Local news is reporting the death of Jackson's new mayor, Chokwe Lumumba.
http://www.wdam.com/...
Mr. Lumumba was an attorney and long-time activist. I had such hopes for his term. :-/
From Al Jazeera: "Jackson’s new mayor is a former vice president of the RNA and a co-founder of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM), a national group born in 1993 that seeks self-determination for African-Americans — whom it calls New Afrikans — “by any means necessary.” Like many shaped by the Black Power era, Lumumba long shunned formal politics, until a successful run for City Council in 2009. Now, as mayor, he is seeking to apply the tenets of the black radical tradition to the duties of running a city. "
http://america.aljazeera.com/...
Update: The Mayor's son made a statement to TV news (paraphrased by a friend):
Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's son is speaking. He says that his father has passed. He asked for prayers. He thanks City of Jackson for giving his father the opportunity to serve. There is no official cause of death at this time. Will provide more information as more information becomes available." paraphrase Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the Mayor's son, press conference, 1.27.14. WAPT TV News.
5:02 PM PT: Update2: Council swears in Charles Tillman as acting mayor, Melvin Priester Jr. as council president, De'Keither Stamps as council vice president. More:
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/...
7:00 PM PT: A more in-depth diary here:
http://www.dailykos.com/...