Latest news with #ShammasMalik
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Akron Mayor Malik talks gun violence, use of force in State of the City address
AKRON, Ohio (WJW) – Since becoming the mayor of Akron in January 2024, Shammas Malik has faced challenges and controversial issues. A century after the first Goodyear blimp was launched in Akron, three of the iconic airships were overhead on Tuesday night as Malik delivered his second State of the City address at Lock 3 Park. He told the audience that the safety of the city's 187,000 residents is city hall's top priority. 'Our approach to public safety starts with our safety forces in police and fire who respond daily to difficult, often dangerous situations and help people who are victims of crimes, dealing with medical emergencies and more,' he said. Your Ohio electric bills are probably going up this month The mayor indicated that the first approach in the city's Safer Together program is focused on gun violence prevention and intervention. 'We are thankful that overall shootings and homicides have been trending downward, but we are going to stay focused on this. Anyone perpetrating violence in the city of Akron must be held accountable,' he said. During the address, Malik renewed his call for the hiring of a consulting firm to study the Akron Police Department's use of force policies and practices. Among the incidents he mentioned was the November 2024 shooting death of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker by an Akron patrolman. The shooting remains the focus of an ongoing investigation. However, officers reported on that night that they were responding to the sound of nearby gunfire when they encountered Tucker. After the teen was shot, they found a loaded weapon in his coat pocket. 'Grave concern': Not everyone sold on I-X Center transformation plan During the mayor's address, he told the audience, 'we need to have public discussions about how and why some encounters result in use of force, and develop shared community expectations around these situations. We owe it to our officers to equip them with the best possible training and policies available.' Malik touted the current staffing of Akron safety forces, 488 police officers and 402 firefighters, and the hiring of new classes of recruits. However, he also sounded a cautionary note about how any federal funding cuts, and the state of the economy could impact the city's operating budget and its priorities. 'Honestly in this environment, it's going to be a challenge even holding steady, so what happens with our country's economy could have a big impact,' he said. 'The picture looks very different depending on whether economic growth continues or if a recession happens.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio mayors urge more communities to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The mayors of Athens, Westerville and several other Ohio cities that have outlawed anti-LGBTQ+ practices known as 'conversion therapy' are calling for more municipalities to do the same. In a joint letter, the mayors argue healthcare professionals should be banned from engaging in conversion therapy with minors given it increases the risk of depression, anxiety and suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. The techniques falsely claim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity and have been condemned by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association. Signed by mayors Shammas Malik of Akron, Steve Patterson of Athens, Meghan George of Lakewood, Wade Kapszukiewicz of Toledo, and Kenneth Wright of Westerville, the letter said passing conversion therapy bans sends a clear message that 'every person deserves to be affirmed for who they are.' Ohio lawmaker proposes $10 million fine for scheduling Ohio State noon kickoffs 'We encourage other cities across Ohio to consider similar measures,' the letter states. 'Banning conversion therapy is about public health, safety, and standing on the side of kindness. It is about creating communities where youth feel supported, families feel safe, and out values of inclusion and respect are reflected in the policies we uphold.' The letter was spearheaded by Brandon West, a 23-year-old Ohioan who championed his home city of Lorain to ban conversion therapy last year and has since begun advocating for Cuyahoga County to do the same. West told NBC4 that mayors Andrew Ginther of Columbus, Jack Bradley of Lorain and Joe Begeny of Reynoldsburg are also reviewing the letter and could soon be adding their signatures. West's initiative comes after Westerville also voted in February to become the 13th city in Ohio to ban conversion therapy. The 23-year-old said the effort is having a tangible impact, having spoken to youth who said they're more likely to seek mental health care now that it's guaranteed they won't be subjected to conversion therapy. 'I hope that [the letter] would encourage other Ohioan cities to pass their own bans, to see the harms of conversion therapy and to raise awareness that Ohio ranks fifth in the nation for conversion therapy practices,' said West. 'A lot of people I feel like don't know that conversion therapy is still legal.' Revived Ohio bill amplifies rule that targeted trans Statehouse candidates Practitioners of conversion therapy often employ 'aversive conditioning,' which includes the use of electric shock, deprivation of food and liquid, smelling salts and chemical-induced nausea, according to the American Medical Association. A 2021 The Trevor Project survey found that 13% of LGBTQ+ youth nationwide reported being subjected to conversion therapy, with 83% saying it occurred when they were under the age of 18. Ohio cities are passing conversion therapy ordinances because the Statehouse hasn't advanced a statewide ban. While Sen. Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) reintroduced a bill in February to prohibit the practices in Ohio, the proposal failed to gain support across the legislative aisle and has yet to receive a committee hearing. Antonio, who was Ohio's first openly gay Statehouse lawmaker, also lost Republican support this year for a bill to ban discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Named the 'Ohio Fairness Act,' the legislation was reintroduced for the 12th time and would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Ohioans get green light to collect signatures to get property tax issue on ballot Until a statewide ban is enacted, West is continuing his effort. In addition to a Cuyahoga County ordinance that will be introduced this summer, the 23-year-old is advocating for conversion therapy prohibitions in Vermilion and Oberlin. 'I want to raise awareness that, yes, [conversion therapy] exists, it still happens,' said West. 'If we raise that awareness in Ohio, we can protect the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Akron mayor says city will remain 'welcoming community' amid President Trump's orders
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released a statement on the recent executive orders that President Donald Trump signed, saying that Akron's values have not changed and will not change. Full statement: 'Over the past ten days, we've been closely following new executive orders being issued by President Trump – including those around immigration enforcement, diversity and inclusion efforts, and a pause on federal funding. We understand that these actions are causing a lot of concern, fear, and uncertainty across Akron. "I want to assure every member of our community that our city government remains steadfast in a commitment to public service and treating everyone with dignity and respect. Our values have not changed and will not change. Our city will continue to be a welcoming community that values and supports immigrants and refugees, our LGBTQ+ community, and any group that is being unfairly targeted. Our diverse community will continue to be a source of strength, not a point of weakness to be exploited or bullied. "In order to best support our community in this moment, we're meeting with local organizations who directly serve our immigrants and refugees as well as speaking with non-profit organizations who would have been seriously impacted by the funding freeze, and we are working with colleagues in city governments across Ohio and across the country, as well as our legislative representatives, to get answers to the many questions being raised by these new executive orders. "We will continue to listen and communicate with you transparently. As we understand more about how federal government actions will impact Akron, we will share what we know and what steps we are taking in response. "Our city government will continue working hard each day on behalf of this amazing place and every person who calls Akron home. We are all in this together. I am confident that our city will meet this current moment with the same resilience that I see in the people of Akron every day.' On Wednesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked a Trump administration policy that aimed to pause spending. The Trump memo points to a legal definition of federal financial assistance, which includes grants, cooperative agreements, surplus donations, loans and interest subsidies. It exempts assistance received directly by individuals, including Medicare and Social Security benefits. It caused panic among people who rely on federal appropriations. On Tuesday, Akron Public Schools briefly locked down Forest Hill Community Learning Center after reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the area, but no ICE agents entered any school, the district confirmed that evening. Stephanie Marsh, the city of Akron's director of communications, said Tuesday that the city was aware of ICE's presence in Northeast Ohio but haven't confirmed any in Akron. "We understand that ICE does have a confirmed presence in Northeast Ohio with an office in Cleveland. We've heard reports of an ICE presence here in Akron which we've been unable to confirm thus far. We've also heard reports from our colleagues in other cities that ICE is acting without notifying other municipalities of their actions or intentions. Neither our office nor APD have had any contact with members of ICE. We've been in contact with APS leadership today and will continue to communicate with our community partners," said Marsh. Those comments came in the wake of news reports of an immigration raid and detainments Monday in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. The Trump administration last week authorized federal authorities to conduct immigration arrests on school campuses, a decision a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said would prevent "criminals" from being able to "hide in America's schools."
