Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
How "Pop-Up" Fishing Gear Offers Hope to Whales and Fishers
BERKELEY, California, May 21 -- The International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute issued the following news:
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How "Pop-Up" Fishing Gear Offers Hope to Whales and Fishers
By Abigail Wadkins-Daub
Every year, whales become entangled in fishing gear off the coasts of California and the Northeastern United States. Many drown immediately, while others drag heavy ropes and traps for months or years as the lines cut into their flesh, leaving them exhausted, starving, and slowly dying.
As ocean warming and shifting prey availability alter whale migration and feeding patterns, whales
... Show Full Article
BERKELEY, California, May 21 -- The International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute issued the following news:
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How "Pop-Up" Fishing Gear Offers Hope to Whales and Fishers
By Abigail Wadkins-Daub
Every year, whales become entangled in fishing gear off the coasts of California and the Northeastern United States. Many drown immediately, while others drag heavy ropes and traps for months or years as the lines cut into their flesh, leaving them exhausted, starving, and slowly dying.
As ocean warming and shifting prey availability alter whale migration and feeding patterns, whalesare appearing in unexpected places and lingering longer in coastal waters. This overlap between whales and commercial fisheries has made entanglements more difficult to predict and prevent. In response, fisheries are increasingly forced to close during periods of high whale presence. While these closures help protect whales and other marine life, they also leave many fishers without income. As ocean conditions continue shifting, many scientists, conservationists, and fishers agree that fishing closures alone are not a long-term solution.
The Problem: Whale Entanglements & Fishery Closures
Traditionally, crab pots are tethered to surface buoys with vertical ropes that remain suspended throughout the water column. These lines can entangle whales, sea turtles, and other marine animals.
In the Northeastern United States, fishing gear entanglement is the leading cause of death for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. 85% of the remaining population have been entangled in fishing gear at least once in their lifetime, often with scarring. About 60% have been entangled multiple times. With only around 380 individuals left, even a small number of deaths can have devastating impacts on the species' survival.
Entanglements are also a major issue for the humpback and gray whale populations along the West Coast of the US, where crab fishing is a major industry. Gray whales are especially vulnerable to both entanglements and ship strikes, with populations declining to roughly half of what they were in the 1990s.
Because of these risks, fisheries are increasingly closed during periods of high whale presence, creating major economic challenges for coastal fishing communities. An alternative fishing method for crabs, lobsters, and spot prawns is urgently needed.
The Development of Pop-Up Fishing Gear
Bart Chadwick, a PhD-trained oceanographer from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has spent his career developing ocean monitoring tools. Today, he is adapting that same technology to reshape the future of commercial fishing.
Chadwick is the co-owner of Sub-Sea Sonics, a company focused on making ocean technology more accessible and environmentally sound. At the center of this work is "pop-up" fishing gear, also known as "ropeless" or "whale-safe" gear.
Unlike traditional crabbing systems, pop-up fishing gear keeps the rope and buoy stowed on the seafloor until a fisherman triggers the system acoustically from the boat. Once activated, an inflatable lift bag or buoy carries the line to the surface for retrieval. Without vertical ropes constantly suspended in the water column, the risk of whale entanglement is significantly reduced.
Chadwick first used similar technology during his time in the U.S. Navy, where it allowed researchers to retrieve expensive equipment from the seafloor. After leaving the Navy, he began adapting these systems for use in commercial fishing.
While the gear can help fishers continue operating safely during periods of high whale presence, its broader goal is to reduce reliance on vertical fishing lines across fisheries altogether. Advocates see the technology as a potential bridge toward stronger rope regulations in seasonal closures, whale hotspot areas, and eventually more broadly throughout commercial fisheries.
Testing the Technology
Over the course of three years, the gear was tested under an experimental permit in California. The first two years saw limited participation, with just two fishers involved in the first year and 18 in the second year.
The third year presented additional challenges, with poor crabbing conditions that complicated the trial. However, these conditions also highlighted one of the gear's key advantages. Along the West Coast, nutrient-rich upwelling draws both whales and fishers to the same productive waters. When crabs and whales concentrated near Point Reyes, for example, fishers using pop-up gear were still able to operate safely.
The trials also demonstrated that the technology could function reliably under real commercial fishing conditions, despite claims from some fishing industry groups that the systems are impractical or ineffective. As of December 2025, pop-up gear officially entered commercial use following authorization by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Hesitations and Resistance Facing Pop-Up Gear
Despite this progress, widespread adoption still faces significant barriers, with cost being one of the most immediate challenges. Because adoption remains limited across fisheries, some fishers are hesitant about the upfront investment. However, several California fishers involved in the trials reported recovering costs relatively quickly by maintaining fishing access during periods of whale presence. Future subsidies and financial support programs could also help make adoption more accessible.
For many years, the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute and its colleagues have successfully supported Congressional efforts to fund experimental gear in right whale waters on the East Coast, including subsidies that help reduce costs for fishers testing the technology.
Cultural and social dynamics also play a major role, as many fishers view the gear as unfamiliar and difficult to integrate into existing practices. Others worry that voluntary adoption could eventually lead to broader regulations requiring pop-up gear beyond seasonal closures.
Early adopters have also faced pushback within their own communities. Chadwick notes that some fishers testing the gear experienced intense criticism and even threats, reflecting the deep influence of tradition and economic uncertainty within the industry. Although many entered the trials skeptical of the technology, their continued participation and feedback helped refine the systems, demonstrate their reliability in commercial fisheries, and ultimately move the gear from the experimental phase to authorization.
These concerns extend beyond California to the Northeast United States, where pop-up gear is also being tested in the region's $500 million lobster industry to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales.
Looking Ahead
At its core, Chadwick believes this divide comes down to building trust. While many fishers initially view pop-up gear as a threat to their livelihoods, routines, and culture, he believes collaboration can create new ways for fishers to remain on the water while reducing risks to whales.
As whale entanglements continue and ocean conditions shift, technologies that reduce reliance on vertical fishing lines are vital for the future of marine mammals and commercial fisheries.
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Abigail is an intern with the International Marine Mammal Project at Earth Island Institute and a graduating senior Environmental Studies student at the University of San Francisco.
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Original text here: https://savedolphins.eii.org/news/how-pop-up-fishing-gear-offers-hope-to-whales-and-fishers
[Category: Science]
HB 695 Should Limit NDAs, Restore Access to Records of Data Center and Other Development Deals
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 21 -- Policy Matters Ohio, a nonpartisan policy research institute, posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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HB 695 should limit NDAs, restore access to records of data center and other development deals
In testimony delivered today, Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller urged the House Local Government Committee to strengthen House Bill 695 by broadening limits on nondisclosure agreements in data center and other economic development deals and repealing the recent change to Ohio law that shields key economic development records from public view.
Schiller
... Show Full Article
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 21 -- Policy Matters Ohio, a nonpartisan policy research institute, posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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HB 695 should limit NDAs, restore access to records of data center and other development deals
In testimony delivered today, Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller urged the House Local Government Committee to strengthen House Bill 695 by broadening limits on nondisclosure agreements in data center and other economic development deals and repealing the recent change to Ohio law that shields key economic development records from public view.
Schillersaid H.B. 695 is an important step toward more transparent economic development, especially as Ohio communities grapple with proposed data center projects that can reshape communities, dramatically increase utility costs, and impact public finances. But, he said, the bill will be more effective if lawmakers also reverse a recent provision added to Section 9.66 of the Ohio Revised Code, which makes broad categories of information tied to economic development assistance confidential.
"Nondisclosure agreements are one reason that Ohioans across the state are attending public meetings to voice their concerns about data centers," Schiller said. "Residents' fears have been stoked by NDAs that have hidden projects from public view, sometimes while officials quietly negotiate with data center companies," he added, citing an agreement by officials in Wilmington related to an Amazon data center project.
Schiller recommended amending H.B. 695 so it applies to more public officials involved in economic development decisions, and to avoid home-rule conflicts. He also stressed the need to reverse a change made last year, through H.B. 184, to criminalize the release of certain records related to economic development.
"No longer can residents expect to get the basic details on what applicants for [local development] assistance promise in jobs and investment. ... Local officials now must be concerned that they could be criminally prosecuted for providing information to constituents."
"By reversing this move and strengthening H.B. 695, legislators can take an important step toward allowing the public to meaningfully participate in decision-making."
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Original text here: https://policymattersohio.org/news/2026/05/20/hb-695-should-limit-ndas-restore-access-to-records-of-data-center-and-other-development-deals/
[Category: Economics]
EBC Ascending Professionals Committee Announces New Vice Chair
BROOKLINE, Massachusetts, May 21 -- The Environmental Business Council of New England issued the following news:
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EBC Ascending Professionals Committee Announces New Vice Chair
The EBC is pleased to announce that Allison Koch, Project Planner with EBC Member Tighe & Bond, is now a Vice Chair of the EBC Ascending Professionals Committee. Please join EBC in welcoming Allison to this position.
Allison joins the current Committee Chair of the EBC Ascending Professionals Committee, Jamie Fitzpatrick of Tighe & Bond, and Vice Chair Becky Raymond of Sage Environmental, Inc., A Terracon Company.
... Show Full Article
BROOKLINE, Massachusetts, May 21 -- The Environmental Business Council of New England issued the following news:
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EBC Ascending Professionals Committee Announces New Vice Chair
The EBC is pleased to announce that Allison Koch, Project Planner with EBC Member Tighe & Bond, is now a Vice Chair of the EBC Ascending Professionals Committee. Please join EBC in welcoming Allison to this position.
Allison joins the current Committee Chair of the EBC Ascending Professionals Committee, Jamie Fitzpatrick of Tighe & Bond, and Vice Chair Becky Raymond of Sage Environmental, Inc., A Terracon Company.The Chair and Vice Chairs work together to lead the Committee, managing planning meetings and developing programming for the Committee.
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Allison's Bio:
Allison is a Project Planner I with nine years of professional experience in municipal land use, community planning, and environmental permitting. Her background includes comprehensive planning, environmental due diligence, regulatory compliance, and historic and cultural resource assessment for both public and private sector clients throughout New England and the Northeast.
Allison began her career in 2017 as an Intern with EBC, where she supported membership data management and marketing initiatives. She then joined LaBella Associates in Rochester, New York as an Environmental Analyst, conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Transaction Screens, and Records Search and Risk Assessment reports for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. During her tenure at LaBella, she advanced into a planning role, supporting National Environmental Policy Act and New York State Environmental Quality Review Act permitting for affordable housing, residential, and commercial development projects.
Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, Allison returned to her home state of Massachusetts in 2021 to serve as a Renewable Energy Consultant with Tetra Tech. In this role, she contributed to complex federal permitting for offshore wind development, including preparation of Construction and Operations Plans and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management compliance documentation for major renewable energy projects including Kitty Hawk Wind and Empire Wind.
Allison currently works at Tighe & Bond, where she leads both municipal planning and environmental permitting efforts for cities and towns across New England. In her planning work, she focuses on community engagement and sustainable development, regularly facilitating public workshops, community meetings, and collaborative planning processes that integrate environmental stewardship with local priorities. Her planning experience includes grant writing, preparation of municipal planning documents, and development of strategies that support resilient, community driven outcomes.
In parallel, Allison manages complex permitting assignments for local and state regulatory review. Her permitting experience includes the preparation of applications for Planning and Zoning Board Review, compliance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, and federal and state environmental review packages such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorizations and MEPA filings. She is experienced in assembling comprehensive, technically robust submissions that support project approvals and advance community and environmental goals.
Allison is a member of the American Planning Association and the Environmental Business Council of New England. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a minor in Anthropology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In 2016, she studied abroad in Freiburg, Germany as a Julius G. Blocker Fellowship '53 Endowed Fund Awardee, and in 2017, she was recognized as HWS's Community Engaged Student Scholar of the Year.
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Original text here: https://ebcne.org/news/ebc-ascending-professionals-committee-announces-new-vice-chair/
[Category: Environment]
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Fostering the Future of Science
COLD SPRING HARBOR, New York, May 21 -- The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory issued the following news:
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Fostering the future of science
Science comes first in STEM for good reason. Whether one pursues a career in technology, engineering, or medicine, all that work is rooted in scientific knowledge and experimentation. At Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, education and research go hand in hand. That's true at every level and applied in each initiative, including the CSHL Partners for the Future (PFF) program.
For more than three decades, the PFF program has mentored promising high school seniors
... Show Full Article
COLD SPRING HARBOR, New York, May 21 -- The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory issued the following news:
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Fostering the future of science
Science comes first in STEM for good reason. Whether one pursues a career in technology, engineering, or medicine, all that work is rooted in scientific knowledge and experimentation. At Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, education and research go hand in hand. That's true at every level and applied in each initiative, including the CSHL Partners for the Future (PFF) program.
For more than three decades, the PFF program has mentored promising high school seniorsfrom across Long Island. "It's very important to train the next generation of students," says PFF Director and CSHL Professor David Jackson. At CSHL, training goes beyond the classroom. "PFF students actively take part in cutting-edge research projects, working side-by-side with CSHL scientists."
For PFF mentors, the experience is just as rewarding. "It's been a lot of fun sharing my excitement for research with someone who's equally interested and working on it with the same level of ownership," says Dhivyaa Anandan, a graduate student in CSHL Associate Professor Camila dos Santos' lab. "I hope that through this experience, we can show students how fun and creative science can be in such a collaborative environment."
Life as a scientist
Since August 2025, Calhoun High School senior Sofia Ricci has spent a few afternoons each week at CSHL. And not only for the idyllic scenery, though that's definitely a plus. Ricci is one of 12 seniors enrolled in the PFF Class of 2026. While high school extracurriculars typically revolve around sports, clubs, or theater, hers also include contributing to the dos Santos lab's groundbreaking breast cancer research.
"When I stepped into the lab for the first time, I was overcome with excitement," Ricci says. "I went from learning about things in textbooks to actually seeing and doing those things in real life. It was eye-opening, and Dhivyaa has been so supportive and encouraging."
Most days, Ricci heads to the lab right after school lets out. Once she arrives, her assigned mentor, Anandan, will give her a rundown of the experiments they'll run that day. Throughout the school year, there are many, each providing invaluable hands-on experience.
"It's important to realize how different textbook biology can be from experimenting," Anandan says. "Sometimes memorizing facts can feel very tedious. Thinking about a question yourself and figuring out how to answer it is very rewarding for students."
Ricci and Anandan's project investigates probiotics' impact on cancer development in mammary glands. Using patient tissue samples and mouse models, their research aims to reveal how diet influences tumor formation and structure.
As impressive as that sounds, it's just one example of the kind of work PFF participants do every day at the Lab. Like Ricci, Stony Brook School senior Zhaojin (David) Guo starts the day meeting with his mentor, Vijina Varapparambath, a postdoc in David Jackson's lab. There, the team focuses on Arabidopsis, a model organism central to plant biology research.
"Every day is different," Guo says. "Sometimes I'm in the lab running PCR tests, preparing the gels we use in our experiments, or phenotyping specimens. Other days, I work at Uplands Farm in the greenhouse where we keep our seeds and potted plants."
Guo and Varapparambath study mobile mRNA. In plants, cells communicate with each other via small channels called plasmodesma. The team focuses on how mRNA carries information between cells, and on the specific genes involved in the process. However, Guo's work isn't limited to a single research project.
"David has also been helping us streamline experiments," Varapparambath adds. "He'll notice something and say, 'I have an idea to make this easier' and come back a week later with a device or machine we can use. The whole lab has been impressed with him."
For Guo, the feeling is mutual. "Even though my background was in engineering, I've been able to apply that to biology and genetics and gain a lot of knowledge," he says. "Having a supportive mentor in that learning process has been tremendous."
Freedom of curiosity
Since 1990, PFF has paired more than 200 young scientists with CSHL researchers. Students entering their senior year are nominated by their school's science department chair. Through an interview process not too different from what they might expect after college, each candidate competes for the opportunity to join a lab specializing in one of CSHL's primary research areas--cancer, plant biology and genomics, neuroscience, or quantitative biology and AI. Although some schools have a longer history with the program than others, it's open to all.
"I'm only the second person from my school to be part of the program," says Hicksville High School senior Shelby Fraser. "I'd been through summer science programs before, but nothing compared to PFF."
While Fraser had always been into nature and the environment, the program offered a new and exciting opportunity to explore the biomedical implications of his interests. Working alongside mentor Liam Shanley, a grad student in Professor Chris Vakoc's lab, Fraser was able to design his own project, ask questions about connections between biology and medicine, and bring his experiences to the team's research.
"Working with Shelby is fun because, while he's an exceptionally bright scientist, there's still so much he doesn't know yet just by virtue of being young," Shanley says. "It's been a nice reminder that everyone, me included, is allowed to not know things. He asks questions with such grace it reminds me to do the same."
For Portledge High School senior Avery Joshua-Tor, doing research alongside CSHL Associate Professor Lucas Cheadle offered the chance to work at the intersection of biology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence.
Joshua-Tor and Cheadle's project explores mechanisms behind the placenta's role in neurodevelopmental disorders. Using AI and coding to analyze experimental data sparked in Joshua-Tor curiosity about how such tools can be applied to other areas of research.
"I was able to see biological processes up close and how things like machine learning can be used for experiments," she says. "Going forward, I definitely want to pursue this and make my model better than it is right now."
"Avery is bright, ambitious, and curious--all fantastic qualities for a young scientist," Cheadle adds. "She asks questions that are difficult to answer and cut to the core of biology. That's a sign of an independent thinker, and it's been a pleasure to work with someone with that level of talent and adaptability."
For Cheadle, PFF's value to students and mentors was clear from the start. In fact, when he was in high school, he took part in a similar program at the University of Oklahoma. Today, he credits this experience with kickstarting his career.
"That early exposure to science set me up for success," he says. "When I got to college, I was able to join a lab quickly. Then, when I started my own lab, I was energized by working with younger folks because I had an opportunity to usher talented people into this world of research. It's one of my favorite parts of working in science."
Showing their work
After seven months of immersive lab work, students present their research to friends, family, and fellow scientists at CSHL's PFF Symposium. Modeled on CSHL's annual Symposium on Quantitative Biology, the PFF event features each student giving a 10-minute talk about their research, followed by a short Q&A.
For the students--who come to CSHL from different communities--it's an opportunity to connect with like-minded teens while gaining invaluable experience in an area that can be daunting for even the most seasoned professionals: public speaking.
"The symposium is a check on my understanding," Guo says. "When I present to a public audience, I want to make sure everything I'm talking about is true. On the other hand, I'm also looking forward to seeing all the other students and hearing about their adventures in the lab."
Joshua-Tor agrees. "Everyone in PFF is engaged and passionate about what they're doing," she says. "It's fun to be with people so curious, and it creates a great environment for asking questions. Plus, everyone's working on different topics, from plants to cancer to neuroscience, so you learn a lot."
For relatives and schoolteachers in attendance, the event can be even more eye-opening. "The students are doing cutting-edge research here at CSHL," says Jackson. "Many people don't realize how difficult that is and how important discoveries can make life better."
Science is a lifelong learning process, Jackson adds, so it's important to get students involved and excited early. Whether they come away from the program with co-author credits on published research or a better understanding of what the life of a scientist entails, they often head to graduation with a sense of direction that's remarkable for someone their age.
That's clear from listening to Ricci talk about her future plans. "I definitely want to pursue science in college," she says. "Being here has made me realize how much I love working in a lab and working with tissues. I've been thinking about homing in on molecular biology or neuropathology and pursuing a Ph.D. from there."
For at least one student, the next step on that journey has already been decided. "I recently committed to the University of Toronto on a scholarship," says Fraser. "I'm not sure what I want to specialize in yet, but I definitely want to pursue biology. Undergrad is where you do much of the groundwork that sets up your Ph.D., and it's great I have this experience. I think I'll be able to get into a lab very, very early."
Such confidence is not unfounded. Because PFF is designed with education and experimentation in mind, it enables students to approach college professors with research opportunities they might not have considered. Thus, it continues to further the frontiers of scientific knowledge, just as CSHL has done for more than 130 years.
So, if you want to know what the future of science holds, look to the people who will be doing that science.
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Original text here: https://www.cshl.edu/fostering-the-future-of-science/
[Category: Science]
CAIR-NJ Denounces Mistreatment of Gaza Flotilla Participants, Calls on Representatives to Advocate for Amrou Ibrahim's Release
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-NJ Denounces Mistreatment of Gaza Flotilla Participants, Calls on Representatives to Advocate for Amrou Ibrahim's Release
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) denounces the mistreatment of Global Sumud Flotilla participants on arrival at Ashdod Port, Israel. New Jersey resident, Amrou Ibrahim, is among those detained by Israeli forces for attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when their vessel was unlawfully seized.
READ: Global leaders denounce
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-NJ Denounces Mistreatment of Gaza Flotilla Participants, Calls on Representatives to Advocate for Amrou Ibrahim's Release
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) denounces the mistreatment of Global Sumud Flotilla participants on arrival at Ashdod Port, Israel. New Jersey resident, Amrou Ibrahim, is among those detained by Israeli forces for attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when their vessel was unlawfully seized.
READ: Global leaders denouncetreatment of humanitarian activists by Israeli authorities (https://www.nbcnews.com/world/israel/israeli-security-minister-videos-taunting-detained-flotilla-activists-rcna346105).
In a video shared on social media, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is shown taunting detainees while they are dragged, bound, and forced to kneel.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
"Nutley resident Amrou Ibrahim was on a humanitarian mission to Gaza when he along with other flotilla passengers were abducted by Israeli authorities on international waters. Our representatives should be outraged at how their constituent is being treated by Israeli officials.
"We thank Representative Mejia and Senator Kim for advocating on behalf of Amrou. We call on all our federal officials to denounce this treatment and secure his release."
WATCH: Israeli authorities mistreat foreign nationals at the port of Ashdod (https://x.com/haaretzcom/status/2057063202639253845?s=46).
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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-nj-denounces-mistreatment-of-gaza-flotilla-participants-calls-on-representatives-to-advocate-for-amrou-ibrahims-release/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR-MI Files Civil Rights Complaint Alleging Anti-Muslim Harassment, Retaliation Within Eastpointe Police Dept.
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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CAIR-MI Files Civil Rights Complaint Alleging Anti-Muslim Harassment, Retaliation Within Eastpointe Police Dept.
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today filed a civil rights complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on behalf of a Muslim and Arab-American police officer working with the East Pointe Michigan Police Department, alleging religious
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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CAIR-MI Files Civil Rights Complaint Alleging Anti-Muslim Harassment, Retaliation Within Eastpointe Police Dept.
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today filed a civil rights complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on behalf of a Muslim and Arab-American police officer working with the East Pointe Michigan Police Department, alleging religiousdiscrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment within the Eastpointe Police Department.
READ THE COMPLAINT (https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RedactedComplaint.pdf).
The complaint alleges that the officer was subjected to anti-Muslim harassment after overhearing a fellow officer state "F*** all Muslims" while on duty and in the presence of supervisory personnel. According to the complaint, despite immediate reporting of the incident, supervisory staff failed to properly report or address the conduct until outside attention was brought to the matter. After this initial incident, CAIR-MI was notified by an anonymous concerned co-worker of the Complainant and reached out to the Chief of Police who indicated that he was following up on the matter. However, no further communication has been forthcoming, and the issues remain unresolved.
The filing further alleges that after reporting the discriminatory conduct, the officer experienced retaliation, including false accusations, discriminatory comments, damage to his professional reputation, and disparate disciplinary treatment.
The complaint also details allegations that a supervising officer visited the complainant's wife's business while in uniform, made disturbing and inappropriate comments, referenced the department's distrust of the complainant, and engaged in intimidating conduct that extended the hostile environment beyond the workplace.
"This complaint raises deeply troubling allegations of anti-Muslim bias, retaliation, and a failure of leadership within a law enforcement agency," said Lead Staff Attorney for CAIR-MI, Amy V. Doukoure, Esq.. "When law enforcement officers express overt religious animus, the concern is greater than a hostile work environment. Communities cannot trust officers who hold these views to fairly uphold the law or protect the safety of all people they are sworn to serve. No officer should face retaliation for reporting discrimination, and no police department should tolerate conduct that undermines public trust in equal protection under the law."
"Allegations of openly anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hostility within a law enforcement agency are especially alarming at a time when ethnic and religious minorities across the United States are experiencing heightened fear, polarization, and dehumanizing rhetoric," said Executive Director of CAIR Michigan, Dawud Walid. "When public officials and institutions fail to firmly confront religious animus, it normalizes discrimination and erodes public trust in the very systems charged with protecting civil rights and public safety. Muslim, Arab, and other minority communities should not have to question whether those sworn to serve them view them with hostility because of their faith or identity."
The complaint alleges violations of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including claims for religious discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, and disparate treatment.
CAIR-MI is calling for a full investigation into the allegations and appropriate corrective action to ensure accountability and equal treatment within the department.
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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-mi-files-civil-rights-complaint-alleging-anti-muslim-harassment-retaliation-within-eastpointe-police-dept/
[Category: Sociological]
AWI Unveils New Website with Enhanced Educational and Animal Advocacy Tools; Improved Accessibility
WASHINGTON, May 21 [Category: Animals] -- The Animal Welfare Institute issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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AWI Unveils New Website with Enhanced Educational and Animal Advocacy Tools; Improved Accessibility
Today, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) debuted its newly modernized website, designed to make it easier than ever to learn about contemporary animal welfare issues and to take action for animals. Upgrades include evocative, vibrant imagery, enhanced accessibility, and improved performance--resulting in a comprehensive resource for researchers, students, educators,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 21 [Category: Animals] -- The Animal Welfare Institute issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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AWI Unveils New Website with Enhanced Educational and Animal Advocacy Tools; Improved Accessibility
Today, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) debuted its newly modernized website, designed to make it easier than ever to learn about contemporary animal welfare issues and to take action for animals. Upgrades include evocative, vibrant imagery, enhanced accessibility, and improved performance--resulting in a comprehensive resource for researchers, students, educators,and animal lovers alike.
The updates include:
* Expanded information about AWI priority issues and programmatic campaigns: Users can find information about important animal welfare issues and legislation, regulatory efforts, and AWI's role in helping to shape important animal welfare and conservation measures globally under the new "Policy Efforts" page.
* Fresh ways to get involved: AWI's Action Center, where users can contact decisionmakers in just a few clicks, has been fully integrated into the site's functionality, providing increased visibility into ways to take action for animals. In addition, a curated section of the site, entitled "What You Can Do," lists further ways advocates can join in AWI's work to shape a more humane future for animals.
* Enhanced accessibility: AWI wholeheartedly believes in the importance of making our tools and information accessible to all animal advocates. To that end, the site has been carefully designed to help enhance access and streamline the user experience.
* Improved performance: The site's upgraded functionality and organization of content provide a more intuitive experience, putting key information at users' fingertips.
These updates will enhance the site's ability to serve as an informational resource for visitors to learn about and engage with animal welfare measures around the globe.
The website is now live--but our work is far from over. AWI continues to defend bedrock animal welfare laws from unprecedented attacks and advocate to strengthen and enforce existing animal protections--work that couldn't happen without our supporters by our side.
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About AWI
The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.
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Original text here: https://awionline.org/news/awi-unveils-new-website-with-enhanced-educational-and-animal-advocacy-tools-improved-accessibility/
