Author: Injusticeto Team
The Minneapolis City Council has approved a consent decree with the federal government to reform police training and use-of-force policies following the murder of George Floyd. The agreement aims to prioritize human life, professionalism, and respect in law enforcement activities. It comes after a scathing Department of Justice critique of the city’s police, citing racial discrimination and rights violations. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated that Floyd’s death has sparked a national reckoning and the consent decree will guide reforms to heal the community and build trust between law enforcement and the public.
A recent study found that a quarter of all Americans say they won’t get vaccinated against COVID-19. The main reasons cited were concerns about side effects and a lack of trust in the vaccine’s effectiveness. This poses a challenge to achieving widespread immunity and controlling the spread of the virus. Efforts are being made to address these concerns and encourage more people to get vaccinated.
The White House has withdrawn the nomination of Dr. David Weldon, a former Florida congressman, to lead the CDC. The Senate health committee canceled a hearing on his nomination due to lack of votes for confirmation. Weldon is aligned with anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and has been critical of vaccines and the CDC. This marks the third Trump administration nominee to not make it to a confirmation hearing, following withdrawals by Matt Gaetz and Chad Chronister.
José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, founder of the Young Lords in Chicago and co-founder of the Rainbow Coalition, has passed away at the age of 76. He was a key figure in civil rights and liberation movements, advocating for Puerto Rican self-determination and justice for all. Jiménez’s legacy includes challenging institutional racism, establishing free programs for the community, and forming multiracial coalitions for social change. His work inspired many and left a lasting impact on Chicago’s political landscape. A public funeral service will be held in his honor.
Human Rights Watch supports the renewal of the EMLER’s mandate in the fight against systemic racism in law enforcement. The experts’ visits have empowered affected communities and highlighted the need for systemic changes to address police brutality against People of African descent. Governments, including Brazil’s, must address racial inequalities, provide accountability and redress, and collect data on race and ethnicity in policing. France also faces discriminatory police harassment. Governments should welcome EMLER visits as opportunities to address deep-rooted issues.
Former Milwaukee hotel bellhop Herbert Williamson pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor battery in connection with a dogpile that led to the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell in June 2024. Prosecutors initially charged Williamson with felony murder, but reduced the charge in exchange for his guilty plea and promise to testify. Three other former Hyatt employees were also charged. Surveillance video shows Mitchell being pinned down for several minutes, leading to his death. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide. Mitchell’s family’s attorneys have compared his death to that of George Floyd.
Labour councillor Alan Gardiner faced backlash after appearing to perform a Nazi salute during a council meeting in Hull. The vice-chair of a local synagogue deemed Gardiner’s position “untenable” and expressed shock and outrage on behalf of the Jewish community. Gardiner apologized for his actions, claiming they were made in irony during a heated debate. The incident occurred during a meeting where council tax was raised, and Labour is currently reviewing the footage as part of an ongoing investigation.
Actor Gérard Depardieu admitted to using crude language and grabbing a woman’s hips but denied sexually assaulting her during his trial in Paris. He acknowledged his behavior was wrong and apologized, emphasizing that his actions were not ill-intentioned. Depardieu faces up to five years in prison and a fine if convicted. The trial is seen as a test of France’s willingness to address sexual violence and hold influential men accountable.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is launching a new “Community Notes” feature for content moderation. This shift away from third-party fact-checking comes after criticism from conservative voices about censorship. Users can write and rate contextual notes on content, with approximately 200,000 contributors already signed up. Notes must be agreed upon by contributors with differing viewpoints, and will not affect content distribution. The system will be tested before public implementation and will initially support six languages. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised concerns about the potential impact of these changes on online hate and violence.
A new study suggests that the number of Americans who identify as LGBTQ has increased to nearly 6% of the population. This data comes from a survey conducted by Gallup, which found that younger generations are more likely to identify as LGBTQ than older generations. The study also revealed that women are more likely to identify as LGBTQ than men. These findings highlight the growing diversity within the LGBTQ community in the United States.