Civil Rights
| What is the "Community Relations Service?" |
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| The Community Relations Service (CRS) is a federal agency that is a part of the United States Department of Justice. CRS was created by Title V of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to assist local communities in the prevention and resolution of serious racial and ethnic conflicts. For example, CRS might provide impartial federal mediators to help resolve a "use of excessive force" dispute between a city's police department and a citizen's group. CRS can help school officials, a community, and students to establish dialogues. More... |
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| The Proposed Flag Protection Amendment |
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| Despite this recent history, some members of Congress are attempting to pass the Flag Protection Amendment to the Constitution. Critics say that if the amendment passes, it would be the first amendment to limit, rather than protect, the freedom of speech. More... |
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| The Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 |
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| The Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) was passed to ban so-called "soft money" financial donations to political candidates and national political parties; generally, such donations are substantial and are made by wealthy individuals, corporations, labor unions, or special interest groups. BCRA prevents corporations, advocacy groups, and labors unions, as well as any groups funded by either, from broadcasting "issue ads" on television and radio within 30 days of a primary election and within 60 days of a general election.
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| School Dress Codes and the Free Exercise of Religion |
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| Because public school districts and public boards of education must comply with the provisions of the United States Constitution, they generally cannot infringe upon the free exercise of religion. Although the Court has ruled that public schools must offer equal opportunity and protection to both religious expression and non-religious expression, courts tend not to hold that school dress codes are unconstitutional. Generally, students cannot claim they are exempt from school dress codes or rules that are religiously neutral and generally applicable to all students. Public schools cannot, however, single out religious attire or religious garb.
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| Gay Men and Lesbians as Foster Parents |
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| Civil rights advocates say that sexual orientation discrimination occurs when a state refuses to place a foster child with a single man because he is gay or when a lesbian couple is not permitted to provide emergency foster care because of their sexual orientation. At least two states have laws or regulations prohibiting gay men or lesbians from serving as foster parents. Those opposed to such laws and policies cite reports indicating that children raised by lesbian or gay parents--either as single parents or as same sex partners--seem to receive the same level of care and concern as do children raised by heterosexual parents. Proponents of permitting gay men and lesbians to provide foster care also point to the critical shortage of foster care providers.
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