Protests across the nation followed after the grand jury's announcement to not indict officer Darren Wilson who shot and killed Michael Brown last August. Vigils are scheduled today for Micheal Brown and his family, but what's next from a legal standpoint? Also, we weigh the benefits and pitfalls of disclosing mental health to an employer. Then, LA chefs offer tips for last minute Thanksgiving recipes.
Ferguson grand jury decision: Reactions and what’s next legally
Last night, a wave of protests broke out across the country in reaction to a grand jury’s decision in Ferguson, Missouri to not indict police officer Darren Wilson after he fatally shot teengaer Michael Brown. Ongoing protests peaked in Ferguson as violence broke out and flames engulfed over a dozen stores. Many protesters remained peaceful; others threw rocks and bottles at police. No one has died as a result of the protests, and predominantly peaceful protests occurred in front of the White House, at New York’s Union Square, and in cities such as Oakland and Seattle. Three people were arrested last night in Los Angeles during a protest. Today, over a hundred vigils throughout the nation are planned as a symbolic gesture towards Michael Brown and his family.
The question thus becomes, “what happens next?” From a legal perspective, there is not much that can be done on the local level where Officer Darren Wilson has been exonerated. Yet last night, Attorney General Eric Holder issued a statement about the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into the matter, stating, “The federal inquiry has been independent of the local one from the start, and remains so now.” It is unclear what actions the Justice Department will take and whether or not they will charge the officer, the Ferguson Police Department, and/or any other entities with civil or criminal charges. Regardless of potential legal recourse in this case, however, leaders of the African American and other communities have called for broader structural reforms to the justice system, citing systematic discrimination throughout the justice system.
How should protesters and leaders throughout the country react to the grand jury’s decision?
Is Officer Darren Wilson’s exoneration emblematic of the justice in the legal system, or is it symbolic of a structural unfairness?
Guests:
Steve Giegerich, reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who’s been following the case . Follow his coverage at
Reverend Willis Johnson, pastor, Wellspring Church in Ferguson, Mo
John Burris, civil rights attorney based in Oakland. He was one of the attorneys who represented Rodney King
Laurie Levenson, Professor of Law at Loyola Law School; former federal prosecutor
Joe Hicks, vice president, Community Advocates, Inc., a civil rights and human rights organization in Los Angeles
Jody Armour, Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law, USC Gould School of Law
Erika Aguilar, KPCC crime reporter, she was on the scene at the protests on 110 freeway Monday night
Robert Cristo, youth organizer with the Youth Justice Coalition, he was one of the peaceful protesters marching in Los Angeles on Monday night
The new coming out: Disclosing a mental disorder at work
Work is where many of us spend a third of our lives doing—and for some, a bit more. As it encroaches more and more into our leisure time, our private lives are also becoming more entangled with our work. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some 43.7 million American adults suffer from a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder. It can be argued that the American workplace has become more progressive than ever, with some companies offering paternity leaves to others trying out perks like unlimited vacation time. But it’s proven different when it comes to dealing with an employee who’s suffering from a mental disorder, and whether—and how—to tell your work about it has become a pressing issue.
What are the pros and cons of disclosure? Have you ever “come out” to your boss about what you’ve been going through emotionally? What laws are in place to protect someone from being unfairly dismissed because of a mental disorder? If you are an employer, how have you dealt with an employee who’s suffering from a mental disorder?
Guests:
Susan Goldberg, an attorney and psychologist and Assistant Professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA . Her area of speciality is laws around disclosing a mental disorder at work.
Alina Tugend, writes the “Shortcuts” column for the New York Times. Her recent column dealt with the topic.
Last minute Thanksgiving tips from LA’s top chefs
It’s almost Thanksgiving, that meal that can be utterly daunting for many of us. Whether you’re cooking for the first time or looking to spice up some old favorites, call, tweet or write us with your questions on how to prepare the best Thanksgiving meal. From the Turkey to the pies, our guest chefs will walk us through the basics and beyond. We also want to hear from you about your Thanksgiving food traditions.
Guest:
David Lentz, chef at The Hungry Cat