Discrimination

WASHINGTON, Friday, July 18, 2008 — The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against the City of Ecorse, Mich., alleging that the city discriminated against two women formerly employed in the city clerk’s office by subjecting them to sexual harassment by their supervisor that created a hostile work environment.    » read more »

Rights of Taxpayers To Challenge Government Funding Of Religion At Stake

7/17/2008 -- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a brief today in a federal appeals court urging the court to allow a discrimination lawsuit to go forward on behalf of a lesbian who was fired from her job at a publicly-funded Baptist group home in Kentucky. The home for vulnerable children required the woman to observe its religious belief that being a lesbian is sinful. The brief also charges that taxpayers should be able to challenge the state of Kentucky's decision to give public funds to a home that imposes its religious beliefs upon the children in its care.    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today issued the following statement to mark the anniversary of the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972:

“Title IX has unlocked doors and created opportunities for millions of women in America. In the 36 years since Title IX’s enactment, there has been a massive increase in the number of women participating in high school and college sports.    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- DNC Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Women's Caucus Chair Mame Reiley today issued the following statement marking the 36th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX, which outlaws sex discrimination in educational programs. After the passage of Title IX in 1972, today more than 2.7 million girls participate in athletics in high school according to the U.S. Dept. of Education. [Feminist Majority Foundation Website, accessed 6/18/08]    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement to commemorate the 36th Anniversary of Title IX.

"Thirty-six years ago today, America took a bold step forward on the long march toward justice and equality when Congress enacted Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, banning gender discrimination in all education programs that receive federal money.

Barack Obama in New Mexico: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- Reverend John Hagee today apologized for his offensive comments about Catholics. Despite spending a year courting Hagee's endorsement and refusing to distance himself from the controversial pastor, John McCain reportedly played no role in the apology. McCain has repeatedly refused to publicly denounce Hagee's discriminatory comments about women, African-Americans, America Muslims or LGBT Americans or renounce Hagee's endorsement.

John McCain in front of his campaign bus, the "Straight Talk Express": Photo by Howie Luvzus (CC)    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today issued an executive order directing his administration to take significant steps to reduce racial disparities in Wisconsin’s justice system. Governor Doyle called for swift action to implement specific recommendations presented by his Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in the Wisconsin Justice System.    » read more »

May 11, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed into law Senate Bill 604, An Act Concerning Hate Crimes, which strengthens state law by making it a crime to display a noose as a way of harassing or threatening someone.

“Connecticut simply will not tolerate bigotry or racism,” Governor Rell said. “Let this bill send that message loud and clear. Using a noose – a symbol of the racially motivated lynchings during the late 19th and first half of the 20th century – to intimidate anyone because of their race or any other characteristic is a repugnant and cowardly act. No one should be subject to that kind of treatment.    » read more »

In 2000, Congress passed a provision requiring the SBA to award 5% of contracts to women owned businesses

May 1, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to the head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), Steven Preston, objecting to the SBA's proposed rule, entitled Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Assistance procedures, which would do little or nothing to rectify the underrepresentation of and discrimination against women owned businesses in government contracting awards.

Senator Barack Obama: Photo by abbyladybug (CC)    » read more »

(As Prepared for Delivery)

April 24, 2008 -- Today, the Senate is considering the first major new civil rights bill of the new century. Five years ago this week, we celebrated a milestone that once seemed unimaginable – the completion of the Human Genome Project, which sequenced and mapped all of the genes in the human body. This Friday is “DNA Day,” when we pay tribute to this amazing accomplishment, which was the dawn of a new era in the life sciences.    » read more »

April 24, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate's passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (H.R. 493):

"I am proud the Senate passed landmark legislation today to protect all Americans from discrimination by insurance companies and employers on the basis of our genetics. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act will strengthen our privacy and civil rights protections in this new century of medical breakthroughs.

Automated DNA analyzers: Photo by Steve Jurvetson (CC)    » read more »

(As Prepared for Delivery)

April 21, 2008 -- Mr. President, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will ensure that the bipartisan equal pay laws enacted by overwhelming majorities in Congress do what they are supposed to do -- protect workers against pay discrimination.

Until last May, companies shortchanging workers because of gender, age, race, national origin, religion, or disability could be held accountable as long as the discrimination continued, no matter when the discrimination began. Unfortunately, in a 5-4 decision last May, the Supreme Court misconstrued the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the clear intent of Congress.    » read more »

Press Reports Signal Department Attorney Fired Unlawfully

WASHINGTON -- April 9, 2008 – Responding to press reports about the dismissal of a Department of Justice attorney, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday sent a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey asking that he ensure that Department of Justice managers are aware of laws and policies against discrimination and intimidation.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey being sworn in at Senate Judiciary Committee hearing: Photo by Talk Radio News Service (CC)    » read more »

March 05, 2008 -- BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office obtained a judgment against Thomas Dooley, III, a Beacon Hill real estate broker and his company, Y2K Realty, Inc. dba Louisburg Properties, which resolves claims that he and his company violated state antidiscrimination laws by discriminating against a prospective tenant who had a housing subsidy. The judgment, entered late yesterday by Judge Bruce R.    » read more »

February 28, 2008 -- While Senator John McCain pledged on Wednesday to treat his opponents "with respect" and said that as the nominee he would "make sure that everyone within my party knows that this has got to be a respectful debate," the Republican National Committee is testing how far it can go in attacks against a potential woman or African American opponent. [Los Angeles Times, 2/28/08; Politico, 2/24/08]    » read more »