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M. Paul Redd, a longtime civil rights activist who wore his heart on his sleeve as well as on the pages of his newspaper, died Jan. 9 at Greenwich Hospital. He was 80.
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Redd, a resident of Rye, was publisher and president of the Westchester County Press in White Plains. He bought the newspaper in 1986 and continued the editorial coverage of politics, civil rights, education, religion, weddings and the professional accomplishments of African-Americans as set out by the previous owners, the Rev. Dr. Alger Adams and his wife, Jessie. The County Press became Westchester”™s first African-American newspaper after the Adamses bought it in 1950. Redd began as a writer with the newspaper in 1961.
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In Nov. 2003, the newspaper and its publisher were feted at a luncheon marking the paper”™s 75th anniversary. “We’re going to try to continue to bring out the good news, the positive news and still keep our tradition of not reporting crime,” he told a reporter for this newspaper.
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Redd became active in the Democratic Party in the early 1960s and was a Rye City Democratic County Committeeman for 46 years. A vice chair of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, he was one of its longest serving members. He was also a founding member of the Black Democrats of Westchester.
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Redd was a passionate voice for ”“ and sometimes against ”“ his party. In the paper”™s 75th anniversary issue, Redd took Democrats to task for continuing to take blacks for granted.
“My father was a champion of social justice and human rights who selflessly wore the mantel of leadership in speaking truth to power,” his daughter, Paula Redd Zeman said in a statement. “In the election of state Sen. Malcolm Smith as speaker, the State of the State address of Gov. David Paterson and the historic election of President Barack Obama, we now wear that mantel he has passed to us to continue his legacy ”“ a legacy of justice and equality for all.”
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Alfred B. DelBello, former Westchester County executive and New York state lieutenant governor and a political colleague of Redd recalled, “Paul was a champion against inequity and injustice and constantly reminded those of us in public office to heighten our sensitivity to the inequality in our society. Just last November when I was with him, he made clear to me that the recent presidential election was the culmination of all his dreams. He was clearly very happy, as we all are.”
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Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton I. Young Jr. declared Jan. 9 a day of remembrance in the city to pay homage to Redd.
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“Westchester has lost a giant who literally changed the consciousness of our county,” Young said. “M. Paul Redd was a true hero and inspired many of us to pursue a career in public service. Throughout his life, Paul was a forthright opponent of racism and bigotry. He embodied strength and wisdom during his tenure as President of the Black Democrats of Westchester.
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In addition to his daughter, Redd is survived by his wife, Orial, and son, M. Paul Redd Jr.
