Former Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson is on trial for allegedly hindering the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s murder by attempting to shield the McMichaels, who were subsequently convicted of murder, from arrest. The prosecution will present evidence including phone logs and messages between Johnson and Greg McMichael, suggesting potential interference. Johnson denies wrongdoing, claiming she recused herself and that accusations are retaliatory. This trial, stemming from the highly publicized Arbery case, aims to address concerns of systemic failures and potential corruption within the Glynn County justice system.
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The Department of Justice’s new report on the 1921 Tulsa race massacre reveals that the attack was a coordinated, military-style assault, not mere mob violence, perpetrated by white Tulsans with the complicity of law enforcement. The 126-page report details the systematic destruction of Greenwood, the murder of hundreds of Black residents, and the subsequent denial of justice and compensation to survivors. While acknowledging the impossibility of prosecuting any living perpetrators, the report aims to provide a full accounting of this horrific event and facilitate community reconciliation. The investigation included interviews with survivors and descendants, along with examination of primary source materials.
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The FBI is currently investigating the death of a Black man found hanging in Alabama. This case has sparked widespread speculation and concern, with many drawing parallels to the history of lynching in the United States. The man, who had filed a federal lawsuit against a local police station for alleged excessive force, was found deceased in an abandoned house several miles from his home.
The circumstances surrounding his death have fueled suspicion and prompted calls for a thorough investigation. Some argue that the man’s death is a clear example of a modern-day lynching, pointing to the history of racial violence and the timing of his death following his lawsuit against law enforcement.… Continue reading
Racist text messages, falsely attributed to a Trump supporter, are circulating nationwide, targeting Black Americans with threats of forced labor on a plantation. These messages, containing specific details like pickup times and group assignments, have instilled fear and anxiety among recipients, particularly students. Civil rights groups and authorities have denounced the messages, urging anyone threatened to contact local law enforcement or the FBI. State and local authorities are actively investigating the source and intent behind these disturbing communications.
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Two Ohio police officers, Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, have been charged with reckless homicide following the death of Frank Tyson, who was left handcuffed and facedown on a social club floor, telling officers he couldn’t breathe. Tyson, who was Black, was detained after a car crash and body-camera footage showed him resisting arrest and complaining he was being suffocated. The officers told him to calm down and were seen joking with bystanders and inspecting Tyson’s wallet before realizing he was in medical distress. The charges were third-degree felonies, carrying a maximum sentence of 36 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. The officers were placed on paid administrative leave following the charge.
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A former Kentucky police detective, Brett Hankison, was convicted by a federal jury of using excessive force during a flawed 2020 drug raid that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor. It marks the first conviction of an officer involved in the operation. The jury was initially deadlocked on the excessive force charge against Taylor, but chose to continue deliberations. Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother, commended the jurors for allocating time to understand the need for justice for her daughter. Hankison, who fired 10 shots during the raid and failed to hit anyone, faces a potential life sentence to be decided on 12 March.
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As I reflect on the appalling incident involving Phoenix officers repeatedly punching and Tasing a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, my heart is heavy with a mix of anger, frustration, and sadness. The sheer brutality and lack of humanity displayed by those who are supposed to protect and serve is beyond comprehension.
The fact that this violent arrest stemmed from a false accusation made by a white man, leading the officers to target an innocent individual, speaks volumes about the deep-rooted systemic issues within law enforcement. To think that a simple accusation based on race could result in such a vicious attack is beyond troubling.… Continue reading
As I read about the Black high school student, Darryl George, who was denied a court order allowing him to return to school without fear of punishment over his hairstyle, I am left feeling outraged and saddened. The fact that he had to leave his Houston-area high school in Barbers Hill school district due to their discriminatory policies on hair is appalling. The district’s insistence on enforcing a dress code that restricts students’ hair length to prevent disruption and teach respect for authority is misguided and fundamentally racist.
The idea that George’s tied and twisted locs violate the school’s policy because they may fall below his shirt collar, eyebrows, or earlobes if let down is absurd.… Continue reading
I can’t help but feel disturbed by the tragic death of Ajike Owens at the hands of her neighbor, a woman who fatally shot her through a door. The fact that a 911 call sealed the verdict sheds light on the gruesome nature of the incident. The idea that a locked door and a sense of fear were used as justifications for taking someone’s life is deeply unsettling. The existence of a six-person, all-white panel as the jury raises eyebrows and questions the fairness of the trial process. The decision to charge the woman with manslaughter, rather than murder, despite evidence of premeditation, leaves me questioning the justice system’s priorities and values.… Continue reading
As the news of the tragic death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson continues to circulate, it is infuriating to see the lack of immediate action to hold the Florida deputy accountable for his actions. The fact that this deputy has not yet faced charges is appalling, especially when there is clear body cam footage showcasing the unjustifiable nature of the incident. It is a stark reminder of the delayed and denied justice that often plagues Black individuals in America.
The demand from the lawyer and family of Senior Airman Roger Fortson for the deputy to face charges is more than justified.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood