Tag: Police brutality

by Wade Rathke New Orleans   Bjorn Skogquist was a former mayor of one of the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs some fifteen miles away, when he was a young man. He did a couple of terms and went…

Sending in the feds to quell unrest often increases conflict on the ground, as it did this summer in Portland, Ore. Nathan Howard/Getty Images by  Angélica Durán-Martínez, University of Massachusetts Lowell August 31 The U.S. Justice…

‘Photo-Op for white nationalist president isn’t helpful,’ says Wisconsin Dem In a letter to Trump on Sunday, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers warned the president’s visit “will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward…

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has consistently called for peaceful protests and condemned violence, but still faces accusations that he’s allowed Trump to claim the “law and order” mantle. by Julia Conley, staff writer Sunday, August…

When traveling from out of state with an AR-15 is not treated as a crime, but “filling up gas cans for your food truck” leads to immediate arrest. by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, August 28…

The study comes amid unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, following the latest high-profile police shooting of a Black man and the shooting deaths of two protesters by an alleged far-right militia member. by Julia Conley, staff writer…

The actions of the city’s top law enforcement officials, said the group, “uphold and defend white supremacy, while demonizing people who were murdered for exercising their first amendment rights and speaking out against police violence.” by…

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes warns that the danger posed by white militias has been ignored for far too long. by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Wednesday, August, 26 Two people were killed and one injured overnight…

Marches and demonstrations have been held nationwide demanding justice for the 29-year-old father of six, who is Black. by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Tuesday, August 25 Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man whom police shot in…

Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old father of six was shot multiple times in the back at point-blank range by a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer as three of his children watched from the back seat of his car….

“Those who violate the constitutional rights of our citizens must be held accountable. When that day comes we will be one step closer to that more perfect Union.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Friday, August 7…

by Wade Rathke New Orleans   We would all love to simply believe that the police are there, and have always been there, as the slogan goes, “to serve and protect.” Jill Lepore, the noted Harvard historian…

‘The World Is Watching’ The use of force detailed in the report “is ultimately a symptom of the very issue that started these protests: unaccountable police violence.” by Julia Conley, staff writer In a report titled…

Thousands of migrant children — including babies — have been expelled by the Trump administration since March. Some have been held in hotels without access to lawyers or family. Advocates say many are now “virtually impossible”…

Police departments are over-militarized at the local level, too. Here’s one way to change that. By Robert P. Alvarez July 30, 2020 The smell of tear gas is hard to describe, but it’s horrifying. It pinched…

“The federal occupation of our community has brought a new kind of fear to our streets.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Wednesday, July 29   An immediate withdrawal of federal forces in Portland, Oregon appeared unlikely…

“This is an urgent matter for American democracy and for the safety of Americans peacefully protesting in their communities.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Wednesday, July 29 Specifically citing President Donald Trump’s refusal to commit to…

“Our civil liberties are on the brink,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “This is not a drill. There is no excuse for snatching women off the street and throwing them into unmarked vans.” by Jake Johnson, staff…

A dozen protesters facing federal charges are barred from going to “public gatherings” as a condition of release from jail — a tactic one expert described as “sort of hilariously unconstitutional.” by Dara Lind July 28,…

“The public needs to know whether Attorney General Barr thinks President Trump can conduct mass surveillance of protesters without congressional authorization.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Tuesday, July 28 An exchange about government spying powers between…

“Mr. Barr… I’m starting to lose my temper.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Tuesday, July 28 A fiery exchange during Tuesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing between Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Attorney General William Barr over the…

‘Unacceptable, Un-American, and Unconstitutional’ “This provocation is resulting in direct physical harm to our communities and must end.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Tuesday, July 28 Six mayors from around the country sent a letter to…

Federal officers using large amounts of tear gas against protesters in Portland, Oregon on July 21. John Rudoff/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images by  Sarah J. Adams-Schoen, University of Oregon President Donald Trump has announced that the…

“If the state of Oregon does not have standing to prevent this unconstitutional conduct by unidentified federal agents running roughshod over her citizens, who does?” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Saturday, July 25   After a…