February 10, 2017
In the weeks leading up to the 2017 Presidential inauguration, civil rights protestors continued their fight to pursue criminal justice and voting rights under the new administration of President Trump. Part of the President Elect’s platform included revamping the healthcare system, restrictions on refugees and immigration and building a wall on the border between the U.S. and Mexico.
U.S. Representative John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat, called the legitimacy of the election into question after reports of Russia’s alleged hacking. The PEOTUS responded on Twitter, admonishing the representative and telling him to worry about his own district. Hours later, the Rev. Al Sharpton organized a march, calling on Democrats in Congress to stand strong for current healthcare laws under Obamacare and minority rights. He also reminded protestors to continue to stand for hard-fought rights and not to accept backwards movement.
The rally included about 2,000 people who braved inclement weather to gather near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The crowd was smaller than initially projected. Even so, Sharpton indicated that he was pleased with the numbers. Other participants included Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, La Raza, victims of police brutality and the National Urban League. Nearly three dozen groups, most of them against the incoming administration, requested and received permits to protest in the days leading up to and after the inauguration. Others have threatened to disrupt the inauguration proceedings.
Estimates for the Women’s March slated for the day following the inauguration in the nation’s capital number around 200,000 people. Authorities will beef up security in the area, with the U.S. Secret Service and local police providing 3,000 additional officers on hand. About 5,000 National Guard troops will also be present.
With a new administration in the White House, civil rights will be under greater scrutiny than ever. If you feel that your civil rights have been violated on the job or in other arenas where they should have been protected, our firm can review your options with you. Contact us for answers to your questions and help in defending your rights.
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