At the beginning of February, social activists and influencers decided to stand against Target after the retailer decided to restructure its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy. Target said in a statement that it is concluding its three-year DEI goals and its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) Initiatives to accelerate action in key areas, […]
Tag: black lives matter
Posted inLatest News
Judge denies dismissal of lawsuit alleging APD unlawfully arrested Black Lives Matter protesters
A federal lawsuit alleging that Atlanta Police Department officers unlawfully arrested a group of Black Lives Matter protesters in 2021 will proceed.
Posted inLatest News
Georgia lawmakers, pastors react to verdict in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery
By Allison Joyner The three men involved in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery were convicted on all counts. The incident sparked months of demonstrations across the country. The jury deliberated for two days but ultimately found Travis McMichael guilty on all counts of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt […]
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Metro Atlanta, nation react to Chauvin verdict
By Allison Joyner Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on all counts of the murder of George Floyd. The incident sparked months of demonstrations across the country. Tonight, leaders, activists and organizations from around the country are reacting to the outcome of the trial, which concluded Tuesday, April 20. The tone of many […]
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Atlanta police arrest racial justice activists for “obstructing traffic” after Trump fans wreak havoc across nation
Just hours after a violent mob of pro-Trump activists stormed the nation’s capitol, and after a pro-Trump militia’s presence forced Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger to evacuate the downtown Atlanta statehouse, Atlanta police arrested nearly two dozen racial justice activists for demonstrating on city streets.
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Petition calls for reopening of shuttered Centennial Olympic Park
Weeks after downtown’s focal green space shuttered amid the pressures a pandemic that’s throttled businesses near and far, activists and neighbors are lobbying to see the barriers removed and Centennial Olympic Park reopened to the public.
Posted inLatest News
A closer look at the “Blue Flu”: More than half of Atlanta’s beat cops missed work after ex-officer charged with murder of Rayshard Brooks
Soon after Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced felony murder charges would be brought against former Atlanta Police officer Garrett Rolfe, the man who shot and killed 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks outside an intown Wendy’s restaurant, most of the mobile troops on the city’s police force didn’t show up for their shifts.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta won’t be Wakanda, but a new version of Atlanta Way may be emerging
The 2.0 version of the Atlanta Way won’t retool the city into Wakanda. The efforts emerging from Atlanta City Hall do represent the start of a response to calls for justice issued by protestors following the death of George Floyd. The operative words in that last sentence are: Start of a response.
Posted inSean Keenan
Police don’t need to join hands with protesters; they need to snitch on “bad apples”
On June 1, I penned an essay outlining my perspective on the first night of recent Black Lives Matter protests in Atlanta. Titled Atlanta missed the mark during the protests, but police and demonstrators can learn from the turmoil, the column appealed for unity between law enforcement and the people demanding accountability and justice for cops.
Posted inColumns
Confederate monuments: A chance to reassess the past with perspective of today
Calls to remove Confederate memorials in Atlanta coincide with a June 12 court order for the removal of the Confederate obelisk in Decatur. A similar debate – in 1870 – kept such a monument out of Five Points and in placed, instead, in Oakland Cemetery.
Posted inSean Keenan
Atlanta missed the mark during the protests, but police and demonstrators can learn from the turmoil
Where we go from here remains uncertain, but there’s something comforting and promising about the prospect of an APD officer ditching their riot shield and gas mask and tear gas grenades to wield instead a picket sign emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter.” Until then, though, the morbid song of squad car sirens and clicking handcuffs shall ring too loud.
Posted inColumns, Main Slider
Nike’s backing of Colin Kaepernick a welcome return of corporate activism
By King Williams Corporate activism isn’t new, we just haven’t seen it in a while Nike recently announced that Colin Kaepernick, the controversial former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, as its brand ambassador for the 30th anniversary of its iconic “Just Do It” campaign. The announcement prompted vehement praise and vehement protest beyond anything […]
Posted inSubmitted Photos
Photo Pick: The Future by Aerolyn Shaw
Aerolyn wrote on FB: “Snapchat caption for this photo was “the future”. But we were the future for our parents. Our parents were the future for our grandparents.. and so on. The future is now. Or some other rallying cliche. Tired but still inspired.”
