The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has made a move to take its protests into the courtroom. Activist DeRay McKesson is reportedly suing the city of Baton Rouge and their police department for tactics used during his arrest.
BBC news is reporting that McKesson was detained with about 200 other protesters by police while taking a stand against the killing of Alton Sterling. Sterling was killed in Baton Rouge earlier that month. Though many of the people were released, McKesson and 3 others were arrested during the protest and feel the police department was in the wrong. Those filing the lawsuit feel the police were using excessive force and violent tactics that could be considered assault. McKesson and the others want the suit to have class action status.
McKesson has been a constant voice for the Black Lives Matter movement. He is often finding new ways to get his message out to the public. McKesson has also written for The Huffington Post and The Guardian in the last few years. McKesson has a degree in legal studies from Bowdoin college and is an educator. The man has also spent a large portion of his career working for Teach for American and other programs that aim to improve the education systems of the United States. In recent years, he has begun moving into politics. Earlier this year, McKesson ran for mayor. He is now working with the City of Baltimore and their school systems.
In addition to his work with public schools, Mckesson is a co-founder of Campaign Zero. The campaign’s official website states that this organization’s hope is to end police violence and racial profiling. For his work with schools and charities, McKesson has many awards. Fortune Magazine, Foreign Policy Magazine, and Global Thinkers have all honored him. He was also able to sit down with the President to talk about race and police in the US. Many followers of BLM and the protests also follow McKesson on social media. There he often posts about issues dealing with police violence. Recently, he has posted about Korryn Gaines and his experience with the Baton Rouge police.
It is deeply troubling that Facebook temporarily deactivated #KorrynGaines' account then permanently deleted her videos per police request.
— deray (@deray) August 5, 2016
No. The #BatonRouge PD still have my bookbag. I'd like it back. https://t.co/7eGbDXKPDf
— deray (@deray) August 5, 2016
BLM has been criticized a lot lately. People are saying the organization has no qualified leaders and no plans. Getting into the courtroom will help the movement change that school of thought. If people like McKesson keep pushing for change, the US will have to start taking BLM seriously.
