Your daily dose of civil rights and related news
Hopefully, the Senate will fast track the passage of the ADA when it returns from recess.
Students registering to vote on college campuses is confusing registrars.
The DOJ is widening its investigation after an Asian student with perfect SAT scores was rejected from Princeton University. The student says that he was rejected based on race, the school notes that there is more to a candidacy than SAT scores.
Some cities are turning to civil injunctions to curb gang violence, prohibiting, for example, gang members from meeting as being a "nuisance". The ACLU warns that this has the potential to criminalize normal daily activities and thus violates suspected gang members' civil rights.
The former dean of U. Washington's law school warned Nebraskans about what will happen to their school's diversity if it approves a ban on affirmative action. He should know -- Washington approved a similar ban in 1998, and watched minority enrollment plunge immediately after.
The Tucson Citizen urges its readership to vote no on Arizona's anti-gay marriage amendment.
An anti-gay marriage amendment in Florida is not polling strong enough to pass at the moment.
Should the constitution be amended to add a right to vote? I don't see why not.
Immigration courts still groan under a huge backlog, and are making only small progress it getting over it.
The New Yorker has an essay on Lily Ledbetter's request for equal pay, and John McCain (and his fellow GOPers) response.
A Florida town is now arresting people for wearing too-baggy pants. Unsurprisingly, the local Black community feels targeted, and one lawyer says the law is "designed to be pretextual."
The Orlando Sentinel looks at the history of the relationship between Florida Blacks and Latinos.
A homeowner in Montana discovered a racial covenant buried in his contract, dated from 1945. Though unenforceable, the man decided to leave it in as a reminder of the communities racially exclusive past.
Miami officials have settled a case in which prison guards were accused a beating a mentally-ill man into a coma.
Showing posts with label ADA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ADA. Show all posts
Monday, September 08, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Civil Rights Roundup: 09/04/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news
This is a little late, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a fascinating story about an area police office who found out recently that she was intersex.
A judge has ruled that the ADA applies to airlines.
My home county is posting a decline test scores and an increase in the racial achievement gap. Mounting economic diversity is to blame, claims the school superintendent.
A Texas woman is fighting back against predatory lenders, saying they targeted her because she was Black.
Maryland's new DNA law is under criticism due to concerns it would allow police to keep a suspect's DNA on file even if she or he was not convicted.
The Human Rights Campaign's equality index shows an increase in firms' protections of LGBT Americans.
The chair of Vermont's commission on Native Americans has resigned in frustration with legislative inaction on recognizing local tribes.
Steven Steinlight of the far-right Center for Immigration Studies tries to convince Jews to oppose immigration (legal and illegal). Somehow, I'm skeptical it will work.
The Ft. Myers News-Press lauds a recent slavery conviction of several agricultural owners in Florida, but lays the blame for the problem squarely on our immigration policy. "Disrespect for human beings is in the DNA of the current system. Respect demands that we legalize the foreign labor we clearly need to harvest our crops."
The ACLU is suing to block Rhode Island's use of e-verify, which they say improperly labels foreign workers as ineligible to work.
The New York Times reports that the process of transitioning in the workplace has become easier for transgender individuals.
Federal job bias claims are down, but Paul Secunda thinks that it's mostly due to an unfriendly environment to whistle-blowing.
A Georgia man is scheduled to be executed in a few days, despite the fact that seven witnesses have now recanted the statements that got him convicted in the first place.
The few remaining Black Republicans are bemoaning the fact that their party seems to have all but given up on attracting Black voters.
The Colorado affirmative action counter-measure has failed to make the ballot. In contrast to the original, Ward Connerly-backed initiative, which would have barred affirmative action in all forms outright, this one would have only clarified that racial quotas are illegal.
This is a little late, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a fascinating story about an area police office who found out recently that she was intersex.
A judge has ruled that the ADA applies to airlines.
My home county is posting a decline test scores and an increase in the racial achievement gap. Mounting economic diversity is to blame, claims the school superintendent.
A Texas woman is fighting back against predatory lenders, saying they targeted her because she was Black.
Maryland's new DNA law is under criticism due to concerns it would allow police to keep a suspect's DNA on file even if she or he was not convicted.
The Human Rights Campaign's equality index shows an increase in firms' protections of LGBT Americans.
The chair of Vermont's commission on Native Americans has resigned in frustration with legislative inaction on recognizing local tribes.
Steven Steinlight of the far-right Center for Immigration Studies tries to convince Jews to oppose immigration (legal and illegal). Somehow, I'm skeptical it will work.
The Ft. Myers News-Press lauds a recent slavery conviction of several agricultural owners in Florida, but lays the blame for the problem squarely on our immigration policy. "Disrespect for human beings is in the DNA of the current system. Respect demands that we legalize the foreign labor we clearly need to harvest our crops."
The ACLU is suing to block Rhode Island's use of e-verify, which they say improperly labels foreign workers as ineligible to work.
The New York Times reports that the process of transitioning in the workplace has become easier for transgender individuals.
Federal job bias claims are down, but Paul Secunda thinks that it's mostly due to an unfriendly environment to whistle-blowing.
A Georgia man is scheduled to be executed in a few days, despite the fact that seven witnesses have now recanted the statements that got him convicted in the first place.
The few remaining Black Republicans are bemoaning the fact that their party seems to have all but given up on attracting Black voters.
The Colorado affirmative action counter-measure has failed to make the ballot. In contrast to the original, Ward Connerly-backed initiative, which would have barred affirmative action in all forms outright, this one would have only clarified that racial quotas are illegal.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Civil Rights Roundup: 7/28/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news
An Iowa town has become "a flashpoint" for immigration protests after a raid on a meat processing plants. One anti-immigrant protester held a sign saying "What would Jesus do? Obey the law!" Umm...my Christian theology isn't great, but I'm not sure that's strictly accurate.
Maryland might finally be recognized as having eliminated the last vestiges of segregation in its public college system.
McCain flips on affirmative action, announces support of Arizona plan which would ban the program.
On the above issue, though, CNN reports that "McCain's own campaign refused to say whether it stands by the candidate's announcement that he supports the ballot initiative." I wasn't aware that "the McCain campaign" had the authority to trump John McCain as to his own position.
An ex-felon in Florida has founded a group to help other released felons reintegrate into society.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down an expansion of that state's hate crimes laws, ruling that they were unconstitutionally inserted into an unrelated bill.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette asks: Should sex offenders be tracked?
A California attorney representing a man shot by a Oakland police officer said he is going to press the state to bring homicide charges against the cop.
Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) have an op-ed out calling for the expansion of the ADA.
A new Virginia law requires that all foreign-born inmates be reported to federal authorities. I can't imagine that's constitutional as applied to foreign born U.S. citizens.
Two Muslim women are suing McDonalds, claiming that they were denied positions with the company because they wore the hijab (Muslim headscarf).
Racism slithers in to the campaign Obama runs, the Wichita Eagle reports.
The simmering split between the gay and transgender rights community continues to fester, with LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pulling out of a gay rights rally under heavy pressure from transgender groups angry about the former community's stance on federal anti-discrimination legislation.
Supporters and opponents of flying the Confederate flag near Tampa met to have some "dialogue." It didn't sound very successful.
An Iowa town has become "a flashpoint" for immigration protests after a raid on a meat processing plants. One anti-immigrant protester held a sign saying "What would Jesus do? Obey the law!" Umm...my Christian theology isn't great, but I'm not sure that's strictly accurate.
Maryland might finally be recognized as having eliminated the last vestiges of segregation in its public college system.
McCain flips on affirmative action, announces support of Arizona plan which would ban the program.
On the above issue, though, CNN reports that "McCain's own campaign refused to say whether it stands by the candidate's announcement that he supports the ballot initiative." I wasn't aware that "the McCain campaign" had the authority to trump John McCain as to his own position.
An ex-felon in Florida has founded a group to help other released felons reintegrate into society.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down an expansion of that state's hate crimes laws, ruling that they were unconstitutionally inserted into an unrelated bill.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette asks: Should sex offenders be tracked?
A California attorney representing a man shot by a Oakland police officer said he is going to press the state to bring homicide charges against the cop.
Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) have an op-ed out calling for the expansion of the ADA.
A new Virginia law requires that all foreign-born inmates be reported to federal authorities. I can't imagine that's constitutional as applied to foreign born U.S. citizens.
Two Muslim women are suing McDonalds, claiming that they were denied positions with the company because they wore the hijab (Muslim headscarf).
Racism slithers in to the campaign Obama runs, the Wichita Eagle reports.
The simmering split between the gay and transgender rights community continues to fester, with LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pulling out of a gay rights rally under heavy pressure from transgender groups angry about the former community's stance on federal anti-discrimination legislation.
Supporters and opponents of flying the Confederate flag near Tampa met to have some "dialogue." It didn't sound very successful.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/23/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news
The HIV/AIDS infection rate for American Latinos is skyrocketing. In some urban cities, the proportion of gay Latinos who are HIV positive rivals that of sub-Saharan Africa.
Being handicapped in one's ability to have sexual relations constitutes a major life impairment under the ADA. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruling is here.
New York City will officially begin offering services in six foreign languages: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian and French Creole.
I couldn't resist linking to this Houston Chronicle letter to the editor, where a Texan says of Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), "How dare he even set foot here." Conyers was in town for a panel on abuse by local law enforcement officials.
The Chronicle also has an editorial up urging the state not to execute Jose Ernesto Medellin until the review ordered by the World Court can be completed. Legally, it's Texas' call whether to comply, but failing to do so could seriously undermine the protections of the Vienna Convention.
Did Chicago police engage in acts of torture to secure confessions during the 20 year period between 1972-1992?
Obama helps introduce bill to allow voter registration drives on VA campuses.
A group of progressive media watchdogs is handing over a petition to Fox News demanding they stop their racist attacks on Michelle Obama. Particularly egregious cases include calling her "Obama's baby mama" and Bill O'Reilly saying that a "lynching party" was the way to deal with her.
Four Yonkers residents are suing the local police for civil rights violations stemming out of a warrantless search.
A Honduras man is urging immigration authorities create a new justification for asylum: sexual abuse. His three children were sexually abused by a relative. My knowledge of immigration law is slight, but based on what I do know I'm very skeptical his claim will succeed.
Latino groups are launching a huge new voter registration effort.
Latino transit workers in Boston are pissed about anti-Latino comments made by, of all people, the transit authority's anti-discrimination chief.
The city of Minneapolis has approved a settlement regarding its city police force that would require it to more closely oversee diversity and race issues. The lawsuit had been filed by five Black police officers alleging a long history of discrimination.
The HIV/AIDS infection rate for American Latinos is skyrocketing. In some urban cities, the proportion of gay Latinos who are HIV positive rivals that of sub-Saharan Africa.
Being handicapped in one's ability to have sexual relations constitutes a major life impairment under the ADA. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruling is here.
New York City will officially begin offering services in six foreign languages: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian and French Creole.
I couldn't resist linking to this Houston Chronicle letter to the editor, where a Texan says of Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), "How dare he even set foot here." Conyers was in town for a panel on abuse by local law enforcement officials.
The Chronicle also has an editorial up urging the state not to execute Jose Ernesto Medellin until the review ordered by the World Court can be completed. Legally, it's Texas' call whether to comply, but failing to do so could seriously undermine the protections of the Vienna Convention.
Did Chicago police engage in acts of torture to secure confessions during the 20 year period between 1972-1992?
Obama helps introduce bill to allow voter registration drives on VA campuses.
A group of progressive media watchdogs is handing over a petition to Fox News demanding they stop their racist attacks on Michelle Obama. Particularly egregious cases include calling her "Obama's baby mama" and Bill O'Reilly saying that a "lynching party" was the way to deal with her.
Four Yonkers residents are suing the local police for civil rights violations stemming out of a warrantless search.
A Honduras man is urging immigration authorities create a new justification for asylum: sexual abuse. His three children were sexually abused by a relative. My knowledge of immigration law is slight, but based on what I do know I'm very skeptical his claim will succeed.
Latino groups are launching a huge new voter registration effort.
Latino transit workers in Boston are pissed about anti-Latino comments made by, of all people, the transit authority's anti-discrimination chief.
The city of Minneapolis has approved a settlement regarding its city police force that would require it to more closely oversee diversity and race issues. The lawsuit had been filed by five Black police officers alleging a long history of discrimination.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Insensitive
While we're on the subject of employment discrimination developments guaranteed to raise your blood pressure, I think Paul Secunda is right to describe this as "one of the most insensitive employer acts in quite a while." (to say the least!)
Wow. And, to keep quoting Secunda, "it just goes to show how many employment discrimination cases could be avoided with a little less employer intransigence and little more compromise." Which, in a nutshell, is how I see employment discrimination. So often, it's merely a case of employers being not just obnoxiously stubborn, but unnecessarily so. Not only does this create the distinct feeling that they're acting out of pure malice, but it doesn't actually benefit anyone. It's just ridiculous.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says a Grasonville marina and bar located on the Chesapeake Bay violated federal law when it refused to offer an accommodation to an employee who had undergone breast cancer treatment and fired her when she requested to be excused from its dress code policy.
According to the EEOC's suit, Mears Marina Associated Limited Partnership, doing business as the Red Eye's Dock Bar, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when it discriminated against Margaret Finley, who had undergone treatment for breast cancer.
Finley had requested to be excused from the bar's dress code policy which required that she wear a scanty "tankini" top. Her request to be excused from the "tankini" requirement resulted in her termination, the EEOC charges.
Wow. And, to keep quoting Secunda, "it just goes to show how many employment discrimination cases could be avoided with a little less employer intransigence and little more compromise." Which, in a nutshell, is how I see employment discrimination. So often, it's merely a case of employers being not just obnoxiously stubborn, but unnecessarily so. Not only does this create the distinct feeling that they're acting out of pure malice, but it doesn't actually benefit anyone. It's just ridiculous.
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