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Equal Justice under Law
Co-founder of Equal Justice under Law, a nonprofit civil rights organization; former public defender
PROFILE
Alec Karakatsanis
Guest
FROM Alec Karakatsanis
To the Point
From Selma to Ferguson: Criminal Justice Reform Fifty years ago in Selma, Alabama, it was white sheriff's deputies and soldiers brutally attacking civil rights marchers. Today, in Ferguson and other cities, its systemic police abuse of black people, and the use of fees and fines to finance unequal judicial systems. The Department of Justice has issued a scathing report on systemic racism in Ferguson's police department and judicial system. It's negotiating with city officials for change — with the threat of federal court action. Now there's a movement for reform on the local and federal levels, from police stops to excessive prison sentences. Two billionaires, progressive George Soros and right winger Charles Koch, have joined forces against "over-criminalization."
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To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.