The jury in the trial over the death of George Floyd has found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd’s family and supporters expressed relief. The court found that it was Chauvin’s actions – kneeling on Floyd for more than nine minutes during … Continue reading “Police Officer Convicted of Murdering George Floyd”
On 15 April every year, all professional baseball teams in America celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, in honour of the player who “broke the color bar”, becoming the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. In post-WWII U.S.A., professional baseball, like so many other things, was segregated. African-Americans could only play in the Negro Leagues, not … Continue reading “Celebrating Jackie Robinson Day”
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died on 9 April, after more than 70 years of marriage to Queen Elizabeth II. The longest serving consort of a British monarch was just a few months short of his 100th birthday. Philip Mountbatten was, like the Queen, a great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria and another famous royal consort, Prince … Continue reading “A Prince Passes”
The Black Lives Matter movement has been awarded Sweden’s Olof Palme civil-rights prize, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Olof Palme Prize was created in memory of the Swedish Prime minister and human-rights advocate who was assassinated in 1986. Its jury noted that although Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013, … Continue reading “Black Lives Matter Honoured”
The death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis on 25 May 2020 sparked last summer’s wave of Black Lives Matter protests. The trial of the police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck opened on 29 March in Minnesota. Police were called after George Floyd bought a packet of cigarettes in a convenience story. … Continue reading “Seeking Justice for George Floyd”
The Design Museum in London has announced the winners of the 2020 Beazley Designs of the Year, honouring see-saws connecting children on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, improvised brick arches created by Hong Kong protesters and vegan burgers. The Beazley awards don’t only consider aesthetics and user experience. They look at the bigger picture … Continue reading “Design as Activism Honoured in Beazley Awards”
Discover films, class visits and talks on New Orleans, Louisiana and Southern literature thanks to the Travelling Film Festival and the Institut Franco-Américan in Rennes. New Orleans is the star of this year’s festival, which is going ahead despite cinemas being closed. In fact, it’s even being extended for classes in Ile-et-Vilaine: film showings and … Continue reading “Discover Louisiana”
When it was announced that its famous Mardi Gras parades were being cancelled because of Covid restrictions, New Orleans residents decided to find new ways to honour the tradition. Mardi Gras celebrations are an important part of Louisiana’s French heritage, and normally attract tourists from around the world. Mardi Gras kicks off King Day (Twelfth … Continue reading “Making Mardi Gras Covid-Safe in New Orleans”
Judge Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed as the Supreme Court replacement for Ruth Bader Ginsburg on 27 October, barely a week before the presidential election. After Justice Ginsburg’s death on 18 September, the nomination of a new Justice became a political battle. Justice Ginsburg was one of the four Democratic-nominated Justices out of the nine … Continue reading “Supreme Court Confirmation Rushed Through”
The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on 18 September means the political balance of the court is likely to swing right. Justice Ginsburg was a pioneering lawyer and judge who was at the forefront of battles for gender equality and women’s rights. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was one of three women out of … Continue reading “Goodbye RBG”
