NASCAR driver Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely after he liked an insensitive meme with a photo of George Floyd’s face. Gragson has since apologized for his actions and Josh Berry will be replacing him in Sunday’s race. NASCAR has been taking steps to create a more inclusive environment, including a new policy that requires drivers to complete sensitivity training and prohibits them from posting offensive content on social media.
Posts tagged as “George Floyd”
The Department of Justice has announced an investigation into the Memphis Police Department for alleged discriminatory policing and civil rights violations. This is part of a broader "patterns and practices" review, and the family of Tyre Nichols, who was killed by police earlier this year, has expressed gratitude for the investigation. The DOJ has not provided a timeline for when the investigation will be complete.
The U.S. Department of Justice has released a report finding that the Minneapolis Police Department has engaged in a pattern of unconstitutional and unlawful conduct, including excessive force and discrimination against Black and Native American people. The report calls for the City of Minneapolis to take immediate steps to address the issues and enter into a court-enforceable agreement to ensure that the MPD reforms its practices and policies. The findings of the report are a reminder that the fight for justice and equality is far from over.
California has agreed to pay a $24 million civil rights settlement to the family of Edward Bronstein, who died in police custody in 2020. This is the largest settlement of its kind in the state and the second largest nationally since the George Floyd case. The settlement will be used to fund a trust for Bronstein’s children, and is seen as a sign of progress in the fight for justice and accountability.
Tou Thao, one of four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd, was found guilty of aiding and abetting manslaughter by a judge in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Thao was found guilty of holding back bystanders while his colleagues restrained Floyd, who died after officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyd's neck for 9 1/2 minutes. Thao's conviction is the latest in a series of rulings in the aftermath of Floyd's death, and is hoped to bring some closure to the family and friends of Floyd, and to the nation as a whole.
Kim Potter, a white former police officer, was released from prison early Monday morning after serving 16 months of her two-year sentence for the 2021 killing of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man. The Minnesota Department of Corrections released Potter at 4 a.m. local time out of security concerns, and her release comes as the trial of Derek Chauvin, the officer who killed George Floyd in 2020, enters its third week. Potter's release is likely to be met with mixed reactions, as many are still seeking justice for Wright and other victims of police brutality.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has upheld the second-degree murder conviction and 22 1/2-year sentence of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd. The incident occurred in May 2020 and sparked nationwide protests and outrage. The court rejected Chauvin's attorney's argument that the massive pretrial publicity and legal and procedural errors deprived Chauvin of a fair trial, sending a message that those responsible for such acts will be held accountable.
Mike Pompeo has announced he will not run for president in 2024, Nikki Haley has attacked President Trump in a campaign memo, and three American sailors are missing off the coast of Mexico.