Last week, I reported on the Bush administration's decision to abide by the Geneva Conventions, the New York gay marriage ruling, an Internet gambling ban, one state's state ruling allowing the possession of small amounts of marijuana, a Wiccan who was fired from her job for requesting a religious holiday, and five other U.S. civil liberties stories that made headlines. Here come ten more...
1. Senate Unanimously Approves Renewal of Voting Rights Act
In a pleasant surprise for civil rights advocates, the U.S. Senate unanimously (98-0) approved renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The U.S. House has already approved renewal, and President Bush hsa promised to sign the renewal act into law. The VRA will not be up for renewal again until the year 2032.See also: Congress Renews Voting Rights Act of 1965[/blockquote
2. FEMA Restricts Katrina Survivors' Access to the Press
The Baton Rouge Advocate has uncovered evidence that leaders of the much-maligned Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have decided to quietly deal with their public relations issues by prohibiting Katrina evacuees living in FEMA shelters from giving interviews to the press except when FEMA officials are present to monitor content.See also: FEMA a Disaster for Freedom of the Press (FAIR)[/blockquote
3. Report: U.S. Policies Discriminate Against Women
U.S. women's rights organizations have filed a shadow report with the U.N. Committee on Human Rights charging that the United States systematically violates the rights of women. Among other things, the U.S. Senate has refused to ratify a crucial U.N. women's rights resolution for 26 years.See also: U.S. Violates Women's Human Rights (Feministing)[/blockquote
4. Senate Approves National Sex Offender Registry Database
The Senate voted this week to approve the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which (among other things) establishes a national sex offender registry database. Adam, son of America's Most Wanted host John Walsh, was abducted and murdered in the early 1980s, sparking Walsh's crimefighting career. The bill may present civil liberties concerns, particularly if minor offenses (such as indecent exposure) warrant inclusion.See also: National Sex-Crime Registry to Become Law[/blockquote
5. Judge: Spygate Lawsuit Against AT&T Can Go Forward
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has filed a class-action lawsuit against AT&T for its possible role in the illegal NSA/Spygate domestic surveillance program. Although an attempt was made to block the suit based on national security concerns, a judge has cleared it to go forward.See also: EFF's Class Action Lawsuit Against AT&T (EFF)
6. U.S. House Rejects Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
The U.S. House voted 236-187 to approve the Federal Marriage Amendment blocking recognition of same-sex marriages, 52 votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed for passage. The amendment failed to pass in the Senate last month.See also: Four Reasons to Oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment and Support Gay Marriage[/blockquote
7. Senate Considers Bill Criminalizing Out-of-State Teen Abortion Clinic Access
Some states require pregnant teenagers to seek parental permission before obtaining an abortion, a difficult option for teenagers who live in abusive families, particularly those whose pregnancies are the result of incest. In these cases, relatives or friends have traditionally driven the pregnant teenager to a clinic out of state to have the procedure performed. A new Senate bill would punish these good samaritans with up to a year in prison.See also: Take Action: Teen Endangerment Act (NOW)[/blockquote
8. Las Vegas Passes Harsh Ban on Feeding the Homeless in Public Parks
Las Vegas city officials, concerned about the number of homeless citizens in the city's public parks and the effects that this might have on tourism, are attempting to drive the homeless away from these parks by taking aim at religious charities and other groups that offer food to the homeless. Anyone who gives food to a homeless person in a Las Vegas public park may now face up to six months in prison.See also: Las Vegas Makes It Illegal to Feed Homeless in Parks (Las Vegas Sun)[/blockquote
9. Connecticut Superior Court Denies Gay Marriage Appeal
The Connecticut Superior Court has ruled this week that the state's strong civil unions policy provides adequate protection for lesbian and gay couples, and that the state's constitution does not require the legislature to recognize full same-sex marriages. Gay rights advocates have promised to appeal.See also: Kerrigan and Mock v. Connecticut Department of Public Heath (GLAD)[/blockquote
10. North Carolina Anti-Cohabitation Law Struck Down
Last week, seven states still had unenforced laws on the books banning cohabitation between unmarried sexual partners. Now it's down to six, as a North Carolina court has struck down the state's anti-cohabitation law.See also: ACLU Wins Challenge to North Carolina's Cohabitation Ban (ACLU)[/blockquote
