Aaron Persky, the judge who sparked national outrage after granting a light jail sentence to Stanford rapist Brock Turner, was recalled by California voters in their June 5 primary. It is very rare for a judge to be recalled: since 1911 when recalls were first legalized, only four attempts have been successful; the last was in 1932.
Appeals Court Hands Down Major Equal Pay Win
Yesterday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it is illegal for employers to consider a woman’s previous salary when determining pay for her new job, as it perpetuates pay discrimination between men and women. The groundbreaking decision came the day before the national Equal Pay Day, which marks the point into 2018 […]
Supreme Court Hears Case on Fake Reproductive Health Clinics
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard the first abortion-related case of the Trump Administration.
Time’s Up on Workplace Sexual Harassment at Golden Globe Awards
On Sunday evening, attendees of the 75th Golden Globe Awards honoring achievement in film and television dressed in black and wore Time’s Up pins to participate in a blackout that showed support and solidarity for the movement to combat workplace sexual harassment.
California Lawmakers Pass Bill to Protect Rights of LGBT Seniors
The LGBT Senior Bill of Rights, introduced by California State Senator Scott Wiener, was approved by the California State Assembly on Tuesday and will now move onto the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. SB 219, also referred to as the LGBT Seniors Bill of Rights, will protect seniors in nursing facilities from discrimination based […]
Maternal Mortality Rates are Rising in the United States
The United States saw a dramatic 27 percent jump in the maternal death rate from 19 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 24 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2014. In 2015, the rate once again went up to 26.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, and it is black women who are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth related incidences than white women.
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Sanctuary Cities Saved by Federal Judge
On Tuesday a District Court judge in San Francisco temporarily blocked President Trump’s January executive order threatening to pull federal funding from sanctuary cities who do not comply with the administration’s mass deportation efforts.
New Report Details Trouble With California’s Charter Schools
A report released this month by the research and policy center In The Public Interest details the educational shortcomings and financial wastes of California’s charter school industry, a warning to other states, and the federal government, considering implementing similar policies.
California Files Felony Charges Against Anti-Abortion Center for Medical Progress
On Tuesday California filed 15 felony charges against Sandra Merritt and David Daleiden, director of the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the anti-abortion group responsible for the discredited videos released last year that falsely accused Planned Parenthood of illegally selling fetal tissue.
California Voters Pass Controversial Criminal Justice Reform Proposition
California voters passed Proposition 57 this past Tuesday. Presented as a means for criminal justice reform, Proposition 57 allows non-violent convicts parole consideration once they have completed their base sentence.
Gun Control Referendums Received Close Votes on Election Day
On Election Day, Washington, California and Nevada all voted to strengthen gun control measures in the wake of Congress’ unwillingness to improve gun safety.
Fight to End the Criminalization of Sex Workers Continues in California
Sex workers in California are fighting back against the current criminalization of their profession.
Planned Parenthood to Proceed with Federal Lawsuit Against Center for Medical Progress
Last week, in a victory for reproductive rights advocates, a federal judge in California refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood against the so-called Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the anti-abortion group responsible for the discredited videos released last year that falsely accused the women’s healthcare organization of illegally selling fetal tissue.
California Terminates Statute of Limitations in Wake of Cosby Allegations
Last week California Gov. Jerry Brown approved the Justice for Victims Act, which will eliminate the state’s statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and other felony sex crimes.
California Enacts New Protections for Child Sex Trafficking Victims
More than half a dozen bills protecting child victims of sex trafficking were signed into law on Monday by California Governor Jerry Brown, including one that ensures minors cannot be criminally charged with prostitution.
California Works to Close Rape Law Loophole
This week the California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would establish a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison for anyone convicted of raping an unconscious person.
California Assembly Passes Bill to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Felony Sex Crimes
The California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and other felony sex crimes.
Stanford’s Ban on Hard Alcohol Sends the Wrong Message About Sexual Assault
This past Monday, Stanford University banned hard alcohol from undergraduate parties and residences in the wake of the national outrage following the Brock Turner sexual assault case.
House Majority Passes Yet Another Anti-Abortion Bill
The House on Wednesday voted 245-182 to pass the Conscience Protection Act of 2016, a bill which would restrict access to abortion by allowing healthcare workers and health insurance providers to refuse to cover abortion services.
Lawsuit Targets Gender Discrimination in Workers’ Compensation
Three California women filed a class-action lawsuit on Wednesday accusing the state workers’ compensation system of explicit and unfair gender bias.
