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Enforcing Civil Rights at the Local Level: A Community-Based Approach

Enforcing Civil Rights at the Local Level: A Community-Based Approach. Pathways to Respecting American Indian Civil Rights Denver, CO July 2012. JOHN F DULLES.

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Enforcing Civil Rights at the Local Level: A Community-Based Approach

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  1. Enforcing Civil Rights at the Local Level: A Community-Based Approach Pathways to Respecting American Indian Civil Rights Denver, CO July 2012 JOHN F DULLES

  2. MEANINGFUL, LASTING AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF DISCRIMINATION ARE BEST ACHIEVED THROUGH LOCAL CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION

  3. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT Achieving change through collective action by altering the balance of power Examples: civil rights, labor and anti-war movements

  4. ISSUES OF DISCRIMINATION • Denial of Rights of Indigenous Peoples • Disrespecting Tribal Sovereignty • Culture and Language Discrimination • Public Accommodations • Environmental Justice • Economic and Consumer Exploitation • Denial of Full Political and Voting Rights • Racial Profiling/ Law Enforcement and Justice System • Employment, Health, Housing, Public Services • Education • Gender and Sexual Orientation/ Hate Crimes

  5. INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY • Identify the problems/issues • Define realistic and achievable goals • Develop concise, coherent, and positive message • Create a strategic plan and an action plan • Do your research, know your facts – be an expert • Collaborate and partner with other organizations • Build leadership, community support and broad-based constituency • Engage elected officials and institutional leaders • Sponsor public forums and participate in legislative and political process • Bring public pressure – be persistent

  6. SOME CAUTIONS • Never rely on one approach/be flexible • Accommodation and compromise are often necessary • Work within the parameters of what is possible within your community…but always try to push to expand those boundaries • Avoid Anger – Maintain Civility • Seek success - not martyrdom

  7. USE EXISTING LAWS • Freedom of Information Act/Open Records/Open Meetings/Government in Sunshine • International and tribal laws and forums • Civil Rights statutes • Conditions and requirements governing grants/contracts • Study available information: budgets, proposals, policies, reports and other documents • Conduct community-based compliance reviews • Make institutions play by their own rules • File substantive complaints of discrimination • Use congressional, legal and advocacy resources to increase clout • Testify at legislative hearings – engage oversight committees • Participate in regulatory rule-making process

  8. MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS • Traditional: newspapers/radio/television • News releases/press conferences/letters to editor/editorial boards • Social Media: Face Book, Twitter, etc • Websites/email list serves/blogs/text messages/YouTube • Powwows, Conferences, other public events • BE DISCIPLINED AND STAY ON MESSAGE

  9. FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT The most effective civil rights law ever enacted • Section 2: Nationwide prohibition against voting practices that discriminate; prohibits both intentional discrimination and practices that are shown to have a racially discriminatory impact • Section 5 (Pre-Clearance): Freezes changes in election practices in certain jurisdictions prior to determination that they are not discriminatory • Sections 3 and 8: Authorizes federal government to assign federal observers to monitor polling places • Other provisions require certain jurisdictions to provide bilingual materials and other assistance to language minority voters • All jurisdictions must assist disabled voters or voters who cannot read or write

  10. WHAT TO DO? • Examine election structures and voting systems • Do they discriminate or dilute minority voting? • Is there evidence of racially-polarized voting? • Challenge at-large election systems • Encourage citizens to register and VOTE! • Take Direct Political Action

  11. Voter Suppression 180 Measures introduced in 41 states since 2011 to restrict voting rights • Requirement for government-issued photo I.D. • Requirement for Proof of Citizenship • Purges of Voter Registration rolls • Restrictive rules for voter registration drives • Shortening early voting periods • Restrictive Rules for Student Voting • Disenfranchisement of ex-felons • Disinformation about voting process • Elimination of mail ballots for voters deemed “not active” 5+ Million Potential eligible voters may not be allowed to vote!

  12. CONTACT INFORMATION John F. Dulles Former Regional Director U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Human Rights Training and Consultancy 14142 McKay Park Circle Broomfield, CO 80023 johnfdulles2@gmail.com 720-304-8734 720-334-0084 (cell)

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