(2018-09-10). Fox News Actually Corrects Donald Trump's Embarrassingly Blatant Economy Lie. alternet.org 
While President Trump lying is a daily event, Fox News correcting or chastising him for lying is rare. | Monday morning President Donald Trump posted several tweets and retweets touting his supposed excellent performance on the economy, including one attacking former President Barack Obama. Most of them were lies. And while President Trump lying is a dai. . .
(2018-09-10). Trump Administration Will Declare 'Superfluous' International Criminal Court at The Hague 'Illegitimate'. alternet.org 
"After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us," National Security Adviser John Bolton says. | The Trump administration is poised to declare the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague "illegitimate. " It is a move that will further distance the United States from its allies and make it easier for the world to view America as uninterested in abiding by a common set of rules and moral standards. "We will not cooperate with the ICC," Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton (photo) will say in a hard-hitting speech to a far right wing group, the Federalist Society. "We will provide no assistance to the ICC. We will not join the ICC. We will let the ICC die on its own. After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC. . .
(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…
(2018-09-10). Holding the Line on Torture One Organization at a Time. truthout.org Sometimes the good guys do win. That's what happened on August 8th in San Francisco when the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association (APA) decided to extend a policy keeping its members out of the US detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. | The APA's decision is important — and not just symbolically. Today we have a president who has promised to bring back torture and " load up" Guantánamo "with some bad dudes." When healing professionals refuse to work there, they are standing up for human rights and against torture. | It wasn't always so. In the early days of Guantánamo, military psychologists contributed to detainee interrogations there. It was for Guantánamo that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld approved multiple torture methods, including among others excruciating stress positions, prolonged isolation, sensory deprivation, and enforced nudity.
(2018-09-10). American Psychologists Helped Design Torture Programs — Now They Want to End Them. alternet.org 
The American Psychological Association will extend its policy keeping its members out of Guantanamo Bay. | Sometimes the good guys do win. That's what happened on August 8th in San Francisco when the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association (APA) decided to extend a policy keeping its members out of the U. S. detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The APA's. . .
(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). 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). 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). 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). 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…
(2018-09-06). 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…
(2018-09-05). 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…
(2018-09-04). The EMPOWER Care Act Would Give People With Disabilities the Freedom They Deserve. aclu.org Congress should re-authorize the Money Follows the Person program, which helps people with disabilities move back home. | On Wednesday, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee will consider the EMPOWER Care Act, bipartisan legislation to re-authorize the Money Follows the Person program, which helps people with disabilities move from institutions into the community. | MFP is li…
(2018-09-04). Drones Are Revolutionizing Journalism, but Congress Could Curb This New Tool. aclu.org The bill in Congress would give the government enormous power to seize and destroy drones, including in ways that could hamper freedom of the press. | At a time when journalists face unprecedented attacks, Congress is now considering legislation that may make it even harder for them to do their jobs., , Earlier this year, Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) introduced legislation that would grant the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice enormous power to intercept, surveil, se…
(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). 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 […]
(2018-08-31). 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 […]
(2018-08-30). 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 […]
(2018-08-27). NAACP Statement on Birmingham, Alabama's Right to Clean Soil and a Healthy Environment. naacp.org The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People released the following statement in response to recent reports regarding environmental cleanup efforts in the Inglenook neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. "NAACP maintains its commitment to uphold the rights of all people to pollution remediation and clean soil," said Jacqueline Patterson, Director, NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. "As […]