According to documents uncovered by the Brennan Center, the NYPD showed a virulently anti-Muslim film to nearly 1,500 officers during its training curriculum, reports The New York Times. When the story first broke in January 2011 the NYPD said the film, "The Third Jihad," was shown only a "couple of times." "The NYPD plays a vital role in protecting all New Yorkers from terrorism. These documents raise important questions. They show the need for oversight of these activities," said the Brennan Center. Read all the documents here. Read the New York Times' follow-up story and editorial.
Protecting the Right to Vote in the Sunshine State
A Senate Judiciary Committee subcommittee held a hearing in Tampa Bay on Florida’s new election law. The Brennan Center submitted testimony stating that the law’s onerous restrictions on community-based voter registration drives are unconstitutional, and offered solutions for modernizing the state’s system. “By implementing common-sense reforms, Florida can ensure that more citizens are registered to vote while reducing burdens on election officials. These steps would not only boost Florida’s dismal voter registration rates, they would save the state money in the long run.”
Texas Sues to Implement Voter ID Law
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott filed a lawsuit Monday, asking the D.C. District Court to allow the state to implement its voter ID law, which the Department of Justice is currently reviewing. In November, the Brennan Center urged Attorney General Eric Holder to reject the law because “extensive statistical evidence to show that Texas’ newly-passed voter ID restrictions will disproportionately harm minority voting rights in the state.” The Justice Department recently denied this “preclearance” to South Carolina’s voter ID law.
Victory for Privacy Rights in GPS Tracking Case
In U.S. v. Jones, the Supreme Court unanimously rebuked warrantless GPS tracking, a major victory for privacy rights and the Fourth Amendment. Although the Justices differed on reasoning, there is no doubt that this practice is unconstitutional. Prior to oral argument in November, Michael Price explained why this case would be a “bellwether for the Court’s approach to privacy rights in the digital age.”
- Editorial: NYPD Bungled ‘Jihad’ Film
(Newsday, 01/27/12) - Can We Have a Democratic Election?
(The New York Review of Books, 01/27/12) - Over the Line
(WNYC The Brian Lehrer Show, 01/26/12) - NYC Police Chief Apologizes For Movie Interview
(Associated Press, 01/25/12) - Top NY Cop Regrets Role in Film Critical of Muslims
(Reuters, 01/25/12) - Modernize Florida’s Voting System
(Tampa Bay Times, 01/25/12) - Candidates Use Transparency as a Club
(Associated Press, 01/25/12) - NYPD Speaks About Use of Anti-Muslim Video
(The Takeaway, 01/25/12) - Editorial: Hateful Film
(The New York Times, 01/25/12) - Former Clinton Speechwriter Reacts to Obama’s State of the Union Address
(The Takeaway, 01/25/12)
What We’re Reading Today: Come Together
A daily round-up of quick hits, clips, and opinion pieces touching on key issues of democracy, justice, liberty and national security.
Former Representatives Voice Support for Public Financing
Two former New York congressman voiced their support for Governor Cuomo's plan to enact public financing in the state.
Obama Promises Foreclosure Assistance
The president announced an important new partnership, chaired by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, to investigate our nation's mortgage crisis.
Illustrations by Risko
Fighting Foreclosure
In this multi-part video series, homeowners speak about the devastating consequences of facing the loss of a home without an attorney. Based on interviews conducted around the country, the videos feature homeowners, legal aid lawyers, housing counselors, and community leaders.
Fighting Foreclosure: Why Legal Assistance Matters is a project of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and the National Coalition for the Civil Right to Counsel. The series was produced by Sarah P. Reynolds.
What We’re Reading Today: Come Together
A daily round-up of quick hits, clips, and opinion pieces touching on key issues of democracy, justice, liberty and national security.