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Bloomberg sorry for ‘stop and frisk’ as he mulls presidential bid

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg on Sunday walked back his longtime support for the controversial “stop and frisk” policing policy that disproportionately targeted black and Latino New Yorkers as he mulled jumping in the race for president.
“I was wrong, and I’m sorry,” the former mayor of the US financial capital told a predominately black megachurch in Brooklyn.
The 77-year-old had long defended his backing of the aggressive technique, which gave the city’s police broad powers to search anyone they suspected of criminality.
Bloomberg continued to back the program - which is being phased out - even after a federal judge said in 2013 it violated constitutionally-protected minority rights.
The media tycoon’s speech at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn’s deprived East New York neighborhood appeared to be a tacit acknowledgment of the crucial minority backing he will need as he weighs a concerted challenge to President Donald Trump in 2020.
At the 2011 peak of “stop and frisk” policing, 87 percent of some 685,000 stops targeted black or Latino people, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Around the same proportion of people stopped were cleared of wrongdoing.
Citing the “erosion of trust” his stance had created among ethnic minorities, Bloomberg said: “I can’t change history.”
“However, today I want you to know that I realize back then, I was wrong, and I’m sorry,” he added.
“But I also want you to know, that I am more committed than ever to ending gun violence.”
Bloomberg’s words met with a skeptical response as critics lambasted his reversal as vote pandering.
“He’s right to apologize but voters should not fall for this,” tweeted Kumar Rao, senior counsel at the Center for Popular Democracy.
“The apology was a decade late for those who were humiliated, harassed and intimidated by the government that is supposed to serve them,” wrote New York Times opinion columnist Mara Gay.
“This Sunday, he finally asked black New Yorkers for their forgiveness. And their vote.”
Bloomberg has announced a $100 million online advertising campaign attacking fellow white New York septuagenarian tycoon Trump.
He has submitted paperwork to be on the ballot in Arkansas and Alabama but has not formally announced his candidacy among the already crowded field for the Democratic nomination.
source: AFP
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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