April 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 4

“What an honor to be

“What an honor to be invited to the White House by our @ potus and @drbiden yesterday to witness the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act,” Shangela wrote on Instagram.” “The weather was chill but the emotions were warm and fuzzy … and as a drag queen whose community is specifically targeted right now, this type of inclusion meant A LOT.” Following recent revelations regarding the sexual assault allegations against Shangela, the Vice President’s Office did not immediately return a request for comment from The Post. Furthermore, Shangela’s attorney Andrew Brettler did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday about the accusations of sex abuse or connections to Biden and Harris. According to Rolling Stone, Shangela, who only uses feminine pronouns while dressed in drag, has been accused of either sexually assaulting five people in the queer community, or trying to have sex with individuals after they were too intoxicated to give consent. The alleged crimes involve male and non-binary individuals between the ages of 18 and 23. The accusations date back to 2012, The Post reported. One of Shangela’s accusers was a teen at the time of the alleged encounter. He claimed the flamboyant performer tried to anally penetrate him after he had been prepped with alcohol and vomited all over a hotel bed, the Rolling Stone reported. Two additional accusers said they had blacked out and later awoke and led to believe they 80 The Blues - April ‘24 had participated in group sex with Shangela and another man. Brettler had reportedly denied the allegations against Shangela, saying he never had “nonconsensual sex of any kind with them, or anyone else.” The accusers told Rolling Stone they had been reluctant to speak out due to politics involving drag shows. Nevertheless, they felt empowered after a former HBO production assistant filed a lawsuit against Shangela for rape last year. FLORIDA PBA ENDORSES DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESI- DENT Restoring a semblance of order to the inner cities of America as well as preserving our nation’s borders and maintaining security in flyover country has rarely been more of a focal point than it has become in recent years. No institution knows public safety better than law enforcement and its officers who are sworn to “bear true faith and allegiance” to the Constitution of the United States. Cops are also keenly aware that political office holders can empower or cripple their efforts as it relates to public safety. In the past four years the institution of law enforcement has taken a historic beating as the progressive movement seeks to cripple its ability to preserve the peace. Hence, community members should take note of political endorsements made by police organizations. In Florida, the largest police union announced on Thursday which candidate for president they will support in the November general election. Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President John Kazanjian declared his organization will support former President Trump. In a letter shared with Fox News Digital, Florida PBA says Trump is the right person to handle the many crises facing the nation. “It’s no secret that over the past four years, under the current administration, America has regressed. Law enforcement officers are leaving their jobs in record numbers throughout this country, crime is rising in our major cities, and over 8 million migrants have entered this country, putting a heavy and untenable strain on the ability of local municipalities to effectively maintain public safety and provide essential services to the citizens of this country,” Kazanjian wrote. “This November, America is once again at a critical juncture. The choice we make in electing the next president of the United States will have a lasting impact on our nation for generations to come. And for us, the choice is crystal clear. On behalf of the 30,000 members of Florida’s largest law enforcement union, the Florida PBA is proud to once again endorse you for president of the United States,” he added. “Moving forward, we will ask all of our 30,000 members, their friends and family, and all Floridians, who love and respect law enforcement, to cast their ballots in support of President Donald J. Trump. Together we’ll make America great again.”

‘HE’S GOT MY GUN, I’M SHOT’: BWC SHOWS SUSPECT TAKING FLORIDA OFFICER’S GUN AND SHOOTING HIM. By Joanna Putman Police1 TALLAHASSEE, FL. — The Tallahassee Police Department has released body camera footage of a suspect shooting an officer with the officer’s service weapon. The March 8 incident began when officers ordered Willis Adams, 36, to leave a hotel, according to the video release. Video shows an officer giving Adams a card. “They already refunded you, I made sure they did that,” the officer told Adams. The officer then informed Adams that he needed to remove his belongings from the hotel room and assisted him for more than an hour, according to the release. Adams, shirtless and speaking erratically, continually insisted that “the charges were dropped” and that he would return to the hotel. The officer repeatedly warned Adams that if he returned, he would be arrested. He tells Adams to lock up the car with his possessions and leave the property. About 10 minutes later, one of the initial responding officers spotted Adams trying to enter the property on foot. He approached Adams, who informed the officer he was on the phone with 911 dispatch and dared him to deploy his TASER “for no reason,” video shows. As Adams continued to run away, the officer deployed his TASER, which did not appear to have any effect on Adams. Adams then hit the officer twice with a metal can, according to the release. The officer then used a baton in an attempt to keep Adams at a distance. Adams was able to knock the baton from the officer’s grasp. “I will hurt you,” Adams can be heard yelling at the officer. The officer and Adams then get into a physical altercation. During the struggle, Adams was able to climb on top of the officer and lock his arm around his neck, according to the release. The officer then retrieved his firearm, which Adams grabbed and attempted to wrestle away from the officer. A bystander can be seen stopping and attempting to help the officer. The officer’s firearm discharges, striking the officer in the hand, according to the release. Adams then picked up the firearm and walked away with it. “Dispatch, he’s got my gun, he’s got my gun,” the officer said. “I’m shot.” The officer was treated for the The Blues - April ‘24 81