Protests

Judge Dismisses Excessive-Force Lawsuit Involving Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

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BISMARCK, N.D. – A federal judge in North Dakota has dismissed an excessive-force lawsuit filed by a woman from New York who was injured in an explosion during protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor granted motions to dismiss the 2018 lawsuit on Wednesday and Friday. Sophia Wilansky, the plaintiff, suffered injuries to her left forearm when an explosive munition or flashbang went off during a clash between demonstrators and law enforcement officers on a blocked highway bridge in November 2016. The lawsuit named Morton County, its sheriff, and … Read more

Trial Begins for Defendant in Deadly Titusville Shootout, Sparks Protests Against Gun Violence

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Titusville, Florida – The trial for the first-degree murder of Rickie Gilbert is set to begin, more than four years after his shocking and tragic death. Gilbert was fatally wounded while driving into the crossfire of a shootout between rival groups in Titusville. The incident not only devastated Gilbert’s friends and family but also sparked protests against gun violence in the community. Quantay Demaurie Byrom, a 25-year-old defendant in the case, will face jury selection starting Monday. Prosecutors will present evidence and call witnesses to testify before Brevard Circuit Judge Charlie Crawford at the Moore … Read more

Indian Government Implements Controversial Citizenship Law Denying Rights to Muslims: Sparks Nationwide Protests

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SRINAGAR, India – The Indian government has announced the implementation of a controversial citizenship law that critics say stigmatizes Muslims and denies them the same rights given to other religious groups. The timing of this announcement, just months before national elections, is seen as a political calculation. The law, which was adopted by Parliament in December 2019 but never implemented, sparked a protest movement that lasted for three months and resulted in violent anti-Muslim attacks in north Delhi. On March 11, Home Minister Amit Shah announced that he was notifying the rules for implementing the … Read more

Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Against Akron Over Protests Following Police Killing of Jayland Walker

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AKRON, Ohio – The city of Akron has reached a settlement in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by 24 individuals who were arrested during protests in early July 2022 following the killing of Jayland Walker by Akron police officers. The suit, filed in June of 2023 against the City of Akron, then-Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, and Akron police officers, alleged that the defendants violated the constitutional rights of peaceful demonstrators protesting the 2022 police shooting of Jayland Walker. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 24 plaintiffs, including national activists Bianca Austin, aunt of … Read more