Justice News

Readout of Justice Department’s Interagency Convening on Advancing Equity in Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division convened principals of federal agency civil rights offices and senior government officials to foster AI and civil rights coordination.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks at the Justice Department’s Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Sixty years ago, in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this nation laid the cornerstone for our subsequent progress toward equal justice. It may be difficult today to appreciate the strength and courage required to bring about this change because we know how the story ended. The civil rights proponents in the 1960s did not. Confident in the justice of their cause — but not its success — they advocated and protested, suffered beatings and imprisonment and died.

Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer Delivers Remarks at the Justice Department’s Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Thank you, Deputy Attorney General Monaco. As we gather to celebrate and reflect on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we have to begin by acknowledging the debt we owe to the countless individuals whose tireless efforts and unyielding bravery were critical in the fight to dismantle deeply engrained systems of discrimination and segregation. We are here today because of their struggle, sacrifice, and courage.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the Justice Department’s Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Good afternoon. Thank you, Kevonne, for that introduction, and for your leadership of the Office for Civil Rights in the Office of Justice Programs.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks at the Justice Department’s Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Thank you, Attorney General Garland. It’s a pleasure and an honor to join all of you in the Great Hall for this celebration.

Two Former Missouri Police Officers Indicted for Federal Civil Rights Violations

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Two former Northwoods, Missouri, police officers were indicted last week for violating a man’s civil rights in 2023. One officer turned himself in yesterday, and the other turned himself in today.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks at National Federation of the Blind National Convention

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Good afternoon. It is great to be here. I want to start off by thanking President Riccobono for that very gracious introduction and for the honor of being with all of you today. I also just want to note at the outset, again, my name is Kristen Clarke, and I am the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the United States Department of Justice. I am a 5’4” Black woman wearing a navy suit.

Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Reiterating Prison Officials’ Duty to Protect Incarcerated People from Harm

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Justice Department filed a statement of interest last week in a lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama alleging that conditions in an Alabama state prison violate the Constitution. The statement explains that, under the Eighth Amendment, prison officials must respond reasonably when they know people in their custody face a substantial risk of serious harm, including harm from other incarcerated people.

Six People Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking in Massachusetts

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

An indictment was unsealed last week in Boston charging Christy Parker, 26; Alexander Smalls, 25; Cory Primo, 42; Avvani Jeffers, 22; Tre’sean Reid, 21; and Tyreik Reid, 20, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and other sex trafficking charges.

Justice Department Secures Agreement with Kansas School District Regarding School Discipline, Law Enforcement and Seclusion and Restraint

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Justice Department announced today a settlement agreement to resolve the department’s investigation into race and disability discrimination in Wichita Public Schools, Kansas’ largest school district. Under the settlement, the district will revise practices to prevent discrimination in discipline and referrals of students to law enforcement, end the use of seclusion, reform its restraint practices and improve services to students with disabilities in certain schools and classrooms.

Justice Department Secures Settlement in Discrimination Lawsuit for Blocking Affordable Housing Development in Louisiana

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Justice Department announced today that the Town of Franklinton (Franklinton), Louisiana, has agreed to pay $230,000 in damages and civil penalties to settle allegations that it violated the Fair Housing Act when it blocked a proposed affordable housing development for low-income tenants in a predominantly white part of Franklinton.

Former D.C. Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting a Handcuffed Inmate

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

A former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer, Marcus Bias, 28, was sentenced today to 42 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release for one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for assaulting a handcuffed inmate. Bias previously pleaded guilty in March.

Virginia Couple Sentenced for Forcing Victim to Work at Their Gas Station and Convenience Store for Over Three Years

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

A Virginia couple was sentenced today for compelling the labor of the man’s younger cousin at their gas station and convenience store for over three years. The couple has since divorced.

Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime Targeting Children Online

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

A Kentucky man pleaded guilty and was sentenced last week to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release in the District of Eastern Louisiana for committing a federal hate crime.

Former Alabama Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Offense of Excessive Force

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Former Elmore County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Deputy Blake Hicks, 33, was sentenced today to 29 months in prison and three years of supervised release for depriving an arrestee of his civil rights under color of law.

Justice Department Secures Agreement with Georgia School District to Protect Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Justice Department announced today a settlement agreement with Fulton County Schools in Georgia to resolve the department’s investigation of the district’s response to an escalating series of student-on-student sexual assaults on a school bus serving students with special needs. The department conducted its investigation under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974.

Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in New York

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Queens, New York, for the June 25 primary election.

Justice Department Secures Agreement with Florida State Attorney’s Office to Resolve Allegations of Discrimination Against Hispanic Defendants