Tucson police officers respond to an officer-involved shooting in which a 61-year-old wheelchair-bound man was shot nine times in the back and side after allegedly shoplifting a toolbox from a Lowe's home improvement store on November 29, 2021. (Photo: Tucson Police Department)
Posted in Arizona Police Killings

Man in wheelchair fatally shot in the back by Tucson police officer

‘Indefensible‘ Richard Lee Richards was shot nine times in the back and side by a Tucson officer, who has since been fired, earlier this week.   Noting that up to half of all fatal U.S. police…

Click to read full article
Since June 28, police in Minnesota have blockaded a driveway to an Indigenous camp of water protectors protesting the Line 3 pipeline. (Photo: Giniw Collective)
Posted in Environment News Pipelines

Water Protectors against Line 3 sue over police blockade of Indigenous camp

“The Hubbard County Sheriff has attempted to illegally construct a de facto open-air prison to trap Indigenous environmental protectors and allies on their own property.” by Jessica Corbett, Staff writer July 16, 2021   Water protectors…

Click to read full article
Posted in Columns Insurrection 2021 Wade Rathke

Violent overthrow of government – DÉJÀ VU

by Wade Rathke May 11, 2021 New Orleans     There are some in America who live in denial about our history, despite the fact it is riddled with violence and contemptuous of democracy. For them the…

Click to read full article
A crowd listen to speeches for racial justice in Portland, Oregon on July 23, 2020. (Photo: John Rudoff/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Posted in Health News Policing Women

Hundreds say menstrual cycles impacted after exposure to police tear gas at Oregon protests

“This isn’t a coincidence. Something’s going on,” said one person who was exposed. by Julia Conley, staff writer Thursday, April 29, 2021   Hundreds of people reported in a new study that they experienced abnormal menstrual…

Click to read full article
Posted in Black Lives Matter News Police Killings

Chauvin guilty on all counts, including murder of George Floyd

One racial justice advocate said that there are “no victories today,” for “justice would mean George Floyd is still with us.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, April 20, 2021       After deliberating for…

Click to read full article
Posted in Black Lives Matter News Policing

Outrage and disgust as charges dropped for Buffalo police officers who fractured skull of 75-year-old peaceful protester

“Despite the video evidence of the officers’ misconduct, a grand jury has dismissed the charges.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, February 12, 2021 Outrage erupted after all charges against Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe—the police…

Click to read full article
Posted in Analysis

The government Donald Trump left behind

Trump ultimately fell short on many of his signature promises, but his administration’s successes in cutting taxes, rolling back regulations and reshaping the judiciary will cast a long shadow. by Chris Morran Saturday, January 30, 2021…

Click to read full article
Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker/ProPublica. Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Posted in Analysis Right Wing Militias

Inside the secret chat where far-right extremists devised their post-Capitol plans

“This Is War” Chats from a private Telegram group obtained by ProPublica show how a suspect tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection tried to organize a self-styled militia. The hidden proliferation of such groups worries experts….

Click to read full article
Posted in Black Lives Matter News White Privilege

Bond modification sought after alleged Kenosha killer Kyle Rittenhouse drinks beer, flashes white power signs with so-called ‘Proud Boys’

“The defendant’s continued association with members of a group that prides itself on violence, and the use of their symbols, raises the significant possibility of future harm.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Thursday, January 14, 2021…

Click to read full article
Posted in Analysis Democracy Investigations Pro Publica Right Wing Militias

Members of several well-known hate groups identified at Capitol riot

A ProPublica-FRONTLINE review of the insurrection found several noted hardcore nativists and white nationalists who also participated in the 2017 white power rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. by A.C. Thompson and Ford Fischer Saturday, Jan. 9, 10:15…

Click to read full article

Tell us how pro-Trump riots are affecting you

How have you and your local community been impacted by pro-Trump extremists? A pro-Trump mob of armed extremists breached the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, as similar scenes played out across the West….

Click to read full article
Posted in Analysis Pro Publica Right Wing Militias

Domestic Terrorism: A more urgent threat, but weaker laws

Authorities dissuaded some extremists from traveling to Washington, and shared intelligence with Capitol Police, but could not stop the mob that stormed the Capitol, a senior FBI official says. by Sebastian Rotella  In the days leading…

Click to read full article
Posted in Journalism News Policing Right Wing Militias

‘Murder the media’: pro-Trump insurrectionists target journalists covering attack on US Capitol

The takeover followed an inflammatory speech in which the president, yet again, called the press “the enemy of the people.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, January 7, 2021 In the hours after President Donald Trump…

Click to read full article
Posted in Coronavirus News Race for the White House 2020

Nearly 4,000 Americans died from Covid-19 on Wednesday as Trump incited anti-democratic insurrection

“Trump completely abdicating all responsibility for federal Covid response is not even on the radar today.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Thursday, January 7, 2021 Public Citizen president Robert Weissman called Wednesday a “dark, dark day…

Click to read full article
Posted in Columns Wade Rathke

Trump riot rocks right and rest of us

by Wade Rathke Thursday, January 7, 2021   New Orleans   Insurrection, riot, mob, anarchists, terrorists, as the Senate chaplain reminded, words have meaning, and those were words hurled like rocks from Senators and Representatives. For…

Click to read full article
Posted in Democracy News Right Wing Militias

Nearly 100 lawmakers demand Pence invoke 25th Amendment

“Once removed, Trump should be criminally prosecuted,” said Robert Weissman of Public Citizen. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, January, 2021 Nearly 100 Democratic lawmakers are calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet members to…

Click to read full article
Posted in Analysis Right Wing Militias

Once you engage in political violence, it becomes easier to do it again

an expert on political violence reflects on events at the Capitol Naomi Schalit, The Conversation Protesters forcing their way into the Capitol.  Win McNamee/Getty Images News via Getty Images Editor’s note: Ore Koren is a scholar…

Click to read full article
Posted in Analysis Pro Publica Right Wing Militias

Capitol rioters planned for weeks in plain sight. The police weren’t ready.

Insurrectionists made no effort to hide their intentions, but law enforcement protecting Congress was caught flat-footed. by Logan Jaffe, Lydia DePillis, Isaac Arnsdorf and J. David McSwane The invasion of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday was…

Click to read full article
Posted in Black Lives Matter News Policing Right Wing Militias

Probe demanded after footage shows Capitol Police standing aside for pro-Trump mob

“The images of police officers calmly allowing barricades open, letting the crowd enter, and taking selfies inside the building with those who have stormed it cannot go without investigation and penalty.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer…

Click to read full article
Posted in Black Lives Matter Justice News

‘Justice was not served’: No charges against Kenosha cop who shot and paralyzed Jacob Blake

“We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but the community that protested and demanded justice,” said his attorneys. by Jessica Corbett, staff writer January 5, 2021 A Wisconsin district attorney announced Tuesday…

Click to read full article
Posted in Analysis Black Lives Matter Policing Reveal

‘Go after the troublemakers’

Inside the federal government’s unprecedented campaign to prosecute Black Lives Matter protesters. by Anjali Kamat / REVEAL November 1, 2020 This story was originally published by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit news…

Click to read full article
Posted in Analysis Investigative Reporting Workshop News Policing

Police stockpile ‘less-lethal’ munitions

Caught off guard, agencies place emergency orders for riot gear By Chris Halsne and Sasha Fernandez / IRW Friday, October 16 A special report with WUSA9 After two nights of chaotic protests near the White House…

Click to read full article
Posted in Columns Policing Wade Rathke

Scary police crowd control tactics

by Wade Rathke October 13, 2020 New Orleans   My ears perked up as I was listening to a radio broadcaster in Austin relate a story about a novel and dangerous police crowd control tactic used…

Click to read full article
Posted in Border Wall First Nations First Peoples News News

Native American man shot protesting Trump border wall, others tear gassed, arrested by US agents on Indigenous Peoples’ Day

“It’s obscene and offensive to us that local and state governments move to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day while the federal government blows up our sacred sites, steals our kids, militarily occupies our communities, and shoots at…

Click to read full article