California Supreme Court Orders Attorney General to Defend Death Penalty against Racial Bias Challenge
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a potentially historic development that could reshape the future of capital punishment in…
Supreme Court Overturns Mississippi Ruling on Racially Biased Jury Selection
The U.S. Supreme Court revived a Black Mississippi death row prisoner’s challenge to the composition of the jury that convicted him. The Court held that state courts improperly rejected his claim under Batson v. Kentucky, determining they failed to adhere to established constitutional procedures intended to prevent racial discrimination during jury selection.
The Part Where You Learn
Recent analyses indicate that book bans are systematically erasing narratives pertinent to marginalized communities, a development critics contend curtails children’s access to vital language and stories essential for articulating and navigating their personal experiences.
Court Watch: Expert Testimony Highlights Potentially Biased Language in Murder Trial
The defense argued in a post-conviction hearing that the language used during the original criminal trial included implicit racial bias in violation of the California Racial Justice Act, while the prosecution maintained that their language had no bearing on the jury’s decision-making.
Ruled Suicide, Remembered as Lynching – Hanging Deaths, Official Silence, and the Return of America’s Oldest Terror
A series of deaths involving hangings have sparked outrage and distrust in communities across the US, as official explanations often arrive late and are met with skepticism due to the historical sensitivity of the issue.
Felony Disenfranchisement Bars Over a Quarter Million Virginians from Voting
Virginia has the fourth-highest disenfranchised population in the nation, with over 260,000 justice-impacted Virginians barred from voting in the upcoming special election, highlighting racial disparities in the state’s felony disenfranchisement policies.
Civil Rights Group Slams Indictment against SPLC as Intimidation Tactic
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law released a statement condemning the federal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, arguing it is part of a campaign of intimidation against civil rights organizations and threatens efforts to combat racial injustice.
White Minnesotans Urged to Sustain Engagement after ‘Shock Fades’ from Operation Metro Surge
White Minnesotans are being urged to sustain their engagement in the fight against racism beyond the current crisis, as the US has been shaped by systemic racism and white people must recognize that equality is not a zero-sum game.
The Urgent Need for White Allies: Moving Beyond Learning to Action
White individuals must move beyond the learning phase and into the action phase to fight for justice and challenge the systems that oppress people of color, recognizing that justice is not a hobby but a deadline.
MLK Day Commentary: MLK and the Moral Failure of Silence
Martin Luther King Jr. and Ibram X. Kendi both argue that racism is not just a matter of individual prejudice, but a systemic issue that requires active anti-racism and structural change, rather than passive neutrality.
Oklahoma Denies Clemency for Death Row Man Despite Mental Health Concerns
Despite widespread calls for mercy and evidence suggesting mental health diversion, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to deny clemency for death row prisoner Kendrick man , who is scheduled to be executed in 2026.
Justice in Illinois: Deputy Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Sonya Massey
Sean Grayson was convicted of shooting and killing Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman, in July 2024, after she called 911 to report a prowler in her home, and Massey’s father is calling for broader reforms to protect people from unlawful use of force.
Can Davis Live Up to Its Progressive Image? Tracing Racial Profiling in a ‘Model’ City
Davis, California has taken measures to address racial profiling, but data suggests that racial disparities in traffic stops remain a persistent issue, and the City of Davis continues to pursue meaningful ways to combat racial profiling and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the community.
Drug Diversion Programs in US Often Punish Rather than Rehabilitate
Drug diversion programs in the US often function as systems of punishment rather than rehabilitation, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals, people of color, and those with severe illnesses.
SPLC Calls for Thorough Investigation Into Hangings in Mississippi
The Southern Poverty Law Center is calling for a full investigation into two recent deaths in Mississippi, one ruled a suicide and the other undetermined, citing the need for transparency and accountability in light of the state’s racial history.
Zoom Under Fire for Lack of Action after Racist Hate Crime at Book Launch
More than 200 educators, lawyers, and professionals have signed a letter to Zoom CEO Eric Yuan demanding accountability after a book launch event was hijacked with racist and antisemitic hate speech and imagery, and the signatories are urging Zoom to reopen the case and take action to ensure its platform is not used to facilitate hate crimes in the future.
Sister Helen Prejean Calls on Newsom to Commute All Death Sentences
Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to commute all 565 death sentences in the state, citing racial injustice and the potential for rehabilitation of those on death row.
Nearly Half of US Workers Earn Less than $25 an Hour, Report Warns
One Fair Wage has released a report showing that nearly half of US workers earn less than $25 an hour, and is calling for a $25 to $30 minimum wage to address the affordability crisis.
Federal Trial Starts in Effort to End Sacramento Police Brutality Responses to Racial Justice Protestors
SACRAMENTO, CA – A federal bench trial began Monday at the Robert T. Matsui Courthouse in an…
Guest Commentary: The Infrastructure of Racial Justice Is Under Attack
The laws, systems, and structures that support racial equity in America will stand strong in the face…