civil rights violations News

Family of Man Who Died After Being Punched by Detroit Police Sues for $50M

DETROIT (AP) — The family of a 70-year-old man who died after a Detroit police officer punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, is suing the former officer and the city of Detroit, seeking $50 …

Justice Department Accuses Minneapolis Police of Systematic Discrimination After George Floyd’s Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Justice Department alleged Friday that Minneapolis police have systematically discriminated against Black and Native American people for years and often violated constitutional rights following a sweeping investigation that began after George Floyd was killed. The two-year …

$6.5M Award for Man Badly Hurt by Missouri Police Taser Upheld

A former Independence, Missouri, police officer was not protected by qualified immunity after he seriously injured a teenager with a Taser and by dropping him face down on the pavement, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 8th U.S. Circuit …

Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Rhode Island Man Injured in Moped Crash

Guardians of a Rhode Island moped driver who was sent into a coma with a head injury after he crashed while being followed closely by a Providence police cruiser filed a federal lawsuit on his behalf alleging brutality and excessive …

Heavily Criticized Pennsylvania Veterans’ Home Sued Over COVID-19 Outbreak

A state-run veterans’ home in Pennsylvania heavily criticized for its handling of a coronavirus outbreak inside its walls drew a federal wrongful death lawsuit, filed by family members of five residents who died of COVID-19. The family members accuse Southeastern …

68 Companies Join Legal Fight to Block Provisions of North Carolina LGBT Law

Sixty-eight companies have signed onto a legal brief opposing a North Carolina law that limits protections for LGBT people. The amicus brief filed July 8 is part of a legal challenge brought by the Department of Justice. The federal government …

U.S. Justice Dept. to North Carolina: LGBT Law Violates Federal Civil Rights Act

A North Carolina law limiting protections to LGBT people violates federal civil rights laws and can’t be enforced, the U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday, putting the state on notice that it is in danger of being sued and losing hundreds …

FBI Joins Investigation into Lead Contamination of Flint Water System

The FBI is working with a multi-agency team investigating the lead contamination of Flint’s drinking water, alongside Environmental Protection Agency investigators who can tackle criminal violations of federal environmental law, officials said. Several local, state and federal officials have resigned …

Oregon University Seeks Dismissal of Former Basketball Player’s Lawsuit

The University of Oregon has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former basketball player who claims the school damaged his prospects of playing in the NBA. Brandon Austin was one of three UO basketball players …

In Suit, Oklahoma Ex-Inmates Claim Private Halfway House Violated Civil Rights

Some former inmates are suing Tulsa, Okla., halfway house workers who they claim violated their civil rights by organizing fight clubs and beatings. The lawsuit filed in federal court seeks more than $75,000 in punitive damages for “severe physical injuries,” …