Civil Rights

Prosecution’s Case in Freddie Gray’s Death Continues to Have an Uphill Battle

Aside GDaniels Civil Rights, Police

Here’s a good piece that addresses the frustration over the lack of convictions in the Freddie Gray case.  Even if  they don’t lead to prosecutions, hopefully, we can have real talk and real change. #policereform #civilrights #FreddieGray

On Monday, Police Lt. Brian Rice became the third officer acquitted in the death of Freddie Gray. Rice, 42, was the highest-ranking officer of six officers charged in Gray’s death. He was cha…

Source: Prosecution’s Case in Freddie Gray’s Death Continues to Have an Uphill Battle

US curtails federal election observers

Aside GDaniels Civil Rights, Voting Rights

Image result for voting

When I served at the DOJ, federal observers were an important part of maintaining order in some jurisdictions.  DOJ believes that the Shelby decision eliminates most election day coverage.  #RestoretheVRA

WASHINGTON – Federal election observers can only be sent to five states in this years US presidential election, among the smallest deployments since the Voting

Source: US curtails federal election observers

A Guide To The Big Photo ID, Early Voting And Other Voting Law Cases : NPR

Aside GDaniels Civil Rights, Voting Rights , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ahead of November, a number of important voting law cases are still up in the air nationwide. Here’s a breakdown of where some of the big cases stand.

Source: A Guide To The Big Photo ID, Early Voting And Other Voting Law Cases : NPR

VA Governor Defends Restoration Order

Aside GDaniels Civil Rights

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe defended his decision to restore the voting rights to more than 200,000 persons.  Criticism from those who believe that the punishment should continue long after citizens have completed their sentences, including probation and parole, has been relentless.  In the first month of the governor’s order, approximately 6,000 persons registered to vote; compared with less than 2,000  the previous year.  You can read more here:

U.S. Supreme Court Decides 3 Cases Involving Race : The Two-Way : NPR

GDaniels Civil Rights, race discrimination, Supreme Court , , , , ,

Supreme Court issued three important decisions yesterday that deal with race: criminal justice, redistricting and employment.

The justices ruled against a white jury in a Georgia murder case; for minority plaintiffs who challenged voting districts in Virginia; and for a postal employee who said he lost his job due to race.

Source: U.S. Supreme Court Decides 3 Cases Involving Race : The Two-Way : NPR

Tuesday round-up — SCOTUSblog

Aside GDaniels Civil Rights, Supreme Court , ,

Important USSC cases decided; more on the Georgia case next…

Yesterday the Court issued three rulings in argued cases. Molly Runkle rounded up early coverage and commentary for this blog. NPR’s Nina Totenberg had an overview of all three cases. More coverage of yesterday’s opinion in Foster v. Chatman, holding by a vote of seven to one that the Supreme Court of Georgia’s decision that…

via Tuesday round-up — SCOTUSblog

Connecting Dr. King’s “March on Ballot Boxes” Speech to Today’s Realities

Aside GDaniels Civil Rights, Voting Rights , ,

Here’s an interesting article that connects past and present realities.  GRD

Fifty years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. made his first public visit to South Carolina to deliver a speech on a school field in Kingstree about the importance of voting. About 5,000 came out on a rainy day to hear him.

Source: Post and Courier

Felon Disenfranchisement

GDaniels Civil Rights, Voting Rights , , , ,

In Maryland and Virginia, former felons have the ability to vote, with some restrictions. For example, in Virginia, they must complete probation or parole.  Nonetheless. 40,000 persons in Maryland and more than 200.000 persons in Virginia now have access to the ballot box.  These measures, however, may be met with litigation that could affect their ability to vote in the 2016 election. Read the New York Times article here.