Civil Rights

The Raleigh News & Observer reports: The humor publication MAD Magazine has named Gov. Pat McCrory to its annual “20 Dumbest List” because of his support for House Bill 2. The December issue spoofs McCrory as a “stall cop” with an image of the governor in a security officer uniform, a nod to the Paul Blart “Mall Cop” movies. “Keeping …

Dominic Holden reports at Buzzfeed: Rep. Steve Russell was disappointed that his religious freedom amendment was stripped from a federal defense-spending bill the House passed on Friday. But the Oklahoma Republican is encouraged he will prevail in the long-term, telling BuzzFeed News that the incoming Trump administration has given him “very good assurances” it would address the issue upon taking …

The Winston-Salem Chronicle reports: If state lawmakers insert themselves into deciding North Carolina’s next governor, or changing the state Supreme Court to nullify Justice-elect Mike Morgan’s victory, there will be mass demonstrations and civil disobedience, promises N.C. NAACP President Rev. Dr. William Barber II. “We believe either attempting to stack the Supreme Court or deciding the governor’s race in the …

The Associated Press reports: Roy Cooper’s unofficial lead over North Carolina Republican Gov. Pat McCrory has surpassed a key threshold that would block McCrory’s request for a statewide recount if its holds. The Democratic attorney general was ahead of McCrory by more than 10,250 votes as of Wednesday afternoon. His advantage has doubled since election night and grew Wednesday as …

Via Mediaite: Well that didn’t take long. Within minutes of President-elect Donald Trump taking to Twitter to casually assert that people who burn the American flag should, in his words, face a “loss of citizenship or year in jail,” his team was already making the rounds defending the indefensible. Jason Miller, the Communication Director for the Presidential Transition Team who …

From the LGBT rights group Freedom For All Americans: The Michigan billionaire is a troubling choice, given her extreme history of supporting anti-LGBT causes and opposing efforts to bring fairness and equality to LGBT Americans. Between 2010 and 2013, the DeVos family and their various foundations have given millions of dollars to anti-LGBT groups, including Focus on the Family, Family …

The Huffington Post reports: He claimed he supported LGBTQ rights on the campaign trail, but President-elect Donald Trump just tapped one of the most anti-gay politicians in Washington to be the nation’s next top lawyer. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), whom Trump announced last week as his choice for U.S. attorney general, has consistently opposed pro-LGBTQ legislation throughout his 20 years …

The Raleigh News & Observer reports:  The Civitas Institute, a conservative organization in Raleigh, has filed a federal lawsuit to delay a final count of ballots in the November election. The suit is over same-day registrants, the more than 90,000 people who registered to vote and voted on the same day during the early voting period prior the Nov. 8 …

The Guardian reports: African states have failed to halt the work of the first UN independent investigator appointed to help protect gay and transgender people worldwide from violence and discrimination. The 47-member UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, created the position in June and in September appointed Vitit Muntarbhorn of Thailand, who has a three-year mandate to investigate abuses …

Don’t expect to see anything like this next year. Via press release from Secretary of State John Kerry: On Transgender Day of Remembrance, the United States solemnly honors the memory of the many transgender individuals who lost their lives to senseless acts of violence. Transgender persons around the world are targeted by rising levels of violence fueled by hatred and …

The Indianapolis Star reports: Conservatives overcame the first hurdle in their lawsuit that aims to overturn the “fix” to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act and four city ordinances that protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination. In an order issued Wednesday, Hamilton Superior Judge Steven R. Nation rejected claims from the cities of Indianapolis, Carmel, Bloomington and Columbus …

From the Alliance For Justice: The choice of Senator Sessions to lead the Department of Justice is more than deeply unsatisfactory; it is a blatantly inflammatory act in a time of heightened focus on violence and injustice against communities of color. The Attorney General is the ultimate defender of the rights and liberties of all people in the United States.  …

Note that two of this year’s honorees, De Niro and Springsteen, are among the loudest Trump critics. CBS News reports: The White House on Wednesday announced the recipients of the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The prestigious accolade is given to people “who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the …

At this writing the attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom is speaking. Via CBN News: The Washington State Supreme Court will hear the case today of a Christian florist who declined to provide flowers for a gay wedding. A lower court judge ruled last year that Barronelle Stutzman, owner of “Arlene’s Flowers” in Richland, Washington, violated an anti-discrimination law. The two …

The Charlotte Observer reports: Durham County Board of Elections Chairman Bill Brian said Tuesday that officials have seen no evidence supporting questions raised about the accuracy of more than 94,000 votes that were counted manually on election night. “We have seen no evidence to that effect,” Brian said during a Tuesday morning press conference. “Mr. Stark may have some, but …

Texas GOP state Sen. Bob Hall today introduced a bill that would nullify all local LGBT rights ordinances across the state and block any municipality from enacting new protections. The New Civil Rights Movement reports: Hall’s bill is the first anti-LGBT measure filed in advance of next year’s Texas Legislature, which convenes in January. Today marks the first day of …

The Raleigh News & Observer reports: Gov. Pat McCrory, trailing in a close race for re-election behind Attorney General Roy Cooper, claims there was “malfeasance” in tabulating votes in Durham County and “irregularities” reported around the state. Cooper’s campaign said nothing improper happened in Durham, and accused McCrory of trying to undermine the election. A formal protest filed Saturday with …

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is furious that Roy Cooper has claimed victory before elections officials have called the race. Via Raw Story: “Claiming an outcome before the process has concluded is irresponsible and disrespectful to the voters of North Carolina whose voices have yet to be heard,” McCrory campaign strategist Chris LaCivita said in a statement. The campaign and …

The Hill reports: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is warning President-elect Donald Trump that it will “see him in court,” threatening to use its “full firepower” if he tries to follow through on controversial campaign promises on immigration, torture and other issues. “These proposals are not simply un-American and wrong-headed, they are unlawful and unconstitutional,” Anthony Romero, executive director …

ABC News reports: The race for North Carolina Governor still remains too close to call after Election Day, as Democratic challenger Roy Cooper’s campaign claims victory. The battle between incumbent Pat McCrory, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Attorney General Roy Cooper remains as close as ever, with over 99-percent of precincts reporting their ballots. Cooper led the incumbent McCrory by …