Black Archives

Florida Deputy’s Fatal Shooting of Black Airman Sparks Controversy and Calls for Justice

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Body camera footage released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office in Florida depicts a deputy firing at a Black man, Roger Fortson, immediately upon his opening the door of his apartment, where he was later found dead. The incident, which took place on May 3, 2024, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement. The video, presented by Sheriff Eric Aden, shows the deputy …

US Maternal Mortality Rates Decrease in 2022, But Disparities Persist for Black Women

Atlanta, Georgia – A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed a significant decrease in maternal deaths in 2022 compared to previous years. The report highlighted a decline in maternal mortality rates across the country, with an overall decrease in the number of women dying from pregnancy-related causes. In 2022, the maternal mortality rate dropped from 32.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021 to 22.3 per 100,000, marking …

Study Reveals Disturbing Increase in Overdose Deaths Among Older Black Adults in the U.S.

Philadelphia, PA – A recent study led by Abenaa Jones, an assistant professor at Penn State University, shed light on the shifting demographics of drug overdose deaths in the United States over the past decade. Analyzing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Census Bureau, researchers uncovered concerning trends in overdose fatalities among both white and Black individuals across different age groups. During the 10-year study period, overdose death rates rose …

Supreme Court Denies Appeal in Case of Black Lives Matter Leader Held Liable for Attack on Police Officer

Minneapolis, MN – The Supreme Court has decided to reject an appeal made by a leader of the Black Lives Matter movement who was held responsible for a violent attack on a police officer. The court’s decision upholds the ruling that found the BLM leader liable for the incident involving the officer. The incident in question took place during a protest organized by the Black Lives Matter movement. The leader allegedly incited the crowd to …

Supreme Court Denies Appeal of Black Lives Matter Leader Held Liable for Violent Police Attack

Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court of the United States rejected an appeal from a Black Lives Matter organizer held liable for a violent attack on a police officer at a protest he organized. The decision stems from a case where civil rights activist Deray Mckesson was sued by an unnamed Baton Rouge police officer for injuries sustained during a protest in 2016. The officer, referred to as “John Doe,” alleged that Mckesson should have …

Recognizing the Urgency of Black Maternal Health Disparities During Black Maternal Health Week

Atlanta, Georgia – Black Maternal Health Week is a crucial time of recognition each year from April 11-17, shedding light on the disparities and challenges faced by Black women in maternal health care. In the United States, pregnancy-related deaths still persist as a pressing issue, despite advancements in medical care. More than 80% of these deaths are preventable, underscoring the importance of timely and quality healthcare for expectant mothers. Racial disparities in maternal health outcomes …

Man Fatally Shot in Work Van on Reseda Street, Shooter Flees in Black BMW

Reseda, California – A tragic incident unfolded on Monday night as a 60-year-old man lost his life in a shooting on Jamieson Avenue in Reseda. The victim, who was in a work van at the time, was found on the street outside the van, with windows of the van shattered. The shooter, last seen driving off in a black BMW sedan, remains at large. The shooting occurred around 7:15 p.m. in the 7500 block of …

Former Mississippi Deputies Sentenced for Appalling Attack on Black Men

JACKSON, Miss. – A heartbreaking scene unfolded in a federal courthouse as former law enforcement officer Daniel Dedmon offered a tearful apology to the victims of a heinous attack. Dedmon, along with other officers, engaged in racially motivated violence that left lasting scars on Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker. The ordeal began with a racist call for violence, prompting Dedmon and his accomplices to break into a home and subject Jenkins and Parker to torture. …

Former Mississippi Deputies Sentenced for Torturing Two Black Men in Home Break-In

Jackson, Mississippi – Two former deputies from Mississippi were sentenced on Wednesday for their involvement in a horrific case of racial violence. The federal judge condemned their actions as cruel and heinous, as they broke into a home and tortured two Black men alongside four other white officers. Christian Dedmon, 29, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, while Daniel Opdyke, 28, received a sentence of 17 1/2 years. The judge expressed his shock at …

Former Mississippi Deputies Sentenced to Prison for Torturing Black Men: Judge Condemns ‘Shocking Attacks’

Jackson, Mississippi – Two former Mississippi deputies were visibly emotional in court as they received their prison sentences for the heinous crime of breaking into a home and torturing two Black men. Christian Dedmon, 29, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, while Daniel Opdyke, 28, received a 17.5-year sentence. The U.S. District Judge Tom Lee condemned their cruel actions, stating that Dedmon carried out unimaginable cruel attacks against the victims. During the sentencing, Dedmon …