Latest editorial
A demonstrator is pepper sprayed shortly before being arrested during a Black Lives Matter protest in Portland, Oregon, last week
A US federal judge has called on the Supreme Court to overturn the principle of “qualified immunity,” which stops law enforcement officers from being sued for their actions.
District Judge Carlton Reeves of Mississippi raised the issue while dismissing a lawsuit from Clarence Jamison of Neeses, South Carolina, against police officer Nick McClendon. Mr Jamison said that his black skin was a “motivating factor” in white Mr McClendon’s decision to pull him over and search his car.
Judge Reeves said he had to dismiss the case because of qualified immunity precedents, but said the principle had shielded officers who violate people’s constitutional rights.
ANSELM ELDERGILL looks at the legality of the wars in the Middle East and the means used to fight them. It is said that truth is the first casualty of war, so what is the truth with regard to the legality of America’s and Israel’s wars in Iran, Palestine and Lebanon?
From terrifying the children of immigrants to pepper-spraying frogs, the US under Trump is rapidly descending into mayhem, writes Linda Pentz Gunter
HANK KENNEDY contends that US military attacks in the Caribbean amount to modern piracy driven by Venezuela’s oil wealth
