Kirsten Williams Archives - JURIST - Commentary

Commentaries by Kirsten Williams

Fundamental Environmental Rights: State Constitutions as a Vehicle of Change

November 1, 2021 03:19:50 pm

A 2019 United Nations (UN) report found that “it is imperative that environmental laws are widely understood, respected, and enforced and the benefits of environmental protection are enjoyed by people and the planet.” Globally, more and more governments are coming to this realization: that there are vital (and fragile) links between the environment and all [...]

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Commentary

RUTH: Justice Ginsburg in Her Own Words, a new documentary on RBG’s incredible life

Kirsten Williams

April 16, 2021 09:00:44 am

The new documentary “RUTH: Justice Ginsburg in Her Own Words” recounts the highs and lows of the late, great Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s career—from her Columbia Law School graduation to her tenure as Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. The film poses a compelling question: “How does a person with three strikes against her [...]

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Kosovo declares independence from Serbia

On February 17, 2008 the Assembly of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. While Serbia denounced the declaration as illegal, the international community has remained divided on this issue. Several nations including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Taiwan, and Turkey have recognized Kosovo's independence, but others such as Russia maintain that the declaration violates international law. The majority of countries and international organizations, including the UN, have yet to take a position on the legality of Kosovo's independence. The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo went into effect on June 15, 2008. Read the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

US Supreme Court ruled on equal Congressional districts

On February 17, 1964, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Wesberry v. Sanders that congressional districts within each state had to be roughly equal in population. Learn more about Congressional redistricting from the Brennan Center for Justice.