News

Labor activist Chris Smalls said he was jailed for days and assaulted by Israel Defense Force soldiers during an attempt to distribute humanitarian aid to Palestine. Smalls was part of a group of 19 activists who boarded the Handala, a boat belonging to the grassroot organization Freedom Flotilla Coalition working to end the “Israeli blockade of Gaza,” Rolling Stone reported.

The Handala departed from Syracuse, Italy, on July 13, toward Gaza. The boat was seized by Israeli forces on July 24—and the group was detained and brought to Israeli’s port of Rafah. When they reached the shore, Smalls said he was attacked by IDF soldiers.

“They threw me to the ground, put their knee in my back, twisted my arm behind my back, and then three on each side [held me up] while one of them was pulling my hair and using my chains to choke me to the point where I couldn’t breathe,” he told Rolling Stone. “They dropped me on the ground once, and then they picked me back up.”

Chris Smalls was jailed for 5 days at Israel’s Givon Prison

Smalls was incarcerated in a jail with six other people. He said his cell was raided twice, that they stripped prisoners of their clothes on one occasion and lied to them about the time. On his last day, Smalls said he was left alone and deprived of water.

“I’ve never felt the amount of hatred and racism ever in my 37 years in America,” he said. “There’s no way anybody can convince me that Palestinians or people of color can live amongst Israeli people like that. It just resonates off ’em, the hatred. I seen how they were looking at me. It was not by a coincidence that I was one of the last to leave. They wanted to do more damage to me psychologically than anybody else.”

Smalls was released after five days; he said he was dropped off at the Jordan border before being put on a flight that included a 48-hour layover to New York.

Chris Smalls said he wants to file a lawsuit against Israeli authorities

The activist said he wants to sue Israeli authorities in the International Criminal Court for assaulting him and stealing his personal belongings.

“They stole my Apple headphones, and I have my evidence. I have it on my phone. The location is still there,” Small said. “They abused us, and they deserve to be held accountable.”

“I’m going to continue shedding light [on] the situation [in Palestine] and building some type of international network where we can connect all these struggles,” he added.

Chris Smalls co-founded the Amazon Labor Union in 2020

Smalls made international news for his work as a labor activist. He led a walkout at Amazon’s Staten Island facility, where he worked at the time, after finding out workers had been exposed to Covid-19 for two weeks without their knowledge. Smalls was fired and was publicly called “not smart or articulate” by Amazon’s general counsel David Zapolsky.

As a response, Smalls founded the labor activist organization The Congress of Essential Workers and staged a series of strikes and protests across the country, according to Rolling Stone. He eventually co-founded the Amazon Labor Union, which was ratified in 2022. That same year, Smalls was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people. He even met with former President Joe Biden at the White House. 

Yet, Smalls said he has lost support since publicly advocating for Palestine: “When you’re speaking truth to power, propaganda [tries to] censor what you’re talking about. And that’s what I felt with the Palestinian movement,” he said. “People don’t want to even hear about it. It’s insane to see. I’m like, there’s something more sinister to it. So I’m going to try to use my platform to amplify that.”

In his extensive campaign to whitewash history and attack “woke” content, President Donald Trump has indicated that he is now turning his attention to the Smithsonian museums. But as Trump kicks off a review of Smithsonian content, it appears that the museums may have begun preemptively removing content months earlier.

Trump puts Smithsonian museums under scrutiny

As Blavity previously reported, Trump has turned his attention to the Smithsonian in recent weeks, initiating a comprehensive review of the museums’ exhibits and content to make sure they align with the president’s view of American history. The New York Times indicated that the Smithsonian was given 120 days to alter exhibits that the administration finds objectionable in “tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals.” But there are now indications that the Smithsonian may have started changing its content months ago. The Independent indicated that, after Trump issued a March executive order to “restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness,” the museum began reviewing and, in some cases, removing items and exhibits.

Removal of items from Smithsonian arouse suspicion of Trump influence

The report pointed to an NBC News story published in May; the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture had removed over 30 items, including Harriet Tubman’s hymn book, the autobiographical Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and a diary of the lawyer who helped free Solomon Northup, the enslaved man whose story was told in 12 Years a Slave, all of which had been on loan to the museum. At the time, the Smithsonian denied that outside pressure was responsible for the removals, stating on its website, “Claims that objects have been removed for reasons other than adherence to standard loan agreements or museum practices are false.” However, several people associated with the removed items questioned the official explanation. For example, Northup’s great-great-granddaughter, Liz Brazelton, noted that the diary she lent to the museum was returned early; word of the removal came weeks before Trump’s March executive order, raising Brazelton’s suspicion that the museum may have known it was under scrutiny at the time. Others reported similar abrupt removals of items they had donated, which the museum said were being rotated out of display.

Trump attacks Smithsonian for emphasizing that slavery was bad

These incidents suggest that Trump’s pressure campaign against the Smithsonian may have impacted the museums earlier than many people realize. Trump doubled down on his intentions toward the museums in a recent social media post. In the message initially posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump complained that “the Museums throughout Washington, but all over the Country are, essentially, the last remaining segment of “WOKE.” He singled out the Smithsonian museums, “where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been.” After complaining about the museums highlighting that slavery was bad, Trump announced, “I have instructed my attorneys to go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities where tremendous progress has been made.”

Trump’s prolonged campaign against the Smithsonian is thus part of a larger campaign to whitewash American history. Having targeted universities, as well as libraries and national parks, Trump seems to be increasing pressure on the nation’s top museums in order to rewrite American history.

Popular Italian Brand, Bravo Brio Restaurants, LLC, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for the second time in five years, joining the list of other Italian establishments that have faced legal challenges more recently.

The Orlando-based restaurant group, which opened upscale chain eateries like Bravo! Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Grille filed the legal document at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida on Monday, according to a copy of the notice.

When did Bravo Brio Restaurants file for bankruptcy?

The court filing stated that Bravo Brio Restaurants had between 200 and 999 creditors, along with assets and liabilities between $50 and $100 million, and owed $1.9 million to Sysco, a restaurant food distributor. 

Bravo Brio Restaurants first filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 and was later bought by Earl Enterprises. The latest action now jeopardizes the 31 Brio and 25 Bravo locations. The company plans to shutter underperforming locations as it aims to get back on track financially. The brand has a total of 59 locations nationwide, Yahoo! Finance and WNEP reported.

What is Bravo Brio saying?

The company told Restaurant Business Online that inflation, rising costs, and a decline in consumers casually dining out at restaurants led to the second bankruptcy filing.

“Outgoing inflationary pressure, rising food and labor costs and a softening in discretionary consumer spending have contributed to underperformance, especially in shopping centers with high vacancies and declining foot traffic,” the company said in a statement to the outlet, per WNEP. “These pressures have proved insurmountable to numerous other legacy casual-dining restaurant brands, many of whom have also turned to bankruptcy as a tool for restructuring.” 

Bravo Brio is not the only restaurant company that filed for bankruptcy and eventually shut down locations. In April, Hooters filed for Chapter 11 protection, also citing financial matters as the central factor. At first, the company said locations would remain open, but in June, more than 30 locations had abruptly closed, Blavity reported.

Sterling K. Brown recently shared a scenario involving one of his sons, who elegantly handled a racist encounter. As People reported, the actor has two sons, Amaré (9) and Andrew (14), with his wife and fellow thespian Ryan Michelle Bathe.

During a roundtable discussion for one of Hulu’s Paradise, he revealed that his teenage son has a better grip on handling racism than he does.

Sterling K. Brown’s son was allegedly called the N-word, but handled it like a pro

Brown admitted that his boys haven’t seen the “intense” side of his personality, which takes no mess. Luckily for them, they haven’t had to go through situations that draw out the fighter within them.

“I look at my children now — my children have never been in a fight. The 14-year-old or the 9-year-old,” the St. Louis native shared, reported the publication.

He went on to describe what happened during a sporting event in which Andrew was playing.

“My 14-year-old was in a soccer game where a young boy spat on him, and he saw the spit and he walks up to the ref and he goes, ‘Ref, this dude just spat on me,’” he added. “And the ref was like, ‘I didn’t see it, so I can’t do anything about it.’”

Following the first incident on the field, the same teen who allegedly spit on him confronted him again when the game was over to call him a racial slur.

“Then, afterwards, the young man came up to him and called him the N-word and just kind of kept it going,” Brown explained. “And my son didn’t tell me until after the game, and I was like, ‘Yo, man, how come we didn’t beat his a**?’ And he was like, ‘Because that wouldn’t have solved anything. He already did what he was going to do. The ref didn’t respond to it or whatnot. So I didn’t want to make you any more upset, which is why I didn’t tell you until after the game.’”

Brown celebrated how he composed himself during the matter, saying, “So he’s a more evolved person than me. I would’ve beat his a**!”

Sterling K. Brown loves being a father before anything else

Taking pride in his family, the 49-year-old later expressed his affection for Amaré and Andrew, stating they motivate his art form and are “the most important people in my life.” 

“And to anybody who’s been a parent or […] has young children — to see how much they change, especially when they’re young, as they accrue new skills and learn new words and stuff; it is the most magical thing to be in the presence of,” Brown said.

He also clarified that despite loving his work, being a dad will always come first.

“And so I can tell you — truly, truly, between doing season one [of Paradise] and then the hiatus where I went, I did Voltron in Australia. I went and did a movie in France and I did a movie in Louisiana and they were all wonderful experiences, but I had to FaceTime [my kids], and I didn’t get a chance to tuck [them] in and finish reading book seven of Harry Potter to my youngest or whatever it was,” he said.

He continued, “Being a father is the most important job that I have in my life right now. And so for the next nine years, if I can keep working in L.A. and be like the one dude who figured it out, I would be very, very excited about that, [because] I don’t want to miss too much of their growing up.”

Cracker Barrel, a country-themed restaurant chain and retail brand for more than 55 years, has unveiled some new changes as part of a broader makeover.

On Wednesday, the company announced its “All the more” creative campaign with a new logo and a refreshed fall menu with new and returning items, along with a special offer for customers. To promote it further, Crack Barrel has teamed up with country music star Jordan Davis to feature in its latest commercial, according to a news release.

For the first time in 48 years, the new logo will have text-only in the signature gold and brown tones, appearing across menus and marketing collateral, the company said. Cracker Barrel was first launched in 1969 and had a text-only logo. In 1977, the company updated the logo to feature a man resting on a barrel. The brand believes the new logo still maintains the nostalgic appearance of the original design.

“We believe in the goodness of country hospitality, a spirit that has always defined us. Our story hasn’t changed. Our values haven’t changed. With ‘All the More,’ we’re honoring our legacy while bringing fresh energy, thoughtful craftsmanship and heartfelt hospitality to our guests this fall,” Sarah Moore, Chief Marketing Officer of Cracker Barrel, said in a news release statement.

Some customers aren’t happy about the new changes

Some Cracker Barrel locations nationwide have already been remodeled with the new changes, and social media users shared their thoughts on it, and they were not happy about it.

“At a remodeled Cracker Barrel. I hate it,” one user said in a shared video on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Nobody asked for a Cracker Barrel remodel,” another user said.

Jordan Davis speaks out following Cracker Barrel partnership

Cracker Barrel has provided heartfelt service, homestyle food, and an unmatched dining experience to all of its customers. With 660 locations nationwide, the restaurant chain remains a community favorite. Davis also spoke highly of the brand, sharing similarities between the company and his musical approach.

“Cracker Barrel has always felt like home to me. It’s where the food hits just right, the people treat you like family, and the pace lets you slow down and take a breath,” Davis said. “That’s something I try to bring into my music too; real moments that feel good and bring people together. I’m proud to be part of this next chapter and to celebrate what makes Cracker Barrel so special to so many.”

Cracker Barrel’s new fall menu debuted on Wednesday, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options.

BREAKFAST

Uncle Herschel’s Favorite®– Back by popular demand, this beloved, fan-favorite includes two eggs cooked to order with your choice of Sugar Cured Ham, Country Ham, Grilled or Fried Catfish Fillet, Crispy Tender Dippers or – for the first time ever – a premium New York Strip Steak available for an upgrade, served with Hashbrown Casserole or Fried Apples, Buttermilk Biscuits, Sawmill Gravy and Grits.

Sausage & Egg Hashbrown Casserole – A double portion of our signature Hashbrown Casserole is layered with Colby cheese, served over Sawmill Gravy with scrambled eggs and a flavorful blend of crumbled smoked sausage, onions, red peppers, and green chiles, topped with crispy fried onions, diced tomatoes, and green onions, with a side of Buttermilk Biscuits.

Bacon & Egg Hashbrown Casserole – Scratch-made Hashbrown Casserole hot off the grill is layered with pieces of crispy bacon, farm-fresh scrambled eggs, melted Colby cheese, fried onions, diced tomatoes, and green onions, with Buttermilk Biscuits on the side.

Butter Pecan French Toast Bake – Thick-cut country bread is soaked in vanilla custard, topped with cheesecake filling, baked ‘til golden, with your choice of bacon or sausage. Praline pecan streusel and butter pecan syrup available as an upgrade.

LUNCH & DINNER

Herb Roasted Chicken – A half chicken, seasoned and slow-roasted in the oven until golden, crispy perfection and topped with a lemon herb butter sauce. Served with mashed potatoes, choice of classic side, and Buttermilk Biscuits or Corn Muffins.

Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie – Slow-braised pot roast and gravy with carrots, peas, onions, celery, and mashed potatoes, topped with a crispy griddled Hashbrown Casserole crust, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and green onions, and hand-rolled Buttermilk Biscuits on the side.

Slow-Braised Pot Roast – A family classic featuring slow-roasted rib roast, carrots, onions, and celery in a savory, homestyle gravy with mashed potatoes, choice of classic side, and Buttermilk Biscuits or Corn Muffins.

SIPS & SWEETS

Butter Pecan Sticky Buns – Warm, tender sweet dough in our butter pecan sauce and baked with a gooey praline pecan topping.

Cinnamon Roll Skillet – Freshly baked mini cinnamon rolls with a gooey cinnamon filling and topped with cream cheese icing.

Brown Sugar Latte – A seasonal take on the classic latte with sweet brown sugar sauce, espresso, and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with butter pecan syrup (served hot or cold).

Wild Berry Tea – A blend of freshly brewed iced tea bursting with flavors of juicy wild berries.

Walmart has recalled frozen, raw shrimp sold in 13 states due to potential radioactive contamination, and consumers have been warned not to eat the affected seafood products to prevent health issues.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Walmart pulled three lots of its Great Value brand frozen shrimp from select stores after federal officials detected Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in shipping containers at four U.S. ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami.

What are the affected shrimp products?

The information below is the recalled seafood products and other important information for consumers to know:

BrandProduct NameProduct TypeBest ByItem CodeLot CodeDistributorGreat ValueFrozen Raw White Vannamei ShrimpFrozen Raw EZ Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag3/15/202773831088005540-1WalmartGreat ValueFrozen Raw White Vannamei ShrimpFrozen Raw EZ Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag3/15/202773831088005538-1WalmartGreat ValueFrozen Raw White Vannamei ShrimpFrozen Raw EZ Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag3/15/20277383108IncompleteWalmart

According to the FDA, Walmart received raw frozen shrimp imported after Cs-137 was first detected, though those shipments did not test positive. The agency recommended a recall as a precautionary measure.

Are the levels of Cesium-137 harmful for consumers?

One sample of frozen breaded shrimp also tested positive for the substance, but it did not enter U.S. commerce. All affected products were imported from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, or BMS Foods, in Indonesia.

“FDA determined that [products] from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in that it appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern,” the agency said.

After U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected contamination in shipping containers, the FDA tested five shrimp products from the Indonesian supplier. One frozen breaded shrimp sample contained detectable levels of Cs-137, while the others did not, though contamination could not be ruled out.

What is Cesium-137?

Cs-137 is a man-made radioactive isotope found in trace amounts in the environment, including soil, food, and air, due to global nuclear activity. The FDA monitors food for unusual levels of these contaminants.

The FDA did not find Cs-137 levels above the safety threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg. However, it concluded that the level detected in the breaded shrimp could pose a health risk if consumed regularly over time, especially when combined with other radiation sources. Avoiding products with similar levels helps reduce long-term exposure to low-level radiation.

“If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away. Do not eat or serve this product,” the FDA said.

The recalled shrimp was sold in Walmart stores across 13 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.

“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” a Walmart spokesperson told the BBC. “We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate.”