Leaked documents indicate over 300 members of far-right paramilitary Oath Keepers may be current or former DHS employees, Project on Government Oversight reports
The revelation comes weeks after the paramilitary group's founder, Stewart Rhodes, was convicted of seditious conspiracy over the January 6 riot.
news.yahoo.comElon Musk Tweets Defense of Cop Who Killed Unarmed Black Man in Ferguson, Missouri
Elon Musk tweeted a defense of the police officer who shot 18-year-old Michael Brown—an unarmed Black man in Ferguson, Missouri back in 2014—early Wednesday before deleting the incendiary post. Musk said the police officer was “exonerated” and that the narrative around the shooting was a “fiction.”
news.yahoo.comTwo years after Floyd murder, racial trauma permeates US
Wednesday marked the second anniversary of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which sparked a global protest movement and calls for a racial reckoning to address structural racism that has created long-standing inequities impacting generations of Black Americans.
Are police consent decrees an asset? Depends on who you ask
The Minneapolis Police Department will face the scrutiny of a federal program after a state investigation concluded that its officers stop and arrest Black people more than white people, use force more often on people of color and maintain a culture in which racism is tolerated.
Police stops of Black people often filled with fear, anxiety
The video seems clear: Patrick Lyoya disobeyed an officer during a traffic stop, tried to run, then wrestled with the officer over his Taser before the officer fatally shot him in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For a number of Black men and women, resisting arrest during encounters with police for minor traffic stops have been deadly. George Floyd's 2020 slaying by Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, the 2014 strangulation death of Eric Garner by a New York City officer and the shooting death of Michael Brown that same year by an officer in Ferguson, Missouri, are among high-profile encounters that proved deadly for Black men.
news.yahoo.comLook Back: What happened to confiscated barrels of alcohol in 1922?
Mar. 13—A Wilkes-Barre policeman confiscated eight barrels of alcohol valued at $50,000 from a delivery truck at North Washington and Pennsylvania Avenue on Feb. 15, 1922. Within hours of the delivery truck and barrels being stored at the city police station, they went missing. What followed was deemed by the public a "cover up." Many believed high ranking city officials, including law ...
news.yahoo.comEXPLAINER: Rittenhouse plane part of widespread surveillance
The FBI surveillance plane that captured footage of the night Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people during a protest against police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year was part of a wider government strategy to keep tabs on demonstrations against racial injustice.
'Black America’s attorney general' seems to be everywhere
Ben Crump, the Rev. Al Sharpton says, is “Black America’s attorney general.” In less than a decade, the Florida-based attorney has become the voice for the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd -- Black people whose deaths at the hands of police and vigilantes sparked a movement.
news.yahoo.comSevere weather: Storms batter the South with more on the way
More than 70,000 homes and businesses were without power from Texas to Alabama, and radar showed additional storms moving across the region as initial cleanup work began. AdLarge vaccination clinics where hundreds of people an hour can get shots without leaving their vehicles were canceled in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. In the Mississippi capital of Jackson, state employees were warned to head to stairwells if they hear weather sirens. At least two waves of storms were likely, forecasters said, and the worst might not hit until a cold front passes overnight. Elsewhere, the severe weather threat led the South Carolina Senate president to caution senators to state home Thursday while urging staff to work remotely for their safety.
Police groups endorse Biden’s pick for civil rights chief
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division nominee Kristen Clarke speaks during an event with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)WASHINGTON – Some of the largest law enforcement groups in the U.S. are throwing their support behind President Joe Biden’s nominee to run the Justice Department’s civil rights division. Other supporters also include the National Association of Police Organizations, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives and dozens of crime victims. As attorney general in the Obama administration, Eric Holder frequently criticized violent police confrontations and opened a series of civil rights investigations into local law enforcement practices. The civil rights investigations often ended with court-approved consent decrees that mandated reforms.
Race double standard clear in rioters’ Capitol insurrection
(AP Photos)NEW YORK – Black Lives Matter protests, 2020: Overwhelming force from law enforcement in dozens of cities. “Confederate flags, ‘don’t tread on me,’ ‘blue lives matter’ flags, the Trump flags — all of it symbolizes the same thing. On Wednesday, images emerged showing custodial staffers of color in the Capitol sweeping up the shards of glass and trash left behind by the rioters. NAACP President Derrick Johnson said the people who violated the Capitol on Wednesday should not be seen as patriotic. “This is not protesting or activism; this is an insurrection, an assault on our democracy, and a coup incited by President Trump,” Johnson said.
Feds decline charges against officers in Tamir Rice case
To bring federal civil rights charges in cases like these, the Justice Department must prove that an officer’s actions willfully broke the law and are not simply the result of a mistake, negligence or bad judgment. But the video reviewed by federal prosecutors makes the sequence of events less clear. Neither of two witnesses who either saw part of the encounter or reported hearing gunshots said they saw exactly what Rice was doing just before the shooting, according to the Justice Department. In a statement at the scene to three other law enforcement officers, Loehmann “repeatedly and consistently stated” that Tamir was reaching for a gun before he shot him, prosecutors said. Both Loehmann and Garmback also said in statements after the shooting that Loehmann had given Tamir “multiple commands to show his hands before shooting” and both officers saw him reaching for the weapon.
Feds decline charges against officers in Tamir Rice case
To bring federal civil rights charges in cases like these, the Justice Department must prove that an officer’s actions willfully broke the law and are not simply the result of a mistake, negligence or bad judgment. But the video reviewed by federal prosecutors makes the sequence of events less clear. Neither of two witnesses who either saw part of the encounter or reported hearing gunshots said they saw exactly what Rice was doing just before the shooting, according to the Justice Department. In a statement at the scene to three other law enforcement officers, Loehmann “repeatedly and consistently stated” that Tamir was reaching for a gun before he shot him, prosecutors said. Both Loehmann and Garmback also said in statements after the shooting that Loehmann had given Tamir “multiple commands to show his hands before shooting” and both officers saw him reaching for the weapon.
AP All-Big 12: Iowa State players and coach win top awards
Campbell, in his fifth season at Iowa State, got all 20 votes as coach of the year. Iowa State had four first-team selections for the AP All-Big 12 team, matching Oklahoma and Texas Tech for the most in league. RB — u-Breece Hall, Iowa State, 6-1, 215, So., Wichita, Kansas. G — Derek Schweiger, Iowa State, 6-3, 311, Jr., Plymouth, Wisconsin. WR — Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State, 6-3, 207, Jr., Jacksonville, Florida.
In Georgia, Warnock brings faith and activism to the arena
Now Warnock is the politician running for office and the one under attack for his sometimes impassioned words from the pulpit. His opponent, Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, has blasted his rhetoric and proposals as “radical,” socialist and out of step with Georgia residents. At the Georgia Capitol in 2014, he was arrested while protesting the refusal of state Republicans to expand Medicaid. Warnock said he was trying to make sure young people had lawyers or family present when questioned by authorities. Warnock is right to keep focusing on his platform of a living wage, expanded health care options and voting rights, said the Rev.
Beyond the no-knock: Push in states to reform police tactics
But with no-knock warrants, officers don't have to say anything and don't have to wait. “There has been an historic issuance of no-knock warrants for inappropriate purposes, basically for fishing expeditions for drug evidence,” said Kraska, who helped Campaign Zero write its recommendations. The group is now working with 37 cities and states to introduce legislation on no-knock warrants. In Charlotte, North Carolina, when police Chief Johnny Jennings took over his post in July he dug into the issue of no-knock warrants and ended their use for the department's 1,800 officers. “We found that if there is something that is so dangerous that it requires a no-knock search warrant, that we did not need to take that risk.
Cyber Monday sales could reach $13 billion, testing everything retail learned during the pandemic
Cyber Monday will put retail websites and warehouses to their biggest test yet. The industry is bracing for what is likely to be the largest day for digital sales ever recorded in the United States, with spending expected to reach between $10.8 billion and $12.7 billion, according to Adobe Analytics. But this holiday season, with online spending already breaking records, new challenges arise. Some in the industry have coined the term "shipageddon," referring to a scenario where shipping capacity becomes totally maxed out. Salesforce said it expects holiday packages being shipped from mid-November through next month will end up exceeding shipping capacity by 5% globally, putting 700 million packages at risk of being delayed.
cnbc.comBlack Lives Matter faces test of its influence in election
“Black Lives Matter saved us, because we had nobody,” said Jones. Now, BLM’s influence faces a test, as voters in Tuesday’s election consider candidates who endorsed or denounced the BLM movement amid a national reckoning on race. Enter Black Lives Matter. Across social media platforms, the Black Lives Matter movement boasts a following of millions. “Black Lives Matter,” as a slogan, elicited “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” responses from foes.
Breonna Taylor case: Dispute arises over grand jury secrecy
The dispute over grand jury secrecy arose Wednesday, the same day police files were released showing contacts between Taylor and a man she dated previously who was suspected of drug dealing. None of the white officers was directly charged with Taylor's death by the grand jury last month, triggering renewed street protests. He said in a statement that grand jury proceedings are kept confidential by legal precedent to protect the safety and anonymity of all involved — grand jurors, witnesses and others. Cameron determined before the grand jury proceedings that the officers had acted in self-defense. He has acknowledged that he did not recommend murder charges to the grand jury.
AP-NORC poll: Support for racial injustice protests declines
The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 44% of Americans disapprove of protests in response to police violence against Black Americans, while 39% approve. Just 35% of white Americans approve of the protests now, while 50% disapprove. Among Latinos, 31% approve, compared with 44% in June; 63% of Black Americans support the protests, down from 81%, with more now saying they neither approve nor disapprove. While 74% of Black Americans say the criminal justice system is too lenient when officers cause injury or death, 47% of white Americans and 50% of Latinos say the same. Among Republicans, 75% say they disapprove of the protests, up from 56% in June.
Absent details, police shooting narratives seek to distract
Authorities have been reluctant to release even the most basic information about the incident or details about the white officer who shot Blake seven times in the back. They shot my son seven times seven times, like he didnt matter, Blakes father, Jacob Blake Sr., said. In 2014, for example, a union spokesman rushed to the scene where a white Chicago officer fatally shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. As for the shooting itself, authorities, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation, have raised far more questions than they've answered. Instead, he said a knife was found after the shooting on the drivers side floorboard of the SUV.
Kenosha delayed body cameras for years before Blake shooting
It doesn’t show what happened before or after the shooting like body camera footage would. Kenosha officers do have cameras in their squad cars, but it's unclear whether any captured the shooting. By then, Kenosha had already fallen behind most other midsized police departments nationwide that were moving forward with body camera programs. Yet the flip side is that people are demanding body cameras," he said. Body camera footage of the Blake shooting would have been important, but video from squad cars or other sources may be able to provide key perspectives for investigators, Lawrence said.
'Do something:' Harris' rapid rise driven by call to action
She faced questions familiar to women in politics, particularly women of color, about her ambition. Harris faced both the scrutiny of her personal life and the resistance to her rise as she raced past rivals from more well-connected families. Years later, when she ran for California attorney general and needed support beyond her liberal home base, Harris tempered her stance on capital punishment. She knew that her adopted homeland would see Maya and me as Black girls, and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud Black women," Harris wrote of her mother. At Howard, Harris joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nations oldest sorority for Black women.
'Do something:' Harris' rapid rise driven by call to action
She faced questions familiar to women in politics, particularly women of color, about her ambition. Harris faced both the scrutiny of her personal life and the resistance to her rise as she raced past rivals from more well-connected families. Years later, when she ran for California attorney general and needed support beyond her liberal home base, Harris tempered her stance on capital punishment. She knew that her adopted homeland would see Maya and me as Black girls, and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud Black women," Harris wrote of her mother. At Howard, Harris joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nations oldest sorority for Black women.
Six takeaways from Reuters investigation of police violence and 'qualified immunity'
A new Reuters investigation, however, has found that more often than not, these last-ditch excessive force lawsuits fail to win victims any redress - all because of a little-known legal defense called qualified immunity. This 50-year-old creation of the U.S. Supreme Court is meant to protect government employees from frivolous litigation. We found that police won 56% of cases in which they claimed qualified immunity from 2017 through 2019. Thats because the Supreme Court has continually raised the bar for challenges to the qualified immunity defense. Multiple appeals backed by the doctrines critics have piled up before the Supreme Court.
feeds.reuters.comHere's what to do if you suddenly can't pay for college next year
If all goes well, Kaylee Klein, 18, will begin her freshman year at Slippery Rock University in western Pennsylvania in the fall. Although Kaylee will receive financial aid from the school, "we still owe $18,000 for the first year," Klein said. Now families can amend their FAFSA form or ask the college financial aid office for a "professional judgement review," Bydon said. The best way to make such a request is to write an appeal letter to the school's financial aid office, Brown advised. Apply for scholarshipsAlready, most students and their parents pay only a fraction of the total college tab, according to education lender Sallie Mae.
cnbc.comFerguson's monitor fears public tuning out of reform process
The monitor overseeing the federal consent agreement requiring police and court changes in Ferguson is seeing troubling signs that residents are increasingly disengaged in the reform process. Just 22 people showed up Wednesday for a town hall-style meeting with the monitor team at the Ferguson Community Center. Five years ago, a St. Louis County grand jury and the U.S. Justice Department both found no evidence to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who shot Brown following a street confrontation. But the shooting led to months of often violent protests and led to Justice Department scrutiny of how Ferguson's police department and court system treated blacks. Efforts will be expanded to reach more residents, especially black residents, when the 2020 survey is conducted, she said.
chicagotribune.comJustice Department Files Statement of Interest Supporting Campus Free Speech
The Justice Department today filed a Statement of Interest in a federal lawsuit in Mississippi, explaining that public colleges cannot trample on their students First Amendment rights to free speech. The colleges policies require campus administrators to preapprove all meetings or gatherings, and Mr. Brown alleges that college officials called the campus police on him when he sought to engage on campus with fellow students about topics such as free speech and civil liberties. While some may disagree with the content of ones speech, we should all be fighting for everyones Constitutional right to speak. Violations of the colleges speech policies can be grounds for student discipline, which may include expulsion from school. In both instances, Mr. Brown contends that he was brought to the campus police chiefs office, and was intimidated by the police chief and other campus officials.
justice.govBen Carson on Michael Brown, Black Lives Matter
GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson is surging in the polls. The neurosurgeon visited Ferguson, Missouri, and talked to CBS News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett about the death of Michael Brown and the Black Lives Matter movement.
cbsnews.comNew Yorkers protest in solidarity with Ferguson
New Yorkers protest in solidarity with Ferguson One year after the anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown, New Yorkers gathered in Brooklyn to demonstrate their solidarity with Ferguson and the Black Lives Matters movement. Produced by Gilad Thaler and Anisah Jabar
cbsnews.comThe death of Michael Brown: What’s changed one year after Ferguson?
President of NAACP Cornell William Brooks believes there has been a “seismic shift” in the American attitude towards race relations and policing in this country, but there has there has not been adequate legislative action to back recent momentum.
cbsnews.comFerguson's new police chief works to reform department
As the new interim police chief in Ferguson, Missouri, Andre Anderson knows the town is still recovering from the shooting death of Michael Brown. CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller met up with Anderson to see how he's working to help fix the department and heal the community.
cbsnews.comCoffee klatch: Starbucks wants workers to talk more about race
Coffee klatch: Starbucks wants workers to talk more about race Starbucks took out a full-page ad in major newspapers Tuesday, announcing that they are encouraging baristas to have conversations about race with customers amid tension surrounding the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner by police that sparked national protests.
cbsnews.comMadison protests grow after police shooting of unarmed teen
Madison protests grow after police shooting of unarmed teen The police chief of Madison, Wisconsin, is apologizing again for the deadly police shooting of Tony Robinson, but he's not admitting any wrongdoing. Hundreds gathered Monday night for another round of protests, and officials say hackers targeted the local government's computer network overnight. A similar attack happened in Ferguson, Missouri, after the police killing of unarmed teen Michael Brown. Dean Reynolds reports.
cbsnews.comFerguson Report
Ferguson Report Gloria Browne-Marshall, Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, discusses why Darren Wilson will not be prosecuted in the shooting death of Michael Brown and the Department of Justice's report that finds discriminatory practices in the Ferguson, MO Police Department.
cbsnews.comDarren Wilson will not face DOJ charges in Michael Brown shooting
Darren Wilson will not face DOJ charges in Michael Brown shooting CBS correspondent Jeff Pegues breaks down the decision made by the Justice Department not to charge former Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
cbsnews.comPolice release footage of Ferguson looting suspects
Police release footage of Ferguson looting suspects Surveillance video shows looters who stole from Ferguson-area businesses on the night the grand jury decided not to indict former officer Darren Wilson in the death of unarmed teen Michael Brown.
cbsnews.comSurveillance video released of Missouri officer-involved shooting
Surveillance video released of Missouri officer-involved shooting St. Louis County, Missouri, police released surveillance video from a gas station where a Berkley, Missouri, police officer shot and killed an 18-year-old, who authorities say aimed a weapon at the officer. The incident occurred roughly two miles from where Michael Brown was shot and killed by Darren Wilson in August.
cbsnews.comMother of 18-year-old killed by police speaks out
Mother of 18-year-old killed by police speaks out Toni Martin identified her son Antonio as the man killed by police in Berkeley, Missouri late Tuesday night. The incident occurred just miles from where Michael Brown was shot and killed from Darren Wilson in August. Police say the 18-year-old aimed a gun an officer.
cbsnews.comProtesters march with message against excessive force
Protesters march with message against excessive force In Washington, protesters marched down Pennsylvania Avenue with the families of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Tamir Rice. Families who lost loved ones at the hands of police led the Millions March in New York City. Julianna Goldman and Jericka Duncan report.
cbsnews.comGrand Jury Documents
Sign Up For NewslettersIRS to delay tax filing deadline until May 17Learning what it takes to bring students back to school2 dead, 8 wounded in shootings in "chaotic night" in Virginia BeachThousands gather to protest violence against Asian AmericansShip remains stuck in Suez Canal for 5th dayFormer candidate suspected of murdering missing 12-year-oldMigrants influx continues as U.S. political debate intensifiesCBS News Investigative Producer Pat Milton discusses the new information released in the death of Michael Brown. Grand Jury Documents CBS News Investigative Producer Pat Milton discusses the new information released in the death of Michael Brown. Be the first to knowGet browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not NowTurn On
cbsnews.comNew evidence released from Ferguson grand jury
New evidence released from Ferguson grand jury Late Monday night the St. Louis District Attorney released new documents surrounding the death of Michael Brown. A third autopsy report shows that one of the gunshot wounds was was at close range indicating a struggle for the gun. CBS News investigative team has the latest.
cbsnews.comInside grand juries: Growing criticism over who controls the evidence
Inside grand juries: Growing criticism over who controls the evidence Normally details of what goes on in a grand jury are kept sealed, but in the Eric Garner and Michael Brown cases, the government decided it was in the public interest to release some information. Many have been critical of the grand juries for not bringing charges against the officers and are wondering if the grand jury system is useless. Jan Crawford reports.
cbsnews.comWhy was NYC's response different than Ferguson's?
Why was NYC's response different than Ferguson's? Demonstrators disrupt NYC streets over the decision not to charge a police officer in the death of Eric Garner. The protests are large, but mostly peaceful, nothing like the rioting in Ferguson, Missouri after a grand jury cleared the police officer who killed Michael Brown. Michelle Miller looks at how preparation and experience made a difference.
cbsnews.comCalifornia police testing weapon-tracking technology in smart guns
California police testing weapon-tracking technology in smart guns Police technology promises answers in difficult cases like the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. A new electronic notification system goes into motion before an officer fires a shot. Bob Orr reports.
cbsnews.comAmid Ferguson protests, Obama addresses police militarization
Amid Ferguson protests, Obama addresses police militarization Across the nation, thousands of students marched Monday in protest of the grand jury decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown. The ongoing tension over the situation in Ferguson, Mo., prompted the White House to announce changes that will impact the militarization of local police departments. Vladimir Duthiers reports from Ferguson.
cbsnews.comHug of officer at Portland's Ferguson protest goes viral
Hug of officer at Portland's Ferguson protest goes viral It's been almost a week since the Ferguson grand jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown. Many of the images that followed were ugly. But one capturing a hug has gone viral. Carter Evans reports.
cbsnews.comAttorney: Darren Wilson resignation prompted by safety concerns
Attorney: Darren Wilson resignation prompted by safety concerns City officials say Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who fatally shot teenager Michael Brown, is receiving no severance pay. His attorney says his resignation was prompted by safety concerns. Vladimir Duthiers reports.
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