Recent news and analysis on Civil Rights
Civil rights news covering discrimination cases, equality legislation, voting rights, civil liberties, and social justice movements in America.
Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil filed a civil rights lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging deliberate indifference to harassment against pro-Palestinian students. The suit claims the university violated Title VI by suspending the Palestine Working Group and labeling it hostile after October 7, seeking damages and reinstatement. Khalil is simultaneously fighting deportation efforts expected to reach the US Supreme Court.
Chad Baker-Mazara sued USC and coach Eric Musselman, alleging a racially charged rant led to his dismissal and NIL termination. The lawsuit claims Musselman removed Baker-Mazara from the team after NCAA tournament elimination to avoid paying the remainder of his NIL contract. USC stated the dismissal was based on multiple considerations unrelated to race and intends to defeat the action in court.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson is scheduled to appear on ESPN's SportsCenter to discuss the Protect College Sports Act. The bill includes revenue-sharing caps and HBCU infrastructure grants, but Johnson criticized it as a political trade-off suppressing athlete compensation.
Representative Ayanna Pressley is introducing the Survivors' Rights Restitution Act to create a fund for victims of sexual violence, particularly those abused by Jeffrey Epstein. The legislation proposes minimum payouts of $123,000 to address financial burdens resulting from alleged federal failures to protect survivors.
The commentary argues that Colin Kaepernick’s initial impact on racial justice was limited, suggesting his true significance lay in his personal commitment and education rather than immediate systemic change. It highlights his study of historical Black athletes who faced similar repercussions for activism.
The Trump administration has joined a lawsuit to halt Evanston, Illinois' pioneering reparations program for Black residents. The Justice Department argues the initiative violates the Constitution's equal protection clause by distributing funds based on race.
A report reveals one in five black, Asian and minority ethnic managers in England intend to leave the NHS within three years due to discrimination. The survey of 950 managers highlights widespread racism and career barriers, warning of a significant loss of senior talent despite recent diversity gains.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board reports that the Justice Department found UC Berkeley Law School violated Title VI by using race preferences in admissions post-2023 Supreme Court ruling. The commentary suggests this outcome was unsurprising given the institution's continued practices despite legal prohibitions.
Frank LoMonte argues that "one board" policies, which forbid government officials from publicly dissenting after votes, violate the First Amendment. He contends these measures create feigned unanimity and suppress free speech, citing examples from school boards in Michigan and other jurisdictions across the United States.
The article contends that Columbia University failed to protect Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from harassment and retaliation, leading to his immigration detention. It outlines Khalil's lawsuit alleging deliberate indifference by administrators and contextualizes the case within broader tensions regarding pro-Palestinian activism on campus.