What We’re Reading: a daily round-up of quick hits, clips, and opinion pieces touching on key issues of democracy, justice, liberty and national security.
The New York Times editorial board joins over 630,000 letters decrying the Georgia pardon and parole board’s refusal to grant clemency to Troy Davis, who is scheduled to be executed today.
House Democrats have introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
New York’s Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman is holding hearings on demand for legal aid services for the poor.
The White House released an open government action plan with new initiatives.
Senator Charles Schumer sent a letter to Attorney General Holder urging the Department of Justice to fully enforce the National Voter Registration Act.
Massachusetts lawmakers are discussing sentencing reforms, including eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent, low-level drug offenders, the Boston Globe reports.
AG Holder vows to close Guantanamo before Election Day, but Sabin Willett, a lawyer for Bingham McCutchen who has represented Guantanamo detainees, says the National Defense Authorization Act being considered in Congress would perpetuate the “war on terror” and require ongoing detention of enemy combatants.