French Senate approves new anti-terror law News
French Senate approves new anti-terror law

[JURIST] The French Senate [official website] has approved a slightly amended version of a new anti-terror law [text as amended, in French] providing for increased public video surveillance, more access by authorities to communications records and passenger information, and new police powers to stop vehicles. The legislation introduced by hardline French Interior Minister Nicholas Sarkozy [official profile] passed Thursday by a vote of 203-122, with the ruling center-right coalition outpolling socialist and communist opposition members. The French lower house, the National Assembly, approved a version of the law [JURIST report] in late November; both houses will have to pass the bill again before it can become law. Critics of the bill argue that it is too heavy-handed and effectively puts terrorists, delinquents and immigrants in the same basket while, in the words of a former socialist culture minister, "sowing the seeds of xenophobia and racism." AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

US Supreme Court ruled Indians not US citizens

On November 3, 1884, the US Supreme Court ruled in Elk v. Wilkins that John Elk, an American Indian who had tried to vote in a federal election in Omaha, Nebraska, was not a US citizen entitled to the protection of the 14th and 15th Amendments of the US Constitution. Native Americans became eligible for citizenship in 1887 under the Dawes Act, but only in 1924, under the Indian Citizenship Act, were all Native Americans born in the US made citizens.

Last public execution at Tyburn Gallows in London

On November 3, 1783, the last public execution took place at Tyburn Gallows in London, when John Austin was hanged for highway robbery. From the hanging of William Fitz Osburn in 1196 until Austin's execution, Tyburn served as London's primary location for public executions.

Learn more about the trial of John Austin.