• Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010

    February 6, 2013 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 (Repeal Act) was enacted to repeal the former Department of Defense Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy (DADT) concerning the service of homosexuals in the Armed Forces. On October 1, 1993, President William J. Clinton signed the DADT, which theoretically lifted a ban on homosexual service in the armed forces that had been instituted during World War II, though in effect it continued as a statutory ban.  Under the former DADT, gays, lesbians and bisexuals technically were not allowed to serve in the armed forces.  In order to serve their country, such individuals had to hide their true identity and sexual orientation.  If their true identity and sexual orientation was revealed or was later known to the Department of Defense, they would be summarily discharged from the military.  The Repeal Act was intended to end this separate but, unequal practice of keeping…

  • New York State Anti-Discrimination Legislative Initiatives

    February 5, 2013 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    Over the past ten years, there were several legislative initiatives enacted in the State of New York prohibiting various forms of discrimination.  These legislative initiatives were designed to fill in the gaps not covered under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 aka Title VII that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, religion and national origin. The New York’s Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) was enacted in Late 2002, effective on January 16, 2003.  SONDA was enacted “to prohibit discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, and the exercise of civil rights.”  The term ‘sexual orientation’ is defined under SONDA to include heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and asexuality. On December 16, 2009, the Governor of the State of New York signed Executive Order No. 33 which “prohibits discrimination in State employment on the basis of gender identity”.  The said…

  • City of New York Anti-Discrimination Legislative Initiatives

    February 4, 2013 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    In addition to the laws that are enacted and are applicable throughout the State of New York, the City of New York has been very progressive enacting several expansive anti-discrimination laws.  In many respects, the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) and the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) are very similar in structure, legislative intent and application.  Laws enforced under the NYSHRL may be adjudicated administratively at the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR).  The NYSHRL may also be enforced by filing a lawsuit in federal or state court.  Laws enforced under the NYCHRL may be adjudicated administratively at the New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR).  The NYCHRL may also be enforced by filing a lawsuit in federal or state court. The NYCHRL prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status,…

  • City of New York Anti-Bullying Legislative Initiatives

    February 1, 2013 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    The City of New York does not have separate anti bullying laws.  The City follows the law enacted by the State of New York.  Bullying can occur in many forms such as: intimidating a person to force them to do things against their will or even mocking a person for their weaknesses or defects or deformities.  Bullying can occur in many social settings but, a significant amount of such incidents usually occur in educational institutions.  Bullying can cause an individual to sustain severe physical or even psychological injuries.  Bullying can have such a devastating effect on the victims psyche that they may feel there is no other resolution but, to commit suicide.  Therefore, it is an important public safety issue that needs to be addressed. On September 13, 2010, the State of New York signed into law the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).  On July 1, 2012, DASA took…

  • New York State Anti-Bullying Legislative Initiatives

    January 31, 2013 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    Bullying can occur in many forms such as: intimidating a person to force them to do things against their will or even mocking a person for their weaknesses or defects or deformities.  Bullying can occur in many social settings but, a significant amount of such incidents usually occur in educational institutions.  Bullying can cause an individual to sustain severe physical or even psychological injuries.  Bullying can have such a devastating effect on the victims psyche that they may feel there is no other resolution but, to commit suicide.  Therefore, it is an important public safety issue that needs to be addressed. On September 13, 2010, the State of New York signed into law the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).  On July 1, 2012, DASA took effect.  DASA was enacted to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation,…

  • NYPD Football Cops Found Not Guilty

    January 3, 2013 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    Two female NYPD officers’ disciplined for tossing football with a young boy while on their post were found ‘Not Guilty’ of misconduct by the Trial Commissioner after a Department Trial. The decision was approved on December 17, 2012, by Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. “This was yet another colossal waste of Department Resources” says Eric Sanders. “The Department really needs to rethink its definition of community policing. I think the Department prefers its officers to be an occupying force rather than positively interacting with the community it serves” Sanders said. Read NY Daily News Read NY Daily News Editorial Read final decision    

  • Is Sexual Harassment A Problem in the Workplace?

    January 1, 2013 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1871

    September 8, 2012 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    The last of the three Enforcement Acts, Congress passed during the years of 1870 and 1871 the Civil Rights Act of 1871 was drafted to protect the civil rights of Blacks. It expressly prohibited violence against Blacks the Act specifically targeted the Ku Klux Klan and other racially motivated parties. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill into law on April 20, 1871. President Grant had requested the law from Congress, in response to reports of violence against Blacks in the South. President Grant goals were to address the issues of racially motivated violence and abuse in the South; additionally, he wanted to have his powers as president defined more broadly by law before taking such action, believing that he needed additional powers if he intervened. The Act granted the president sweeping authority to suspend the right to habeas corpus and to utilize the federal government to intervene if States…

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964

    September 7, 2012 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    It was enacted to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans to fully participate in elections and vote, an area where Blacks rights were consistently interfered with. Initially, the act lacked enforcement capability; however, Congress addressed these issues in subsequent years. Congress asserted its legislative power over the states to grant all US citizens the same privileges, and equal protection, as stated under the Fourteenth Amendment. Title IX of the Act made it easier for federal courts to establish jurisdiction over such cases due to jury bias, judicial misconduct where judges were segregationists and all- white juries. Voting Prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Blacks encountered great difficulties whenever they tried to vote Although Blacks had the legal right to vote most found it very difficult to exercise their rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to apply different registration requirements on voter applications for…

  • Filing a Discrimination Complaint

    September 6, 2012 | Posted by

    sanders firm rss feed

    Under Federal, State and some local laws, it is illegal to discriminate against an individual for their: Ethnicity Skin color, or related facial features Country of origin Age Sex Religious beliefs Political alignment Arrest and conviction record What constitutes discrimination? An act constitutes discrimination if you are subjected to treatment that is different from that way others are treated. The differentiation must be in a negative or adverse manner to be considered discrimination; if, due to your race, religion, or status, you are subjected to extra special service, or some other positive act, although you may have been treated differently, the act does not constitute discrimination. Examples of discrimination include: Being refused service at a restaurant due to your skin color Not being hired for a job due because of your religious beliefs Other employees are promoted over you, despite your being more qualified due to your race Being refused…

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →