Police Brutality

“You're Killing Me, Bro”: Two Cops Were Arrested After One Of Them Pistol-Whipped And Choked An Unarmed Man
Kyle Vinson cried for help with a bleeding head after two Colorado officers held him down and one hit his head with a gun multiple times and threatened to shoot him.

The Nigerian Government Banned Its Citizens From Using Twitter, And The Consequences Are Steep
The ban has been applauded by Donald Trump while young Nigerians are being forced to find ways around the rule at great personal risk.

Three Officers Were Charged With Murder And Manslaughter In The Killing Of A Black Man In Washington
Manuel Ellis was walking home after getting donuts when witnesses said they saw officers tackle and pin him to the pavement.

An Asian American Teen Was Having A Mental Health Crisis When Police Killed Him
Christian Hall’s parents brought him to America in hopes of giving him a better life. Instead, he fell victim to institutional failures that harm many others who don’t fit the “model minority” myth. In his final moment of crisis, police gunned him down.

A North Carolina Prosecutor Said Officers Were "Justified" In Shooting And Killing Andrew Brown
District Attorney Andrew Womble laid out a version of events that contradicts what Brown's family said they saw in videos.

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.

The Cop Who Shot And Killed Rayshard Brooks Has Been Reinstated As An Atlanta Police Officer
The Atlanta Civil Service Board found Garrett Rolfe, the officer charged with Brooks' murder, was not fired in accordance with city code.

Police Shot Andrew Brown In The Back Of The Head, An Independent Autopsy Has Found
"It was a killshot to the back of the head," said attorney Ben Crump.

Video Shows Andrew Brown's Hands Were On The Steering Wheel When Police Shot Him, His Family's Lawyer Says
A brief clip of bodycam footage — just 20 seconds — was shown to his family and attorneys on Monday, but the video hasn't yet been released publicly.

The Power And Heartbreak Of Watching Ma’Khia Bryant’s TikToks
Weeks before she was fatally shot by Ohio police, the teen girl made mundane and charming TikToks that have since gone viral.

An 18-Year-Old Whose Viral Video Of Derek Chauvin Crushing George Floyd's Neck Gave Emotional Testimony About What She Saw
Darnella Frazier, who was 17 at the time, said she has stayed up at night "apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more."

Police Tackled And Pepper-Sprayed A Black Woman With Her 3-Year-Old Because They Suspected Her Of Shoplifting
The incident occurred less than a month after Rochester, New York, police officers pepper-sprayed a 9-year-old girl and told her that she "did it to [her]self."

A 9-Year-Old Girl Was Handcuffed And Pepper-Sprayed By Rochester Cops While She Screamed For Her Dad
Body camera video shows officers handcuffing and pepper-spraying the distressed child after responding to a call of "family trouble."

Violent Protests Erupted In India. Then Calls For Police To Shoot The Protesters Went Viral On Twitter.
Twitter did not take “Shoot” off its trending topics for at least a couple of hours — after there was public outcry and after BuzzFeed News emailed asking for comment.

These Photos And Videos Of Pro-Democracy Protests In Russia Are Shockingly Intense
Russians braved -60 degree weather and police brutality to demand opposition leader Alexei Navalny's release.

People Are Contrasting Photos From The Attempted Capitol Coup With Those From Black Lives Matter Protests
In particular, people are noting how different the police presence looks.

These Photos Show What The #EndSARS Movement Looked Like
In October, protests against Nigeria’s notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad became a global movement.

The NYPD's Actions During The George Floyd Protests Exacerbated Tensions With Protesters, Report Finds
The city's Department of Investigation report concluded NYPD's mistakes went far beyond individual officers' actions and were rather a failure of the whole department.

People Marching To The Polls In North Carolina Were Arrested And Pepper-Sprayed By Police
"I saw several children choking from the spray," a witness told BuzzFeed News. "People had to choose whether to continue to the polling station or go wash their eyes and skin."

A Mother Was Brutally Separated From Her Young Son And A Police Union Used Him For Content
“They're trying to give people a sense that they're the protectors and it's not lost on us that this has just come days before the election,” the mother's attorney told BuzzFeed News.

A Viral TikTok Is Raising Concerns About Cops Using Excessive Force On A Passenger During A Traffic Stop
While local Maryland police confirmed to BuzzFeed News that Antoine Wedington had two open warrants for his arrest, people online are troubled by what they saw.

Nigeria’s Military Shot And Killed Peaceful Protesters Who Were Calling For An End To Police Brutality
The #EndSARS movement has swept across Nigeria and the world — but the country’s president won’t acknowledge it even after protesters were slaughtered.

A Texas Cop Was Charged With Murder For Shooting A Black Man Who Was Reportedly Breaking Up A Fight
Jonathan Price, a beloved leader in the Wolfe City community, was trying to stop an altercation between a man and a woman when police tased and then shot and killed him.

A Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Was Caught On Video Repeatedly Striking A Protester With A Riot Shield
The sheriff's department is investigating the "use of force" incident.

Louisville Police Arrested The State Representative Who Sponsored "Breonna's Law" Along With 25 Other Protesters
State Rep. Attica Scott and her daughter were charged with first-degree rioting, a Class D felony — the same class as Brett Hankison's wanton endangerment charge.

A Seattle Cop Was Caught On Video Rolling His Bicycle Over A Fallen Person's Head During Breonna Taylor Protests
The Seattle Office of Police Accountability has requested a criminal investigation into the officer's actions.

A Police Officer Who Ordered His Dog To Attack A Black Man Has Been Charged With Assault
Body camera footage published by the Salt Lake Tribune showed the man was kneeling with his hands in the air when Officer Nickolas Pearce ordered the dog to attack.

A Sheriff’s Deputy In Georgia Was Fired After A Video Showed Him Repeatedly Punching A Black Man
Roderick Walker was heard saying “I’m gonna die,” while two sheriff's deputies in Georgia pinned him to the ground and one punched him in the face several times.

Activists At The March On Washington Say Jacob Blake’s Shooting Has Reenergized Black Lives Matter Protests. They Wish It Didn’t Have To.
“I was just kind of saddened that it took someone, a Black man, getting hurt that badly for us to come together like that.”

Belarus Is Detaining Thousands Of Peaceful Protesters. Many Are Telling Gruesome Stories Of Physical And Psychological Abuse By Police.
“They said if they were given an order to kill us, they would kill us all without any hesitation,” 16-year-old Miron Vitushka, who was detained by police, told BuzzFeed News.

Belarusians Are Walking Out Of Work And Accusing Police Of Torture As Protests Grip The Country
The first cracks began to show in the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko as a senior official and police officers resigned in protest over violence against demonstrators.

24 Of The Most Powerful Photos Of This Week
From the emotional farewell to Rep. John Lewis to the cautious return to sports amid the coronavirus pandemic, these are the most striking and memorable pictures from the past week.

Newly Released Video Shows Austin Police Shooting An Unarmed Man
"I don't got no fucking gun, dog," 42-year-old Michael Ramos told Austin police in the moments before he was shot to death.

WNBA Players Didn’t Kneel During The National Anthem — They Walked Out
“We’re dedicating this season to Breonna Taylor,” said New York Liberty player Layshia Clarendon.

24 Of The Most Powerful Photos Of This Week
From trouble in Portland, Oregon, following President Trump's deployment of federal officers to the outpouring of love for the late Rep. John Lewis, these are the most striking and memorable pictures from the past week.

Donald Trump's Portland Rhetoric Doesn't Match Reality
The right-wing media portrays a city under siege — but the city's real siege is from the federal government.

25 Of The Most Powerful Photos Of This Week
From the ongoing fight for racial justice around the world to the new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic, these are the most striking and memorable pictures from the past week.

A Video Shows A Pennsylvania Police Officer Kneeling On A Man’s Neck During His Arrest
The incident, which sparked a protest in the city of Allentown, is being investigated by the police.

8 Photo Stories That Will Challenge Your View Of The World
Here are some of the most interesting and powerful photo stories from across the internet.

25 Of The Most Powerful Photos Of This Week
From the crowded beaches and parks during the 4th of July weekend to a surge of coronavirus cases across the US, these are the most striking and memorable pictures from the past week.

New BBC Drama "I May Destroy You" Is Taking Over Twitter And We Love To See It
Further proof that Michaela Coel is amazing.

A Viral Video Shows Phoenix Police Fatally Shooting A Man Sitting In A Parked Car
"It does not shock us that despite all the scrutiny from community Phoenix PD continues to respond violently to calls," a city council member said.

Three Police Officers Have Been Fired For Their Involvement With A Photo Taken Near Where Elijah McClain Was Arrested In A Chokehold
Another officer who was involved in McClain's arrest has been fired for reacting to the chokehold reenactment photo with "haha."

9 Photo Stories That Will Challenge Your View Of The World
Here are some of the most interesting and powerful photo stories from across the internet.

25 Of The Most Powerful Photos Of This Week
From the surge in coronavirus cases around the globe to the demand for racial justice and equality in the US, these are the most striking and memorable pictures from this past week.

A Police Officer Walked Up Behind A Black Man, Slammed Him To The Ground, And Broke His Wrist After Mistaking Him For A Suspect, A Lawsuit Says
Antonio Smith is suing the city and police department in Valdosta, Georgia, for using excessive force against him in an incident that was captured on body cameras.

A Man With Bipolar Disorder Who Was Tased By Police Multiple Times Went Into Cardiac Arrest And Has Died
The NYPD has been criticized for how often its officers use a Taser on people of color and those experiencing mental health issues.

9 Photo Stories That Will Challenge Your View Of The World
Here are some of the most interesting and powerful photo stories from across the internet this week.

24 Of The Most Powerful Photos Of This Week
From the landmark decision by the US Supreme Court against LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace to the ongoing fight for racial justice around the globe, these are the most striking and memorable pictures from this past week.

21 Heartbreaking Pictures From The Aftermath Of The Tulsa Massacre
On the morning of June 1, 1921, white mobs set fire to Tulsa's Black Wall Street, killing as many as 300 Black residents and leaving thousands more without shelter and livelihoods.

The Officer Who Fatally Shot Rayshard Brooks Was Fired As Atlanta Protesters Demand Justice
"I feel like both of your careers are definitely done because you just shot a man for no reason," a bystander told officers in the moments after Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot.

8 Photo Stories That Will Challenge Your View Of The George Floyd Protests
Here are some of the most interesting and powerful photo stories from across the internet.

26 Of The Most Powerful Photos Of This Week
From emotional scenes at George Floyd's memorial in Houston to the ongoing demonstrations against racial injustice around the world, these are the most striking and memorable pictures from this past week.

"I Can't Breathe," A Black Man In Oklahoma Said. "I Don't Care," A Police Officer Replied.
Derrick Scott died last year after repeatedly saying "I can't breathe" while being restrained by three Oklahoma City police officers, according to newly released body camera videos.

Amazon Is Suspending Police Use Of Its Facial Recognition Tech For One Year
The company is joining IBM, but it doesn't mean Amazon is totally out of the facial recognition business.

Sorry, But Watching “The Help” Isn’t Helping Racial Justice
“If your goal is to learn more about racial struggles in America, it doesn’t make a whole ton of sense to watch a movie like The Help, which is written by white people.”

Symbolic Gestures Are Not Enough
As Black Lives Matter protests yield results, it’s become harder to ignore the gulf between well-meaning but ultimately worthless gestures and real, radical change.

Tiffany Haddish Opened Up About Watching Police Kill Friends In Front Of Her As A Teen
"I have watched my friends be slaughtered by the police."

25 Emotional Moments From George Floyd's Memorial In Houston
Thousands of people paid their respects ahead of Floyd's burial in Houston.

This Is What Black Lives Matter Marches Look Like Around The World
The message of Black Lives Matter is resonating around the globe as demonstrators march in solidarity with protests in the US.

Young Black Protesters Know Exactly What They Want: Radical Anti-Racism
Looking at their parents’ struggles and enraged by George Floyd’s death, a younger generation is fired up for change.

"He's Going To Change The World": George Floyd Is Laid To Rest As Protests Continue Nationwide
"I want justice for my brother," Philonise Floyd said in a speech. "Everybody's going to remember him around the world. He's going to change the world."

Thousands Of People Have Been Arrested During Recent Protests. We Want To Hear About Your Experiences.
Thousands of people have been arrested during protests against anti-Black racism and police brutality. BuzzFeed News wants to hear about your experiences.

These Pictures Show Just How Large The Protests Against Police Brutality Really Are
Across major cities and small towns, people turned out en masse to demonstrate against the police killing of George Floyd and to call for change in the US.

Here Are 18 Inspirational Quotes About Protest By 18 Icons Of Resistance
They said it best.

The NYPD Shut Down A Birthday Party With 20 Police Cars, Batons, And Arrests
Three men said NYPD officers whispered the n-word to them while they were being arrested.

Unprecedented Protests Swept US Cities And Small Towns For A Second Weekend
Calls to defund the police were a common refrain at many of the protests, which seem unparalleled in modern memory in their scale and sweep.

Police Are Investigating After A Homeless Man In A Wheelchair Was Allegedly Shot In The Face With A Rubber Bullet
A photographer at the scene told BuzzFeed News the man was in between police and protesters. "And I saw him in the street, bleeding," she said.

16 Powerful Moments From This Week
No justice, no peace.

8 Photo Stories That Will Challenge Your View Of The George Floyd Protests
Here are some of the most interesting and powerful photo stories from across the internet.

“Santa Monica Was A Boiling Point": Protests Are Taking Over White Wealthy Neighborhoods So They Can't Look Away
Protests over the death of George Floyd have culminated in some of the largest civil rights uprisings in history. And white, wealthy areas like Santa Monica are no longer exempt.

Police Are Arresting Peaceful Black Protesters Using Force, And The Videos Are Alarming
"Because he was Black, they felt that they needed five cops to tackle him to the ground and drag him to behind the other cops."

Minneapolis Will Ban Chokeholds After The Killing Of George Floyd
"This is a moment in time where we can totally change the way our police department operates," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said.

This Is What 100 Years Of Protests For Racial Justice Looks Like In America
From the 1917 silent protests in the streets of Manhattan to the recent national unrest following the killing of George Floyd, these pictures capture the long and tumultuous struggle for racial justice in the US.

Black People Are Tired Of Inaction Against Police Brutality. They’re Watching Biden To See If He’ll Turn The Tide.
Activists and Democrats say the protests against police violence are a pivotal moment for Joe Biden's presidential campaign.

Black Lives Matter Is Suing Trump And The Federal Government Over Force Used Against Protesters Outside The White House
The lawsuit accuses law enforcement officers of violating the constitutional rights of peaceful protesters on the orders of Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr.

They Marched For Breonna Taylor And Repeated A Powerful Message: “Black Women Are Not An Afterthought”
Tenelle Veira single-handedly organized a protest specifically for Breonna Taylor, saying Black women are often overlooked when people talk about police brutality.

Police Spend Years In Court Fighting Claims of Excessive Force and Misconduct After Mass Arrests of Protesters
The ACLU is investigating allegations of unlawful arrests and excessive force this week by local and federal law enforcement in Washington, DC.

Stop Sharing Viral Photos Of Cops Kneeling With Protesters
If you share pictures of police officers kneeling or hugging protesters, you’re not advancing the cause against police brutality; if anything, you’re impeding it.

14 Incredibly Powerful Images From The "Black Lives Matter" Protest In London
"The UK is not innocent."

The Government Can Now Secretly Spy On Protesters
The Drug Enforcement Administration got permission to conduct “covert surveillance” on protesters, BuzzFeed News reports. Plus, Matt Ortile joins us to talk about his new book, The Groom Will Keep His Name: And Other Vows I've Made About Race, Resistance, and Romance.

Here Are Powerful Pictures Of The Protests Through The Eyes Of Black Photographers
"I want to make sure the stories of my fellow black brothers and sisters are accurately represented."

The Three Other Former Police Officers Involved In George Floyd's Death Have Been Charged
And charges for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin have been upgraded to include second-degree murder.

If You Watch One Thing Today, Let It Be Nakkiah Lui's Emotional Speech About Indigenous Australian Deaths In Custody
"Be angry for us. Stand with us. Protest with us. Because we need you."

Peaceful Demonstrations Against Racism And Police Brutality Continued As Protesters Defied Curfew Orders
The demonstrations in Houston, New York City, and Washington, DC, were largely peaceful.

The “Right Way” To Protest Is A Myth
The police were even more aggro than normal last night, and Trump tear-gassed peaceful protesters for a photo op. And BuzzFeed News culture writer Scaachi Koul talks to us about why protests making certain people feel uncomfortable is actually a good thing.


This Is What It Looked Like The Last Time New York City Had A Curfew
Race and police brutality were at the root of the 1943 curfew, which was issued after a white police officer shot a black soldier and protests broke out.

A Legal Doctrine That Protects Cops In Court Is Getting Fresh Attention As Videos Surface Showing Police Violence
Courts can grant officers immunity from lawsuits over civil rights violations. Advocates are pushing to get rid of it.

White People, Read This Before You Text Your Black Friends
If you’re not black and you have black friends whom you are only reaching out to now, be thoughtful about how you do it.

People Are Taking To The Streets To Protest Police Brutality Amid Trump's Threat To Unleash The Military
Police attacked protesters in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, while Trump threatened to unleash the military on demonstrators against systematic inequality.

America Is On Fire And Trump Wants More Gas
The president told governors to be even tougher on protestors after a weekend of police clashing with demonstrators. Plus we speak to BuzzFeed News’ Addy Baird and Adolfo Flores, who have been reporting on the protests.


27 Powerful Moments Of Hope During The Protests Over George Floyd's Death
While images of violent clashes and looting so often dominate media coverage of the protests, quieter moments of peace, learning, and understanding can go overlooked.

It’s Time To Stop Giving Jake Paul Any Of Your Attention
The YouTuber's decision to treat a protest against police brutality as an opportunity to rack up views makes it clear that it's time to stop watching.

People Are Coming Together Across The Country To Clean Up Neighborhoods After A Weekend Of Protests
This weekend saw an increase in both protests and violence, but many within the community chose to come together peacefully.

Dallas Police Asked People To Call Out Protesters. People Flooded Their App With K-Pop Instead.
The Dallas PD's iWatch Dallas app is currently down "due to technical difficulties."

A 22-Year-Old Black Man Was Fatally Shot At A Protest Against Police Brutality Outside An Omaha Bar
"Last night I lost a son. My wife lost a son. ... All because he decided to protest against racism."

What Do The Protests Look Like In Your Community?
Fiery protests are rocking the country following George Floyd's death. How is your community coping?

George Floyd And Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin Worked Security At The Same Nightclub. People Who Worked With Them Can't Believe It.
The club’s owner said former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin would sometimes "overreact and lash out quickly" while working as a security guard at the popular club.