Black voters sue over Alabama's method of electing judges

A civil rights group is challenging Alabama's practice of electing appellate judges by statewide vote, saying it has resulted in all-white courts in a state where one of every four people is African-American.

The NAACP's Alabama chapter and four black voters sued the state on Wednesday in Montgomery federal court, arguing that electing judges through at-large elections in Alabama violates the Voting Rights Act.

Alabama's appellate judges run statewide for election, just like the governor, attorney general and other top officials. The system has resulted in Republican-dominated courts — not a single Democrat is running for the appellate court seats open in November.

Alabama is one of about seven states that elect appellate judges in partisan elections, and racially polarized voting patterns in the deeply red state means elections are largely decided in the Republican primaries, resulting in a court that is not reflective of the state's population, said attorney James Blacksher, who is working the case.

Read more: Black voters sue over Alabama's method of electing judges

Judge Grants Partial Stop on North Dakota Pipeline Work

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe may not be African American but this blog stands with anyone fighting for their rights. The tribe has been fighting to stop a pipeline from being built on it's sacred burial grounds. To those who say this is much ado about nothing, think about how you would feel if you were told to dig up and rebury your loved ones. This blog also condemns the use of dogs on protesters, a move that reignites memories of the dark past of the United States. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

An American Indian tribe succeeded Tuesday in getting a federal judge to temporarily stop construction on some, but not all, of a $3.8 billion four-state oil pipeline, but its broader request still hangs in the balance.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said Tuesday that work will temporarily stop between North Dakota's State Highway 1806 and 20 miles east of Lake Oahe, but will continue west of the highway because he believes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lacks jurisdiction on private land.

He also said he will rule by the end of Friday on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's challenge of federal regulators' decision to grant permits to the Dallas, Texas-based operators of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which will cross North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.

Read more: Judge Grants Partial Stop on North Dakota Pipeline Work

President Obama Nominates Muslim Judge

President Obama Nominates Abid Riaz Qureshi to Serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Abid Riaz Qureshi to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

“I am pleased to nominate Mr. Qureshi to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama. “I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice.”

Abid Riaz Qureshi: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Abid Riaz Qureshi is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins LLP, where he specializes in cases involving the False Claims Act, health care fraud, and securities violations. Qureshi has spent the entirety of his legal career at Latham & Watkins LLP, where he currently serves as the Global Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, a position he has held since 2012. From 2006 to 2011, he served as Co-Chair of the Litigation Department in the Washington, D.C. office. Qureshi has also served on the District of Columbia Bar Association’s Legal Ethics Committee since 2015. He received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1997 and his B.A. summa cum laude from Cornell University in 1993.

Even Ben Carson believes Donald Trump should apologize for his "birther" involvment

During an interview with CNN"s Dan Tapper, Ben Carson agreed that it might be a good idea for Donald Trump to apologize for his role in the birther movement. No, you did not misread that it actually happened and you can watch the video below:

Grand Opening Schedule for the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Here is the schedule for the weekend long grand opening celebration for the National Museum of African American History and Culture beginning September 23, 2016.

On September 6th at 9:00 a.m. EDT, additional Timed Entry Passes for Grand Opening Weekend Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th, will be made available. The Museum will also offer Timed Passes for extended hours Monday, September 26th through Sunday, October 2nd. Timed Passes for the months of November and December will also be released Tuesday. Learn more about the timed passes and purchase them here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/passes

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Grand Opening Schedule

Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration

Washington Monument Grounds

Friday, September 23, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 24, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 25, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Beginning Friday, September 23, 2016, on the Washington Monument grounds, the National Museum of African American History and Culture presents Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration. Conceived and presented in festival fashion, Freedom Sounds programming will include musical performances, spoken word, oral history activities and evening concerts. A drum circle, storytelling, and interactive workshops provide opportunities for families and large groups of the public to explore and celebrate the museum’s rich content and stories. This three-day music festival presents artists who represent the numerous cultural threads encompassing our shared African diasporic histories and traditions. Two tented stages will offer local, national and international performers, contributing to NMAAHC’s Grand Opening Weekend. The Freedom Sounds festival continues on Saturday and closes the Grand Opening Weekend on Sunday evening, September 25, 2016. Designed to accommodate the crowds anticipated; the festival is free and open to the public.

Dedication Ceremony

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Saturday, September 24, 2016

9:00 a.m. Gathering and Musical Prelude

10:00 a.m. Dedication Ceremony Begins

On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the public witnesses the outdoor Dedication Ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In the afternoon, the museum officially opens to the public. Tickets are not required for the public to view the outdoor Dedication Ceremony. Extensive large-screen viewing areas are well-positioned for crowds during the Dedication Ceremony.

Museum Opens to the Public

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Saturday, September 24, 2016, 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 25, 2016, 7:00 a.m. – Midnight

The Museum officially opens to the public at 2pm, following the Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, September 24, 2016. The museum will keep its doors open for extended hours Sunday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to Midnight.