george-floyd-protests

COMMENTARY
Protesters during the 2020 George Floyd protests in Philadelphia (Photo courtesy of Michael Coard).

Philly’s settlement a win for protesters; police reform fight continues | Michael Coard

BY: - March 26, 2023

This was a 'truly unique civil rights lawsuit' because it sought more than mere money.

Philly to pay record settlement for police misconduct in 2020 protests

BY: - March 21, 2023

Mayor Jim Kenney said the pain and trauma caused by a legacy of systemic racism and police brutality against Black and brown Philadelphians is immeasurable.

How will Philadelphia respond to verdict in trial of Minneapolis cop who killed George Floyd?

BY: - March 13, 2021

Some activists and faith leaders say the jury remains out on that question but some are working now to head off a potential repeat of last year’s civil unrest and looting.

Philly Council offers first draft on its proposed police oversight commission

BY: - February 6, 2021

The commissioners would review and investigate all use-of-force incidents, including when officers use their Tasers and discharge their firearms.

Philly Police Commish Outlaw grilled over police response to Floyd protests

BY: - October 23, 2020

The department lacked any intelligence that local protests would grow so large or spark a high level of violence throughout the city, Outlaw said. 

COMMENTARY

This is the moment: Defund the police, reinvest in people | Opinion

BY: - June 17, 2020

The uprising we’re witnessing, and the demand to defund police, is the sound of Americans speaking to our country’s police state in its own language.

COMMENTARY

Let’s strive to make rubber bullets relics of the past. There is a path forward | Opinion

BY: - June 15, 2020

A rubber bullet conveys a clear message about force and who holds the monopoly on it. I never thought I’d be writing about their use in my country.

W. Pa. grocery chain Giant Eagle says it won’t sell Post-Gazette

BY: - June 11, 2020

Western Pennsylvania’s largest supermarket chain says it will no longer advertise or sell copies of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in its stores, as part of a new initiative to “stand up against racism and social justice.” 

Students in this W.Pa. school district are leading the call for reform after years of unchecked racist incidents

BY: - June 11, 2020

“They mock Black people for fun and they think that they’re going to receive no consequences,” said Zyan Barrett, president of the multicultural student union. 

Defund the Police: What does it mean and why does it matter? | Analysis

BY: - June 9, 2020

What does defunding the police really mean? Within the three word phrase are plenty of disagreements in specific policy across the spectrum.

COMMENTARY

2020 uprisings, unprecedented in scope, join a long river of struggle in America | Opinion

BY: - June 8, 2020

It is as if the dam has broken, and the many currents of the American protest tradition have all come together in a river of outrage, exhilaration and hope.

Black Lives Matter protesters march outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Sunday, 6/7/20 (Capital-Star photo by John L. Micek)

#BlackLivesMatter rally in Harrisburg: ‘We will get police reform in the state of Pennsylvania’

BY: - June 7, 2020

On the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol, marchers called on lawmakers to pass police reform bills that have lingered in committee for months.