Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on March 30 signed an abortion bill into law banning abortions in that state based on the race and gender of the baby. According to The Tucson Sentinel, Republican lawmakers in the state are convinced that race or gender-based abortions are happening in the state and point to the abortion rates […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inNational News
Supreme Court Denies Payments to Wrongfully Incarcerated Man
The Supreme Court on March 29 overturned, in a 5-4 vote, a $14 million jury award to a man who was freed from death row after it was found prosecutors withheld key evidence in his case. The money had been awarded to John Thompson, who spent 18 years in prison, including 14 years on death […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Supreme Court Hears Wal-Mart Sex Discrimination Case
In what is being called the largest class action lawsuit in the nation’s history, lawyers representing 1.5 million current and former female workers March 29 argued a sex discrimination case against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. before the Supreme Court. The case was originally filed by six women in 2001 who alleged that the retail giant’s male […]
Posted inNational News
NAACP Defense Fund Challenges Fla. Law Withholding Voting Rights to Released Felons
The NAACP Legal and Educational Defense Fund is challenging a change in Florida’s rules which would require non-violent felons to wait five years after completing their sentences before they can apply to vote again. A letter protesting the state’s recent proposal to prolong the removal of convicted non-violent felons’ right to vote was sent March […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Wisconsin Judge Prevents Application of Law Weakening Unions for At Least 2 Months
A Wisconsin judge has halted enforcement of the state’s new law curtailing the bargaining power of its public employee unions, the first defeat for the new Republican majority controlling the legislature and governor’s mansion. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi on March 30 ruled that the law was not published according to state statues, […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Revered Black Journalist, Civil Rights Activist Almena Lomax Expires at 95
Almena Lomax, founder of the Los Angeles Tribune and highly regarded civil rights advocate, died in Pasadena on March 25. She was 95. According to The Los Angeles Times, Lomax’s death was confirmed by her son, Michael, who serves as president and chief executive of the United Negro College Fund. Lomax was born Hallie Almena […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Census: Black Population Moving to Southern Cities
Increasingly, African-Americans are migrating to Southern cities to search for better opportunities, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data. Atlanta, Ga., Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, N.C. and Dallas, Tex. are among the destinations of choice for Blacks, according to census officials. As a result of population shifting now underway, 67 percent of Black Americans now […]
Posted inNational News
Farrakhan Blasts U.S. Military Action in Libya, Defends Gaddhafi
Further denouncing U.S. military action against Libya, Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam spoke out against the country’s involvement in Libya and to defend his longtime friend, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. “It’s a terrible thing for me to hear my brother being called all these terrible and filthy names, when I cannot […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
County Officials Continue Fight for Reform
On the heels of the indictments of former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and his wife, Councilwoman Leslie Johnson, D-Dist. 6, county officials continue to work towards reforming the government through several methods. Earlier this month, the county council announced measures, called ‘good government reforms,’ it hopes will create government Prince George’s residents can […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Push to get Tubman Statue in the U.S. Capitol in Jeopardy
A heavily amended bill to place a statue of Harriet Tubman in the Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol was passed unanimously on March 28 by the Maryland Senate. “Maryland had a unique opportunity to replace a slaveholder with a slave, a white man with a Black woman, a colonial figure with a Civil War […]
Posted inBooks
The House by the Side of the Road: The Selma Civil Rights Movement
While many stories have depicted the turbulent tale of the Selma, Ala. Voting Rights Campaign during the African-American Civil Rights Movement, very few have offered firsthand, behind-the-scenes glimpses into the activities of its major players. The House by the Side of the Road delves deep into the famous period in American history and provides readers […]
Posted inSports
Fab Five’s Jalen Rose to Appear in Court for Alleged DUI
Former pro and college basketball star Jalen Rose is expected to appear in court in April. He was charged in March on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to reports. Police told the Associated Press that Rose – a former member of Michigan University’s legendary “Fab Five” lineup and now serving as […]
