The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans due to an unprecedented spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults. The HRC has released a guidebook for action which includes information on discriminatory laws, “know your rights” information, and health and safety resources. The organization is calling on all Americans to take action and help ensure the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Posts published in “Politics”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China in the coming weeks for high-level talks, despite tensions between the two countries over issues such as trade, human rights, and the coronavirus pandemic. The trip was originally planned for February, but was postponed after the U.S. military shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina. It remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to reach an agreement during Blinken's visit.
The House Oversight Committee is set to vote Thursday on whether to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over a document subpoenaed by Chair James Comer. The document, an FD-1023 form, was brought back from Ukraine by Rudy Giuliani and is related to an alleged bribery scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden. Attorney General William Barr set up an “intake process” for the material in April.
Chris Christie is launching his second bid for the presidency on Tuesday, becoming the first to challenge former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary field. Despite being a close ally of Trump in the past, Christie has soured on the former president and plans to run a no-holds-barred campaign against him. The next day, former Vice President Mike Pence will announce his bid, and Christie may be the only candidate willing to openly criticize Trump.
Rep. George Santos' lawyer, Joseph Murray, has urged a judge to deny a request by news outlets to unseal the names of the bond suretors who co-signed the $500,000 bond for Santos' pretrial release. Murray argued that revealing the suretors' identities would put them in a position to suffer great distress, lose their jobs, and even physical injury. The news outlets argue that the public has a right to know who is financially backing Santos' release, but Murray believes the potential consequences outweigh this right. The judge has yet to make a decision on the matter, as Santos is currently facing charges of bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
The Atlanta City Council approved a $90 million, 85-acre police and firefighter training center, dubbed "Cop City" by opponents, despite 14 hours of public testimony against the project. Mayor Andre Dickens praised the decision, citing the potential for job creation and public safety benefits, while activists have vowed to continue their fight against the project.
The Atlanta City Council voted 11-4 in favor of a controversial plan to build a massive public safety training center, dubbed "Cop City" by opponents. The $90-million, 85-acre facility would be used by police, firefighters and emergency responders to train, and includes a firing range, driving track, and classrooms. Opponents worry the proposed campus could negatively impact the environment and be used by police to "practice urban warfare," while supporters argue it will help improve public safety. The legislation must still be approved by the mayor and the 2023 budget must be approved by the City Council.
Cornel West has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, running as a third-party candidate for the People's Party. His campaign will focus on issues such as access to jobs with living wages, decent housing, women's rights, health care for all, and de-escalating the destruction of the planet. West is the latest Black candidate to enter the 2024 presidential race, and is aiming to pursue truth and justice through his candidacy.