Chauvin juror Brandon Mitchell defends participation in August protest, FDA to authorize COVID vaccine for children, and Amanda Gorman set to co-chair Met Gala.
Chauvin Juror Defends Participation in March On Washington, Appeal Questions Loom
Brandon Mitchell, a member of the jury that found Derek Chauvin guilty in the murder of George Floyd, is defending his decision to attend the anniversary of the March on Washington last August. Mitchell's attendance at the demonstration has left many questioning whether or not it will be used as ammunition to help overturn Chauvin's conviction. Mitchell, however, says that he was completely transparent when he was questioned for a seat on the jury.
"I think I was being extremely honest, for sure," Mitchell told the Star Tribune. "I gave my views on everything—on the case, on Black Lives Matter."
Mitchell went on to tell the publication that the demonstration was a voter registration rally—not a protest specifically for Floyd—and while he was photographed wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt bearing a photo of Martin Luther King Jr., which read "Get your knee off of our necks," he claimed that he did not remember wearing the shirt.
Amanda Gorman, Naomi Osaka To Co-Chair Met Gala
United States youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman and tennis pro Naomi Osaka will co-chair this year's annual Met Gala alongside Timothée Chalamet, and Billie Eilish, Vogue announced Monday. Though typically held in May, the gala will take place in September this year. It was canceled last year due to the pandemic.
Former West Virginia Lawmaker Charged in Capitol Riots
Former West Virginia lawmaker Derrick Evans, a Republican, is facing two additional charges, from his previous two, in connection to his role in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, WCHS reports. The total charges include: entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Evans resigned from the West Virginia House of Delegates just three days after the riot.
FDA Expected to Authorize Pfizer Vaccine for Children 12 and Up
Next week, the United States Food and Drug Administration is expected to pass down authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be administered to children ages 12 and older, WYFF reports. The vaccine is already authorized for administration to children 16 and older.
Tiffany Haddish Announces Plans To Adopt
Comedian Tiffany Haddish is looking to expand her family, but not in the way you might expect. In an interview with E!'s "Daily Pop," the actress revealed that she intends to adopt. "I'm taking parenting classes now to adopt," Haddish shared. "I'm looking at five and up, really like seven." As for the reason that she is choosing to adopt an older child, Haddish explained, "I want them to be able to know how to use the restroom on their own and talk. I want them to know that I put in the work and I wanted them."
