Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is the first African American and first Muslim American elected to statewide office in Minnesota. He successfully led a team of attorneys in the rare conviction of an on-duty police officer, Derek Chauvin – the man responsible for the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Category: Civil Rights
Posted inCivil Rights
Ben Crump, ‘Black America’s Attorney General,’ speaks on George Floyd and the continued fight against injustice
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO Few attorneys are as closely tied to America’s civil rights struggles as Benjamin Crump. Known for representing families in high-profile wrongful death cases, Crump has become a leading legal voice in the fight against police brutality and racial injustice. His clients have included the families of Trayvon Martin […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Why collaboration is key to advancing civil rights in all jurisdictions
Baltimore County’s Human Relations Commission continues its efforts as it leads with resolve amid structural changes and vacancies. Shown here, Cleveland Horton (left) the executive director Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and David Skinner the program manager of Human Relations Commission.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: It’s time to rediscover Malcolm X
As the 100th anniversary of Malcolm X’s birth is celebrated, his legacy continues to resonate through generations as both a symbol of Black pride and a global voice for justice. Honoring his life means not only remembering his bold stance against racism, capitalism and imperialism, but also continuing his mission to unify and uplift Black communities worldwide.
Posted inNational News
MLK bust quietly removed from Oval Office
The iconic bronze bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., once a focal point in the Oval Office during the Obama and Biden years, has been relocated. In this photo, the sculpture can be seen in the foreground as President Barack Obama meets with Dr. Clarence B. Jones, visiting professor at the University of San Francisco and scholar writer in residence for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research & Education Institute, in the Oval Office, Feb. 2, 2015. Jones worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the “I Have a Dream” speech.
Posted inCivil Rights
National Urban League convenes leading civil rights, economic justice, and policy organizations to launch Fair Budget Coalition
The National Urban League has launched the Fair Budget Coalition, a new alliance of civil rights and economic justice groups advocating for a federal budget that prioritizes fairness, opportunity and support for underserved communities. As Congress begins Fiscal Year 2026 budget talks, the coalition is urging lawmakers to invest in social programs, equitable tax policies and civil rights protections.
Posted inBUSINESS
Sharpton presses Target and PepsiCo over equity retreats as NAN mulls boycotts
Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN) are weighing further action against corporations like Target and PepsiCo for scaling back their equal opportunity and inclusion efforts, following high-level meetings with company executives. Sharpton plans to consult with NAN’s board and civil rights allies before deciding whether to support boycotts or “buycotts” in response to these corporate retreats.
Posted inNational News
Lawyers file wrongful death notice against Idaho city for family of autistic boy shot by police
A California law firm has notified the city of Pocatello, Idaho, of its intent to file a federal wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of Victor Perez, a 17-year-old autistic and nonverbal boy who was fatally shot by four police officers after being found holding a kitchen knife in a fenced yard. The claim alleges excessive force and emotional distress, with the family’s attorney asserting the officers unjustifiably opened fire despite Perez not posing a threat.
Posted inMaryland News
Testimonies at Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final hearing call for reparations, healing and accountability
The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) held its final public hearing to examine the enduring legacy of racial terror lynchings, with testimonies advocating for reparations and police accountability. Experts, advocates, and community members emphasized the need for radical reparations and a shift in how law enforcement engages with Black communities, urging both acknowledgment and concrete action to repair historical harms.
Posted inNational News
Critics see Oval Office attacks on the ‘Black Smithsonian’ as an effort to sanitize racism in US history
President Trump’s executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of African American History and Culture has drawn sharp criticism from historians and civil rights advocates, who argue it seeks to downplay racism’s role in American history. Critics view the move as part of a broader effort to suppress discussions of race, diversity, and Black contributions to the nation while promoting a revisionist historical narrative.
Posted inNational News
Global protests against rollback of rights and protections set for April 5
Thousands are expected to convene at the Washington Monument at noon on April 5 for a massive rally on the National Mall. The D.C. protest will be one of many happening around the globe in protest of recent rollbacks of rights and protections by the 47th president of the United States.
Posted inOpinion
A letter to the editor: Cherishing history and legacy
I enjoy AFRO for many, many reasons; mainly because I grew up with the AFRO-American Newspaper, which was sold in my grandparents newsstand in Georgetown, S.C. At age 79, I’m blessed to see history continue! Steve MyersCivil Rights Trail ToursMontgomery, Ala.
