Video Credit: Reuters - Politics - Duration: 05:05s - Published
A promise to release police video falls short
Warning: This story contains graphic content.
Police-reform advocates cheered a promise by the city of Austin, Texas last year to quickly make public police body camera footage of serious incidents.
But a Reuters review found Austin police rarely met the deadline.
I miss his voice." The officer who killed Gonzales wore a police body camera, and the city of Austin had pledged to make public all video involving serious injury or death within 60 days.
But the Gonzales family would learn that the city would fall short of that promise.
"Why?
Because we're in Austin?
Because we're in Texas?
What?
What is going on with the office inside Austin?
They know 60 days, and they still… nothing." Laws covering police cameras and video releases vary widely by jurisdiction across the United States.
In Austin, police reform activists initially cheered the city's 60-day promise as a move toward transparency and accountability.
But a Reuters review found that since May of 2020 when Austin pledged to release videos within 60 days, police met that deadline only once.
In three cases where police shot and killed suspects, video was released after that deadline.
And in at least 10 use-of-force incidents during Black Lives Matter protests last year, the department did not release any video.
Some say the delays are the work of a department trying to protect itself.
Rebecca Webber is an Austin civil rights lawyer.
"As far as just releasing body cam or security or dash cam videos of shootings, in my opinion, they continue to make those decisions the same way that they always have for years and years and years, as long as I've been paying attention, that they release information that is good for their officers and they do not release information that is not good.” Webber represents Sam Kirsch, who is suing the police over an injury to his eye he claims was caused by a police-fired projectile during a Black Lives Matter protest in May last year.
"Thankfully when I was shot, I wasn't knocked out.
I stayed conscious, which is really good, but you can imagine what a projectile shot by an 40-milimeter grenade launcher will do to your face." The district attorney’s office says it is investigating the incident but no longer objects to releasing the footage.
The video is not yet public.
In court filings the officer said he acted within the scope of his duties.
While Gonzales's family waited and weeks became months, police twice put out statements explaining the hold-up.
They cited weather-related closures and investigative needs.
His mother Liz said it was upsetting to steel herself for the video of her son's death ahead of each deadline, only to be confronted with delays.
"I'd be working and then I'd just stop.
Like I'd be stuck.
Like, snap out of it.
And it's hard for me to snap out of it.
And then I'd start getting mad, and then I'd start taking it out on people and that's not me.
And that's not right." Austin's interim police chief said there have been legitimate reasons for delays in releasing video, including insufficient resources for the time-intensive process of preparing the footage for public disclosure.
But he told Reuters the policy needs to be overhauled.
He wants to reduce processing time by no longer editing videos and instead release almost-raw footage.
The Gonzales video was finally released in April, 113 days after the shooting.
It's graphic, and shows Alex Gonzales's final moments.
He exits the car as officers repeatedly shout commands at him.
He walks around to the passenger side and reaches into the vehicle.
Officer Luis Serrato repeatedly shouts "do not reach," and then fires his weapon ten times.
Liz Gonzales believes Alex was wrongfully killed, and plans to sue the city.
Ken Irvin is an attorney representing officer Serrato.
He says that releasing video could, in some cases, compromise the rights of cops facing criminal investigation.
"We're not wholesale against the release of footage.
But it cannot come at the expense of somebody's fair, due process.
If an event has been reviewed and it's not going to be presented to a grand jury, there's not going to be any criminal action on it, then it becomes much easier to if you want to release some footage, okay, because we're not harming a person's future trial rights.
That's the problem." Prosecutors say they expect to present the case to a grand jury by early winter.
These US Cities, Have the Highest Populations of, Millionaires.
According to a report by Henley & Partners,
the United States remains the top country in the
world for private wealth creation and accumulation.
Quartz reports that the U.S. accounts
for about 32% of global liquid investable
wealth, valued at approximately $67 trillion.
Here are some of the cities
with the largest populations of
millionaires, according to the report.
Austin, This Texas city had the biggest explosion
in millionaire growth in the U.S. over the past
ten years, reaching 32,700 by the end of 2023. .
Miami, This Florida city is home to
35,300 millionaires and 15 billionaires,
including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Boston, While having just eight billionaires,
the fewest of any other city on the list,
this New England city is home to , 42,900 millionaires.
Seattle, This Washington State city is the home of
some of the largest corporations in the U.S.,
including Amazon and Microsoft. It's also
home to 54,200 millionaires and 11 billionaires. .
Chicago, Approximately 120,500 millionaires
live in this Midwestern metropolis. .
Los Angeles, The second-most populous city in the U.S. has about, 212,100 millionaires and 43 billionaires.
San Francisco, The tech hub of the U.S. boasts the most
billionaires with a whopping 68, as well as
the second-most millionaires with 305,700. .
New York, The city with the most high
net worth individuals has about , 349,500 millionaires
and 60 billionaires
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
House of Robb, the immersive pop-up featuring tastings, brand activations and live discussions from 'Robb Report,' returned to SXSW for the 2024 festival in Austin. The Hollywood Reporter hosted a conversation with Suzy Batiz, the CEO and founder of Pourri. The chat, titled "From Disaster to Triumph, Making Change That Matters," hit on a wide range of topics, including Batiz's upbringing, her decision to create Poo-Pourri and her concept of an "alive idea."
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 35:31Published
Artists and Speakers Boycott SXSW , in Protest of Military and Defense Industry Sponsorships.
As the war between Israel and Hamas rages on,
dozens have canceled their South by Southwest appearances to protest event sponsorships from defense companies
and the U.S. Army, CNN reports. .
As the war between Israel and Hamas rages on,
dozens have canceled their South by Southwest appearances to protest event sponsorships from defense companies
and the U.S. Army, CNN reports. .
The protest is meant to show solidarity
with Palestinians in Gaza.
The protest is meant to show solidarity
with Palestinians in Gaza.
A music festival should not include
war profiteers. I refuse to be
complicit in this and withdraw
my art and labor in protest, Singer-songwriter Ella Williams, via Instagram.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took to social
media to respond to the protest.
Bye. Don’t come back, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, via X.
We are proud of the
U.S. military in Texas. If you
don’t like it, don’t come here, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, via X.
However, SXSW "does not agree" with Abbott's approach, CNN reports. .
We fully respect the decision
these artists made to exercise
their right to free speech, SXSW organizers, via statement.
The defense industry has historically
been a proving ground for many of
the systems we rely on today. , SXSW organizers, via statement.
These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives. , SXSW organizers, via statement.
The Army’s sponsorship is part of
our commitment to bring forward
ideas that shape our world, SXSW organizers, via statement.
The annual Austin, Texas,
festival lasts until March 16
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Supreme Court Pauses , Implementation of Immigration Law in Texas.
On March 4, the Supreme Court temporarily stopped the state from enforcing a law that gives Texas the authority to arrest and detain those it suspects to be illegal immigrants. .
The administrative hold, issued by Justice
Samuel Alito, will keep the law from going
into effect until March 13, CNN reports. .
It was previously scheduled
to go into effect on March 10.
An emergency application was filed by
immigration groups and the White House
in an attempt to block the law. .
According to the Justice Department, the law would "profoundly" impact the parameters that have "existed between the United States and the States in the context of immigration for almost 150 years.".
Immigration advocates say that Senate Bill 4 will increase instances of racial profiling, detentions and attempted deportations. .
A federal judge in Austin blocked Texas
from implementing the law last week. .
If allowed to proceed, SB 4 could open the door to each state passing its own version of immigration laws, Judge David Alan Ezra, via statement.
CNN reports that "Latinos represent
40% of the population" in Texas.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Political Differences Driving, US Migration Habits.
'Newsweek' reports that widespread political
tension has driven some Americans to relocate
to places with more compatible points of view.
The political divide in the United States
has become one of the major drivers for
people to pick and move across the country. .
According to the latest Redfin report, one-third of real
estate agents said they had clients who said they
were moving solely because of political reasons in 2023.
Some of the most common migration
routes for homebuyers last year were
from blue states to red or purple
states: San Francisco to Austin;
Seattle to Phoenix; New York to
Orlando and other parts of Florida. , Redfin report, via 'Newsweek'.
That's due largely to housing
affordability, but some homebuyers
moved because they wanted to live
in a more conservative place, Redfin report, via 'Newsweek'.
'Newsweek' points out that the Redfin survey found
that 40% of Texas and Florida residents said they
would rather live in a state where abortion is legal.
'Newsweek' points out that the Redfin survey found
that 40% of Texas and Florida residents said they
would rather live in a state where abortion is legal.
Meanwhile, other U.S. residents are returning to states like
New York in favor of stricter gun laws, fewer restrictions
on abortions and greater acceptance of LGBTQ rights.
Many Americans are moving
because of political differences
and gun control issues, among
other reasons. As opinions get
more divided and laws change,
some folks want to live in
places that match their beliefs, Ron Resha, Real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'.
Many Americans are moving
because of political differences
and gun control issues, among
other reasons. As opinions get
more divided and laws change,
some folks want to live in
places that match their beliefs, Ron Resha, Real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'.
Ron Resha, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker
Realty, points out that politically motivated
migration could impact the 2024 presidential election. .
People are looking for places
that make them feel secure
and comfortable, and this
could affect the upcoming
political election depending
on party preferences, Ron Resha, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'.
People are looking for places
that make them feel secure
and comfortable, and this
could affect the upcoming
political election depending
on party preferences, Ron Resha, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
A guy went viral after rolling up to the Diddy raid in L.A. claiming to be his next-door neighbor, while also alleging to have witnessed unseemly things  -- but.. TMZ.com
Vince Young was involved in a wild bar fight last month -- one that ended after he was socked in the face and seemingly knocked unconscious. The fracas -- which.. TMZ.com
Robots are taking more jobs traditionally performed by humans ... and artists better watch their backs too ... 'cause machines can ink about as well as.. TMZ.com
Appeals Court Freezes , Controversial Texas Immigration Law.
Hours after the Supreme Court allowed SB4
to take effect, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put it back on hold, 'The Hill' reports. .
The controversial measure allows Texas law enforcement to arrest anyone they suspect has entered the country illegally. .
They could then face deportation or jail time.
Critics say that the law could result in "civil rights violations and racial profiling," 'The Hill' reports. .
Critics say that the law could result in "civil rights violations and racial profiling," 'The Hill' reports. .
The White House previously referred to the law
as "another example of Republican officials politicizing the border while blocking real solutions.".
Dissenting Supreme Court Justices
Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson
argued that SB4 will only invite "further chaos
and crisis" regarding immigration enforcement.
Dissenting Supreme Court Justices
Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson
argued that SB4 will only invite "further chaos
and crisis" regarding immigration enforcement.
Meanwhile, Mexico reiterated that it
will not "under any circumstances" accept
deportations of those who are not Mexican citizens. .
Mexico reiterates the legitimate
right to protect the rights of its
nationals in the United States
and to determine its own policies
regarding entry into its territory, Mexican government, via statement.
Texas officials did not report any arrests during the time the new law was in effect
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published