- Social:
Southern Coalition for Social Justice
Allison Riggs is a voting rights attorney with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, based in Durham, North Carolina.
PROFILE
Allison Riggs
Guest
FROM Allison Riggs
To the Point
Ballot box battles as the race comes down to the wire In many states, Republican claims of widespread "voter fraud" have led to photo ID laws and other restrictions that Democrats call "voter suppression." Donald Trump, who's gained political traction with the claim that next week's election is "rigged" against him, takes it a step further by calling on his supporters to try to prevent it. "Go down to certain areas and watch and study and make sure other people don't come in and vote five times. Democrats call that code for "intimidation" — especially in black and Latino neighborhoods important to the Clinton campaign. They've already filed suit against "Ballot Security Task Forces" organized by Trump supporters in several states. We hear what could be in store at polling places during early voting — and on Election Day.
To the Point
Where Should Democracy Draw the Line? The Constitution requires that the boundaries of congressional districts be re-drawn every 10 years, according to the latest census. In 2010, Republicans won control of legislatures all over the country—and those GOP lawmakers then collectively increased their Party’s power in Congress. When President Obama re-visited the Illinois Capitol in Springfield this week, he said it’s time for a change. The President’s talking about what’s called Gerrymandering, a practice as old as the nation itself.
To the Point
Another Split Decision, Another Political Firestorm The President says he is "deeply disappointed" with today's decision by a divided US Supreme Court, this time over the voting rights of blacks and other minority citizens. Writing for a 5-to-4 majority of the court, Chief Justice John Roberts declared that Section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act -- a major achievement of the civil rights movement -- is out of date and therefore, unconstitutional. Roberts said federal guidelines for oversight of minority voting don't reflect present reality. Nine mostly Southern states and parts of others will no longer have to ask Washington to approve changes in their voting laws. Is voting discrimination against blacks and other minorities a thing of the past? We hear the dispute that's already raging.
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To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.