Mexicans fear US border control will lead to human rights violations News
Mexicans fear US border control will lead to human rights violations

[JURIST] The Mexican government [official website] is concerned that Texas Gov. Rick Perry's "Operation Linebacker," a pledge of $9.7 million to beef up security along the US-Mexico border, will lead to human rights violations. In a statement released late Wednesday, Mexican officials said that their government remains committed to combating crime on both sides of the border, but fears that militarizing the border will lead to violations of humanitarian law [ICRC backgrounder]. Perry's "Operation Linebacker" [overview; press release] will provide the Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition with $3 million to hire additional deputies, $3 million for overtime pay and $3.7 million for other initiatives. Mexico also called for the US to establish new mechanisms that would allow legal migration that respects human rights. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pennsylvania police killed 19 miners during strike

The Luzerne County Sheriff and deputies opened fire on a group of 400 striking miners in the town of Lattimer, Pennsylvania on September 10, 1897. Around 19 strikers were killed, and 39 were injured as a result. Luzerne County Sheriff James Martin and his deputies were later acquitted by a Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania jury after claiming that the strikers advanced upon the police. Learn more about the Lattimer Massacre from the Zinn Education Project and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book.

Sewing machine patented

On September 10, 1846, United States patent number 3640 was awarded to Elias Howe for his sewing machine. In 1854, Howe brought legal action against Isaac Singer, because he alleged Singer's machine infringed upon the patent. Howe won the case and was awarded royalties from the Singer sewing machines. Learn more about Elias Howe from the University of Rochester.

Last French execution by guillotine

On September 10, 1977, Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant convicted of murder, became the last person executed by guillotine in France. The French death penalty was formally abolished by President Francois Mitterand in 1981. Learn more about the history of the guillotine.