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Cynthia McKinney on Civil Rights

Green Party nominee for President (Former Rep., D, GA-4)


Keep affirmative action in college admissions

Q: Briefly state your position on the following issue: Civil Rights.

A: I have supported Federal funding and contracting preferences (in Georgia and in Congress) for women and minority owned businesses. I supported passage of the Violence Against Women Act. I have long advocated for reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans. I opposed efforts to end Affirmative Action in college admissions.

Source: Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Feb 3, 2008

Supports gay adoptions

Q: Briefly state your position on the following issue: Civil Rights.

A: I supported the Equal Rights Amendment. I opposed efforts to ban gay adoptions in Washington DC.

Source: Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Feb 3, 2008

Repeal the Patriot Act and end Islamophobia

Reconstruction Party Manifesto point #1:
Freedom includes the rights to education, health care, housing, living wages, and freedom from racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, gentrification, and police terror.

Therefore, we need comprehensive federal investment in low-income families and communities, with an emphasis on people of color.

We need repeal of the Patriot Acts, the Secret Evidence Act, the Military Commissions Act, and other legislation that rolls back bedrock civil liberties.

Source: Manifesto for a Reconstruction Party Jan 26, 2008

Reparations for former slaves, as promised & never delivered

Reconstruction Party Manifesto point #3. We Want Reparations Now!
We believe that the U.S. government never kept its promise to former slaves of the overdue debt of forty acres and two mules. Forty acres and two mules were pr
Source: Manifesto for a Reconstruction Party Jan 26, 2008

Introduced MLK Records Act, to unseal assassination files

McKinney has submitted to Congress two different versions of the same bill, the "MLK Records Act" (one in 2003, the other in 2005), which, if signed into law, would release all currently sealed files concerning the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. These records were sealed in 1978 and are not due to be declassified until the year 2028. The 2005 version of the MLK Records Act, HR 2554 had 67 co-sponsors by the time McKinney left office at the end of 2006.
Source: Wikipedia article, "Cynthia McKinney" Dec 21, 2007

Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent.

To extend and modify authorities needed to combat terrorism, and for other purposes, including:
Reference: USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act; Bill HR 3199 ; vote number 2005-627 on Dec 14, 2005

Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC.

Vote on an amendment banning adoptions in District of Columbia by gays or other individuals who are not related by blood or marriage.
Reference: Amendment introduced by Largent, R-OK; Bill HR 2587 ; vote number 1999-346 on Jul 29, 1999

Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions.

HR 6, the Higher Education Amendments Act of 1997, would prohibit any post-secondary institution that participates in any program under the Higher Education Act from discriminating or granting any preferential treatment in admission based on race, sex, ethnicity, color or national origin.
Reference: Amendment introduced by Riggs, R-CA.; Bill HR 6 ; vote number 1998-133 on May 6, 1998

Supports reparations for slavery.

McKinney signed the CBC statement on the UN World Conference Against Racism

Reparations is a serious issue that should be seriously discussed. Not only can we not deny African-Americans the opportunity to discuss the issue on the world stage, we cannot deny the rest of the world the opportunity to discuss the issue with America. It is sad that the forces of the status quo have suffocated the attempts of Rep. John Conyers to have a simple hearing on a bill to authorize a study regarding reparations. It is sadder still that they are now trying to suffocate the voices of the entire world [at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa] . The damages suffered by families as a result of the slave trade are physical, mental and financial. They have long term consequences. If the world is to be a just one, we must engage in a real discussion about the resources that many people feel their ancestors were denied. Only when this is accomplished can we ever truly move beyond the wounds to focus on healing.

Source: CBC Statement on the UN World Conference Against Racism 01-CBC1 on Aug 31, 2001

Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice.

McKinney adopted the CBC principles:

Source: Congressional Black Caucus press release 01-CBC8 on Jan 6, 2001

Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender.

McKinney co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment:

Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to equal rights for men and women. Summary: States that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HJR40 on Mar 22, 2001

Require "Privacy Impact Statement" on new federal rules.

McKinney co-sponsored requiring "Privacy Impact Statement" on new federal rules

SPONSOR'S INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT: It is clear that this bill's many cosponsors do not agree on every issue. The same can be said of the bill's noncongressional supporters, which include groups ranging from the National Rifle Association to the American Civil Liberties Union.

The sphere of privacy, which Justice Brandeis eloquently described as the ''right to be let alone,'' is not only rapidly diminishing, it is increasingly penetrable. The Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act takes the first--necessary--step toward protecting the privacy of information collected by the federal government, by requiring that rules noticed for public comment by federal agencies be accompanied by an assessment of the rule's impact on personal privacy interests, including the extent to which the proposed rule provides notice of the collection of personally identifiable information, what information will be obtained, and how this informational will be collected, protected, maintained, used and disclosed.

I want to emphasize H.R. 4561 will not unduly burden regulators nor will it hinder law enforcement. This bill will apply the best antiseptic--sunshine--to the federal rulemaking process by securing the public's right to know about how rules will affect their personal privacy.

EXCERPTS FROM BILL:

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME: Passed House on a voice vote; sent to Senate on Oct. 8, 2002; never called to vote in Senate.

Source: Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act (H.R.4561) 02-HR4561 on Apr 24, 2002

Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks.

McKinney co-sponsored issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks

EXCERPTS OF RESOLUTION:

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME:Referred to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; never came to a vote.
Source: Rosa Parks Stamp (S.2154/H.R.4343) 05-S2154 on Dec 20, 2005

Rated 80% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance.

McKinney scores 80% by the HRC on gay rights

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2005-2006 HRC scores as follows:

About the HRC (from their website, www.hrc.org):

The Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of more than 700,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

Ever since its founding in 1980, HRC has led the way in promoting fairness for GLBT Americans. HRC is a bipartisan organization that works to advance equality based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity.

Source: HRC website 06n-HRC on Dec 31, 2006

Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance.

McKinney scores 97% by the NAACP on affirmative action

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2005-2006 NAACP scores as follows:

About the NAACP (from their website, www.naacp.org):

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has worked over the years to support and promote our country's civil rights agenda. Since its founding in 1909, the NAACP has worked tirelessly to end racial discrimination while also ensuring the political, social, and economic equality of all people. The Association will continue this mission through its policy initiatives and advocacy programs at the local, state, and national levels. From the ballot box to the classroom, the dedicated workers, organizers, and leaders who forged this great organization and maintain its status as a champion of social justice, fought long and hard to ensure that the voices of African Americans would be heard. For nearly one hundred years, it has been the talent and tenacity of NAACP members that has saved lives and changed many negative aspects of American society.

Source: NAACP website 06n-NAACP on Dec 31, 2006

Supported legislation on violence against women & safety.

McKinney adopted the Women's Caucus policy agenda:

Source: Women's Caucus Agenda-106th Congress 99-WC1 on Jul 15, 1999

Supported funding for women's and disadvantaged businesses.

McKinney adopted the Women's Caucus policy agenda:

Source: Women's Caucus Agenda-106th Congress 99-WC12 on Jul 15, 1999

Other candidates on Civil Rights: Cynthia McKinney on other issues:
Nominees:
GOP: Sen.John McCain
Democrat: Sen.Barack Obama
Dem.V.P.: Sen.Joe Biden

GOP V.P. Possibilities:
Gov.Haley Barbour(MS)
Gov.Charlie Crist(FL)
Mayor Rudy Giuliani(NYC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Sen.Joe Lieberman(CT)
Gov.Tim Pawlenty(MN)
Gov.Mitt Romney(MA)
Gov.Mark Sanford(SC)

Third Parties:
Constitution: Chuck Baldwin
Libertarian: Rep.Bob Barr
Libertarian: Sen.Mike Gravel
Constitution: Amb.Alan Keyes
Liberation: Gloria La Riva
Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney
Socialist: Brian Moore
Independent: Ralph Nader
Libertarian: Rep.Ron Paul
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Page last updated: Oct 01, 2008