BLACK ONLINE NEWS NETWORK  www.civilrightsobserver.com | Thursday, May. 15, 2008  
 
Breaking News  
ACLU Report Exposes Unjust Detention Of Youth
BOSTON ? A widespread practice in Massachusetts of locking up youth accused of minor offenses and who pose little or no danger to their communities is unfair, threatens public safety and wastes public money, according to a report released today by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Massachusetts.
Prison Litigation Reform Act Must be Fixed, Law denies justice to victims
Washington, DC ? The House Judiciary?s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security is scheduled to examine reform of the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), which was originally passed by Congress in 1996 as a way to stem the tide against what were thought to be frivolous lawsuits by prisoners. Since that time, the law has been used repeatedly to deny justice to victims of rape, assault, religious rights violations and other serious abuses.
Court-Ordered Emergency Action Needed to Address New York State?s Unconstitutional Public Defense System, NYCLU Charges
The New York Civil Liberties Union today filed a request for immediate emergency relief to address New York State?s broken public defense system.
Dismal High School Graduation Rate Violates Florida Constitution, Says ACLU
ACLU Sues Over Failed Privately-Run Alternative School In Atlanta
ATLANTA ? In a case with national implications, the American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Georgia filed a class action lawsuit today against the Atlanta Independent School System (AISS) and Community Education Partners (CEP) for violating students? constitutional right to an adequate public education. CEP is a for-profit corporation paid nearly $7 million a year by the city to run its alternative school, which is among the most dangerous and lowest performing schools in Georgia.
Advocates Stand Together for Fairness in Federal Sentencing
Washington, DC ? On Tuesday, February 26, activists from around the country, civil rights and professional organizations stood together to call for much-needed reform to the country?s federal sentencing laws. This press briefing and lobby event marked the culmination of a month-long series of events aimed at addressing the 20-year-old sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. According to current guidelines, a conviction for the sale of 500 grams of powder cocaine results in a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence, while the same penalty is triggered for sale or possession of only 5 grams of crack cocaine.

NAACP asks for answers in Lee County

Lee County-- A Lee County school bus fight led to the arrest of a parent, court fines for a school system employee and now calls for action from the NAACP. http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8313847&nav=5kZQ


NAACP officials send letter of complaint regarding boot camp

The letter said the investigation has been slow and indicated leaders of the state civil rights organization were told that a team of lawyers would be sent to work on the case, when in fact one federal prosecutor and one FBI agent are investigating. http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS01/80513055/1075


NAACP calls for further investigation into Taser death

The local branch of the NAACP wants more transparency and a follow-up investigation into the November death of Jarrel Gray. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayUpdate.htm?StoryID=74965


Judge to speak at NAACP Mother of the Year banquet

The Richmond County Branch of the NAACP will hold its 30th annual Mother of the Year banquet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the East Hamlet Community Center, 155 Laurel Hill St., Hamlet. http://www.yourdailyjournal.com/articles/2008/05/08/news/news04.txt


NAACP Wants Clarksville Redevelopment Plan Investigated

The Clarksville branch of the NAACP is asking the Department of Justice to investigate the city's redevelopment plan. http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=8287123


Civil Rights News

American Civil Liberties Union Of Minnesota To Collect Racial Profiling Data

Opponents of Equal Opportunity Seek To Withdraw Their Own Ballot Measure

ACLU And Civil Rights Lawyers Strike Agreement To Desegregate Hartford Public Schools

Landmark Settlement Reached With Maryland State Police In "Driving While Black" Case

Dismal High School Graduation Rates Violate Florida Constitution, Says ACLU Lawsuit

ACLU Sues Over Failed Privately-Run Alternative School In Atlanta

ACLU of Oklahoma Challenges Anti-Civil Rights Ballot Measure

Charges Dismissed Against Reporter Who Was Victim of NYPD Racial Profiling as Figures Show Hundreds of Thousands of Innocent Black New Yorkers Were Stopped-and-Frisked in 2007

Nightspot with Racially Discriminatory Policy Settles Case with DOJ; ACLU Lawsuit Pending

Other Civil Rights News

White House Continues to Push Ineffective Student Drug Testing Agenda

Federal Court Hears Case Today of 13-Year-Old Student Strip Searched for Ibuprofen

State Supreme Court Rules against Suspicionless Student Drug Testing

ACLU Challenges Unlawful Strip Search Over Ibuprofen Allegation In School

Advocates Stand Together for Fairness in Federal Sentencing

Senate Committee Hears Testimony on Need to Reform 100-to-1 Crack/Powder Federal Sentencing Disparity

Hawaii Governor Wrong that Demise of Random Drug Testing Program Puts Teacher Pay Raise at Risk

ACLU Responds to Mukasey?s Remarks on Federal Sentencing Guidelines

ACLU Applauds Hawaii Board of Education?s Rejection of Random Teacher Drug Testing and Condemns Governor?s Threat to Withhold Wages

   

More Civil Rights News

ACLU Report Documents Continued Racial Profiling Problems in Rhode Island; Calls for Changes in Police Practices

In Wake of Bell Shooting, NYCLU Protests NYPD Failure to Comply with Racial Profiling Reform Mandated After Diallo Shooting

ACLU of New Mexico Sues DEA, Police Officers for Roughing Up Amtrak Passengers

ACLU of New Mexico Files for Motion Against Local Police in Ongoing Discrimination Case

ACLU of Arkansas Calls on Justice Department to Investigate County Officer Over Harassment of African Americans

FBI's New Surveillance Plan Chills Religious and Political Activity, Bay Area Civil Rights Groups Warn

ACLU of New Jersey Sues Manalapan Police for Targeting African American Youths

Testimony By Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Office, Before the Democratic Party Platform Committee

ACLU Washington Director Asks Democratic Committee To Include Strong Stand for Civil Liberties in Party Platform

Civil Rights Articles

Two Individuals Indicted on Charges of Conspiracy and Bribery in Connection with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans Levee Reconstruction Project

DoD Employee Arrested for Filing a False Federal Tax Return

Former Qantas Airline Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty to Participating in Price-Fixing Conspiracy on Air Cargo Shipments

Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Consolidated Multiple Listing Service of South Carolina for Restraining Competition Among Real Estate Brokers

Justice Department Requires Divestitures in Regal Cinemas' Merger with Consolidated Theatres

Owner of Kansas City Computer Service Companies and Family Member Indicted in Scheme to Defraud Federal E-Rate Program

Two New Jersey Executives Agree to Plead Guilty in Nationwide Scheme to Defraud The Federal E-Rate Program

Former Bristol-Myers Squibb Senior Vice President Indicted for Lying to the Federal Government About Popular Blood-Thinning Drug

Canadian Night Vision Goggles Manufacturer and Two Executives Charged in Scheme to Defraud U.S. Military Procurement Unit for Iraq

   

Civil Rights Updates

Rochester Highway Products Company to Pay $375,000 to Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Razzoo's To Pay $1 Million For Sex Bias Against Men

Specialty Restaurants To Pay $625,000 For Sexual Harassment, Retaliation

Conectiv And Subcontractors To Pay $1.65 Million To Black Workers Who Were Racially Harassed

Sexual Harassment Verdict Upheld In Favor Of EEOC Against Ag Industry Giant Harris Farms

Wal-Mart To Pay $300,000 To Rejected Job Applicant With Disability

Renhill Staffing to Pay $580,000 to Settle EEOC Age, Race and Retaliation Suit

BCI Coca-Cola Bottling Co. To Pay $250,000 To Black Worker For Race Discrimination

EEOC Partners With Memphis CEOs To Address Race And Color Bias Issues

Latest Civil Rights Articles

California Supreme Court Rules Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Unconstitutional - NOW Says Equal Treatment is Overdue

House Passes Bill to Honor Woman Suffragist Leader Alice Paul with the Congressional Gold Medal

Abortion Around the World - Overview

NOW PAC Internet Campaign for Hillary Beats Projections

Get Ready for Mother's Day!

"Count Florida's Votes" Says National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (NOW PAC)

You're invited to an "I'm Ready for Hillary" Party in Indiana

Summit Brings Activists and Experts Together for Economic Justice

Republicans Block Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- But It's Not Over!

 

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Divaleesha....... that old saying is still true......why should a man buy the cow and have to care for it if he gets the milk for free?
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