Category: Black Lives Matter
US Military confirms bayonets were issued to troops responding to George Floyd protests
“It is insane to issue bayonets to soldiers for crowd control.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, July 3 “Are they supposed to stab protesters?” That was Rep. Ted Lieu’s (D-Calif.) response Thursday to a letter…
As Arizona coronavirus cases surge from early reopening, Indigenous nations suffer not only more COVID-19 but also wrongly from blame
At the Navajo Nation town of Fort Defiance, Arizona, staff pack food boxes. The Navajo Nation now has the highest per capita COVID-19 infection rate in the U.S. (Getty Images/Mark Ralston) by Lisa Hardy, Northern Arizona…
Reparations qualifications and confusion
by Wade Rathke New Orleans As a Nikole Hannah-Jones fan, I followed her arguments carefully and approvingly in a recent piece in the New York Times as she demolished one quick fix after another that…
Dismantling the false paths to equity
by Wade Rathke New Orleans I’ll never forget the surprise on a colleague’s face who was working to build a nonprofit community development organization in the Mississippi delta several years ago when we first met….
Signs of Caution and Hope from Conservative Critics
by Wade Rathke New Orleans Watchwords for all of us in this work have always included “know your enemy” and “keep them close.” It is impossible to keep up in these days and times with…
Graphic video from April police killing of Carlos Ingram Lopez in Tucson draws outrage
“Carlos Ingram Lopez should still be alive today.” Huge demonstrations into the night in Tuscon on Wednesday by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Thursday, June 25 Video of the police killing of Tucson, Arizona resident Carlos Ingram…
Reparations vs. Greenwashing
by Wade Rathke New Orleans A common occurrence on the road to freedom from the “peculiar institution” of slavery, as some termed it, was yet another promise broken. General Sherman’s promise of “40 acres and…
ACLU demands lawmakers act after Michigan man wrongfully arrested ‘Because face recognition can’t tell black people apart’
“It’s past time for lawmakers to prevent the continued use of this technology. What happened to the Williams family should never happen again.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Wednesday, June 24 The ACLU on Wednesday urged…
Poll shows overwhelming US support for police reform, increased accountability.
86% say require police to behave or send them to jail. Among other major changes, large majorities of the American public want clear standards for police misconduct and prosecution of officers guilty of excessive force. by…
IG to investigate violent police clearing of Lafayette Square
“The White House narrative is contradicted by video evidence, eyewitness accounts, and even its own past statements. Frankly, it has no credibility at this point.” — Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) by Andrea Germanos, staff writer…
Secret Service forces press to leave the White House as police use pepper spray and batons to beat back protesters
“The move to force members of the media off White House grounds is highly unusual,” CNN reported after two of its journalists were removed. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, June 23 Without initially offering an…
New Amnesty International map documents ‘shocking extent’ of US police violence against black lives matter protesters
Denying people’s constitutional rights “with physical violence, tear gas, and pepper spray is a hallmark of repression,” said one Amnesty researcher. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, June 23 An extensive new report released Tuesday…
A NM hospital was accused of racially profiling Native American women. Staff said administrators impeding an investigation
Federal regulators are investigating a New Mexico hospital accused of racial profiling. This comes as hospital staff said administrators appeared to hide documents and discouraged cooperation with an initial state inquiry. by Bryant Furlow, New Mexico…
Trump threatens violent police crackdown against ‘any protesters’ who gather to denounce him in Tulsa
“The president expresses his intention to violate the Constitution by denying Americans’ First Amendment right to peacefully assemble.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 19, 2020 President Donald Trump tweeted Friday that “any protesters, anarchists,…
From grandfather to grandson, the lessons of the Tulsa race massacre
“More than 1,000 businesses and homes were burned to the ground, scores of black families were herded into cattle pens at the fairgrounds, and one of the largest and most prosperous black communities in the United…
Longshoremen shut down West Coast ports for Juneteenth: ‘The loudest voice we have’
“A movement requires sacrifice, and that’s what we’re doing as longshoremen.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Juneteenth — Friday, June 19, 2020 Longshoremen and women across the West Coast are set to use “the loudest…
Juneteenth is having its day
It’s time that Juneteenth got its due. We need a formal holiday that is centered around our national original sin, slavery, and especially one that celebrates its abolition. by Wade Rathke Junteenth — Friday,…
Fractured skulls, lost eyes: police often break own rules using ‘rubber bullets’
Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News and Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News and Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY and Donovan Slack, USA TODAY and Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY June 19, 2020 Warning: Graphic images and video below. Megan…
‘Just Make It Home’: The unwritten rules Blacks learn to navigate Racism in America
Cara Anthony June 18, 2020 ST. LOUIS — Speak in short sentences. Be clear. Direct but not rude. Stay calm, even if you’re shaking inside. Never put your hands in your pockets. Make sure people can…
Facebook removes Trump ads using Nazi Concentration Camp symbol used to signify political prisoners
‘Their Masks Are Off’ “Nazis used the red triangle to mark political prisoners and dissidents, and now Trump and the RNC are using it to smear millions of people protesting racist police violence.” by Eoin Higgins,…
‘Now is not the time for more studies’: Sanders rips weak GOP bill and demands end to police immunity
“Now is the time to hold racist and corrupt police officers and police departments accountable for their actions.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, June 18 Slamming the GOP’s newly unveiled policing reform bill as inadequate…
Atlanta Cop who shot Rayshard Brooks in the back charged with 11 counts—including Felony Murder
“Make no mistake, the swiftness of this investigation is the result of people marching and demanding accountability.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Wednesday, June 17, 3PM MST Fired Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe is now facing…
USA protests by the numbers
It’s not the same as front page news, but I like the fact that your action is part of the collective force for change, more than simply a picture on Facebook. by Wade Rathke New…
High-tech surveillance amplifies police bias and overreach
Police forces have a wide range of options for monitoring individuals and crowds. Nicholas Kaeser/Flickr, CC BY-NC by Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, American University Video of police in riot gear clashing with unarmed protesters in the wake…
