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Ann Arbor adopts ordinance to restrict police from pulling over drivers for minor traffic violationsMinor traffic violations that do not impact public safety will not be enforced by the Ann Arbor Police Department. This is after a new ordinance passed unanimously at last night’s Ann Arbor City Council meeting. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
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Three years of traffic stops show racial disparities by Ann Arbor police, says newly-released reportThe public now has access to a final report on Ann Arbor traffic stop data that shows that non-whites were more likely to be stopped for minor traffic violations. As WEMU's Josh Hakala reports, it also found people of color were far more likely to be searched by police. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
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Non-white men were more likely to be stopped for minor traffic violations and more likely to be searched by police. These are just some of the results of a draft report of three years' worth of traffic stop data from the Ann Arbor Police Department. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.
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Today - the 19th of June - is the day now recognized nationally as "Juneteenth". It’s the day in 1865 that American slaves received word they were officially freed. But a Washtenaw County racial justice activist is urging the local community to live the spirit of Juneteenth year-round. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.
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Michigan’s ban against racial discrimination would extend to “traits historically associated with race” under a bill that passed the Michigan Senate Tuesday. Colin Jackson has more.
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Ypsilanti-based SOS Community Services and its "Parents as Teachers" program helps parents learn how to foster healthy growth and development for their children. It's community building, one family at a time. Rhonda Weathers and Rana Smith head up the program and joined WEMU's David Fair to detail the program and its community impact.
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Residents across Washtenaw County are being invited to join in on a discussion about reparations. A reparations panel discussion is slated for Saturday in Ypsilanti. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has details.
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When you call 911 with an emergency, do you ever think about how dispatchers must make split-second decisions on the legitamacy of your call? A bigger dilemma, lately, is how to respond when a person calls to say they fear a person near them but cannot describe any suspicious behavior. These are often described as "bias-influenced" calls. And they are a growing concern to the Washtenaw County Sheriff. Jerry Clayton. joined WEMU's Cathy Shafran, as he urges a "Call to Action" on bias-influenced dispatching.
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It is Black History Month, and not everyone is on board. There are some in the Black community that are upset that Black History is relegated to one month a year, noting that Black history is American History. How do you feel about it? We're going to look at that and the historical bias in education. WEMU's David Fair discussed it with activist, poet, and co-founder of "Black Men Read," Yodit Mesfin-Johnson
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The United Way of Washtenaw County's 21-day Equity Challenge begins today. It asks us to spend time each day exploring our personal bias and to educate ourselves on how to recognize them, deal with them and, ultimately, discard them. It also provides context for the society we live in today and our roles in it. La'Ron Williams is a noted storyteller and a founding member of "Washtenaw Faces Race." He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the ongoing local efforts to dismantle hierarchal and systemic racism.