Salem-News.com Civil Rights articles Page 8

Media Urged to Drop Term `Islamist` in New Year

Term 'currently used in an almost exclusively pejorative context'

(WASHINGTON DC) - As many people make promises to themselves to improve their lives or their societies in the coming year, here is a suggested New Year's resolution for media outlets in America and worldwide: Drop the term "Islamist."

The Associated Press (AP) added the term to its influential Stylebook in 2012. That entry reads: "Islamist -- Supporter of government in accord with the laws of Islam.

Texas Schools Punish Students who Refuse to be Tracked with Microchips

Students who refuse to walk the school halls with the card in their pocket or around their neck claim they are being tormented by instructors, and are barred from participating in certain school functions.

(SAN ANTONIO RTV) - A school district in Texas came under fire earlier this year when it announced that it would require students to wear microchip-embedded ID cards at all times.

`Men Freed After Wrongful Imprisonment!` Why This Headline Isn`t Nearly Common Enough

Author Michelle Gesse, says there are more innocent people locked in prison than you might expect.

(BOULDER, CO) - It seems fair to assume that false accusations, and especially false convictions, would be very rare in this age of high technology.

University of Michigan`s CSG Proposes Limitations on Community Concerns

“By trying to silence the only voices who bring these atrocities to you … you are doing nobody any favors” - Mozhgan Savabieasfahani

(ANN ARBOR Michigan Daily) - The Central Student Government proposed a resolution Tuesday night that would effectively end several years of attendance and speeches by an anti-Israel group at assembly meetings.

New Federal Lawsuit Filed Against NYPD for Occupy Arrests

PCJF Challenges Unlawful Police Tactics, Sidewalk Arrests, Orange Netting Corral, Insp. Bologna's Pepper Spray Attack.

(NEW YORK) - The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF) has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging the New York Police Department’s use of sidewalk arrests.

The group says persons are targeted for false arrest based on their association with or proximity to dissent and protest.

Rwanda: 3 Opponents in Prison, Nominated for the Sakharov Prize of the European Parliament 2012

Past winners of this award are including Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.

(BRUSSELS) - Three opponents of the RPF regime currently in power in Rwanda were nominated by 42 MEPs for the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2012 of the European Parliament.

Umuhoza Victoire Ingabire, Bernard Ntaganda and Deogratias Mushyayidi, all three are currently imprisoned in Kigali and should know the result around 10 December.

US/Pennsylvania: Commute Terrance Williams` Death Sentence

William Nicholas Gomes appeals for the life of a death row inmate in Pennsylvania.

(SALEM) - How could it be that the U.S. state known for its role in the Revolutionary War, be a national embarrassment with regard to courtroom practices?

Pennsylvania is the only U.S. state that does not inform juries that the alternative to a death sentence is life without parole.

INDIA/PAKISTAN: Remove the Abnormal Visa Restrictions to Ensure Right to Travel and Trade

William Gomes contacts top officials in two Asian countries over visas and trade

(SALEM) - There are many basic Human Rights, like the Right of Return, that are denied people every day, particularly those who were born in India and Pakistan.

In his appeal to the Prime Ministers of both countries, our Human Rights Ambassador William Nicholas Gomes these political leaders that citizens demand the right to visit their families across the border in 'the other country'

Legislation Would Help Prevent Wrongful Convictions

The Innocence Project urges Congress to act quickly.

(WASHINGTON DC) - Lawmakers in both houses of Congress introduced legislation to help prevent wrongful convictions.

Proposed changes would bring reliable, science-based standards to forensic evidence.

Interfaith Freedom March/Dialogue, November West Bank, Jerusalem

It’s time we all do something about it, in an effective, non-violent way.

(BETHLEHEM) - My friends, it’s no longer possible to say, “Ah, that’s the other side of the World, what does this place have to do with me, my family, my world….”.

The people in the Holy Land, Muslims, Jews and Christians alike, are enshrouded by deep suffering, terrible restrictions on freedoms, limitation of circulation, restricted access, unfair confiscation of land, etc.