Bring That Week Back: College Selects Mumia Abu-Jamal as Commencement Speaker

Plus, Black NYPD scuba diver files discrimination lawsuit.

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Goddard College Selects Mumia Abu-Jamal as Commencement Speaker - Former Black NYPD scuba diver files a discrimination lawsuit against officers, plus more national news. — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_) A group of graduates of Goddard College in Vermont have chosen Mumia Abu-Jamal, a man serving life in prison for killing a Philadelphia cop, as their commencement speaker. A recorded speech will be played at the ceremony. Goddard is Abu-Jamal's alma mater. Bob Kenny, Goddard's interim president, says the group's decision, "expresses their freedom to engage and think radically and critically in a world that often sets up barriers to do just that.”  (Photo by Lisa Terry)

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Former Black NYPD Scuba Diver Files Discrimination Lawsuit - The only African-American member of the NYPD's scuba-diving unit, Oscar Smith, has filed a civil lawsuit against five officers and the city, alleging racial discrimination and denial of promotions and overtime. Smith is seeking $17 million, the Daily News reports. News of Smith's alleged mistreatment first surfaced in March.   (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Photo By Andrew Burton/Getty Images

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NAACP: 20 States Do Not Clearly Ban Racial Profiling - The NAACP says in a new report that 30 U.S. states have a law against racial profiling but the legislation is not "adequate" enough to be effective. "Most state laws do not include a definition of profiling that is inclusive of all significantly impacted groups," the report states.  (Photo: Seth Wenig/AP Photo)

Missing Niece of Reggie Miller Is Found - Nikki Miller, the niece of Reggie Miller, who was reported missing late Monday afternoon, returned to her California home Monday evening. The former basketball star tweeted out that his niece was missing Monday.   (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

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Missing Niece of Reggie Miller Is Found - Nikki Miller, the niece of Reggie Miller, who was reported missing late Monday afternoon, returned to her California home Monday evening. The former basketball star tweeted out that his niece was missing Monday.   (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Ernest Satterwhite Killed by White Police Officer - Ernest Satterwhite, a 68-year-old Black great-grandfather, pulled into his driveway after a slow-speed chase and was shot by a white police officer in North Augusta, South Carolina. A prosecutor charged Justin Craven with voluntary manslaughter, but the grand jury indicted him on a misdemeanor charge.   (Photo: AP Photo/Columbia County (Ga.) Sheriff`s Office)

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Ernest Satterwhite Killed by White Police Officer - Ernest Satterwhite, a 68-year-old Black great-grandfather, pulled into his driveway after a slow-speed chase and was shot by a white police officer in North Augusta, South Carolina. A prosecutor charged Justin Craven with voluntary manslaughter, but the grand jury indicted him on a misdemeanor charge.  (Photo: AP Photo/Columbia County (Ga.) Sheriff`s Office)

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Woman Tries to Claim $94 Million in Tax Returns - Brigitte Jackson tried to pull a fast one on the Georgia government. The woman claimed $94 million in income tax and when she went to a local bank to pick up her check, she walked away under arrest. Jackson is charged with attempted theft and conspiracy to defraud the state.  (Photo: WBS- TV, Local News Atlanta) 

Photo By WBS- TV, Local News Atlanta

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Pellet Guns Removed From Ohio Walmart Shelves  - Walmart has removed pellet guns from the shelves of the Ohio store where John Crawford III was shot and killed by officers. The two Beavercreek police officers who shot him on Aug. 5 were not indicted by a grand jury.   (Photo: Ty Greenlees, File,The Dayton Daily News/AP Photo)

Photo By Photo: Ty Greenlees

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Video Shows South Carolina Trooper Shooting Unarmed Man - Sean Groubert, 31, a South Carolina state trooper, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault Wednesday for shooting Levar Jones, an unarmed African-American driver whom he had stopped for a seatbelt offense. Jones was shot four times. The former trooper was fired from the force last week.  (Photo: AP Photo/South Carolina State Police)

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Black Inmate With Schizophrenia Dies of Thirst After 35 Days in Solitary - Michael Anthony Kerr, a 54-year-old North Carolina inmate, died of thirst after being left in solitary confinement for 35 days, in an autopsy released last week. There is an on-going investigation into his death. He was serving 31 years for larceny and assault.  (Photo: Edwin Remsberg/Getty Images)