Civil rights activist and former National Urban League president Vernon Jordan dies at age 85. The trial for the police officer who killed George Floyd, Derek Chauvin, begins in Minneapolis with jury selection. The City of Minneapolis agrees to pay $27 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Floyd’s family.
Reggae artist Bunny Wailer dies at age 73. The March Madness NCAA basketball tournament resumes after being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New York City marks one year since the city’s first COVID-19 death. There are more than 30 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Newly appointed New York City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter assumes office as the city’s first Black woman to hold the position.
Supporters for political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal rally in several locations around the country demanding that the Philadelphia district attorney approve his release amid his failing health conditions including testing positive with COVID-19. The family of 2020 police killing victim Maurice Gordon Jr. files a lawsuit in United States District Court in the District of New Jersey.
At the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé receives four awards becoming the most-awarded woman in Grammy history with 28 awards. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and spike in cases, the ceremony had no audience. The U.S. Senate and Congress pass the American Rescue Plan Act, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. A third round of Economic Impact Payments begins reaching Americans as part of the act. Most people receive $1,400 for themselves and $1,400 for each of their qualifying dependents claimed on their tax return for individuals making $75,000 annually. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Mayor Bill de Blasio announce a pilot program to prevent gun violence in New York City under the Advance Peace model. Actor Yaphet Kotto dies at age 81. Eight people are killed and one is injured in three shootings at spas in the Metro Atlanta area. Activists mark one year since the police killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. CUNY names Dr. Patricia Ramsey as the sixth president of Medgar Evers College. New Jersey activist and chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress Lawrence Hamm commemorates 50 years of activism. Ten people are shot dead at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado. It is the third deadliest mass shooting in the state’s history. The 21-year-old suspect, Ahmad Al Issa, is arrested after being shot in the leg by police. New Jersey amends its alcohol and cannabis laws to allow police to notify parents or guardians after a first-time offense by a minor a month after the state legalizes cannabis. Both houses of the New York State Legislature pass a bill to legalize recreational cannabis in New York, which is signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo the following day.