Civil rights news covering discrimination cases, equality legislation, voting rights, civil liberties, and social justice movements in America.
Gloria Steinem, a pioneering figure in second-wave feminism who co-founded Ms. magazine and the National Women's Political Caucus, has died at age 92. Her official Instagram account confirmed she passed away peacefully at her New York City home on Wednesday, surrounded by loved ones. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, praised Steinem as a friend and mentor.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, honored feminist icon Gloria Steinem following the activist's death at age 92 in New York City. Meghan described Steinem as a friend and mentor who helped shape opportunities for women. Tributes also came from Hillary Clinton, Jill Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Katherine Clark, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, and president Barack Obama.
Survivors of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre filed a class action in the Gauteng High Court against the South African government, seeking to repeal the Indemnity Act 61 of 1961. Lawyers for Human Rights represent three plaintiffs, with over 70 survivors and relatives expressing support for the litigation.
Enes Kanter Freedom filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois seeking damages for his removal and indefinite ban from Wintrust Arena. He alleges First Amendment violations after being ejected for wearing a shirt defining womanhood, while owner Michael Alter emphasized that fans must follow league rules upon purchasing tickets.
The U.S. Education Department quietly published the 2023-24 Civil Rights Data Collection this week, months past its deadline. The data reveals disparities in student treatment based on race and disability. The Office for Civil Rights has been cut by half and is being moved to the Justice Department.
An immigrant rights coalition filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's use of government databases for voter eligibility verification. Plaintiffs argue the practice targets naturalized citizens based on unsubstantiated claims that over 190,000 California voters may be noncitizens and lacks congressional authorization.
The U.S. Department of Justice overruled federal prosecutors, preventing civil rights charges against ICE agent Christian Castro for the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans stated the decision was directed by Main Justice, limiting prosecution to false statement charges. Castro was arrested in Texas following a nationwide warrant.
This commentary contends that Islamophobia remains a persistent feature of American politics, particularly during election cycles rather than solely after terrorist attacks. It cites recent political attacks on Muslim candidates like Abdul El-Sayed and Zohran Mamdani as evidence that anti-Muslim sentiment continues to be weaponized for partisan gain.
The piece argues that Gloria Steinem witnessed a significant backlash against her feminist vision following the overturning of Roe v Wade. It contends that reproductive rights have become central to culture wars, with conservative movements blaming feminism for social changes while challenging the gains of the late 1960s movement.
A Chinese-American law professor warned the community to be alarmed after a Chinese national died in ICE custody in the Northern Mariana Islands. He characterized the incident as an attack on the existence of Asian-Americans, arguing that negative perceptions of Chinese immigration inevitably affect US citizens of Chinese ancestry.