News Articles
A Dubious Legal Doctrine Protects Cities From Lawsuits Over Police Brutality - Orion de Nevers
"On Sunday Rep. Justin Amash announced plans to introduce the Ending Qualified Immunity Act. Qualified immunity shields police officers from civil liability for violating a civilian's constitutional rights in most circumstances. Reforming it is an important step toward holding law enforcement accountable for abuse of power. But Congress must also act to address the less-well-known but equally pernicious rules governing municipal liability. It's time to hold local governments accountable for police violence."
Rep. Andy Kim on Asian hate: 'I've never felt this level of fear' - Scott Wong
"Amid a rash of violent incidents aimed at Asian Americans Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) on Tuesday spoke about the racism and xenophobia his family has personally experienced and said he has never felt this level of fear before in his life."
Race Debate Grips Congress - Mike Lillis
"The barbed debate over racial justice is exploding this week on Capitol Hill, as Democrats in both chambers are charging ahead with a host of proposals to empower minorities amid the national clash over police bias, brutality and the future of law enforcement."
Lawmakers Call for Change in Covid Rhetoric Amid Rise in Violence Against Asian Americans - Hannah Miao
"Lawmakers and experts called for shifting public rhetoric surrounding Covid-19 and foreign policy and passing hate crime legislation to address discrimination and violence against Asian Americans in a House panel Thursday."
The House Votes To Remove Confederate Statues In The U.S. Capitol - Barbara Sprunt
"The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to remove all Confederate statues from public display in the U.S. Capitol along with replacing the bust of former Chief Justice of the United States Roger Taney author of the 1857 Dred Scott decision that declared that people of African descent were not U.S. citizens."
Biden Administration Vows Economic and Justice Reforms for Black Americans - Andrea Shalal and Jan Wolfe
"President Joe Biden and two of his top cabinet members on Wednesday promised U.S. economic and criminal justice reforms that would benefit Black communities at a conference organized by longtime activist Al Sharpton."
Connecticut Lawmakers Passed a Comprehensive Police Accountability Bill. Here's 9 Ways it Will Change Policing in the State. - Russell Blair and Christopher Keating
"The state Senate early Wednesday voted to approve a comprehensive police accountability bill that was drafted in the wake of protests spurred by the police killings of Black Americans including George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville."
Hair-Based Discrimination is Now Illegal in 12 States - Toni Gonzales
"The Crown Act a bill that makes hair-based discrimination illegal is now officially law in a dozen states. Nevada is reportedly the latest state to pass the bill. The legislation was fueled by the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Day) Coalition."
City Council to Probe Handling of Breonna Taylor Shooting - Associated Press
"Louisville's city government has announced plans to review the handling by the mayor's administration of the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor. The Louisville Metro Council's government oversight committee which has subpoena powers announced its intentions Monday news outlets reported. The council's next meeting is scheduled for July 23."
Proposal to Disband Minneapolis Police Blocked from Ballot - Amy Forliti
"A Minneapolis commission decided Wednesday to take more time to review a City Council amendment to dismantle the Police Department in the wake of George Floyd's death ending the possibility of voters deciding the issue in November."
Seattle City Council Votes to Override Mayor's Veto of Cuts to Police Budget - My Northwest Staff
"City council voted to override Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan's recent veto of cuts to the police department's remaining 2020 budget by a 7-2 vote with the mayor issuing a statement after the fact indicating she might not adhere to all of the provisos laid out in the council's proposal."
Illinois Lawmakers Pass 'Transformational' Criminal Justice Legislation In 11th Hour Of Lame Duck Session - Patrick Smith
"Illinois lawmakers on Wednesday used the final hours of the general assembly's lame duck session to pass a sweeping and controversial criminal justice reform bill that would eliminate cash bail make it easier to ban officers from working at police departments across the state and allow for anonymous complaints against cops."
Democrats Block 'Empty' Republican Police Reform Bill - Joan E Greve
"Congress was at a standstill on police reform on Wednesday after Senate Democrats successfully blocked a Republican bill criticized as a toothless response to police brutality.
The vote was 55-45 failing to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to advance. Two Democrats the Alabama senator Doug Jones and the West Virginia senator Joe Manchin along with Angus King of Maine an independent who caucuses with Democrats voted with Republicans to open the debate."
Colorado Passes Sweeping Police Reform Bill - Li Cohen
"Colorado passed a sweeping police reform bill on Friday that among other reforms bans chokeholds and makes officers personally liable if they are found guilty of violating a person's civil rights. Colorado is one of the first states that will allow police officers to be financially liable for civil misconduct suits according to the state's ACLU. "
Colorado Grand Jury to Probe Elijah Mcclain's Fatal Police Encounter - Keith Coffman
"Colorado's attorney general on Friday convened a grand jury probe into the death of Elijah McClain a young unarmed Black man placed in a chokehold and injected with the powerful sedative ketamine while under arrest."
Mississippi Governor Signs Law Removing Confederate Design From State Flag - Debbie Elliott
"After more than 120 years of flying over the state of Mississippi the Confederate battle flag is no longer a part of the state's official flag.
On Tuesday Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law a bill fast-tracked by the Mississippi Legislature over the weekend that calls for a new design. In a somber ceremony Reeves said he was signing the law to turn a page in Mississippi."
North Carolina City Bans Protests Protecting Confederate Monument A - Aida Chavez
"A North Carolina city is using a restrictive ordinance to outlaw protest threatening to arrest anyone who even attempts to peacefully protest without a permit as part of an effort to protect a Confederate monument that sits outside its courthouse."
Legislation to Eliminate 'Qualified Immunity' Gets Reworked - Rachel Knapp
"A bill that would allow people to sue government officials including police if they violate their rights is going through some major changes. The bill better known as the 'Civil Rights Act' would get rid of qualified immunity and allow people to file their cases in state court instead of federal court."
Four States Have Placed Legal Limits on How Teachers Can Discuss Race. More May Follow - Sarah Schwartz
"Four states have now passed legislation that would limit how teachers can discuss racism sexism and other controversial issues. It's Republican lawmakers latest effort to rein in the approach to subjects they claim are divisive and inappropriate."
Guv [sic] Signs Bills That Protect Against Discrimination for Hair and Hairstyles - Susan Dunlap
"Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed two companion bills into law on Monday that will protect against discrimination for natural hair hairstyles or cultural or religious headdress in schools and workplaces."
Florida's New 'Anti-Mob' Law Infringes on the 1st and 14th Amendments Lawsuit States - Jim Saunders
"Arguing that a new law is intended to 'suppress the viewpoints of Black-led organizations and their allies' a coalition of groups Tuesday challenged the constitutionality of changes championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to crack down on violent protests."
California's Asian American Lawmakers Address the Importance of Representation in Government - Amanda Del Castillo
"Many admit the recent confirmation of California's new Attorney General Rob Bonta proves there is a place for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation across all levels of government."
Voters Could Approve Plan to Take Racist Language from Alabama Constitution - Mike Cason
"Alabama voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to start an effort to take outdated racist language out of the state constitution such as the requirement for segregated schools and revise the massive document into a more understandable form."