Category: Advocacy & Activism

Don’t be Duped the Ryan Immigration Bill WILL NOT End Family Separation

June 16, 2018

No, the Ryan Immigration Bill Would Not End Family Separation at the Border! Instead, It Would Prolong Detention of Children in Poor Conditions, End Decades Old Law That Protects Refugees Seeking Protection However Senator Feinstein needs 3 more Republican Senators to sign onto Senate Bill 3036 to keep families together: please contact your Republican Senators and tell … More Don’t be Duped the Ryan Immigration Bill WILL NOT End Family Separation

Trump Administration’s Separation of Families is more than Child Abuse

June 15, 2018

While the President of American Academy of Pediatricians calls out  Family Separation as “Nothing Less than Government-Sanctioned Child Abuse”, I call it another step along the path of the Nazi trajectory of 1939! Last night, as detention centers reached capacity, filled with kids ripped from their parents, the administration announced that it will open the first … More Trump Administration’s Separation of Families is more than Child Abuse

California Bill to Establish June as Pride Month Passes Senate Committee

June 13, 2018

SACRAMENTO—Legislation to establish June as Pride Month in statute passed the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization yesterday by a bipartisan vote of 9-0. Assembly Bill 2969 is authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), Chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, and co-authored by all members of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus. AB 2969 is … More California Bill to Establish June as Pride Month Passes Senate Committee

Attorney General Sessions Attempts to Close the Door to Women Asylum Seekers

June 11, 2018

San Francisco, CA (June 11, 2018) – Today Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a deeply disappointing decision in an attempt to erode protections for domestic violence survivors and others who look to the United States for refuge. Invoking a rarely utilized power, Sessions reversed the Board of Immigration Appeals’ grant of asylum to a Salvadoran … More Attorney General Sessions Attempts to Close the Door to Women Asylum Seekers

The Trump family separation policy death toll

June 11, 2018

Tragedy Strikes and Outrage Mounts Over the Trump Administration’s Cruelty Link: http://bit.ly/2HEzDts Over the weekend, Nick Miroff of the Washington Post reported on the devastating story of Marco Antonio Muñoz, a Honduran father who was evidently so distraught about being separated from his wife and child as a result of the Trump Administration’s “zero tolerance” … More The Trump family separation policy death toll

Statements on SCOTUS Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision

June 10, 2018

On June 4, in the case known as Masterpiece Cakeshop, the United States Supreme Court ruled against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for not, in the Court’s view, taking a more neutral stance on religious beliefs.  This is a limited ruling which only addressed the actions of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.  However this could … More Statements on SCOTUS Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision

Condemn Trump’s Cruel Separation of Babies from Moms – Join National Day of Action for Children

May 30, 2018

African Human Rights Coalition condemns the Trump administration assault on immigrants and asylum seekers: The Trump Administration has escalated the separation of families at the border, at great cost to the wellbeing and health of infants, toddlers, children and families. This insidious attempt to deter lawful immigration thwarts the intent of U.S. law, which is to grant asylum to … More Condemn Trump’s Cruel Separation of Babies from Moms – Join National Day of Action for Children

American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

May 29, 2018

American Family Watch International (FWI)  Misuses its UN Status to Preach Abstinence Trying to Stop Sex Education under the Guise of Sexualization of Children. United States rightwing forces, helmed by Family Watch International and its President Sharon Slater, are exerting their colonialist muscle to prevent and inhibit sex education to Africa’s youth. The ignorant propagandist … More American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

Outrage Over Trump Policy Mounts as DHS Separates Children from Parents

May 29, 2018

Washington, DC – Nationwide, observers are castigating the Trump administration’s inhumane policy of separating children from their parents. As David Leopold, Partner and Chair of Immigration for Ulmer & Berne and former President of American Immigration Lawyers Association, explained in an interview with MSNBC’s Katy Tur: “What we have going on at the border and … More Outrage Over Trump Policy Mounts as DHS Separates Children from Parents

TLDEF Applauds Decision in Gavin Grimm Case; Federal Judge Rules Transgender Students are Protected Under Title IX and the U.S. Constitution

May 25, 2018

TLDEF Applauds Decision in Gavin Grimm Case; Federal Judge Rules Transgender Students are Protected Under Title IX and the U.S. Constitution Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund praises a decision this week by a federal judge in Virginia who ruled that transgender students are protected by the prohibitions against sex discrimination in Title IX, as well … More TLDEF Applauds Decision in Gavin Grimm Case; Federal Judge Rules Transgender Students are Protected Under Title IX and the U.S. Constitution

Marin County Contributes to Senior Low-Income Housing

May 22, 2018

With grant assistance, Homeward Bound of Marin to create 12 new units San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin is assisting a local nonprofit to convert a former convent in Larkspur to 12 units of senior housing for those emerging from homelessness. The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted May 22 to approve a … More Marin County Contributes to Senior Low-Income Housing

Case Moved Forward: El Paso Detention of Gay Man Seeking Asylum

May 22, 2018

Appeal from African Human Rights Coalition to support Asylum Seeker work: Dear Friends, In addition to  humanitarian and advocacy work, African HRC has been providing pro bono Country Conditions Reports and expert testimony for LGBTI asylum seekers from African Countries. I am writing to draw your attention to the case of Peter, (real name withheld) … More Case Moved Forward: El Paso Detention of Gay Man Seeking Asylum

Marin DA’s Office Assists in State Cybercrime Charges

May 18, 2018

Operators of Mugshots.com accused of ID theft, money laundering, extortion San Rafael, CA – A computer crimes task force that includes members of the Marin County District Attorney’s Office staff spearheaded an investigation that led to the State of California filing felony charges in a case of alleged internet extortion. On May 15, California Attorney … More Marin DA’s Office Assists in State Cybercrime Charges

Marin Opposes U.S. Immigration Policy in Court

May 18, 2018

Citing civil rights, County joins amicus brief in support of recent state laws San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin is among 23 California jurisdictions supporting the State of California in opposing federal efforts to block three of the state’s immigration laws. In the United States District Court Case U.S. v. State of California, … More Marin Opposes U.S. Immigration Policy in Court

Kids Under Fire- Every Single USA School Kid is a Victim!

May 18, 2018

 For children to take their schools back they are going to have to first SHUT THEM DOWN!!!! Would you rather have your kid alive for a year longer or educated a year longer. We could have “take your kid to work year” !!!!!! Following today’s tragic shooting at the Sante Fe High School in Houston, … More Kids Under Fire- Every Single USA School Kid is a Victim!

Marin County | California Voting My Recommendations and Endorsements

May 14, 2018

Many of you have received your mail in ballots for the coming June 05, 2018 election. I want to stress the importance of voting for ALL and to take note of the down ballot as well as the top of the ballot races.  Every office up for election plays an important part in the workings … More Marin County | California Voting My Recommendations and Endorsements

Ugandan Minister of Ethics Bans HIV/AIDS Conference

May 14, 2018

It is hard to believe that in 2018, this is still happening: Ugandan Ethics and Integrity Minister, Simon Lokodo, has blocked an HIV/Aids conference, saying it was organized to promote “homosexuality and other dirty things.” ALL AFRICA: In an interview with the Daily Monitor on Wednesday, Fr Lokodo said the conference organized by the Uganda … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics Bans HIV/AIDS Conference

A Reflective Mothers Day – Five Generations in My Maternal Line on Five Separate Continents Mothers

May 13, 2018

Standing with refugees, asylum seekers immigrants, and orphans because it is persecutory and tragic to separate families… This Mother’s day as we stand with refugee and asylum seeking mothers and the orphans who do not have mothers, I reflect on the tragedy of my own family and how the Trump Administration is working policy to … More A Reflective Mothers Day – Five Generations in My Maternal Line on Five Separate Continents Mothers

HAVANA PRIDE

May 12, 2018

With thanks to San Francisco LGBTQ activist, Michael Petrelis, and his successful fundraising quest to take rainbow flags and regalia to Cuba for Havana Pride, we present the result in this pictorial from his social media: Havana Pride 2018 Melanie Nathan My e-mail commissionermnathan@gmail.com Support our work at African Human Rights Coalition Check out my … More HAVANA PRIDE

New Yorker: “Taking Children From Their Parents is a Form of State Terror”

May 12, 2018

My family was once on the rough end of America’s immigration law, when faced with the threat of my same-sex spouse having to go back to her country of origin.  Because of DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act) LGBT people could not marry with federal immigration rights to sponsor a same-sex spouse to remain in … More New Yorker: “Taking Children From Their Parents is a Form of State Terror”

Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

May 11, 2018

Governor gives go-ahead to legalize discrimination WASHINGTON – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin today signed SB 1140 into law, codifying discrimination against legally married same-sex couples and others looking to adopt, and imperiling the well-being of youth in the state’s child welfare system. The new law will permit taxpayer funded adoption agencies to turn away same-sex … More Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

ICYMI: “A family is torn apart: Siblings fight to save their home after their parents are deported.”

May 10, 2018

How many of these stories am I going to have to post? Washington, DC – Three siblings in Bridgeton, NJ are struggling to keep their family home after their parents were deported. In late 2017, mother and father Humberta and Oscar Campos were deported to Mexico, after years of living in the United States under … More ICYMI: “A family is torn apart: Siblings fight to save their home after their parents are deported.”

Horrific Nazi Tactic Raid Nets 32 Fathers by ICE Agents in Eastern Iowa

May 10, 2018

Federal and local law enforcement officials arrested 32 men on what they described as administrative immigration violations during a raid early Wednesday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials wouldn’t confirm where the raid took place, but at about 11 a.m. Iowa State Patrol officers blocked off the entrance to MPC Enterprises — Midwest Precast Concrete — … More Horrific Nazi Tactic Raid Nets 32 Fathers by ICE Agents in Eastern Iowa

Trump Admin Family Separation Policy Initiated by Sessions and Nielsen Draws Fire

May 9, 2018

Washington, DC – In response to the announcements by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen that their new “zero tolerance” strategy means that infants and toddlers will be separated from their parents, a range of voices –  from editorial boards, to mothers and children staging walkout protests when DHS … More Trump Admin Family Separation Policy Initiated by Sessions and Nielsen Draws Fire

WaPo: “U.S. embassy cables warned against expelling 300,000 immigrants. Trump officials did it anyway.”

May 8, 2018

Washington, DC – This evening, Washington Post’s Nick Miroff, Seung Min Kim and Joshua Partlow report that, despite warnings from experts contained in U.S. embassy cables, the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 300,000 immigrants. These decisions are aimed at expelling legal immigrants with deep family, business, work and community ties in America. The … More WaPo: “U.S. embassy cables warned against expelling 300,000 immigrants. Trump officials did it anyway.”

The Cruel America of Trump and Sessions: Where Children are Torn from Loving Parents

May 8, 2018

Separating Children from Parents as a deterrent to immigration? This is OUR America!?! How could we? My great grandmother was ‘forced’ to separate from her two youngest children when faced with her “Sophie’s choice” during the anti-Jewish Pogroms of Eastern Europe, sending two small children to an orphanage in a remote corner of the globe, … More The Cruel America of Trump and Sessions: Where Children are Torn from Loving Parents

Strong Need for Resource Families in Marin

May 7, 2018

May is National Foster Care Month – Orientation scheduled to inform, dispel myths about foster care San Rafael, CA – Marin County has 85 children in out-of-home care, also known as foster care, and nearly 35 percent of them are placed in homes outside of Marin. The Marin County Recruitment Collaborative seeks more homes in Marin so … More Strong Need for Resource Families in Marin

Trump has “Already Told 1 Million Immigrants Who Had Legal Protections To Get Out”

May 7, 2018

Washington, DC –  Elise Foley of HuffPost puts the latest disturbing news about the end of TPS for Hondurans into a larger context, explaining in a new must-read article “more than a million people in total who have been living and working legally in the U.S. who, thanks to Trump, now face an uncertain future, … More Trump has “Already Told 1 Million Immigrants Who Had Legal Protections To Get Out”

WAPO: “The Trump administration’s new plan to punish legal immigrants”

May 7, 2018

“In the administration’s plan, working-class immigrants would be penalized if they claimed practically any benefit for which they qualified — even the earned-income tax credit, which is used by tens of millions of American workers and whose effect is to promote employment.” >Washington, DC –  For all the focus on Trump’s assault on undocumented immigrants … More WAPO: “The Trump administration’s new plan to punish legal immigrants”