Black Archives

Justice at Last: U.S. Navy Exonerates Black Sailors on 80th Anniversary of Port Chicago Tragedy

Port Chicago, California — An emotional remembrance marked the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Port Chicago explosion on Saturday, a tragic event that claimed the lives of over 300 sailors and civilians, most of whom were Black. The memorial was deeply significant this year following the recent exoneration of 256 Black sailors unjustly punished in the aftermath of the catastrophe. The explosion, one of World War II’s most tragic domestic military accidents, occurred on July …

U.S. Navy Clears Names of Black WWII Sailors Wrongly Convicted in 1944 Port Chicago Blast

Washington, D.C. – Nearly eight decades after an egregious injustice, the U.S. Navy has officially cleared the names of 40 Black sailors who were wrongfully convicted in the aftermath of the 1944 Port Chicago disaster. This historic event not only marked one of the deadliest munitions explosions during Worldwell War II but also a significant legal and civil rights battle over racial discrimination within the U.S. military. On July 17, 1944, a devastating explosion at …

Illinois Deputy Dismissed and Faces Murder Charges After Fatal Incident Involving Black Woman in Her Home

Waukegan, Illinois — A former sheriff’s deputy in Lake County, Illinois, has been terminated and charged with murder following the shooting death of a Black woman in her own home. The incident, which occurred last week, has escalated tensions and drawn scrutiny over the use of lethal force by law enforcement. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed that the deputy, who had been with the force for five years, is facing first-degree murder charges. …

Navy Rights Historical Wrongs: Exonerates 256 Black Sailors from 1944 Port Chicago Incident After 80 Years

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has officially cleared the names of 256 Black sailors who faced racial discrimination and unjust punishments following a tragic explosion at a California naval facility in 1944, which killed 320 people and left another 400 injured. The decision, announced on the 80th anniversary of the disaster at Port Chicago Naval Magazine, aims to correct a historic wrong rooted in racial injustice. On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion ripped through …

Justice at Last: US Navy Clears Names of 256 Black Sailors Wrongly Convicted in 1944 Port Chicago Tragedy

Washington, D.C. — In a historic move on Wednesday, the U.S. Navy cleared the names of 256 Black sailors who had been wrongfully convicted of mutiny and disobeying orders in the aftermath of the 1944 Port Chicago naval base explosion, the most catastrophic homeland disaster during World War II. This announcement came nearly 80 years after the deadly blast that killed 320 individuals and injured 390 others, predominantly impacting Black servicemen. The exoneration followed a …

CDC Report Shows Increasing Opioid-Related Deaths Among Black Americans

Minneapolis, Minnesota – A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a concerning trend in opioid-related deaths in the United States. The report indicates that, for the first time since the onset of the opioid crisis two decades ago, the death rate among Black Americans due to opioids has surpassed that of their white counterparts in 2020. In 2020 alone, the CDC notes a significant 44% increase in deaths among …

Connecticut Police Investigate Killing of 450-Pound Black Bear, Shooter Claims Self-Defense

CANTON, Conn. (AP) — Authorities in Connecticut are looking into the shooting of a 450-pound adult male black bear on Monday morning. The shooter claims that the killing was an act of self-defense, sparking controversy in the community. The incident comes a year after a law was passed in the state regarding the protection of black bears. The shooter’s defense raises questions about the interpretation and application of this legislation. Animal rights activists and conservationists …

Connecticut Police Investigate Shooting of 450-Pound Black Bear in Self-Defense Incident

CANTON, Connecticut – Law enforcement authorities in Connecticut are currently investigating the shooting of a 450-pound adult male black bear, with the shooter claiming the act was done in self-defense. The bear was killed after allegedly being spotted feeding at an unsecured dumpster in Canton, a community located about 13 miles northwest of Hartford. According to Paul Copleman, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the incident took place on Monday …

Texas Governor Pardons Ex-Army Sergeant Convicted of Killing Black Lives Matter Protester

Austin, Texas – Former Army sergeant Daniel Perry, convicted for the killing of a Black Lives Matter protester in downtown Austin in 2020, was released from prison on Thursday following a pardon from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Perry, who was 36 at the time of his conviction in April 2023, had his murder conviction pardoned by Gov. Abbott after a recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The decision led to his release …

Texas Governor Pardons Man Jailed for Fatal Shooting at Black Lives Matter Protest

Austin, Texas – A former US Army sergeant and Uber driver, Daniel Perry, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting and killing Black Lives Matter protester Garrett Foster in 2020, has been granted a full pardon by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Governor Abbott cited the state’s strong “Stand Your Ground” self-defense law in his pardon proclamation for Perry. The decision to pardon Perry came after the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole …