Justice delayed is not always justice denied. The Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) was finally reauthorized on February 28 after a long delay. Important sections were added to protect Native Americans and human trafficking victims. Rep. Karen Bass (D. CA) spoke out on the passing of the VAWA. “After an unnecessary delay of more than 500 days, the House today finally did the right thing and passed commonsense legislation protecting battered women from their abusers. Protections were extended to those most in need of a helping hand, including battered women who are Native American, immigrants and LGBT. Because of VAWA, tribes have the authority to prosecute non-Indians who commit domestic violence against their Indian spouses or dating partners and that is a tremendous step forward in protecting Native American women from these senseless acts of violence." “Reauthorizing VAWA says once and for all that violence against women is wrong and should not be tolerated in our … [Read more...] about Violence Against Women Act is Finally Reauthorized
Archives for February 2013
The Aftermath of the Voting Rights Argument
Now that the arguments before the Supreme Court have been held and the rally outside the court has ended, there’s not much left to do except wait for a decision on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its survival of section 5. The chant heard outside the Supreme Court for those rallying in support was “Keep 5 Alive.” There were no people rallying against the Voting Rights Act. As usual, it appears the justices are split with the 4 justices, particularly the 3 women Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan in support of keeping section 5. While it appears that the conservative justices seem ready to gut it. Particularly, Justice Scalia who seems to think that section 5 somehow means a “racial entitlement.” Voting rights are a democratic constitutional right. It is what democracy is based on. Even a few states that are under the provisions of the pre-clearance of section 5 support continuing it, including the southern states of North Carolina and Mississippi. … [Read more...] about The Aftermath of the Voting Rights Argument
Supreme Court to Decide Minorities’ Voting Rights
On Wednesday, Feb 27, the mother lode of all GOP legal voting schemes will be heard before the Supreme Court in the case of Shelby County v. Holder. This case challenges the constitutionality of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Simply put, section 5 states that due to past discriminatory voting rights issues to disenfranchise blacks, all or parts of 16 states must have any voting laws pre-approved by the Justice Department before implementing them. It applies to nine states mostly in the south and parts of 7 other states. This provision known as “pre-clearance” is the heart of the Voting Rights Act as it corrects a problem before it occurs. It applies to when states covered under Section 5 either redraw district lines, modify registration procedures or change any other practice that might disadvantage minority voters. Shelby County, Alabama argues that section 5 is no longer needed and unconstitutional. In a recent decision, at least one justice, Clarence Thomas has … [Read more...] about Supreme Court to Decide Minorities’ Voting Rights
Why Every Black Man in America is Trayvon Martin
Every parent’s worst nightmare is the death of a child by senseless violent gun crime. And so on February 26, 2013, the 1st anniversary of the death and killing of Trayvon Martin, my heart goes out to Sybrina Fulton and Tracey Martin, parents of Trayvon and to all the other parents who have lost their children to violent and senseless gun violence. Yet, the death of Trayvon Martin and the way it occurred could happen to any black male in America due to racial profiling. One year ago, George Zimmerman, while on community watch patrol spotted Trayvon and presumably sensed that he was acting suspicious while en route to the home of his father’s fiancé. His suspicious actions was a young black male walking in a gated community wearing a hoodie and carrying Skittles and a bottle of Ice Tea. For his actions, Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman. Apparently, some of the police on duty on the night of Trayvon Martin’s death may have engaged in the their own racial … [Read more...] about Why Every Black Man in America is Trayvon Martin
Stuck Between a Boehner Rock and a Sequestration Hard Place
If you look up the word “sequestration” in the dictionary, you will see a picture of House Speaker John Boehner and his Republican Congress members smiling and the rest of America crying. Simply put, with the 113th GOP controlled Congress, sequestration means bad things will happen to middle class, people of color, poor people and everyone in between, if they don’t act soon. Beginning March 1, there will be cuts across the board from the Pentagon to education and Head Start programs, unless action is taken to avoid it. All cuts are not equal. A cut affecting Donald Trump will not be felt the same as one affecting a McDonald’s minimum wage worker or someone on unemployment. People who have nothing to lose will be affected the least. And those with the most to lose will be affected the most. Make no mistake, everyone will be affected. And our country will be at risk in more ways than just economically. It’s as if the Republican Congress delights in the drama, chaos and … [Read more...] about Stuck Between a Boehner Rock and a Sequestration Hard Place
Donald Trump Threatens Lawsuit Over Macy’s Boycott Petition
Donald Trump who challenged President Obama to show his birth certificate and his college transcripts is now challenging online organizer Angelo Carusone, who started a petition on SignOn.org, urging Macy’s to Dump Trump, to cease and desist from attempts to remove the Trump brands from Macy’s. By way of background, Mr. Carusone’s online petition’s background states: “Macy's has a special deal with Donald Trump. They invest in developing Trump's brand and sell his clothing line and fragrance at their locations. To this end, they have had major events at Macy's Herald Square location and they often feature and promote Trump in advertisements designed to celebrate the magic of Macy's.” Petition Statement to Macy’s states: Donald Trump does not reflect the "magic of Macy's." We urge you to sever ties with him. Macy's says it has a strong obligation to be "socially responsible" and that "actions speak louder than words." Indeed. It's time to act. Mr. Carusone’s petition was … [Read more...] about Donald Trump Threatens Lawsuit Over Macy’s Boycott Petition