A 63-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS STRUCK BY and trapped under a school bus on Thursday morning, but was rescued by firefighters and emergency workers.

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The family of Christopher Ferguson, who was killed by police in a shootout in Brooklyn on Thursday, were joined by social justice advocate and lawyer Rev. Kevin McCall to call for justice.

On Dec. 5 at around 3:30 p.m., Brooklyn officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation within the Whitman Houses public housing complex, located at 81 North Portland Ave., where a witness told police about the shooter in a car with an out-of-state license plate. Minutes later, police saw the car headed toward Fulton Street and Washington Avenue with a female driver, Ferguson as the passenger and a 3-year-old.

The NYPD followed the car, reaching near the corner of Utica Avenue and Park Place, where police got out of the car and approached the vehicle. It was reported that Ferguson was attempting to get out of the car’s partially blocked passenger door while holding a handgun, which he then pointed at the cops.

Police fired at Ferguson 19 times, suffering multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body. Though life-saving measures were taken, Ferguson ultimately died of his injuries at the hospital.

Yolanda Campbell, Ferguson’s mother, addressed the crowd gathered on Dec. 6 in Brooklyn, calling for the release of the body camera footage from the incident.

“What we see was an execution happened by the New York City Police Department. There’s so many conflicting stories that have been circulating about what happened yesterday. We demand to see the body camera footage,” said Campbell.

 The group, while yelling “No justice, no peace,” echoed Campbell’s statements, calling for answers. Rev. McCall that the incident was excessive.

“I don’t care what crime that Christopher did. 17 shots is excessive,” said McCall. “You aren’t allowed to chase in New York City. Now, under this administration, Eric Adams’ administration, the police decides to chase someone from almost a quarter of a mile, causing his demise.”

Campbell said, “I have allowed the detectives in our house. They never found any gun. Why won’t they let us see him? Is it because he is strapped to a gurney with 17 bullet holes? We want justice, release the footage. He should be here with his two kids today.”

Small business owners like me understand that running a small business is a privilege, but it comes with its challenges. We need all the support we can get to be successful, which is why I am excited about the Capital One-Discover merger, and the Community Benefits Plan that comes with it. 

For many aspiring small business owners, especially from marginalized communities, access to credit can be the difference between opportunity and adversity. Capital One has proven its commitment to uplifting aspiring business owners in these communities by bringing services to them, unlike other major banks. One-third of their branches are located in low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods, and they rank first among larger banks when it comes to serving LMI neighborhoods. 

Capital One is also the largest issuer of credit cards to first-time cardholders and has a strong track record in assisting customers enhance their creditworthiness. As of March 2024, 69% of their customers who started with subprime credit scores have successfully elevated their scores to prime levels of 660 or above. This achievement is especially meaningful for minority communities, as a healthy credit score is the first step to securing a small business loan. 

Moreover, Capital One’s involvement in initiatives like the White House’s Economic Opportunity Coalition demonstrates a commitment to supporting diverse communities and investing in minority-owned businesses. By partnering with Discover, a newly formed Capital One-Discover Bank can reach even more communities that are often overlooked by other financial institutions. 

In addition to the benefits that the merger will bring, I’m particularly excited about Capital One’s Community Benefits Plan (CBP) which will be set in motion should regulators approve the merger. The plan includes bold and targeted investments that will help small businesses in New York and across the country. 

I’m thrilled that the CBP dedicates $600 million to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Minority entrepreneurs often rely on CDFIs to access small business loans and other important financial services because they are often overlooked by traditional financial institutions. This infusion of capital will empower CDFIs to better serve their communities, allowing more people to launch businesses, create jobs, and chase their dreams. 

In addition to investing in CDFIs, the CBP includes a commitment to spend $5 billion with diverse suppliers and a $15 billion earmark specifically dedicated to improve credit access for small businesses, including those in LMI communities.

The Capital One-Discover merger and the CBP plan are the kinds of targeted, bold, and ambitious solutions that our communities need from the private sector. I urge regulators to examine the positive impact that this merger and CBP will have on our communities as they review this merger.

J.P. Taylor is the co-founder of I Will Graduate, a youth development program in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN DA Eric Gonzalez on Friday announced that his Virtual Currency Unit had disrupted a scam targeting artists throughout the country.

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