Black Lives Matter, Color of Change and dozens of groups affiliated with the racial and criminal justice movement were able to raise over $500,000 to bail black mothers out of jail in time to celebrate Mother’s Day with their families this past weekend.
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case of North Carolina Voting Laws
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear North Carolina’s appeal to reinstate their restrictive 2013 voting laws that had previously been struck down by a federal appeals court.
Three Texas Voting Laws Ruled Racially Discriminatory
In 2013, the Supreme Court overturned the provision requiring specific states to seek federal approval, freeing Texas to pass whatever election laws it pleased. Voting rights activists have stated that if that provision of the Voting Rights Act was still in place, Texas taxpayers would have been spared the significant legal costs incurred defending these unconstitutional laws.
Police Reform for Baltimore Despite Sessions’ Attempts to Block
Last week a federal judge in Baltimore finalized a reform agreement, known as a consent decree, between the local police department and the Department of Justice (DOJ) despite condemnation and disapproval by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Calls for Federal Investigation Over Missing DC Girls
The Congressional Black Caucus penned a letter last week to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey asking for an investigation into the seemingly increasing number of children of color, particularly girls, who have gone missing this year in Washington D.C.
Justice Department Withdraws Objection to Texas’ Voter ID Law
On Monday, the Justice Department withdrew its Obama era objection to Texas’ draconian voter ID law, claiming that the Department, now under President Trump and Attorney General Sessions, no longer believes the law was passed with discriminatory intent.
Thousands of North Carolina Voters Removed from Registration Rolls
Voting rights protectors including the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP filed a lawsuit this week in federal court alleging that three North Carolina counties—Moore, Beaufort and Cumberland—illegally purged thousands of voters from the registration rolls, a disproportionate number of whom are African American.
Texas Placed Under Federal Supervision, Tries to Reinstate Draconian Voter ID Law
On Friday, Texas’ Attorney General filed a petition requesting that the United States Supreme Court reinstate the state’s draconian voter ID law, SB 14, following the remarkable move by a US District judge to put Texas under court supervision.
North Carolina Will Restrict Body Camera Videos Beginning October 1
A North Carolina law that limits public access to footage from police body cameras goes into effect on October 1st.
Supreme Court Will Not Revive North Carolina Voter Restriction Laws
Yesterday the Supreme Court deadlocked over North Carolina’s appeal to revive parts of the state’s 2013 voting laws that were recently struck down by a federal appeals court.
Celebrating the Legacy of Thurgood Marshall
Today marks the 49th anniversary of Thurgood Marshall’s 1967 confirmation as the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
Department of Justice Report Finds Baltimore Police Department Saturated with Civil Rights Violations
The Justice Department has issued a scathing 163-page report finding that the policies and practices of the Baltimore Police Department systematically violate the civil rights of black residents.
Obama Shortens Sentence of 214 Federal Inmates
President Obama shortened the sentences of 214 federal inmates last week, the largest number of commutations granted on a single day in more than a hundred years.
We Must #SayHerName: Korryn Gaines
Korryn Gaines, a 23-year-old African American woman, was shot and killed in her home by Baltimore County police officers on Monday afternoon.
Texas Voter ID Law Ruled Racially Discriminatory by Court of Appeals
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that Texas’ law requiring individuals to show a limited selection of government issued photo identification when they go to vote is racially discriminatory. Wednesday’s ruling marks a momentous victory in an already three-year-long court battle to challenge the strictest voter ID law in the […]
Protests Erupt Following Police Killings of Young Black Men
This week Philando Castile and Alton Sterling were the two most recent victims to die at the hands of police officers, bringing the number of black people killed by police so far in 2016 to at least 136 individuals.
Report Finds 3 of the Largest School Districts Hire More Security Officers than School Counselors
A new report finds that three of the five largest school districts in the country have more security officers on payroll than school counselors. In each of these districts, students of color make up the majority of the student body.
Congresswomen Launch First Ever Caucus on Black Women & Girls
Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) launched the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls yesterday, the first caucus to focus specifically on ways to combat discrimination and reduce disparities faced by Black women.
Holtzclaw Sentenced to 263 Years for Rape and Sexual Assault of Black Women
Former Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw has been sentenced to 263 years in prison today for the rape and sexual assault of 13 Black women in 2013 and 2014.
Grand Jury Decides Not To Indict Anyone For Sandra Bland’s Death
A grand jury decided on Monday not to indict anyone in connection with Sandra Bland’s death in a Texas county jail last summer. The grand jury will reconvene next month to “take up remaining issues,” including whether or not state trooper Brian Encinia – the officer who arrested Bland – should face criminal charges.
