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May 22, 2014 7:19 pm | By Calvin Sloan
People For the American Way’s Marge Baker Stands With Congressional Leaders To Call For Amending the Constitution To Overturn Citizens United
This Tuesday at a press conference in the US Capitol hosted by Brave New Films and featuring Robert Greenwald’s latest documentary, “Koch Bros Exposed,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Bernie Sanders and People For…
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May 22, 2014 3:19 pm | By GabrielaCountering the Conservative Campus Crusade
The following is a post by Gabriela De Golia, Advocacy Associate for affiliate People For the American Way Foundation’s Young People For program. Last week, in a speech in support of a constitutional amendment to reduce the influence of big…
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May 22, 2014 1:59 pm | By Jen HerrickLGBT Equality Pioneer Harvey Milk Memorialized with New Stamp
Today the United States Postal Service releases its highly-anticipated Harvey Milk stamp, memorializing the LGBT equality pioneer on what would have been his 84th birthday. Evan Low, a Campbell, California city councilmember and participant in PFAW Foundation's Young Elected Officials…
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May 21, 2014 9:57 pm | By Jen HerrickMarriage Equality Now Law in 19 States, Only 2 Bans Remain Unchallenged
The march toward marriage equality nationwide continues at an astounding pace. On Monday Oregon became the 18th state added to the win column when Judge Michael McShane struck down its ban on marriage for same-sex couples. Then on Tuesday Judge…
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May 20, 2014 7:13 pm | By Layne AmerikanerPennsylvania Marriage Ban Struck Down
Another day, another discriminatory ban struck down. Today a federal judge ruled in Whitewood v. Wolf that Pennsylvania’s 1996 ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. This victory for marriage equality follows closely on the heels of the striking of Oregon’s…
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May 19, 2014 8:03 pm | By Layne AmerikanerOregon Marriage Ban Struck Down
More good news from the fight for marriage equality: today a federal judge struck down Oregon’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples. If you are feeling a sense of deja-vu, it’s understandable – the Washington Blade notes that this ruling…
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May 19, 2014 6:58 pm | By adminSix Decades Later, Still Fighting for Equality in Schools
The following is a guest post from the Reverend Dr. Merchuria Chase Williams, a former school teacher and a member of People For the American Way Foundation’s African American Ministers Leadership Council. Last month, sixty years after the Supreme Court…
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May 16, 2014 5:07 pm | By adminOn the Brown Anniversary, The Struggle for Equal Education Continues
The following is a guest post from Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard, a member of affiliate People For the American Way Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network. Six decades ago the nation said “separate, but equal” is separate, but it certainly…
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May 15, 2014 8:11 pm | By Layne AmerikanerCampaign Finance Amendment To See Senate Action
On the floor of the Senate today, Majority Leader Harry Reid called for a constitutional amendment to counter the outsized role of big money in our electoral system. Senate leaders are not wasting any time in moving forward; Sen. Leahy…
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May 15, 2014 4:02 pm | By BernarditaPFAW Opposes Nomination of Michael Boggs to be Federal Judge
Federal district court nominee Michael Boggs of Georgia had his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The hearing was his opportunity to address the many serious concerns we and others have had about his record. When he…
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May 14, 2014 8:07 pm | By Layne AmerikanerIdaho Marriage Ban Struck Down
Yesterday evening a federal judge ruled Idaho’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples unconstitutional. If the state begins issuing marriage licenses Friday morning, plaintiffs Amber Beierle and Rachael Roberts say they are more than ready to make their union official.…
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May 13, 2014 7:32 pm | By Jen HerrickMarriage Equality Lawsuit Filed in Alaska, Only Three State Bans Remain Unchallenged
It seems like the march toward marriage equality is making news every day. Just yesterday, May 12, Alaska became the latest state to take up the issue when a lawsuit was filed in federal court challenging the state constitution's ban…
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May 13, 2014 4:18 pm | By Peter MontgomeryDangers of Supreme Court Prayer Ruling Quickly Become Clear
Sometimes the damage from a bad court decision takes a while to make itself clear. Not so with last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding a town’s practice of beginning council meetings with prayers that are overwhelmingly Christian. Conservative political…
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May 12, 2014 5:47 pm | By Jen HerrickMarriage Equality Ruling in Arkansas Welcomed by Southerners for the Freedom to Marry
This past Friday, May 9, Arkansas State Circuit Judge Chris Piazza struck down the state's discriminatory constitutional amendment – marriage equality's first step into the South. Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry: Today a state circuit judge in Arkansas ruled…
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May 8, 2014 3:27 pm | By Jake
Thanks to the Roberts Court, “Big Money” in Our Elections Is Only Getting Bigger
2014 is looking to be a bumper year for election spending. After the Citizens United ruling in 2010, that year’s midterms became a test case for how the newly-minted Super PACs and newly-empowered “dark money” groups would use their strength.…
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May 7, 2014 9:33 pm | By Jen HerrickSpeaker Boehner’s Secret Vault
Back in November, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asked Speaker Boehner to reveal the vault where he's been hiding all the good bills. Six months later, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is still locked away by House GOP leadership.…
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May 7, 2014 2:08 pm | By Layne AmerikanerInfographic: Six Months After The Senate Passed ENDA, House GOP Leadership Must Stop Obstructing
Six months ago today, the Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), legislation that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote someone because of who they are or who they love. Despite the fact…
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May 5, 2014 10:02 pm | By ScottAnalysis: Wealthy Could Blanket Wisconsin With $6 Million In Campaign Cash Without Limits
A new analysis by a campaign finance watchdog group has revealed that wealthy donors could have flooded Wisconsin with $6 million each to candidates in 2010 and 2012 elections if the state’s $10,000 aggregate annual limit had not existed. The…
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May 5, 2014 6:26 pm | By Peter MontgomerySupreme Court Upholds Sectarian Prayer at Official Meetings
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today overturned a ruling by the Second Circuit appeals court and upheld the practice of an upstate New York town that begins its council meetings with prayers that are almost always given…
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May 5, 2014 4:59 pm | By Alex HartPFAW Members Join Protest Outside of ALEC’s Task Force Summit in Kansas City
Last week, the American Legislative Exchange Council – better known as ALEC – held its 2014 Spring Task Force Summit in Kansas City. The annual Summit provides a venue for corporate lobbyists to woo state lawmakers and hatch the dangerous…