WOMAN DEAD IN JAIL
Prayer walk held for woman who died in Texas jail
LISLE, Ill. (AP) — Her pastor and members of the Illinois church she attended have held a prayer walk in honor of a woman who died in a southeast Texas jail last week.
Authorities say Sandra Bland hanged herself in the Waller County Jail with a plastic bag three days after being pulled over by police for a traffic violation and then arrested for allegedly kicking an officer during the stop. Friends and family have questioned that account. Bland, who was 28, had moved to Texas to start a new job.
Members of DuPage AME Church, in Lisle, held a brief walk, prayed and sang “Amazing Grace.” Pastor James Miller said the gathering wasn’t a protest but a “demonstration of faith.”
Miller says Bland was an active member and had moved to Texas to pursue an opportunity. He is calling for an independent federal investigation of Bland’s death.
Sound: upcoming
166-r-27-(Sound of crowd singing “‘Amazing Grace”’, during prayer march)–Sound of crowd singing “‘Amazing Grace,” during prayer march. (19 Jul 2015)
< 167-a-07-(Reverend James Miller, pastor, DuPage AME Church, at prayer march)-“demonstration of faith”-DuPage AME pastor Reverend James Miller says the gathering to call attention to the death of Sandra Bland was spiritual. (19 Jul 2015) < 168-a-10-(Reverend James Miller, pastor, DuPage AME Church, at prayer march)-“tainting the investigation (crowd reacts)”-DuPage AME pastor Reverend James Miller says some officials appear to have prejudged what caused the death of Sandra Bland. (19 Jul 2015) < 169-a-10-(Reverend James Miller, pastor, DuPage AME Church, at prayer march)-“dead, something’s wrong”-DuPage AME pastor Reverend James Miller says the case is troubling. (19 Jul 2015) < CHATTANOOGA SHOOTING Shooter’s family says he suffered from depression CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A Muslim leader in Chattanooga, Tennessee, says he hopes last week’s killing of four Marines and a sailor won’t cause the community to dissolve into turmoil. 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The participants are expected to push the United Nations to approve new sustainable development goals, and to consider modern slavery and human trafficking a crime against humanity. Walsh is to attend a reception with U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Ken Hackett on Monday. He returns to Boston on Thursday. ITALY HEAT WAVE-VATICAN VATICAN CITY (AP) — Rome’s heat wave is dragging into its third week, so Pope Francis was especially appreciative of the tens of thousands of Romans and tourists who braved the noontime sun to see him. Speaking Sunday from his window, Francis told the crowd in St. Peter’s Square: “I see you are courageous with this heat in the square. A tip of the hat to you!” Many of the faithful were using sun umbrellas. Temperatures in Rome this week could hit just over 100 degrees. Sizzling heat and oppressive humidity have gripped Italy this month, with some nights in Rome seeing “low” temperatures well into the 80’s. 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His supporters say the charges were trumped up, and his family had complained last week it had been denied access to his death certificate and medical records. CHURCH CLOSING DISPUTE Appeals court to consider evicting protesters from church SCITUATE, Mass. (AP) — Parishioners holding a round-the-clock protest in a closed Catholic church for nearly 11 years will have their day in court this week. The Massachusetts Appeals Court hears arguments Wednesday in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston’s bid to evict the Friends of St. Frances X. Cabrini from the deconsecrated Scituate church. A three-judge panel will only hear arguments; they are expected to issue a written decision at a later date. The hearing comes after an appeals court judge in June ruled the protesters could continue their vigil while they appeal a lower court decision that declared them trespassers and ordered them to vacate. The group is the last of a number that had physically occupied Boston-area churches after the archdiocese closed dozens of them to stabilize its finances in 2004. GOSPEL SINGER/ACTRESS TAMELA MANN Gospel singer credits her faith and servant’s heart for success IRVING (AP) — Gospel recording artist and actress Tamela Mann credits faith that her late mother helped instill, and a servant’s heart, for success in the studio and in front of cameras. The Fort Worth, Texas, native says God has taken her “from the ghetto to the White House.” Mann was one of the gospel all-stars who performed earlier this year at the White House. The performances were featured in a PBS special. Mann says she thought of her late mother’s advice that evening. She said her mother, who also loved to sing gospel, told her that “if you love the Lord with all your heart, He will take you far.” Mann’s gospel hits include “Take Me to the King” and “I Can Only Imagine.” She has been singing since 12 and performed on recordings by gospel star Kirk Franklin. She has collaborated with artists including Al Green and Celine Deon. Mann was discovered as an actor by Tyler Perry and has had roles in his plays and films. She’s also featured in BET’s “It’s a Man’s World” and “Man and Wife” on Bounce. Mann says her next musical project, due out in a few months, is aimed at proving inspiration for listeners of all ages. She and her husband David are also working on a marriage relationship book. Sound: 3:06 a.m. %@AP Links 236-a-06-(Tamela Mann, gospel singer, actress, in AP interview)-“take you far”-Singer-actress Tamela Mann says she recalls her late mother’s advice on the night of a performance at the White House. (19 Jul 2015) < 237-a-08-(Tamela Mann, gospel singer, actress, in AP interview)-“variety of music”-Singer-actress Tamela Mann says her next CD, due out in a few months, will be a diverse production. (19 Jul 2015) < 238-a-08-(Tamela Mann, gospel singer, actress, in AP interview)-“a servant’s heart”-Singer-actress Tamela Mann says her success is due to God’s favor. (19 Jul 2015) <
