Civil Rights
Drag Artist Marti G. Cummings Called Out Tucker Carlson’s “False Narrative” After The Fox News Host Took An Old Tweet Out Of Context To Try To Accuse Cummings Of Being A Groomer
Cummings was among the guests at the White House on Wednesday to watch the marriage equality law signing — something that infuriated Carlson and other far-right figures.
A Threat Against Justice For Emmett Till Protesters Led To The Cancellation Of A Christmas Parade
In spite of the threat, protesters still showed up to call for accountability in the brutal 1955 lynching of the 14-year-old.
Derek Chauvin Has Been Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison For Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights
The former Minneapolis police officer's federal sentence will be served concurrently with his 22-and-a-half-year state sentence.
A Black Doctor Tried To Diversify Medicine. Then She Lost Her Job.
A Black doctor and her trainees risked their careers to accuse their school of systemic racism. It would be a diagnosis with no easy cure.
The Three Former Cops Involved In George Floyd's Killing Were Found Guilty Of Violating His Civil Rights
Prosecutors argued that the three men consciously chose not to intervene as Derek Chauvin was killing George Floyd and failed to provide medical care.
The Murder Of Harry And Harriette Moore Was Investigated For Decades, But These KKK Members Were Never Truly Punished For Their Crimes
The Moores' activism began long before the height of the Civil Rights movement.
The Justice Department Won’t Reopen The Federal Civil Rights Investigation Into Tamir Rice’s Death
The 12-year-old boy’s family had urged DOJ under the Biden administration to reconsider the decision to close the probe, submitting a letter from dozens of legal scholars.
Clyde Bellecourt, A Leader In Native Americans' Civil Rights Struggle, Has Died At Age 85
Bellecourt cofounded the American Indian Movement, which started in 1968 as a Minneapolis organization that fought against police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans.
A Muslim Civil Rights Leader Was Actually Spying For An Anti-Muslim Group, CAIR Says
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the leader of its Ohio chapter passed confidential information to an "anti-Muslim hate group."
Derek Chauvin Has Pleaded Guilty To A Federal Charge That He Violated George Floyd's Civil Rights
The former Minneapolis police officer changed his plea in federal court, eight months after he was convicted of murdering George Floyd in 2020.
This 103-Year-Old Woman Is A Walking Textbook — But Her Version Of History Is The One You Want To Hear
"All I’ve done is worked, I can’t find no time in between when I didn’t do work."
“It Feels Like We’re Profiting Off Of Black Death”: Tulsa Residents See Civil Rights Tourism But No Reparations
One hundred years have passed since the Tulsa massacre, but little has been done to make amends or improve the lives of Black residents, whose fate can be decided by their zip code.
Derek Chauvin And Three Former Minneapolis Cops Have Been Charged With Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights
Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Alexander Kueng allegedly violated Floyd's constitutional rights during a deadly arrest in 2020.
Family Members And Civil Rights Leaders Mourned Andrew Brown And Called For Justice At His Funeral
Brown was shot and killed by police in North Carolina in April. "This must stop. Enough is enough," Rev. Al Sharpton said.
New York’s “Walking While Trans” Ban Has Been Repealed
The repeal strikes a statute that outlawed loitering for the purposes of prostitution that was widely seen as discriminatory.
A Federal Domestic Terrorism Law Could Threaten Civil Rights Groups Like BLM
“It's a failure of will, as opposed to a failure of the law.”
I Told Civil Rights Activists I Was Feeling Hopeless. They Responded: “Are You Kidding Me?”
"Despite abject slavery of the most vicious, degenerate, immoral type, we stand taller, see further, and reach higher because we stand on the shoulders of giants.”
Emotional Photos Show How People Paid Their Respects To Civil Rights Icon John Lewis
Mourners gathered in long lines in the heat to see him lie in state at the capitol buildings in Alabama and Georgia.
John Lewis Was A Vocal Champion Of LGBTQ Rights During A Time When It Had Little Public Support
"I have fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation," he said in 2003.
This Is How People Are Remembering Congressman And Civil Rights Giant John Lewis
The revered civil rights icon, who spent decades fighting for equality at protests alongside Martin Luther King Jr., and later on in Congress, died Friday.
John Lewis, The Congressman And Civil Rights Icon, Has Died At 80
The Democrat participated in the Selma to Montgomery March of 1965 and spent his career working to advance civil rights.
The Courts Say Sex Discrimination Laws Protect Trans People, But Trump May Use Religious Exemptions To Get Around Them
LGBTQ activists may have already won the battle over what sex discrimination laws mean, but now they expect the Trump administration to weaken the laws with religious freedom exemptions.
The FBI And Department Of Justice Are Reviewing The Investigations Into Two Black Men Who Died By Hanging
Robert Fuller and Malcolm Harsch were found hanging from trees 10 days apart and about 50 miles from each other in California.
LGBTQ Americans Just Won A Massive Civil Rights Victory At The Supreme Court
A majority of justices ruled that an employer violates federal law when they fire someone for being LGBTQ.
Here Are 18 Inspirational Quotes About Protest By 18 Icons Of Resistance
They said it best.
15 Harmful Things The Media Said About The Black Civil Rights Movement At The Time
Remember, not everyone supported Martin Luther King Jr. at the time.
29 Powerful Scenes From The Protests Over George Floyd's Death
From Minneapolis to Los Angeles, thousands of people across the US took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd.
The Coronavirus Is Killing People Of Color At Outsized Rates. Local Lawmakers Want The Justice Department To Investigate Who Is To Blame.
Nearly three dozen local lawmakers are sending a letter asking DOJ to look at possible civil rights violations in how governments have responded to the coronavirus.
Civil Rights Leader Reverend Joseph Lowery Has Died At 98
The reverend cofounded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King Jr.
The Ex-Leader Of An Anti-Immigration Group Is Creating The Office In Charge Of Fielding Civil Rights Complaints From Detainees
“That’s like letting the fox watch the hens,” one congressional staffer told BuzzFeed News.
You Wanted Same-Sex Marriage? Now You Have Pete Buttigieg.
To a lot of progressive queer people, Buttigieg’s campaign symbolizes everything the marriage-focused mainstream gay rights movement has failed to deliver.
Opinion: Teenagers Are Changing The World. They Should Be Allowed To Vote.
Young activists are leading global struggles over climate change and civil rights. There's no reason why they shouldn't have a say in who runs their government.
The Trump Administration Asked The Supreme Court To Legalize Firing Workers Simply For Being Gay
Friday’s brief comes after the administration argued that federal law allows firing workers simply for being transgender.
A Photo Of Three Ole Miss Frat Members Posing With Guns In Front Of Emmett Till’s Bullet-Ridden Memorial Sparks Possible Civil Rights Investigation
The university called the photo “offensive,” but said the students’ actions did not violate the code of conduct, so they won’t be disciplined.
Puerto Rico Civil Rights Leaders Want Investigations Into Police Using Tear Gas On Protesters
"Show me where in the constitution it says that at 10 o'clock people lose the right to protest," said ACLU of Puerto Rico director William Ramirez.
Here's The Most Complete Map So Far Of Amazon's Ring Camera Surveillance Partnerships With Local Police
Dozens of U.S. cities are working with the doorbell camera company, according to Fight for the Future.
Privacy And Civil Rights Groups Ask The US Government To End Its Use Of Facial Recognition Tech On The Public
“There’s a reason your local police department doesn’t have access to missiles and carpet bombs. [Congress] should act now to ban this dangerous surveillance weapon.”
Trump Is Gutting Health Care Protections For Transgender People And Those Who Have Had Abortions
A draft rule released Friday would undo nondiscrimination protections in health care for those who have had abortions as well as transgender people.
17 Great Tumblr Posts I Saw This Week That You Need To Have In Your Life
“So apparently sleeping doesn’t make your problems go away. I woke up and everything still sucked. Shocked and upset.”
Jewish Israeli Airbnb Hosts Sue, Claiming The Company Violated Their Civil Rights
Airbnb announced it would remove properties in Jewish settlements in the West Bank earlier this month.
Top Civil Rights Groups Call For “Immediate Steps” From Facebook To Rebuild Faith Among Its Black Employees And Users
Color of Change and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights wrote a scathing joint letter to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg.
The Radical Friendship Of Lorraine Hansberry And James Baldwin
Baldwin and Hansberry’s deep, years-long intellectual partnership went beyond their shared identity as queer black writers.
Why Did The Border Patrol Shoot Claudia Gómez?
The Border Patrol shooting of a young Guatemalan immigrant remains a mystery three months later. A phone video provides the only clue about what happened.
The Government Has Reopened Its Investigation Into The 1955 Brutal Killing Of Emmett Till
The DOJ said it had received "new information" about the murder of the black teenager in Mississippi that helped spark the civil rights movement in the country.
Black Civil Rights Leaders Promise An Organized Campaign Against Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination
Democrats face a very difficult task in blocking any nomination to the Supreme Court.
National Civil Rights Groups Are Holding An “Emergency” SCOTUS Briefing
The agenda is so far unknown.
This New Bill In Congress Would Imprison People For 10 Years If They Injure A Cop
It's called the Protect and Serve Act.
Civil Rights Leaders Are Demanding That Cops Drop Charges Against The Woman Who Was Arrested And Exposed In A Waffle House
Rev. Al Sharpton called cops out for calling the arrest of Chikesia Clemons at an Alabama Waffle House "appropriate" — even though her breasts were exposed.
I Walked From Selma To Montgomery
I did it because walking felt like the only way to process my despair after the election.
Trump's Justice Department Just Filed Its First Employment Discrimination Case Under The Civil Rights Act
The department hadn’t brought any cases under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to support a local government worker since Jeff Sessions became attorney general.
A Top Trump Administration Civil Rights Official Says Peter Thiel Backed Her For The Job
Documents obtained by BuzzFeed News show that Candice Jackson boasted about high-profile conservative supporters to land a top job at the US Department of Education.
1960年代が文字通り「激動の時代」だったことを伝える写真たち
「苦闘なくして進歩なし」—Frederick Douglass
In 46 States, People Of Color Deal With More Air Pollution Than White People Do, Study Finds
The study adds to years of research suggesting that people of color encounter the most air pollution in the US, increasing their risk of asthma, heart disease, and other illnesses.
The Justice Department Wants To Get Rid Of A Civil Rights–Era "Peacemaker" Office
The department has proposed eliminating the Community Relations Service's $15 million budget and 54 employees and moving its responsibilities into another division.
New York State Has Filed A Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Harvey Weinstein
The complaint — filed against not only Weinstein, but also his brother Robert and the Weinstein Company — could potentially hold up ongoing negotiations for the company's sale.
23 Inspiring Pictures From Sit-Ins During The 1960s
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress." —Frederick Douglass
Judge Blasts NYC And NYPD For Failing To Turn Over Evidence In Brutality Case
In a highly unusual step, a federal judge said that NYC’s failure to hand over evidence or investigate civil rights violations was so egregious she recommended an immediate end to the dispute in the alleged victim’s favor.
The Trump Administration Is Creating A Civil Rights Office To Protect Medical Workers With Religious Objections To Performing Abortions
The Department for Health and Human Services plans to announce a new division Thursday to protect health workers with moral or religious objections to some procedures, including abortions and sex reassignment surgery.
Trump's Justice Department Hasn’t Filed Any Civil Rights Act Lawsuits Backing State Government Workers
The Justice Department’s Employment Litigation Section hasn't filed any lawsuits under the Trump administration to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in cases to protect state and local government workers from discrimination. That’s a break from the last Republican and Democratic administrations.
Civil Rights Division Lawyers And Staff Gave Low Marks To Justice Department Leadership In A Workplace Survey
An annual survey of Justice Department employees obtained by BuzzFeed News shows that some employees in the Civil Rights Division had a more negative opinion of leadership than the department as a whole.
Turkish Officials Have Banned All LGBT Events In The Capital City
The governor's office in Ankara announced the move Sunday, citing threats to "public safety."
Jeff Sessions Says He's Fighting For Free Speech On College Campuses For Everyone. Civil Rights Lawyers Don't Buy It
The attorney general is pouring energy into defending free speech on college campuses, but civil rights activists and lawyers say he’s ignoring cases that split from his worldview.
The Weinstein Company Is Being Investigated For Civil Rights Violations
The New York attorney general is looking into whether Weinstein Company officials violated civil rights laws in the wake of sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein.
A High School Student Suspended For Not Standing During Pledge Of Allegiance Has Sued The Principal
India Landry, 17, chose to sit during the pledge 200 times prior to being sent home, according to the lawsuit.
White Ivy League Student Arrested, Fraternity Chapter Closed After Racially Charged Attack
A white student affiliated with the Psi Upsilon fraternity was arrested after allegedly beating a black student. Police are investigating "any racially biased motivation" in the attack.
Trump Administration Detaining Teens As Gang Members With Flimsy Evidence, Says Civil Rights Group
The New York Civil Liberties Union says at least nine teenagers have been wrongly placed in detention based on "unconfirmed allegations" and as little evidence as t-shirts or hand gestures.
100 Years Ago Today, Thousands Marched In The First Civil Rights Parade
The Silent Parade of 1917 quietly paved the way for civil rights reform, but is often forgotten.
Trump Says Transgender People Cannot "Serve In Any Capacity" In The Military
He made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday.
Democratic Senators Slam Betsy DeVos For Civil Rights Enforcement Cuts
Cuts to the civil rights staff, the rollback of protections for transgender students, and streamlined investigations have made the senators "extraordinarily disappointed and alarmed," they wrote in a letter on Tuesday.
Chicago Faces Yet Another Lawsuit Over Cop Accused Of Framing 51 People
Jose Montanez, who served 23 years for a murder he did not commit, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against former Det. Reynaldo Guevara, the city of Chicago, several other officers and prosecutors.
Black Civil Rights Groups To Meet With Democratic Leaders On Voting
The meeting is the first since the NAACP, the oldest civil rights group in the country, announced that it would not be renewing the contract of its former president and CEO Cornell William Brooks.
Immigration Activists Are Headed To Texas This Weekend To Launch “A New Civil Rights Movement”
In response to Texas’s “show your papers” law and Trump’s immigration orders, activists are skipping Memorial Day barbecues for a power strategy session in Austin.
Department Of Justice Lawyers Fear Trump Will Scrap All Their Work To Overhaul The Chicago Police
Attorneys at the DOJ — amid low morale — are continuing to work on finalizing a federal consent decree, even though it's unclear if the Trump administration will follow through with it.
Civil Rights Groups Are Ready To Sue Trump If He Signs A Broad Religious Freedom Order
“We will fight this with everything we have.”
Chicago Faces A New Lawsuit Over Cop Accused Of Framing 51 People
Armando Serrano, who served 23 years for a murder he did not commit, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against former Det. Reynaldo Guevara, the city of Chicago, and several other officers and prosecutors.
A Man Beaten During A Jaywalking Stop Is Suing Police For Civil Rights Violations
The man, Nandi Cain, claims he was targeted and abused because of his race. A video of the incident showed a Sacramento police officer tackling him to the ground and hitting him repeatedly.
A Georgia Grandmother Faced Charges After She Helped A Black Voter
Olivia Pearson faced two felony charges after she helped a voter cast a ballot in her South Georgia hometown. Her supporters called her trial an attempt to suppress black voters. Prosecutors said they must ensure the integrity of the vote.
The Lawyer Who Helped Bill Clinton's Rape Accusers May Have Scored A Top Civil Rights Job Under Trump
Candice E. Jackson’s alma mater said Sunday she has been tapped to run the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which conservatives say has been too draconian in forcing colleges and universities to abide by the Title IX gender equity law.
A White Artist's Painting Of Emmett Till Has Sparked Protest (And A Hoax Apology Letter)
"Do you think white artists should be able to profit off of dead black bodies?"
I’m Trans, Disabled, And Tired Of Fighting To Get Into Bathrooms
After growing up with a disability, I thought being excluded from public restrooms was a relic of my past, not a part of my — and thousands of other trans people’s — futures.
What We Can Learn From The Activism Of "When We Rise"
Cleve Jones, Roma Guy, and Ken Jones came to activism at a time when the the gay movement, the women’s movement, and the civil rights movement were often on very different tracks. The ABC miniseries shows how they found common ground — and why that’s needed in 2017.
Feds' Civil Rights Steward Faces A “Rocky Road” Under Trump
“This is a moment that requires that the agency turn to its historic role and mission,” one civil rights advocate said.
How Far Can 4,876,700 People Reach?
So how big was the Women's March actually?
An Undocumented Student Was Denied A Wells Fargo Loan And Now She's Suing
Mitzie Perez alleges the bank of discriminated against her by denying a student loan due to her immigration status.
This Is What US Protests Looked Like In The '60s
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” —Elie Wiesel
Three New Films Have A Different Take On The Impact Of 1960s Racism
Fences director Denzel Washington and the filmmakers behind Loving and Hidden Figures reveal why they chose to show a more human and less political side of the civil rights era.
Education Civil Rights Advocates Fear "Horror Show" Under Trump
The Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is bracing for change under the president-elect, who's previously talked about cutting the office. Many conservatives believe the agency has gone too far in pushing a progressive federal agenda on local community schools
Trans Lives Matter
26 reasons to stand up for trans lives.
What Is Transgender Awareness Month?
It's a time to show our humanity and come together.
Here's A List To Empower You To Make A Direct Impact In Your Community Right Now
Get involved! There are so many ways to take action.
Airbnb Lays Low During Convention Event Honoring Civil Rights Movement
“This could be part of their PR strategy, but we’re having a conversation about civil rights, and that’s a good thing."
Family Of Unarmed Black Man Killed By Alabama Officer Files Civil Rights Lawsuit
Montgomery Officer Aaron Smith was charged with murder after shooting Gregory Gunn multiple times during a stop-and-frisk in February.
Sikh Musician Says He Was Racially Profiled At A Chili's Restaurant
Turns out, Neelamjit Dhillon's suspicious container was carrying the musician's flutes.
Immigrants Explain What Voting Is Like In America
"You shouldn't take your voting rights for granted."
North Carolina Bill Wouldn't Actually "Walk Back" Anti-LGBT Law, Advocates Say
The proposed bill would create an optional registration system for transgender people who have “sex reassignment surgery.”
School Officials Say A Student With Disabilities Raped With A Hanger Was Not Vulnerable
The administrators and coaches in the small Idaho town being sued by the family of a teenage victim in a violent assault by fellow students deny all wrongdoing in the case.
Court Rules Mass Murderer's Rights Have Been Violated
Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011, is imprisoned in a jail cell roomier than many college dorm rooms.
Jury Finds NYPD Cop Who Shot A Man In The Head Didn't Violate His Civil Rights
In the first civil rights case against the NYPD in a fatal shooting in more than a decade, a jury ruling that the final shot fired by Sgt. William Flores was justified.
NYPD Officer Who Shot Man In The Head Testifies At Trial
The New York City officer accused of violating the civil rights of a Bronx man who died after being shot by police inside his apartment took the stand Tuesday.
