social justice
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ACLU Makes the Case for Giving Formerly Incarcerated a Fair Chance at Employment
One in 3 American adults—70 million in total—have a criminal record, making it difficult for them to re-enter their communities, find gainful employment, build stability and find success after incarceration. A report from the American Civil Liberties Union highlights the benefit to all that comes when companies give such individuals a second chance. “Back to…
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#Flint: Judge Rules Residents Can Continue Their Lawsuit Against City, State Officials
Late Monday, a federal judge in Ann Arbor, Mich., ruled that residents may continue with their lawsuit against the city of Flint and top state water officials in Michigan over allegations that they violated the residents’ “bodily integrity” by exposing them to lead-contaminated water and failing to disclose the contamination right away. U.S. District Judge…
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Sybrina Fulton, Mother of Trayvon Martin, Says Not Enough Is Being Done to Save the Lives of Black Children, Considers Running for Office
Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, who became an advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement after her son was senselessly slaughtered by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman five years ago in Sanford, Fla., says that not enough is being done to save the lives of black children who continue to die in shootings. Local…
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Folsom Prison Hunger Strike Continues, Rally This Weekend in Support
The hunger strike at Folsom State Prison continues to go strong, with supporters planning a rally to take place this Sunday, June 4, in front of the notorious prison, located 20 miles outside of Sacramento, Calif. Folsom, also known as “Old Folsom,” is the second-oldest state prison in California, behind San Quentin. People incarcerated in…
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Lezley McSpadden, Mike Brown’s Mother, Graduates From High School Same Day as Her Daughter
Lezley McSpadden, 37, mother of Michael Brown Jr. and the Ferguson movement, graduated from high school on May 26, 21 years after she left school during her junior year to care for her son. McSpadden earned her diploma through the Jennings School District’s new adult high school program, STLToday.com reports: The program started after McSpadden…
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City of Oakland, Calif., to Pay Nearly $1,000,000 to Teen in Police Exploitation and Sexual Abuse Scandal
The city of Oakland, Calif., will pay a teen $989,000 to settle her claim against the city after more than a dozen police officers exploited and sexually abused her while she was still underage. The 19-year-old, who asked the Los Angeles Times to identify her only as Jasmine, made her accusations last year, causing a…
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Dontre Hamilton: Milwaukee Council Approves $2,300,000 Settlement for Son of Mentally Ill Man Killed by Cop
The Milwaukee Common Council has approved a $2.3 million settlement for the young son of Dontre Hamilton, the 31-year-old black man who, on April 30, 2014, had been sleeping on a park bench when, after a brief encounter, then-Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher E. Manney shot him 14 times, claiming self-defense. Red Arrow Park, where Hamilton…
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Inglewood, Calif., Cops Who Killed Sleeping Couple in Parked Car Are Off the Force
A group of Inglewood, Calif., police officers who fatally shot a young couple while they sat in a parked car are no longer on the force. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts made the announcement Tuesday but did not specify whether the officers were fired or allowed to resign without being held accountable for their actions,…
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White Calif. Man Charged With Hate Crime After Stabbing Black Man With Machete: Report
Anthony Hammond, 34, was arrested Saturday night in Clearlake, Calif., after yelling racist slurs at a black man while stabbing him with a machete, authorities say. According to Lake County News, Hammond was arrested on an array of charges, including aggravated mayhem, battery with serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, felony resisting executive…
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#DariusSmith: 15-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot by Customs Agent; Family Demands Answers
The family of Darius Smith, a 15-year-old boy who was fatally shot by an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent Friday night in Arcadia, Calif., is disputing the official narrative and demanding justice. According to the agent, Darius and two 14-year-old boys tried to rob him at gunpoint after they all exited a train…
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