts. In January 2020, federal authorities arrested alleged members of the Base, an accelerationist group, outside of Rome and charged them with conspiracy to commit murder.

Neo-Nazis — White supremacists who have adopted the rhetoric and symbolism of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany. The largest neo-Nazi organization in the United States, the National Socialist Movement, is still rather small and has been in disarray following a leadership crisis.

White Supremacy — The belief that whites are genetically and/or culturally superior to other races and should have dominance over other races. Increasingly, white supremacy is fixated on the belief that there is a broad conspiracy to replace whites as the dominate race, either through immigration or other means.

White Nationalism — A faction of white supremacy that believes whites should rule the country politically and culturally. Some believe a separate white ethno-state should be established.

Antifa — Short for antifascist. A broad, leaderless movement of the far left principally organized around countering the far right, especially neo-Nazis and neo-fascists, sometimes by brawling with them. Politically, antifa is a coalition of communists, socialists, anarchists and progressives.

Neo-confederates — Individuals or groups supporting the secession of states in the former Confederacy and the establishment of white rule. Neo-confederates have been active in opposing the removal of Confederate monuments. One such group, the League of the South, was a prominent part of the chaos at the Unite the Right rally at Charlottesville, Va., in 2017.

Alt Right — A loose collection of far-right individuals who embrace racism, anti-Semitism and extreme nationalism. These individuals reject mainline conservatism. Some personalities within the alt right encourage efforts to take over the conservative movement, while others support forming their own political party.

https://www.ajc.com/news/a-glossary-of-extremist-and-fringe-movements/JGL4HBBU3ZARVJ5ZVHPA5IKT7U/

>>14005067

One more group

Odinism/Wotanism/Asatru— A branch of paganism focused on Norse mythology. While not explicitly racist, the religion has attracted far-right converts, especially neo-Nazis, because of its warrior culture and focus on its ethnically European roots. Some convert to distance themselves from Christianity, both because of the message of peace in Christ’s teachings and because they view it as a Jewish religion.