Biden closes out Black History Month with White House event
President Joe Biden welcomed Black leaders to the White House Monday for a jovial Black History Month celebration, where he used the moment to call on Congress to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and pass voting rights bills.
Migrant camp shrinks on US border as more Haitians removed
Haitian migrants are waiting to learn their fate at a Texas border encampment whose size has dramatically diminished from the almost 15,000 who gathered there days ago in an effort to seek humanitarian protection in the U.S. but now face expulsion.
As frustration mounts, a White House push on voting rights
The Biden administration has unveiled new efforts to help protect access to the ballot as complaints grow louder from civil rights activists and other Democrats that the White House has not done enough to fight attempts by Republican-led state legislatures to tighten voting laws.
Jurors shown video at ex-officer's trial in Floyd's death
The defense attorney also disputed that Chauvin was to blame for Floyd’s death. Jurors watched intently as the video played on multiple screens, with one drawing a sharp breath as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. ... She couldn’t help.”The timeline differs from the initial account submitted last May by prosecutors, who said Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. AdBefore the trial began, Floyd family attorney Ben Crump blasted the idea that the trial would be a tough test for jurors. City and state leaders are determined to prevent a repeat of the riots that followed Floyd’s death, with National Guard troops already mobilized.
Floyd family, leaders hold prayer service on eve of trial
Bystander video of the confrontation is expected to be a key exhibit at trial, with opening statements set for Monday, March 29, 2021. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)MINNEAPOLIS – National civil rights leaders appeared alongside several family members of George Floyd at a prayer service Sunday night, hours before opening statements were set to begin in the murder trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged in his death. Several dozen attendees congregated in the benches at Greater Friendship Missionary Church, where preachers led worship, a choir sang and members of George Floyd's family were joined by the Rev. The speakers called for justice in George Floyd's death, mirroring the words spoken by leaders during a protest earlier Sunday in downtown Minneapolis. George Floyd, who was Black, was declared dead on May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee on George Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes while George Floyd was handcuffed and pleading that he couldn’t breathe.
Democrats assail Georgia law, make case for voting overhaul
He told reporters the Georgia law is an “atrocity" and the Justice Department is looking into it. Allies meanwhile plan to fight the Georgia law, and others, in court. He called as well for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore some aspects of a landmark law struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013. Donald Trump, the former president who promoted false claims of election fraud, congratulated the Georgia governor and state leaders on the new law. 1 is vast, and its Senate counterpart would confront the new Georgia law by expanding voting by mail and early voting, both popular during the pandemic.
Democrats assail Georgia law, make case for voting overhaul
He told reporters the Georgia law is an “atrocity" and the Justice Department is looking into it. Allies meanwhile plan to fight the Georgia law, and others, in court. He called as well for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore some aspects of a landmark law struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013. Donald Trump, the former president who promoted false claims of election fraud, congratulated the Georgia governor and state leaders on the new law. 1 is vast, and its Senate counterpart would confront the new Georgia law by expanding voting by mail and early voting, both popular during the pandemic.
Biden lands key endorsement, Sanders touts momentum as Democrats campaign in South Carolina
Recent polls show Biden, once the leading candidate in the race to be the Democratic nominee in November, losing ground nationally with black voters to the surging Vermont senator. Sanders, a democratic socialist, has taken command of the Democratic race after his resounding win last week in Nevada. Three days after South Carolinas primary, voters in 14 states will go to the polls for the vital Super Tuesday contests. REUTERS/Elizabeth FrantzBiden responded: Im here, heart and soul, with everything Ive got to earn the support of the people of South Carolina. She campaigned at the historically black South Carolina State University on Wednesday hoping that strong back-to-back debate performances would give her a boost after disappointing finishes in the first three states.
feeds.reuters.comSharpton looks to comfort families after police shootings
"I try to frame a message that, as a minister, gives some comfort and meaning to the family," Sharpton said. Before Sharpton spoke at the funeral of Stephon Clark in Sacramento, California, last year, he called Clark's brother, Stevante, on stage. As the emotional young man bounded to the front of the church, Sharpton began the call-and-response protest chant: "I am!" "You don't tell people in pain how to handle their pain," Sharpton told the crowd, Stevante Clark's arm draped around him. "You don't tell people when you kill their loved one how to grieve."
chicagotribune.com