After three weeks of riveting and emotionally draining testimony, attorneys for the defense and prosecution came to a rest on Monday, April 19, passing the fate of Derek Chauvin — the former Minneapolis police officer accused of the slow and painful murder of George Floyd — to the trial’s jury….
Tag: Black-lives-matter
Florida Passes Controversial ‘Anti-Protest’ Bill Designed to Weaken Black Lives Matter and Other Social Justice Movements
In a play designed to make it harder for social justice advocates to gather and promote change, the Florida Senate has passed a controversial so-called “anti-riot” bill inspired by the recent increase in protests by groups such as Black Lives Matter. Dartunorro Clark of NBC News has reported that “the…
Experts Warn of Burnout Within Corporate Diversity Workforce, One Year Into New Social Justice Era
Following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless others — and the increasing importance of the Black Lives Matter Movement — the push for increased diversity and inclusion in corporate America has grown like never before. But now, one year into this new era of social justice, some…
Jury Set in Murder Trial of George Floyd; Opening Arguments to Begin Monday
A final jury has been set in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the fired Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd. Opening arguments in the trial are slated to begin on Monday, March 29. Rochelle Olson and Paul Walsh of the Minneapolis Star Tribune have reported that the 15…
US House of Representatives Again Passes George Floyd Justice in Policing Act; Bill Now Moves to Senate for Vote
On Wednesday, March 3, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act by a vote of 220-212. The vote comes nine months after Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by Minneapolis police officers last spring. Clare Foran of CNN reported that “House Democrats originally…
Legendary Stevie Wonder Says He Plans to Expatriate to Ghana to Escape U.S. Injustice
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, legendary musician Stevie Wonder said he plans to leave the U.S. for Ghana, explaining that he wanted himself and his family to live in a place where Black people didn’t have to fight for respect. “I don’t want to see my children’s, children’s children…
Black Lives Matter Movement Nominated for 2021 Nobel Peace Prize
Norwegian lawmaker Petter Eide has nominated the Black Lives Matter movement for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. Although the year may just be getting underway, following the tumultuous summer of 2020 and the continuing regrowth of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., Tim Fitzsimons from NBC News has reported…
ACLU Outlines Community Alternatives to Policing for Mental Health Crises
When Rochester, New York’s Joe Prude called 911 in March after his brother, Daniel Prude was experiencing a mental illness episode and under the influence of PCP, he never expected the encounter would end in tragedy — the death of Daniel Prude, an unarmed Black man, at the hands of…
Looking Back: BLM Co-Founder Celebrates National Coming Out Day
Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, a holiday that has been recognized for the last 32 years. The day honors the importance of LGBTQ+ people being able to live their truth and safely self-identify, as well as recognizes the value of those who consider themselves allies choosing to “come…
Rochester Mayor Fires Police Chief La’Ron Singletary in Response to the Death of Daniel Prude
On Sept. 14, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren released a preliminary report outlining the city’s response to the March police killing of Daniel Prude, an unarmed Black man, which has fueled weeks of protests since the video’s release in August 2020. Among a list of upcoming responses, Warren also announced at…