Daily Archives: May 11, 2012

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Justice Dept. Sues Arizona Sheriff Arpaio for Civil Rights Violations

Common Dreams staff

Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (photo: Gage Skidmore)

The U.S. Justice Department has announced that it is suing Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio for civil rights violations and fostering discrimination against Latinos.

 Reuters reports that the suit said “Latinos in Maricopa County are frequently stopped, detained, and arrested on the basis of race, color or national origin.”  “In addition, defendants MCSO (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office) and Arpaio pursue a pattern or practice of illegal retaliation against their perceived critics by subjecting them to baseless criminal action, unfounded civil lawsuits or meritless administrative actions.” Continue reading →

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Mining firms face scrutiny over Congo deals

The Guardian

Workers at a copper-cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Campaigners argue natural resources exploited to benefit multinationals rather than local population

 Simon Goodley and Julian Borger

MPs are set to launch an investigation into the involvement of British-connected shell companies and London-listed mining groups in opaque deals to acquire prime mining assets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the poorest countries on Earth.  News of the potential inquiry, which could involve top FTSE 100 mining executives being called to give evidence, comes as campaigners argue that natural resources deals are benefiting multinationals rather than the DRC’s population. Commodity trader Glencore will also face calls to explain its involvement in the resource-rich central African country. Continue reading →