Civil Rights

More on Civil Rights

November 22, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (Nov. 22, 2016) — U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, Senator-Elect Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-MD) sent a letter yesterday to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Mayor-Elect Catherine Pugh to inquire on the status of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the City of Baltimore’s consent decree negotiations.

October 3, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (October 3, 2016)—Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), a founding Member of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, delivered the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) Message to America on the importance of voting rights in the United States.

September 1, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (September 1, 2016)— Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) received a briefing from Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis on the Department’s aerial surveillance program.  Last week, following reports of the previously-unknown program, Cummings requested a briefing from Commissioner Davis.  The Congressman issued the following statement after the briefing: 

August 16, 2016 In The News

Anyone who has lived in Baltimore for decades, as I have, was not shocked to learn that the sacred trust between the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) and the people of Baltimore is desperately in need of repair.
The Department of Justice's (DOJ) report on its "pattern or practice" investigation of BPD details repeated violations of the constitutional rights of countless Baltimore residents, especially African Americans. Reading the accounts should infuriate us all.

August 10, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (August 10, 2016) — Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a report on its “pattern or practice” investigation into allegations of brutality and misconduct by the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD). Following the death of Mr. Freddie Gray in April of last year, Congressman Elijah E.

August 6, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (August 6, 2016)— Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) issued the following statement commemorating the 51st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965:
 
“Fifty-one years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson affirmed the right to vote as the foundation of American democracy by signing the Voting Rights Act.  As we have seen in the years since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, we must remain vigilant and fight to protect the right to vote from states that seek to silence entire communities.
 

July 7, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (July 7, 2016)—Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) issued the following statement in response to the recent deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile:

June 2, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (June 2, 2016) — Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) sent a letter to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan urging him to act on his commitment to examine barriers affecting formerly-incarcerated Marylanders.

April 21, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (April 20, 2016) — Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) issued the following statement on the Treasury Department’s announcement that Harriet Tubman will be the new face of the $20 bill, and five women and civil rights heroes will be incorporated in future designs of the $10 bill: 

April 20, 2016 Press Release

Washington, D.C. (Apr. 20, 2016)—Today, Reps. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) led 50 House Members in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to take steps to solidify fair chance hiring policies in the federal government.  Fair chance hiring helps level the playing field for those reentering society after incarceration and can include “banning the box,” or prohibiting questions about criminal histories early in the hiring process.