INSIDER
Atlanta 'Cop City' activists say they're confident of getting 70K signatures. But big hurdles remain
Read full article: Atlanta 'Cop City' activists say they're confident of getting 70K signatures. But big hurdles remainHundreds of canvassers have spread out across Atlanta in hopes of convincing more than 70,000 residents to sign onto a petition that activists believe is their best chance to halt the planned construction of a huge police and firefighter training center.
Officers wonāt face any charges in Rayshard Brooks shooting
Read full article: Officers wonāt face any charges in Rayshard Brooks shootingA specially appointed prosecutor said he will not pursue charges against the two white Atlanta police officers who clashed with Rayshard Brooks during a June 2020 encounter that ended with the 27-year-old Black manās fatal shooting.
One Black juror, 11 whites to hear trial over Arbery slaying
Read full article: One Black juror, 11 whites to hear trial over Arbery slayingThe judge in the trial of three white men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery has declined to override decisions in jury selection that left just one Black juror on the final panel of 12.
In trial over Arbery death, racial reckoning looms large
Read full article: In trial over Arbery death, racial reckoning looms largeAs three white men prepare to stand trial in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, many in the slain Black manās Georgia hometown see the case as a reckoning for the local justice system.
In surprise, Atlanta Mayor Bottoms won't seek a second term
Read full article: In surprise, Atlanta Mayor Bottoms won't seek a second termAtlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms confirmed Friday that she will not seek a second term, an election-year surprise that marks a sharp turnabout for the cityās second Black woman executive.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms not seeking reelection
Read full article: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms not seeking reelectionAtlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced she will not seek a second term, an election-year surprise that marks a sharp turnabout for the cityās second Black woman executive.
Collaboration with police divides social workers across US
Read full article: Collaboration with police divides social workers across USAyers said collaboration between police and social workers risks perpetuating the systemic racism she has seen in the social work field. "Putting social workers in to heal all the wounds as a Band-Aid is just going to blow up in everyone's face," she said. Social workers contribute to the criminalization and mass incarceration of people of color, said Julia Lyon, a Pennsylvania social worker and member of Social Service Workers United. āOtherwise, social workers are just going to be police without guns.āBut advocates of collaboration between social workers and police point to how ingrained law enforcement is into American society as evidence of the need for acting within that framework. AdInstead of perpetuating what they see as punishment-based approaches, opponents of police and social workers recommend more investment in community-based intervention.
The joy of music returns for Grammy winners, performers
Read full article: The joy of music returns for Grammy winners, performersBeyonce, left, and Megan Thee Stallion accept the award for best rap song for "Savage" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)BeyoncĆ©, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish made history at the Grammy Awards. Just as joyously, dozens of creators largely sidelined for a year due to the pandemic got to make music again. 's topical āI Can't Breatheā won song of the year and Megan Thee Stallion was named best new artist. Further crowding the family trophy case is husband Jay-Z, whose songwriting on āSavageā earned him his 23rd Grammy on Sunday, and even their 9-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, who won best music video together with mom.
Investigating Trump a big early move for Atlanta's new DA
Read full article: Investigating Trump a big early move for Atlanta's new DAThat includes the Jan. 2 phone call in which Trump was recorded asking Georgiaās secretary of state to overturn his defeat. Prosecuting Trump would likely prove a career-defining move for Willis ā and one fraught with risk, said Atlanta attorney Robert James, a former district attorney in neighboring DeKalb County. But fellow lawyers who have faced her in court say she's a skilled litigator who isn't afraid of tough cases. AdIt's uncertain whether Willis will seek charges against Trump or anyone else in relation to the election. That's because citizens empaneled to hear such cases often find it difficult to be impartial about famous defendants, he said.
Police chief's past sows doubts in wake of Taylor's death
Read full article: Police chief's past sows doubts in wake of Taylor's deathFILE - In this Jan. 4, 2018, file photo, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields speaks at a press conference in Atlanta. Louisville city leaders praised Shields, who has been hired to oversee their struggling department in the wake of Breonna Taylor's death, but some critics questioned if she was the right choice after a rocky departure from her previous job. The panel included two Black city council members who have been instrumental in police reforms since Taylor was fatally shot by city officers in March. David McAtee was killed during early protests of Taylorās death. Shields, who is white, will be the fourth person to lead the police force since Taylorās death.
'Only in America': Warnock's rise from poverty to US senator
Read full article: 'Only in America': Warnock's rise from poverty to US senatorRaphael Warnock's roots showed little promise of a future that led to the U.S. Senate. He grew up in Savannah in the Kayton Homes public housing project, the second youngest of 12 children. āOnly in America is my story even possible,ā Warnock told the cheering drive-in crowd Sunday. Warnock was arrested at the Georgia state Capitol in 2014 while protesting the refusal of state Republicans to expand Medicaid. Warnock recalled the Washington arrest during his speech Sunday in Savannah, as he looked ahead to his next trip to Capitol Hill.
Senate race thrusts 'Black America's church' into spotlight
Read full article: Senate race thrusts 'Black America's church' into spotlightIt took a high-stakes Senate race and a Trump-era cultural debate to thrust Ebenezer Baptist Church into the center of the current political debate. āThe Republican attack is not just against Warnock, itās against the Black church and the Black religious experience,ā said the Rev. āItās bigger than any individual.āLoeffler has responded, saying in a tweet last month that she isn't attacking the Black church. Since before the abolition of slavery, the Black church has played a role in brokering congregants' relationship to political power. Itās not uncommon for politicians, most often Democrats, to campaign from Black church pulpits.
George Floydās brother rallies voters on Election Day
Read full article: George Floydās brother rallies voters on Election DayTerrence Floyd, brother of George Floyd, waits to speak at a Get Out the Vote Rally outside the Brooklyn Museum, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
George Floydās brother rallies voters on Election Day
Read full article: George Floydās brother rallies voters on Election DayTerrence Floyd, brother of George Floyd, waits to speak at a Get Out the Vote Rally outside the Brooklyn Museum, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK ā The murmurs spread quickly among the poll workers late Tuesday morning at a Brooklyn neighborhood station: George Floydās brother was present. A few came up to Terrence Floyd, whose brother George died at the hands of Minneapolis police, sparking protests for racial justice across the nation. A 42-year-old school bus driver in New York, Terrence is normally a quiet man, deeply attached to his three children. āMy administration is fully committed that, for George and his family, justice will be served,ā Trump said in remarks from the White House Rose Garden.
Were they a threat? Police shootings reignite legal debate
Read full article: Were they a threat? Police shootings reignite legal debateWisconsin authorities are investigating those questions as they weigh charges against the officer in a case that has reignited national protests over racial injustice. Authorities have not identified the officer or officers who shot Pellerin or said where or how many times he was shot. A union attorney said in the moments leading up to the shooting, officers saw Blake holding a knife and made multiple requests for him to drop it but he was uncooperative. After police tried twice unsuccessfully to use a stun gun on Blake, officer Rusten Sheskey shot him at close range while holding onto his shirt, authorities said. Yet, the tactics used by the officer who shot Blake are highly questionable, said Seth Stoughton, another former officer.
At D.C. march, families decry 'two systems of justice'
Read full article: At D.C. march, families decry 'two systems of justice'Sixty-five years later (after Tills murder), we still struggle for justice demilitarizing the police, dismantling mass incarceration, and declaring as determinately as we can that Black lives matter, King said. As peaceful protests turned to arson and theft, naysayers of the Black Lives Matter movement issued calls for law and order.The Rev. Theres a white system and a black system -- the black system aint doing so well.No justice, no peace! he proclaimed. Some participants headed toward Black Lives Matter Plaza, right outside of the White House, which was renamed from Pennsylvania Avenue during protests in June. In June, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, which would ban police use of stranglehold maneuvers and end qualified immunity for officers, among other reforms.
Police largely silent as outrage builds over Blake shooting
Read full article: Police largely silent as outrage builds over Blake shootingBut the near-silence from the Kenosha department and state authorities is at odds with what an increasing number of American police forces are doing in the wake of high-profile shootings with the potential to cause unrest. Investigators havent explained why police drew guns on Blake and why the officer opened fire. Blake survived but is paralyzed, and it would take a miracle for him to walk again, family attorney Ben Crump said Tuesday. Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Wednesday that his department has few details about the Blake shooting because another agency the Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating, as required by state law. The New York Police Department sends a top official to the scene of every shooting by an officer and holds a news conference within hours.
Black National Convention puts spotlight on police brutality
Read full article: Black National Convention puts spotlight on police brutalityBlack Lives Matter activists are holding a virtual Black National Convention Friday, Aug. 28, to adopt a political agenda calling for slavery reparations, universal basic income, environmental justice and legislation that entirely re-imagines criminal justice reforms. Anyone who is watching, who is both enraged or looking for action, will find a space" in the Black National Convention, Byrd said. The Black National Convention was originally planned to take place in-person in Detroit, the nations Blackest major city. Fridays convention is expected to be the largest gathering of Black activists and artists, albeit virtual, since the historic 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana, which concluded with the introduction of a national Black agenda. The Black National Convention broadcast begins after the D.C. march has concluded.
Father says Black Wisconsin man shot by police is paralyzed
Read full article: Father says Black Wisconsin man shot by police is paralyzed(AP Photo/David Goldman)KENOSHA, Wis. The father of a Black man who was shot, apparently in the back, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, says his son was left paralyzed from the waist down. The man who said he made the cellphone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, Drop the knife! White said he left the window for a few minutes, and when he came back, saw three officers wrestling with Blake. That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. The city is about 67% white, 11.5% Black and 17.6% Hispanic, according to 2019 Census data.
Former officer who shot Rayshard Brooks sues over firing
Read full article: Former officer who shot Rayshard Brooks sues over firingIn this booking photo made available Thursday, June 18, 2020 by the Fulton County, Ga., Sheriff's Office, shows Atlanta Police Officer Garrett Rolfe. Rolfe, who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction, was charged with felony murder and 10 other charges. Rolfe was fired after the shooting. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via AP)
Former officer who shot Rayshard Brooks sues over firing
Read full article: Former officer who shot Rayshard Brooks sues over firingIn this booking photo made available Thursday, June 18, 2020 by the Fulton County, Ga., Sheriff's Office, shows Atlanta Police Officer Garrett Rolfe. Rolfe, who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction, was charged with felony murder and 10 other charges. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via AP)ATLANTA The former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks is suing the mayor and interim police chief, saying his firing violated his constitutional rights and the city code. Garrett Rolfe was fired June 13, the day after he fatally shot Brooks outside a Wendy's restaurant in Atlanta. Brooks grabbed one of their Tasers and fled, firing the Taser at Rolfe as he ran away.
Police charge suspect in slaying of 8-year-old Atlanta girl
Read full article: Police charge suspect in slaying of 8-year-old Atlanta girlA man carries flowers into a viewing for 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, who was fatally shot in Atlanta on July 4th near the Wendy's site where Rayshard Brooks was killed the previous month Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in South Fulton, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Police charge suspect in slaying of 8-year-old Atlanta girl
Read full article: Police charge suspect in slaying of 8-year-old Atlanta girlPolice issued warrants a day earlier for 19-year-old Julian Conley in the slaying of Secoriea Turner, police spokesman Anthony Grant said. Patterson said Conley was peacefully protesting and witnessed the shooting but did not open fire himself, though he was armed. Why would you want to charge a man who saw a crime but did not participate in a criminal act? The man got up and opened fire at the vehicle, Patterson said his client told him. Conley said everyone thought somebody in the SUV was shooting and other armed people opened fire at the vehicle, Patterson said.
Exhausted cities face another challenge: a surge in violence
Read full article: Exhausted cities face another challenge: a surge in violenceStill reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and street protests over the police killing of Floyd, exhausted cities around the nation are facing yet another challenge: A surge in recent shootings has left dozens dead, including young children. The recent spasm of violence was captured in a New York Post headline about a crime-ravaged city crying out for help. Davon was murdered after a string of BLM (Black Lives Matter) violence on the Fourth of July," it read. Seventeen people were fatally shot in Chicago and 70 wounded, one of the bloodiest holiday weekends in memory there. Of all the things they are likely to be worried about, COVID is way down the list.___Long reported from Washington.
Atlanta Mayor: No need for troops, despite governor's order
Read full article: Atlanta Mayor: No need for troops, despite governor's orderFile- In this Wednesday, June 17, 2020 file photo, Nikita Gleen, raises his hand towards the sky near a Wendy's restaurant, in Atlanta. The Guard troops will provide support at sites including the Capitol and governors mansion, freeing up state law enforcement resources to patrol other areas, according to a statement from Kemp's office. There was no visible presence of Guard troops at either site Tuesday morning. His choice to deploy National Guard troops for todays selfish purpose is outrageous and will endanger lives, she said in a statement. It happened near the Wendys restaurant where a Black man, Rayshard Brooks, was killed by a white police officer June 12.
At least 2 shooters wanted for death of girl, 8, in Atlanta
Read full article: At least 2 shooters wanted for death of girl, 8, in AtlantaATLANTA The shooting death of an 8-year-old girl in Atlanta prompted a $10,000 reward for information as authorities searched for at least two people who opened fire on the car she was riding in near a flashpoint of recent protests. Police identified the girl killed on Saturday night as Secoriea Turner. A few hours before that shooting, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms called for justice in Secoriea's death during an emotional news conference with the girl's grief-stricken mother. The driver took Secoriea to Atlanta Medical Center but she did not survive. An 8-year-old girl was killed last night because her mother was riding down the street, Bottoms said.
'Senseless crime': The victims of July Fourth shootings
Read full article: 'Senseless crime': The victims of July Fourth shootingsFrom San Francisco to South Carolina, a spate of shootings claimed the lives of people celebrating or just taking a drive over the Fourth of July weekend. ___SHE DIED IN MY ARMSSecoriea Turner should have been making TikTok videos on her phone Sunday evening, her mother said. The fast-food restaurant was burned during protests the following night and became a gathering place for demonstrations against police brutality. We knew he was going to be something," the boy's uncle told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday. "Were protesting for months, for weeks, saying, Black Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter. Black lives matter it seems like, only when a police officer shoots a black person.
Killed a baby: 8-year-old girl killed in Atlanta shooting
Read full article: Killed a baby: 8-year-old girl killed in Atlanta shootingPolice identified the girl as Secoriea Turner, and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms called for justice during an emotional news conference Sunday with the girl's grief-stricken mother. The shooting happened near the Wendys restaurant where an African American man, Rayshard Brooks, was killed by an Atlanta police officer on June 12. You shot and killed a baby, the mayor said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She said she received a message that the barriers were back up less than an hour before she was informed that the 8-year-old girl had died. An 8-year-old girl was killed last night because her mother was riding down the street, Bottoms said.
Former Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks seeks bail
Read full article: Former Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks seeks bailFILE - This screen grab taken from body camera video provided by the Atlanta Police Department shows Rayshard Brooks speaking with Officer Garrett Rolfe, left, in the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant, late Friday, June 12, 2020, in Atlanta. Rolfe, who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction, was charged with felony murder and 10 other charges, announced Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Rolfe was fired after the shooting. (Atlanta Police Department via AP)
Former Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks seeks bail
Read full article: Former Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks seeks bailIn this booking photo made available Thursday, June 18, 2020 by the Fulton County, Ga., Sheriff's Office, shows Atlanta Police Officer Garrett Rolfe. Rolfe, who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction, was charged with felony murder and 10 other charges. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via AP)ATLANTA The former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks is set to appear in court Tuesday to ask a judge to release him from jail while his case is pending. An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back. Felony murder is punishable by a minimum sentence of life in prison.
Judge Grants Bond for Ex-Officer Who Fatally Shot Rayshard Brooks Despite Widow's Emotional Plea
Read full article: Judge Grants Bond for Ex-Officer Who Fatally Shot Rayshard Brooks Despite Widow's Emotional PleaA judge on Tuesday granted a $500,000 bond for the former Atlanta police officer charged with killing Rayshard Brooks outside an Atlanta Wendy's on June 12, despite an emotional plea from Brooks' widow. Rolfe opened fire, fatally shooting Brooks in the back. Brosnan was able to deflect the Taser strike before Brooks fled, Pines said, and Rolfe shot Brooks after Brooks again pointed and fired the Taser. "The Taser was not pointed at Officer Rolfe, and he presented no danger to officer Rolfe." RELATED CONTENT:Louisville PD Fires Officer Involved in Breonna Taylor's DeathFired Atlanta Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Charged With MurderAtlanta Police Officer Fired After Fatally Shooting Rayshard Brooks
Rayshard Brooks struggled in system but didn't hide his past
Read full article: Rayshard Brooks struggled in system but didn't hide his pastIn this image made from video and released by the advocacy group Reconnect, Rayshard Brooks speaks during an interview about five months before an Atlanta police officer shot and killed him in earlier June 2020, in Atlanta. In the video interview with Reconnect, Brooks talked openly of his prison time. He described a cycle of job rejection and shame. He talked of a system that takes millions of Americans, many of them Black like him, away from their families and treats them more like animals than individuals. (Reconnect via AP)
House passes sweeping police overhaul after Floyd's death
Read full article: House passes sweeping police overhaul after Floyd's deathExactly one month ago, George Floyd spoke his final words I can't breathe and changed the course of history, Pelosi said. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is perhaps the most ambitious set of proposed changes to police procedures and accountability in decades. After the GOP policing bill stalled this week, blocked by Democrats, Trump shrugged. The two parties are instead appealing to voters ahead of the fall election, which will determine control of the House, Senate and White House. Senate Democrats believe Senate Republicans will face mounting public pressure to open negotiations and act.
Rayshard Brooks struggled in system but didn't hide his past
Read full article: Rayshard Brooks struggled in system but didn't hide his pastIn the video interview with Reconnect, Brooks talked openly of his prison time. (Reconnect via AP)ATLANTA Rayshard Brooks didnt hide his history. He loved it up here, Brooks father, Larry Barbine, said in a telephone interview. Brooks said he didn't want to be in violation of anybody" and told the officers he could walk home. In Ohio, family and co-workers were heartbroken.
Phaedra Parks on Directing Rayshard Brooks' Funeral (Exclusive)
Read full article: Phaedra Parks on Directing Rayshard Brooks' Funeral (Exclusive)Rayshard Brooks was laid to rest on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, and Phaedra Parks is reflecting on what it meant to her to help direct the funeral service. A number of Brooks' family and friends were in attendance, including his wife, Tomika Miller, and a few notable celebrities, T.I. According to Parks, after the funeral, she accompanied his widow to the location where he was killed, and they spoke about his legacy. "As a little girl I really didnt know if I thought racism really existed, until I was hired to do some tutoring for a white family," Parks recalled. RELATED CONTENT:Rayshard Brooks Remembered as a Caring Father During Atlanta FuneralFired Atlanta Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Charged With MurderMeghan McCain Calls for Police Reform Following Rayshard Brooks' DeathBillie Eilish Demands Justice for Rayshard Brooks After His Death
Billie Eilish Unfollowed Everyone on Her Instagram
Read full article: Billie Eilish Unfollowed Everyone on Her InstagramBillie Eilish has unfollowed everyone on her Instagram page. Eilish has expressed her support for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks, among other Black people who have lost their lives to police brutality. "If I hear one more white person say 'aLL liVeS maTtEr' one more f**king time, I'm gonna lose my f**king mind," Eilish wrote in part. See how Eilish and many other celebrities have been speaking out and calling for justice in the video below. RELATED CONTENT:Billie Eilish Demands Justice for Rayshard Brooks After His DeathWhy Melanie C Is So Proud of Brave Friend Billie Eilish (Exclusive)Billie Eilish Blasts All Lives Matter Movement in Powerful Post
Rayshard Brooks Remembered as a Caring Father During Atlanta Funeral
Read full article: Rayshard Brooks Remembered as a Caring Father During Atlanta FuneralRayshard Brooks may be gone, but never forgotten. A number of Brooks' family and friends were in attendance, including his wife, Tomika Miller. Therefore I, along with this nation, mourn with you, the Brooks family, today as our family," she said. "Rayshard Brooks' life matters, and he should have been able to live." RELATED CONTENT:Fired Atlanta Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Charged With MurderBillie Eilish Demands Justice for Rayshard Brooks After His DeathTyler Perry Is Paying for Rayshard Brooks' Funeral and Kids' Education
Funeral for Rayshard Brooks to be held at MLK's church
Read full article: Funeral for Rayshard Brooks to be held at MLK's churchRaphael G. Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, comforts Tomika Miller, the wife of Rayshard Brooks during his public viewing at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, Jun 22, 2020 in Atlanta. A private funeral for Brooks will be held Tuesday at the church. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)ATLANTA Rayshard Brooks, who was fatally shot by a police officer, is to be remembered Tuesday at the church in Atlanta where the Rev. The private funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church follows a public viewing held Monday. Bernice King, also plans to deliver remarks at Brooks' funeral, along with a friend of his and his mother-in-law, according to a draft program released by the church.
Mourners pay respects to Rayshard Brooks at Ebenezer viewing
Read full article: Mourners pay respects to Rayshard Brooks at Ebenezer viewingTomika Miller, the wife of Rayshard Brooks, touches her husband during a family visit just before a public viewing begins at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, Jun 22, 2020 in Atlanta. We just wanted to come and show our respects.About an hour before the four-hour public viewing began, a gold-colored casket carrying Brooks body arrived at the church. Brooks widow, Tomika Miller, followed a short time later wearing a white dress printed with a photo of the two of them. Police body camera video then showed Brooks and officers having a calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes. After conducting field sobriety tests, Rolfe told Brooks he'd had too much to drink to be driving."
Woman wanted after Atlanta Wendys burns in shooting protest
Read full article: Woman wanted after Atlanta Wendys burns in shooting protestATLANTA Investigators said Saturday they have issued an arrest warrant for a woman in connection with a fire at a Wendy's restaurant in Atlanta during protests over the police shooting of an African American man. Natalie White is a suspect in the arson and investigators are asking for help finding her, Atlanta Fire and Rescue said in a Twitter post. Atlanta police officers were called to the Wendys on June 12 over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane. Garrett Rolfe was fired from the police department immediately after the shooting and is charged with felony murder. Protesters gathered the night after Brooks was killed, breaking the windows in the restaurant before the fire was set.
Shooting, protests test Atlanta's image of Black prosperity
Read full article: Shooting, protests test Atlanta's image of Black prosperityTouting itself for decades as the city too busy to hate, Atlanta has had an unbroken succession of Black mayors since 1973. After hiring its first Black officers in 1948, the Atlanta Police Department is now 60% Black, higher even than the city's Black population of 52%. King's legacy was often evoked in promoting cooperation between the city's Black leaders and white business establishment, Hobson said. Thats what made me mad.She's among more than a dozen owners seeking help from Atlanta Black Owned Business Relief, a group started after the protests. Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry, an embodiment of Black prosperity in Atlanta, is helping pay the bill.
Some Atlanta police stay out of work for a third day after officers charged in fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks
Read full article: Some Atlanta police stay out of work for a third day after officers charged in fatal shooting of Rayshard BrooksBoth officers -- Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan -- were charged in the shooting. District Attorney Paul Howard criticizedDefense attorney Noah H. Pines, who represents Rolfe, said Friday the law justified his client's actions. Pines also said there is no legal basis in Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard's decision to charge Rolfe. "Never in my career have I seen a District Attorney act so unethically without regard for his professional obligations in pursuit of reelection," Pines said. Similarly, the Georgia Sheriff's Association was also not in favor of the district attorney's actions.
Atlanta police call out sick over charges in fatal shooting
Read full article: Atlanta police call out sick over charges in fatal shootingInterim Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant speaks to the Associated Press on Thursday, June 18, 2020, in Atlanta. A few hours after reporting to the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, Rolfe was moved to the jail in neighboring Gwinnett County, according to online records. Atlanta officers are walking off their shifts or not responding to calls because they feel abandoned, betrayed, used in a political game, Champion told the AP. Rolfe shot Brooks after he grabbed a Taser, fired it and ran, Howard, the prosecutor, said. The district attorney said the other officer, Brosnan, 26, is cooperating with prosecutors and will testify.
Confederate obelisk removed from Georgia square amid cheers
Read full article: Confederate obelisk removed from Georgia square amid cheersWorkers remove a Confederate monument with a crane Thursday, June 18, 2020, in Decatur, Ga. The 30-foot obelisk in Decatur Square, erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908, was ordered by a judge to be removed and placed into storage indefinitely. The stone obelisk was lifted from its base with straps amid jeers and chants of Just drop it! from onlookers in Decatur, Georgia, who were kept a safe distance by sheriffs deputies. DeKalb County Judge Clarence Seeliger agreed, and ordered the 30-foot (9-meter) obelisk in Decatur Square to be removed by midnight June 26 and placed in storage indefinitely. DeKalb County spent several years trying to rid itself of the Lost Cause monument erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908.
Prosecutors charge police, push reforms amid Floyd protests
Read full article: Prosecutors charge police, push reforms amid Floyd protestsThe Fulton County District Attorney will announce charging decisions in the fatal shooting of Brooks during a news conference, Wednesday, June 17, 2020 in Atlanta. But the tide may be turning, led by progressive prosecutors pressing for criminal justice reforms to better hold police accountable for wrongdoing. Prosecutors realize that theyre being watched, said Mark Dupree Sr., district attorney for Kansas Wyandotte County, which includes Kansas City. Thats exactly why I ran for office," said Rollins, district attorney for Suffolk County. District Attorney Chesa Boudin said it's designed to ensure people arent wrongfully charged.
Prosecutor: Officer kicked Rayshard Brooks after shooting
Read full article: Prosecutor: Officer kicked Rayshard Brooks after shootingThis combination of photos provided by the Atlanta Police Department shows Officer Garrett Rolfe, left and Officer Devin Brosnan. I got him! Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard quoted Officer Garrett Rolfe as saying. Rolfe shot Brooks after the 27-year-old black man grabbed a Taser and ran, firing it from too far away to reach the white officer, the prosecutor said. When Mr. Brooks turned and pointed an object at Officer Rolfe, any officer would have reasonably believed that he intended to disarm, disable or seriously injure him, the lawyers said in a statement. The prosecutor said Brooks never presented himself as a threat during a more than 40-minute interaction with officers before the shooting.
5 Things to Know for Today
Read full article: 5 Things to Know for TodayFILE - In this March 24, 2014 file photo, actor Danny Masterson arrives at Youth for Human Rights International Celebrity Benefit in Los Angeles. Masterson, known for his roles in "That '70s Show" and "The Ranch," has been charged with raping three women, Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials announced Wednesday. (Annie I. Bang/Invision/AP, File)Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:1. ATLANTA OFFICER CHARGED WITH MURDER As Rayshard Brooks lay dying in a Wendys parking lot, prosecutors say the white Atlanta police officer who shot him in the back kicked him and delayed giving him medical attention. THAT 70S SHOW ACTOR CHARGED WITH RAPE Prosecutors in Los Angeles say Danny Masterson raped three women in the early 2000s, leading to a rare arrest of a famous Hollywood figure in the #MeToo era.
The Latest: Lexington police probe slurs at online meeting
Read full article: The Latest: Lexington police probe slurs at online meeting___LEXINGTON, Ky. A virtual city council meeting in Kentucky was interrupted Wednesday night by people making racial and homophobic slurs. The Zoom meeting with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County council members was an open forum for the public to discuss police reform. Lexington Vice Mayor Steve Kay said the council was unable to screen the calls Wednesday. The initial complaint alleges Derek Chauvin had his knee on Mr. Floyds neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total. Little Rock is banning police from using neck restraints following nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Mayor Frank Scott said Wednesday.
President Donald Trump says his actions made Juneteenth very famous
Read full article: President Donald Trump says his actions made Juneteenth very famousWASHINGTON President Donald Trump says he learned about the importance of Juneteenth from a black Secret Service agent and is taking credit for making the unofficial holiday very famous.Trump made the comments in a Wall Street Journal interview published Thursday. The president had planned to hold his first campaign rally since early March in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19. Those plans were changed after the date and location were criticized as insensitive to the country's history of racist violence. June 19, known as Juneteenth, is an unofficial holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous, Trump told the newspaper.
Ex-Atlanta police officer charged following death of Rayshard Brooks turns self in
Read full article: Ex-Atlanta police officer charged following death of Rayshard Brooks turns self inATLANTA A former Atlanta police officer charged with aggravated assault following the death of Rayshard Brooks turned himself into authorities on Thursday and bonded out. The district attorney said he and Garrett Rolfe, the officer charged with felony murder in Brooks death, had until 6 p.m. to surrender. An officer found Brooks asleep behind the wheel, and a breath test showed he was intoxicated. Rolfe shot Brooks after the 27-year-old black man grabbed a Taser and ran, firing it at the officer, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said. The district attorney said Brosnan, 26, is cooperating with prosecutors and will testify.
Atlanta awaits decision on charges in black man's killing
Read full article: Atlanta awaits decision on charges in black man's killingFulton County District Attorney Paul Howard scheduled an afternoon news conference to announce his decision. Garrett Rolfe, the officer who shot the 27-year-old Brooks on Friday night at a fast-food restaurant, was fired after the killing. The Wendy's where Brooks was shot was burned down after his killing. An officer found Brooks asleep behind the wheel of the car, and a breath test found he was intoxicated. An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back.
WATCH: DA to announce decision on charges in fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta
Read full article: WATCH: DA to announce decision on charges in fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks in AtlantaGarrett Rolfe, the officer who shot the 27-year-old Brooks on Friday night at a fast-food restaurant, was fired after the killing. The Wendy's where Brooks was shot was burned down after his killing. An officer found Brooks asleep behind the wheel of the car, and a breath test showed he was intoxicated. When Mr. Brooks turned and pointed an object at Officer Rolfe, any officer would have reasonably believed that he intended to disarm, disable, or seriously injure him," the lawyers said. Read also:SAFD Chief Charles Hood delivers emotional speech about his experiences with racismAtlanta awaits decision on charges in black mans killing
Fired Atlanta Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Has Been Charged With Murder
Read full article: Fired Atlanta Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Has Been Charged With MurderThe former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot a black man who ran away with his Taser last week has been charged with murder, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced Wednesday. Garrett Rolfe, who was fired after the killing of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, faces 11 criminal charges, including felony murder. Brooks wrestled a Taser away from an officer, ran from the officers, and at one point, aimed the Taser at police before Rolfe fired his weapon, authorities said. Rolfe was fired from the department the following day and Brosnan was placed on administrative duty. (This story was originally published by CBS News on June 17 at 12:33 p.m. PT)RELATED CONTENT:Meghan McCain Calls for Police Reform Following Rayshard Brooks' DeathBillie Eilish Demands Justice for Rayshard Brooks After His DeathTyler Perry Is Paying for Rayshard Brooks' Funeral and Kids' Education
Meghan McCain Calls for Police Training Reform in Response to Rayshard Brooks' Death
Read full article: Meghan McCain Calls for Police Training Reform in Response to Rayshard Brooks' DeathMeghan McCain is speaking out about the need for police training reform. "I think we need to focus on training in de-escalation for the police department," McCain, 35, shared with her co-hosts. Brooks reportedly took one of the officer's tasers and ran. The day after Brooks' death, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned from her role, and both officers involved were suspended. RELATED CONTENT:Ellen DeGeneres & More React to Supreme Court Ruling on LGBTQ RightsMeghan McCain Responds After Backlash for Calling NYC a 'War Zone'Billie Eilish Demands Justice for Rayshard Brooks After His DeathJustin Timberlake Shares Heartbreaking Family Photo of Rayshard Brooks
Atlanta mayor vows changes in how police officers use force
Read full article: Atlanta mayor vows changes in how police officers use forceThe family wants the officers involved in Brooks' death arrested and prosecuted. The mayor said she'll also require officers to intervene if they see a colleague using excessive force. Two white officers had responded to calls about a man who was asleep at the wheel in a Wendy's drive-thru lane. Brooks broke free and took off with a stun gun; a white officer shot him as he tried to run away. In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said a panel of residents, activists and one police official will review the Police Departments policy on when officers can use force.
Could the police shooting in Atlanta have been prevented?
Read full article: Could the police shooting in Atlanta have been prevented?This screen grab taken from body camera video provided by the Atlanta Police Department shows Rayshard Brooks speaking with Officer Garrett Rolfe in the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant, late Friday, June 12, 2020, in Atlanta. Rolfe has been fired following the fatal shooting of Brooks and a second officer has been placed on administrative duty. (Atlanta Police Department via AP)It started off as routine: a man asleep in his car in a fast-food drive-thru. But it rapidly spun out of control when Atlanta police tried to handcuff and arrest Rayshard Brooks for being intoxicated. From his perspective, he said, the officer who killed Brooks was trying to run for cover in the parking lot and evade Brooks.
Value of police body cameras limited by lack of transparency
Read full article: Value of police body cameras limited by lack of transparencyThe video shows an officer confronting Scott and then tackling him after he takes off running. The court ordered the nation's largest police department adopt body cameras. In the last five years, a Justice Department program awarded 420 grants worth nearly $83 million to help agencies pay for body cameras, according to a spokeswoman. Often, however, the videos that show the public grim realities of policing don't come from body cameras at all. Both officers body cameras were knocked to the ground in the ensuing struggle over a Taser.
Could this latest police shooting have been prevented?
Read full article: Could this latest police shooting have been prevented?Rolfe has been fired following the fatal shooting of Brooks and a second officer has been placed on administrative duty. Also, it was a crowded parking lot, making it risky for an officer to fire his gun. Police experts reject that idea, saying that officers facing what they believe is a deadly threat are trained to stop it cold, which usually means shooting at a person's torso. From his perspective, he said, the officer who killed Brooks was trying to run for cover in the parking lot and evade Brooks. Brooks was shot because at that moment he presented a deadly threat to those officers, Davis said.
Tyler Perry Is Paying for Rayshard Brooks' Funeral and His Kids' College Education
Read full article: Tyler Perry Is Paying for Rayshard Brooks' Funeral and His Kids' College EducationTyler Perry is giving back after Rayshard Brooks' death. ET has learned that Perry reached out to the family directly, wanting to do something to help during this stressful time, which included paying for Brooks' funeral and offering to pay for his children's college education. BREAKING:Attorney for #RayshardBrooks announces that media mogul Tyler Perry will be covering the cost of his funeral. Less than a day after Brooks' death, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields stepped down from her role. Brooks' death has sparked another wave of intense protests against police brutality and racial injustice in Atlanta.
Justin Timberlake Shares Heartbreaking Family Photo of Rayshard Brooks
Read full article: Justin Timberlake Shares Heartbreaking Family Photo of Rayshard BrooksJustin Timberlake is speaking out about the death of Rayshard Brooks. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish took to Instagram to share her anger over Brooks' death as well. F**K THIS S**T. JUSTICE FOR RAYSHARD BROOKS. Brooks reportedly took one of the officer's tasers and ran. The day after Brooks' death, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned from her role, and both officers involved were suspended.
Atlanta Police Officer Fired After Fatally Shooting Black Man Rayshard Brooks
Read full article: Atlanta Police Officer Fired After Fatally Shooting Black Man Rayshard BrooksAn Atlanta police officer was fired early Sunday following the fatal shooting of a black man, which triggered unrest and new waves of protests in the city. Rayshard Brooks, 27, was fatally shot by police at a Wendy's drive-thru after officials said he resisted arrest and stole an officer's Taser. The fired officer, Garrett Rolfe, was hired by the department in October 2013, a department spokesperson said. When police tried to take him into custody, Brooks resisted and stole a Taser from an officer, they said. L. Chris Stewart, an attorney for Brooks' family, said the officer who killed Brooks should face charges.
Autopsy: Atlanta man killed by police was shot in his back
Read full article: Autopsy: Atlanta man killed by police was shot in his backRolfe has been fired following the fatal shooting of Brooks and a second officer has been placed on administrative duty. (Atlanta Police Department via AP)ATLANTA An autopsy found that the black man killed in a scuffle with Atlanta police outside a fast-food drive-thru was shot twice in the back, the medical examiner's office said. The Wendy's restaurant where Brooks was shot was burned down over the weekend. Brooks was shot late Friday after police were called amid complaints that a car was blocking the drive-thru lane. An officer found Brooks asleep in the car, had him move it to a parking space and began a sobriety check.
Drone footage shows remnants of Wendys restaurant set on fire following death of Rayshard Brooks
Read full article: Drone footage shows remnants of Wendys restaurant set on fire following death of Rayshard BrooksA Wendy's restaurant in Atlanta where a 27-year-old black man was fatally shot by police was left destroyed and charred on Sunday after being set ablaze the previous night. Rayshard Brooks was shot on Friday for resisting arrest after failing a field sobriety test in Atlanta. Atlanta police on Sunday released body-camera and other footage showing the events that led to his shooting death by a white officer. On Sunday, it was also announced that officer Garrett Rolfe had been fired following the fatal shooting, and another officer, Devin Brosnan, had been placed on administrative duty. Atlanta sobriety test quickly turned deadly
Autopsy report says Rayshard Brooks was shot twice in the back, lists manner of death as homicide
Read full article: Autopsy report says Rayshard Brooks was shot twice in the back, lists manner of death as homicide(CNN) -- Rayshard Brooks was shot twice in the back, according to a release by the Fulton County, Georgia, Medical Examiners Office. The autopsy, performed on Sunday, lists Brooks' cause of death as gunshot wounds to the back. One officer then fatally shot Brooks three times with his service weapon, authorities said. The officer who shot Brooks was fired and police chief Erika Shields resigned as exasperated protesters have called for justice. Rayshard Brooks was killed a day before he planned to celebrate his daughters birthdayOn Saturday, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she did not believe Brooks' death was a justified use of deadly force.
Atlanta officer fired after fatal shooting of black man
Read full article: Atlanta officer fired after fatal shooting of black man"RIP Rayshard" is spray painted on a sign as as flames engulf a Wendy's restaurant during protests Saturday, June 13, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)ATLANTA An Atlanta police officer was fired following the fatal shooting of a black man and another officer was placed on administrative duty, the police department announced early Sunday. The officer draws his gun and fires as the man keeps running, then falls to the ground in the parking lot. The security camera video recorded Brooks running or fleeing from Atlanta police officers, Reynolds said. The shooting of Brooks two weeks later raised further questions about the Atlanta department.
The Latest: Atlanta officer fired after shooting of Brooks
Read full article: The Latest: Atlanta officer fired after shooting of Brooks(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)TOP OF THE HOUR: Atlanta police officer fired after fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks. Clemson football team members lead demonstration on campus. ATLANTA An Atlanta police officer has been fired following the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, and a second officer has been placed on administrative leave. Atlanta police announced the termination of Garrett Rolfe early Sunday, a move that follows the Saturday resignation of Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields. Clemson football alumni and one-time Houston Texans teammates DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson voiced support for the petition on social media.
Protesters in US call attention to deaths of more black men
Read full article: Protesters in US call attention to deaths of more black men(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)Protests initially ignited by the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police continued over the weekend, as anti-racism protesters in the United States sought to call attention to the deaths of two more black men and Black Lives Matter demonstrations unfolded in London and Paris. The protesters marched from where the body was found to a sheriffs station, with many carrying signs that said Justice for Robert Fuller.Authorities said the death appeared to be a suicide, but an autopsy was planned. European protesters sought to show solidarity with their American counterparts and to confront bias in their own countries on Saturday. A Black Lives Matter group in London called off a demonstration, saying the presence of counter-protesters would make it unsafe. A rally in Paris drew 15,000, led by supporters of Adama Traore, a French black man who died in police custody in 2016.
Atlanta officer fired after fatal shooting of black man; restaurant where killing happened set ablaze
Read full article: Atlanta officer fired after fatal shooting of black man; restaurant where killing happened set ablazeATLANTA Editors note: The video above shows bodycam footage of the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks. An Atlanta police officer was fired following the fatal shooting of a black man and another officer was placed on administrative duty, the police department announced early Sunday. The police department also released body camera and dash camera footage from both officers. Rolfe is seen on body camera video administering the field sobriety test, followed by a Breathalyzer test with Brooks' permission. The GBI released security camera video of the shooting Saturday, which does not show Brooks' initial struggle with police.
Rayshard Brooks was killed a day before he planned to celebrate his daughters birthday
Read full article: Rayshard Brooks was killed a day before he planned to celebrate his daughters birthday(CNN) -- Rayshard Brooks' 8-year-old daughter had her birthday dress on Saturday morning waiting for her dad to come pick her up and take her skating to celebrate her birthday, family attorneys say. He was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer at a Wendy's parking lot in Atlanta Friday night. His oldest daughter was having her birthday party Saturday, Brooks' family attorney Justin Miller said in a news conference Saturday. Atlanta officer fired after fatal shooting of black man; restaurant where killing happened set ablazeA day earlier, the young girl had enjoyed other celebrations with her father. It was the worst thing he could wake up to, knowing Brooks' whole family watched those same moments.
Atlanta police officer shoots a black man dead at a fast-food drive-thru, authorities say
Read full article: Atlanta police officer shoots a black man dead at a fast-food drive-thru, authorities sayThe GBI identified the slain man as Rayshard Brooks, 27, of Atlanta, who was African American. An officer drew his Taser and, witnesses said, the man grabbed it, the statement said. I thought Atlanta was higher than thatAt the Wendy's in southeast Atlanta, Decatur Redd, who said he is a relative of Brooks, spoke with reporters and a crowd of people. "I thought Atlanta was higher than that. I thought Atlanta was bigger than that," Redd said.
Atlanta kill black man who grabbed a Taser; chief resigns
Read full article: Atlanta kill black man who grabbed a Taser; chief resignsATLANTA (AP) A black man killed by Atlanta police in a struggle following a field sobriety test was shot after he snatched an officers Taser and pointed it back at the officer while fleeing, the head of the Georgia agency investigating the case said Saturday. A crowd of demonstrators gathered Saturday outside the Atlanta restaurant where Brooks was shot. A security camera recorded Brooks running or fleeing from Atlanta police officers, Reynolds said. It appears that he has in his hand a Taser.During a short foot chase Brooks turns around and it appears at that time he points a Taser at an Atlanta officer, Reynolds said. That's when the officer drew his gun and shot Brooks, he said, estimating the officer fired three times.
Atlanta Police Chief Resigns After Officer Shoots and Kills Man Outside Wendy's
Read full article: Atlanta Police Chief Resigns After Officer Shoots and Kills Man Outside Wendy'sAtlanta Police Chief Erika Shields is stepping down from the role, a move that comes less than 24 hours after an officer shot and killed a man authorities claim was resisting arrest. "A field sobriety test was performed on the male subject. After failing the test, the officers attempted to place the male subject into custody," reads the press release. "During the arrest, the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued. "Witnesses report that during the struggle the male subject grabbed and was in possession of the Taser.