SPLM asks for probe into Garang death as Sudan violence continues News
SPLM asks for probe into Garang death as Sudan violence continues

[JURIST] The Sudan People's Liberation Movement [party website] (SPLM), the political movement of former rebel leader turned vice president John Garang [Wikipedia profile], called Wednesday for an international investigation into the helicopter crash that caused his death and ignited deadly clashes in Sudan. According to the newspaper Sudan Vision [news website], a leading member of the SPLM has urged the United Nations, Uganda, Kenya, the US and Britain to participate in the probe. Garang was the highest ranking official in the Sudanese government to ever came from the southern province or claim to be Christian and news of his death has fueled riots leading to dozens of deaths [JURIST report]. Earlier this year Garang played a large role as Sudanese officials ratified the January Peace Accords [JURIST report] between the now-autonomous South and the Khartoum government [official website] of the north. Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni said Tuesday he is creating a panel of three experts to look into the crash, which involved one of his own Russian-built Mi-72 helicopters. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

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.