Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Salvation Army International: Rome Gathering Convenes to Strengthen Global Health Care
LONDON, England, May 2 -- The Salvation Army International issued the following news on May 1, 2026:
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Rome gathering convenes to strengthen global health care
More than 100 faith leaders, health experts and practitioners gathered in Rome (22-23 April) to accelerate action on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health-care facilities worldwide.
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Current situation
The two-day event highlighted a critical global challenge. According to WHO/UNICEF, 37% of health-care facilities in low-resource countries lack basic water services and 81% lack basic sanitation; conditions that increase
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LONDON, England, May 2 -- The Salvation Army International issued the following news on May 1, 2026:
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Rome gathering convenes to strengthen global health care
More than 100 faith leaders, health experts and practitioners gathered in Rome (22-23 April) to accelerate action on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health-care facilities worldwide.
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Current situation
The two-day event highlighted a critical global challenge. According to WHO/UNICEF, 37% of health-care facilities in low-resource countries lack basic water services and 81% lack basic sanitation; conditions that increaseinfection, endanger mothers and babies, and undermine dignity in care.
Faith-based organisations, which provide up to half of health-care services in some contexts, are playing a key role in addressing these gaps. The gathering brought together partners from across the global Church and humanitarian sector to share progress and strengthen collaboration.
Representing The Salvation Army, Community Development Lead Joanne Beale outlined the movement's commitment to ensuring safe, dignified and credible health care across its 119 facilities in 18 countries:
'Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is not an optional upgrade. It is foundational to our witness and to the trust communities place in us,' she said.
Strengthening WASH into the future
Building on newly approved Guiding Principles for Salvation Army Health Services, the movement is launching a three-year focus (2026-2029) to strengthen WASH across its health-care settings. The initiative includes global assessments using the WASH-FIT tool, the development of clear improvement plans, and a coordinated and collaborative effort to implement them.
By the end of 2026, this work is expected to provide a global baseline to support more strategic investment. By the end of 2029, the hope is for improved access to water and sanitation, universal hand hygiene, and stronger infection prevention and waste-management systems across all Salvation Army health-care facilities.
Ms Beale emphasised that The Salvation Army's efforts are part of a wider, shared mission:
'We offer this not as a stand-alone claim, but as a contribution to a shared, faith-based effort...ensuring what we have inherited serves life, health and dignity for generations to come.'
The conference, held under the patronage of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, was livestreamed globally, enabling wider participation in this growing movement for change. A document outlining everyone's commitments is available below.
Read about The Salvation Army's work in this area (https://www.salvationarmy.org/health-and-well-being)
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Original text here: https://www.salvationarmy.org/news/rome-gathering-convenes-strengthen-global-health-care
[Category: Sociological]
Ridenhour Prizes Honor Democracy Forward Senior Counsel Erez Reuveni With 2026 Truth-Telling Prize
WASHINGTON, May 2 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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Ridenhour Prizes Honor Democracy Forward Senior Counsel Erez Reuveni With 2026 Truth-Telling Prize
Award Recognizes Reuveni's Courage in Exposing Efforts to Mislead Courts and Undermine the Rule of Law
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Democracy Forward Senior Counsel Erez Reuveni received the 2026 Truth-Telling Prize by the Ridenhour Prizes at the organization's annual awards dinner at
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WASHINGTON, May 2 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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Ridenhour Prizes Honor Democracy Forward Senior Counsel Erez Reuveni With 2026 Truth-Telling Prize
Award Recognizes Reuveni's Courage in Exposing Efforts to Mislead Courts and Undermine the Rule of Law
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Democracy Forward Senior Counsel Erez Reuveni received the 2026 Truth-Telling Prize by the Ridenhour Prizes at the organization's annual awards dinner atthe National Press Club yesterday. The honor comes as the nation celebrates Law Day, a national observance established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to celebrate the rule of law, the legal system, and its role in protecting individual liberties.
The Ridenhour Truth-Telling Prize recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage and integrity in bringing important facts to light in the public interest. The award honors Reuveni's decision to come forward with whistleblower disclosures detailing directives by senior U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership to mislead federal courts and defy court orders -- actions that strike at the core of the rule of law.
"Erez Reuveni's integrity and fidelity to the rule of law and the legal profession's ethical standards is something all lawyers should emulate and for which all Americans should be grateful," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. "At a time when the integrity of our justice system is under sustained attack and when pressure is mounting for government attorneys to prioritize political loyalty, Erez chose principle over position, refusing to mislead the courts and instead did his part to defend the Constitution and the rule of law. His integrity reminds us that truth still matters, that the law still matters, and that individuals can make a profound difference in protecting our democracy."
Reuveni served for almost 15 years as a career attorney at the DOJ, where he handled and supervised some of the federal government's most complex immigration litigation across administrations of both parties. In 2025, he refused DOJ leadership directives to misrepresent facts in court filings, after which he was placed on administrative leave and ultimately fired. Later that year, he made protected disclosures to Congress and oversight bodies documenting multiple attempts by senior officials to undermine judicial proceedings and ignore court orders.
"Truth-telling in government is part of our duty as civil servants, and central to the oath to support and defend the Constitution all government employees undertake," said Erez Reuveni, Senior Counsel at Democracy Forward. "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, and remain committed to ensuring that our courts are respected, that the law is followed, and that people and communities have access to justice. I am eager to continue that work alongside my colleagues at Democracy Forward."
The Ridenhour Prizes, established in memory of investigative journalist Ron Ridenhour, celebrate individuals who advance truth, accountability, and justice. Past recipients include whistleblowers, journalists, and public servants whose actions have had a lasting impact on democratic institutions and public trust.
Reuveni is part of Democracy Forward's growing legal team, which includes former career civil servants and experienced litigators dedicated to defending the Constitution, safeguarding access to the courts, and holding government actors accountable when they violate the law.
Democracy Forward has been at the forefront of legal challenges to unlawful government actions, securing key victories that protect people and communities nationwide. The organization's work reflects the same commitment to truth and accountability that the Ridenhour Prizes seek to elevate.
For more information about the Ridenhour Prizes, visit www.ridenhour.org.
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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/ridenhour-prizes-honor-democracy-forward-senior-counsel-erez-reuveni-with-2026-truth-telling-prize/
[Category: Political]
Environmental Defense Fund: Approved Exempted Fishing Permits Jeopardize South Atlantic Red Snapper
NEW YORK, May 2 -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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Approved Exempted Fishing Permits Jeopardize South Atlantic Red Snapper
Statement from EDF Senior Director for Fisheries & Ocean Public Affairs Reggie Paros
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(WASHINGTON) - Today, President Trump announced the approval of permits from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to exempt the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and their private anglers from federal rules under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for the
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NEW YORK, May 2 -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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Approved Exempted Fishing Permits Jeopardize South Atlantic Red Snapper
Statement from EDF Senior Director for Fisheries & Ocean Public Affairs Reggie Paros
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(WASHINGTON) - Today, President Trump announced the approval of permits from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to exempt the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and their private anglers from federal rules under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for therecreational harvest of South Atlantic red snapper in 2026. The permits would significantly increase the number of fishing days while the red snapper stock is still recovering from historical overfishing.
"Recreational fishing is an American pastime, and responsible innovation is critical to managing fisheries for the future. But NOAA's decision allows states to sidestep core federal safeguards that exist to prevent overfishing at a time when South Atlantic red snapper remains overfished and under a rebuilding plan. These permits go well beyond the limited, pilot-scale purpose of exempted fishing permits and instead function as an alternative management system without enforceable catch limits or accountability measures required by law.
"NOAA's own science supported only a two-day recreational fishing season in 2025. Approving seasons lasting up to two months without conservation protections puts at risk years of hard work by fishermen to rebuild South Atlantic red snapper. Expanded access without enforceable guardrails threatens both the health of the stock and the long-term stability of fishing communities along the coast of the South Atlantic.
"Innovation should strengthen, not weaken, science-based fisheries management. This decision is misguided and jeopardizes the recovery of South Atlantic red snapper for future generations."
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With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
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Original text here: https://www.edf.org/media/approved-exempted-fishing-permits-jeopardize-south-atlantic-red-snapper
[Category: Environment]
Democracy Forward Adds Five New Litigators to Growing Team as Legal Docket Soars
WASHINGTON, May 2 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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Democracy Forward Adds Five New Litigators to Growing Team as Legal Docket Soars
A new group of experienced attorneys are joining Democracy Forward's litigation team, adding to the pro-democracy legal organization's ability to protect people in the United States from accelerating threats to their rights. The five new attorneys - Senior Legal Advisor Ron Fein,
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WASHINGTON, May 2 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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Democracy Forward Adds Five New Litigators to Growing Team as Legal Docket Soars
A new group of experienced attorneys are joining Democracy Forward's litigation team, adding to the pro-democracy legal organization's ability to protect people in the United States from accelerating threats to their rights. The five new attorneys - Senior Legal Advisor Ron Fein,Senior Counsels Laura Bakst, Gregory Cumming, and Andrea Matthews, and Counsel Briana Clark - each bring valuable experience as both frontline litigators and leaders in senior roles in government and the nonprofit sector in past leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and American Oversight.
Since Inauguration, Democracy Forward has played a leading role in inspiring courage and in protecting people in America from harmful and unlawful federal executive action, including securing an nationwide order stopping the freeze on funding and essential services, opposing executive actions that undermine diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, protecting due process, blocking the detainment of unaccompanied migrant children, blocking attempts to withhold federal funds for public schools and direct service providers for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, opposing attempts to politicize our nation's non-partisan civil service, and preventing the shut down of media outlets like the Voice of America. The organization has filed more than 400 legal actions since January 2025, launched hundreds of investigations, and, through its Democracy2025 initiative, has organized the largest, most successful affirmative litigation effort against executive branch excesses in United States history.
"It is more important now than ever that we build on the success we have seen in courts as they have become the frontline in the fight against unlawful abuses of the Trump-Vance administration's power. As more people are finding the courage to defend their rights, we have seen a skyrocketing litigation docket across the courts landscape. The knowledge and perspective these exceptional litigators add to our team will help us continue to expand Democracy Forward's ability to protect people and communities from the constant flood of harmful actions pouring out of this administration," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward.
Democracy Forward nearly doubled its litigation team in the past 15 months. The team litigates cases at all levels from federal district courts to the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as in state and local courts across the nation. These successes led The Atlantic to call the group "the single largest source of Trump's legal troubles."
New attorneys joining Democracy Forward include:
Ron Fein as Senior Legal Advisor. Before joining the organization, Ron was Chief Counsel at American Oversight, where he led legal strategy using federal and state transparency laws to expose and challenge government misconduct. Before that, he served for a decade as Legal Director at Free Speech For People, litigating and advocating nationwide on government accountability, campaign finance, election protection, and constitutional democracy, and earlier as Assistant Regional Counsel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New England office, where he received EPA's National Gold Medal for Exceptional Service. Ron clerked for Judge Kermit Lopez of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and Judge Douglas Woodlock of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Laura Bakst as Senior Counsel. Most recently, Laura was a staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights where she litigated cases to protect and expand reproductive healthcare access. Before that, Laura served as a trial attorney for the Federal Programs Branch at the DOJ, defending high-profile challenges to federal statutes and agency actions across a range of issues, including gun control, religious freedom, and reproductive healthcare. Laura is a recipient of the DOJ Civil Division Special Commendation Award and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Honor Award. She also previously practiced at Williams & Connolly and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as well as the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Gregory Cumming as Senior Counsel. Before joining the organization, Greg was a Senior Trial Attorney with the DOJ's Environment and Natural Resources Division, Natural Resources Section. There, he litigated high-profile challenges to federal agency actions in district courts around the country, worked on complex actions in the Court of Federal Claims seeking significant monetary and class-wide relief, and helped to coordinate strategy across agencies on major regulatory matters and cross-cutting legal issues. Prior to working at DOJ, Greg served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia where he focused on constitutional challenges to District policies and regulations, and worked in private practice on healthcare and Medicaid-related litigation brought against state agencies.
Andrea Matthews as Senior Counsel. Prior to joining Democracy Forward, Andrea was senior counsel and most recently Assistant General Counsel for Litigation at the CFPB, where she was a member of the agency's defensive and appellate litigation team. Andrea also previously served as an advisor to the CFPB's director, where she counseled senior agency leadership on questions of law, policy, and strategy across all of the CFPB's tools. Andrea also litigated violations of federal consumer financial law in the CFPB's Office of Enforcement, which she joined as an Honors Attorney.
Briana Clark as Counsel. Prior to joining Democracy Forward, Briana served as a civil rights prosecutor in the Criminal Section of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division (CRT). In that role, Briana investigated and prosecuted some of the most serious offenses committed by law enforcement officers across the country, including sex trafficking, sexual assault, aggravated assault, attempted murder, and in-custody deaths. She also investigated and prosecuted hate crimes, including shootings and beatings committed by individuals who targeted victims based on their protected identity. During her time at CRT, Briana also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney where she prosecuted sexual assault and domestic violence cases within the District of Columbia. Before joining CRT, Briana clerked for the Honorable Patricia A. Millett on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Honorable Gary S. Feinerman on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
More information about Democracy Forward's team is available at https://democracyforward.org/about/team.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/democracy-forward-adds-five-new-litigators-to-growing-team-as-legal-docket-soars/
[Category: Political]
CAIR Condemns State Dept. for 'Betraying and Endangering' American Flotilla Activists Kidnapped by Israel
WASHINGTON, May 2 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns State Dept. for 'Betraying and Endangering' American Flotilla Activists Kidnapped by Israel
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the U.S. Department of State for "betraying and endangering" Americans kidnapped on the high seas by Israel as they sought to bring humanitarian aid to Palestinians suffering under Israel's ongoing genocidal aid restrictions in Gaza.
Instead
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 2 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns State Dept. for 'Betraying and Endangering' American Flotilla Activists Kidnapped by Israel
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the U.S. Department of State for "betraying and endangering" Americans kidnapped on the high seas by Israel as they sought to bring humanitarian aid to Palestinians suffering under Israel's ongoing genocidal aid restrictions in Gaza.
Insteadof condemning the kidnapping of Americans in international waters, the State Department condemned the flotilla as "baseless, counterproductive stunt organized by a sanctioned pro-Hamas entity" and said, "Our allies should take decisive action against this stunt, and participants should face any relevant legal consequences."
In a statement, CAIR said:
"We strongly condemn the State Department for betraying and endangering the American citizens who were illegally kidnapped by the Israeli government while they traveled on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla in international waters. Protecting the safety of Americans overseas should be a top priority of the State Department.
"By justifying the Israeli government's piracy, smearing the Americans and other humanitarian activists on board as terrorists, and calling for them to face 'consequences,' the State Department gave Israel a greenlight to abuse and even torture American citizens in its custody, which is exactly what Israel did to Greta Thunberg and other kidnapped flotilla activists last time.
"By once again choosing the Israeli government over the American people, the State Department is acting as an extension of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The Trump administration's 'Israel First' foreign policy must end before more Americans die at the hands of the Israeli military."
Yesterday, CAIR called on members of Congress to demand that Israel immediately release of the Gaza humanitarian flotilla activists, including American citizens, kidnapped in international waters in a "blatant" violation of international law. All but two participants have reportedly been released in Greece.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-state-dept-for-betraying-and-endangering-american-flotilla-activists-kidnapped-by-israel/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Condemns Israel's Destruction of Christian Monastery, Nuns' School in Lebanon
WASHINGTON, May 2 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns Israel's Destruction of Christian Monastery, Nuns' School in Lebanon
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Israel's reported destruction of a historic Christian monastery and a nuns' school in southern Lebanon, calling the incident part of a broader pattern of escalating attacks on Christian and Muslim communities in the region.
According to media reports, Israeli forces
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 2 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns Israel's Destruction of Christian Monastery, Nuns' School in Lebanon
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Israel's reported destruction of a historic Christian monastery and a nuns' school in southern Lebanon, calling the incident part of a broader pattern of escalating attacks on Christian and Muslim communities in the region.
According to media reports, Israeli forcesdemolished the religious and educational sites, raising alarm among religious leaders and human rights advocates about the safety of Christian institutions amid ongoing Israeli occupation operations.
Earlier today, CAIR called on Republican elected officials and Christian political organizations to condemn escalating attacks on Christians in Palestine and Lebanon, including an Israeli man's assault on a French nun in Jerusalem and Israel's destruction of churches and Christian villages in Lebanon.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
"All those who defend religious freedom must speak out against the destruction of Christian and Muslim holy sites and institutions by Israeli occupation forces in Lebanon. The demolition of a monastery and school serving nuns in Lebanon is deeply disturbing and demands immediate international condemnation. Silence in the face of such actions undermines the universal principle of protecting religious rights and sacred spaces."
CAIR recently condemned Israel's destruction of a statue crucifix in Lebanon.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Congress to Stop Ignoring Israel's Attacks on Christians After Desecration of Jesus Statue in Lebanon (https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-congress-to-stop-ignoring-israels-attacks-on-christians-after-desecration-of-jesus-statue-in-lebanon/)
In 2024, Israeli forces desecrated a church in Lebanon. In October 2023, Israeli forces bombed the Church of St. Porphyrius in Gaza, one of the oldest in the world.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Israeli Soldiers' Desecration of Lebanese Church, Call by Top Israeli Official for Ethnic Cleansing of Gaza, West Bank (https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-israeli-soldiers-desecration-of-lebanese-church-call-by-top-israeli-official-for-ethic-cleansing-of-gaza-west-bank/)
SEE: Airstrikes have struck Orthodox church compound in the city of Gaza (https://orthodoxtimes.com/airstrikes-have-struck-st-porphyrius-church-in-gaza-18-christians-were-killed/)
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-israels-destruction-of-christian-monastery-nuns-school-in-lebanon/
[Category: Sociological]
Alianza Americas: On International Workers' Day, the Fight for Workers' Rights Remains a Priority in Societies Confronting Increasing Inequities.
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 2 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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On International Workers' Day, the fight for workers' rights remains a priority in societies confronting increasing inequities.
Alianza Americas supports its members at events and marches across the country.
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On International Workers' Day, Alianza Americas--a network of more than 55 organizations led by immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean--is supporting its members as they organize and participate in
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 2 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following news release on May 1, 2026:
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On International Workers' Day, the fight for workers' rights remains a priority in societies confronting increasing inequities.
Alianza Americas supports its members at events and marches across the country.
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On International Workers' Day, Alianza Americas--a network of more than 55 organizations led by immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean--is supporting its members as they organize and participate inevents and marches across the country. International Workers' Day is a time to renew our commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of all workers.
As migrants, our labor sustains economies, builds communities, and fills essential roles--yet it has too often been exploited and treated as disposable at the convenience of those in power. We are not commodities to be used and discarded; we are people with dignity, dreams, and families, and an integral part of the communities we call home.
This May 1, Alianza Americas would like to underscore:
* It is crucial to protect workers from working conditions that pose a threat to their health and safety, whether due to the machinery they operate, the tasks they perform, or the conditions under which they work. Worker training, the establishment of safety standards, and effective enforcement are essential to ensure that no one becomes ill, is injured, or loses their life on the job.
* Protecting all migrant workers --especially those in irregular migratory status-- from wage theft, hazardous working conditions, job insecurity, and other labor abuses is the responsibility of the government. We need permanent protections now for TPS, DACA holders, and the millions of other migrants without regular status.
* Our tax payer dollars should fund social programs that provide working families the resources they need to live a better life.
* The impact of artificial intelligence on labor markets must be carefully analyzed. Work is not only a means of earning a living, but it can also be a space for professional and personal development. Work can foster a sense of community; labor unions are a prime example of this.
* The need to eliminate labor exploitation, workplace harassment, and sexual harassment, so that everyone feels safe at work.
The fight for workers' rights remains a priority in societies confronting increasing inequities. Alianza Americas stands with its member organizations in speaking out with workers.
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Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We advocate for social justice, equity, and human rights in the Americas.
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Original text here: https://www.alianzaamericas.org/post/on-international-workers-day-the-fight-for-workers-rights-remains-a-priority-in-societies-confronting-increasing-inequities
[Category: Political]
