CIVIL RIGHTS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
Latest Civil Rights Posts
Federal Appeals Court Opinion Insulates TSA Officers From Civil Liability
The lengthy decision by the Court of Appeals is a curious one and one that has the potential to lead to unwanted consequences. In its opinion, the court’s reasoning turned on how a transportation security officer was classified. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), the federal government and its employees are immune from civil or criminal liability under the doctrine of sovereign immunity except in specific circumstances.
Did the Supreme Court Decide a Free Speech or “Pro – Life” Case?
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...
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.