Author

Michael Coard

Michael Coard

Opinion contributor Michael Coard, an attorney and radio host, is a columnist for the Philadelphia Tribune. His work appears biweekly on the Capital-Star’s Commentary Page. Readers may follow him on Twitter @michaelcoard.

COMMENTARY

Pennsylvania’s dangerous landlord-tenant law persists | Michael Coard

By: - August 23, 2023

Back in April, I wrote about the serious problem of landlord-tenant officers in Pennsylvania, who have extraordinary power with very little training. I detailed the March case of 35-year-old Angel Davis, shot in the head and nearly killed by a so-called landlord-tenant officer while he served her with eviction papers in Philadelphia. At a rally […]

COMMENTARY
Flashing lights on a police car

Pa.’s probation reform bill actually weaponizes it | Michael Coard

By: - July 9, 2023

Yes, there's an urgent need to fix a flawed system. This equally flawed bill isn't it.

COMMENTARY

Ten reasons why Black people shouldn’t celebrate Independence Day | Michael Coard

By: - July 4, 2023

Some 247 years later, we're still waiting for true freedom and liberation.

COMMENTARY
Flashing lights on a police car

Appellate court ruling on Philly cops’ social media posts sends a dangerous message | Michael Coard

By: - June 20, 2023

We need far more than just mere reform to fix a broken system.

COMMENTARY
Flashing lights on a police car

You have the right to remain silent. You should exercise it | Michael Coard

By: - June 15, 2023

The 'Miranda Warning,' a bedrock principle of law, turned 57 years old this week. Here's why you should still care about it.

COMMENTARY

Here’s how to stop Black gun crime – and white gun crime, too | Michael Coard

By: - June 6, 2023

To end our plague of violence, we need to make it nearly impossible for Americans to own guns.

COMMENTARY
Philadelphia City Hall

Progressives make gains in Pa.’s biggest counties – despite establishment Dems | Michael Coard

By: - June 2, 2023

In Philly and Allegheny County, progressives seized the moment on Primary Day. We're here to stay.

COMMENTARY
A voting sign in Philadelphia

Want more Pa. Black voters to vote progressive? Here’s how | Michael Coard

By: - May 21, 2023

It starts with Black voters taking charge of their own progressive movement - and white progressives not being so paternalistic.

COMMENTARY
Firefighters battled a massive blaze that destroyed a West Philadelphia neighborhood after police firebombed the MOVE residence, killing 11 people in May 1985. — Temple University Archives Photo

Four decades later, embers of Philly’s MOVE bombing still smoldering | Michael Coard

By: - May 16, 2023

A West Philly neighborhood went up in flames, taking lives and property with it. We're still waiting for accountability.

COMMENTARY
CIR Online/Wikimedia Commons Black Panther Party members at California State Capitol (1967)

Want to pass real gun reform? Give more law-abiding Black people guns | Michael Coard

By: - May 7, 2023

It would happen faster than when Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday pulled their guns at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

COMMENTARY

Are influential anti-DEI Trumpers trying to turn Pa. into Florida? | Michael Coard

By: - April 25, 2023

The signs are there. Be aware -- and then vote.

COMMENTARY

Pa.’s landlord-tenant law literally can get you killed | Michael Coard

By: - April 7, 2023

Officials have a lot of explaining to do in the shooting of a Philadelphia woman.