2022-06-01 12:11:24

Civil Rights Orgs Challenge Racist “Insular Cases” Used to Legally Discriminate Against Puerto Rico

Civil rights groups are challenging a series of racist U.S. Supreme Court rulings that have been used for over a century to legally justify discrimination against people in Puerto Rico and other U.S.-occupied territories. The rulings are known as the Insular Cases and have allowed the federal government to deny Puerto Ricans living on the island voting rights, access to public social programs like Medicaid and food stamps, and other equal protections guaranteed to those residing on the mainland. The renewed effort to overturn the Insular Cases comes after the Supreme Court sided with the Biden administration to continue denying Supplemental Security Income benefits to seniors and people with disabilities living in Puerto Rico. We speak with Lía Fiol-Matta, senior counsel for LatinoJustice PRLDEF, which is helping to lead the new campaign, and with Democracy Now! co-host Juan González, who has long reported on this issue. “The Insular Cases established a doctrine that has no constitutional basis,” says Fiol-Matta.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

#democracynow Civil Rights Fiol-Matta Food Stamps LatinoJustice Medicaid PRLDEF Puerto Ricans Puerto Rico Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court Voting Rights

Politics

KICK OUT THE CLOWNS - Watch on VOD Soon!

KICK OUT THE CLOWNS - Watch on VOD Soon!

Working Families Power Mass Call: Hands Off Our Health Care - Watch on Demand Now!

Working Families Power Mass Call: Hands Off Our Health Care - Watch on Demand Now!

The Stephanie Miller Show

Faithful Pack Mantra With Malcolm Nance | The Stephanie Miller Show

Faithful Pack Mantra With Malcolm Nance | The Stephanie Miller Show

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

Empire City: Dr. Chenjerai Kumanyika | This Week In White Supremacy

Empire City: Dr. Chenjerai Kumanyika | This Week In White Supremacy

Related

Working Families Power Mass Call: Hands Off Our Health Care - Watch on Demand Now!

Working Families Power Mass Call: Hands Off Our Health Care - Watch on Demand Now!

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | Republicans Plan to Cut Medicaid

The Thom Hartmann Program | Republicans Plan to Cut Medicaid

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Supreme Court Reviews Trans Youth Care Ban A Landmark Case

Democracy Now! | Supreme Court Reviews Trans Youth Care Ban A Landmark Case

The Stephanie Miller Show

The Stephanie Miller Show | Calling Out Hypocrisy

The Stephanie Miller Show | Calling Out Hypocrisy

Proud Partners