Sarah Palin Sued in Federal Court Over Juneteenth Snub, Seeks Public Restitution
Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 6, 2009 -- Jazz musician and America's Hot Musician judge Gregory Charles Royal filed a federal lawsuit against Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin yesterday for allegedly violating the law by failing to issue the 2007 Juneteenth Proclamation as set forth by the Alaskan Legislature. The holiday observance, which celebrates the freeing of the last remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, has been adopted in 29 states and was signed into law in Alaska in 2001. The bill known as HB 100 specifies that the "governor shall issue a proclamation observing the day."
The civil rights complaint for injunction and other "equitable relief" filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia (case no. 1:09-cv-00428), stems from a prior complaint with the Alaska Personnel Board for the same allegations under the Alaska Ethics Act. According to documents, the board could not take action under the ACT citing such allegations were not due to personal or monetary gain. The complaint also stems from a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on October 7, 2008 by Royal who claimed Palin made a racially disparaging comment to him back in 1990 while touring Alaska with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. During that press conference, several representatives of the Juneteenth celebration in Alaska spoke to reporters about their concerns regarding Governor Palin's race relations in Alaska.
Royal, who recently made national headlines as perhaps the first person to successfully use rap in an appellate court brief (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6723965), said, "The focus of this action is to hold Governor Palin accountable and to uphold the integrity of our emancipation holiday". "Can you imagine the dangerous precedent of public officials deciding which legal holidays they choose to observe when carrying out their ministerial duties?"
In an emailed response from Governor Palin's Press Secretary Bill McAllister, the governor's office admits the failure by claiming it was a "clerical error". Notwithstanding that according to Black Alaskan leaders such as Gwen Alexander, Palin nor her representatives took part in any Juneteenth celebrations- as was customary of prior governors, Royal states: "This clerical error should then be quite easy to rectify with a retroactive issuance and public apology".
To view the complaint, go to (http://americashotmusician.org/files/Palin_Complaint_Federal.pdf).
America's Hot Musician can be viewed at http://www.americashotmusician.org
###
Related Articles:
Industrial Disease and Occupational Accidents Worthy of a Claim
Claims for illnesses and injuries caused through employment often lead to big pay outs for the victims. Here are 10 types of disease and injury that could lead to a claim.
Choosing a St. Louis Plaintiff's Personal Injury Attorney
Over the years, I have represented countless numbers of Plaintiffs in Personal Injury cases in the St. Louis area. My experience with my clients and my handling of these cases has led me to a number of conclusions regarding the factors which are important in choosing a St. Louis Plaintiff's Personal Injury attorney.
Lawsuit Loans for Workers Compensation
Workers compensation claims can be a devastating financial blow that may take resolution time consisting of weeks, month or even years. Lawsuit loans (also known as lawsuit funding or legal funding) can assist in minimizing that burden for the victim, the victim?s family and often times the future of the victim in the work world. It is always best to understand first, what a workers compensation claim is, so that if and when it does occur, the victim is knowledgeable about his or her options w
Depuy Hip Recall
A Hip Recall for DePuy ASR Hip Implant and Lawsuit, injury on patients where a lawyer or attorney should be contacted for hip replacement procedure.
How Some Personal Injury Lawyers Act on Such Situation
After the little boy suffered from a serious brain damage because of a car accident, a lot of lawyers mailed solicitations to this boy's mother asking how much she would like to receive out of this case. Would parents who are distressed be offended by this inquiry for they were asked in a pushy manner?
Get your vaccine claims sorted out
Vaccination has become mandatory to keep diseases away. This is mostly due to the epidemic spread of diseases such as Polio, Small Pox, Hepatitis and HIV, and HPV, etc.
Claim Your Rights With Motor Accident Lawyers
Mario was walking on the sidewalk when a car suddenly careened towards his direction and hits him, causing him injuries to the head, hips and knees.Mario was minding his own business when a car came out of nowhere, causing him head, hip, and knee injuries.
Mediation - Commercial Mediation
This article briefly outlines the commercial mediation process.