Pennsylvania attorney general josh shapiro

President Joe Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “racism is an American problem,” during an ABC News interview with Pierre Thomas. Garland did not directly mention any ongoing cases in the interview when he was asked to do so on the Derek Chauvin trial, saying , “I intend to wait until the verdict before I will say anything, and I would urge the American people to do the same.” When asked by Thomas if he “believes there is bias and pockets of racism in law enforcement,” Garland answered, “Racism is an American problem. I think that.. umm.. it’s plain to me that there has been and remains discrimination against African Americans and other communities of color, and other ethnic minorities.” “I think it’s reflected in discrimination in housing and employment and the justice system. … We do not yet have equal justice under law,’ said Garland. Concerning the social unrest in 2020, Garland remarked, “I also saw the videos last summer, all through the summer.” … [Read more...] about Attorney General Merrick Garland Says ‘Racism Is an American Problem’

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is opening a sweeping investigation into policing practices in Minneapolis after a former officer was convicted in the killing of George Floyd there, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Wednesday. The decision comes a day after former officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death last May, setting off a wave of relief across the country. The death prompted months of mass protests against policing and the treatment of Black people in the U.S. The Justice Department was already investigating whether Chauvin and the other officers involved in Floyd’s death violated his civil rights. “Yesterday’s verdict in the state criminal trial does not address potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis,” Garland said. The new investigation is known as a “pattern or practice” — examining whether there is a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing — and will be a more sweeping probe … [Read more...] about Justice Department, Garland announce police probe day after George Floyd case verdict

Research into discrepancies in the use of school safety funding as well as the district’s plan to reduce arrests and expulsions for minority students has led parents and survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School shooting to allege the school district superintendent and school board engaged in misconduct that undermined student safety at the school. Kenneth Preston, a 19-year-old student of the school district, spoke at the Broward County School Board Operational meeting Tuesday evening. His plan was to address his research into the district’s school safety funding and its programs – known as PROMISE and the Behavior Intervention Program – that has led him and a group of parents and student survivors of the shooting to call for an independent investigation into the actions of Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie and the Broward County school board. Though Preston originally planned to deliver the results of his research at the school board meeting, he … [Read more...] about Broward Students, Parents Allege Superintendent, School Board Misconduct Undermined Student Safety

Attorney General Merrick Garland Merrick Garland Biden says Chauvin verdict is step forward in fight against racial injustice Senate confirms Biden's nominee for No. 2 official at DOJ Why Biden's gun policy doesn't go far enough MORE announced Wednesday morning that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will open an investigation into the policing practices of law enforcement in Minneapolis. The investigation comes a day after a jury in Minneapolis found former city police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter in the death of George Floyd last May. “Although the state's prosecution was successful, I know that nothing can fill the void that the loved ones of George Floyd have felt since his death,” Garland said Wednesday morning. ADVERTISEMENT “Yesterday's verdict in the state criminal trial does not address potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis.” The DOJ under President Biden Joe Biden … [Read more...] about DOJ to probe Minneapolis police

Former President Carter honored his former vice president, Walter Mondale, after Mondale died on Monday at the age of 93. “Today I mourn the passing of my dear friend Walter Mondale, who I consider the best vice president in our country’s history,” Carter said in a statement shared on Twitter by The Carter Center. “During our administration, Fritz used his political skill and personal integrity to transform the vice presidency into a dynamic, policy-driving force that had never been seen before and still exists today,” Carter continued. “He was an invaluable partner and an able servant of the people of Minnesota, the United States, and the world.” ADVERTISEMENT Statement from Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter Biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Mondale The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Tensions rise as U.S. waits for Derek Chauvin verdict Walter Mondale was our first consequential vice president MORE on the passing of … [Read more...] about Jimmy Carter remembers Mondale as ‘best vice president in our country’s history’