The online editorial staff comprises Betsy Shirley, Jenna Barnett, Josiah R. Daniels, Mitchell Atencio, Heather Brady, Kierra Bennning, and Zachary Lee.
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Rep. Joe Kennedy to Faith Leaders: ‘We Are Locked in a Battle Over the Character of Our Country’
Editor's Note: On June 21, the day before Senate Republicans released the text of their health care plan, Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.) spoke at The Summit, Sojourners' annual gathering of faith and justice leaders, about the Christian call to recognize the inherent human dignity in those who would be most affected by drastic health care cuts. At the link is the full text of his remarks, as prepared for delivery.
Weekly Wrap 6.23.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. Here’s What You Can Do Now About the Senate Health Care Bill
“At The Summit, Sojourners' annual gathering of leaders from across the country, attendees spent Friday morning calling their senators, demanding they vote against the bill — which Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to push through next week, before the July 4 recess. Those gathered are calling on their constituents to do the same. Here's how.”
2. The Literal Whitewashing of Chicago’s Latino Murals
The increasing gentrification of the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago favors luxury condos over iconic images of Frida Kahlo, Emiliano Zapata, Subcomandante Marcos, and César Chávez.
Here’s What You Can Do Right Now About the Senate Health Care Bill
President Donald Trump with House Speaker Paul Ryan as he gathers with Congressional Republicans in the Rose Garden after the House approved the American Healthcare Act May 4. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
At The Summit, Sojourners' annual gathering of leaders from across the country, attendees spent Friday morning calling their senators, demanding they vote against the bill — which Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to push through next week, before the July 4 recess. Those gathered are calling on their constituents to do the same. Here's how.
Senate Democrats Are Holding the Floor to Protest the Republican Health Care Plan
In a series of floor motions, inquiries and lengthy speeches, Democrats criticized the closed-door meetings that Republicans have been holding to craft a replacement for Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act. They called for open committee hearings and more time to consider the bill before a Senate vote, which Republicans say could come in the next two weeks, although a draft bill has yet to emerge publicly.
Virginia Teen Assaulted and Killed After Leaving Mosque
Image via LaunchGood page
The attack happened early on Sunday near the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque — the largest mosque in the northern Virginia area with 10 days left in the holy month of Ramadan. The victim, identified by the mosque and relatives as Nabra Hassanen, and several friends were walking outside the mosque when they got into a dispute with a motorist in the community of Sterling, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a statement.
Officer Who Fatally Shot Philando Castile Found Not Guilty
FILE PHOTO - Minnesota police officer Jeronimo Yanez. Courtesy of Ramsey County Sheriff's Office/Handout via REUTERS
After five days of deliberation, a jury has found the police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile not guilty on all charges.
Weekly Wrap 6.16.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. 27 Pulse Survivors, Family Members, and First Responders Share Their Stories
“Not only did I have nowhere to hide that night but now in general in my life, this very personal, sensitive subject, it’s out there for everyone to know. That’s why that just kept ringing in my head. Nowhere left to hide. I could no longer hide who I am." The stunning photo essay and website “Dear World Orlando” marks one year since the Pulse nightclub shooting.
Five State and Local Officials Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in Flint Water Crisis
FILE PHOTO - The Flint Water Plant tower is seen in Flint, Michigan, U.S. on February 7, 2016. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo
In 2014, Flint began pumping water from the Flint River into the homes of Flint’s nearly 100,000 residents. Officials have admitted to not properly treating the water with appropriate corrosion measures, resulting in undrinkable lead-poisoned water.
Multiple People Shot at Congressional Baseball Practice Near D.C.
Police survey a shooting scene after a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during a baseball practice in Alexandria, Va., June 14. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
According to multiple reports, Rep Steve Scalise (R.-La.) was among at least four people shot at an Alexandria, Va., baseball field as members of Congress were practicing for an upcoming bipartisan congressional game.
Justice Department Indicts Srinivas Kuchibhotla’s Alleged Killer on Hate Crime Charges
Image via bakdc/Shutterstock.com
On June 9, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Adam Purinton, a white man from Kansas, with hate charges for allegedly shooting three men. Two of the men were Indian nationals, and one died of his wounds. According to the Kansas City Star, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, the Indian national who was fatally shot, worked at the company Garmin’s Olathe, Kansas location as an engineer, alongside fellow engineer Alok Madasani, the second Indian national who was shot.
Faith Groups Speak Out Against Dozens of So-Called ‘Anti-Sharia’ Marches
Image via Kirstin Adams-Bimson / Shutterstock.com
Dozens of what are being billed as “anti-Sharia marches” are scheduled for this weekend in 28 cities in 20 states nationwide. The so-called March Against Sharia is organized by ACT for America, a grassroots organization that claims to “preserve American culture and keep this nation safe.” And religious groups across the country are speaking out.
Weekly Wrap 6.9.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. A Simple Guide to the U.K. Election Result
What happened while you were sleeping, and what exactly a “hung parliament” means.
Pastors to DHS Secretary John Kelly: Stop ICE from Separating Families
Image via Ryan Rodrick Beiler / Shutterstock
The pastors — Rev. Luis Cortez of Esperanza USA, Rev. Gabriel Salguero of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, Dr. Noel Castellans of the Christian Community Development Association, and Bishop Jose Garcia of Bread for the World — highlighted the negative effects of ICE in targeted communities, underscoring the fear families have lived with since the Feb. 21 release of two DHS memos. These memos expanded the scope of deportations, targeting any undocumented immigrant charged with any criminal offense, and expediting the removal process.
‘Wonder Woman’ Crushes Weekend Box Office Record for Women-Directed Films
Patty Jenkins on set / courtesy of Warner Bros.
Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins, now holds the title of biggest box office opening for a female-directed film.
Weekly Wrap 6.2.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. The Loneliness of Donald Trump
“Once upon a time, a child was born into wealth and wanted for nothing, but he was possessed by bottomless, endless, grating, grasping wanting, and wanted more, and got it, and more after that, and always more.” Rebecca Solnit’s latest hits the mark, again.
Trump to Pull Out of Paris Climate Deal
The reported decision comes on the heels of a letter from 22 Republican senators to the president, urging him to withdraw from the major international agreement reached under President Obama in 2015. The deal, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by significantly reducing participating nations’ reliance on fossil fuels, took effect shortly before the U.S. presidential election in November 2016. It was hailed as a significant achievement for Obama’s climate legacy.
Trump Administration Proposes Major Cuts for Civil Rights Programs
Image via Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com
Weekly Wrap 5.26.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. The Beleaguered Tenants of ‘Kushnerville’
Tenants in more than a dozen Baltimore-area rental complexes complain about a property owner who they say leaves their homes in disrepair, humiliates late-paying renters and often sues them when they try to move out. Few of them know that their landlord is the president’s son-in-law.
Gunmen Kill More than 20 Coptic Christians in Egypt
Image via Maks Ershov / Shutterstock
This is one of numerous attacks on Coptic Christians this year. Christians have repeatedly been targeted and attacked by members of the Islamic State, who have vowed to carry out more attacks in the future.
Black Bowie State Student, Stabbed to Death Saturday, Would Have Graduated Today
Image via carmichaellibrary/flickr.com
Charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree assault have been brought against Urbanski, whose attorney has stated that Urbanksi was under the influence of alcohol when he killed Collins III. However, Urbanski is a member of the now-defunct Facebook group “Alt-Reich: Nation,” on which there are expressions of hatred against Jews, women, and people of color.