Twelve people from across the country have been chosen to serve on an independent panel to review the arrest of a black Harvard scholar at his home by a white police officer, Cambridge officials said Thursday. This was reported by the Associated Press.
This panel was created by city leaders, after the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, in July. I like the fact it is diverse panel from all over the country. Racial profiling has and is still a big issue in the United States. The numbers are staggering of minorities here in America who get targeted every day because of their ethnicity.
Sadly it is only when a prominent member of society gets (or in this case I guess I have to be fair and say allegedly targeted), that the issue even makes local news. The panel members were chosen based on their diverse professional backgrounds and their experience with community relations and conflict resolution.
Source: Associated Press
A federal jury has convicted two Kansas City men in the hate-crime murder of a black pedestrian.
Gary Eye and Steven Sandstrom were on trial for killing William McCay, 44, in March 2005 in what prosecutors alleged was a violation of his civil right to walk down a street unmolested because of his race
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It has been 10 years since a lawsuit was filed for six victims against the state of Maryland. State officials approved a $400,000 settlement. The victims will received $20,000 eac and $180.000 will go toward their legal fees. The other $100,000 will pay for a consultant to advise Maryland Police on how to conduct themselves while in the field.
more of the story here-->Here
Two of South Carolina's top law enforcement officials ( Public Safety Director Jim Schweitzer and Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark ) have submitted their resignations amid criticism of their handling of a state trooper who used a racial epithet during a traffic stop four years ago and threatening to kill a suspect. The trooper was simply reprimanded at the time and then suspended. Their was immediate public outcry. The Governor, Mark Sanford said the trooper should of been fired.
It appears James Schweitzer, who's the highest ranking officer in the Department of Public Safety will not be renominated. Schweitzer says he's disappointed to leave the agency under what he feels is politics at its worst. He'll continue as director until the next one is appointed. Sanford decided not to nominate Schweitzer for a second term after viewing a taped traffic stop.
The tape, along with another one showing a woman handcuffed to front bumper of a patrol car,was submitted to the Governor. He was outraged that these men in both incidences were merely let go with a warning and one got a 12 hour suspension.
Already Reginald E. Gosnell, is being touted by some former troopers as the right choice to head Public Safety, according to an e-mail sent to some state senators, who must confirm Sanford’s choice.
