Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Church of Jesus Christ Makes Food Donations in Utah for America250
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 29 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Church of Jesus Christ Makes Food Donations in Utah for America250\
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated 40,000 pounds of food to both the Utah Food Bank and Switchpoint as part of the America250 initiative. Donations like these two have been made across the country as the Church has pledged to distribute 250 truckloads of food to 250 food banks in the United States.
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Switchpoint in Tooele (west of Salt Lake City) received
... Show Full Article
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 29 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Church of Jesus Christ Makes Food Donations in Utah for America250\
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated 40,000 pounds of food to both the Utah Food Bank and Switchpoint as part of the America250 initiative. Donations like these two have been made across the country as the Church has pledged to distribute 250 truckloads of food to 250 food banks in the United States.
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Switchpoint in Tooele (west of Salt Lake City) receivedits delivery, helping individuals in their community become self-reliant.
"We don't want to just give handout, handout, handout," said Carol Hollowell, founder and CEO of Switchpoint. "We want people to see that they've got dignity and value, and what we see in that is that they become a contributing member of our own communities, and it just makes us stronger."
Hollowell is grateful that the Church selected locations outside larger cities for these deliveries.
"It's not just going to a Boston or Salt Lake. It's really looking at small areas that need extra help, and this goes a long way," Hollowell said.
Tooele City Mayor Maresa Manzione helped unload the delivery and encouraged those gathered to care for one another.
"Our goal should always be to help each other out and to have empathy for the people around us, Manzione said. "We don't know what somebody's life path has taken or what their circumstances are, and I'm just happy that we're able to help those people and hopefully, make a better life."
She added, "In helping somebody else, it makes our own lives better as well."
Several churches in Tooele and west Salt Lake will also receive a portion of the Switchpoint delivery. These smaller food banks help ensure no one falls through the cracks, said Mark Runyon, pastor at New Life Community Fellowship.
Kendall Thomas, Tooele County councilman, shared his feelings about the delivery and serving in the community.
"This is God's work. I believe that in my heart of hearts. When He said [we] are to feed the hungry [and] clothe the naked, that's how we do it: service."
"To certain communities, it is the meal that might not happen if these donations aren't made," said Cherie Wood, mayor of South Salt Lake, who was present at the donation event on Thursday, May 21.
The Utah Food Bank in South Salt Lake accepted the donation from the Church, which included items like applesauce, pasta, peanut butter and salsa.
"Our state is growing. Inflation is happening. Families are struggling on many different levels," said Ginette Bott, president and CEO of the Utah Food Bank. "For us to be able to come today, accept a donation like this, and know that we're having an impact on so many people is exactly what has to happen not only here in Utah, but throughout the country."
Bott explained that this donation, which also included detergent, helps provide items that all families need.
"If we look at the inventory that was on this truck, the ingredients are absolutely phenomenal," Bott said. "Everything your family would need; another family does as well."
"[These donations seem] to lower a stress level in their life that really can't be expressed deeply enough," said Ron Burt, assistant director of the Utah Area Communication Council for the Church of Jesus Christ. "I do know, personally, what these food donations actually mean to a lot of our families, especially right here in Utah.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/the-church-of-jesus-christ-makes-food-donations-in-utah-for-america250
[Category: Religion]
California State Assembly Passes Key Bill to Prohibit Surveillance Pricing
YONKERS, New York, May 29 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
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California state Assembly passes key bill to prohibit surveillance pricing
Consumer Reports calls on Senate to advance bill that introduces new protections for Californians over how retailers can use their personal data to set individualized prices
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Sacramento, CA - California's state Assembly advanced groundbreaking legislation today that would prohibit surveillance pricing. The bill now goes to the state Senate.
Surveillance pricing, also known as personalized pricing, is when companies use consumers'
... Show Full Article
YONKERS, New York, May 29 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
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California state Assembly passes key bill to prohibit surveillance pricing
Consumer Reports calls on Senate to advance bill that introduces new protections for Californians over how retailers can use their personal data to set individualized prices
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Sacramento, CA - California's state Assembly advanced groundbreaking legislation today that would prohibit surveillance pricing. The bill now goes to the state Senate.
Surveillance pricing, also known as personalized pricing, is when companies use consumers'personal data, such as their browsing history, real-time location, inferred family size, or income to set individualized prices or discounts for consumers. The bill also protects transparently offered discounts, including group discounts, discounts offered through loyalty and rewards programs, and discounts any consumer could potentially obtain.
"As momentum for surveillance pricing legislation builds nationwide, California is helping lead the charge with the advancement of AB 2564 in the state Assembly," said Grace Gedye, senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports. "Retailers have collected vast amounts of data about individual shoppers -- how often we search for or hover over particular items, whether we live near competitor stores, inferences about our likes and dislikes, our dietary needs, our income, our family size, and more. Surveillance pricing allows companies to squeeze the maximum amount that each of us is willing to pay. AB 2564 would ban this new and tricky pricing tactic and ensure fairer prices for California consumers. We thank Assemblymember Christopher Ward for his leadership on this legislation."
Maryland recently signed into law a bill aimed at banning surveillance pricing but CR found that the measure fell short. Connecticut and Colorado also passed bills out of their state legislatures that would limit personalized pricing. Other states are considering surveillance pricing bans including Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and others.
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Original text here: https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/california-state-assembly-passes-key-bill-to-prohibit-surveillance-pricing/
[Category: Business]
CAIR-SFBA Welcomes Hate Crime Plea, Sentencing of Man Who Threatened to Kill Pro-Palestinian Protesters
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-SFBA Welcomes Hate Crime Plea, Sentencing of Man Who Threatened to Kill Pro-Palestinian Protesters
The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the plea and sentencing of a South San Francisco man who threatened to kill pro-Palestinian protesters and spat in the face of a demonstrator at a peaceful rally.
SEE: South City man gets jail time
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-SFBA Welcomes Hate Crime Plea, Sentencing of Man Who Threatened to Kill Pro-Palestinian Protesters
The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the plea and sentencing of a South San Francisco man who threatened to kill pro-Palestinian protesters and spat in the face of a demonstrator at a peaceful rally.
SEE: South City man gets jail timefor hate crime against pro-Palestinian protesters (https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/south-city-man-gets-jail-time-for-hate-crime-against-pro-palestinian-protesters/)
On Tuesday, Kent Keenan pleaded no contest to battery and admitted the hate crime allegation. San Mateo County Superior Court sentenced him to 30 days in county jail, two years of supervised probation, and 75 hours of public service work.
The April 10, 2024, incident occurred outside the South San Francisco Public Library, where members of Change SSF were holding a ceasefire rally. According to prosecutors, Keenan approached the group, screamed profanities, spat in the face of one demonstrator, and told others, "I'm going to kill all you Palestinians" and "I want all you people dead. Bomb Palestine." The tirade was captured on camera.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
"Threatening to kill Palestinians, spitting on a protester, and trying to intimidate people out of calling for a ceasefire is not protected speech. It is hate, and we welcome this plea and sentencing as an important measure of accountability.
"No one should be assaulted or threatened because they speak out for Palestinian human rights. This case shows exactly why anti-Palestinian hate must be taken seriously, especially when it is directed at people exercising their First Amendment rights.
"We thank the protesters who documented this attack and continued organizing despite the hate directed at them. We also thank the prosecutors who brought this case and treated these threats with the seriousness they deserved."
CAIR's 2026 civil rights report documented 8,683 complaints nationwide in 2025--the highest annual number the organization has recorded--including hate incidents and discrimination tied to anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric.
CAIR-SFBA continues to urge anyone who experiences anti-Palestinian racism, Islamophobia, threats, harassment, or discrimination to contact its civil rights department.
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CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-sfba-welcomes-hate-crime-plea-sentencing-of-man-who-threatened-to-kill-pro-palestinian-protesters/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR-SFBA Calls on State Sen. Wiener to Apologize for Amplifying Anti-Muslim Hate and Meet With Muslim Constituents
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-SFBA Calls on State Sen. Wiener to Apologize for Amplifying Anti-Muslim Hate and Meet with Muslim Constituents
The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state Senator Scott Wiener to apologize for amplifying anti-Muslim hate and to meet with Muslim constituents.
On X, Weiner reshared--and after facing criticism--deleted a post that expressed
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-SFBA Calls on State Sen. Wiener to Apologize for Amplifying Anti-Muslim Hate and Meet with Muslim Constituents
The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state Senator Scott Wiener to apologize for amplifying anti-Muslim hate and to meet with Muslim constituents.
On X, Weiner reshared--and after facing criticism--deleted a post that expressedopposition to a potential deal to the end the U.S. war on Iran, derisively referred to collaboration among Sunni Muslim nations as the "Muhammad Accords," and expressed panic about "the rise of Islamist power we have not seen since Islam conquered parts of Europe."
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
"State Senator Wiener should apologize for retweeting anti-Muslim hate and meet with his local Muslim constituents to learn exactly why such rhetoric is so dangerous.
"Making a derisive and mocking reference to the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, is insulting and deeply offensive. So is smearing all Muslims who refuse to normalize the Israeli government's human rights as 'Islamists.'
"Senator Wiener would not have reshared this hate if he did not, to some extent, believe and agree with it. Elected officials must learn to show a basic level of respect to all of their constituents and their diverse faiths, including American Muslims."
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CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-sfba-calls-on-state-sen-weiner-to-apologize-for-amplifying-anti-muslim-hate-and-meet-with-muslim-constituents/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR-NY Calls on NYC Officials to Condemn Racist Chants Targeting Mayor Mamdani at Rally Outside Gracie Mansion
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-NY Calls on NYC Officials to Condemn Racist Chants Targeting Mayor Mamdani at Rally Outside Gracie Mansion
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on public officials in New York City to condemn racist chants at a rally against Mayor Mamdani.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:
"We strongly condemn the hate rally
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-NY Calls on NYC Officials to Condemn Racist Chants Targeting Mayor Mamdani at Rally Outside Gracie Mansion
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on public officials in New York City to condemn racist chants at a rally against Mayor Mamdani.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:
"We strongly condemn the hate rallyfor their blatantly racist and anti-Muslim chants aimed at Mayor Mamdani. Telling the mayor to 'go back where he came from' and demanding his deportation, among various other bigoted slurs cheered on by the crowd, is completely unacceptable. We call on New York City officials and state leaders to condemn this hate rally, especially those officials who have repeatedly smeared anti-genocide activists over the words of the few among them."
She said Washington, D.C., based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-calls-on-nyc-officials-to-condemn-racist-chants-targeting-mayor-mamdani-at-rally-outside-gracie-mansion/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR-MA Welcomes Charges for Alleged Racist Attack on Hispanic Diners
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-MA Welcomes Charges for Alleged Racist Attack on Hispanic Diners
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed criminal charges filed against two individuals accused of carrying out a racist attack targeting Hispanic diners at an East Boston restaurant.
According to reports, the incident allegedly involved racist slurs and physical violence
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR-MA Welcomes Charges for Alleged Racist Attack on Hispanic Diners
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed criminal charges filed against two individuals accused of carrying out a racist attack targeting Hispanic diners at an East Boston restaurant.
According to reports, the incident allegedly involved racist slurs and physical violencedirected at patrons dining at a local establishment. Authorities have reportedly charged the suspects in connection with the attack.
In a statement, CAIR-MA Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Esq., said:
"Everyone deserves to dine, work, and live free from racist harassment and violence. We welcome these charges and thank law enforcement authorities for taking this alleged attack seriously. Hate-fueled incidents targeting minority communities continue to threaten the safety and dignity of all people. We must stand united against racism and bigotry in every form."
She said Washington, D.C., based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ma-welcomes-charges-for-alleged-racist-attack-on-hispanic-diners/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Welcomes UN Adding Israel to List of Sexual Violence Perpetrators in Conflict Zones
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR Welcomes UN Adding Israel to List of Sexual Violence Perpetrators in Conflict Zones
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed reports that the United Nations has added Israel to its list of parties committing sexual violence in conflict zones, citing allegations involving Israeli forces and prison authorities against Palestinians.
According to multiple media reports, the United
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR Welcomes UN Adding Israel to List of Sexual Violence Perpetrators in Conflict Zones
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed reports that the United Nations has added Israel to its list of parties committing sexual violence in conflict zones, citing allegations involving Israeli forces and prison authorities against Palestinians.
According to multiple media reports, the UnitedNations' annual report on conflict-related sexual violence documented allegations of rape, sexual assault, humiliation, and abuse of Palestinian detainees and civilians during Israel's military operations in Gaza and other illegally- occupied Palestinian territories.
In a statement, CAIR said:
"The United Nations' reported decision to add the Israeli prison system to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the suffering Israeli authorities inflict on Palestinians, human rights activists, medical professionals, and others with funding from American taxpayers.
"For far too long, Palestinian victims have been denied justice while documented allegations of torture, humiliation, sexual abuse, and other inhumane treatment have been dismissed or ignored by our nation, western media outlets and international bodies. International law must apply equally to all people, regardless of nationality or political alliances.
"We welcome any credible international effort to investigate and document abuses against Palestinian civilians and detainees, and we urge the Trump administration and Congress to stop enabling the rape and torture of people, including Palestinian-Americans, abducted by the Israeli apartheid government."
Washington, D.C., based CAIR recently called on Congress and the Trump administration to take immediate action after a New York Times report detailed horrifying allegations of widespread sexual abuse, rape, torture, and humiliation of Palestinians held in Israeli detention facilities.
CAIR also recently called on Congress and the Trump administration to act following allegations that activists on a humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza kidnapped in international waters by Israel were subjected to sexual assault, violence and rape while in detention.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-un-adding-israel-to-list-of-sexual-violence-perpetrators-in-conflict-zones/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Invites Indiana Lt. Governor to Visit Indiana Mosque, Engage With Muslim Constituents After Anti-Islam Remarks
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR Invites Indiana Lt. Governor to Visit Indiana Mosque, Engage with Muslim Constituents After Anti-Islam Remarks
Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith says 'I hate Islam. It's a demonic death cult.'
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today invited and encouraged Indiana Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith to visit a mosque in that state and engage with his Muslim constituents after he reportedly denigrated
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR Invites Indiana Lt. Governor to Visit Indiana Mosque, Engage with Muslim Constituents After Anti-Islam Remarks
Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith says 'I hate Islam. It's a demonic death cult.'
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today invited and encouraged Indiana Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith to visit a mosque in that state and engage with his Muslim constituents after he reportedly denigratedthe religion of Islam and declared that people need "permission to hate again."
SEE: Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith Is Giving Hoosiers 'Permission To Hate' Islam (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5K53Kd395g)
In an interview, Beckwith reportedly said, "I hate Islam. It's a demonic death cult." He also reportedly claimed there is a need to give people "permission to hate again."
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
"We invite and encourage Lt. Gov. Beckwith to visit a local mosque and engage with his Indiana Muslim constituents. Although Mr. Beckwith has every right to express his own religious views, including a hatred of another world religion, he should have the wisdom to understand that using his platform as Lieutenant Governor to spread panic about an imaginary Muslim takeover of Indiana is unbecoming of his office and dangerous to the Indiana Muslim community.
"It is impossible to encourage the people of Indiana to hate an entire religion without fomenting hatred against the Indianans who follow that religion. American Muslims are already facing escalating harassment, discrimination, threats and, as we saw recently in San Diego, deadly violence. Lt. Gov. Beckwith should respectfully engage with the Indiana Muslim community, not put a bullseye on them or cast doubt on his commitment to uphold religious freedom for everyone in Indiana."
Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, said:
"Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith contradicts the mission of his office to 'protect individual liberties' (IE, religious practices) with his inflammatory statements about Islam and Muslims. He is not fit to remain in office. Vile comments like his fed into the deadly mass shooting at a San Diego Mosque and school the country is still reeling from. According to Brown University's Cost of War project, the direct death toll of just post 9/11 wars against predominantly Muslim countries is estimated at 940,000, and indirect deaths estimated at around 3.7 million people."
CAIR recently commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on "Sharia law." CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
The civil rights organization noted that its latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 - the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
The Center for the Study of Organized Hate showing an approximately 1,450 percent increase in anti-Muslim extremist rhetoric by public officials in the 15 months after February 2025, warning that many such statements satisfy criteria for speech likely to inspire violence.
After the deadly terror attack on the San Diego mosque, CAIR is also calling on Muslim community leaders to utilize its "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" bookletto help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-invites-indiana-lt-governor-to-visit-indiana-mosque-engage-with-muslim-constituents-after-anti-islam-remarks/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Calls for Dropping of Charges Against U.S. Capitol Demonstrators Against Israeli Torture of Palestinian Detainees
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR Calls for Dropping of Charges Against U.S. Capitol Demonstrators Against Israeli Torture of Palestinian Detainees
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the dropping of charges against demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., peacefully protesting Israel's torture and abuse of Palestinian detainees.
The protest was organized by a grassroots Palestinian-led human
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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CAIR Calls for Dropping of Charges Against U.S. Capitol Demonstrators Against Israeli Torture of Palestinian Detainees
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the dropping of charges against demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., peacefully protesting Israel's torture and abuse of Palestinian detainees.
The protest was organized by a grassroots Palestinian-led humanrights group on Eid in response to the Israeli bombing of Palestinians on the Eid holiday and the inability of thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons without due process, unable to celebrate the holiday with their families. The charges reportedly include "Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding, Resisting Arrest, and U.S. Capitol - Sleep/Lie Down, Paved/Improved Areas (anytime)."
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
"We call on law enforcement authorities to immediately release the protesters who were detained after holding an anti-torture demonstration and then unnecessarily held overnight on the false charge of resisting arrest. According to eyewitness reporters and video footage of the events, the protestors were completely peaceful and complied with law enforcement during their arrests.
"We applaud the Americans who kneeled on the U.S. Capitol to reflect on the detention without trial and abuse of Palestinians in Israeli prisons, and the torture and sexual abuse Israel inflicted upon human rights activists kidnapped from the Gaza aid flotilla. These protesters are heroes, not criminals. They should go free and all charges against them should be dropped."
He added that earlier today, CAIR welcomed reports that the United Nations has added Israel to its list of parties committing sexual violence in conflict zones, citing allegations involving Israeli forces and prison authorities against Palestinians.
Mitchell noted that Washington, D.C., based CAIR recently called on Congress and the Trump administration to take immediate action after a New York Times report detailed horrifying allegations of widespread sexual abuse, rape, torture, and humiliation of Palestinians held in Israeli detention facilities.
CAIR also recently called on Congress and the Trump administration to act following allegations that activists on a humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza kidnapped in international waters by Israel were subjected to sexual assault, violence and rape while in detention.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-for-dropping-of-charges-against-u-s-capitol-demonstrators-against-israeli-torture-of-palestinian-detainees/
[Category: Sociological]
Brady Celebrates Initial Passage of Two Gun Violence Prevention Bills in California
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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Brady Celebrates Initial Passage of Two Gun Violence Prevention Bills in California
Passing out of their originating chambers, these bills will help improve public safety and reduce crime in California
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SACRAMENTO, CA, May 28, 2026 -- This week, California legislators passed two essential gun violence prevention bills, SB 948 and AB 1743. These bills will ensure that gun purchasers receive meaningful safety education and training before purchasing a firearm (SB 948, led
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued the following news release on May 28, 2026:
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Brady Celebrates Initial Passage of Two Gun Violence Prevention Bills in California
Passing out of their originating chambers, these bills will help improve public safety and reduce crime in California
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SACRAMENTO, CA, May 28, 2026 -- This week, California legislators passed two essential gun violence prevention bills, SB 948 and AB 1743. These bills will ensure that gun purchasers receive meaningful safety education and training before purchasing a firearm (SB 948, ledby Senator Jesse Arreguin) and will allow available data about the source of firearms recovered from crimes to be easily shared with localities and researchers (AB 1743, led by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks).
Prior to the passage of these bills, a study found that nearly 40% of gun owners have never received formal training prior to purchasing a firearm. Additionally, while the California Department of Justice maintained trace data that identified a gun's chain of custody from manufacture to retail sale before being recovered from crime, there were no rules to streamline the process of sharing this information.
Brady President Kris Brown said:
"California has been a long time leader in the movement to prevent gun violence. The passage of these two bills is just another way the state has stepped up to proactively prevent gun violence before it happens. Education, training, and informed research are essential in our fight to stop gun violence at its source and improve public safety in our communities. We want to thank Senator Arreguin and Assemblymember Wicks for their leadership on these two significant bills, and our grassroots activists who made their voices heard in support of these measures. Now, as these two bills pass into the opposite chambers, we urge California lawmakers to continue to support them."
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Brady has one powerful mission -- to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It's in our hands.
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Original text here: https://www.bradyunited.org/press/brady-celebrates-initial-passage-of-two-gun-violence-prevention-bills-in-california
[Category: Political]
