pathways to respecting american indian civil rights denver, co july 2012 enforcing civil rights at...

Pathways to Respecting American Indian Civil Rights

Denver, COJuly 2012

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

JOHN F DULLES

MEANINGFUL, LASTING AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF

DISCRIMINATION ARE BEST ACHIEVED

THROUGH LOCAL CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND CIVIC

PARTICIPATION

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Achieving change through collective action by altering the balance of

powerExamples:

civil rights, labor and anti-war movements

ISSUES OF DISCRIMINATIONDenial of Rights of Indigenous PeoplesDisrespecting Tribal SovereigntyCulture and Language DiscriminationPublic AccommodationsEnvironmental JusticeEconomic and Consumer ExploitationDenial of Full Political and Voting RightsRacial Profiling/ Law Enforcement and Justice

SystemEmployment, Health, Housing, Public ServicesEducationGender and Sexual Orientation/ Hate Crimes

INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY

Identify the problems/issuesDefine realistic and achievable goalsDevelop concise, coherent, and positive messageCreate a strategic plan and an action planDo your research, know your facts – be an expertCollaborate and partner with other organizationsBuild leadership, community support and broad-

based constituencyEngage elected officials and institutional leadersSponsor public forums and participate in

legislative and political processBring public pressure – be persistent

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

USE EXISTING LAWS

Freedom of Information Act/Open Records/Open Meetings/Government in Sunshine

International and tribal laws and forumsCivil Rights statutesConditions and requirements governing

grants/contractsStudy available information: budgets, proposals,

policies, reports and other documentsConduct community-based compliance reviewsMake institutions play by their own rulesFile substantive complaints of discriminationUse congressional, legal and advocacy resources to

increase cloutTestify at legislative hearings – engage oversight

committeesParticipate in regulatory rule-making process

Traditional: newspapers/radio/televisionNews releases/press conferences/letters to

editor/editorial boardsSocial Media: Face Book, Twitter, etcWebsites/email list serves/blogs/text

messages/YouTubePowwows, Conferences, other public events

BE DISCIPLINED AND STAY ON MESSAGE

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

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

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 systemsEncourage citizens to register and VOTE!Take Direct Political Action

Voter Suppression

•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!

180 Measures introduced in 41 statessince 2011 to restrict voting rights

CONTACT INFORMATION

John F. DullesFormer Regional Director

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Human Rights Training and Consultancy

14142 McKay Park CircleBroomfield, CO 80023

johnfdulles2@gmail.com720-304-8734

720-334-0084 (cell)