Law Enforcement
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Independent Autopsy Rules George Floyd’s Death a Homicide
An independent autopsy ordered by the family of George Floyd finds the 46-year-old man was killed by “homicide caused by asphyxia due to neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain.” The early findings from the exam were released Monday afternoon by Floyd family attorney Ben Crump. Dr.…
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‘The Use of Force is Never Acceptable’: 2 Atlanta Cops Fired After Tasing HBCU Students During Protest
At a time when volatile and emotional protests are popping up all over the country behind a black man dying due to what is widely seen as excessive use of police force, you would think that cops at these protests would exercise caution regarding their own uses of force on black demonstrators. Yet, several documented…
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Here's What Happened During the Week Following George Floyd's Death
The month of May has been taxing. It began with growing awareness about the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and ended with a video of a police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, killing him. The week following Floyd’s death has been tumultuous, with tensions rising and police violently trying to…
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![Man Dies After Being Shot at by Louisville Police and National Guard Following 4th Night of Protests [Updated]](https://www.theroot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/jkjdc9vuhukgavzelphm-300x200.jpg)
Man Dies After Being Shot at by Louisville Police and National Guard Following 4th Night of Protests [Updated]
A man was killed after being shot at by Louisville Metro Police and the National Guard on Monday morning, capping off a violent weekend in which police across the country escalated demonstrations protesting police brutality by employing aggressive tactics against protesters. On Monday afternoon, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer identified the man who died as David…
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In a Rare Show of Solidarity, Competing Hollywood Heavyweights Join Forces in Support of Black Lives
In the outcries following the now-countless incidents of police violence upon black America, what is often most deafening is the silence—from non-black friends, influencers, politicians and, perhaps most importantly, from those who have the kind of massive platforms that actually reach into American homes and sway public opinion. The viral video of the murder of…
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'It Haunts Me': Rihanna and Beyoncé Issue Emotional Statements on Police Brutality and the Murder of George Floyd
Much of America is still in mourning and rage over the murder of George Floyd, and if you feel personally devastated, you are far from alone. Captured on video for the world to see police brutality in action, Floyd’s death under the knee of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been a visceral reminder…
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Police Prove Point of Protests by Instigating Violence Across the Country
The blaze of protests that spread across the country this weekend in response to the police killing of George Floyd and countless others throughout American history is being responded to by policing so brutal even Alanis Morissette could clock the irony. Videos posted on social media by demonstrators, journalists, and even people sitting on their…
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Killing of Trans Black Man Tony McDade Marks 3rd Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Tallahassee in Less Than 2 Months
As protests erupted around the country Thursday night in response to multiple, widespread, and longstanding allegations of police brutality, community activists in Tallahassee, Fla., have tried to press for more accountability from police officers after three officer-involved killings in just over two months. On Wednesday night, community activists protested the recent killings, demanding more transparency…
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911 Call of Breonna Taylor's Shooting Death Released as Protests and Shootings Occur in Louisville, Ky.
Thursday night, protests against police violence took place nationwide. Louisville, Ky., was the site of one such protest as people gathered in honor of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old EMT who was shot and killed after police entered her home. New information about the case was released during the evening shortly before the protests transpired. The…
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In a Divided Nation, a Call to Finally Protect Black Lives Reaches a Fever Pitch
Across America on Thursday night, thousands of people marched to their state capitols, their public squares, their police precincts. Across America, they shouted “I can’t breathe”—a dying plea turned rallying cry. Police took arms against demonstrators—dressing in riot gear, shooting at the citizens who employ them with rubber bullets, or spraying tear gas to “disperse”…