New Black Panthers

Dem Prevents Civil Rights Panel Vote On New Black Panther Report (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | October 29, 2010, 11:52AM

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was unable to reach a quorum today to vote approve a report critical of the Justice Department's handling of the civil voter intimidation case once brought against members of the New Black Panther Party. Democratic Commissioner Michael Yaki, who would have allowed the panel to reached a quorum, walked out of the meeting.

"This process for this entire investigation has been a farce from the beginning and done in a way to diminish the opportunity of those who oppose this investigation to participate," Yaki told reporters.

What one conservative member of the commission did discuss, however, was how TPMMuckraker was able to obtain a draft copy of the report.

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U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Civil Rights Commission Chairman: We're Still Relevant

Ryan J. Reilly | September 15, 2010, 11:02AM

Gail Heriot of the United States Commission on Civil Rights

About 60 people gathered at the National Press Club Tuesday afternoon for a panel on the future of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights as part of the agency's annual conference.

The question over whether the commission should continue to exist was brought up for discussion by the conservative members of the agency who planned the conference.

But two conservatives commissioners -- one who moderated the panel and another who serves as chair of the commission -- indicated they believe the agency still serves an important purpose. Commissioner Gail Heriot, an independent who has served as a GOP delegate, moderated the panel and sung the praises of the agency.

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U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

U.S. Commission On Civil Rights To Debate Its Own Existence After Promoting Conservative Values

Ryan J. Reilly | September 13, 2010, 3:18PM

Wade Henderson (bottom) told TPM that the conference being hosted by Commission on Civil Rights Chairman Gerald Reynolds (top) is a "sham."

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is hosting its national conference tomorrow in D.C., but don't expect a big turnout of civil rights organizations.

"I'm not attending the conference. I think it's a sham," Wade Henderson, president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, told TPM.

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