(2018-09-11). A teacher, a shooting survivor, and Black Caucus chair: Reject Kavanaugh! peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—Saying federal judge Brett Kavanaugh cares more about gun rights than about kids' safety, more about the right wing than civil rights, and cares little about workers' rights, a union teacher, a survivor of the Valentine's Day high school massacre in Florida and the chair of the Co…
(2018-09-11). Americans Crush Trump After He Tweets 'Morbidly Excited' Message on the Anniversary of 9/11: 'This Is Not A Celebration'. alternet.org 
"No mention of the victims, the rescuers, the soldiers who served in Afghanistan or any wider context of the attack. " | President Donald Trump's first tweet of the day was not honoring 9/11, or the nearly 3000 lives that were lost in that unimaginable tragic attack on America. Instead, it was about what's always on his mind: trying to convi. . .
(2018-09-11). Ted Cruz Is So Scared of Beto O'Rourke He's Released This Nasty — And False — Attack Ad. alternet.org 
With his heavily-edited attack ad, Cruz shows his hand. | Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is running for re-election, and he's running scared. He should be. His Democratic opponent, U. S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, is within one point of Cruz in the latest poll, and a top Trump administration official said Cruz ma. . .
(2018-09-11). Trump Administration Threatens International Criminal Court Judges and Prosecutors for Doing Their Jobs. aclu.org John Bolton's threats against ICC judges and prosecutors give solace and comfort to war criminals. | In an unprecedented attack on one of the most important judicial bodies in the world, National Security Advisor John Bolton on Monday threatened to sanction the International Criminal Court and its staff if the court approves a full investigation into U.S. torture in Afghanistan. The U.S. is not a member of the court, but it has supported the court's efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable — as long as those efforts don't involve U.S. or close allies. | In a (2018-09-11). Why Are So Many Indigenous People in Montana Incarcerated? aclu.org A new report from the ACLU of Montana documents the disproportionate way Indigenous people are incarcerated for parole and probation violations. | Indigenous people have suffered several centuries of injustice at the hands of the United States government. In Montana, the injustices continue, particularly when it comes to the scourge of mass incarceration. | Indigenous people comprise approximately 6.5 percent of the Montana state population and yet account for 20 percent of the men's state prison population, 34 percent of the women's state prison population, and 27 percent of the state's arrests for failures to…
(2018-09-11). Sessions Instructs Judges to Show Less Sympathy for Detained Immigrant Children. truthout.org With around 500 families still separated and hundreds of children still in detention as a result of the Trump administration's cruel "zero tolerance" policy and as the White House moves ahead with a proposal one critic called " Gitmo for children," Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday lectured incoming immigration lawyers to show less "sympathy" for immigrants trapped in President Donald Trump's mass deportation dragnet. | "When we depart from the law and create nebulous legal standards out of a sense of sympathy for the personal circumstances of a respondent in our immigration courts, we do violence to the rule of law and constitutional fabric that bind this great nation," Sessions declared in a speech delivered to 44 new judges in Virginia. "Your job is to apply the law — even in tough cases." | Sessions' comments, which come…
(2018-09-11). NAACP Announces Architectural Design Competition. naacp.org 
Will Your Architecture Team Be the One to Bring Our Vision of An Equity-Based, Regenerative Workspace and Community Hub to Life? THE VISION In actualizing our commitment to ground our operations in the principles and practices of our environmental and climate justice platform, the NAACP will establish its headquarters, currently based in Baltimore, MD, as an exemplar […]
(2018-09-10). Is a Florida Chief Judge Taking Cues From a Prosecutor? aclu.org A Florida state attorney took issue with some of the judges he appeared before. Now they're off the criminal bench. | Prosecutors are some of the most powerful elected officials in our country. They decide what charges to file or dismiss, how severe the charges will be whether to seek cash bail, and what plea offers are made. Through their lobbying associations, they also shape criminal statutes to their benefit, often blocking reforms that the community supports. | But while prosecutors wield immense control over the direction of our criminal justice system, they certainly can't handpick the judges who hear thei…
(2018-09-09). An Insider's Account of the NFL Players' Take-a-Knee Movement. aclu.org 
I worked at the NFL. The players were never protesting the military, but racial injustice — police brutality, mass incarceration, and systemic racism. | I started my professional career in the communications department of the National Football League. It was a dream job right out of college. I grew up a passionate New York Giants fan, but more importantly, I recognized the invaluable experience I'd gain working for an organization that managed to draw more than 100 million viewers to the Super Bowl each year. | This is not a novel observation, but the NFL is more than a sports organization. Football is [md…
(2018-09-08). NAACP Calls for Investigation into Kavanaugh Testimony. naacp.org Released Records Indicate Misleading and False Statements BALTIMORE (September 8, 2018)—The nation's foremost civil rights organization issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court. At the close of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, the NAACP calls upon the Senate to […]
(2018-09-08). Prisoners Strike Across America & Canada to End Penal Enslavement. therealnews.com 
Prisoners Across US & Canada go on hunger and work strike to protest no wages/low wages, end of solitary confinement, for education programs & an end to mass incarceration
(2018-09-07). Can the Wall Between Church and State Survive Brett Kavanaugh? aclu.org The Supreme Court nominee's testimony this week signals an intent to weaken the separation of church and state. | Public schools are educational institutions, not temples of religious indoctrination. For over half a century, the Supreme Court has thus recognized that the Constitution prohibits public schools from imposing prayer on children and that religious education is the province of parents and religious communities, not government bureaucrats. | On Wednesday, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, however, strongly suggested that he disagrees and that, if confirmed, he will vote to weaken the separation of…
(2018-09-07). Repealing the Death Penalty in New Hampshire Is Personal. aclu.org The state's legislature has an opportunity to override the governor's veto and finally repeal the death penalty. | New Hampshire is the only state in New England that still puts people to death. The Northeast region, and much of the nation, has recognized capital punishment for what it is: a practice of a bygone era that is inherently unjust, often racially charged, and has resulted in the torture of individuals put to death. | This could change for New Hampshire on Sept. 13, when state legislators have an opportunity to override
(2018-09-07). Headlines for September 7, 2018. democracynow.org Sen. Cory Booker Releases Kavanaugh Documents in Act of "Civil Disobedience", New Documents Contradict Kavanaugh's Sworn Testimony, Kavanaugh Conflates Birth Control with Abortion, Trump Admin Seeks to Allow Indefinite Detention of Immigrant Families, ICE, DOJ Subpoena Millions of North Carolina Voting Records, Top Trump Admin Officials Deny They Penned Scathing Anonymous Op-Ed, Baghdad Massacre Trial for Blackwater Mercenary Ends in Hung Jury, Gunman Kills Three at Cincinnati Bank, Then Shot Dead by Police, Cincinnati Officer Who Tased 11-Year-Old Girl Will Face Discipline, Jury Gives $1 Fine to Man Who Punched…
(2018-09-07). As 400+ Children Remain Separated from Parents, Trump Admin Wants to Detain Kids Indefinitely. democracynow.org 
The Trump administration is attempting to remove court-imposed time limits on the detention of immigrant children. The administration's proposal would allow immigrant families to be held in detention indefinitely, ending the long-standing 1997 Flores agreement which says that children cannot be jailed for more than 20 days. More than 400 children remain separated from their parents more than a month after a court-imposed deadline requiring the Trump administration to reunite all of the separated families. The American Civil Liberties Union says it appears ICE officials had access to the phone numbers of hundreds…
(2018-09-07). Support Kaepernick, But Boycott Nike. counterpunch.org 
Yes, boycott Nike! But not for the reasons of compulsory patriotism. I unapologetically support Colin Kaepernick and his politics. Ending police brutality, mass incarceration, and the school-to-prison pipeline, challenging White supremacy, and uplifting inner-city youth are cornerstones of my own politics. I also support and respect his choice to become the face of Nike. I More
(2018-09-06). John McCain's Replacement Has a History of Undermining Civil Liberties. aclu.org The newly sworn-in senator from Arizona is hostile to civil liberties. | On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence swore in Jon Kyl as the new senator from Arizona, replacing the late John McCain. | Kyl previously served in the Senate from 1995 and 2013, where he built up a clear record of opposition to civil liberties, proposing to make the Patriot Act permanent and supporting amendments to the Constitution to undermine free expression, equal protection, and due process. | He more recently develop…
(2018-09-06). I Fought for Our Country. Now NFL Players Are Kneeling for Me. aclu.org A Black military veteran explains why he supports NFL players' decision to kneel during the national anthem. | I'm a veteran of the U.S. Army. So it may come as a surprise that the day I read about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, I could not have been prouder. I was proud because after serving my country for seven years, it felt like someone was finally looking out for me. | As someone who served as a sergeant in Afghanistan, only to take a civilian job helping veterans upon returning home, I fully understand patriotism. I work hard to embody it every day. That's precisely why I think it's so im…
(2018-09-05). Congress, Don't Throw More Money at Donald Trump's Weaponized Department of Homeland Security. aclu.org A bigger DHS budget would reward the White House's cruel immigration enforcement policies of detention and deportation. | As summer ends, the country's political eyes are focusing even more intently on midterm elections. Although a new Congress is not far away, there remain major budgetary issues to resolve. The most immediate deadline for people concerned about President Trump's immigration policies is September 30, when fiscal year 2018 ends. , , For the Department of Homeland Security, reports (2018-09-05). Detroit Police Racially Harass and Retaliate Against One of Their Own. aclu.org A Black officer is suing the city of Detroit and its police department for racial harassment and retaliation he suffered. | To America's shame, there is nothing novel about police harassment and abuse of young Black men. Consequently, few should be surprised that during an early January morning in 2017, Johnny Strickland was harassed, humiliated, and abused by a group of white Detroit police officers. At least, there should be no surprise until it is learned that Strickland himself is an 11-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department. | Officer Strickland's nightmare began when he attempted to complete an erran…
(2018-09-04). "What Are They Hiding?": Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings Begin Despite Suppression of 100K Documents. democracynow.org 
Confirmation hearings begin for Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill Justice Anthony Kennedy's seat on the Supreme Court. If he is confirmed, it would likely make the court the most conservative since the 1930s. Kavanaugh is 53 years old and could serve on the Supreme Court for decades to come. Critics warn his confirmation could lead to major rollbacks of civil rights, environmental regulations, gun control measures, voting rights and reproductive rights, including possibly overturning Roe v. Wade. We speak with Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Last…
(2018-09-03). NAACP Supports Prisoners Across the Nation Protesting Long Sentences, Inhumane Conditions, and Forced Labor. naacp.org As the nation celebrates Labor Day, we must recognize those that labor every day for pennies per hour in prisons, jails, and detention centers across the country. Many imprisoned individuals are conducting peaceful protests to call for an end to unnecessarily long sentences, prison conditions that respect human rights, and fair wages for a day's […]
(2018-09-01). NAACP on Kavanaugh's Troubling Civil Rights Record. naacp.org NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson issued the following statement on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh: "This Senate hearing on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination should not go forward. The President is in personal legal jeopardy and only a fraction of Kavanaugh's record has been produced. To proceed now threatens the legitimacy of the Senate's constitutional review […]
(2018-09-01). Action Alert: Tell Your Senators Why Kavanaugh's SCOTUS Nom Hearings Must Wait Until After Midterm Elections. naacp.org U.S. Senate Hearings on NAACP-Opposed Supreme Court Nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh Scheduled to Begin Tuesday, September 4, 2018 Urge your senators to move Brett Kavanaugh's nomination until after the midterm elections and the 116th senate to be seated in January 2019 has time to fully review his record. The Issue: On July 9, 2018, President […]
(2018-08-31). Civil Rights Leaders Honor Aretha Franklin. naacp.org NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson joined esteemed civil rights leaders from around the country today in Detroit to honor the life and legacy of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The day was filled with reflection, personal stories and above all a message to serve a higher purpose, commemorating Aretha Franklin's legacy as an […]
(2018-08-31). Brett Kavanaugh Poses a Severe Threat to Civil Rights: the Senate Must Reject His Nomination. naacp.org NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson issued the following statement on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh: "This Senate hearing on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination should not go forward. The President is in personal legal jeopardy and only a fraction of Kavanaugh's record has been produced. To proceed now threatens the legitimacy of the Senate's constitutional review […]
(2018-08-30). Update on Prison Strike Demanding End of "Slave Labor": After 10 Days, Protests Spread to 11 States. democracynow.org 
Prisoners across the country join work stoppages, hunger strikes and commissary boycotts in at least 11 states to protest prison conditions and demand the end of what they call "prison slavery." Organizers report prisoners in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Indiana are demonstrating. Individuals in Texas, California and Ohio have gone on hunger strike, including some in solitary confinement. Meanwhile, at least six people have been hunger-striking inside the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, for more than a week. We speak with Amani Sawari, prison strike organizer working on behalf of Jailhou…
(2018-08-29). The Movement Against Prison Abuse—From the Inside. progressive.org Janos Marton of the ACLU's Smart Justice program talks about a growing public awareness of the rampant inequality perpetuated by prisons, jails, arrests, and prosecutions, and what people on the outside can do.
(2018-08-28). Real Housewives Skit Dishonors Legacy of Civil Rights Icons. naacp.org Baltimore, MD — The nation's leading civil rights organization is denouncing a recent parody which depicts several Civil Rights leaders in a vulgar and inappropriate manner. "As we commemorate the March on Washington, we must remain vigilant in educating those who may not understand the impact the leading women of the Civil Rights Movement had on our […]
(2018-08-27). NAACP Celebrates the 55th Anniversary of the March on Washington. naacp.org 
This week marks the 55th anniversary of the pivotal March on Washington. Visit naacp.org/marchonwashington to see pictures and more about the march and enjoy all the links below: History: The March on Washington Originally conceived by renowned labor leader A. Phillip Randolph and Roy Wilkins, Executive Secretary of the NAACP, the historic March on Washington […]