NAACP Commends Charges Against Officers Who Killed Breonna Taylor

The NAACP released the following statement on four Louisville Metro Police Department officers being charged by the FBI in relation to the case of Breonna Taylor:

The charges announced today by the U.S. Department of Justice mark the first federal steps toward accountability for the officers that killed Breonna Taylor. In the two years since March 2020, we have learned about the falsehoods that allowed law enforcement officers to obtain the warrant that led to the unlawful entry of Breonna Taylor's home and her subsequent death. Until now, no officer taking part in the raid has been charged. Kentucky's failure to act compounds the harm done – to not only Breonna Taylor and her family, but the ongoing wound felt by the Black community.

Individuals have the right and expectation to be free from unlawful action by the state. The justice system cannot function if people stop believing that they will be fairly treated and that wrongful action, especially by law enforcement, won't be punished.

Today's action by the U.S. Justice Department reflects a commitment to uphold the rule of law that Kentucky badly failed.

The NAACP awaits the trial of the officers involved and we have every hope that justice will prevail.

Pre-Order the new children's book Who Is Ketanji Brown Jackson?

Discover how a young girl who was the star of her school's debate team became a federal jurist and the first Black woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court in this exciting addition to the Who HQ Now series that features newsmakers and trending topics.

Born in Washington, DC, in 1970, and raised in Miami, Florida, Ketanji Brown Jackson developed an interest in law and politics at an early age. As a preschooler, she sat with her father and watched him complete his law school assignments. And even though some people, including a school guidance counselor, discouraged Ketanji from aiming high, she proved them wrong and graduated with honors from Harvard Law School. She went on to serve on the U.S. District Court in 2013 and the United States Court of Appeals in 2021 before making history and becoming the first Black woman to be confirmed to the United States Supreme Court in 2022.

PRE-ORDER THE BOOK

American Bar Association swears in Deborah Enix-Ross as new president

Deborah Enix-Ross, a New York dispute resolution lawyer, became president of the American Bar Association Aug. 9 at the end of the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Enix-Ross is a senior adviser to the International Dispute Resolution Group of Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City. She has been a part of the ABA leadership for several years, serving as chair of the ABA’s policymaking House of Delegates and as chair of the ABA Center for Human Rights and the ABA Section Officers Conference. Enix-Ross is also a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and has served as vice president of the World Justice Project. She is the second Black female president in ABA history.

Enix-Ross was sworn in as ABA president by retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who received the association’s highest honor, the ABA Medal, at a ceremony Aug. 6 at the Annual Meeting.

Rep. Ilhan Omar wins Minnesota Democratic Primary

Rep. Ilhan Omar narrowly won her bid for reelection in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District Democratic primary after besting challenger Don Samuels, who conceded on Tuesday night.

With all the votes in, Omar won the primary 50.4% to Samuels’ 48.2%, falling far short of the 20-point victory she had over a Democratic rival two years ago. She is favored to beat Republican Cicely Davis, who won her party’s primary, in the general election in the deeply Democratic district.

Omar said in a statement that “Republicans and conservative Democrats have worked in lockstep to vote us out.”

“Tonight’s victory is a testament to how much our district believes in the collective values we are fighting for and how much they’re willing to do to help us overcome defeat,” Omar said. “This win is for them and everyone who still believes that hate, division and regression will not be the legacy of the Fifth.”

National Urban League Calls on Senate for Swift Confirmation of Judge Dana Douglas

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League called on members of the United States Senate to swiftly confirm Judge Dana Douglas to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit:

“At a time when critical civil, human, and economic rights issues are being litigated in our federal courts, we need a judge like Judge Douglas to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. If confirmed, she would be the first Black woman to serve in this role and bring new insight to the court that it has not yet had. President Biden has kept his promise to diversify the court with qualified judges that have a range of legal experiences and reflect America’s diversity. We thank the Senate Judiciary Committee for today’s hearing, and we encourage every member of the committee to support her nomination and the full Senate to swiftly consider and confirm her.

“I have watched Judge Douglas grow as a professional since her days in high school in New Orleans. I have always admired her focus, diligence, and character – attributes that have served her well throughout her legal and judicial career. She is more than prepared and well qualified to serve as an impartial and fair jurist. The people of the 5th Circuit and the nation will be well served by her.”

The National Urban League wrote a letter to the Senate supporting Judge Douglas’ nomination. You can read that letter here.