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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
720-334-0084 (cell)
