NEWS ROUNDUP: EX-OFFENDERS TO VOTE IN FL? / NEW PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE / EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO APOLOGIZE FOR SLAVERY
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Civil rights lawyer Reggie Mitchell is a man on a mission. Mitchell is the leader of a group of activists who are trying to register thousands of eligible felons.
Although the presidential campaigns of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama have created major registration efforts, neither has designated anyone to go after former offenders who have been unfairly disenfranchised for decades.
Mitchell, an Obama supporter, has created an “Ex-Felon Targets” database to search for potential voters and calls getting voter-registration cards to them a “passionate hobby”.
He said:
“It kind of offended my notion of justice. You can serve your time and still have your rights taken away. I studied the history of black disenfranchisement in the state. We had the grandfather laws and the tissue-paper ballots. When a black man came to vote, they gave him a tissue-paper ballot that was later thrown out. There were lynchings and riots. We’ve got a long history of depriving people of the right to vote in Florida.”
Mitchell left a personal-injury practice in 2004 and became Florida’s legal director for the nonprofit People for the American Way Foundation. Leading the liberal advocacy group’s state voting rights project, he worked to have the law changed that prohibited ex-offenders from voting. Mitchell also oversaw the project that helped build the foundation’s Restore My Vote site.
NEW PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Dream League, Inc. recently announced the launch of the Dream League Football Association (DLFA), a salary-capped, professional football league, operating a fall season, predominantly Saturday schedule.
Players in the DLFA must be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or have a G.E.D. equivalent. By league mandate, no
DLFA franchise may stage any organized team practice sessions prior to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, during September through December. All DLFA franchises shall be required to maintain an Executive level, Academic Advisory officer charged with coordination of University Degree studies.
For more info, visit dreamleaguefootball.com.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO APOLOGIZE FOR SLAVERY
Following the House’s recent resolution and apology for slavery and racism, the Episcopal Church is planning to do the same.
The church will hold a “Day of Repentance” to publicly apologize for its involvement in the slave trade. Mandate by a 2006 resolution at the church’s General Convention, the ceremony will take place Oct. 3–4 in Philadelphia.
“We hope to set a model for other denominations about how to face this dark, tragic part of our history because we believe that only when you repent can you move on,” said Jayne Oasin, program officer for the church’s Anti-Racism and Gender Equality program.
( SOURCE: Washington Post, Dream League Football, USA Today )
( PHOTO: Reggie Mitchell)
20 Comments
1.
HarlemWorld
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 /
It’s about time!
2.
daisy
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 /
yh..thats all i can say!!!
3.
bossy20
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 /
Damn
4.
SUPERDUPER50000000000
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
Wow The Church !! i know their concious was eatin them Alive!
Im glad though-==This wholee apology thing is really helping a little, u guys think?
Im a lil forgiving but search BLACK ISRAELITES!! =D
~ SunriseSundown.blogspot.com
5.
darkflava
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
OK, in my opinion, the Dream League is a stupid idea. There is a Dream League now, it’s called COLLEGE football. I see that the league has an Academic Advisory officer. Does that mean they’re gonna require these players to have some kind of “post high school” education? If not, this is just another deterrent to college. I don’t think this will last long at all.
6.
DVYNEDVA
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
Yeah i really dont get the Dream League. I agree with #5…dont think it will last long…
whats really the point of having this ‘League’?…
7.
Beyonceaintallthat
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
Don’t you lose your right to vote once you go to jail? How is he gonna make felons register if they can’t vote? Please clarify
8.
Vee1
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
Good look getting ex-felos registered. Hope they get a good response.
9.
Vee1
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
Oops my bad ex-felons
10.
Original Truth (I don't care if ya get mad)
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
hmmm I would have to see what the eligibility req’s were beforehand…
The Episcopal Church? Slavery? Really? Who knew? Learn something new everyday!!
11.
dukesman2000
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
I agree with the idea of giving ex-felons their voting rights back. But there should be some stipulation - for instance only non-violent crimes. So pedophiles and rapists can’t vote (they should not be alive, in my opinion) or serial killers. But if you sold some weed and was unfortunate to have gotten caught, paid your debt to society, then you should be able to vote.
12.
Ron
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
Illinois is one of a few states that allow ex felons to vote. But the real question is will they get out and vote, I surely hope they do.
13.
scorpiozrhawt
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
I thought the same thing that once you were convicted of a crime and went to jail you weren’t allowed to vote. Although, there is a flaw with that because what if you were wrongly accused and you were set free? Example; you went to jail for raping a girl and been there for 6 years and then they found out it wasn’t you and let you go. But what he is doing is good but I don’t think it will work unfortunately :(.
14.
Oct. Watson
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
I think that it is great to let those who have paid their debt to society vote. I agree that those with extreme convictions shouldn’t be able to vote unless they meet certain things like for example Keeping in contact with their PO, having at least a year of good behavior, and etc.
15.
Lance "Scurv" Scurvin
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
He is to be honored for doing this! He is a true example of a man who is seeking to do something for his community instead of taking his success elsewhere in a way that wouldn’t impact the Black community.
We need more like him!
~ Scurv ~
16.
Theworldwillendin2012
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
Wait, whats the point of the DNFL again? Im confused, who’s going 2 pay money to see a sport thats the same as another sport only in a different league? FLOP.
17.
Theworldwillendin2012
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
my bad,DFLA, wateva .
18.
BigDaddyReg
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
…..Cool so TI might be able to vote
19.
Sugar Hype » Blog Archive » NEWS ROUNDUP: EX-OFFENDERS TO VOTE IN FL? / NEW PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE / EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO APOLOGIZE FOR SLAVERY
Thursday, August 14, 2008 /
[…] (more…) […]
20.
STLCHICK
Friday, August 15, 2008 /
The football league is interesting and I’m glad that ppl are reaching out to ex felons. Everyone makes mistakes.