For Mental Health Awareness month, Real Talk Real Solutions invited Dr. Ademola Adewale to talk about why it’s important to keep tabs on your mental well-being.

Orlando author Jaylen Christie's “Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids: Vol. 1″ will debut Feb. 28.

A'sia Horne is a graduate of DeLand High School and Florida A&M University.

A new cartoon is sweeping the internet and a girl is at the heart of it all.

Event officials also said local organizations will provide resources for social services offered to the community.

Orlando’s own Dr. Phillips Center is celebrating Caribbean American heritage with a festival full of music, dancing and food.

A well-known civil rights leader in Orlando was laid to rest Saturday nearly two weeks after he passed at the age of 89.

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Herman Cole has led a life of service that brought him here to Central Florida

News 6 anchor and Real Talk Real Solutions host Ginger Gadsden recently sat down with the first president of multicultural business & equity development at PepsiCo to learn more about his role and how he is using it to strengthen minority communities.

Justice James E.C. Perry made history in Florida. Now he says it’s about time history is made in our country’s highest court with the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

LaVon Bracy and Ingrid Burton Nathan talk about their experiences with racism and hate in the face of desegregating Florida schools.

News 6 invited Oglah Gatamah, a realtor and franchise owner with Keller Wiliams Legacy Realty, and Tenisha Williams, real estate broker and owner of Elite Realty Partners, Inc., on Real Talk Real Solutions to talk about these problems and what can be done to overcome them.

News 6 is transforming Real Talk into shorter monthly conversations focused on solutions to the issues impacting minority communities around Central Florida.

After a year of intense scrutiny of policing, Gov. Ron DeSantis formally received a bill Monday that includes new use-of-force training requirements for officers.

In the week leading up to Juneteenth, News 6 took a closer look at the progress that has been made since the death of George Floyd.

News 6 will be hosting the Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on What's Changed town hall on June 15 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Meet the panel of experts who will be sharing their knowledge during the Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on What's Changed town hall on June 15.

For years Wayne Brady had been working on a one-man show about being a young Black man growing up in Orlando, but he could never finish the project.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite the hardships they may have faced, many Black men and women have fought relentlessly to become pioneers in fields that previously would have shunned them. News 6 photojournalist Tee Taylor was the first Black photographer at the station. [TRENDING: Speedway worker dies following altercation | Teacher accused of sex with student | Tom Brady wins Super Bowl No. “It was out of the norm to have a person of color walking around the station. Viewers were asked to submit your questions for our panelists to find out more about how they achieved their accomplishments and the obstacles they faced along the way.

ORLANDO, Fla. – During News 6′s Real Talk: Obstacles and Opportunities town hall, we wanted you to hear from the firsts. Our panel featured the first Black judge in Seminole County, the first Black Miss Florida and the first Black photographer at News 6. Miss Florida 2003 Ericka DunlapEricka Dunlap is crowned as Miss America 2004 (Associated Press)Ericka Dunlap is an Orlando native who graduated from both Boone High School and the University of Central Florida. While in college, she competed in the Miss Florida pageant and won the title in 2003, making her the first Black woman to earn the crown. These days, he’s known as a pioneer in the Orlando television market and one of the best in the business.

ORLANDO, Fla. – For someone who spent his 50-year career behind the camera, Tee Taylor is no stranger to the spotlight. News 6 photographer Tee Taylor pictured outside his home on Feb. 2, 2021. News 6 photographer Tee Taylor refills a bird feeder outside his home on Feb. 2, 2021. “There is no one more dedicated to his work than Tee Taylor. Tee Taylor is once in a lifetime.”Be sure to go to ClickOrlando.com/RealTalk at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17 to hear more from Taylor and the other panelists during the Real Talk: Obstacles and Opportunities town hall.

But when Mickle decided to hang a flag of his own last month — proclaiming that “Black Lives Matter" — his neighborhood association immediately asked him to take it down, calling the flag ”noxious or offensive" under its rules. They are also outside our front doors as disputes arise in some neighborhoods over waving the flag of the Black Lives Matter movement. “In order to comply with the Association's governing documents, the Board of Directors requests that you take the following action: Remove the ‘Black Lives Matter’ flag." The Blue Lives Matter flags hung for months at a time and they still remain. She would not say if similar notices were sent to homeowners flying “Blue Lives Matter” flags.

Last school year, Peck-Bartle added the history of Tarpon Springs’ Rose Cemetery to her curriculum. Buried in the Black cemetery are pioneers of the sponge docks and a Confederate soldier. But why not include all local Black cemeteries, she asked, from the endangered and forgotten to the lost, erased and recently found? “Let the people know our history because so much of our Black history has been depressed, ignored and forgotten. He believes keeping it community-owned is why it lasted while other Black cemeteries were abandoned, lost, destroyed or erased.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Students from the FAMU College of Law are hosting a virtual town hall Wednesday evening to discuss a number of topics they say have affected African-American and minority communities, including race and how to progress as a society. News 6 spoke with the FAMU College of Law Student Bar Association president and vice president ahead of the town hall. Calvin hopes the virtual town hall will help bring about change. We’re told this town hall is the first of many more conversations about race. You can watch that virtual town hall Wednesday at 6 p.m. using Zoom ID 960 4265 4393.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County community leaders are joining pastors and civic-based organizations to host the Central Florida Vote Fest, aimed at getting more minorities and African Americans to vote. The weekend events will be held across from the Amway Center at the SED lawn. Organizers said the purpose of the Central Florida Vote Festival is to energize and engage minority and Black voters to get out and vote early. Russell, who is also the Orange County Clerk of Court, is one of the weekend organizers. The March to the Polls event is happening Oct. 24 near the Amway Center.

To highlight how important those voices are now and in elections past, News 6 hosted the Real Talk: The Power of the Minority Vote town hall from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 21. Anchor and Real Talk host Ginger Gadsden provided instructions on how you can get your voice heard here. Black voters are also expanding in Florida with research showing that there were 1,335,000 eligible black voters in 2000 compared to 2,215,000 in 2018. Historically there have been obstacles such as poll taxes and literacy tests that have been put in place that have prevented minority voters from getting to the polls. Despite the hardships, many minority voters are more determined than ever to exercise their civic duty.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Before citizens cast their votes on Election Day, it’s important to note that for certain groups, that process isn’t as easy. Be sure to go to ClickOrlando.com/RealTalk on Oct. 21 to watch the chat and see your question answered. Jesse Jackson in 1984 then moved back to Florida in 2000 to help with the general election that year. Susan Scatliffe, customer relations manager for the Orange County Supervisor of Elections OfficeSusan Scatliffe (Courtesy)Susan Scatliffe has worked at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office for more than 20 years and currently serves as the customer relations manager. Her publications include “When Social Capital Becomes Political Capital: Understanding the Social Contexts of Minority Candidates' Electoral Success” and “Minority Public Administrators: Managing Organizational Demands While Acting as an Advocate.” She earned her doctorate from the University of Houston.

She said every election year is a sad reminder of the sacrifices made by her great uncle, Julius July Perry. “He did everything right to educate people to get out and vote,” said Mcwhite. Meanwhile, the Orange County NAACP has been also pushing black people especially to vote. “If it’s no more than just an act of symbolism, vote for the sacrifices that were made,” said Beveryle Neal. President Neal said she protested and fought as a girl for the right for blacks to be able to vote.

MIAMI, Fla. – Miami Mayor Francis Suarez held a news conference Tuesday afternoon regarding an incident in which a police officer was photographed wearing a Trump 2020 face mask while in uniform at a polling location, News 6 partner Local 10 reported. Suarez confirmed that the officer was in line to vote when the photo was taken and said he was unsure whether the officer was on duty at the time. Regardless, he said the officer will be disciplined. Here is @CityofMiami Police Officer Daniel Ubeda, in full uniform with badge and gun wearing his Trump mask inside of the polling location in government center. pic.twitter.com/TbJxu6mcem — Steve Simeonidis (@stevesimeonidis) October 20, 2020He said Ubeda was wearing the mask, which read, “Trump 2020.

On Thursday, Mina requested the Orange County citizen’s advisory committee review language in a body worn camera policy. “Yes it is important for us to release body worn camera video but only after initial interviews are done,” Mina said. The sheriff’s office said they hope the policy backed by recommendations from the FDLE would put in writing what the sheriff’s office is trying to comply with. Mina told the citizens advisory committee he recommended an at least three-week timeframe to release body worn camera footage. “It is important for us to release body worn camera video but only after initial interviews are done,” he said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The citizens advisory committee for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is expected to discuss the department’s body camera policy during its virtual meeting on Thursday. The meeting comes two months after an Orange County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed Salaythis Melvin outside the Florida Mall. The sheriff’s office released body camera footage showing other deputies responding, but Montiel was not wearing a camera. The sheriff’s office said they are currently working on that policy, which is a separate policy from their current body camera policy, which is under review. Braswell said there is no timeline on how long they will review the policy or if the committee will make any recommendations.

But he said, they should specifically be looking at Latino faith voters. He said the Latino vote can be determinative in swing states like Florida. But more importantly, he said, is the Latino faith vote. “I think they’re not just acutely aware, I think they’re being hyper intentional in reaching out to Hispanic faith voters,” Salguero said. He said which way Latino faith voters vote will be dependent on which issues are a priority to them.

ORLANDO, Fla. – On Wednesday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and city commissioners joined Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón to jumpstart a new trust initiative to address racial inequality in The City Beautiful. The Community Trust and Equity Initiative is Central Florida‘s next phase of action, city leaders said. “There are elements of law enforcement that should not be into law enforcement. There are elements in law enforcement that we should not let into law enforcement,” Nelson said. Community engagement and input will be critical in the initiative and the city is encouraging Orlando residents to visit orlando.gov/equity to sign up for updates and learn about future opportunities.

ORLANDO, Fla. As districts across Central Florida welcome students back to brick-and-mortar classrooms, News 6 is taking a closer look at how evidence of inequality and racial disparity present themselves on campus. From 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 9, News 6 will host the Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on Equality in Schools town hall. President and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League Glenton Gilzean Jr.President and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League Glenton Gilzean Jr. (Courtesy)Glenton Gilzean Jr. joined the Central Florida Urban League in 2016 and since then, hes rid the organization of its $1.2 million debt and helped re-establish it as a leading organization in the community. Shes earned degrees at Bellarmine University, the University of Kentucky and most recently, National Louis University. At the University of Central Florida, his research interests include teacher-student interactions, the social context of education and the experiences of low-income students and students of color.

The NBA playoffs will resume Saturday after the league and the National Basketball Players Association detailed the commitments that made players comfortable continuing the postseason. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. NBA players want change that makes their communities safer. Teams returned to the court Friday after the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed on commitments that made players comfortable continuing. With no NBA games to play be played in November, arenas are an ideal place for it. Not continuing the playoffs would have been another crushing blow during an already damaging season financially for the NBA and its players.

According to a Stanford University study published last year, when Black students are disproportionately disciplined, they tend to perform worse on standardized tests and other academic benchmarks. To not only highlight the problem but come up with solutions, News 6 is hosting the Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on Equality in Schools town hall from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 9. Well bring in a panel of experts and invite members of the public to ask questions about how we can make the classroom setting more equal for all its participants. That includes educators acting more patient with white students, telling Black students they arent going to succeed in life and ignoring students of color when they say theyre being discriminated against. Use the form below to submit questions for our Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on Equality in Schools panelists.

The state has paid the firm $572,135.65 to date, according to information on the Florida Department of Financial Services website. The terms of the agreement included a $395 hourly rate for lawyer George Meros and other partners and capped costs for legal services at $1.2 million, with the remainder for expenses. The state has paid Holland & Knight $1,143,085.98 to date, including more than $15,000 this month, according to the Department of Financial Services website. The Department of Financial Services website does not reflect any payments to the Washington firm. The costs calculated by The News Service of Florida are based on contracts and payments posted on the Department of Financial Services website.

We reach out to different members in the LGBTQ community.”A local brewery in Central Florida learned about the organization and reached out to help. At Hourglass Brewing in Longwood, the head brewer said they stress to people that their space is safe and people from all walks of life are welcomed. It’s super close to home,” Michael DeLancett, head brewer of Hourglass Brewing said. Hourglass Brewing has another location in downtown Orlando. For more information on the Let Your Voice Be Heard organization and to support them with a donation, click here.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Melbourne Police Department has opened an internal probe into last week's arrest of a 22-year-old Black woman who was pulled from her car and Tased two times after police said she "violently resisted" their orders following an alleged stop sign violation. According to the arrest report, Simmons slowly backed into her residence on S Grant Street. The arresting officer approached her vehicle but said in the report Simmons refused to roll down her window so he banged on it. The police report said Simmons refused to provide her license and proof of registration and rolled her window back up. Simmons was charged with resisting arrest with violence, battery of a law enforcement officer and issued a ticket for the stop sign violation.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The conversation about criminal justice reform is both important and ongoing in our country right now. They are: Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala, author Agnes Gomillion, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition president Desmond Meade and attorney Mark O’Mara. He’s known for his efforts to civically engage local communities and push for alterations to national criminal justice policies. Since then, he’s served as a legal analyst for CNN and spoken on topics including race, criminal justice reform, guns and self-defense. He founded Justice Outreach, a nonprofit designed to identify and fix problems in the criminal justice system.

ORLANDO, Fla. Orlando city commissioners met virtually Monday morning for the first of several budget hearing workshops for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This comes after protesters spent weeks marching through Orlando fighting for equality after George Floyd was killed in police custody. In addition, theyre working to implement a pilot co-responder program to engage mental health professionals and social workers. Piloting co-responder models that engage mental health and social service professionals on calls involving individuals experiencing homelessness or a mental crisis. Funding mental health professionals who will work directly in the department to offer and expand direct access to mental health assistance for officers.

ORLANDO, Fla. The criminal justice system is an integral part of our society but its not without its faults. News 6 wants to be part of the solution, thats why were hosting Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on criminal justice reform from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 23. Our panel of experts will discuss sentencing disparities, wrongful convictions, mass incarceration and more as they examine the issues surrounding our criminal justice system not just today, but for decades. Brock Turner and Albert Wilson (File)The newspaper reports that Wilson admitted to kissing the girl but said they never had sex. These are just a few high-profile instances of why reforming our critical justice system is a critical issue.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Miles Mulrain said the fight toward freedom for black people is far from over. “I’m excited to have more business for sure.”His restaurant is one of many on a list as part of a scavenger hunt during Friday’s event. She’s put together a scavenger hunt aimed at highlighting Central Florida black-owned businesses. “Maybe you live in Sanford, you can start there and come all the way to downtown where we will be ending the scavenger hunt,” Samuels said. You can find more information about that scavenger hunt and how you can take part here.

[Use the video player at the top of this story to rewatch the Real Talk town hall]Nationwide, as well as in our own backyard, we’ve seen protests and calls for change, including cries for more transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies. Activists say that list proves that Floyd’s death wasn’t a tragic one-off example; it was part of a larger, disturbing trend of police brutality directed toward black people in America. That’s why ClickOrlando.com hosted Real Talk: A Candid Conversation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. It fell on Juneteenth, an unofficial holiday known as Black Independence Day that commemorates the events of June 19, 1865. To rewatch Real Talk: A Candid Conversation, click the video player at the top of this story.

In response to the recent protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, The Florida Police Chiefs Association has announced a new subcommittee dedicated to the topic of law enforcement accountability and two Central Florida police chiefs will be among the members. In a news release Wednesday, the FPCA said the 8 Can’t-Wait principles, crafted by Campaign Zero, a group focused on ending police violence, will be a starting point for the Subcommittee on Accountability and Societal Change’s initial discussion. Those eight tenants are:Ban chokeholds and strangleholdsRequire de-escalationRequire warning before shootingExhaust all alternatives before shootingDuty to interveneBan shooting at moving vehiclesRequire use of force continuumRequire comprehensive reportingOrlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon and Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith will be among the law enforcement leaders discussing those ideas and coming up with solutions to the problems our country is facing today. FPCA president and Temple Terrace Police Department Chief Kenneth Albano said the ultimate goals of the new subcommittee are to lead the way for positive change, rebuild trust and accountability and create standardized procedures that can be used statewide. Below are the subcommittee members, who have each been asked to pick a member of the community to serve alongside them to ensure a variety of input:

ORLANDO, Fla. On June 19, 2019, Central Florida author Agnes Gomillion was relaxing in her hotel room after her book release party for The Record Keeper. And my husband said, Wait, Wayne Brady Wayne Brady?' We have yet to fully mine the gems of black history and incorporate them into our society. So that they could be there the next day for their children.The sequel to The Record Keeper comes out on June 19, 2021. To learn more about The Record Keeper, you can visit Gomillions website here or connect with her on Facebook.

ORLANDO, Fla. In honor of Juneteenth and as a result of recent protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, News 6 is hosting Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on Race Relations. The town hall discussion will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and will be streamed on Facebook and at ClickOrlando.com/Juneteenth. The event, which will be moderated by News 6 anchor Ginger Gadsden, will feature talks about racial inequality in America, police accountability and developing solutions that will lead to a more fair and just future. Were also inviting the public to take part in the dialogue. You can submit questions by going to ClickOrlando.com/Juneteenth.

Before our event takes place, you can read about each of our panelists and their roles in the communities they serve. University of Central Florida assistant sociology professor Dr. Jonathan CoxDr. Jonathan Cox (Courtesy)Dr. Jonathan Cox is a race scholar and assistant sociology professor at the University of Central Florida who specializes in racial and ethnic identities and racial ideologies. Before that, he was the first black Orlando Police Department chief in 1998 and the first black Orange County sheriff in 2008. He served in the last position for 10 years before making his way out of law enforcement and into politics. Orlando Police Chief Orlando RolonOrlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon (Courtesy)Orlando Rolon moved to Orlando’s Engelwood neighborhood in 1977 and has called Central Florida home ever since.

After Perry was lynched, the mob laid siege to the black section of Ocoee, Fla., killing dozens. That dark episode, until recently largely forgotten, came to be known as the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Riots. Others remember it as a massacre, one of the many acts of racial violence perpetrated against black citizens over the decades. The Ocoee massacre was just one of many that engulfed communities across the country during the Jim Crow era. Bracy and state Rep. Kamia Brown, both Democrats, wanted similar compensation for descendants of the Ocoee riots but failed to muster support from the Republican-controlled Legislature.

ATLANTA – The Atlanta officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction is going to be charged. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard made the announcement about Garrett Rolfe during a news conference Wednesday. Rolfe had already been fired after he fatally shot the 27-year-old Brooks on Friday night. The shooting had sparked new demonstrations in Georgia’s capital against police brutality. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks died.

While many states and counties are calling for Confederate statues to be removed, News 6 found that most Confederate statues and monuments have already either been relocated or reside in cemeteries or museums. In 2017 the “Johnny Reb” Confederate statue was taken down from Lake Eola and relocated to the Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando. While some counties across America are taking down or relocating its Confederate statues, Lake County won a bid to acquire one from the National Statuary Hall in D.C. Osceola CountyKissimmee - 2002; Rose Hill Cemetery; Granite obelisk; Dedicated to Confederate veterans buried in Osceola County with their names listed on the monument; Erected by Sons of Confederate Veterans. Sumter CountyOxford – 2007; Pine Level Cemetery; Upright granite slab monument listing the names of Confederate veterans buried in the cemetery; Erected by Sons of Confederate Veterans.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida is full of wonderful and delicious restaurants that offer food and experiences from many different cultures. To help you out, we compiled this list, based off a recent Facebook post, of Black-owned restaurants in Orlando. Located at À La Cart, this food truck offers meals that are made from scratch without any antibiotics or hormones. AdNikki’s Place: From breakfast to dinner, Nikki’s Place has you covered all day with its soul food offerings. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday.

TAMPA, Fla. More than five dozen peaceful protesters in Florida who were arrested earlier this month for unlawful assembly while demonstrating against police abuse following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota won't be prosecuted, a state attorney said Monday. State Attorney Andrew Warren in Tampa said his office won't be filing charges against 67 protesters who were arrested two weeks ago in downtown Tampa. The prosecutor's office will also work to expunge the arrest records of the protesters who were taken into custody, he said. In these unlawful assembly cases, there is no value in filing charges," Warren said at a news conference. Prosecuting people for exercising their First Amendment rights creates problems rather than solving them.

MIAMI – The mother of Trayvon Martin joined hundreds of demonstrators at a rally in downtown Miami on Sunday, demanding racial equality following the death of George Floyd last month at the hands of a white police officer in Minnesota. At one point, demonstrators lined up U.S. flags that spelled out “RESIST” on a blocked-off downtown street. Nearby at a separate protest, dozens of police supporters waved flags and chanted “We support the police!” at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. At one point, about three dozen officers on bikes rode by the protesters and gave high-fives to supporters who applauded and took photos. The Miami Beach protest was led by Egyptia Green, a rising eighth grader who also led another protest last week.

In another, a black woman yells at two white women spray-painting a Starbucks shop with BLM, Black Lives Matter telling them to stop, that vandalism isnt helping. They raise the issue: For white people wanting to be part of an anti-racist movement, what does it mean to be an ally? I feel like theyre a step away from saying, Im sorry Im white."She added: Stop apologizing for being white. In this moment, white silence is the greatest impediment to those in power making the changes that are needed, Wallace said. I dont feel racist, so I thought I was excused, said Alappat, who is white and married to an Indian man.

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)BURIEN, Wash. Seattle officers hold down a protester, and one repeatedly punches him in the face. Better training cant fix all the issues facing the nations police departments, but experts believe it would have a big impact. A recent Associated Press investigation found that a lack of firearms training has resulted in unintentional shootings by law enforcement. Police officers across the country are woefully undertrained, said Sean Hendrickson, an instructor at Washington states police academy in suburban Seattle. In Washington state, cadets must complete 720 hours of training, but those skills start to degrade immediately, Hendrickson said.

In this June 1, 2020, photo, people gather near the Cup Foods grocery store where George Floyd died in Minneapolis. And for George Floyd, it was an accusation he used a fake $20 bill at a grocery store. The Movement for Black Lives is behind a push for local communities to defund police departments nationwide, and reinvest in struggling black communities to address economic inequality and disparities in education and health care. That is a big piece that I think we need to focus on.Last week, Floyds family forwarded their pleas for racial justice to the United Nations. Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights lawyer and former president of the Minneapolis NAACP, said the demand that black lives are valued like white lives must begin at the community level.

Although slavery was already abolished more than two years earlier by the Emancipation Proclamation, it continued in some areas. Some businesses have professed support for the Black Lives Matter movement or pledged to donate money to organizations. Others have promised to hire more black workers or make other policy changes. This week, Nike CEO John Donahoe told workers they would get Juneteenth off starting this year as a way to celebrate black culture and history. The power of this historical feat in our countrys blemished history is felt each year," Goodell wrote in a memo.

Moments later, without warning, she said Fort Lauderdale police officers released tear gas and she ran to a corner, disoriented and overcome by smoke. She remembers the pressure of the rubber bullet hitting her face and strangers rushing to help. As she walks away from police, they fire a rubber bullet and a protester grabs her hand and tries to hurry her. A Fort Lauderdale police officer was suspended for an incident during that same protest after video showed he pushed a kneeling woman to the ground. The department has not released the name of the officer who shot Ratlieff.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. An incident report released by Louisville Police on the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor is mostly blank, with few details of the incident that spurred days of protests in the city. The report dated March 13, the day of the shooting, cites a police-involved death investigation and identifies Taylor, 26, as the victim. Taylor was shot eight times by narcotics detectives who had a warrant to enter her apartment. The report, released this week, also has a box to check for forced entry, which was checked No, and it also said none in a space for the victim's injuries. They released details about the officer who was shot, Jon Mattingly.

The statues on the Confederate monument are covered in graffiti and beheaded after a protest in Portsmouth, Va., Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Protesters beheaded and then pulled down four statues that were part of a Confederate monument. The spokesman for the Virginia division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, B. Frank Earnest, condemned the toppling of public works of art and likened losing the Confederate statues to losing a family member. For protesters mobilized by Floyds death, the targets have ranged far beyond the Confederacy. Andrew Cuomo, who is Italian American, said he opposes removal of a statue of Columbus in Manhattans Columbus Circle.

Philonise Floyd, a brother of George Floyd, arrives to testify before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on proposed changes to police practices and accountability on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in Washington. (Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON Philonise Floyd, a brother of George Floyd, says he's testifying to Congress because he wants his brother's death to be "more than another name on a growing list of those killed during interactions with police. If his death ends up changing the world for the better. Then he died as he lived, Philonise Floyd says, according to an advance copy of his remarks. Im tired of the pain Im feeling now and Im tired of the pain I feel every time another black person is killed for no reason," Floyd said.

Erma Johnson, the mother of Dion Johnson, speaks at a news conference in Phoenix on Friday, June 5, 2020. Alongside his story, demonstrators are speaking out about deaths in their own hometowns. At one point, a trooper used his foot to kick or nudge Johnson, according to traffic-camera video recorded by AZFamily.com. Authorities say Johnson tried to grab the officer's weapon, starting a struggle that ended with the fatal shooting. CaliforniaAn outcry is growing over the fatal shooting of Erik Salgado at the hands of California Highway Patrol officers on Saturday.

Orange County Sheriffs OfficeThe Orange County Sheriffs Office added a duty to intervene policy on June 2 that immediately went into effect. Marion County Sheriffs OfficeThe Marion County Sheriffs Office use-of-force guidelines does not explicitly state if deputies are required step in when witnessing excessive use of force from another law enforcement officer. Seminole County Sheriffs OfficeA spokesperson with the Seminole County Sheriffs Office said the agency has not made any recent changes to its use-of-force protocol. Brevard County Sheriffs OfficeA spokesperson with the Brevard County Sheriffs Office said the agency has not made any recent changes to its use-of-force protocol. Lake County Sheriffs OfficeA spokesperson with the Lake County Sheriffs Office said the agency is reviewing its use of force policy and did not make it immediately available.

(AP Photo/Ragan Clark)WASHINGTON Protesters are pushing to defund the police" over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans killed by law enforcement. But what does defund the police mean? Trump ramped up his rhetoric on the issue on Monday, tweeting: LAW & ORDER, NOT DEFUND AND ABOLISH THE POLICE. In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that the city would move funding from the NYPD to youth initiatives and social services, while keeping the city safe, but he didn't give details. A majority of the members of the Minneapolis City Council said Sunday they support disbanding the citys police department.

ORLANDO, Fla. As the U.S. enters its third week of protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the national unrest has sparked change at the state and national level. Floyds brutal death was caught on video, footage showing Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck until Floyd goes limp. Charges upgraded against Officer Derek ChauvinThe officer seen in the video kneeling on Floyds neck Derek Chauvin was fired from the department after the footage surfaced but not immediately charged. The decision comes as their jurisdictions have seen demonstrations demanding change after the death of Floyd. Though the city has seen protests for more than a week, they have been mostly peaceful according to the Orlando Police Department.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. The conversation surrounding the death of George Floyd hasnt stopped and on Friday, local leaders channeled that discussion as part of a town hall focused on police and community relations. Like I said were here, were not afraid to fight and... we are done dying, Neal said. The former Orlando police chief spoke on the panel alongside her husband, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who prior to taking office served as sheriff. Most were directed toward Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon and Orange County Sheriff John Mina. Another point brought up during the Q&A was the use of a citizens review board, which the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriffs Office both have.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – George Floyd’s death has impacted the country and the world. [UPDATES: Protests over death of George Floyd continue across the US | Orange County town hall to focus on George Floyd, police and community relations]“I was that 17-year-old who was stopped by the police. “It bothers me to death,” Canty said. [RELATED COVERAGE: Orange County leaders explain how they can mend law enforcement-community relationships | Black-owned restaurants you can support in Orlando]He was raised in Pine Hills and is now second in command at the Orange County sheriffs office. We’re trying to hold our people accountable and know that we are listening, we’ve heard the concerns of the community,” Canty said.

FILE - In this March 5, 2019 file photo Ohio House minority leader Emilia Sykes delivers the Democrat's response to the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's Ohio State of the State address at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. As of August 2018, at least 16 states had passed use-of-force laws, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures. Other laws created task forces to set new standards, boosted training or improved tracking of officers' use of guns and deadly force. Police unions have often resisted attempts to restrict officers' use of deadly force and are politically potent in most states. In 2015, the board adopted statewide standards limiting use of deadly force by police officers to defending themselves or others from serious injury or death.

Number one, we are here to peacefully protect small businesses, Aguayo co-founder of Increase the Peace, a community organizing group in the city told the small crowd. If that doesnt work, dont put your life at risk.There was no formal training, just a pep talk and a short prayer. Other people are creating more informal networks as protests pop up in new corners of their cities and states daily, with many attendees who've never protested before. Afterward, a younger crowd held another protest, and she said the veteran activists felt obliged to help. He encouraged people to informally monitor and help fellow demonstrators, to prevent violence from hijacking protests.

Most sheriff's offices in Central Florida say they don't use utilize the practice.

NEW YORK As nationwide protests against racism and police violence continue, readers are seeking out books old and new on race and criminal justice. Robin Diangelo's White Fragility," Michelle Alexander's "The New Jim Crow" and Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy were among the works high on the bestseller lists Tuesday of Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. Popular books also included James Baldwin's classic The Fire Next Time, published more than 50 years ago, and a board book for children from National Book Award winner Ibram X. Kendi, Antiracist Baby, that comes out next week. Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me, winner of the National Book Award in 2015, is an open letter to the author's son that centers on the murder of an old friend by police. Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give is a popular young adult novel, adapted into a feature film of the same name, about a young girl who sees her best friend killed at the hands of police.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Many African American leaders and supporters across Central Florida are calling for change, unity, and more police accountability after the death of George Floyd. Russell Drake was at the Orlando-area protests over the weekend and said hes like many people, tired of black men being killed at the hands of white people. Its hard to move forward when someone got their knee on your throat and youre begging for your life, Henry said. Many leaders told News 6 they dont agree with the looting and riots, but they understand. Many leaders say they are calling for the arrests of the other officers in Minneapolis who were involved.

ORLANDO, Fla. Its an incident that has started a national conversation-- the death of George Floyd. People can head to change.org and sign the Justice for George Floyd petition which, as of Saturday at 9:00 a.m., had nearly 7 million signatures and counting. To make sure your contributions are going to the right place, consider donating to the Official George Floyd Memorial Fund on GoFundMe. A man kneels on the street in front of police officers while chanting "I can't breathe" during a protest over the death of George Floyd, Friday, May 29, 2020, in Los Angeles. As a disclaimer, not everyone will be comfortable taking action nor is everyone comfortable taking action in the same ways.