Posts tagged with "doj"

DOJ: No Legal Recourse Possible for Tulsa Race Massacre

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Over a century has passed since the horrific events of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a chilling chapter in American history often buried beneath layers of silence and neglect. Now, the Justice Department has released a comprehensive report finally shedding light on the atrocities committed in Greenwood, Oklahoma, between May 31 and June 1, 1921. This report isn’t just a historical document; it’s a stark reminder of the deep-seated racial injustices that continue to reverberate through American society, demanding a reckoning and a renewed commitment to the pursuit of justice.

What You Need to Know:

  • A Coordinated Attack, Not a Riot: The report confirms that the massacre wasn’t a spontaneous riot but a systematic, coordinated assault on Greenwood, a thriving Black community known as “Black Wall Street.” White Tulsans, some deputized by law enforcement, looted, burned, and destroyed 35 city blocks, murdering hundreds of Black residents and leaving survivors with nothing.
  • Triggered by False Accusation: The violence was ignited by the false accusation of a Black man, Dick Rowland, assaulting a white woman. This fueled racial prejudice and mob violence, escalating into a devastating attack on Greenwood.
  • Law Enforcement Complicity: The report indicates that law enforcement officers not only failed to protect Greenwood residents but also actively participated in the violence, disarming Black residents and detaining them in makeshift camps.
  • No Legal Recourse Today: Due to the age of potential perpetrators and expired statutes of limitations, no legal prosecution is possible for the crimes committed during the massacre. However, the report’s release marks the federal government’s first official acknowledgement and thorough examination of this horrific event.

Implications for American Culture and Society:

This report has profound implications for how we understand American history and our ongoing struggle for racial justice:

  • Confronting Our Past: The report forces us to confront a dark chapter often omitted from mainstream historical narratives. Acknowledging these atrocities is crucial for understanding the roots of systemic racism and working towards a more equitable future.
  • Reinforcing the Importance of Civil Rights: The report highlights the crucial role of civil rights laws in protecting vulnerable communities and holding perpetrators of hate crimes accountable. It underscores the need to strengthen these laws and ensure their effective enforcement.
  • The Pursuit of Justice Beyond Legal Prosecution: While legal prosecution may be impossible in this case, the pursuit of justice takes on other forms. This report is a significant step towards historical reckoning, truth-telling, and acknowledging the immense trauma inflicted upon the victims and their descendants. It calls for ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of the massacre and address its lasting consequences.
  • Dialogue and Reconciliation: The report encourages dialogue and reconciliation between communities, fostering understanding and working towards healing from the deep wounds of the past.

The Ongoing Pursuit of Justice:

The release of this report is not the end but a beginning. It is a call to action for all Americans to:

  • Learn and Remember: Educate ourselves and future generations about the Tulsa Race Massacre and other instances of racial violence.
  • Advocate for Systemic Change: Support policies and initiatives that address systemic racism and promote racial equity.
  • Engage in Dialogue: Participate in constructive conversations about race, justice, and reconciliation.

The Tulsa Race Massacre is a stark reminder that the fight for justice is not a finished project. This report is a significant step in acknowledging the past, but it’s up to us to ensure that the lessons learned from this tragedy lead to meaningful change in our present and future. The pursuit of justice demands nothing less.

Note: View Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s remarks here.

Whites Only: DOJ Fines Virginia Tech Company For Racial Hiring Practice

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“Whites Only” signs and racial preferences for American jobs, neighborhoods and even voting were a ubiquitous norm and symbol of racial segregation in the United States for much of the 20th century. These signs and racial preferences were used to restrict access to public facilities, such as schools, parks, and swimming pools, as well as private businesses, such as restaurants and hotels. These signs and racial preferences were a stark reminder of the culture of racism, the second-class status of African Americans and other people of color. Although much progress has been made for a better America, a recent job posting seeking “white” candidates offered evidence of the systemic racism that remains in our society, and a jarring reminder of a country still under construction to bring about sincere change. 

The origins of “Whites Only” signs and clearly noted preferences can be traced back to the Jim Crow era, which began in the late 19th century and lasted until the mid-20th century. However, racism and discrimination is part of the bedrock of America. Still, during this time, southern states passed a series of laws that established a system of racial segregation. These laws mandated the separation of Blacks and whites in all aspects of public life, including education, transportation, and housing.

“By the 1890s the expression “Jim Crow” was being used to describe laws and customs aimed at segregating African Americans and others. These laws were intended to restrict social contact between whites and other groups and to limit the freedom and opportunity of people of color.” – Smithsonian National Museum of American History

“Whites Only” signs and preferences were a key part of the Jim Crow system. They were used to enforce segregation and to remind African Americans of their inferior status. These signs and racial preference were often placed in prominent locations, such as the entrances of public buildings and businesses, including the “whites only” job posting from Arthur Grand that led to the Justice Department’s “determination that the company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by posting a discriminatory job advertisement in March 2023 that restricted eligible candidates to ‘only US Born Citizens [white] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].’ (brackets in original). The Labor Department’s agreement resolves its determination that Arthur Grand violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.”

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s challenged the Jim Crow system and led to the passage of landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws outlawed segregation and discrimination based on race. As a result, “Whites Only” signs and racial preferences for social access, housing and jobs began to disappear from public places.

Today,  open use of “Whites Only” signs and preferences are supposed to be a relic of the past. But they’re not, as racism remains an insidious evil that operates in the dark as Arthur Grand reminds. Systemic racism in hiring is real and active. Racism and open discrimination, once rampant in the United States, still runs amuck. These discrimination practices that some corporations and institutions still protect and uphold remain a stain and part of the fabric of the nation. Nonetheless, Arthur Grand’s discrimination practices and DOJ’s investigation and subsequent response is a reminder of the on-going struggle for civil rights, the progress that has been made and continues to be made.

House Ethics Panel: George Santos Blatantly Stole From His Campaign

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The House Ethics Committee released its report following an investigation of lying Rep. George Santos, (R-NY-3).

Santos could face more federal charges according to the 8 page summary of the committee’s months-long investigation into his conduct. The embattled Congressman is also accused of filing false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission. And the committee found Santos committed more crimes than the 23 federal offenses he has been charged with. They submitted their findings to the justice department.

 

Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative George Santos

Nov 16, 2023 Press Release

Pursuant to House Rule XI Clause 3(q)(1), today the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics, Representative Michael Guest, and the Ranking Member, Representative Susan Wild, submitted a report to the House of Representatives in the Matter of Allegations Relating to Representative George Santos. The full Committee report includes the report of the Investigative Subcommittee (ISC) in this matter.

At the completion of its investigation, the ISC unanimously concluded that there was substantial evidence that Representative George Santos: knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with RedStone Strategies LLC; and engaged in knowing and willful violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to his Financial Disclosure (FD) Statements filed with the House. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation into Representative Santos, and the ISC’s findings of additional uncharged and unlawful conduct by Representative Santos, the ISC recommended that the Committee immediately refer these allegations to the Department of Justice.

The Committee has unanimously voted to adopt the ISC’s report, and with it, refer the substantial evidence of potential violations of federal criminal law to the Department of Justice for such further action as it deems appropriate. The Committee concurs with the ISC’s determination that Representative Santos’ conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House.

The Committee thanks the Committee staff and the Members of the Investigative Subcommittee for their hard work, dedication, and service to the Committee and to the House. Representative David P. Joyce served as Chair of the Investigative Subcommittee. Representative Susan Wild served as Ranking Democratic Member. Representative John H. Rutherford and Representative Glenn F. Ivey also served on the Subcommittee.

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Rep. George Santos statement on X:

If there was a single ounce of ETHICS in the “Ethics committee”, they would have not released this biased report. The Committee went to extraordinary lengths to smear myself and my legal team about me not being forthcoming (My legal bills suggest otherwise). It is a disgusting politicized smear that shows the depths of how low our federal government has sunk. Everyone who participated in this grave miscarriage of Justice should all be ashamed of themselves.

It is a disgusting politicized smear that shows the depths of how low our federal government has sunk. Everyone who participated in this grave miscarriage of Justice should all be ashamed of themselves. We the People desperately need an Article V Constitutional Convention. We are quickly approaching $34 trillion dollars in debt, the government is continuously on the verge of a shutdown, our southern border is wide open, our current President is the head of an influence peddling crime family, and all this Congress wants to do is attack their political enemies with tit for tat unconstitutional censures, impeachments, expulsions and ethics investigations.

THE TIME IS NOW FOR THE STATES TO RISE UP AND COMMENCE AN ARTICLE V CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION! I’ve come to expect vitriol like this from political opposition but not from the hallowed halls of public service. I will remain steadfast in fighting for my rights and for defending my name in the face of adversity. I am humbled yet again and reminded that I am human and I have flaws, but I will not stand by as I am stoned by those who have flaws themselves. I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed. I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time. Public service life was never a goal or a dream, but I stepped up to the occasion when I felt my country needed it most. I will 100% continue to maintain my commitment to my conservative values in my remaining time in Congress.

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