An image of George Floyd was projected on the statue of Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. Public outrage mounted in Richmond and across the country as demonstrators took to the streets to protest the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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George Floyd had gone to a local store to purchase some cigarettes, and after paying for the cigarettes, an employee of that store claimed that Floyd had used a counterfeit $20 bill to pay for them. The store employee called the police to report Floyd and when the Minneapolis police officers arrived, they began to do their investigation. After a few minutes, the police came out and told Floyd that he was under arrest.
Already handcuffed, unarmed and not resisting, Floyd can be heard on video uttering, “I can’t breathe” as Floyd plead for his life to Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, to remove his knee from his neck. On the video, you can hear Floyd begging for his life, crying out “Please” and “Don’t kill me,” and then calling out for his mother.
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These continuous and desperate cries for relief were ignored, as that Minneapolis police officer’s knee continued to be lodged in the back of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, all while three other officers stood, watched and did nothing.
The four officers involved with the incident were immediately terminated and have now finally been arrested. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has since taken over the case. Upon Ellison taking over the case, officer Derek Chauvin received a charge of second-degree murder. The three other officers who stood by and did nothing to assist Floyd, or stop Chauvin from murdering him, were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
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Photo courtesy of Bro. Jonathan Miller
Brothers of Phi Phi, Zeta and Upsilon Nu Chapters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. gathered
at St. Paul’s Church in Richmond, Va. supporting Black Lives Matter to march in peaceful protest for George Floyd.
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There have been countless marches, protests and candlelight vigils taking place all over the world, after witnessing what happened to this Black man on camera – an unnecessary death.
Unnecessary tragedies where Black people die as a result of hate crimes or police brutality have become so familiar, including the recent death of Rayshard Brooks, 27, fatally shot by police officer at a Wendy's drive-thru in Atlanta, Georgia.
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People are starting to stand up, demanding changes that are necessary to stop ongoing harm to people of color who have suffered generational pain and trauma as a result of systemic and institutional racism.
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The goal is to remind the public of the loss to families and communities by these criminal actions and encourage everyone to get educated and take action, such as registering to vote, voting, and urging lawmakers to hold police and murderers accountable.
What we are witnessing is the birth of a new movement in our country with thousands coming together in every state marching to demand a change that ends police brutality, holds police officers accountable, and calls for transparency.
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A statue of Arthur Ashe on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia was vandalized with the words "White Lives Matter"
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For over 100 years, Black communities in America have been marching against police abuse and calling for the police to protect and serve us as they do others.
Congressional Democrats unveiled a proposal for sweeping policing reforms called the Justice in Policing Act of 2020. Lawmakers are hoping the demonstrations happening on the streets will yield changes to the law.
The bill as it stands would ban police departments from using chokeholds, develop a national standard for use of force, limit the transfer of military weapons to police departments, define lynching as a federal hate crime, establish a national police misconduct registry, and limit qualified immunity, which protects officers from lawsuits over alleged misconduct.
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Third District Meeting
The Brothers of Phi Phi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. along with Ques from across the 3rd District gathered virtually for the 87th 3rd District Meeting. The 3rd District is comprised of all the undergraduate and graduate chapters in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. The meeting was hosted by Psi Alpha Alpha.
The district meeting serves as a unifying event for the Brothers to gather, fraternize, discuss business, elect new officers and to have a good time. Each engagement was centered on our Cardinal Principals of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift.
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Bro. Conrado Morgan was elected 30th Third District Representative; Bro. Shawn Lacey elected 1st Vice District Representative; Bro. Craig Spraggins elected District Keeper of Records and Seal; Bro. Jay Allen elected District Keeper of Finance; Bro. Courtenay Miller elected District Chaplain; Bro Kevin McIntyre elected District Counselor; Bro. Malcom Fox elected 2nd Vice DR; Bro. Norman Senior elected District Director of Public Relations and Bro. Kevin Brown Immediate Pass Third District Representative. Congratulations.
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Upcoming Events
- Tuesday July 7, 2020 Virtual Executive Meeting 6:00 pm
- Friday July 17, 2020 - 82nd Grand Virtual Conclave
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The Third District of ΩΨΦ Fraternity, Inc.
Legislative Discussion and Voter Registration Drive
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The Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. conducted its first Virtual Town Hall on the theme "Politicking and Policing in the DMV". The host for the event was the Third District Representative, Brother Conrado B. Morgan, with the Political Action Chairman Brother, Robert Fairchild who served as Moderator.
Our special guests were the Honorable Congressman (Brother) James Clyburn, House Majority Whip and Brother Dr. David Marion, 41st Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Our panelists were the Honorable Virginia State Delegate (Brother) Luke Torian, the Honorable Virginia State Delegate (Brother) Cliff Hayes, the Honorable Maryland State Delegate (Brother) Nick Charles, Jr. and the Honorable Judge Herbert B. Dixon, Jr (retired) DC Superior Court.
The committee teams which did an outstanding job supporting this effort were: The Automation Committee Chairman, Brother Cornelius Beidlemen, Brother Kevin Poplar and the District Keeper of Records and Seal, Brother Craig Spraggins, The Social Action Committee Chairman, Brother Jeff Tarpley and The Voter Registration, Education and Mobilization Chairman Brother Renaldo Barber.
Please click the link below. It will give you a perspective on the questions and responses:
Fraternally, Brother Robert Fairchild, Political Action Chairman
Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
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Bro. Robert H. Smith, Sr.
Omega Chapter
Bro. Robert H. Smith Sr., departed this life May 29, 2020. He is survived by a host of loving relatives and friends. A graveside funeral service was held at Signal Hill Memorial Park, 12360 Hanover Courthouse Rd, Hanover, Virginia.
Bro. Smith, Zeta Omicron, Hampton, Virginia 1958; BS Hampton University, MED Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA., Life Member of Omega Psi Phi and in 2018 Bro. Smith was recognized for 60 years of service to our beloved Fraternity.
Bro. Smith, retired U.S. Reserve Colonel and a life member of the Reserve Officers Association. A retired school counselor from the Pittsburgh Board of Education. During the Heart of Virginia Council Recognition Gala, Bro Robert H. Smith Sr. was awarded the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award for his many contributions to Scouting and his community.
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The "Que Gram" a publication of ΦΦ Chapter of ΩΨΦ Fraternity, Inc., delivered through e-mail. For consideration for publication, submit your articles and photos, suggestions, comments or concerns to:
John D. Pride, Editor
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