Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Feds: Police violated free-speech rights during Ferguson unrest

Police antagonized crowds gathered to protest in Ferguson, violated free-speech rights and made it difficult to hold officers accountable, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report summary obtained by CBS News.

The summary cited "vague and arbitrary" orders to keep protesters moving that violated their rights of assembly and free speech. It is part of a longer "after-action" report to be delivered this week to top police officials in Ferguson, St. Louis city and county and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The summary suggests that unrest that followed the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown was aggravated by the community's hostility toward Ferguson police and worsened when authorities didn't quickly divulge details of his death, the newspaper reported Tuesday.

"Had law enforcement released information on the officer-involved shooting in a timely manner and continued the information flow as it became available, community distrust and media skepticism would most likely have been lessened," according to the document.

Read more: Federal Report Faults Police Actions During Ferguson Unrest

Misty Copeland is first black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre

American ballerina Misty Copeland, a cultural phenomenon outside the dance world, has been promoted to the highest rank of the American Ballet Theatre, becoming the first African-American female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history.

Copeland, 32, joined the company in April 2001 and was appointed a soloist in August 2007. She has been outspoken about her desire to become the first black woman to be named a principal dancer at the company.

Read more: Misty Copeland is first black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Bree Newsome charged, could face 3 years in prison.

Bree Newsome has become a hero to many by climbing a flagpole outside the South Carolina statehouse and removing the confederate battle flag that hangs there. While she has been cheered by many, and referred too as a hero her actions could send her to prison. She and her accomplice, Jimmy Tyson have been freed on bond and charged with "defacing monuments on state capitol grounds" which is punishable by up to three years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Please sign this petition on ColorOfChange.org asking that all charges be dropped against Bree Newsome and Jimmy Tyson.

Drop any charges against Bree Newsome

Friday, June 26, 2015

VIDEO: President Obama sings Amazing Grace during eulogy for Clementa Pinckney

Here is video of President Obama leading the church in the singing of Amazing Grace at the funeral for South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Fire at black church in North Carolina ruled arson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Investigator say an arsonist is to blame for a fire which caused a quarter-million dollars in damage to a Charlotte church.