March 2017 – Lauren Turner Dunn

March 23, 2017May 15, 2017 lturnerdunn Newsfeed

Five dead and 40 injured in London terror attack

LANCASTER, CA – Metropolitan police were called this afternoon when some say they heard an explosive set off and shots were fired outside Parliament.

According to police, a car jumped the curb, struck, and injured pedestrians and three police officers on the Westminster Bridge. The car then crashed into a fence around the Houses of Parliament.

Reports show the number of injured people went from 20-40. London ambulance arrived six minutes after they received a call. Then an air ambulance landed in Parliament Square.

Bystanders immediately tweeted what they saw and heard.

Credit, Twitter

BBC reported that there were about three shots fired outside of the Palace of Westminster. Then a man ran through the gates of the parliamentary compound onto the front yard, allegedly waving a knife.

The attacker stabbed and killed an officer who was guarding the parliament. Officers then shot and killed the attacker, and said it’s likely that there was only one attacker. Police declared the attack as a terrorist incident and told CNN they believe the attack is “Islamist-related”.

After the attack the Parliament building was on lockdown, but staff members have now left.

Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to open the new police headquarters at New Scotland Yard on Thursday, but she is now delaying the ceremonial event.

The mayor of Paris said that the Eiffel Tower will go dark to show solidarity to London and honor the victims.

Prime Minister Theresa May, described the terror attack as “sick and depraved”. She also shared her condolences to those affected. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected,” the Prime Minister said. “To the victims themselves, and their family and friends who waved their loved ones off, but will not now be welcoming them home.”

PHOTO: A police officer tapes off Parliament Square after reports of loud bangs, in London, Britain, March 22, 2017. — Credit, ABC News

There will be extra police officers on the streets of London for the next few days.

By Lauren Turner Dunn

Contributions from, BBC, CNN

Photos, ABC News, Twitter

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Why is it a terrorist attack?

How to protect yourself during a terrorist attack

Why do people commit acts of terror?

March 19, 2017May 16, 2017 lturnerdunn Class

Documentary Director used surveillance footage of Michael Brown to show the real him

NORTHRIDGE, CA – Film director, Jason Pollock, used surveillance footage of Michael Brown in his documentary starting protests at a market in Ferguson Monday night.

Image result for ferguson market and liquor — Credit, St. Louis Post Dispatch

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Ferguson Market and Liquor store where police said Michael Brown stole cigarettes from in August 2014. News outlets only showed the the store’s surveillance footage of Brown moments before he was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson.

michael brown darren wilson — Credit, Heavy

The director of Stranger Fruit, Jason Pollock used surveillance footage of Brown and the market clerk at 1 a.m. Viewers might assert that Brown and the clerk had a relationship before officers said Brown robbed the market.

Police only gave half of the surveillance videos to the public. The videos showed Brown choking a man by the door, throwing something over the counter, and talking to the clerk aggressively.

Pollock’s goal of showing the footage is to let Brown’s true character show, unlike the police and news outlets. The documentary Stranger Fruit premiered on Saturday at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Protesters want to see all of the original footage.

The market’s attorney Robert McCulloch said that there is no relation between the two surveillance clips but Pollock, Brown’s family, and protesters believe that there is.

The New York Times reported that Brown’s parents filed a federal lawsuit against the now resigned Officer Wilson. The civil trial will start sometime next year.

By Lauren Turner Dunn

Contributions from CNN, The New York Times

Photo, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Heavy

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Attorney’s Perspective

Director’s Break Down

New Trail for Michael Brown’s Case

March 19, 2017May 15, 2017 lturnerdunn Class

Chance the Rapper helps Chicago public schools “reach the finish line”

NORTHRIDGE, CA – Chance the Rapper donated $1-million to the Chicago Public School Foundation, during a press conference at Westcott Elementary School Monday morning.

Image result for chance the rapper press conference check — Credit, GQ

Chance said, “Our kids shouldn’t be held hostage because of political positions.” Back in December, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill that would have given the public schools $215 million. The schools were planning to end the year almost 20 days early because of insufficient funds.

At the press conference, Chance explained how winning the three Grammys helped him get a meeting with Governor Rauner. The two met a few weeks ago and the meeting did not go well. Chance told the Republican Governor, to do his job and “give Chicago’s children the resources they need to fulfill their God-given right to learn.”

The money is going to help develop enrichment and afterschool programs. Chicago’s public school system has been suffering from the state’s racially discriminatory system of funding.

Chance the Rapper grew up in Chicago and he also donated $10,000 to the Westcott Elementary School. He challenged private and corporate businesses to donate. He said for every $100,000 he would donate $10,000 to individual schools.

By Lauren Turner Dunn

Contributions from Pitchfork and Billboard

Photo, GQ

EDUCATE YOURSELF

CBS

Chicago Tribune

Critics of Rauner