To Protect Human Rights, Look to State Constitutions.

The article discusses the potential for state constitutions to serve as a means of protecting human rights in the United States, particularly in light of federal actions perceived as hostile to these rights. It highlights both enumerated and unenumerated rights found in various state constitutions that may offer additional protections beyond those provided by the U.S. Constitution. The authors argue that human rights advocates should leverage these state-level protections, referencing examples from states like Georgia and Florida, and consider the influence of international law, such as the principle of jus cogens and the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in their advocacy efforts. The piece emphasizes the importance of creatively utilizing state constitutional tools to safeguard vulnerable populations. [Extracted from the article]