Black

Former Officer to Stand Trial for Fatal Shooting of Black Motorist in Michigan

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Grand Rapids, Michigan – Nearly three years have passed since the quiet morning when former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr’s encounter with Patrick Lyoya ended tragically. On an early April day in 2020, Schurr pulled over Lyoya for a vehicle registration discrepancy, setting off a series of events that culminated in Lyoya’s death and ignited widespread scrutiny of police actions. Lyoya, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a resident of Michigan since his family’s resettlement from a refugee camp, questioned the traffic stop before ultimately being shot in the back of the … Read more

Legacy of Courage: A Young Black Lawyer’s Refusal to Conform Reshapes Our Understanding of Justice

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New York, NY – The layers of history echoing through the legal profession are tumultuous and polarized, marked by individuals who risked everything to understand the very laws that oppressed them. From enslaved individuals surreptitiously learning the legal codes of bondage to the young black girls braving hate-filled mobs to desegregate schools, these figures leveraged knowledge as a means of resistance, continuously striving for justice in an unjust system. Yet, today’s legal landscape paints a starkly different picture—one of potential moral capitulation as the profession appears increasingly intertwined with burgeoning authoritarian interests. Throughout recent years, … Read more

Virginia Campground Owner Ordered to Pay $750,000 for Racial Discrimination Against Black Camper

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Richmond, VA – A Virginia jury has awarded two families a total of $750,000, finding that a campground owner discriminated against them based on racial prejudice. The incident occurred at Lazy Cove Campground in June 2020 when a campground owner objected to the presence of a Black guest. Amanda Mills and Angela Smith, friends planning a joint family camping excursion, faced unexpected discrimination that altered their experience. Angela Smith, who is white, her Black husband Damien Smith, and their young son were set to join the Mills family for a relaxing stay. However, the families’ … Read more

Utah Legislature Wins ‘Black Hole’ Award for Lack of Transparency in Public Records

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Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah Legislature has garnered significant criticism for its approach to public records, leading to the state receiving a damning appraisal as a “Black Hole” by a recognized freedom of information advocacy group. This designation highlights profound issues regarding the accessibility of public records in Utah, reflecting a broader concern about transparency in governmental operations. This criticism stems primarily from recent legislative actions perceived as tightening the reins on public records accessibility. Particularly contentious is the enactment of HB 2022, which opponents argue introduces prohibitive fees and cumbersome processes that … Read more