The Associated Press: on Civil Rights
Antony Blinken:
Human rights are co-equal; there is no hierarchy
In a sharp rebuke to Trump-era policies, Secretary of State Antony Blinken formally scrapped a blueprint championed by his predecessor to limit U.S. promotion of human rights abroad to causes favored by conservatives like religious freedom and property
matters while dismissing reproductive and LGBTQ rights."One of the core principles of human rights is that they are universal. All people are entitled to these rights, no matter where they're born, what they believe, whom they love, or any other
characteristic," Blinken said. "Human rights are also co-equal; there is no hierarchy that makes some rights more important than others."
The Biden administration has already repealed several Trump-era human rights decisions. Those have included
reengaging with the U.N. Human Rights Council, abandoning the so-called Geneva Consensus and Mexico City rule that oppose abortion rights and restoring LGBTQ protections as a matter of administration policy.
Source: Associated Press on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 30, 2021
Antony Blinken:
Women's rights--including sexual rights--are human rights
Blinken formally scrapped a blueprint championed by his predecessor to limit U.S. promotion of human rights abroad, [which] dismissed reproductive and LGBTQ rights.Blinken also reversed a Trump administration decision to remove sections on
reproductive rights from the State Department's annual human rights reports on foreign countries. "Women's rights--including sexual and reproductive rights--are human rights," he said.
In presenting the annual human rights reports, Blinken said he had
instructed the State Department to restore sections on reproductive rights to future editions [to replace sections prepared in the Trump administration]. He ordered the department to prepare addendums to the 2020 reports that include information about
maternal mortality, discrimination against women in accessing sexual and reproductive health care and government policies about access to contraception and skilled health care during pregnancy and childbirth.
Source: Associated Press on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 30, 2021
Beto O`Rourke:
Supports commission investigating reparations for slavery
Asked whether he would back a House bill that would create a commission to study the issue of reparations. He said he would back the bill. "Until all Americans understand that civil rights" also involves "the injustices that have
been visited and continue to be visited on people, we will never get the change that we need to live up to the promise of this country. So absolutely I would sign that into law," he said.
Source: Associated Press, "Reparations," on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 3, 2019
Derek Schmidt:
Would have signed vetoed transgender athlete ban
Conservative Republicans in Kansas failed to overturn the Democratic governor's veto of a proposed ban on transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports. The proposed ban is likely to be an issue in the 2022 governor's race, when Kelly seeks a
second term. The top two Republican candidates, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former Gov. Jeff Colyer, have said they would have signed the measure.
Source: Associated Press on KAKE-ABC on 2022 Kansas Governor race
May 3, 2021
Doug Burgum:
Repeal Sunday morning shopping ban
North Dakota's Republican-led Legislature repealed the nation's toughest Sunday business restrictions--rules that are rooted in religious tradition and that have been in place since statehood.
Senators voted 25-21 on the House bill repealing the ban on Sunday morning shopping. Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has supported the repeal and is expected to sign the bill.
Source: Associated Press on 2020 North Dakota gubernatorial race
Mar 19, 2019
Greg Pence:
Says he doesn't manage his mall that sells racist objects
Greg Pence is coming under criticism for allowing the sale of objects with racist depictions of African Americans at an antiques mall he co-owns. Sprinkled throughout the mall are dozens of objects that trade in Jim Crow-era caricatures, like a coin
bank featuring an exaggerated, straw-hatted Black figure biting down on a watermelon or "Mammy" biscuit jars depicting smiling Black enslaved women. Through a spokesperson, Pence said he "is not engaged in the active management" of the mall.
Source: Associated Press on 2020 IN-6 House race
Jul 31, 2020
Julian Castro:
Supports commission investigating reparations for slavery
Castro, one of the most vocal candidates on the issue, said that he has long believed "that our country will never truly heal until we address the original sin of slavery.""If, under our Constitution, we compensate
people if we take their property, why wouldn't we compensate people who were considered property and sanctioned by the state?" he asked.
Source: Associated Press, "Reparations," on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 3, 2019
Rocky De La Fuente:
Successfully challenged ballot access laws and regulations
Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente has been a champion in challenging unconstitutional ballot access laws and regulations. His success in 2016 forged the way for candidates from all parties,
including independents, to have access to ballots across the country. He will continue until voters in all 50 states and Washington D.C. are presented with a choice. Their voices matter.
Source: Associated Press AccessWire on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Oct 26, 2019
Spencer Cox:
Wants "Utah solution" to protecting LGTBQ kids
He drew national headlines in 2016 for an emotional speech he gave reacting to the Orlando nightclub massacre that left 49 people dead. He apologized for how he treated kids growing up in his small hometown who he now realizes were gay. This year,
Cox delivered an apology to protesters frustrated about the gutting of a bill to ban gay conversion therapy. He said Tuesday he's still working to find a "Utah solution" to protect LGTBQ kids during the next legislative session.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2020 Utah gubernatorial race
May 14, 2019
Preston Love:
Founder and director of Black Votes Matter Institute
Love is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit
Black Votes Matter Institute of Community Engagement and an adjunct professor of Black studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Source: Associated Press on 2024 Nebraska Senate race
Jan 17, 2024
Page last updated: Nov 03, 2024