Welcome to the weekly update from the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity! Here, we give you a wrap-up of the latest developments and notable news as we continue our state-focused fight to abolish the unjust rule.
This week, Texas investigates the “bewildering inaction” of rogue troopers in Uvalde; New York honors Eric Garner; Chicago marches for the protection of Black women; and more!
FEATURED STORY
AP News: Texas State Police Launch Internal Review of Uvalde Response
“Two months after the Uvalde school massacre, Texas state police on Monday announced an internal review into the actions of dozens of troopers who were at Robb Elementary during 73 minutes of bewildering inaction by law enforcement as a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers.”
Read more here.
NEW YORK
New York City honored Eric Garner on the eighth anniversary of his death by renaming Bay Street on Staten Island, Eric Garner Way. “We haven’t gotten complete justice but this is a step in the right direction,” said Gwen Carr, Garner’s mother, at the event.
Read more here.
“This is traumatic. This is intolerable. The people that are charged with protecting and serving are injuring and accosting people that they work with.” Outcry over a video of a rogue Rochester cop manhandling an EMT after she accidentally hit his patrol car while tending to a patient in critical condition has prompted an investigation.
Read more here.
VERMONT
The ACLU of Vermont discusses the creation of the state’s new Division of Racial Justice Statistics, which “will use data to drive policies aimed at eradicating racial inequities in all points of our criminal legal system, from policing to sentencing and our prison system.”
Read more here.
ILLINOIS
Civil rights activists in Chicago gathered to demand justice for Jada Johnson and Madeline Miller, two Black women recently killed by police while undergoing a mental health crisis. “It can’t be just another blip on the news when a Black woman is murdered by those who…are supposed to protect and serve,” said Tree Tendaji of Black Lives Matter Chicago.
Watch here.
ADDITIONAL NEWS
Minnesota Star Tribune: Can Highway Engineer Detain Trucks on Road? U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Review Minnesota Case
“‘If this county engineer or others like him are allowed to take on powers never given to them, it could put us out of business,’ said Allan Minnerath, Central Specialties’ president, in a statement. ‘Jonathan Large doesn’t have the authority to do what he did. We want to hold him accountable for his actions so he doesn’t do it again and so other officials don’t do things like this.’”
Read more here.
St. Louis Public Radio: A St. Louis Cop’s ‘Reckless’ Detective Work Put Innocent Men in Jail. He Can’t Be Sued
“Speaking on St. Louis on the Air’s Legal Roundtable on Wednesday, attorney Eric Banks said the case is another example of the complexities of qualified immunity….‘I’m appalled by the decision,’ said Banks, a former state prosecutor and city counselor for the City of St. Louis. ‘I just don’t find any method to the madness. It’s a travesty as far as I’m concerned.’”
Read more here.
The Gainesville Sun: A Gainesville Man Lost His Eye After a Police K-9 Attack. Community Members Demand Answers
“Gainesville police announced late Saturday night that the incident was under investigation and maintains the use of a K-9 was standard procedure. About 100 protesters who took the streets Sunday, however, argued it was excessive force and police brutality.”
Read more here.
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