Headlines

Massachusetts State Trooper Fired After Using Racial Slurs During an Off-Duty Confrontation

Published

4 months ago

November 5, 2020

Rachel Masloske

The Massachusetts police department fired a State Trooper this Tuesday for using racial slurs with another motorist.

What We Know:

The trooper was terminated after Col. Christopher Mason became aware of them using racial slurs on Revere Beach Boulevard.
The trooper was off-duty when the incident occurred. They approached a male in a stationary vehicle on Revere Beach Boulevard. The trooper has yet to be identified and the slurs used are unclear.
The trooper was a recent graduate of the recruit training program, just graduating in May. After graduation, the department puts graduates under a one-year probationary period.
“I am disgusted and disappointed by the conduct that occurred, which is the antithesis of the standards of conduct and personal behavior we expect and demand of our members,” Col Christopher Mason said in a statement. The state superintendent went on to say, “This subject is not fit to wear the badge or call themselves a member of the Department.”
Mason has ordered a complete investigation of the incident.

The incident is currently still under investigation. Mason has asked the Massachusetts state’s Attorney General’s office to review the incident to check for any possible criminal charges or civil rights violations the trooper may have executed.

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Rachel Masloske

Rachel Masloske is a digital intern at Unmutedco.

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Headlines

White House Backs Police Reform Bill Named After George Floyd

Published

8 hours ago

March 3, 2021

Jacarious Stanley

The White House confirms that it is in favor of a police reform bill that has been proposed.

What We Know:

On Monday, the Biden Administration voiced its support of a bill, H.R 1280, that is currently pending in the house. A previous bill was proposed by Democrats last year that passed in the house but was denied in the majority republican ran senate.
The bill is named after George Floyd, a resident of Minnesota, who was killed as a result of Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck for an excessive amount of time despite his cries for help. Chauvin is expected to serve trial on Monday and is facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.
The George Floyd Policing Act will save lives, said Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House. The George Floyd Policing act will work at addressing things like systematic racism and stop no-knock warrants. The legislation presented is not only just tackling causes that led to the death of Breonna Taylor, Alton Sterling, George Floyd but working at ending some of the prejudices people of color face in the United States. Nancy Pelosi made the following statement about the bill last week, “The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act will address systemic racism, curb police brutality and save lives.”

“This legislation includes bold reforms, which ban chokeholds, stop no knocks warrants, end the court-created qualified immunity doctrine, combat racial profiling, and establish strong new standards and protection to prevent and combat police misconduct,” she continued.

Unlike last year, the bill will be going through a Democratic ran senate. It is still possible for the bill to have a hard time making it through the senate because at least 10 republican votes are required for it to pass. According to a press release on Pelosi’s website, she is very confident about this bill and is optimistic that her work with the Biden administration and the American people will push this bill past the Senate and into action.

The George Floyd Policing Act is maybe what America needs to step in the direction of ending police brutality or at least a first significant step.

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Entertainment

Chicago Comedian Erica Watson Dies at 48 Due to COVID-19

Published

10 hours ago

March 3, 2021

Donovan Bell-Farmer

Eric Faye Watson, writer, and actress, known for Precious, Top Five, and Chi-raq, has passed away due to complications relating to coronavirus. She was 48.

What We Know:

Watson was born and raised in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Born in February 1973, she attended Apostle Elementary School, Kenwood high school, and earned her BA and MA at Columbia College Chicago. As a child, she was also a member of the Chicago Children’s Choir and The Merit School of Music. Watson was an actress, stand-up comedian, public relations representative, writer, activist, and director.
The news of Watson’s passing broke through on Facebook when her brother posted an update. “We are not taking this easy. Please respect our privacy right now…”, her brother exclaims. After she celebrated her birthday a few days prior, Watson passed away in Montego Bay, Jamaica. According to Chicago Tribune, she was also working remotely from Jamaica due to concerns she had regarding COVID-19 in the United States. There currently isn’t any confirmation on how long Watson had the virus or whether it was recently contracted.
Watson was known for being a multi-faceted individual. In 2017, Erica hosted a “Feminist Comedy Marathon” at The Brooklyn Museum, which featured 50 of NYC’s best female comics. Southside business owner Qiana Allen expressed interest in Watson after she attended “Fat Bitch!”, Watson’s one-woman show, in 2014. The two women became friends, and Watson became Allen’s publicist.

When news of Watson’s passing broke, Allen expressed, “Erica would share all of her knowledge with everybody, especially if she sees something in them.”

She had so many dreams and aspirations that she wanted to complete, and that bothers me the most – she’ll never get the chance to fulfill those things,” she continued. Before her death, Watson expressed that she wanted to write and direct her own movies one day in a column by Plus Model Magazine.
In 2018, Watson created a cosmetic collection entitled “fierce.” in a brand partnership with Nena Cosmetics and also modeled as one of the cover girls for their advertisements. Watson leaves behind many projects and loved ones in the wake of her passing.

According to her family, the funeral for Erica Faye Watson will be held in Chicago, but there isn’t a confirmed date as of late.

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Headlines

Fort Worth Police Officer Fired Over Racially Insensitive Social Media Post

Published

12 hours ago

March 3, 2021

Estefania De La Torre

In Fort Worth, Texas, a police officer has been fired after making a racially insensitive post on social media.

What We Know:

On Monday, officials from the Fort Worth Police Department announced their decision to fire Officer Kelly Kujawski just one month after the department’s internal affairs was notified about Kujawski’s online activity. Kujawski was reported by another officer and placed on restricted duty on February 5th while the incident remained under investigation.
Although the department has not shared the details of the social media post, the WFAA reported that Kujawski was fired for violating the department’s General Orders on social media use.
In a press release from the department, officials wrote, “The Fort Worth Police Department holds every officer to a very high standard and any comment, post, or any communication which is racially insensitive and unprofessional will not be condoned in any manner.”

#NEW

Officer fired. pic.twitter.com/bVGtrfehqg

— Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) March 1, 2021

Kujawski is the fourth officer from the Fort Worth Police Department to be fired in the past month and the second officer to be fired for making a racially insensitive post on social media. The three other officers that were let go acted in isolated incidents.
On February 9th, Officer Chadwick Hughes was also fired by the department after he made racially insensitive social media posts. Police lieutenant Gary Hawley was fired in early February after being arrested off-duty under the suspicion of driving drunk in December. Officer Scott Smith was fired after being charged with a theft that occurred on Dec. 14th.

Fort Worth Chief of Police Neil Noakes agreed with the decision to terminate Kujawski, describing her actions as “conduct [that] brought unfavorable criticism upon the department.”