Federal judge strikes down Texas' voter ID law

A federal court in Texas on Wednesday struck down the state's controversial voter identification law, granting an injunction that bars state officials from enforcing the measure.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled that the law was enacted with the deliberate intent to discriminate against black and Hispanic voters. Ramos said that it violates the Voting Rights Act and the 14th and 15th Amendments of the Constitution.

The original 2011 law, Senate Bill 14, one of the most restrictive in the nation, requires registered voters to present one of seven forms of government-issued photo ID in order to cast a ballot.

Lawmakers responded to previous judicial pushback against that bill by passing Senate Bill 5, a revamped version of the voter ID law this summer. The judge on Wednesday issued an injunction barring enforcement of that measure as well.

That measure created options for voters who say they cannot "reasonably" obtain one of the seven forms of identification outlined by the state.

But in her ruling Wednesday, Ramos said that the revamped measure preserved the original bill's discriminatory features.

Read more: Federal judge strikes down Texas' voter ID law

The life story of Malcolm X to become a TV series

Manning Marable’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Malcolm X: A Life Of Reinvention, is being adapted as a television series by Critical Content and writer David Matthews (Boardwalk Empire, Tyrant).

Matthews will pen the adaptation with Critical Content’s Tom Forman, Andrew Marcus, and Ray Ricord executive producing. Dr. Leith Mullings and Michael Tyner will serve as producers and consultants.

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention is considered the definitive history of Malcolm X’s life, revealing previously unknown details of Malcolm X’s evolution into an internationally recognized black leader. The series dramatizes the singular life of a great international African-American hero, one whose story continues to inspire the world.

The creative team is currently in discussions with filmmakers to join the project. Also planned is a subsequent documentary on the ongoing legacy of Malcolm X.

Critical Content is represented by WME. Matthews is represented by WME and Anonymous Content. UTA represented the Marable Estate in the deal on behalf of The Cheney Agency. [SOURCE: DEADLINE]

Check out the book the TV series will be based on.

HARDCOVER----- PAPERBACK------- KINDLE

Congressional Black Caucus has had it with Trump, plans to discuss impeachment

The Congressional Black Caucus, a formidable bloc of lawmakers with a big say in the fate of President Donald Trump and his legislation, on Monday (Aug. 21) sent him a terse, clear message: We don't think you understand us at all. Its chairman, Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, urged cancellation of next month's highly anticipated meeting between White House officials and leaders of the nation's historically black colleges, and he said he plans to have the 49-member caucus discuss whether to back Democratic-led efforts to impeach Trump.

Richmond said the president's remarks after the deadly Aug. 12 protest in Charlottesville, Va., show he has no commitment to the schools or to African Americans. Richmond said the caucus was outraged by Trump's assertion of "blame on both sides" for the violent Charlottesville rally dominated by neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

"You can make an argument based on pure competency and fitness to serve, and that's the conversation the caucus will have," Richmond told reporters in a conference call. The caucus includes 46 House Democrats, Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, and Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

"Am I concerned about high crimes and misdemeanors?" Richmond asked. "Absolutely. Am I concerned about this president's fitness to serve? Absolutely."

Read more: Congressional Black Caucus has had it with Trump, plans to discuss impeachment

NAACP mourns passing of civil rights icon and comedian, Dick Gregory

The NAACP has released the following statement on the passing of civil rights icon, writer, and comedian Dick Gregory.

The NAACP mourns the death of comedic legend and civil rights icon Dick Gregory, who passed away today at age 84. Gregory broke down the barriers of segregation in American comedy and entertainment, and consistently lent his celebrity status to the ongoing fight for civil rights.

The author of numerous books, comedy and spoken word albums, Gregory recently released a new book, “Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies.” Noted as an independent researcher and scholar of a variety of unorthodox knowledge, he segued from his position as one of the nation’s leading comics, to a civil rights activist after friend and former NAACP Mississippi state field secretary Medgar Evers was assassinated in 1963 by a white supremacist.

“Dick Gregory was an activist and creative genius who knew the struggle for liberation could only take flight if prominent individuals like himself leveraged their considerable influence, and joined the masses on the front lines of the dismantling of Jim Crow,” said NAACP Board Chairman Leon W. Russell. “We have lost one of the most important voices of social justice vigilance in the last fifty years. His intellectual style of humor defied racist stereotypes, eschewed buffoonery and provided white America rare insight into the unquestionable humanity of Black people,” added Russell.

Gregory would frequently march along side the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and considered late Muslim leader Malcolm X a friend. Later in his career, he would spend time on Radio One’s WOL-AM in Washington, DC with media magnate and good friend Cathy Hughes, providing analysis of the Black struggle, and advocating African American economic self-help, health and nutrition.

“Our brother in the struggle, Dick Gregory will be sorely missed,” said NAACP interim President Derrick Johnson. “He, along with people like Harry Belafonte and Paul Robeson pioneered the use of celebrity as tool to push for social justice. Our community and nation owes a great debt to him for his decades of work to eradicate racism.”

New York Police Officers Rally in Support of Colin Kaepernick

Controversial quarterback Colin Kaepernick received some unexpected support Saturday in Brooklyn.

A local lawmaker was joined by 100 law enforcement officers, who took a stand in solidarity with Kaepernick.

"We support Kap! We support Kap!" the officers chanted, their fists raised in the air.

"All of the people behind me risk their lives, so to speak, to protect folks, and they are standing with Kaepernick because they understand how important it is to push back on the structure," City Councilman Jumaane Williams of Brooklyn said, with the officers standing behind him.

Kaepernick has been criticized for putting politics on the NFL playing field by sitting and kneeling during the national anthem before his games with the San Francisco 49ers last year. He was protesting police brutality.

No team has signed the now-free agent. Several players say teams are colluding to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL.

Read more: Law enforcement rally in Brooklyn for Colin Kaepernick