Civil Rights

Civil rights are the rights that every person is entitled to simply because they are human. These rights are guaranteed by law and include the right to be free from discrimination, the right to equal treatment under the law, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the right to be free from oppression and injustice. Civil rights are protected by a variety of laws and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels, and are enforced by various government agencies and courts. Civil rights are an important part of the fabric of society and are essential for ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and respect.

California’s international contract workers could gain some protections through new bills
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California’s international contract workers could gain some protections through new bills

Two bills awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature — or veto — would broaden protections for an estimated 300,000 foreign contract workers laboring in California on work visas. While the documented abusive conditions in “guest worker” visa programs have led to calls for their termination, these bills would offer some improvements to the workers involved. AB 364,…

The fight for human labor trafficking (modern day slavery) victims continues
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The fight for human labor trafficking (modern day slavery) victims continues

Q: MY employer brought me to America to work as live-in nanny for their youngest child. I would be paid $1,000 per month with weekends off.  When we arrived in Los Angeles, my employer took my passport. I was then made to work 7 days a week, up to 16 hours per day, taking care…

The Perils and Promise of America’s Third Reconstruction
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The Perils and Promise of America’s Third Reconstruction

Credit – Illustration by Ajubel Studio for TIME W.E.B. Du Bois is perhaps best known for introducing the term “double consciousness” into the lexicon of the Black experience. The term described the duality of being a Black American—neither fully African nor completely American, an enduring “problem” to be fought over in times of war and…

There is a serious forced labor problem in the United States
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There is a serious forced labor problem in the United States

Genocide, slave trade, forced labor and other evil acts are the undeniable original human rights sins in the history of American colonialism and capitalism. From the slaughter and enslavement of Native American Indians by early European colonists, to the exploitation of black slaves under the prevailing slave trade in the 18th century, to the systematic…

Appeals court says prohibition on involuntary servitude not applicable to prison labor
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Appeals court says prohibition on involuntary servitude not applicable to prison labor

Colorado voters who made slavery and involuntary servitude unconstitutional in 2018 did not mean to abolish the state Department of Corrections’ prison labor program, the Court of Appeals ruled last week. A three-judge panel for the appellate court turned away the constitutional challenge of inmate A. Mark Lamar, who argued the general requirement that prisoners…

Illinois Family Charged with Kidnapping, Forced Labor, and Conspiracy for Coercing Two Minors and a Third Victim in Years-Long Forced Labor Scheme
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Illinois Family Charged with Kidnapping, Forced Labor, and Conspiracy for Coercing Two Minors and a Third Victim in Years-Long Forced Labor Scheme

A federal grand jury in the Central District of Illinois returned a nine-count indictment charging Domingo Francisco-Juan, Lorenza Domingo-Castaneda, and Catarina Domingo-Juan, siblings and Guatemalan nationals, with conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and kidnapping. According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, between December 2015 and March 2021…

Alabama Defendant Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Offenses Tied to a Scheme to Compel Victims, Including a Minor, to Engage in Prostitution – Department of Justice
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Alabama Defendant Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Offenses Tied to a Scheme to Compel Victims, Including a Minor, to Engage in Prostitution – Department of Justice

A federal jury found defendant Lonnie Mitchell, 36, guilty of numerous offenses relating to the defendant’s involvement in coercing several victims, including a minor, to engage in prostitution over the course of several years. Following a five-day trial, the jury convicted the defendant of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion of five victims. The…

Former San Diego Police Officer and Three Co-Defendants Indicted for Owning and Operating Illicit Massage Businesses in California and Arizona
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Former San Diego Police Officer and Three Co-Defendants Indicted for Owning and Operating Illicit Massage Businesses in California and Arizona

A federal judge in the Southern District of California partially unsealed an indictment today in which four individuals are charged with conspiracy, interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering (ITAR), money laundering, making a false statement to a mortgage lender, and wire fraud for conduct associated with owning and operating five illicit…

Brooklyn Man Charged with Murder and Sex Trafficking Eight Women – Department of Justice
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Brooklyn Man Charged with Murder and Sex Trafficking Eight Women – Department of Justice

A 10-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Somorie Moses, also known as “Somorie Barfield,” “Sugar Bear,” “Bear” and “Daddy,” with the 2017 murder of one woman, Leondra Foster, and with sex trafficking eight women.  This indictment is believed to be the first use of the federal statute criminalizing murder in…

Former Massachusetts Resident Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison
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Former Massachusetts Resident Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison

A former Brockton, Massachusetts, resident was sentenced today to twelve years in prison for participating in a sex trafficking conspiracy. Matthew Engram, 35, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; two counts of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution; and one count of…