Carlos Cisneros Archives - JURIST - Commentary

Commentaries by Carlos Cisneros

Abortion Case Has Deeper Implications for Mexican Democracy

October 23, 2011 09:14:21 am

After the local Human Rights Ombudsman filed an action of unconstitutionality, the 11 justices of the Supreme Court of Mexico gathered last month to discuss and rule on the constitutionality of an amendment to the Constitution of Baja California effectively banning abortions. The state of Baja California is one of 32 federal entities of Mexico. Although politicians and [...]

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International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.