This Is A Fine Kettle Of Fish; Things Come Full Circle

Blacks Violated Voting Rights Act, Federal Judge Rules
The Washington Times
A federal judge has ruled that a majority-black county in eastern Mississippi violated whites' voting rights in what prosecutors said is the first lawsuit to use the Voting Rights Act on behalf of whites.

U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee ruled late Friday that Noxubee County Democratic Party leader Ike Brown and the county Democratic Executive Committee "manipulated the political process in ways specifically intended and designed to impair and impede participation of white voters and to dilute their votes."

The Justice Department accused Mr. Brown of trying to limit whites' participation in local elections in violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, written to protect racial minorities when Southern states strictly enforced segregation.

"Every American has the right to vote free from racial discrimination," said Wan J. Kim, assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.

"The court's ruling is another victory in the department's vigorous efforts to protect the voting rights of all Americans," Mr. Kim said.

Noxubee County is a rural area along the Alabama line with a population of about 12,500, of whom 70 percent are black.

Mr. Brown did not return calls yesterday from the Associated Press seeking comment.
The Justice Department charged in the 2006 lawsuit that Noxubee County blacks tried to shut whites out of the voting process.

more...

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/NATION/107010039/1002