Brief #48---Civil Rights Policy Summary In October 2015, the California State Legislature passed the Reproductive FACT (Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency) Act. The law was aimed at crisis pregnancy centers (CPC's), which are typically...
Civil Rights
President Trump Suggests Depriving Immigrants of Constitutional Due Process Protections
Brief #47---Civil Rights Policy Summary On June 24, 2018, President Donald Trump tweeted remarks that suggested that immigrants who cross the border into the United States be denied certain legal protections. In his tweet, the President said, "We cannot allow all of...
Supreme Court Protects Cell Phone Privacy Rights
Brief #46---Civil Rights Policy Summary On June 22, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the Carpenter v. U.S. case. The question before the Court was whether the warrantless search and seizure of cell phone records, including location and...
Gerrymandering and the Supreme Court: A Review of Recent Rulings
On September 12, 2017, the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling that temporarily prevented implementation of a federal district court ruling that found state electoral districts in Texas were illegally drawn to suppress minority voters.
Trump Forced to End Family Separation at United States/Mexico Border
On June 20, 2018, the people were heard (haza!) and President Trump signed an executive order (“EO”) temporarily ending the immigration procedure of separating children from their parents. Section 1 of the EO states that the Trump Administration’s policy is “to maintain family unity, including by detaining alien families together where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.”
Ohio To Purge Eligible Voters From Voting Rolls
Brief #43---Civil Rights Policy Summary On June 11, 2018, the United States Supreme Court rendered a decision in the case Husted v. A. Phillip Randolph Institute. The case began in 2015 when U.S. Navy veteran Larry Harmon tried to vote in his home state of Ohio but...
Supreme Court Sidesteps Around Gay Wedding Cake in Ruling
In 2012, Charlie Craig and David Mullins asked Masterpiece Cakeshop, a bakery in Colorado, to create a wedding cake to celebrate their wedding. The baker, Jack Phillips, refused citing his religious beliefs, which include opposition to same – sex marriages. Mr. Craig and Mr. Mullins then filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission claiming they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation under the Colorado Anti – Discrimination Act.
President Trump Angers Federal Workforce With Three Newly Issued Executive Orders
On May 25, 2018, President Donald J. Trump issued three executive orders concerning employees in the federal sector.
Amazon.Com Sells Facial “Rekognition” Software to Law Enforcement
In 2016, Amazon.com first announced a new facial recognition software item called “Rekognition” and subsequently gave the product to law enforcement in Washington County, Oregon and Orlando, Florida to test.
Congress Tries to Combat Sexual Harassment
In February 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced and passed H.R. 4924 which is known as the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act.
Supreme Court Deals Blow to Workers Rights
On Monday, the Supreme Court handed down a decision in the case Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis. That case had been consolidated with two other cases but had a similar set of core facts.
Federal Court Rules Against Trump Efforts to Block Twitter Followers
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…or the right of the people…to petition the Government for a redress of their grievances.” In the 1983 U.S. Supreme Court case Perry Education Association v. Perry Local Educators’ Association the court categorized government property for purposes of which rules would control speech and expression activities and listed three categories…








