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Politics

Trial Begins for Former Milwaukee Cop Who Killed Sylville Smith

The jury trial for Dominique Heaggan-Brown, the now former Milwaukee police officer who shot and killed 23-year-old Sylville Smith, is scheduled to begin Monday. Heaggan-Brown, who, like Smith, is black, is facing a first-degree reckless homicide charge for shooting Smith following a traffic stop back in August. As Fox6Now reports, the charge carries a maximum…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

June 12, 2017
Politics

Police Chief Wears ‘Police Lives Matter’ Pin but Argues That Firefighter’s ‘Black Lives Matter’ Pin Is Political

Updated Sunday, June 11, 2017, 1:05 p.m. EDT: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Humboldt Bay Fire Chief Bill Gillespie as having worn and defended the wearing a “Police Lives Matter” pin. That has been corrected to accurately reflect that it was Eureka Police Chief Andrew Mills who both wore a “Police Lives…

By

Monique Judge

Published

June 11, 2017
Politics

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…

By

Monique Judge

Published

June 9, 2017
Politics

#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…

By

Monique Judge

Published

June 7, 2017
Politics

Diamond Reynolds, Girlfriend of Philando Castile, Testifies That Fear for Her Own Life Prompted Her to Facebook Live Aftermath of Shooting

The girlfriend of Philando Castile, the black motorist who was killed by a Minnesota police officer during a traffic stop last year, said that she began livestreaming the widely seen aftermath of the shooting out of fear for her own life. According to the Associated Press via CBS, Diamond Reynolds cried as squad-car footage, her…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

June 6, 2017
Politics

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…

By

Monique Judge

Published

June 5, 2017
Politics

A Recap of This Weekend’s Wypipo Hunger Games

Between Saturday’s London terror attacks, Bill Maher blurting out the n-word on live TV and the NBA Finals, you might have overlooked the fact that Portland, Ore., hosted a mashup of The Purge and The Hunger Games this weekend. White supremacists, militia groups and people who simply want to “make America great again” squared off…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

June 5, 2017
Politics

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…

By

Kirsten West Savali

Published

June 3, 2017
Politics

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…

By

Kirsten West Savali

Published

June 2, 2017
Politics

Calif. High School Students Win Fight to Pay Tribute to Black Lives Matter in Their Yearbook

Two high school students in Vacaville, Calif., along with some help from the American Civil Liberties Union, won their fight to include a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement in their school’s yearbook. Administrators at Buckingham Charter Magnet High School did not want to include the piece in the yearbook because they were worried…

By

Monique Judge

Published

June 2, 2017