LOCAL NEWS: Sims and Waxman to Face Off in State House Primary, Trans-Murder Hearing Delayed, and Foxy Brown Is in Philly!
State Rep. Brian Sims
Ben Waxman has filed to run for Brian Sims’s state House seat.
Ben Waxman, until recently chief spokesman for state Senator Vincent Hughes, announced today that he’s the first to officially file for the Democratic primary in the 182nd District. The 30-year old progressive is the youngest candidate running for the seat, whose district includes the Gayborhood. He’s been making his rounds in the community as well, canvassing hotspots like the William Way Center and informing constituents that he’s a progressive LGBTQ ally. This poses a challenge for openly gay incumbent Brian Sims, who is simultaneously running for the U.S. House of Representatives.
A hearing on charges related to the Keisha Jenkins shooting has been delayed.
Last Friday, a preliminary hearing for Pedro Redding, 24, the only person arrested so far in connection with October 2015 shooting death of Keisha Jenkins, a transwoman of color, in Logan, was continued until March. Police have characterized the shooting as a robbery, not a hate crime, and have said they do not believe Redding was the shooter. Redding was denied bail and is currently being held at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Pam Grier and other celebrities are in Philly for a charity HIV/AIDS PSA
If you were near Hotel Monaco around noon today, you might have spotted Ms. Foxy Brown herself Pam Grier, Ted Allen from Chopped, Mondo Guerra from Project Runway, and Daisy Martinez from Viva Daisy! filming a PSA for the 2016 Dining Out For Life event happening in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 14th. The mission is simple – you eat at one of the 3,000 participating restaurants across the country and proceeds will be donated to local HIV/AIDS causes. ActionAIDS is our local beneficiary, so you know it’s a cause worth fighting — or, actually, eating — for.
