Political Breakdown: racially-based hair discrimination and an eye on law enforcement

If you are having trouble reading this email, [read the online version](. [KQED Logo]( July 09, 2019 Hello from an unusually cool Sacramento (we aren't complaining!). I’m Katie Orr, KQED’s state Capitol-based political reporter. A lot of people took time off for the Fourth of July holiday. East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell took time to reevaluate his long-shot presidential campaign. After considering his options, Swalwell recently announced he’ll suspend his bid to take on Donald Trump in 2020. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee Swalwell has been a regular on national cable shows, frequently criticizing Trump. But with no national fundraising base and a lackluster performance in the first Democratic debate, his campaign never took off and he was at risk of failing to qualify for the next debate at the end of July. Swalwell’s announcement wasn’t the only development this past week. Let’s dive in. — Katie Orr California Bans Racially-Based Hair Discrimination [salon worker working with natural hair client] Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that will ban racially-based hair discrimination in workplaces and public schools. Known as the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act, the bill seeks to rectify a history of "laws and societal norms that equated 'blackness,' and the associated physical traits ... to a badge of inferiority, sometimes subject to separate and unequal treatment." A study conducted by beauty company Dove found that natural black hairstyles like afros, braids and twists were ranked the lowest for "job readiness.". [Forum's Mina Kim hosted a discussion on the bill the day before it was signed.]( [Department of Homeland Security Report Finds Dire Conditions at Border Facilities in Rio Grande Valley]( Mina and Forum also spent time examining a recent Department of Homeland Security inspector general report on border facilities in the Rio Grande Valley. The strongly worded report found "dangerous overcrowding" at a Texas detention facility that requires "immediate attention and action." Mina discussed the report, as well as President Trump's plans for a major 4th of July parade. [Ad: Need more space in your place? Get Started with livible on-demand storage today!]( # [Former San Jose State Cop Fired for Excessive Force Won Job Back on Appeal]( Image from incident involving former San Jose State Cop In KQED's series Unsealed: California's Secret Police files, reporters Sukey Lewis and Julie Small look at the case of San Jose State University Officer Johnathon Silva. Silva was fired for excessively beating, kicking and tasering an apparently mentally ill man in a school library in 2016. But the cop won his job back over the objections of administrators. The school recently released the internal affairs investigation in response to a public records request under the state's new police transparency law. The records reveal that the university's administration was directly at odds with the police department over Silva's actions on March 17, 2016. [State Attorney General Appeals S.F. Ruling That Would Release Police Misconduct Records]( The Unsealed series also reported California Attorney General Xavier Beccera is continuing to fight a new police transparency law. Reporter Alex Emslie reports Becerra has filed an appeal that the state Department of Justice shouldn't have to release records on local police misconduct and shootings under the landmark transparency measure that took effect this year. The case began early in the year with complaints filed by the First Amendment Coalition and KQED against the attorney general in San Francisco court, arguing that the office should provide all the responsive files it possesses. [Cory Booker Pushed for Civic Grace]( For our July 4th show, we revisited our recent interview with New Jersey Senator and presidential hopeful Cory Booker. He discussed his push for "civic grace," his California roots, and his friendship with South Carolina Republican Tim Scott. SPONSORED BY Livible Livible, an on-demand storage solution puts the customer first. Livible’s professionals will lift, load and scan each item at pickup before safely transporting them to a secure and climate-controlled warehouse. Whenever you need an item, quickly schedule a delivery online or by app. Find out more at [livible.com/kqed]( today! Help Us Shape Our 2020 Election Coverage [election] We get it. There’s a lot happening in politics right now. Help KQED and Political Breakdown, the weekly podcast and radio program, cut through all the noise to cover the information that’s most important to you. [Take Our Election Survey]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [Donate]( [Manage Subscription]( | [Privacy Policy]( KQED 2601 Mariposa St. San Francisco, CA 94110 Copyright © July 9, 2019 [KQED](. All Rights Reserved.