police brutality
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The Democratic National Convention Didn’t Talk About a Black Agenda, so We Did
On Wednesday, as Philadelphia’s center was overrun by throngs of Democratic conventiongoers, The Root and legendary Philadelphia radio station WURD 900 AM collaborated blocks away on Broad Street to discuss what the black agenda might be—especially after what is shaping up to be the most contentious presidential election in nearly 50 years. In the war…
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Freddie Gray Didn't Kill Himself, but Cop Obstruction Made It Hard to Prove: Prosecutor
In a controversial move, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby dropped charges against Police Officer Garrett Miller, Police Sgt. Alicia White and Police Officer William Porter, the three remaining Baltimore officers accused in the arrest and death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. The timing of the dismissals was surprising to medical professionals, lawyers and laymen alike who had theorized that Miller,…
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Freddie Gray's Black Life Just Did Not Matter Enough
Perhaps, if you’re inclined to do so, you could argue that it’s Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s fault that none of the officers accused in the death of Freddie Gray will face jail time. You could say that Mosby was recklessly ambitious in “over-charging” the officers; an act that virtually ensured none would stick. And even…
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Dallas Police Department Job Applications Almost Quadruple
The number of applications for employment at the Dallas Police Department has almost quadrupled since Police Chief David Brown told protesters, “We’re hiring” at a news conference shorty after the ambush that left five officers dead, according to the Washington Post. As reported by the Post, from July 8 to July 20, the Dallas Police Department received…
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Michael Jordan: A Day Late and a Million Dollars Short
On Monday, Michael Jordan decided to break his Clarence Thomas-like silence on race relations in this country to denounce the killings of unarmed black men, women and children at the hands of police. In a piece for The Undefeated, Jordan also condemned the killings of cops and donated $1 million each to the NAACP Legal…
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Michael Jordan Speaks Out on Police Brutality, Targeting of Cops
Basketball legend Michael Jordan is speaking out on the shootings of black Americans, as well as the recent attacks on officers, issuing a statement today through The Undefeated in which he declares that he “can no longer stay silent”: As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of…
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#FreedomNow: Why We Must Disinvest From the Fraternal Order of Police
Last week, young black organizers across the country took to the streets to demand that the U.S. government, unions and police officers divest from the Fraternal Order of Police and declare #FreedomNow. We know that police unions can overwhelmingly further a culture of toxic policing that protects, pays and exonerates killer cops. What we may…
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#PokémonGoWhileBlack: Police Point Guns at Iowa Football Player They Say Fit Description of Bank Robber
A University of Iowa defensive end took to Facebook Wednesday to describe a frightful encounter with police while outside playing Pokémon Go in an Iowa City, Iowa, park last week, the Washington Post reports. “Today was the first time I’ve truly feared my life and I have the media to thank for that,” Faith Ekakitie, a…
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North Miami Police Officer Who Shot Therapist Identified; Sister of Autistic Man Gives Heartbreaking Statement
Up until Thursday, the city of North Miami and its Police Department were not identifying the officer in the horrific Charles Kinsey police shooting case other than saying that the officer is a 30-year-old Hispanic male. During a Friday press conference, the city released the cop’s name. The mayor of North Miami, Smith Joseph, as…
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How To Prove Your Own Murder (#HTPYOM)
Yesterday morning, I found myself searching for answers on the 6 train. I did everything I was supposed to do but, sometimes that falls short. Talk to God. Be objective. Consider all sides. Listen to the elders. But nothing makes sense anymore. Nothing. So how do you make the case for your own murder when…