In Jacksonville, Fla., 12-year-old Cristian Fernandez is facing charges of homicide and aggravated child abuse in the adult criminal justice system. If convicted, Cristian will receive the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Culminating a three-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a scathing report finding that Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office has committed a wide range of federal civil rights violations as part of a pattern of unconstitutional racial profiling and discrimination aimed at Latinos.
The SPLC will partner with the Native American Disability Law Center in Farmington, N.M., and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, Fla., as part of a campaign to keep children in school and out of the juvenile justice system.
The most damning proof that Alabama’s anti-immigrant law was born of xenophobia and vile stereotypes comes straight from the mouths of the lawmakers behind it.
By Ebony Howard, Staff Attorney/Juvenile Justice Policy Specialist
12/13/2011
Every single day, when students walk into school in Birmingham, Ala., they face the threat of being sprayed with pepper spray. In this school system, pepper spray is routinely used as punishment by police officers stationed in schools.
A federal judge today temporarily blocked a provision of Alabama’s notorious anti-immigrant law that threatened to push families out of their homes if they couldn’t prove their lawful status.
The Southern Poverty Law Center called on the Birmingham, Ala. community to demand that city officials stop allowing police officers to use Mace against students in Birmingham’s public schools.
The federal district court in Montgomery temporarily blocked a section of Alabama anti-immigrant law HB 56 that threatens to push families who cannot prove lawful status out of their homes. A civil rights coalition filed a lawsuit challenging this application of Section 30, which demands ‘papers’ for everyone applying for mobile home tags they need to remain in their homes.
Injustice in Florida: 12-Year-Old Child Being Prosecuted as Adult
In Jacksonville, Fla., 12-year-old Cristian Fernandez is facing charges of homicide and aggravated child abuse in the adult criminal justice system. If convicted, Cristian will receive the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
DOJ Finds Discriminatory Policing in Maricopa County, Ariz.
Culminating a three-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a scathing report finding that Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office has committed a wide range of federal civil rights violations as part of a pattern of unconstitutional racial profiling and discrimination aimed at Latinos.
SPLC Announces Partnerships to Prevent Student Dropout, Incarceration
The SPLC will partner with the Native American Disability Law Center in Farmington, N.M., and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, Fla., as part of a campaign to keep children in school and out of the juvenile justice system.
Court Cites Discriminatory Intent Behind Alabama's Anti-Immigrant Law
The most damning proof that Alabama’s anti-immigrant law was born of xenophobia and vile stereotypes comes straight from the mouths of the lawmakers behind it.
Help Stop the Use of Pepper Spray on Students in Birmingham, Ala., Schools
Alabama’s Anti-Immigrant Law Dealt Yet Another Major Blow
A federal judge today temporarily blocked a provision of Alabama’s notorious anti-immigrant law that threatened to push families out of their homes if they couldn’t prove their lawful status.
Southern Poverty Law Center Calls on Birmingham to Defend Students
The Southern Poverty Law Center called on the Birmingham, Ala. community to demand that city officials stop allowing police officers to use Mace against students in Birmingham’s public schools.
Testimony Before Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence
SPLC deputy legal director Sheila Bedi testified before a national task force about violence and abuse in the juvenile justice system.
Federal District Court Halts Alabama Law's Discriminatory Housing Practice
The federal district court in Montgomery temporarily blocked a section of Alabama anti-immigrant law HB 56 that threatens to push families who cannot prove lawful status out of their homes. A civil rights coalition filed a lawsuit challenging this application of Section 30, which demands ‘papers’ for everyone applying for mobile home tags they need to remain in their homes.
Testimony Before Congressional Ad Hoc HB56 Hearing
SPLC legal director Mary Bauer testified before the Congressional Ad Hoc Hearing on HB56 in Birmingham today.