Cambridge host community discussion on civil rights issues

Cambridge, Md.- On Monday a community conversation was held in Cambridge to discuss civil rights issues on the Eastern Shore.

Local leaders and other attendees gathered at the Harriet Tubman Cultural center to meet with Maryland US attroney Erek Barron and Assistant Attorney General of the civil rights division Kristen Clark.

“What she made very very clear to us along with Erek Barron who is also the US attorney is that they are going to be focusing on Marylands Eastern Shore.  They want to make sure that we understand what the federal government can do on behalf of citizens who feel as though that their rights have been infringed upon.” Said Carl Snowden of the Caucus of African American Leaders, who was in attendance of the event.

At the meeting several topics were discussed included voting, which was a large matter of importance in the dicusssion.

Snowden stated that they discussed the manner and stressed the importance of making sure that people are able to vote, and that the right to do so is not threatened in any way.

Another interesting topic of discussion that Snowden mentioned had to do with facilities which house the icarcerated.

“They’re going to be auditing facilities that house inmates. To insure that those inmates civil rights are not being violated.”

Snowden tells us that if you are incarcerated you do not lose your civil rights, such as the right to practice your religion.

An example being that if you are incarcerated and are Jewish, your faith may require you to have a certain diet.

If you are incarcerated it is the governments responsibility to accomodate for such.

Snowden also mentioned that the CAAL is seeking to expand into the Eastern shore.

He ask that anyone interested in working with the group to call him directly at 443-871-5656.