By Kathy Wray Coleman, Associate Publisher, Editor, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina- With Obama and  Mitt Romney in a dead heat, First Lady Michelle Obama (pictured) took the stage at opening night Tuesday at  the Democratic National Convention and wooed America with her charm, wit, warmth, and oratory brilliance.

Her speech out -shined the mediocre one given last week at the Republican Convention by Ann Romney, who spent much of her speech making excuses for Mitt  Romney's billionaire status.

Dressed flawlessly in a sleeveless pink style designer dress, the first lady, whose approval ratings harbor at 70 percent, was articulate, given her background as an ivy league Princeton University law school graduate, and she made America's Black community proud.

She was down to the earth, and she said during her 35 minute speech that she loves her husband more and more each day, as a partner, a father, a family man, and as a scholar of a president who is not afraid to show his wife when he is  in deep thought in the oval office doing things like reading letters from the American people on issues impacting the country .

"Today, I love my husband even more than I did four years ago," said Michelle Obama.

By Kathy Wray Coleman, Associate Publisher, Editor, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com

CLEVELAND,Ohio- President Barack Obama has cancelled his previously scheduled visit to Cleveland, Oh. for the annual 11th Congressional District Caucus Labor Day Parade sponsored by U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, a Warrensville Hts Democrat and Ohio's only Black congressperson.

Instead, the president will make his planned stop in Toledo, Oh. and then head to Louisiana, where Republican Party Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney will be, to show his support to the state's residents around the aftermath of Hurricane Issac, which has been downgraded by weather experts to Tropical Storm Issac.

"The devastation caused by Hurricane Isaac and the suffering of Americans in its path has led President Obama to make a late change in his travel plans for Monday, September 3," said Fudge in a a press release on Friday to Cleveland Urban News. Com.  "While we looked forward to President Obama's presence and remarks in our district on Monday, we understand his decision to change course.  The 41st annual 11th Congressional District Community Caucus Parade and Festival will go on as planned and I look forward to seeing the people of Northeast Ohio come together to celebrate Labor Day."

The annual parade, started by retired U.S. Rep. Louis Stokes of Shaker Hts decades ago, kicks off at 10:00 am from E. 149th St. and Kinsman Rd in Cleveland and ends at Luke Easter Park where the picnic will begin with political speeches and entertainment from various sources, including youth drill teams such as the Lady D Drill Team.

Reach Cleveland Urban News.Com by telephone at 216-659-0473 and by email@ editor@clevelandurbannews.com

By Kathy Wray Coleman, Associate Publisher, Editor, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com

COLUMBUS, Ohio-A federal district court judge on Friday overturned as unconstitutional what Civil Rights leaders and prominent Black elected officials of Ohio have branded a racist state law enacted by the Republican controlled Ohio State Legislature last year that bans early voting three days before the November 6 presidential election day, a victory for Democrats of the pivotal state of Ohio, and the Obama for America campaign, which brought the lawsuit against Republican Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (pictured).

Data compiled by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections show that in 2008 when Barack Obama (pictured), then a junior senator from Illinois, was elected president of the United States of America, roughly 59 percent of voters in Cuyahoga County that voted during the three days leading up to the election were Black.

And at that time Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, was Ohio's secretary of state.

Cuyahoga County, which includes the largely Black city of Cleveland,  is Ohio's largest county, and is about 30 percent Black.

Filed by the Obama campaign with the defendant named as Husted, who won election in 2010 pursuant to a Republican sweep of statewide offices including the governorship won by former Ohio congressman John Kasich, the lawsuit alleges that the state law is unconstitutional not necessarily because it targets Blacks in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but because it bans all but military voting on the 3 days at issue, and that the military provision creates an inequitable criterion.

Federal District Court Judge Peter Economus of the Southern District Court of Ohio in Youngstown said in an order issued Friday that the state law, which bans voting on November 3, 4 and 5 and allows it on election day on November 6, is unconstitutional on its face, setting the stage, according to Republican Ohio Attorney General Michael DeWine, for an appeal of the judge's celebrated ruling to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

The Obama campaign quickly issued a press statement in response to the unprecedented ruling by Economus in The Obama for America Campaign vs. Husted.

"We are pleased the court agreed to restore equal and fair access to early voting," said Obama for America-Ohio Senior Adviser Aaron Pickrell in a press release to Cleveland Urban News.Com."Now, as a result of this ruling, all Ohio voters, including active military, veterans, firefighters, police and countless citizens can cast their ballots over the weekend before the November 6 presidential election."

U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-11), a Warrensville Hts. Democrat and licensed attorney who is Ohio's only Black congressperson, had denounced the controversial state law as unconstitutional too.

She said that she is elated by the judge's ruling not only for her constituents of the largely Black 11th congressional district, which includes Cleveland and its eastern suburbs, but for Ohioans that were disenfranchised by Republican efforts to silence the Democratic vote.

"I welcome the court decision to restore voting rights to the people of Ohio," said Fudge, through Brinda Prinz, her communications director. "The judge in this case has reinforced a cherished principal of our nation, equal treatment under the law. He rightfully found the state law allowing only military voters to cast ballots the the final three days prior to election day unconstitutional."

Reach Cleveland Urban News.Com by telephone at 216-659-0473 and by email@ editor@clevelandurbannews.com

U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-11), a Warrensville Hts. Democrat and licensed attorney who is Ohio's only Black congressperson had denounced the controversial state law as unconstitutional too.

She said that she is elated by the judge's ruling not only for her constituents of the largely Black 11th congressional district, which includes Cleveland and its eastern suburbs, but for Ohioans that were disenfranchised by Republican efforts to silence the Democratic vote.

From the Metro Desk of Cleveland Urban News.Com and the Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com)

By Robert Saffold (pictured in blue tie), Contributing Writer (Saffold is the stepfather of U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) (pictured). He and his wife Marion Saffold are members of the Cleveland Chapter of The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. He can be reached at 216-333-7299 and at garth_saffold@att.net). (Editor's Note: Join Saffold, Fudge, local, county and state wide office holders, political wannabe's and community members for the annual 11th Congressional District Caucus Parade and Picnic on Labor Day, Sept 3 . The parade kicks off at 10:00 am from E. 149th St. and Kinsman Rd in Cleveland and ends at Luke Easter Park where the picnic will begin with political speeches and entertainment from various sources including drill teams such as the Lady D Drill Team).

The Cleveland Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists commemorates the “Father of Labor Day in Ohio,” the Honorable John Patterson Green (pictured above)

we get ready to celebrate Labor Day in the Ohio and the U.S.A. on September 5th, 2011, it is without a doubt that most Americans, especially union folks, will remember the deeds and exploits of such giants of organized labor such as A. Philip Randolph of the Sleeping Car Porters, John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers, Philip Murray of the United Steal Workers, Jimmy Hoffa of the Teamsters, Walter Reuther of the United Auto Workers, and Cesar Chaves, of the United Farm Workers.

As a student of history and a former elected union official I have overtime witnessed these great icons of the trade labor movement and current labor leaders being recognized and commemorated for their many outstanding contributions to their constituents and the community at large.

But the individuals that have gained the most attention and publicity from the media and the public have been elected officials, candidates for office and other politicians. At first I thought this revelation was ironic until I remembered my “Black History” lessons.

In 1882, Cleveland’s first black lawyer, John Patterson Green, was elected to serve in the Ohio House of Representatives. In 1892, he was elected a state senator representing the 25th district of Ohio in Cleveland. It is a documented fact that this Cleveland attorney was the first African- American to serve as a state senator north of the Mason-Dixie Line. It was in the Ohio General Assembly during his second term that John Patterson Green sponsored the “Labor Day” legislation that earned him the title “Father of Labor Day in Ohio.” The former common laborer, lawyer, and justice of the peace wanted to honor all working men and women in Ohio with the idea of establishing a holiday to celebrate the contributions of workers , not politicians. On April 28, 1890, John Patterson Green’s efforts were successful as House Bill 500 was passed. It was a short bill consisting of only one sentence of 30 words. The Labor Day Bill began as follows:

“Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that the first Monday in September of each and every year shall be known as Labor Day…..”

In 1894, the U.S. Congress passed a bill making Labor Day a national holiday. While serving as an Ohio State Legislator, John Patterson Green sponsored or supported 21 major bills on behalf of labor. During his professional and legislative career, he “counted” among his closest friends, Mr. and Mrs. John D. (Ms. Lara C. Spellman) Rockefeller, Marcus A. Hanna, and George A. Myers, all captains of industry. He also was a friend of, and assisted Civil Rights leaders such as Harry Smith, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglas, Charles Chestnut, and other black leaders of his day.

During the Honorable John Patterson Green’s illustrious career, the lawyer and legislator earned the respect not only of Cleveland, Ohio lawyers and public officials, but also U.S. Presidents James Garfield and William McKinley, both of whom appointed him to various federal positions. But of all his associations and accomplishments, John Patterson Green was most proud of his work to honor all working men and women of this nation by sponsoring “Labor Day in Ohio.”

This material on John Patterson Green was researched at the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Oh. by Minister Robert E. Saffold.

Since its founding conference in 1972, Coalition of Black Trade Union’s stature among American workers has grown. Currently, more than 50 different international and national unions are represented in CBTU. With over 60 chapters nationwide and one in Ontario, Canada, CBTU is maximizing the strength and influence of black workers in unions and empowering their communities.

Reach Cleveland Urban News.Com by telephone at 216-659-0473 and by email@ editor@clevelandurbannews.com

From the Metro Desk of Cleveland Urban News.Com and the Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com

PRESS RELEASE..THE REAL DEAL DEBATE ON THE CLEVELAND SCHOOLS 15 MILL PROPERTY TAX LEVY FEATURING CLEVELAND COUNCILMAN JEFF JOHNSON AGAINST GRASSROOTS WOMEN TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 30, 2012, 6-8 PM, 6816 SUPERIOR AVE, LIL AFRICA CENTER IN CLEVELAND, OHIO. STATE REP. BILL PATMON (D-10) WILL SERVE AS MODERATOR OF THE DEBATE. SEE BELOW THE PANEL OF COMMUNITY ACTIVIST LEADERS THAT WILL POSE QUESTIONS TO THE DEBATERS, THOUGH A 15 MINUTE SEGMENT WILL BE RESERVED FOR AUDIENCE QUESTIONS BEFORE THE VOTE BY ACTIVISTS AT THE DEBATE ON WHETHER TO ENDORSE THE LEVY.

WHEN: Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 6 pm to 8 pm

WHERE: Little Africa Recreation and Versatility Center, 6816 Superior Ave. in Cleveland, Ohio

CONTACTS: Imperial Women Leader Kathy Wray Coleman at 216-659-0473 and Cleveland African American Museum Executive Director Frances Caldwell at the museum offices at 216-721-6555.

WHO: Grassroots factions sponsor debate on Cleveland schools 15 mill property tax levy that is on the November 6, 2012 ballot. (Grassroots groups include  Cleveland Urban News. Com, the Imperial Women Coalition, the Imperial Women,  Black on Black Crime, the Oppressed People's Nation, Cleveland Jobs With Justice, the Joaquin Hicks Real People's Movement, the Cleveland Chapter of the New Black Panther Party, the Underground Railroad,the Sowell 11, the Cleveland African-American Museum, the Carl Stokes Brigade, the Committee to Bring Home Jamela and Jamala, Occupy Cleveland, the Family Connection Center, Stop Targeting Ohio's Poor, Organize Ohio, the Northeast Ohio's Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, the People's Forum, Ohio Family Rights, People for Parental Equality, and others).

At the debate community activists will vote by secret ballot on whether to endorse the levy with a criterion for eligibility to vote requiring participation in either a protest or rally since the initiation of protests around the public announcement of the Imperial Ave. Murders of 11 Black women in October 2009. (Editor's note: Rapist Anthony Sowell was convicted of the serial murders and sentenced to death by lethal injection last year, though his convictions are on appeal. The activist groups that fought for justice around those murders are still alive and seek changes in public policy for the betterment of the community in education, the legal system and other public venues of concern).

WHAT: Cleveland Ward 8 Councilman Jeff Johnson, who is for the levy, will debate anti-levy proponents and community affiliates Kimberly Brown and Donna Walker  Brown, with Imperial Women Member Roz McAllister as alternate in the event that pressure from the establishment causes a participant against the levy to drop out of the debate.

Debate questions panelists include Community Activists Art McKoy, Debbie Kline, Mary Keith, Roz McAllister and Frances Caldwell,  Attorney Michael Nelson  Sr., and Dr. Eugene Jordon, Second Vice President of the Cleveland NAACP.

Cleveland area defense attorney Edele Passalacqua and Willie Stokes will be honored for grassroots excellence in activism, with Passalacqua receiving the grassroots award for attorney excellence on behalf of community grassroots factions and Stokes getting the grassroots hidden warrior award for his support of victims, families and community activists around the Imperial Ave Murders and otherwise.

Other presenters and/or speakers include Art McKoy, Former Cleveland School Board Member Genevieve Mitchell, Oppressed People's Nation Leader Ernest Smith, Entrepreneur Michael Nelson, Community Activist Denise Taylor, and Kathy Wray Coleman, a community activist who is the publisher and associate editor of Cleveland Urban News.Com.

Brief questions from the audience shall occur and activists shall demand compliance by the Ohio State Legislature of the Ohio Supreme Court's DeRolph decision for it to revise its unconstitutional public school funding formula that was deemed unconstitutional for relying on property taxes in part to give an advantage to rich children over poor children.

Another highlight of the event will be a 5 minute presentation by Genevieve Mitchell of the Cleveland Municipal School District from the desegregation court order to mayoral control of the predominantly Black city schools.

And the plight of the Black male student as stereotyped and disenfranchised shall be discussed by Smith, a young activist whose leadership as chief of the Oppressed People's Nation has garnered respectable attention.

Reach Cleveland Urban News.Com by telephone at 216-659-0473 and by email@ editor@clevelandurbannews.com