Racial Justice in the U.S.: Historical Perspective

Explores the history of civil rights protections in the U.S. Includes "hearings and committee prints, legislative histories on the landmark legislation, CRS and GAO reports, briefs from major Supreme Court cases, and publications from the Commission on Civil Rights."

This report "documents more than 4400 racial terror lynchings in the United States during the period between Reconstruction and World War II." From Equal Justice Initiative, 2017.

Discusses the July 1966 Good Park riots in Des Moines, the history of racism leading up to that watershed, and the more radical politics that followed.

Timelines from several sources acknowledging key events and decisions in the history of racism.

Resources about the relationship of laws and policies to racial equity and inequity.

In 2016, SF 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began "kneeling on the sideline at games during the national anthem to protest social injustice and police brutality." This timeline explores Kaepernick's actions and some prominent reactions to it.

"A history of various movements by citizens in the United States to gain political and social freedom and equality." From the Howard University Law Library.

A New York Times audio series on how "slavery has transformed America, connecting past and present through the oldest form of storytelling."

"Audio stories from generations affected by the history of lynching in America."

Code Switch is "the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for! Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. We explore how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between. This podcast makes ALL OF US part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story."

A selective timeline of some key events, dating back to 1619, that led to the current protests. From The Root.

Civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson discusses "the frustration and despair behind" the protests.

An incomplete “list of names of black folks killed by the police since Eric Garner's death in 2014,” along with a brief description of what they were doing right before their death.

Emerson College President Lee Pelton powerfully weaves personal narrative and broader history in his response to George Floyd's death and the subsequent protests.

H.R. 7120 was introduced June 8, 2020. It passed the House, but the Senate did not vote on it.

S. 3985 was introduced on June 17, 2020. The Senate did not vote on it.

June 10, 2020, House Committee on the Judiciary

Executive Order 13929, issued by President Trump on June 16, 2020

This Oct 2020 report "Promoting an Unbiased Criminal Justice System" makes recommendations for Iowa. (Starts at page 29 of the PDF.)

A bill for an act relating to peace officers, including the certification, training, and prosecution of peace officers and the use of chokeholds by peace officers, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. Signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds on June 12, 2020.

The city of Des Moines adopted an ordinance on unbiased policing policy on June 22, 2020. Typically, before an ordinance can be codified in Des Moines, it has to pass three readings. The first reading of this ordinance was June 8, 2020 (See extra item on last page). The second reading was June 22, 2020 (see item 71I). After passing the second reading, the council voted to waive the third reading and adopt the ordinance as of that night.

Opens in YouTube at point where discussion begins (59:45)

Opens in YouTube at point where discussion starts (33:20)

“In a resolution adopted by consensus, the Council decided to request the High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the assistance of relevant Special Mandate Holders, to prepare a report on systemic racism, violations of international human rights law against Africans and people of African descent by law enforcement agencies, especially those incidents that resulted in the death of George Floyd and other Africans and of people of African descent, to contribute to accountability and redress for victims. The Council further requested the High Commissioner to examine government responses to antiracism peaceful process peaceful protests, including the alleged use of excessive force against protesters, bystanders and journalists.”

2020 webinar co-sponsored by the ABA, International Bar Association, and the American Society of International Law.