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Fridays acquittal of police officer Jeronimo Yanez in the shooting death of Minnesota resident Philando Castile is reaffirmation that the system does not work for African-Americans,Black Lives Matter co-founder Melina Abdullah said Saturday.

Abdullah, a professor at California State University in Los Angeles, said the organization will continue working for a world in which black people are no longer systematically and intentionally targeted for demise.

We understand that these are not accidents, she said in Los Angeles on Friday. That this system was created to produce these outcomes, and so we have to transform the system.

Castile, a 32-year-old nutrition services supervisor at J.J. Hill Montessori Magnet School in St. Paul, was shot to death during a July 2016 traffic stop. Police said they stopped him because he fit the description of a robbery suspect; dashcam video released today reveals the officer telling Castile he had been pulled over because of a non-functioning taillight. Castiles fiancee, Diamond Reynolds, and her 4-year-old daughter were also riding in the car.

In the video, the officer asks to see Castiles license and registration. Castile, who possessed a carry permit for a firearm, can be heard calmly telling Yanez that he was licensed to carry and had a gun. Yanez can be heard telling Castile dont pull it out while Castile replies multiple times that hes not; Yanez then fired several shots into Castiles chest.

Reynolds broadcast the scene from her vantage point using Facebook Live after the shooting. Yanez on Friday was acquitted of a second-degree manslaughter charge and two counts of intentional discharge of firearm that endangers safety.

Abdullah described Black Lives Matter, which was formed following the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, as the second anti-lynching movement. She was joined by Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon.

Fulton called on activists to get involved and continue supporting the movement, which she said starts with elected officials, pastors and other community leaders. Fulton said that while she believes the justice system is still broken, there has been progress since her sons death in that there is greater awareness surrounding the issue, due to cell phones, surveillance and police cameras. She said events like the annual Trayvon Martin Peace Walk in Miami are reminders that citizens have the right to walk down the street in peace without being followed, chased, profiled and murdered.

You dont have to necessarily be doing something wrong, she said. Sometimes its how other people perceive you or who you are. I think everybody knows that theres a lot of hate going on in this country that we definitely have to turn around.

Teri Williams, owner of Los Angeles-based OneUnited Bank, the largest black-owned bank in the country, moderated Saturdays discussion. She described a recent incident in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami in which she and a business partner were eating lunch inside a car when a police officer drew a weapon and told them to exit the vehicle with their hands up. Police, according to Williams, had been investigating a shooting in the area. She recalled feeling frozen and confused about how to exit the car without appearing as a threat to the officer.

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BLM Founder: Acquittal in Castile Shooting Further Evidence That System is Broken - PJ Media

HOMES FOR VETS: A new reality television show filming in Las Vegas awards home to veterans. Music star Ray J is the host of Homes 4 Heroes. The unique program is sponsored by Las Vegas business owner Maria Miuccio who owns Cash Kingdom, a payday and title loan company. Maria, who also owns an All State insurance franchise, plans to give away 60 homes to veterans and first-responders during the run of the TV program. Former U.S. Army veteran and Nevada Assemblyman John Moore, who lives in the first house Maria donated, is assisting in the veterans nominating process.

CELINES TOUR REACHES LONDON: The British leg of global superstar Celine Dions European tour begins officially tonight June 20 in London with two back-to-back nights of spectaculars at the O2 Arena to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Our Vegas photographer Denise Truscello sent me this photo from Celines European tour that opened in Copenhagen, Denmark June 17. Celine has been based from Paris while hopscotching across the continent and thrilled the thousands of fans jostling outside the Royal Monceau Hotel daily with new fashion outfits. Shell wrap up the European schedule with a return to London for her Live 2017 tour at the O2 on July 29-30.

She has packed 28 songs into her nightly set list: 1. The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush cover), 2. I Drove All Night (Cyndi Lauper cover), 3. Taking Chances (Platinum Weird cover), 4. Loved Me Back to Life, 5. Thats The Way It Is, 6. Im Alive, 7. Its All Coming Back To Me Now (Pandoras Box cover). 8. How Does A Moment Last Forever (Alan Menken cover), 9. Beauty and the Beast (Alan Menken cover), 10. Think Twice, 11. The Reason (Carole King cover), 12. Recovering, 13. The Color of My Love, 14. Im Your Angel, 15. My Love, 16. Because You Loved Me, 17. Pour Que Tu Maimes (Encore), 18. All By Myself (Eric Carmen cover), 19. Refuse To Dance, 20. Love Is All We Need, 21. Treat Her Like A Lady, 22. Misled, 23. Black or White (Michael Jackson cover), 24. Love Can Move Mountains, 25. River Deep, Mountain High, (Ike and Tina Turner cover), 26. The Show Must Go On (Queen cover), 27. My Heart Will Go On, and in a salute to her late husband ends with 28. Love of My Life (Queen cover.)

Her teenage son, Rene Charles, has stayed home here at Lake Las Vegas for now; although its said he will join his mother later on the tour schedule. As a ice-hockey fan and player he wanted to be here for the June 21 NHL Awards show and the reveal of the Vegas Golden Knights expansion team roster.

THE JURY SPEAKS: O.J. Simpson, who is serving a minimum nine-year prison sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center (Lovelock, Nevada, is 90 miles northeast of Reno) is one of the subjects of a unique new four-night television event about jury verdicts that stunned the nation. It will broadcast on the Oxygen network in July. My friend, Nancy Glass, and her Glass Entertainment Group are producing The Jury Speaks, which also introduces the juries of the Michael Jackson, George Zimmerman and Robert Durst cases. She told me that the new true-crime series re-examines the high-profile controversial cases through the eyes of the people who served on the original jury. When the O.J. Simpson episode airs July 23, jury members Lionel Cryer, Yolanda Crawford, David Aldana and Jeanette Harris recount the horrors of 10 months in sequestration and how the stress and isolation they faced affected Americas most controversial verdict .

O.J. was found not guilty for the brutal murders of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her companion, Ron Goldman. But he was found guilty of armed robbery at our Palace Station when he attempted to retrieve some of his belongings he claimed were being sold by memorabilia collectors. He received a maximum sentence of 33 years for carrying a loaded weapon into a Nevada casino and a minimum of nine years after which he would be eligible for parole. According to a LA Times report last September, he toils in the prison gym mopping floors and cleaning equipment.

This would be the first time the jurors have talked en masse about their experience and the trial that led to their surprising not guilty verdict in the murder case. Each juror will reveal what led them to their decision, if their vote would change today and how the aftermath of their verdicts subjected them to public ridicule, harassment and scorn.

It offers our viewers a fresh perspective on one of the most highly publicized trials in American history, said Oxygen medias vice president of original programming, Rod Aissa. In his statement he continued: The series will allow viewers to hear straight from the people whose decisions ignited controversy and sparked a heated debate at the water coolers and in homes across America.

O.J. (Prisoner 1027820) one of almost 1,700 inmates there in a town of just 2,000 is not expected to be able to watch the new series as it plays on premium cable but also because only 10 to 15 channels are approved for prisoners. The Juice will have served the minimum nine years of the sentence this coming October when he could be paroled. If denied his next opportunity for freedom would be in 2022.

200 SHOWS & A RENEWAL: Choreographer and producer Nanette Barbera will celebrate the 200th anniversary of her Solid Gold Soul show at Windows in Ballys on Thursday with a new six-month renewal. And she also broke the news to me that she will open Solid Gold Soul II up in Reno where her new ICandy show, featuring Baywatch beauty Angelica Bridges will open July 13, prior to it moving to Las Vegas later this year.

FLYING DRONES ON THE STRIP: The FAA has given permission to the new AviSight drone company to fly over the world famous Strip marking yet another critical milestone for the las Vegas based company. FAA regulatory guidance and the Strips proximity to McCarran airspace had previously limited permission for the iconic Vegas strip. My pal, sports agent J B Bernstein who lives here in Las vegas and created the Million Dollar Arm baseball reality TV show heads up AviSight. He told me : Safety is in our DNA.

AviSight has received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly drones over the world-famous Strip. It marks yet another critical milestone for the Las Vegas-based company. We are so proud and grateful that the FAA has granted us this permission, not only because it allows us to provide a great service to companies that want to showcase the centerpiece of our world-renowned city, but it once again illustrates that AVIsight is the leader in safe drone operations, J.B. said.

Here is a link to some new video AviSight recently shot on the Strip:

AviSight has a long list of firsts in the drone industry, including,

1) First to fly drones for Fox News live national broadcast, FOX NFL Sunday

2) First to fly drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for cloud seeding

3) First to fly drones at night under the Nevada Institute of Autonomous Systems authorization

4) First to fly a commercial drone at a major air show, Thunder Over Louisville

Eric Preiss of the Nevada Film Office explained: Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the most iconic scenes in film and television. You cant recreate it on a sound stage or film it with a green screen. The safe operation of drones gives production companies so many different options to capture the beauty of the boulevard. AviSight has already begun filming and taking still photos for the city of Las Vegas, as well as several of the iconic hotel properties on the Strip.

MONTHS IN ADVANCE: The three-day Rt 91 Harvest country music festval with Jason Aldean, Eric Church and Sam Hunt set for Sept. 29 weekened has been completely sold out. The fourth annual festival sold out in previous years but this is the first time the two-stage festival has sold out four months in advance. Three years is not long when it comes to growth of a festival but this festival had a life of its own from the get-go, said Live Nations President of Country Touring, Brian OConnell. It is held at the Las Vegas Village grounds opposite the Luxor hotel.

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Celine Dion's European tour begins - Las Vegas Review-Journal

For Sybrina Fulton, mother of slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, her sons death was a wake-up call.

People herself included arent acting quickly enough to address social issues, she said Tuesday.

Fulton addressed a crowd of about 65 people at the third annual Women of Wisdom Luncheon, part of the 111th Annual Session of the National Baptist Congress.

I waited until my son was shot down before I stood up, she said at the event at the Caribe Royal Orlando Convention Center.

Describing herself as motivated and upbeat, Fulton discussed her passion for social justice and how her spirituality helped her cope with Trayvons death.

Trayvon was 17 when neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman fatally shot him in February 2012. In July 2013, Zimmerman was acquitted of murder at trial.

On Tuesday, Fulton talked about the Black Lives Matter movement, which arose out of her sons death, and the importance of being politically engaged, telling attendees they needed to do a lot more than just like a page on social media.

Were in dire distress. We cant afford not to do anything. Weve come too far to turn back now, she said. You have to be very careful what side of history youre on.

Fulton also criticized current approaches to addressing violence, saying activists needed to be more realistic.

According to her, rallies and gun buyback programs dont effectively address the issue criminals wont voluntarily hand over their firearms in exchange for a Walmart giftcard. Instead, she said, ex-felons should reach out to people currently engaged in criminal activity.

Though at times seemingly critical of American society and even the White House, Fulton was optimistic about the future.

I see that the country is starting to unite. We are standing with each other, were trying to make a difference, were trying to make [a] positive impact, she said. We have to know that a brighter day is coming.

Fulton also promoted her new book, Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, which she co-authored with her ex-husband, Tracy Martin. Fulton described the process of recording her story as extremely difficult.

She said she is unapologetic for her grief over the loss of a son whom she said loved babies and was friends with everyone. Though she has difficulty visiting Sanford, where Trayvon was killed, and sometimes blames Tracy Martin for taking him there, Fulton said her faith in God helped her through the experience.

I would never have picked this particular life out for myself, Fulton said. I just try to live everyday as if I have hope for another day.

acheatham@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5020

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Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, urges audience to take action - Orlando Sentinel

Following the 2012 murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and the subsequent acquittal of his killer George Zimmerman, the Black Lives Matter organization was formed. With the sole purpose to re-build the black liberation movement, the national chapter based organization has merited praise from many, and harsh criticisms from conservatives as well as African-Americans.

READ Sybrina Fulton: Still Healing. Still Standing. Still Marching Until Justice For All

Last week, Minnesota OfficerJeronimo Yanez was found not guilty in the July 2016 shooting death of Philando Castile. The verdict was a slap in the face to his surviving family and many across the country as Castiles death was streamed live on Facebook. Marches erupted across the country calling the verdict another miscarriage of justice that often befalls black men and women when it comes to police brutality.

Over the weekend, Stevie Wonder attended a peace summit in St. Paul, Minn. The community gathering was a response to the violence taking place in the area, and also just so happened to coincide with the Castile verdict. Wonder, a 29-time-Grammy Award winning musician, addressed the crowd and insisted that black people in this country should begin loving and respecting themselves more.

It is in your hands to stop all the killing and all the shooting wherever it might be, because you cannot say black lives matter and then kill yourselves, Wonder said. Because you know, weve mattered long before it was said.

READ Former Black Panther Party Chairwoman Says Black Lives Matter Has A Plantation Mentality

A few members in the audience clapped in agreement with the entertainer before he explained what he thinks needs to be done to reduce the crime within the black community. Watch the video below to hear Wonder offer his explanation.

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Stevie Wonder: You Cannot Say Black Lives Matter And Then Kill Yourselves - Vibe

The following is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Clarion, its staff or the institution. If you would like to submit a response or an opinion piece of your own, please contact Editor in Chief Abby Petersen at ajp87848@bethel.edu. Samuel Krueger |Columnist

Four years ago, the scab over the supposedly healing wound of racial prejudice in America was torn off. A man was shot in Sanford, Florida. Two names emerged to the forefront of American media: Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman.

Shortly after the incident, Black Lives Matter was formed and relative unrest in the aftermath of the use of deadly force from police has been pervasive ever since.

There are two sides in these circumstances, those who side with the police, or perhaps the murderer, and those who side with the criminal, or perhaps the victim. Because of the polarizing nature of these events, Blue Lives Matter emerged. I preface with this because I generally consider myself very trusting of the police, therefore, I am solidly under the Blue Lives Matter hashtag. I believe that our police officers are often times put in positions that are dangerous, scary and complicated. I also believe that the prominent culture in many black neighborhoods and a continued lack of communication between law enforcement and African American communities perpetuates an atmosphere of unsafe circumstances for people of color and police officers alike. This puts both sides in positions to do unreasonable and uncalculated things.

Generally, I am relieved when an officer in this position is acquitted. However, the circumstances of the Philando Castille case were different. Castile was killed only miles from where I live. Minnesota is my home. This didnt happen in some far away state. I pictured the faces of some of my closest friends, people of color, in Castiles position. Until that morning, I never understood what it was like to be afraid for someone I love from a group of people I trust to keep me safe.

I want to move beyond the fact that this shooting was unjustified. To me, that much is obvious. I want to talk about the lack of response from the National Rifle Association.

The NRA has always been the first line of defense for our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. They have spent millions and millions of dollars to lobby the government and have mobilized millions of people to march, demonstrate and vote to protect our rights. The NRA is possibly the most powerful advocacy group in America, boasting a membership of more than 5 million active members.

I regularly see stories on their social media of the concealed carrier who stopped a bank robbery, the elderly person who scared off a mugger or the woman who shot her would-be rapist. The NRA plays a big role in cases such as these. Even when someones life is in danger, and a shooting is justified, the legally armed citizen is still generally tried in court. These are the people that the NRA has always stepped in to protect. Providing legal and even financial support for the people who legally and rightfully defended themselves and others. However, the NRA was silent over Castiles murder.

Now, I cant say whether this is because of racism or simply because these situations are always complicated and any judgment at all would be met with criticism, but I believe the NRA should have spoken on this issue. This situation is far less complicated than others before it. Castile was legally licensed to carry that gun, he had no warrants, no drugs in his car, he was not backed into any sort of corner and therefore had no reason to even reach for the gun he was legally carrying. Because of this, I do not believe that the officers account adds up. We have video of the encounter. If the officer shot Castile for reaching into his pocket, why did he not shoot the passenger when she reached for her phone? That day I expected Black Lives Matter and the NRA to both be protesting outside of the governors mansion.

Black lives really do matter and I think that the NRA should be at the forefront of this issue. I have always believed that these issues are rooted in culture rather than in the color of someones skin. The same ways we prevent injuries in the sport of hunting can be used to fight gun violence at a community level. We should start by teaching people about basic safety around firearms. The NRA and hunting advocacy groups also teach about one very important aspect of owning and using a gun. They teach that life is sacred and that guns arent just toys, they are tools as well. The NRA should also use their lobbying capabilities to push for better training in police departments. I understand that the police have a difficult job, but they should always respect a persons right to bear arms. This division between people of color and the law enforcement community can be healed if the culture of violence on both sides is changed. The NRA should lead this effort.

In the end, Castile was legally carrying a firearm and his second amendment rights were infringed upon during his encounter with the police. This should have been a rallying cry to the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of more African Americans, who should be in the NRA. If the NRA really cares about reaching out to an often disenfranchised community with a complicated past when it comes firearms and violence, they should run to the protection of any American who is legally carrying a firearm, regardless of their race.

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Philando Castile: What we haven't heard from the NRA - Clarion