Category: Court Cases

Could Trump Derangement Syndrome Be a Defense to Assassination Similar to the Twinkie Defense?

July 26, 2018

Trump Derangement Syndrome – Hey Republicans and sycophants – Careful of what YOU invent! And Trump it is YOU who has led the name-call era – and this may be what leads to an excuse for your demise!  Name calling seems to be the mark of this 45th President, Donald J. Trump and his bevvy … More Could Trump Derangement Syndrome Be a Defense to Assassination Similar to the Twinkie Defense?

Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

July 17, 2018

Court condemns Russia over Pussy Riot convictions –In yet another instance of Russian’s Vladamir Putin’s human rights abuses Members of the punk band spent nearly two years in jail after 2012 protest in a Moscow cathedral: The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ruled against Russia for its treatment of members of the Pussy … More Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

Republican Appointed Federal Judge Blocks Trump Attack on California Sanctuary State Laws

July 5, 2018

Bush appointed Sacramento Judge Checks DOJ’s Bid to Enjoin California’s Immigration Laws – Cross Blogged from The Recorder – See Below. “If there is going to be a long-term solution to the problems our country faces with respect to immigration policy, it can only come from our legislative and executive branches,” U.S. District Judge John … More Republican Appointed Federal Judge Blocks Trump Attack on California Sanctuary State Laws

Federal Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

July 2, 2018

Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2018) – A federal court has blocked the arbitrary detention of asylum seekers fleeing persecution, torture, or death in their countries of origin. It also ordered a case-by-case review of whether each asylum seeker in the class-action lawsuit should be released on humanitarian parole. The ruling stems from a challenge brought … More Federal Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

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

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

Trinidad and Tobago Decriminalize Onerous Anti-LGBT Sexuality Laws

April 12, 2018

The High Court in Trinidad and Tobago delivered a verdict today striking down the old buggery law that criminalized homosexuality. ​Justice Devindra Rampersad will deliver his final ruling in three months and the Island LGBTQI communities celebrate: In March 2017, Jason Jones, an LGBT activist, took the government of Trinidad and Tobago to court, filing a lawsuit to strike down the so-called “buggery law”, … More Trinidad and Tobago Decriminalize Onerous Anti-LGBT Sexuality Laws

Discrimination Complaint Against Aeroflot Airlines

March 23, 2018

Flight Attendants or Deportation Agents? Washington, DC – Today, Muslim Advocates and the law firm Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss PLLC filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) on behalf of five U.S. citizens who were subject to grossly discriminated against by Aeroflot Airlines simply because of their perceived race and national origin. … More Discrimination Complaint Against Aeroflot Airlines

Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

March 15, 2018

Washington, D.C. (March 15, 2018) – The American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Human Rights First, and Covington & Burling LLP filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s arbitrary detention of asylum seekers fleeing persecution, torture, or death in their countries of origin. All the plaintiffs have passed credible fear screenings — … More Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

Texas Steps After Fifth Circuit Court Ruling on Anti-Immigrant Law SB4

March 14, 2018

Texas Immigrants, Advocates, Legal Experts Outline Steps Forward After Fifth Circuit Court Ruling on Anti-Immigrant Law SB4 A recording of today’s event is available here. Austin, TX – The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that Senate Bill 4, the state’s so-called sanctuary cities ban, can remain the law of the land in Texas … More Texas Steps After Fifth Circuit Court Ruling on Anti-Immigrant Law SB4

SCOTUS Ruling Stings Immigrants in Detention

February 28, 2018

In a long awaited opinion, the Supreme Court in Jennings v. Rodriguez disappointingly reversed an appellate court decision holding that U.S. immigration statutes do not authorize immigrants to be held indefinitely and affording those individuals bond hearings after six months to evaluate if detention remains justified. The Supreme Court sent the case back to the appellate court to consider the constitutional limits of the statutes, if any, … More SCOTUS Ruling Stings Immigrants in Detention

Kenyan Court to Hear Case That Challenges Anti-LGBTI Penal Codes

February 20, 2018

This week, the Kenyan Court will be hearing a matter, at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, to challenge the Colonial Penal Codes that in essence serve to criminalize homosexuality and target the LGBTI community. The case has been brought by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC). The case seeks to enforce the … More Kenyan Court to Hear Case That Challenges Anti-LGBTI Penal Codes

DACA Crisis Heads Toward Emergency

January 10, 2018

DACA-Recipients, Legal Experts, and Advocates: DACA-Lawsuit Developments Underscore Heightened Need for Dream Act Washington, DC – On a press call today, DACA-recipients, legal experts, and advocates explained the details and implications of the preliminary injunction against the administration’s DACA-revocation and the urgent need for Congress to enact the bipartisan Dream Act by January 19th. I … More DACA Crisis Heads Toward Emergency

SCOTUS Denies Review in Cases Challenging Mississippi’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

January 8, 2018

Today the United States Supreme Court denied review in two cases, Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant and Bryant v. Barber, both challenging Mississippi’s HB 1523 passed in April 2016 and effective in October 2017. The Court’s decision not to hear the cases means the worst-in-the-nation anti-LGBTQ law will remain on the books in Mississippi. … More SCOTUS Denies Review in Cases Challenging Mississippi’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

87 Faith and Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief in Support of DACA Recipients in New York

December 26, 2017

Washington, DC – Last week, Muslim Advocates and the law firm of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, LLP filed an amicus brief on behalf of 87 religious groups and organizations representing or working with faith communities asking the United States District Court of the Eastern District of New York to suspend the government’s planned termination … More 87 Faith and Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief in Support of DACA Recipients in New York

The 9th Circuit’s Xmas Gift to Trump: Slaps Down Trump’s Travel Ban a Third Time

December 22, 2017

Ninth Circuit Slaps Down Trump’s Travel Ban a Third Time: Via The Recorder : The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld an injunction against the third iteration of President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive order Friday. The court, which heard oral arguments in the case last month, ruled that Trump exceeded his authority … More The 9th Circuit’s Xmas Gift to Trump: Slaps Down Trump’s Travel Ban a Third Time

TLDEF Applauds Oklahoma Jury’s Verdict in Favor of Wrongfully Fired English Professor

November 20, 2017

New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds an Oklahoma jury’s verdict today in favor of an English professor who was fired from from her teaching job on the basis of her sex. Dr. Rachel Tudor was denied tenure and terminated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma in 2011 after she … More TLDEF Applauds Oklahoma Jury’s Verdict in Favor of Wrongfully Fired English Professor

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Ideological Inexperienced Nominees

November 9, 2017

Civil and Human Rights Coalition Criticizes Senate Judiciary Committee Approval of Ideological, Inexperienced Nominees WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee today voted, on a party-line basis, to advance the nominations of Gregory Katsas to the U.S. Court … More Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Ideological Inexperienced Nominees

South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality

November 2, 2017

African Human Rights Coalition Reports: Tanzania has deported three South African lawyers after they were accused of promoting homosexuality. They were among 13 people arrested on October 17 for taking part in a meeting to discuss challenging a law stopping private health clinics from providing HIV and Aids services.  However, Sibongile Ndashe says they had no right … More South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality

Serious Harm to Transgender People if Supreme Court Sides with Bakery Owner Challenging Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Law

October 31, 2017

New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief  to the United States Supreme Court in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, spotlighting the immense need for public accommodations laws that protect more than two million people in our nation who identify … More Serious Harm to Transgender People if Supreme Court Sides with Bakery Owner Challenging Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Law

TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban

October 30, 2017

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds news that a federal court in the District of Columbia has blocked enforcement of the Trump Administration’s transgender military ban. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a preliminary injunction today. Earlier this month TLDEF filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief with the federal court in Washington, D.C. … More TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban

Judge Blocks Trump Transgender Military Ban

October 30, 2017

Yet another Donald Trump  Executive Order is failing miserably: CNN is reporting that a  federal judge in Washington blocked the Trump administration Monday from enforcing parts of its transgender military ban. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly held that the plaintiffs: “have established that they will be injured by these directives, due both to the inherent inequality they … More Judge Blocks Trump Transgender Military Ban

Trump Admin Failing LGBTI Refugees Bound for U.S.A.

October 24, 2017

Here is what the BBC Reports today (And I have chosen the BBC report to make my point for good reason): “US President Donald Trump will allow refugee admissions to the US to resume while announcing stricter rules for vetting applicants, US media report. It comes as the 120-day ban on refugees expires on Tuesday. … More Trump Admin Failing LGBTI Refugees Bound for U.S.A.

Another Ruling Blocking Muslim Ban 3.0

October 18, 2017

IAAB v. Trump Team Praises Ruling Blocking Muslim Ban 3.0 Washington, DC – Early this morning, Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a ruling in Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) v. Trump, blocking the Trump administration from implementing Muslim Ban 3.0, which was scheduled to go … More Another Ruling Blocking Muslim Ban 3.0

Trumps Third Attempt at Muslim Travel Ban Fails with Federal Court Block

October 17, 2017

A federal judge has  blocked Trump’s Third faulty Executive Order from being implemented.  Today’s ruling in Hawaii v. Trump. This is likely to be appealed. Judge Derrick K. Watson in Hawaii decision means that the administration cannot restrict the entry of travelers from six of the eight countries that officials said were either unable or … More Trumps Third Attempt at Muslim Travel Ban Fails with Federal Court Block

Preliminary Injunction Sought to Prevent Muslim Ban 3.0 from Going into Full Effect

October 6, 2017

Today, the plaintiffs in Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) v. Trump filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to block President Trump from fully implementing his latest attempt to ban nationals from several predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. IAAB v. Trump, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, … More Preliminary Injunction Sought to Prevent Muslim Ban 3.0 from Going into Full Effect

Suing Trump Administration for Failing to Provide Information on Muslim Ban Waiver Process

October 6, 2017

Melanie Nathan, African HRC  No Information on Eligibility or Application Process for Case-by-Case Waivers Has Ever Been Published  Washington, DC – Last night, Muslim Advocates, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Southern Poverty Law Center filed Muslim Advocates v. Department of Homeland Security to compel the Trump Administration to release critically important details on … More Suing Trump Administration for Failing to Provide Information on Muslim Ban Waiver Process

Multiple LGBT Cases on SCOTUS Docket as New Term Begins 

October 2, 2017

Freedom for All Americans releases new online hub tracking LGBTQ nondiscrimination litigation   WASHINGTON – Today marks the first day that the U.S. Supreme Court is sitting for oral argument in the 2017-2018 session. As the court returns to work, Masterpiece Cakeshop looms as one of the landmark cases for the term. But the Court could … More Multiple LGBT Cases on SCOTUS Docket as New Term Begins 

DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit 

September 25, 2017

Tuesday: DOJ and EEOC to Oppose Each Other in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit  – The en banc 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals will reconsider longstanding legal precedent concerning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, while the federal government is a house divided NEW YORK CITY – This week, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in NYC will hear … More DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit 

University of California sues Trump administration on unlawful repeal of DACA program

September 8, 2017

The University of California today (Sept. 8) filed suit in federal court against the Trump administration for wrongly and unconstitutionally violating the rights of the University and its students by rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on “nothing more than unreasoned executive whim.” The lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California … More University of California sues Trump administration on unlawful repeal of DACA program