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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on Friday while protesting the opening of New Jersey‘s Delaney Hall ICE detention center. According to Fox 5 New York, several Democratic members of Congress were also protesting at the detention center when chaos broke out as ICE arrested the mayor.

Alina Habba, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, accused the mayor of trespassing. Habba said on X that Baraka “ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center.”

“He has willingly chosen to disregard the law,” Habba wrote. “That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”

The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this…— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) May 9, 2025

What happened when ICE arrested Ras Baraka at the detention center?

While the Trump administration opened Delaney Hall on May 1, Baraka has been continually protesting the opening of the detention center for months.

“Delaney Hall cannot lawfully open in Newark at this time,” Baraka’s office said in a statement in February.

Among the concerns, the mayor said there are permit issues with the 1,000-bed facility. He also stated that “an immigrant detention center is not welcomed here” because it is a violation of human rights.

On Friday, Baraka tried to join New Jersey Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver and Bonnie Watson Coleman on a scheduled tour of the center. As officials tried to block the mayor from entering the facility, Baraka attempted to go through a side gate. Witnesses told Fox 5 that federal agents threw organizers to the ground, handcuffed Baraka and took him into custody. The mayor is now being held at an ICE office in Newark.

What are Ras Baraka’s supporters saying about the mayor’s arrest?

 Rep. LaMonica McIver said she was assaulted by ICE at the facility, along with Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman.

“They not only arrested the mayor of Newark, but put their hands on two members of Congress,” McIver said, per Fox 5.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also released a statement, saying he’s “outraged by the unjust arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.”

 “Over the past few months, Mayor Baraka, as well as advocates, faith leaders, and members of our Congressional delegation, have protested the opening of a private immigration detention center in the city of Newark,” the governor stated.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker expressed his disappointment in a statement on X, saying “law enforcement officers should have deescalated this situation.” 

As mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka has a responsibility to ensure that facilities operating in the city are adhering to laws that protect the safety and wellbeing of occupants and residents.⁰This incident is disturbing, unnecessary and indicative of tactics that are undermining the…— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) May 9, 2025

Iman Shumpert wants his ex-wife, Teyana Taylor, behind bars for infringing their court order. They were married from October 2016 until their divorce was finalized in July 2024.

According to Essence, the former athlete petitioned the court on May 5 because he claims that Taylor discussed their divorce, which breached the terms of their divorce settlement. He says her actions damaged his image and caused him to miss out on potential jobs.

“The precise amount to be more particularly stated and proven at the trial of this matter,” the motion stated.

Iman Shumpert accuses Teyana Taylor of violating their divorce terms and harming their co-parenting dynamic

Court documents also revealed that Shumpert alleges that Taylor “willfully and contemptuously exposed and broadcast specific provisions of the final judgment decree of divorce and related provisions, recklessly disregarding the financial circumstances, privacy, safety and security of the parties and their minor children.” 

Due to this, Shumpert wants Taylor to spend 20 days in jail. They share custody of their two daughters, Iman “Junie” Tayla Shumpert Jr. and Rue Rose Shumpert. Shumpert called out Taylor for pulling their daughters out of school without justification and deliberately blocking his attempt to pick them up on April 17. He also claims she has spoken negatively about him in front of the children. 

“For example, in the presence of the children, [Teyana] has shouted crude and inflammatory racial insults at [Iman]. Such insults and criticism of [Iman] have caused the children to unjustly suffer stress and worry, unfairly placing the children in the self-imposed position of peacemaker between their parents,” his court filing stated.

Teyana Taylor says she’s prioritizing her peace

Taylor recently addressed public speculation, denying rumors that she’s trying to have Shumpert jailed or is seeking financial gain from their legal battle. She emphasized that her priority is simply to move forward with peace and privacy. Her response comes on the heels of a petition filed by Shumpert, following a separate request made weeks earlier by her attorney. That filing accused Shumpert of willfully violating the terms of their divorce decree and requested he serve 20 days in jail and pay associated fines. She also alleged that her ex-husband leaked private details of their case to the press.

“I don’t want no parts of this. Iman is my family. He is the father of my children, and that’s never going to change,” she explained, as Essence reported. “I just want to move on with my life in peace.”

The pope’s grandparents were considered Black or people of color “This discovery is just an additional reminder of how interwoven we are as Americans,” New Orleans genealogist Jari C. Honora told The New York Times in a text message Thursday […]

President Donald Trump has fired the head of the Library of Congress in an email sent on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Carla Hayden was the first woman and the first Black person to occupy the position.

“Carla,” the Thursday email read. “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service.”

What to know about Carla Hayden

Hayden was confirmed to the job by the Senate in 2016. Her 10-year term was set to expire next year. She graduated from Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, and has led Baltimore’s library system prior to her role. Hayden was known for modernizing the Library and making it more accessible online and to rural communities.

“Libraries are the great equalizer,” she tweeted in April 2025, according to the Associated Press. “And when you have a free public library in particular,” she added, it’s an “opportunity center for people all walks of life, and you are giving them the opportunity to make choices on which information, entertainment and inspiration means the most to them.”

Hayden recently became the target of the American Accountability Foundation, a conservative group. American Accountability Foundation said she had been standing in opposition to Trump’s agenda and had been promoting children’s books featuring “radical” content.

“The current #LibrarianOfCongress Carla Hayden is woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids,” the group tweeted on Thursday, per American Accountability Foundation. “It’s time to get her OUT and hire a new guy for the job!”

Carla Hayden is one of the countless federal workers who have been fired by Trump

“Hayden has spent her entire career serving people — from helping kids learn to read to protecting some of our nation’s most precious treasures,” Democratic Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York said. “She is an American hero.”

“Enough is enough,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said of the recent wave of federal workers being first by Trump.

Over a half-dozen Pentagon top generals have been fired since January. The acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was also pushed out yesterday after saying he disagreed with plans to dismantle the organization.

“Donald Trump’s unjust decision to fire Dr. Hayden in an email sent by a random political hack is a disgrace and the latest in his ongoing effort to ban books, whitewash American history and turn back the clock,” New York Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. “The Library of Congress is the People’s Library. There will be accountability for this unprecedented assault on the American way of life sooner rather than later.”

Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, will be serving as acting librarian of Congress “until further instruction,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “I promise to keep everyone informed.”

Usher jokingly apologized to Sabrina Carpenter’s father after feeding her his signature cherry during a surprise performance at this year’s MET Gala. Both singers posted photographs of the interaction, while joking about it online.

Each year, the event features a surprise performance by a special guest. Usher was one of the artists to perform inside the museum on Monday in front of a crowd of VIP guests and celebrities. He performed singles like “U Don’t Have To Call,” “Yeah!” and “OMG.”

Usher even fed a special guest a cherry, a part of his show that often goes viral among fans. This time, the singer fed the cherry to none other than Sabrina Carpenter. Both Usher and Carpenter shared photographs of their interaction in carousels of the event on Instagram.

Carpenter included a screenshot of a conversation with her father, David Carpenter, who reacted to the interaction.

“? Weird,” Carpenter’s father wrote after sharing the photo, per People.

Here’s how Usher responded to Sabrina Carpenter’s father

In the comment section, Usher jokingly apologized, commenting, “Apologies Mr Carpenter 😅🍒”

After the Met Gala, Usher resumed his Past Present Future Tour with a London date, according to Vibe.

Musical performances at the 2025 Met Gala

Usher wasn’t the only surprise musical guest this year. He was joined by Stevie Wonder, who performed several classics, including “Sir Duke,” “Higher Ground,” “Isn’t She Lovely” and “I Wish,” Vogue reported. He and Usher even performed “Another Star” as a duet.

Prior to their performances, the 20-person chorus Silk & Sound sang a rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” on the red carpet. The chorus continued their performance inside the MET, where they covered Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove,” Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” and McFadden & Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” just to name a few.

“He was sleeping on his reclining sofa,” his wife, Gigi Lemon, told the Detroit Free Press. “He just wasn’t responsive.” Lemon had a series of health issues over the last 30 years Lemon battled health issues for three decades after […]

Tougaloo College said it received “concerning calls” following the commencement speech delivered by Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Sunday, according to Black Enterprise. The HBCU is investigating threats, while Crockett called out these incidents.

The HBCU sent a letter to the campus community a day after commencement. 

Tougaloo College has launched an investigation

“We are not taking these occurrences lightly. Appropriate actions have been taken. Contact has been made with law enforcement authorities to ensure that safety protocols are in place, if needed,” Tougaloo College President Donzell Lee wrote. “As always, your continuing safety is our primary concern.”

Although Lee did not share details of the calls, he did ask those who received calls or noticed anything suspicious to report it.

“We are asking for your help in keeping our campus safe,” Lee added.

How did Rep. Jasmine Crockett react to news of threats?

Crockett suggested supporters of President Donald Trump were responsible for the threats.

“No low is too low for MAGA… now explain to me why an institution would be receiving threats because of the commencement speech that I GAVE,” she tweeted. “This type of behavior is why I’m constantly having to be protected & I understand that truth telling in this country; sadly, is a dangerous business, but college students don’t deserve this.”

She reiterated her comments about the importance of the Civil Rights movement she made in her keynote speech.

“As a side note: you consistently prove me right & just as this was the only campus that MLK could speak at in Mississippi in the 1960s… it’s 2025, and this country is still stuck on hate… I’m proud to say Tougaloo is tough & so am I,” she added.

No low is too low for MAGA… now explain to me why an institution would be receiving threats because of the commencement speech that I GAVE. This type of behavior is why I’m constantly having to be protected & I understand that truth telling in this country; sadly, is a… pic.twitter.com/SopOsPxdZB— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) May 7, 2025

What was Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s commencement speech about?

Crockett received an honorary doctorate degree from Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Tougaloo alum. She was invited as this year’s commencement keynote speaker, according to Mississippi Public Broadcasting. 

During her speech Crockett spoke about the legacy left by civil rights activists at Tougaloo College. 

“How many times did you sit back and think about the fact that you walked the same hallowed grounds where the Tougaloo Nine organized,” she said. “For years you sat in the same seats as Anne Moody and Memphis Norman as you were bestowed with knowledge, skills and critical thought.”

She also made parallels between the Civil Rights Movements and today.

“Sadly enough, in the year of our Lord 2025, sitting in these very classrooms is just as much of a protest as Anne and Memphis pulling up to Woolworth’s in 1963,” Crockett added.

Jasmine Crockett’s inspiring commencement keynote speech at Tougaloo College’s graduation in Jackson, Mississippi, is going viral.”Your moment is now.” pic.twitter.com/eEhbZcJULF— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) May 7, 2025

The Congresswoman also suggested that her invitation to be a keynote speaker had received some backlash. 

“To think about the fact that people have to be fearful of having a sitting member of Congress to come and address their graduates, tells us that we still got a lot of work to do,” she said.

She still chose to deliver some words of encouragement to graduates.

“Your moment is now,” Crockett said. “This country is relying on each and every one of you to walk into your purpose and to walk in greatness with your head held high. There are going to be people that tell you that you don’t belong. I am here to tell you over and over and over that you absolutely belong.”

Four women who previously worked as housekeepers for Robinson filed a $50 million lawsuit against the “Who’s Lovin’ You“ singer and his wife, Frances Robinson, alleging years of sexual abuse at his properties. The suit also accuses Frances of maintaining […]

Blavity’s Shadow and Act has an exclusive preview of this week’s upcoming episode of Law & Order, featuring Mehcad Brooks and Reid Scott.

In the episode, titled “Tough Love”: A tough-love sports agent is found stabbed to death, leaving the squad with a trail of suspects who wanted him gone. Despite a wealth of evidence, Price and Maroun worry that a lack of motive will tank their case.   

Details on the ‘Tough Love’ episode of ‘Law & Order’

In the below clip, Shaw (Brooks) and Riley (Scott) visit the sons of their homicide victim, a well-known former football player and sports agent. They ask if their father had been having issues with anyone lately. 

Hugh Dancy, Tony Goldwyn, Odelya Halevi, Mehcad Brooks and Maura Tierney also star. Dick Wolf is the show’s creator and executive producer, with Rick Eid, Pamela Wechsler, Alex Hall and Peter Jankowski also executive producing.

When does the new ‘Law & Order’ episode air?

Check out the exclusive preview below: The episode airs Thursday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

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