Institute for Research & Education on Human Rights

Wednesday, Mar 10th

Last update:04:56:25 AM GMT

Headlines:

Support Needed for Cheyenne River Sioux in Face of Storm Crisis

Revival and Revolt: Inside the Tea Party Nation Convention

Roeder Convicted, Testimony by Former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline Ruled Out

Tea Party Switcheroo: Different Nativist Group to Present at Tea Party Nation Conference

Bachmann Tea Party Overdrive

Anti-Immigrant Group Bails on Tea Party Nation Convention

IREHR in Buzzflash

Griffin launches election campaign by cynically exploiting war dead

Fear and Loathing Grips Europe

Tea Partying Militia Leader Arrested for Rape, Possessing a Grenade Launcher

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Revival and Revolt: Inside the Tea Party Nation Convention

Nashville - The rancor and division among Tea Partiers that erupted in the weeks leading up to the first Tea Party National Convention were nowhere to be found inside the expansive biosphere-like confines of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Squabbles set aside, at least for the moment, the real business of the February 4-7 convention was three-fold: culture warring, movement building, and campaign winning.

Roeder Convicted, Testimony by Former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline Ruled Out

After four days of uncontroverted testimony detailing the murder of Dr. George Tiller, Scott Roeder took the stand on Thursday, January 28, in his own defense. He betrayed not an ounce of emotion as he described pulling a .22 caliber pistol out of his pocket and shooting Dr. Tiller in the head. His voice showed no regret when, under the guidance of his defense attorney, he walked the jury through his crime. There was no anger to display when he was supposed to be frustrated by the inability of shooters, bombers and an anti-choice attorney general to shut Dr. Tiller's clinic down in the past.

The State of White Nationalism: The Year 2009 in Review

The presidency of Barack Obama dominated political events in 2009. Whether it was discussion of the bank bailouts last winter or the continuing failure of the government to solve the problem of depression-era unemployment, the blame or success will be laid on the doorstep of Obama’s White House. Whether or not Congress passes meaningful health care reform, it will be on this president’s watch. After announcing an American troop surge in Afghanistan, this administration now owns that war. And whether the fortunes of the far right and white nationalist movements rose or fell during the past year, Barack Hussein Obama will be regarded—rightly or wrongly—as the cause.

Tea Partying Militia Leader Arrested for Rape, Possessing a Grenade Launcher

A former Marine with ties to Tea Parties and militias who talked openly about using his training “to become a domestic terrorist” has been charged in separate complaints with raping a child and possessing an unregistered grenade launcher. His arrest may signal that a wing of the Tea Parties is heading in a more militant direction.

Hundreds of Tea Partiers Gather in Olympia for Sovereignty Winter Fest

Despite the pouring rain, nearly three hundred Tea Party supporters from across the state gathered on the steps of the Washington State capitol for the “Sovereignty Winter Fest” on January 14. The event featured state legislators, candidates for state and federal seats, Tea Party leaders, and other far-right activists from around the region. It was designed to support a series of state’s rights 10th Amendment “sovereignty” resolutions in the Washington legislature. This turn away from anti-tax and anti-healthcare rhetoric towards state sovereignty language points to a possible radicalization of the movement.

IREHR

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About Us

A New Statement by a Renewed Organization for New Times

09. 18. 09 | Leonard Zeskind

We begin with an optimistic, yet un-blinkered understanding of our situation. The political landscape in the United States has changed considerably since IREHR's founding in 1983. Our long-held dreams for social and economic justice have become imbued with new hope in the future. More, the drive towards a truly multi-racial, multicultural democracy and individual human rights have gained new and powerful adherents.

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Staff & Board

Blog

IREHR President Featured in "White Power USA" Documentary

01. 13. 10 | Devin Burghart

IREHR president Leonard Zeskind was featured in the new television documentary, "White Power USA," which aired on the Riz Khan program on January 12. The entire program is available for you to watch after the jump.

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Treaty Rights & Tribal Sovereignty

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Analysis

Keeping our Word: Indigenous Sovereignty and Treaty Rights

09. 18. 09 | Charles Tanner

The struggle for equality in the United States is most identified with the heroic battles of the Civil Rights Movement. As African Americans fought for equal protection under the law and full participation in society, Americans and people around the world were inspired. Our most noble pursuits have been inspired by the genuine call to equal rights and justice for all: the struggle for women’s equality, the stand against white nationalists and anti-Semites, the battle for full Constitutional rights for people of all sexual orientations, the voices that rose against the persecution of Arabs and Muslims after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the fight for immigrant rights, and many more.

News

Support Needed for Cheyenne River Sioux in Face of Storm Crisis

02. 15. 10 | Devin Burghart

The Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights is asking all who can to donate to the Cheyenne River Sioux a in the face of extreme winter conditions. The Tribe declared a state of emergency as a severe ice storm cut electivity and water on its North Central South Dakota reservation.

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Race, Racism, & White Nationalism

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Analysis

Unemployment, Race and Crimes by White-ists

01. 04. 10 | Leonard Zeskind

Unemployment rates tell us some things about how the economy is doing. But aggregate rates, even if they go down a virtual eighth of an inch like they did in November, hide high levels of disparity by race. And they have told us next to nothing about any link between unemployment and violence by organized self-conscious racists.

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News

Bachmann Tea Party Overdrive

01. 28. 10 | Devin Burghart

The news just keeps getting worse for the Tea Party Nation Convention. Following on the heels of several organizations cancelling their sponsorships, today both Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced today they are pulling out of the controversial convention scheduled for Nashville next weekend.

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Nation, State, & Citizenship

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News

FAIR Event Draws Legislators, Flops with Grassroots Nativists

10. 01. 09 | Devin Burghart

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the oldest and arguably most influential nativist group in the country, held their annual “Hold Their Feet to the Fire” event in Washington DC on September 15 and 16, 2009. Despite being unable to attract any sizable grassroots participation, dozens of members of Congress flocked to participate in the event’s “radio row.”

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Nativism and Election 2008

Analysis

The Birthers and the 14th Amendment

09. 15. 09 | Devin Burghart

Taking umbrage at the attention that the Doonesbury comic strip has drawn to a "Birther Bill" sitting in a House committee, Texas congressman Louie Gohmert (Republican) recently told Washington Post blogger Mary Ann Akers that the bill, H.R. 1503, has nothing to do with needling President Obama. If it ever was voted up and signed, Gohmert says, the bill would not take effect until the next presidential election in 2012. It would mandate that the campaign committees of the various contenders for president submit birth certificates and "other documentation as may be necessary to establish that the candidate meets the qualifications for eligibility..."

Searchlight has the scoop here.

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Analysis

Fear and Loathing Grips Europe

01. 26. 10 | Devin Burghart

In a January cover story, "Fear and Loathing Grips Europe," Searchlight editor Nick Lowles examines the reactions to and the implications of the vote to ban the building of minarets in Switzerland.

Read the entire article here.

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