Category: Social & Civil Issues

HRC Calls For Special Prosecutor In Wake of Comey Firing

Human Rights Campaign, Social & Civil Issues

In a surprising announcement that shocked the nation on Tuesday, President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey — the man who was leading the investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia.

More disturbingly is how his firing was initiated.

Anti-LGBTQ Attorney General Jeff Sessions — who had promised to recuse himself from that probe after lying under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee — made the recommendation to Trump that Comey should be let go.

The incident caused confusion among members of Congress, the intelligence community and even Comey himself, who thought the initial reports of his firing were a joke.

.@RepCummings .@RepCummings: Mindboggling that the AG— who claimed to have recused himself — was involved in the decision to fire #FBIDirector Comey.

— House OversightDems (@OversightDems) May 9, 2017

HRC along with our supporters, advocates and other organizations descended on the White House to rally against this dangerous abuse of power and demand the appointment of a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.  

WATCH LIVE: @HRC is rallying at the White House calling for a special prosecutor. #ComeyFiring https://t.co/ghWqM1r1bT pic.twitter.com/TbJFQF9yoZ

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) May 10, 2017

Bipartisan calls from Congress are also growing as members from both sides of the aisle are calling for an independent prosecutor to oversee the Russia probe.

First Pres Trump fired Sally Yates, then Preet Bharara. Now #Comey. Doesn’t seem like an accident. We must have a special prosecutor.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 9, 2017

Removal of Director Comey only confirms need for select cmte to investigate #Russia‘s interference in 2016 election https://t.co/LfKlwSw6iQ

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) May 9, 2017

There is no time for delay in appointing a special prosecutor. Congress must put patriotism before party and do what’s right for the country. In order to advance LGBTQ rights, we must have a strong democracy.

Trump’s administration has been attacking the LGBTQ community since he was sworn in as president. We can’t let him get away with covering up his campaign ties to Russia — especially as they shamefully allow the detention and murder of LGBTQ people in Chechnya to continue.

Text “COMEY” to 30644 now and we’ll connect you directly to your Senators to call for the appointment of a special prosecutor. We can’t let Trump get away with covering up his campaign ties to Russia.

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Human Rights Organizations Call on Haley to Maintain U.S. Presence on UN Council

Human Rights First, Social & Civil Issues

New York City—Human Rights First today called on Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley to maintain U.S. presence on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council and to increase efforts to improve the Council’s membership. The call came in a letter from the organization along with seven other leading human rights organizations, in advance of the upcoming 35th session of the body set to begin on June 6th.

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Duterte White House Invitation is a Failure of U.S. Leadership on Human Rights

Human Rights First, Social & Civil Issues

New York City–Human Rights First today condemned President Trump’s invitation to the White House of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. Since taking office less than a year ago, Duterte has overseen a so-called “war on drugs” that has resulted in the extrajudicial killing of thousands of Filipino men and women, as well as credible reports of unlawful detentions and torture. Duterte has frequently spoken favorably of murder and rape, saying at one point that he would be “happy to slaughter” more of his countrymen, and comparing himself positively to Hitler.

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