Entries Tagged 'Civil Rights' ↓

HCR 2065 amended to create domestic partnerships; opponents object
 
Phoenix, Ariz. – Equality Arizona lauded the decision of Arizona legislators today to add pro-equality language to a proposed amendment to constitutionally define marriage, effectively blocking final passage of the bill.  By a 28-27 vote, the Arizona House of Representatives amended HCR 2065 to include the creation of domestic partnerships, a concept that proponents of the marriage amendment oppose.
 
State Representative Kyrsten Sinema (D-15) championed the effort to amend the bill.  Four Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the Sinema amendment.
 
Equality Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones released the following statement:
 
‘Today’s vote is a win for Arizona families.  Thanks to the leadership of Representative Kyrsten Sinema, our friends and our allies, we are now able to focus on the issues that unite the people of Arizona.

‘Equality Arizona celebrates today’s decision with the thousands of people who called on the Legislature to stop this divisive measure.  We remain committed to promoting public policy that strengthens Arizona’s children and families.’

Listen to these lyrics closely… Don’t hate on the man… this is revolutionary!!!

A man by the name of Ward Connerly wants to put his initiative on the Arizona ballot this November–an initiative which is designed to dismantle all of Arizona’s equal opportunity programs that address race and gender barriers in public education, public employment and public contracting.

Right now, Connerly is trying to get the Arizona Legislature to pass HCR 2041. If it passes, Connerly would get his anti-equal opportunity initiative on the ballot this November “for free”-meaning he would not be required to gather the 300,000 signatures that are needed to get on the Arizona ballot.

Connerly is a former Board of Regent in California who works to eliminate equal opportunity programs in states around the country. He has already destroyed equal opportunity in California, Michigan, and Washington. This year, he has targeted Arizona.

Why should we fight HCR 2041? Continue reading →

Wanted to make sure you all saw this.  Very in-depth article, but even more powerful is the comments in this article: Who can best whup Andy Thomas’ tuchis, Gerald Richard or Tim Nelson?

Last week, a secret recording emerged of a disturbing speech by Oklahoma Representative Sally Kern stating that homosexuality is a bigger threat to our nation than “terrorism or Islam.” Rep. Kern has refused to apologize for her remarks.

Hateful speech by elected officials must not be tolerated – especially when hate crimes based on religion and sexual orientation are on the rise.

Take action here: link

Tell Oklahoma’s Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tempore to publicly condemn Rep. Kern’s statements.

UNITED IN 2008

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008

Join your fellow Progressives from around the state as we lobby together for the values we share: fairness, equality, opportunity, justice, a cleaner environment and a better life for ourselves and our families.

Sponsored by a Coalition of Progressive Organizations: Arizona Advocacy Network, Arizona Business & Professional Women, Arizona National Organization for Women, Center for Progressive Leadership, Equality Arizona, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix and Planned Parenthood Arizona

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W Washington St in Phoenix

Come from 10am to 1:30pm for lobbying, lunch and engaging speakers or…

Come from noon to 1:30pm for lunch and engaging speakers

You’re welcome to stay after 1:30pm if you’d like to view a committee hearing or visit with your legislators - staff and volunteers will be on hand to guide you.

IT’S YOUR CHOICE Free lunch and refreshments will be provided. For more information or to sign up as a participating organization or to RSVP, contact Sam Holdren at (602) 650-0900 or samh@equalityarizona.org.

Marshall Adame

What has become of American government? What has become of us?

Politics in America has always been a “them” and “Us” sort of event. We have so many different outlooks and avenues of expression and thought. Political philosophy, social engagement, citizen responsibility to government, as opposed to government obligation to its citizens, political correctness and how it effects our societal morays and values is today, as always, wonderfully debated and the list goes on; yet somehow those differences have helped to make us the great people we are, which has in turn forged the social Democratic miracle America still is today.

Opposing thought and spectrums, with a shared love of county, liberty, freedom and rule of law have been the hallmark of American political discourse. We all love this county and our opposing thoughts, with few exceptions, have never really challenged that principle.

I still hold back the tears when I hear the Marine Corps hymn and unashamedly jump to my feet and stand at attention when old glory passes;…. And yet something has changed. Something has begun to change us as a people….Even I have changed.

Fear has gripped us as a nation. Tragically, some of that fear is of design by our own President and those Republicans and Democrats who abide his course. President Bush displays an almost total disregard for the “Rule of Law” in America while praising the repressed peoples in the world for seeking it in their own society. Continue reading →

Habeas Funeral (White House),
originally uploaded by kspidel.

We did! Here are some photos from our White House action today. Find out more and take action http://86days.amnestyusa.org

One year ago today, Congress passed the Military Commissions Act. With it, founding principles of the U.S. Constitution were discarded in the name of fighting terror. The Act made it lawful to hold prisoners indefinitely without charge or trial, to assume guilt before innocence, to blur the definition of torture, and to use information obtained through brutal treatment as “evidence.” Other governments, including the British during America’s founding, have tried to exert control in similar ways. It didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now.

Is America safer when we undo the Constitution? Those with first-hand experience of torture, such as Senator John McCain, believe it is not only wrong but counter-productive. This and other abuses erode America’s moral standing in the world. Strong evidence suggests that they even serve as a recruiting tool for those using terror and provide convenient cover for anyone else abusing human rights.

Making the world a safer place requires consistent and universal respect for human rights. Join Amnesty International in insisting that Congress return America to its core constitutional principles of justice by overturning the Military Commissions Act, granting fair and timely trials, treating detainees humanely and reinstating habeas corpus - the right to challenge one’s detention in court.

Strengthen America’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. It’s up to people like us to demand it. Take action at http://www.amnestyusa.org