“When one of us is threatened, we all have to speak out, regardless of the discomfort it might call upon us. When one of us is in harm’s way, we’re all in harm’s way.”

The federal civil rights investigation into Garner’s killing by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo was apparently slowed down by disputes between FBI investigators and Justice Department prosecutors over whether or not to bring charges against the involved officers. 

The announcement came as the Justice Department said it will consider each of the thousands of petitions from people serving prison time for drug-related offenses before the president leaves office.

There is also a demand for justice in the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.  

The parish coroner William “Beau” Clark says this is the first time a judge has sealed a report from his office.

The agency just reached an agreement with the city that calls for reform in 12 areas, including body-worn camera and use of force policies.

By signing a U.S. Department of Justice Department consent decree, the city’s police department is agreeing to address officers’ excessive use of force, implicit bias, treatment of people who are mentally ill, and a range of other problems.

As we reported shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act’s Section Five, Texas could still face “preclearance” – federal review of election changes to ensure disenfranchisement won’t result –  under the Section Three “bail-in” provision.