Protests Against Police Brutality

WBUR's coverage of the anti-police brutality protests in America in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.

Police shoot pepper spray toward a protester during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 31, 2020. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Man sentenced to 5 years in prison after shooting gun during Boston protest

A Boston man who repeatedly fired a gun in the direction of officers during a protest against police brutality last summer was sentenced to five years in prison, prosecutors said...

Local Coverage

Oct 27, 2021

Protestors from the Mass Action Against Police Brutality rally march along Blue Hill Avenue, Boston. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

On Anniversary Of George Floyd's Death, Demonstrators Gather In Franklin Park

Those gathered at Franklin Park Tuesday at an event organized by Mass. Action Against Police Brutality said the names of those killed by police locally: Terrence Coleman, Burrell Ramsey-White, Juston...

Local Coverage

May 25, 2021

From left to right, Shanakawa Pereira, Franklin Peralta, Tanoah Pierre, Emily Conklin and Carl Williams. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

What's Changed? 'Not Enough': Local Protesters Reflect On The Year Since George Floyd’s Killing

To mark the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police, WBUR asked some folks who protested in Boston last summer to reflect back on that time —...

Local Coverage

08:22May 25, 2021

People gather as they celebrate at George Floyd Square after the verdict was announced in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 20, 2021. (Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images)

Reflecting On George Floyd Square, One Year Later

A year since the murder of George Floyd. A year of protests and people demanding change. But was it enough? We look at the intersection where Floyd was killed —...

On Point

47:32May 25, 2021

Police in riot gear escort a man who they said had been looting after rioting and looting broke out on the west side of Detroit, Michigan. (American Stock/Getty Images)

A History Of Black Rebellion In America

Violent protests over racism in the 1960s had a ubiquitous label: riot. Historian Elizabeth Hinton prefers another word: rebellion. We hear the untold history one year after George Floyd's murder.

On Point

47:14May 24, 2021

A person holds up a sign as protesters kneel on Canal Street in New York during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty Images)

Journalism Professor: Stop Showing Violent Police Videos

Professor Allissa Richardson argues for a moratorium on the public airing of videos showing the deaths of Black people at the hands of police.

Here & Now

10:50May 6, 2021

A protester last year sits and holds a sign with George Floyd’s image during an 8 minute and 26 second moment of silence in front of the Boston police substation in Jamaica Plain. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

How Reforming Qualified Immunity Could Transform Policing In America

For more than half a century, so-called qualified immunity has shielded police officers from lawsuits. Now, Congress and some state houses are considering changing that.

On Point

47:12May 5, 2021

Brock Satter addresses the crowd during a rally. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

'Until We Win': Boston Protesters Seek Bigger Changes To Policing

Police reform activists have had some recent wins, including the guilty verdicts against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. But they say much more is needed.

Local Coverage

04:28May 4, 2021

Brock Satter addresses about 100 protesters at the Mass. Action Against Police Brutality rally and march in Fields Corner. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Activists Gather In Boston, Demand Further Police Accountability After Chauvin Verdict

The event, hosted by the prominent local activist group, Mass Action Against Police Brutality, drew a small crowd of dozens of protesters, including the family members of several people who...

Local Coverage

Apr 24, 2021

Terrence Floyd, brother of George Floyd, speaks at George Floyd Square after the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial on April 20, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

I'm Not Celebrating The Chauvin Verdict

I fear that congratulatory celebration may lead to complacency -- a complacency that does not fully acknowledge that there have been and will be many George Floyds, writes Lee Pelton.

Cognoscenti

Apr 22, 2021

Community activist Monica Cannon-Grant speaks to the news media during a press conference before a rally in Nubian Square. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

PHOTOS: After Chauvin Verdict, Demonstrators Gather In Boston To Demand Accountability

There were multiple demonstrations pushing for racial justice across Boston Wednesday evening, a day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

Local Coverage

01:59Apr 21, 2021

People pose for pictures in front of a mural for George Floyd. (Morry Gash/AP)

PHOTOS: Rejoicing, Reactions In Minneapolis, Other Cities After Ex-Officer Chauvin Is Found Guilty

Demonstrators and activists against police brutality took to the streets in Minneapolis and in other U.S. cities to express relief, exaltation and continued calls for justice following the verdict in...

Local Coverage

Apr 20, 2021

Acting Mayor Kim Janey. (Elise Amendola/AP)

WATCH LIVE: Boston Acting Mayor Janey Delivers Remarks On Chauvin Guilty Verdict

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey is expected to speak at City Hall about the trial verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. He was found...

Local Coverage

Apr 20, 2021

Organizer Sirad Zahra speaks to protesters at the Mass Action Against Police Brutality rally in front of the Massachusetts State House. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Protesters Gather On Beacon Hill, Demand Prosecution Of Police Officers Who Kill People

The group gathered in Boston has also long pushed for further investigations and prosecutions in local cases of police violence.

Local Coverage

Apr 15, 2021

A protester holds up caution tape that read “Don’t Shoot” as police and protester stand off in front of Forest Hills station in Jamaica Plain im June 2020. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Professor Imani Perry Looks At Police Violence Through Lens Of History

The professor of African American Studies at Princeton brings a historical perspective to today's police violence against Black Americans.

Here & Now

09:42Apr 14, 2021

Police and protesters converge during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Louisville, Kentucky, in Sept. 2020. (John Minchillo/AP)

Police Killings Decreased In Cities That Saw Black Lives Matter Protests, Study Finds

There's up to a 20% difference between cities that saw Black Lives Matter protests from 2014 to 2019 to those that didn't, the study finds.

Here & Now

04:13Mar 12, 2021

George Floyd Murder Trial Begins: What's Changed Since Floyd's Death?

Jury selection begins Monday in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is accused of kneeling on the neck of George Floyd during a police...

Here & Now

05:18Mar 8, 2021

A group of Whole Foods employees dismissed by managers for wearing Black Lives Matter masks during their shifts gather outside of the Whole Foods on River Street in Cambridge in July 2020. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Judge Dismisses Bulk Of Discrimination Lawsuit Led By Cambridge Whole Foods Employees

The law "does not protect one’s right to associate with a given social cause, even a race-related one, in the workplace," wrote the deciding judge in an opinion released Friday.

Local Coverage

Feb 8, 2021

In this Aug. 26, 2020, photo released by the Antioch Police Department is Kyle Rittenhouse in Antioch, Ill. (Antioch Police Department via AP)

Wisconsin Prosecutors Seek Rittenhouse Arrest, Higher Bond

Kyle Rittenhouse failed to inform the court of his change of address within 48 hours of moving, Kenosha County prosecutors alleged in a motion filed with Judge Bruce Schroeder. The...

Local Coverage

Feb 3, 2021

A pro-Trump protester is tended to by a police officer while suffering the effects of chemical agents used to disperse crowds after protesters stormed the grounds the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Of Course The Mob That Stormed The Capitol Wasn't Afraid

These far-right activists have been courted by law enforcement to help control Black Lives Matter and other racial justice protesters, writes Karen J. Pita Loor.

Cognoscenti

Jan 11, 2021

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Man sentenced to 5 years in prison after shooting gun during Boston protest

On Anniversary Of George Floyd's Death, Demonstrators Gather In Franklin Park

What's Changed? 'Not Enough': Local Protesters Reflect On The Year Since George Floyd’s Killing

Reflecting On George Floyd Square, One Year Later

A History Of Black Rebellion In America

Journalism Professor: Stop Showing Violent Police Videos

How Reforming Qualified Immunity Could Transform Policing In America

'Until We Win': Boston Protesters Seek Bigger Changes To Policing

Activists Gather In Boston, Demand Further Police Accountability After Chauvin Verdict

I'm Not Celebrating The Chauvin Verdict

PHOTOS: After Chauvin Verdict, Demonstrators Gather In Boston To Demand Accountability

PHOTOS: Rejoicing, Reactions In Minneapolis, Other Cities After Ex-Officer Chauvin Is Found Guilty

WATCH LIVE: Boston Acting Mayor Janey Delivers Remarks On Chauvin Guilty Verdict

Protesters Gather On Beacon Hill, Demand Prosecution Of Police Officers Who Kill People

Professor Imani Perry Looks At Police Violence Through Lens Of History

Police Killings Decreased In Cities That Saw Black Lives Matter Protests, Study Finds

George Floyd Murder Trial Begins: What's Changed Since Floyd's Death?

Judge Dismisses Bulk Of Discrimination Lawsuit Led By Cambridge Whole Foods Employees

Wisconsin Prosecutors Seek Rittenhouse Arrest, Higher Bond

Of Course The Mob That Stormed The Capitol Wasn't Afraid