Category Archives: Civil Rights

Philly Expands LGBT Rights, PA House/Senate Might

The struggle for equal human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Pennsylvania has seen significant developments this month. In the Pennsylvania Legislature, a bill has been introduced that would outlaw many forms of discrimination against LGBT people … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights, House of Representatives, LGBT / Gay Rights, Philadelphia and suburbs, Senate, State Government

Shut Up or Get Out: PA City Punishes Domestic Violence Victims Who Call the Police

Cross-posted with the gracious permission of ACLU’s Sandra Park, see original post here. Last year in Norristown, Pa., Lakisha Briggs’ boyfriend physically assaulted her, and the police arrested him. But in a cruel turn of events, a police officer then … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights, Health, Miscellany, Regional News, Social Services

After Announcing PA Gubernatorial Campaign, Allyson Schwartz “Punches the Hippies” on CISPA

“Punching the hippies” is a figure of speech I have picked up on from never missing MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show. Most recently used by Rachel to describe President Obama’s proposal to effectively cut Social Security benefits, “punching the hippies” … More after the jump

Posted in Campaign Finance and the Influence Game, Civil Rights, Elections, Governor Corbett, Philadelphia and suburbs, State Government

Governor Corbett Signs Executive Order Legalizing Marijuana

APRIL 1ST – Late yesterday evening, Governor Tom Corbett stunned both liberals and conservatives alike when he drafted and signed an executive order that legal experts believe legalizes the possession, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana, commonly referred to as “weed.”

Posted in Budget/Taxes/Spending, Civil Rights, Governor Corbett, Health Tagged

America the Segregated

If you read one long form web article this week make it ProPublica’s authoritative piece, by Nikole Hannah-Jones, on segregation in America and the unfulfilled promise of the Fair Housing Act. The article is packed with revealing facts about the political cowardice … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights, Education, Elections, National Politics, Social Services Tagged , , , , , ,

Terrence WIlliams Spared From Execution for Now

Excellent news: Five days before his execution, a state judge found that prosecutors withheld evidence from Williams’ capital murder trial in 1986, including evidence the victim in that case was molesting teen boys. Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina tossed … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights

Terrance Williams Denied Clemency

Randy LoBasso brings the bad news: Convicted, condemned murderer Terrance Williams lost his clemency bid yesterday when the five member clemency board did not vote to unanimously spare his life. Clemens murdered Mt. Airy churchman Amos Norwood in 1984 during, … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights

Help Stop the Execution of Terry Williams

A friend emails: As you know, I worked at the Philadelphia Federal Community Defender this summer, in the Capital Habeas Unit – working on behalf of death row inmates to lessen their sentences to life in prison instead of death. … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights

PA Government Basically a Total Sausage Party

Even though more than half the people in Pennsylvania are women, only 17% of the state’s legislative seats are held by women. Add to this the fact of Tom Corbett’s bro-dominated cabinet, and it’s not so surprising that women are … More after the jump

Posted in Budget/Taxes/Spending, Civil Rights

Bellevue Bans Barbecue

Messing with the people’s right to barbecue on their own property is Unamerican, plain and simple. Fred Mullner nails it on the Bellevue Barbecue Ban: You cannot make this stuff up. Seriously. Here’s Bellevue. It’s a little borough northwest of … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights