Topic: Southern Poverty Law Center

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Alabama immigration law faces legal challenge: Can it survive?

Federal lawsuits have been filed against five states that have passed tough anti-illegal-immigration bills. Here is the legal state of play for all five state laws:
Arizona shooting suspect Jared Loughner: 5 of his strange ideas

Jared Lee Loughner is accused of killing six people and wounding 14 in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday. Here’s a look at five ideas believed to come from Loughner, in his words and those of the people who know him.
Five ways New Orleans is still struggling after Katrina

Newly elected New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu recently marked his first one hundred days in office by announcing one hundred Katrina recovery projects, including health clinics, criminal justice facilities, road reconstructions, public recreation, and more. Still, Landrieu says the city’s recovery will take another five years. Here are five critical areas of public policy which may determine whether New Orleans has a successful recovery by 2015.

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White supremacist behind murders-suicide in Arizona, police say

Four people died Wednesday at the hand of Jason 'J.T.' Ready, one of the most visible white supremacists in the US, who then killed himself, police in Gilbert, Ariz., say. Those who track neo-Nazi groups cite a culture of violence, including domestic violence.
Michigan teacher fired for Trayvon Martin hoodie fundraiser

Brooke Harris, an eighth grade English teacher, was fired after encouraging students raise money in support of Trayvon Martin's family. A petition has been started to reinstate Brooke Harris.
'New Black Panthers' offer reward for George Zimmerman. Who are they?

The New Black Panthers are characterized as a hate group by several experts. The 1960s-era Black Panthers have sought to distance themselves from the New Black Panthers.
Right-wing 'patriot' groups girding for actual class warfare, report says

The Southern Poverty Law Center says an 'explosive' growth in the number of antigovernment 'patriot' groups is tied to fears of economic cataclysm and civil war between rich and poor.
Michigan's Hutaree militia: Band of gun enthusiasts or a threat to the US?

Members of the Hutaree militia were arrested in 2010 for allegedly planning 'war against the United States.' Their trial on 'seditious conspiracy' and other charges opened this week.
Can the Obama administration stop Alabama's immigration law?

The Obama administration asked an appeals court Friday to immediately stop implementation of the immigration law, after reports that Hispanic students were staying home as the law took effect.
Is Alabama immigration law creating a 'humanitarian crisis'?

With the Alabama immigration law taking effect, some 2,000 Hispanic students didn't attend school Monday. Teachers unions and Hispanic activists are voicing their concerns.
Alabama immigration law leaves schools gripped by uncertainty

A judge upheld a provision in the Alabama immigration law that forces public schools to check the immigration status of new students. Schools are scrambling to determine the impact.
Rick Perry, on eve of likely presidential run, gambles with big faith rally

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is weigning a presidential run, is headlining 'The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis.' The evangelical event could help him in GOP primaries but make voters in a general election nervous.
Texas Gov. Perry's public day of prayer draws fire from clergy and atheists

Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has called for a public day of prayer and fasting, prompting criticism from First Amendment watchdog groups, atheists, and the Houston Clergy Council.
Alabama immigration law faces legal challenge: Can it survive?

Federal lawsuits have been filed against five states that have passed tough anti-illegal-immigration bills. Here is the legal state of play for all five state laws:
Texas Gov. Rick Perry for president? Why he could have a hard time.

Rick Perry might jump into the presidential race after all. While he would bring formidable strengths to the race, his record isn’t all sweetness and light.
'Silent raids' and E-Verify immigration enforcement are destroying US farms

Enforcement-only immigration policies will further devastate immigrant communities, ravage labor-intensive agriculture, and take away countless jobs beyond the farm sector. If elected officials want US fruit and vegetable farms to survive, they need to implement smarter immigration reform.
Are Donald Trump and his fellow 'birthers' racist?

Donald Trump faces a backlash from those who see the “birther” movement as a new form of racism, which a new study seems to confirm. Trump has problems with conservatives too.
'Sovereign citizens': Is Jared Loughner a sign of revived extremist threat?

Since 2010 began, 'sovereign citizens' have shot police officers, flown a plane into an IRS building, and stolen a strip mall. Jared Loughner, the alleged Tuscon shooter, may be an adherent.
Annual report cites rise in hate groups, but some ask: What is hate?

The Southern Poverty Law Center says the number of US hate groups has topped 1,000 for the first time. But conservative critics say a too-broad definition of hate stifles legitimate debate.
Arizona shooting suspect Jared Loughner: 5 of his strange ideas

Jared Lee Loughner is accused of killing six people and wounding 14 in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday. Here’s a look at five ideas believed to come from Loughner, in his words and those of the people who know him.
Chapter & Verse
Jared Lee Loughner: seeking insight from his reading list

Jared Lee Loughner's favorite books include many with anti-government themes.
Jared Lee Loughner: what is known about Tucson, Arizona, shooting suspect

Jared Lee Loughner is refusing to tell investigators anything about a motive for the Tucson, Arizona, shooting, but he appears to be a familiar character in American life: a disturbed outsider with a gun.
Do-it-yourself border patrol: one man's vigil with a gun and spotlight

Lynn Kartchner heads to the border at nightfall with a spotlight to help the border patrol catch drug smugglers. It's a sign of the prevailing sense of urgency along the US-Mexican border.
Report: One-third of US teens are victims of cyberbullying

The suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi has brought more attention to cyberbullying. A new study examines the scale of cyberbullying among US teens.
Rutgers student death: Has Digital Age made students callous?

Some observers believe that today's media environment is desensitizing young people to the hurtful effects of their actions. The case of a Rutgers student death is renewing scrutiny of this issue.
Five ways New Orleans is still struggling after Katrina

Newly elected New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu recently marked his first one hundred days in office by announcing one hundred Katrina recovery projects, including health clinics, criminal justice facilities, road reconstructions, public recreation, and more. Still, Landrieu says the city’s recovery will take another five years. Here are five critical areas of public policy which may determine whether New Orleans has a successful recovery by 2015.
A good example of Obama's warning about the media focusing on 'sexier' stories

The media do damage by playing up every hint of conflict to produce “sexier” stories. Recent coverage of a Southern Poverty Law Center report on 'hate groups' proves the point.
Arizona illegal immigration, 'birther' bills show rightward shift

Arizona lawmakers, fresh off sending a controversial illegal immigration bill to the governor, on Wednesday advanced a bill requiring presidential candidates to show a birth certificate in order to appear on the ballot there.