Tag Archive for "civil rights"

Obama admin refuses to veto detainee bill in a snub to human rights

President Barack Obama’s recent decision to not veto a controversial defense spending bill is troubling to many advocates for civil rights, human rights and the rule of law. The House of Representatives voted to pass the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bill that contains harmful provisions that some legislators have said could authorize the U.S. military to pick up and imprison without charge or trial civilians, including American citizens, anywhere in the world.

The defense spending bill codifies indefinite detention without trial into US law and further expands the military’s role in holding terrorism suspects. Earlier, the Obama administration had threatened to veto the 2012 NDAA over these controversial detainee provisions, but on December 14, it issued ...

President Barack Obama’s recent decision to not veto a controversial defense spending bill is troubling to many advocates for civil rights, human rights and the rule of law. The House of Representatives voted to pass the ...

By zerlina • 14 years ago

MLK memorial unveiled this weekend on the National Mall

On April 19, 1965, a special guest came over to my mother’s house for dinner. My mom celebrated her 10th birthday on this day. All of her 5 siblings and cousins were excited for the special dinner guest. No one seemed to be as excited as my mom that she was officially double digits! The special dinner guest stepped through the front door and approached my mom to hand her a crisp $1 dollar bill for her birthday. The family then went into the dining room for a delicious meal of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. My mom looked at the man strangely as he motioned to put ketchup (yes ketchup) on his mashed potatoes. ...

On April 19, 1965, a special guest came over to my mother’s house for dinner. My mom celebrated her 10th birthday on this day. All of her 5 siblings and cousins were excited for the ...

By Lori Adelman • 15 years ago

Today, honoring the legacies of two civil rights leaders

On this day in 1968, 43 years ago, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was murdered at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. He was just 39.

Also today, the new Malcolm X biography is being released. Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention, has caused quite a stir, and even moreso after the death of the author and Columbia University professor Manning Marable, who considered redefining the legacy of Malcolm X to be his life’s work. His biography seems to be poised to do just that: it contains claims that would drastically change our historical understanding of the man, including the claim that two of his assassins are alive and well ...

On this day in 1968, 43 years ago, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was murdered at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. He was just 39.

Also today, the new Malcolm ...

By Vanessa • 15 years ago

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, commemorating the birth of this incredible movement-builder and reminding ourselves of the continuing struggle to achieve a more just world. He would have been 82 years old this Saturday.

Today, Martin Luther King III, the Reverend’s son and president and CEO of The King Center, will be commemorating today at Ebenezer Baptist Church (where MLK preached from 1960 to his death in 1968), addressing the tragic events in Tuscon, Arizona that left 6 dead and Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition — and the need for his father’s message during this difficult time. I thought this quote of his was fitting:

Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political ...

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, commemorating the birth of this incredible movement-builder and reminding ourselves of the continuing struggle to achieve a more just world. He would have been 82 years old this ...