With four Republicans, one Independent who used to be a Republican, and one Democrat (Michael Yaki from California), the supposedly non-partisan eight-member United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) is a shell of its former self. While pro-civil rights advocates in the 50 State Advisory Committees (SACs) continue the proud history of a group that used to be at the forefront of enforcing civil rights compliance in the federal government, the national USCCR is planning to hold a meeting tomorrow (Friday, August 26) where the future of the SACs is on the line. The reactionaries on the USCCR board have always been afraid that progressives on the state level can undermine their evil deeds, so now the plan is to eliminate the requirement that the SACs be representative of the groups being protected under federal law.
More on how you can help after the flip.
Yes, the GOP realizes that rather than eliminate the Education Department, PBS, and other governmental entities that would stir a popular uprising, they simply have to populate their boards with reactionaries, eliminate pesky idealistic staff, and keep the funding at a low level so they cannot actually do much that would hurt the GOP agenda.
In the case of the USCCR, the national board votes on issues such as affirmative action guidelines that allow business groups and others who are not always supportive of civil rights to have a field day (with only lone dissents by Commissioner Yaki leaving any trace of other points of view in the public record).
While former USCCR Chair Arthur Fletcher and other moderate Republicans defended affirmative action and other progressive positions by the USCCR in the 60s and 70s, Reagan, Bush I and Bush II have pushed to undermine, underfund, and understaff it. The staff has done some good work despite this unrelenting attack, but more public scrutiny and input is needed to help the SACs and staff fight back.
If you are in Washington, come to the USCCR meeting tomorrow (Friday, Aug 26) at 9:30 am. The location is 624 9th Street, NW, Room 540.
If you are outside DC, plan on joining by phone. The number is 800-597-0731, access code 43783773. Google the USCCR or go to www.usccr.gov to read up on the issues if you have time, but the main thing needed now is more public scrutiny and outrage.
If 100 of us can be there on the phone when the meeting is convened at 9:30 AM Eastern time tomorrow, it will send a clear signal to the Republican majority that we are watching.
Better yet, contact the USCCR SAC in your state and ask them how you can get involved.
Don't let the GOP and their reactionary allies undermine civil rights without a fight!