By: Ken Jensen In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, 207 L. Ed. 2d 679 (2020), the U.S. Supreme Court held that if a state offers an educational choice program, it cannot bar a religious schools based solely on their religious character. Over fifteen years ago, the Court had held that the Establishment Clause did … Continue reading Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue: The Supreme Court leaves more Questions than Answers in State Educational Choice Programs
Constitutional Law
Qualified Immunity—The Ultimate Circular Legal Doctrine
By: Katie Wotherspoon In the wake of numerous murders of Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement, a nationwide debate exploded regarding structural racism and police accountability—the legal doctrine of qualified immunity in particular, amassed much of the scrutiny. The killings not only sparked national outrage they were also met with vehement protests in … Continue reading Qualified Immunity—The Ultimate Circular Legal Doctrine
Black Lives Matter: The American System of Racism
By: Emily Casillas My name is Emily Casillas. I am a bi-racial (Mexican and Irish) cisgender[i] female. I have white privilege. I have not and do not live with the weight of discrimination and racism that plagues my siblings of color. I am putting this privilege to use, to advocate and raise awareness on issues … Continue reading Black Lives Matter: The American System of Racism
Shots Fired: Lack of Funding for Gun Violence Research
By: Nicole Nazari “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. “For nearly 200 years of our nation’s history, the Second Amendment was understood to provide a right to bear arms if it was for a legitimate … Continue reading Shots Fired: Lack of Funding for Gun Violence Research
Gerrymandering Series: the Beginning, its Development, and the Contemporary Application
By: Robert Bryson The Beginning Gerrymandering is a political process in which electoral districts are drawn with convoluted or meandering boundaries. The term was coined in 1812 when Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts signed into law a Boston-area electoral district that resembled a mythological salamander, however, the process of drawing abstract districts was an American … Continue reading Gerrymandering Series: the Beginning, its Development, and the Contemporary Application
The Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act
By: Nicole Nazari There is something disturbingly wrong with the American health care system. Before 2014, when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect, individual market insurers could conduct a litany of unethical practices. Insurers could deny coverage to applicants with preexisting conditions, charge sicker people higher premiums, and not cover specific … Continue reading The Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act
Census Watch 2020: The Constitutionality of a Citizenship Question
By: Monet Valdez The United States Supreme Court is the most powerful judiciary body in our nation. Nine Justices sit atop the high court and make decisions that become the law of the land. The Court recently decided whether or not to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. It is important that we … Continue reading Census Watch 2020: The Constitutionality of a Citizenship Question
Kaepernick Ousted from NFL For Exercising Free Speech
By: Francis Carlota I have a question. First, I’ll give stats of a former NFL quarterback. Then you tell me if you think he’s good enough to be a current NFL quarterback. Keep in mind he is just 31 years old, only two seasons removed from playing professional football, has no criminal history of domestic … Continue reading Kaepernick Ousted from NFL For Exercising Free Speech
San Diego Unified School District Settles Case Following Backlash Against Anti-Islamophobia Initiative
By: Bria Burgamy In July 2016, San Diego Unified School District (“the District”) began discussions with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (“CAIR”) to create an anti-Islamophobia initiative (“the Initiative”) in its schools. According to a presentation given at a District board meeting, the Initiative intended to “provide resources and strategies to support students during…Ramadan”; “review … Continue reading San Diego Unified School District Settles Case Following Backlash Against Anti-Islamophobia Initiative
President Trump wants to define transgender out of existence, but we cannot let him define us.
By: Ken Jensen On October 24, 2018, President Trump stated his administration was “seriously” considering changing the way it treats transgender people under the law. Given his history of statements which never come to fruition, one could dismiss it. The effort this administration to negate any effort to define gender identity in any manner besides … Continue reading President Trump wants to define transgender out of existence, but we cannot let him define us.
Public Interest Advocacy Collaborative 