Civil Rights Commission To Hold Public Hearing On New Black Panther Investigation

U.S. Civil Rights Commission to Hold Public Hearing on New Black Panther Party Voting Rights Suppression Investigation

WASHINGTON, -- The United States Commission on Civil Rights announces that it will hold a public hearing on February 12, 2010. This meeting is open to the public and the media.

DATE AND TIME: Friday, February 12, 2010; 9:30 a.m. EST

PLACE:

624 9^th St., N.W.

Room 540

Washington, DC 20425

Pursuant to the provisions of the Civil Rights Commission Amendments Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. section 1975a, the Commission will hold a hearing to collect information within the jurisdiction of the Commission related particularly to the Department of Justice's actions in the New Black Panther Party Litigation and enforcement of Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act. An executive session not open to the public may be convened before or during the hearing.

The Commission is authorized to hold hearings and to issue subpoenas for the production of documents and the attendance of witnesses pursuant to 45 CFR section 701.2. The Commission has broad authority to investigate allegations of voting irregularities even when alleged abuses do not involve discrimination.

CONTACT PERSON FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Lenore Ostrowsky, Acting Chief, Public Affairs Unit (202) 376-8591. TDD: (202) 376-8116.

Persons with a disability requiring special services, such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired, should contactPamela Dunston at least seven days prior to the meeting at 202-376-8105. TDD: (202) 376-8116.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with monitoring federal civil rights enforcement. Members include Chairman Gerald A. Reynolds, Vice Chair Abigail Thernstrom, Commissioners Todd Gaziano, Gail Heriot, Peter N. Kirsanow, Arlan D. Melendez, Ashley L. Taylor, Jr., and Michael Yaki. Martin Dannenfelser is the Staff Director. Commission meetings are open to the general public. The Commission's website ishttp://www.usccr.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights