Two federal judges have blocked minority farmers from receiving billions of dollars in debt-relief payments. Judges Marcia Morales Howard and William Griesbach say the Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act is unconstitutional because it is not race-neutral. The orders come after white farmers and institutions filed lawsuits because they couldn’t receive …
Read More »President Biden Nominated More Minority And Women Judges In Four Months Than Trump Did In Four Years
President Joe Biden has selected more minority and women judges than former President Donald Trump did in four years. Fifteen of his nineteen nominees are women, and eleven of the women are from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. “This trailblazing slate of nominees draws from the very best and brightest …
Read More »Texas Governor Threatens To Withhold Lawmakers’ Pay After Dems Block Voting Bill
On Monday, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott threatened to veto a section of the state budget that funds lawmakers’ pay after Democratic lawmakers walked out during a legislative session in order to prevent the state’s Republicans from giving final approval to a sweeping voter suppression bill. “I will veto Article 10 …
Read More »Karine Jean-Pierre Is First Black Woman In 30 Years To Brief White House Press
The White House made history Wednesday when Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary for the White House, briefed reporters on behalf of the president. Jean-Pierre is the first Black woman in decades and the first openly gay spokesperson in history to stand behind the podium in that capacity. “It’s …
Read More »Kristen Clarke Becomes The First Black Woman To Lead DOJ Civil Rights Division
Kristen Clarke was confirmed by Senate in a 51-48 vote on Tuesday to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights division. Clarke is the first Black woman to serve in this position. “Our nation is a healthier place when we respect the rights of all communities. …
Read More »Minnesota’s AG To Lead Prosecution In Daunte Wright Manslaughter Case
Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General, will lead the prosecution in the death of Daunte Wright. Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter is charged with second-degree manslaughter in his death. “Daunte Wright’s death was a tragedy. He should not have died on the day that he did. He should not have died …
Read More »The Biden-Harris Administration Wants To Invest In Black Neighborhoods And HBCUs
In an interview with theGrio, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm discussed President Joe Biden’s interest in investing in Black neighborhoods and Black educational institutions. “My first venture out in this COVID environment was to Howard University… it was to announce a $17 million opportunity to DOE [Department of Energy] offering to …
Read More »Only 658,000 Black Floridians Are Vaccinated; A Mere 7% Of Population
Out of the roughly 9 million people vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida, Black people only account for 658,000. Governor Ron DeSantis administration officials and advocates are working to boost vaccination rates in Black communities around Florida. Larry Robinson, president of Florida A&M and Statewide Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement …
Read More »Families Of Victims Of Police Killings Meet With Lawmakers On Capitol Hill
George Floyd’s family attorney, Ben Crump, met with lawmakers to search for bipartisan legislation to reform policing in the United States. “We’re optimistic that — as President Biden has encouraged us — to try to have this George Floyd Act pass before May 25, the one-year anniversary of the killing …
Read More »The FDA Announces Plan To Ban Menthol Cigarettes
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration announced its plan to ban menthol cigarettes in response to a 2013 citizen petition advocating the ban of mint-flavored cigarettes, the Washington Post reports. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 20 million Americans smoke menthols. Phillip Gardiner, the co-chair of the …
Read More »Florida’s Senate Advances Restrictive Voting Bill That Limits Drop Boxes And Voting By Mail
Florida’s Republican-led Senate has advanced a voting bill that limits drop boxes and voting by mail. The bill would require voters to show identification to an election official before casting a ballot, limit where drop boxes could be located, and prevent anyone except official election workers from handing out food and …
Read More »Republican Lawmakers Are Passing Bills That Target Protestors
Republican legislators are introducing laws that target protestors. According to Truthout, Republicans have introduced 81 bills in 34 states aimed at protestors. On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an anti-protest bill into law. Chris Sprowls, speaker of the Florida House, doesn’t want future protests to get out of hand …
Read More »Church Leaders Seek Home Depot Boycott Over Georgia Voting Laws
Church leaders are calling for a boycott of Georgia-based Home Depot for its silence towards the new voting laws in Georgia. “We just don’t think we ought to let their indifference stand,” Reginald Jackson, Bishop at African Methodist Episcopal, said. Jackson says the home improvement store has remained “silent and …
Read More »House Dismiss GOP Efforts To Censure Rep. Waters
The House dismissed a resolution to censure Representative Maxine Waters for her comments about Derek Chauvin’s murder trial. Republicans believe that Representative Waters incited violence for saying telling a crowd of protestors in Minneapolis to “stay on the street” and “get more confrontational.” Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy introduced the resolution …
Read More »Attorney General Garland Cancels Trump-Era Memo Curtailing Consent Decrees
Attorney General Merrick Garland canceled a Trump-era memo that limited the use of consent decrees. “This memorandum makes clear that the Department will use all appropriate legal authorities to safeguard civil rights and protect the environment, consistent with longstanding Departmental practice and informed by the expertise of the Department’s career …
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