Racial Justice

" Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin who was previously convicted of murdering George Floyd pleaded not guilty on Thursday to violating a Black teen's civil rights in 2017. "

"On a windy Thursday morning in mid-February the Rev. Michelle Thomas walked up a winding gravel path surrounded by dirt broken tree branches and mostly brown grass."

"Calling it a "moral mandate" Washington Gov. Jay Inslee a Democrat signed a dozen bills into law on Tuesday that backers hope will improve policing in the state reduce the use of deadly force and ensure that when deadly encounters do occur the investigations are thorough and independent."

"The Monell Rule is the most important racial justice issue you've never heard of."

"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."

"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."

"A group of New York City students filed a sweeping lawsuit on Tuesday that accuses the United States’ largest public school system of perpetuating racism via a flawed admissions process for selective programs that favors white students."

"The Tucson City Council voted Tuesday to make it illegal to enforce dress code or grooming policies that discriminate against a person’s natural hairstyle."

"The bill is part of a national campaign that began after high-profile incidents of Black students being forced to cut or change their hair."

"The Louisville Kentucky metro council unanimously voted to pass an ordinance called "Breonna's Law" on Thursday banning no-knock search warrants in wake of Breonna Taylor's death."

"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."

"Bill would dismantle police officer immunity against lawsuits."

"Dozens of protesters sued Chicago's police chief and several officers on Thursday in federal court accusing them of brutal attacks and false arrests during social justice demonstrations this summer."

"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."

"New York legislators passed a package of bills providing for comprehensive police reform and Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he intends to sign them all quickly."

"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."

"Arizona recdisently expanded provisions of the Arizona Civil Rights Act (ACRA) to cover pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions. Additionally following a national trend in response to perceived state and federal inaction cities in Arizona on their own passed new ordinances that expands protected categories and coverage."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 1480 into law on March 23 2021. Effective immediately the law significantly amends the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) Illinois Equal Pay Act (IEPA) and the Illinois Business Corporation Act. The amendments affect employers' ability to use criminal conviction records in employment decisions and imposes new reporting requirements regarding pay equity."

"Illinois could soon become the first state to bar police from lying to minors during interrogations a tactic advocates say significantly increases the risk of false confessions."

"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."

"The Florida Senate gave final approval Thursday to law enforcement reform legislation born in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer nearly one year ago."

" grand jury in Texas on Tuesday cleared eight former officers of any criminal wrongdoing in the death of a 26-year-old Black man in custody."

"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."

"Oregon is the second state to pass a bill banning police from using deceptive interrogation tactics following Illinois."

"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."