A bill that would allow voters decide if military monuments should be removed, including those from the Civil War era, was approved by a House committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The Department of Justice explained in detail why they aren’t filing federal civil rights charges against the cops in the Alton Sterling case. Michelle Southern reports…:
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Four Confederate monuments in New Orleans are coming down, but the rest of the state’s military monuments would be protected under a bill by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody. The measure would prohibit the removal of any military monument from any war, including the Civil War. Carmody says many of his family members fought for this country, and he is proud of their sacrifice.
The bill was approved by the House Municipal Committee on a 10 to 8 vote. The proposal was amended to allow for the monuments’ removal if a majority of voters decide to do so. Brenda O’Brock of Shreveport supports the monuments and says students should be paraded to them. She says all veteran lives matter, no matter what war they fought.
The bill would not protect any monuments that are taken down before the proposed law takes effect. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith opposes the measure. She says too many people have not grown up, and many black people still have to endure prejudice.
Supporters of the measure say removing the monuments would be taking a step backwards because if those who don’t learn from history, will repeat it. But Smith says we’ve already gone backwards in this country.
The measure now heads to the House floor for more debate.
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A measure that attempts to end pay secrecy in the workplace died in the House Labor Committee on a 9 to 5 vote. The bill sought to allow employees to discuss salary without fear of retaliation from their bosses. Mandeville Representative Reid Falconer voiced his concerns that not every worker feels comfortable sharing their wages. He says this bill could pose problems with employees and employers.
But New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says her measure only gives employees the option to discuss their salaries without fear of retaliation or termination from their employer. She says ending pay secrecy is actually beneficial to businesses.
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Moreno’s legislation was an attempt to end unequal gender pay practices by businesses. She says a poll found 90% of people surveyed support advancing equal pay policies.
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Emotions have been flying high surrounding every stance on the Department of Justice’s decision not to federally charge the Baton Rouge Police Officers for shooting Alton Sterling. The news was leaked yesterday by the Washington Post, and Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says it’s a shame the Sterling family had to find out that way…:
James wants people who are upset about this to keep in mind that a lot of things have changed here since the July 2016 shooting..:
(Three females were arrested during a protest in Baton Rouge Tuesday night and are facing some pretty serious charges for allegedly trying to block a major roadway. Those include aggravated obstruction of a highway, resisting an officer, and failure to disperse. One woman was also charged with battery on a police officer for allegedly spitting on a cop.)
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The U.S Department of Justice announces no federal charges against the two Baton Rouge police officers involved in the shooting of Alton Sterling. Acting United States Attorney Corey Amundson says their extensive investigation determined officers Blane Salmoni and Howie Lake acted in accordance with the law when they encountered Sterling on July 5th..
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Amundson says they had career prosecutors and agents who looked at the video evidence and witness testimony from the shooting that occurred in front of a convenience store. He says the investigation took so long because they carefully examined the actions of the officers
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Amundson says the entire encounter between Sterling and the two officers lasted 90 seconds. He says they tazed Sterling and the officers also had difficulty trying to control the 37-year-old man after asking if they can see his hands. He says based on the video they can’t determine if the officers acted unreasonably and willfully
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces State Police along with a special prosecutor will determine if state charges should apply. Chris Stewart, an attorney for Sterling’s family believes it should, because the actions of the police officers that night were outrageous….
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Stewart says everyone has seen the video of Sterling being shot three times, but what we didn’t see was that he was also shot three more times. He adds things got heated between Sterling and Officer Blane Salamoni even before the fatal scuffle.
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