These programs align with core American values. Democrats shouldn’t be the only ones defending them.
Trump has been hostile toward immigrants and sometimes made racist remarks. His support among Hispanics remains stable, however, thanks to his policies on abortion, public safety and foreign policy.
Numerous measures curbing police power or pursuing criminal justice reform ideas are on state and local ballots this year. They predate the George Floyd protests but reflect current concerns.
A bill celebrating the late actor Chadwick Boseman is one of many efforts states have undertaken to turn calls for racial change into legislative action. The BLM protests have turned into the country’s largest movement.
Legislation has been proposed that would implement nearly a dozen changes to state laws regarding protests, including charging protesters with a third degree felony if they obstruct traffic during an unpermitted protest.
Pretextual stops allow police to stop motorists for a minor violation but research shows these stops disproportionately affect Black drivers. Some believe that ending ‘pretext’ stops will help diminish police brutality.
Political exploitation of pain and fear has diverted our attention from the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement. Public officials need to work to bring us back to the more important issues.
State lawmakers have stalled a bill that would punish police officers who don’t physically intervene in situations of excessive force. Law enforcement groups opposed the legislation, which stalled without explanation.
The Pennsylvania city’s council introduced a police initiative that doesn’t defund the department but does implement stronger programs for training on mental health, addiction and other social issues.
Federal money and innovative housing-first programs have provided much needed support for the nation’s half-million homeless. But with the pandemic continuing, helping this vulnerable population will remain a challenge.
Peniel Joseph, one of the nation’s leading civil rights scholars, has studied and written about the history of race and democracy. He has some ideas on how cities and urban areas can begin to dismantle racism.
Ramsey County’s commissioner has fought for change in the state for the past three decades through vigorous community engagement. She has marked history with her achievements and now watches her son do the same as mayor of St. Paul.
Less than 10 percent of police responses involve a violent crime. Rethinking policing involves more than how police behave on the job. Often, they may not be the right people to answer calls of distress.
Homicides are up in major cities. The combination of pandemic, recession and the two-way street of distrust between police and the communities they serve has created a "toxic mix of despair."
In response to protests following the death of George Floyd, Wisconsin’s state capital has proposed that police be banned from using tear gas, mace and projectile devices for crowd control. But not everyone agrees.
The national conversation about racism isn't about individual acts of violence or harassment, but about systems that perpetuate injustice. In the wake of recent protests, legislators have responded.
Most Read
