Topic: Center for Constitutional Rights

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Trayvon Martin: the crime of being black, male, and wearing a hoodie

Whatever happens to neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, the dialogue on race must go on. Media perpetually associate criminality with black males. Legislators criminalize black dress. And the criminal justice system disproportionately penalizes black men and boys.
Could Occupy Wall Street protesters be sued for Black Friday tactic?

Some Occupy Wall Street protesters have talked of staging sit-ins at big retail stories on Black Friday. One prominent lawyer suggests that could backfire, legally.
Occupy Wall Street at two months: Hundreds arrested across US

Two days after Occupy Wall Street lost its tent compound at Zuccotti Park, protesters held a national 'day of action.' A mostly peaceful day followed a failed morning effort to delay NYSE trading.
Anwar al-Awlaki: Is killing US-born terror suspects legal?

Civil libertarians and some constitutional scholars say the targeted assassination of US citizens like Anwar al-Awlaki – even in war time – cannot be justified. The Obama administration says it's a matter of necessary self defense against terrorist attacks.
Why the ICC likely won't charge pope over Catholic Church sex abuses

Despite efforts by clerical sexual abuse victims to charge Pope Benedict XVI with crimes against humanity, the case likely falls outside the court's jurisdiction.
Assassination nation: Are there any limits on President Obama's license to kill?

As part of its war against violent extremism, the Obama administration now claims a right to kill Americans without a trial, without notice, and without any chance for targets to legally object.
For Obama, WikiLeaks' Guantánamo files come at bad time

Now that the Obama administration has abandoned the idea of civilian-court trials for detainees, it wants to promote confidence in the military tribunal system at Guantánamo. But new WikiLeaks documents paint a picture of 'questionable' charges.
US judge dismisses lawsuit against Bush wiretap program

The suit had asked the courts to declare the Terrorist Surveillance Program illegal and unconstitutional. But a judge said the group challenging the wiretap program lacked legal standing.
Judge dismisses bid to remove Anwar al-Awlaki from US 'kill list'

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block the US from carrying out the targeted killing of American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, who is reportedly on a 'kill list' of terrorism suspects.
'Kill list': Is counterterrorism tactic against Anwar al-Awlaki illegal?

A US court has an opportunity to consider that question in a lawsuit brought on behalf of the American-born cleric by the ACLU and Anwar al-Awlaki's father.
US seeks to dismiss suit filed for radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki

The Obama administration has invoked the state secrets privilege to block a lawsuit on behalf of US-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, an alleged terrorist said to be targeted for assassination.
Fingerprint sharing leads to deportation of 47,000

Fingerprint-sharing program aimed to deport of the 'worst of the worst' criminal immigrants, but about a quarter of those deported did not have criminal records.
Supreme Court ruling barring aid to terrorist groups: why some lament it

Humanitarian and peace organizations say their direct interaction with violent or terrorist groups is vital to intervention efforts. The Supreme Court decision Monday means they do it at their peril.
If the Arizona immigration law is ‘misguided,’ so is Obama's criminal-alien roundup program

Obama's ‘Secure Communities’ immigration enforcement program appears susceptible to racial profiling and a lack of due process. Citizens need more details.
Supreme Court refuses case on Guantanamo detainees and torture

The case of four Britons, held two years by the US, sought to clarify legal protections for Guantanamo detainees, including regarding torture and harsh government tactics. Supreme Court justices on Monday declined to hear the case.
Terrorism & Security
Report: Bush lawyers will not face charges for approving torture

A draft report of a Justice Department inquiry recommends the officials face professional sanctions, but no criminal charges.
Who attended 'torture' briefings? A GOP lawmaker wants to know.

Rep. Peter Hoekstra seeks full disclosure about who on Capitol Hill knew about US interrogation methods – a move that may put certain Democrats on the spot.
Canadian churches take up cause of five Guantánamo detainees

The churches have applied to help the men – who cannot be safely returned home – resettle as refugees in Canada.
Chinese Muslims stay stranded at Guantánamo

Federal appeals court reverses an order that the 17 men be released into the US.
Sorting out Guantánamo detainees

President Obama orders a thorough review of pending terror cases.
Former Guantánamo prisoner asks U.S. to review its founding ideals

Adel Hassan Hamad, who is suing the US government, claims that American values of freedom and democracy have been shaken.