The ACLU sent a letter Thursday asking law enforcement to stop ICE from using ruses when investigating undocumented immigrants; we dispel some common misconceptions about the Constitution; a look at the race for DNC Chair; we want to hear about which LA coffee shops have the coolest spaces; and more.
ACLU asks ICE to stop impersonating LAPD officers
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California sent a letter Thursday asking law enforcement and elected officials to take steps to keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using ruses in investigations of undocumented immigrants.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, immigrants rights advocates are questioning the ethics of ICE ruses, particularly when agents portray themselves as law enforcement in order to get information about people who are undocumented.
While it is legal for ICE to portray police officers, questions surrounding legality how this tactic is used have come to light after a recent video released by the agency, showing an exchange between an agent and a man targeted for deportation outside his L.A. home.
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has shown opposition to the ruse of impersonating police officers, warning the tactic breeds mistrust between the immigrant community and law enforcement, and subsequently could create a “shadow population” susceptible to extortion or other crime.
Here's the letter:
Letter to LAPD from a coalition of immigrants’ rights and civil rights groups regarding ICE’s practice of i... by Southern California Public Radio on Scribd
Guests:
Michael Kaufman, Staff Attorney specializing in immigrants’ rights at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California; he spearheaded the letter sent by the ACLU
Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at Center for Immigration Studies
Legal experts explain what happens next after Trump Administration rolls back bathroom protections for transgender students
Reversing the guidance issued by the Obama Administration in last year, the White House announced yesterday it would be rolling back protections for transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity.
The move was applauded by conservatives, who say that the Obama White House’s interpretation of the federal law known as Title IX, which says that transgender students can use the bathroom or locker room that corresponds with their gender identity, was a legal overreach and that this will return the decision to the states and local school districts. LGBT civil rights groups worry the rollback could lead to backlash against transgender students, and many protested outside the White House on Wednesday evening. The order won’t impact California, which has a state law protecting transgender students right to use the bathroom of their choice.
For more on this story from KPCC, click here.
Guests:
Jenny Pizer, senior counsel and law and policy director at Lambda Legal, a law firm that specializes in defending LGBT rights
Matthew McReynolds, senior staff attorney at Pacific Justice Institute in Sacramento, which works to defend religious liberties and parental rights
The most popular misconceptions of the Bill of Rights & Constitution
To help celebrate Presidents' Day (which is called officially "Washington's Birthday" to mark the first president's actual birthday of February 22), AirTalk will pore over some amendments with two Constitutional scholars - Barry McDonald of Pepperdine University and Aaron Caplan of Loyola Law School.
According to Caplan, a big picture misconception about the document is that it exists to limit the federal government. Caplan says, "Actually, [the Constitution] exists to create a federal government. The Framers wanted an 'energetic' government. To be sure, the Constitution includes limits on what this new government can do, but the main purpose was to create government power."
As for specific misconceptions in the document, the consensus is the First Amendment is the most misunderstood, partially because it governs many areas of American life.
AMENDMENT 1.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Which amendments or articles vex you?
Primary Source: Constitution Annotated https://www.congress.gov/constitution-annotated/
Guests:
Barry McDonald, Professor of Law at Pepperdine School of Law; he is an expert on the U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional and intellectual property law
Aaron Caplan, Professor of Law at Loyola Law School; former long-time staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington
The race for DNC Chair: Ellison vs Perez and more
This weekend, the Democratic National Committee heads to Atlanta, Georgia, to choose their next leader.
According to The Hill’s latest survey of DNC members, early front-runner Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.) still leads over his main opponent, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez. But a Saturday win for the 240-threshold out of 447 voting members is expected to be a messy victory.
The decision comes at a time when the DNC’s pipeline of candidates are essentially running on identical platforms, yet backed by strongly-opposed factions within the party. Ellison has the most Congressional support, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vmt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, while Perez has won the endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden and is a favorite among the big labor unions.
Other names catching voter attention include Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg - who has an impressive backing of five former DNC Chairs - South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton-Brown and former FOX News analyst Jehmu Greene.
Donna Brazile has served as DNC interim chair following the resignation of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) last July. Host Larry Mantle speaks to reporter Gabriel Debenedetti at POLITICO, who has been following the race closely, about the candidates, political implications surrounding their support and what to expect over the weekend.
Guest:
Gabriel Debenedetti, national political reporter at POLITICO; he tweets
It’s not just about the java: What’s your favorite coffee space in LA?
Coffee is big business and it’s no more evident in Southern California.
From the ubiquitous Starbucks to artisan darlings like Intelligentsia and Blue Bottle to the DIY neighborhood coffee joint, there are plenty of options for coffee lovers in L.A.
But a solid cup of joe has become just one element of the consummate coffee culture experience. For this AirTalk segment, we want to know what is your favorite coffee space in L.A. - a place not just known for its java, but for the atmosphere, the vibe, the je ne sais quoi.
Call 866 893 5722 and let us know.
Some AirTalk listeners weigh in:
Cafe Culture in Pasadena
"It's a really friendly, wonderful place...mom n' pop...the owners will even introduce you to other people that they think you could work with...they're just so sweet...been going there for many years." - Mars in Hollywood
Le Pain Quotidien in Westwood
"I'm much much more interested in the sonic space [unlike architectural]...[it] has a commitment to relative quiet...I've never heard anything but some low-volume, relatively soft classical music on the soundtrack." - Ralph in West Hollywood
Paper or Plastik Cafe on Pico Blvd
"It has a very cute vibe, it almost looks like something Hollywood would put together: high ceiling, mismatched chairs, nice baristas, a menu that changes with daily specials, plus a dance studio in back...(Larry: wow so you can work off your cappuccino!)" - Esther in the Pico-Robertson district
Cafe Tropical-Cuban Bakery in Silver Lake
"I like the outdoor tables, I like the fact that they keep dishes with water in them for different people that come with their dogs, I like their coffee...[the owners are] from Cuba and they serve really good cafe con leche; the best espresso this side of Miami!" - Tess in Ventura
Balconi Coffee Company on Olympic Blvd
"Great vibe, great coffee and one of probably the few places that does siphon coffee only...no outlets, no Wi-Fi, so you're forced to talk to people which is also great cause I've met so many great people from there...artists, animators, you name it...roasts own beans." - Joey in West LA
The Coffee Gallery in Altadena
"I really like it because it has many local artists that come...so that they can sell their paintings, and it changes often...(Larry: also a performance venue!)...[and]
Kaldi Coffe & Tea in South Pasadena
"...it's housed in one of the oldest buildings in South Pasadena, which used to a long time ago be a bank, and it just has a nice little neighborhood feeling; mismatched chairs...friendly...and you're right across the street from our beautiful library that was built in the '20s. Gorgeous neighborhood feeling, just really fun." - Kathleen in South Pasadena
Royal Cup Cafe in Long Beach
"I think the guy who owns that place traveled the world to find the most comfortable seats." - Reggie Long Beach
Guest:
Robert Schneider, author of the new book, “Coffee Culture: Hot Coffee + Cool Spaces” (Images Publishing, 2017)
