State Of MN Files Civil Rights Charge Against Minneapolis Police Dept.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The state of Minnesota filed a human rights complaint Tuesday against the Minneapolis Police Department in the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes, even after he stopped moving.

Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced the filing at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

Widely seen bystander video showing Floyd’s death has sparked protests around the world. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved were fired but have not been charged.

The department enforces the state’s human rights act, particularly as it applies to discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and public services. Mediation is one of its first-choice tools, but the cases it files can lead to fuller investigations and sometimes end up in litigation.

The Minneapolis Police Department has faced decades of allegations brutality and other discrimination against African Americans and other minorities, even within the department itself. Critics say its culture resists change, despite the elevation of Medaria Arradondo as its first black police chief in 2017.

Arradondo himself was among five black officers who sued the police department in 2007 over alleged discrimination in promotions, pay, and discipline. They said in their lawsuit that the department had a history of tolerating racism and discrimination. The city eventually settled the lawsuit for $740,000.

GOP Sen. Sasse Blasts Trump For Using ‘The Word Of God’ As A ‘Political Prop’

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) rebuked President Donald Trump on Tuesday for having police clear peaceful protesters out Lafayette Square near the White House with teargas so that he could stage a photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Continue reading “GOP Sen. Sasse Blasts Trump For Using ‘The Word Of God’ As A ‘Political Prop’” →

Tiffany Trump Posts Instagram Blackout As Her Dad Calls For National Guard To ‘Dominate’

In a surprising move, President Trump’s daughter Tiffany joined the flurry of #BlackoutTuesday Instagram posts featuring images of black squares amid mounting protests over George Floyd’s death. Continue reading “Tiffany Trump Posts Instagram Blackout As Her Dad Calls For National Guard To ‘Dominate’” →

Biden: Trump Is ‘Sweeping Away’ The ‘Guardrails’ Of Democracy

Former Vice President Joe Biden blasted President Trump on Tuesday for his recent efforts to silence nationwide anti-racism protests with the use of tear gas, flash grenades and military muscle — a move aimed, in part, at dominating peaceful demonstration, but mostly to boost Trump politically. 

Continue reading “Biden: Trump Is ‘Sweeping Away’ The ‘Guardrails’ Of Democracy” →

Kansas Will Ask SCOTUS To Reinstate Kobach’s Notorious Proof Of Citizenship Law

The state of Kansas will try to revive a voter restriction championed by Kris Kobach that was repeatedly struck down by the courts.

Continue reading “Kansas Will Ask SCOTUS To Reinstate Kobach’s Notorious Proof Of Citizenship Law” →

DC Archbishop Chastises Trump Photo-Op Ahead Of POTUS Shrine Visit

Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory issued a scathing statement ahead of the President’s visit to St. John Paul II’s National Shrine on Tuesday, which comes a day after his surprise, politically-timed photo-op in front of the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church. Continue reading “DC Archbishop Chastises Trump Photo-Op Ahead Of POTUS Shrine Visit” →

US Ambassador To Australia Responds To US Police Violence Against Australian Journalists

The U.S. Ambassador to Australia responded Tuesday to images of two Australian journalists being hit by the police Monday as they cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s photo-op in front of St. John’s Church.

Continue reading “US Ambassador To Australia Responds To US Police Violence Against Australian Journalists” →

Here’s How Trump Used His Church Photo-Op To Boost His Campaign

President Trump has drawn backlash for his photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church following his first formal address Monday evening amid mounting protests nationwide in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Continue reading “Here’s How Trump Used His Church Photo-Op To Boost His Campaign” →

Barr Prowls Around DC In Publicity Stunt After Cops Teargas Peaceful Protesters

Attorney General Bill Barr took a stroll with Defense Secretary Mark Esper around downtown Washington, D.C. on Monday night after federal police officers sprayed teargas at peaceful protesters who were not violating the city’s 7 p.m. curfew.

Continue reading “Barr Prowls Around DC In Publicity Stunt After Cops Teargas Peaceful Protesters” →