Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
World Vision: South Sudan - Children Bear the Brunt as Rising Tensions Trigger Widespread Displacement
FEDERAL WAY, Washington, March 12 -- World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development and advocacy activities for children, families and communities, issued the following news release:
* * *
South Sudan: Children bear the brunt as rising tensions trigger widespread displacement
JUBA -- A recent escalation of violence in South Sudan threatens to deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis, particularly for children and displaced communities, global Christian organization World Vision warns.
Recent deadly clashes and rising tensions in several parts of the
... Show Full Article
FEDERAL WAY, Washington, March 12 -- World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development and advocacy activities for children, families and communities, issued the following news release:
* * *
South Sudan: Children bear the brunt as rising tensions trigger widespread displacement
JUBA -- A recent escalation of violence in South Sudan threatens to deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis, particularly for children and displaced communities, global Christian organization World Vision warns.
Recent deadly clashes and rising tensions in several parts of thecountry--including Ruweng administrative area and Jonglei state--are heightening risks for civilians and disrupting humanitarian operations in areas already struggling with conflict, climate shocks, displacement, and widespread poverty.
On March 6, a South Sudanese military group asked United Nations' agencies and non-governmental organizations to vacate Akobo County in Jonglei state ahead of planned military operations.
This development follows another deadly incident earlier in the month when on March 1, at least 139 people--most of them women and children--were reportedly killed in a violent clash between armed groups in South Sudan's Ruweng administrative area.
"Every escalation of violence deepens the suffering of children and families who are already living on the edge," said Dr. Mesfin Loha, World Vision's country director in South Sudan. "Humanitarian access must be protected so that life-saving assistance can reach those who need it most. Children must never be caught in the crossfire of conflict."
The recent violence comes as humanitarian needs in the country are rising while funding is decreasing. The South Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2026 estimates that more than 10 million people--nearly two-thirds of the population--will require humanitarian assistance this year. Meanwhile, humanitarian funding cuts are forcing some organizations to scale back life-saving programs leaving vulnerable communities, especially children--without access to essential assistance such as food, healthcare, and protection.
While World Vision does not operate in Akobo and Ruweng, humanitarian assistance in many areas across South Sudan has already been disrupted, affecting tens of thousands of people.
World Vision operates emergency programming in Upper Nile State, supporting displaced populations with food, healthcare and clean water and those fleeing the conflict in Sudan. The recent escalation of tensions in Jonglei is already contributing to increased displacement into Upper Nile, placing additional strain on already overstretched services.
World Vision is closely monitoring the evolving situation, particularly movements of displaced populations into areas where it operates.
* * *
About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X @WorldVisionUSA.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.worldvision.org/about-us/media-center/south-sudan-children-bear-the-brunt-as-rising-tensions-trigger-widespread-displacement
[Category: Sociological]
Protect Our Care: Statement - As Trump Lies In Cincinnati, He and His GOP Allies Are Selling Out Seniors to Pump Big Pharma's Profits
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Protect Our Care issued the following news:
* * *
STATEMENT: As Trump Lies In Cincinnati, He and His GOP Allies Are Selling Out Seniors to Pump Big Pharma's Profits
Today, Donald Trump headed to Cincinnati in a pitiful attempt to gaslight Ohioans about his record on prescription drug costs. No matter what Trump said, he can't hide from his abysmal record: He promised to bring down drug prices by "1,000 percent," yet the GOP's signature tax bill pads drug company profits and raises drug costs for thousands of seniors. Moreover, since he took office, drugmakers have hiked
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Protect Our Care issued the following news:
* * *
STATEMENT: As Trump Lies In Cincinnati, He and His GOP Allies Are Selling Out Seniors to Pump Big Pharma's Profits
Today, Donald Trump headed to Cincinnati in a pitiful attempt to gaslight Ohioans about his record on prescription drug costs. No matter what Trump said, he can't hide from his abysmal record: He promised to bring down drug prices by "1,000 percent," yet the GOP's signature tax bill pads drug company profits and raises drug costs for thousands of seniors. Moreover, since he took office, drugmakers have hikedprices for over 750 medications.
"Despite Trump's gaslighting, his health care crisis is hiding in plain sight," said Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse. "Across the nation, seniors who can't afford skyrocketing drug prices are cutting pills in half. Families are sitting around the kitchen table, game-planning which prescriptions to fill and which ones to forgo because it's simply unaffordable to take them all. Working Americans are forced to choose between rent, groceries, and lifesaving treatments.
"While millions are reeling from an unprecedented health care affordability crisis, the only thing he and Republicans have accomplished is padding the pockets of billionaires and big corporations while the American people pay the price. You couldn't even script this level of incompetence if you tried. That's because the game was never about lowering costs for working people. This is an administration of billionaires, by billionaires, and for billionaires -- and big drug companies are just the latest on Wall Street to cash in."
Background
There's no evidence that Trump has lowered drug prices for Americans. While Democrats have saved seniors and taxpayers billions on drugs, Trump's drug pricing executive order was Big Pharma's Christmas wishlist -- his "deals" pad their bottom lines with tax breaks and tariff exemptions, and TrumpRx fails to save the vast majority of Ohioans and Americans a single penny. Trump's sad track record is made even worse by him and congressional Republicans' cutting over $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. Now, over 15 million Americans will lose coverage, costs are spiking for millions more, and over 750 hospitals, nursing homes, and other critical providers nationwide have closed, are at risk of closing, or have been forced to cut essential services.
By the Numbers:
* Nearly 2.2 million Ohio seniors were denied savings on lifesaving cancer drugs thanks to Trump's Blockbuster Giveaway to big drug companies.
* 1 in 3 Americans were forced to skip doses, ration medications, or not fill prescriptions due to high costs and TrumpRx failed to save the vast majority of Ohioans a single dime.
* Drugmakers hiked the prices of over 750 medications during Trump's first year back in office.
* Trump raked in over $10 million in donations from Big Pharma and spent the past year selling out Ohioans by rewarding them with huge returns on their pay-to-play investments.
* Ten of the largest drugmakers collectively pocketed $50 billion more in profits during Trump's first year back in office.
* In 2025, the 10 largest drugmakers netted over $130 billion, after spending over $80 billion showering their wealthy shareholders with stock buybacks and dividends.
* In the GOP tax scam, Trump lowered the corporate tax rate, padded drugmakers' profits by an additional $15 billion with a special tax break, expanded the tax break through the IRS, then gave Big Pharma an additional $9 billion gift at the expense of seniors and taxpayers.
* Thanks to Trump's tax giveaways to Big Pharma, Johnson and Johnson, AbbVie, Pfizer, Amgen, and Merck have paid $0 in federal taxes since 2018.
* Drugmakers raked in over $50 billion in sales in 2025 on top-selling products that Trump specially carved out from Medicare drug price negotiation.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.protectourcare.org/statement-as-trump-lies-in-cincinnati-he-and-his-gop-allies-are-selling-out-seniors-to-pump-big-pharmas-profits/
[Category: Health Care]
Packed Room Calls for Tampa Affordable Energy Resolution
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The Food and Water Watch posted the following news release:
* * *
Packed Room Calls for Tampa Affordable Energy Resolution
Community discussion on electricity rates prompts calls for Tampa officials to act
*
Last night, at a community discussion forum hosted by the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition, a packed room of residents called upon the City of Tampa to pass a resolution in favor of affordable energy reform in Tallahassee. The calls came just days before the state legislative session is poised to conclude without passage of affordable energy legislation,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The Food and Water Watch posted the following news release:
* * *
Packed Room Calls for Tampa Affordable Energy Resolution
Community discussion on electricity rates prompts calls for Tampa officials to act
*
Last night, at a community discussion forum hosted by the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition, a packed room of residents called upon the City of Tampa to pass a resolution in favor of affordable energy reform in Tallahassee. The calls came just days before the state legislative session is poised to conclude without passage of affordable energy legislation,despite multiple proposed bills.
TECO bills have increased 86% -- about $980 more annually -- between December 2020 and January 2026. In the last year alone, TECO ratepayers saw their bills rise by over 22%, with four separate increases going into effect in the past year, the latest increase taking effect in January 2026. TECO's 2024 rate hike, which went into effect last year, is being appealed to the Florida Supreme Court. The Office of Counsel has argued that TECO failed to adequately consider how the rate hikes would make it harder for Floridians to afford their electricity bills.
"As the legislative session nears closing, it's surprising that Tampa Bay area leaders like Minority Leader Driskell and Senate President-Elect Boyd have yet to take a position on lowering electricity bills and supporting affordable energy for struggling families," said Food & Water Watch Florida Organizer Isabella Moeller. "While no affordable energy legislation has been passed, affordability is a year-round conversation, which is why we're asking the City of Tampa to take a stand on this issue. Our City officials must pass a resolution urging the Florida legislature to pass affordable energy legislation next session."
"As a TECO customer, I'm tired of being asked to pay more year after year while corporate profits continue to grow." said Alyssa White, Climate Justice Organizer with Florida Student Power. "The Florida Public Service Commission is supposed to protect consumers from unjust rates, yet they continue to rubber stamp each rake hike request. That is why we need our elected officials to stand with their constituents and reject these outrageous rate hikes and demand more affordable energy prices."
"Affordable Energy is a huge concern for working-class families across this country, but particularly here in Tampa Bay, where TECO customers paid the second highest bills in the country last summer," said Todd Randolph with Tampa Bay Sierra Club. "With the threats of data centers being built and unstable international affairs increasing fuel costs, now is the time for lawmakers to act and protect us from further the outrageous rate hikes we suffered this past year."
"Our elder members on fixed incomes all across Florida are looking for relief from rising costs on all fronts, particularly from electricity bills rising as a result of our hotter summers. We are calling on our state legislators to make the process of setting new utility rates more transparent, and the rates kept at affordable levels for our seniors forced to sweat it out in our legacy homes, many with outdated insulation and air conditioning systems. Our planet is crying out for responsible, sustainable energy supplies," said Tom Caffery with Third Act-Florida.
"Days like these show the real need that Floridians have for affordable energy. While corporate utilities spend millions of dollars trying to silence the affordability crisis that Floridians are facing, those same TECO customers that have been facing some of the highest bills in the country have spoken up, and its time for elected officials to step in and represent their constituents," said Katina Rentas Negron, Climate Justice Campaigner with Florida Rising.
In January, Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith introduced the Affordable Energy Reform Act (SB1532), with the endorsement of Food & Water Watch. The Affordable Energy Reform Act would help lower electricity bills by changing the way utility regulators approve rate hikes, capping excessive profits that enrich shareholders, shifting responsibility for fossil fuel costs back to utilities instead of ratepayers, and making the rate approval process more accountable and transparent.
This Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition event is in partnership with Food & Water Watch, Florida Rising, Florida Student Power, genCLEO, Sierra Club, Tampa DSA, Central Florida Jobs with Justice, & League of Latin American Citizens.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/03/11/packed-room-calls-for-tampa-affordable-energy-resolution/
[Category: Science]
On 15th Anniversary of Act 10, Here's Your Reminder That Maria Lazar Defended It
MONONA, Wisconsin, March 12 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
* * *
On 15th Anniversary of Act 10, Here's Your Reminder that Maria Lazar Defended It
Lazar helped Republicans institute one of the largest rollbacks of workers' rights in Wisconsin history
*
On the 15th anniversary of Act 10 being signed by former Governor Scott Walker, A Better Wisconsin Together is blasting Judge Maria Lazar's past work to defend the divisive right-wing effort by former state Republicans to undermine workplace rights
... Show Full Article
MONONA, Wisconsin, March 12 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
* * *
On 15th Anniversary of Act 10, Here's Your Reminder that Maria Lazar Defended It
Lazar helped Republicans institute one of the largest rollbacks of workers' rights in Wisconsin history
*
On the 15th anniversary of Act 10 being signed by former Governor Scott Walker, A Better Wisconsin Together is blasting Judge Maria Lazar's past work to defend the divisive right-wing effort by former state Republicans to undermine workplace rightsand gut public employee unions.
"Judge Lazar played a significant role in helping Republicans institute one of the largest rollbacks of workers' rights in Wisconsin history, and now she's asking Wisconsinites for a promotion," said A Better Wisconsin Together Communications Director Lucy Ripp. "Unfortunately for Lazar, we haven't forgotten."
Lazar represented Republican lawmakers in multiple cases related to Act 10. In one case, she argued that it was completely acceptable for legislative Republicans to ignore state open meetings statutes in order to pass Act 10.
After a circuit court judge rejected her arguments, Lazar filed an appeal, again arguing that the legislature was allowed to ignore state open meeting laws. In 2024, a judge struck down parts of Act 10 as unconstitutional.
Notably, this was not the first time Lazar has been tied to legal decisions or rulings that were later overturned. Lazar's ruling to hand over sensitive voter data to election deniers was recently overturned by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the very court she's now seeking a seat on.
Ironically, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments today on yet another questionable ruling from Lazar that is now being challenged.
"We depend on our elected officials, especially judges, to protect our constitutional rights and freedoms, not bend the rules and ignore the law to shill for a right-wing political agenda as Maria Lazar seems to think," Ripp concluded.
* * *
A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.
* * *
Original text here: https://abetterwisconsin.org/on-15th-anniversary-of-act-10-heres-your-reminder-that-maria-lazar-defended-it/
[Category: Economics]
Following Reports of "Bilt Card 2.0" Meltdown, Advocates Call on the Trump CFPB to Protect Borrowers, Warn Congress of Risks to Renters
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Protect Borrowers (formerly Student Borrower Protection Center) issued the following news release:
* * *
Following Reports of "Bilt Card 2.0" Meltdown, Advocates Call on the Trump CFPB to Protect Borrowers, Warn Congress of Risks to Renters
Bilt's Embrace of Agentic AI to Provide Customer Service Highlights Emerging Risks, Challenges for Enforcement Officials as Borrowers Allege Doom-Loops, Detours, and Dead-Ends
*
Following reports of widespread breakdowns involving the new "Bilt 2.0" credit cards, Protect Borrowers sent an urgent letter to the Trump Consumer Financial
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Protect Borrowers (formerly Student Borrower Protection Center) issued the following news release:
* * *
Following Reports of "Bilt Card 2.0" Meltdown, Advocates Call on the Trump CFPB to Protect Borrowers, Warn Congress of Risks to Renters
Bilt's Embrace of Agentic AI to Provide Customer Service Highlights Emerging Risks, Challenges for Enforcement Officials as Borrowers Allege Doom-Loops, Detours, and Dead-Ends
*
Following reports of widespread breakdowns involving the new "Bilt 2.0" credit cards, Protect Borrowers sent an urgent letter to the Trump Consumer FinancialProtection Bureau (CFPB), warning the hobbled consumer watchdog that its failure to address risks posed by Bilt could harm consumers and honest businesses. The letter urges the CFPB to employ its risk-based supervision authority over all covered parties, including Bilt and its issuer-processor Cardless, and, where appropriate, take public enforcement actions to protect borrowers.
Since assuming control of the CFPB in 2025, Trump Administration officials have engaged in a sweeping effort to dismantle the federal financial regulator, leaving consumers vulnerable to the kinds of risks identified in Protect Borrowers' letter.
The issues publicly reported about Bilt 2.0 include missed rent and mortgage payments and resulting late fees levied on Bilt cardholders. Bilt users also express outrage and frustration when trying to resolve these issues with the AI agents that handle basic customer service functions for the fintech, describing bots that cannot perform requested actions, provide basic information, or resolve problems.
Read the letter here (https://protectborrowers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Letter-on-Bilt_03-11-2026.pdf).
Download a sample of Bilt customers' testimonials, included as an appendix to this letter, here (https://protectborrowers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Appendix_A_Bilt_2.0_Transition_Complaints_10-11-2026.xlsx).
"I trusted Bilt to handle the basics of its job, which was just paying rent, but it totally failed," said Christina, a law student in Boston whose experience with Bilt informed Protect Borrowers' investigation. "Bilt paid my rent almost a week late, despite immediately charging me for it and saying it'd release the funds to my landlord within two business days. When I reached out, the text bot said they're too busy and to email. When I did that, the email responded with a generic bot message that didn't at all address my concerns. For next month, I don't know if I can trust it to pay on time, or how much earlier I'd have to pay rent to account for its operational delays. For many, that's not feasible based on bimonthly paychecks. I have totally lost faith in this card, especially due to all the recent fanfare with the new card benefits rolled out."
The CFPB's risk-based supervision authority allows the agency to examine entities that it believes is engaging, or has engaged, in conduct that poses risks to consumers with regard to the offering or provision of consumer financial products or services. The letter was also sent to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Financial Services Committee, which have jurisdiction over and oversee the conduct of the CFPB.
"Public reports over the past week indicate that Bilt's handling of its users' transition to Column Bank has been disastrous. Reports indicate significant ongoing harm to consumers and surfacing a set of second-order risks across the economy. This includes harm to landlords that may not receive timely rent payments as a result of Bilt's conduct and to merchants that may miss out on business as a result of Bilt's reported processing issues," reads the letter.
The Bilt card drew attention in the financial marketplace for allowing cardholders to pay their rent without additional fees, and earn points that could be transferred to and redeemed with popular travel partners. However, the fintech's original bank partner, Wells Fargo, exited the partnership after losing at least tens of millions of dollars from it, according to the Wall Street Journal. Earlier this year, Bilt relaunched its card lineup with its new bank partner, Column Bank, and processor-issuer Cardless, unveiling three separate cards offering a range of promised benefits and even the ability for cardholders to pay their mortgage with a Bilt 2.0 card. However, some Bilt 2.0 cards now carry a large annual fee and require borrowers who want to pay their rent or mortgage with the Bilt card to either pay a hefty fee or generate significant card spend on other transactions to offset the fee.
Over the weekend, fintech journalist Jason Mikula rounded up a host of concerning social media posts from Bilt users, including failed rent and mortgage payments. Despite the fact that cardholders were beginning to incur fees for late rent and mortgage payments, cardholders were reportedly told that "live specialist support isn't available due to high volume" and were repeatedly routed to useless AI chatbots that were unable to solve their problems. Social media posts, documented by Mikula, surfaced a host of other problems with the Bilt 2.0 cards that may point to violations of key federal consumer protection laws.
"The practices described above may violate specific, enumerated consumer protections guaranteed under the 2009 CARD Act and the Truth in Lending Act, including requirements related to the timing of billing statements and required notices related to the changes in material terms associated with a credit card. In addition to potential violations of the CARD Act and TILA, Bilt's reported conduct, as described above, offers evidence of potential violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act's prohibition on unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices," the letter continues.
Since taking over the CFPB last year, the Trump administration has sought to dismantle the agency and fire as much as 90 percent of its staff--actions that have been so far halted by federal courts. Despite the CFPB's important role in supervising the consumer financial marketplace, Trump ally Russell Vought--who has been running the agency for more than a year--has made clear his intent to prevent CFPB staffers from carrying out their duties. The CFPB's supervision team, which works behind the scenes to ensure that financial institutions are following the law, has been told by the Trump administration that it must recite a "humility pledge" before carrying out examinations, and in 2026, the CFPB has planned to carry out just a few dozen examinations, all of which will be virtual.
Further Reading
Protect Borrowers Substack on the Bilt 2.0 Troubles: https://indebt.substack.com/p/this-week-in-debt-392026
* * *
About Protect Borrowers
Protect Borrowers (formerly Student Borrower Protection Center) is a nonprofit organization led by a team of experts, lawyers, and advocates fighting to build an economy where debt doesn't limit opportunity. We investigate financial abuses, take predatory companies to court, and push for policies to protect working people from debt traps. We aim to deliver immediate relief to families while building power, driving systemic change, and fighting for racial and economic justice.
* * *
Original text here: https://protectborrowers.org/following-reports-of-bilt-card-2-0-meltdown-cfpb-must-protect-borrowers-warn-congress/
[Category: Financial Services]
CAIR-MI Files Civil Rights Complaint After Healthcare Employee Publicly Declares 'Proud Islamophobe'
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on March 11, 2026:
* * *
CAIR-MI Files Civil Rights Complaint After Healthcare Employee Publicly Declares 'Proud Islamophobe'
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) , a local chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today announced that it has filed a civil rights complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) against Corewell Health following the discovery of social media posts by a healthcare employee identifying
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on March 11, 2026:
* * *
CAIR-MI Files Civil Rights Complaint After Healthcare Employee Publicly Declares 'Proud Islamophobe'
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) , a local chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today announced that it has filed a civil rights complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) against Corewell Health following the discovery of social media posts by a healthcare employee identifyingherself as a "proud Islamophobe."
The complaint alleges that the employee, who publicly identified herself online as a healthcare provider working for Corewell Health, shared posts expressing hostility toward Muslims and advocating discriminatory treatment toward Muslim communities, including calls to ban Islam and close mosques.
SEE COMPLAINT (https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Corewell-Health-MDCR-Complaint.pdf).
CAIR-MI further alleges that in addition to Islamophobic content, other social media posts attributed to the same employee appear to include material that disparages other racial minority groups and persons of color, raising broader concerns about discriminatory bias and hostility toward protected communities.
CAIR-MI asserts that the posts raise serious concerns about discriminatory bias within a healthcare environment responsible for treating patients from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.
According to the complaint filed with the state civil rights agency, multiple complaints about the same employee had been made to Corewell Health over a period of approximately two years, yet the hospital system allegedly failed to take meaningful corrective action. Human Resources personnel reportedly acknowledged receiving multiple complaints regarding the individual's social media activity but allowed the situation to continue.
The complaint also alleges that after concerns were reported internally, the employer disclosed the identity of the employee who raised the complaint, creating fear of retaliation and intensifying the hostile work environment.
Dawud Walid, Executive Director of CAIR-Michigan, condemned the alleged conduct and the failure to address it:
"No patient should have to wonder whether the person responsible for their care harbors hatred toward their faith, and no employee should have to work alongside someone who proudly advertises bigotry against Muslims," Walid said. "Hospitals are places where trust is essential. When healthcare professionals publicly embrace Islamophobia, it undermines that trust and threatens the safety and dignity of both staff and patients."
CAIR-MI says the environment ultimately forced the affected employee to take leave from work due to fear, anxiety, and safety concerns stemming from the workplace situation.
"When someone responsible for caring for vulnerable patients publicly identifies themselves as a 'proud Islamophobe,' it raises serious concerns about bias in healthcare," said Amy V. Doukoure, Esq., Lead Staff Attorney for CAIR-Michigan. "Patients should never have to question whether the person treating them harbors hostility toward their faith, race, or identity. Healthcare institutions have a responsibility to confront bigotry--not ignore it."
The complaint alleges violations of Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits religious discrimination, harassment that creates a hostile work environment, and retaliation against employees who report discriminatory conduct.
CAIR-MI is requesting that the Michigan Department of Civil Rights conduct a full investigation and require corrective action to ensure a nondiscriminatory workplace within the healthcare system.
CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-mi-files-civil-rights-complaint-after-healthcare-employee-publicly-declares-proud-islamophobe/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Calls on Georgetown's College Republicans to Engage With Muslim Classmates After Denigrating Islam, Declaring Muslims Have 'No Place in American Society'
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on March 11, 2026:
* * *
CAIR Calls on Georgetown's College Republicans to Engage with Muslim Classmates After Denigrating Islam, Declaring Muslims Have 'No Place in American Society'
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the Georgetown University College Republicans for posting a since-deleted message on X declaring that Muslims have "no place in American society" and denigrating Islam in a follow-up
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on March 11, 2026:
* * *
CAIR Calls on Georgetown's College Republicans to Engage with Muslim Classmates After Denigrating Islam, Declaring Muslims Have 'No Place in American Society'
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the Georgetown University College Republicans for posting a since-deleted message on X declaring that Muslims have "no place in American society" and denigrating Islam in a follow-upmessage. CAIR also encouraged the student group to engage with their Muslim classmates and professors.
The now-deleted post from March 8 said "Let's Be Honest: Muslims have no place in American society," responding to a video shared by a popular Conservative account regarding the recent attempted terror attack in New York City.
A GUCR spokesperson later claimed that the post did not fully convey the organization's position, claiming that the group affirms "the First Amendment rights of all Americans and we are called to love everyone." He also said the GUCR believes that "Sharia law is incompatible with Western civilization and American society as it seeks to oppress women and persecute religious minorities."
Sharia, which means 'the path' or 'the way to water' is a broad term that refers to the system of Islamic ethics and encompasses prayer, fasting, and charity and other aspects of Islamic life.
READ: CAIR's Congressional Memo "Weaponized Islamophobia: The Return of the Anti-Sharia Hoax" (https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CAIR-Cong.-Briefing-Memo-Weaponized-Islamophobia-The-Return-of-the-Anti-Sharia-Hoax-1.pdf)
SEE: GU Republican Chapter Deletes Post About Muslim Americans - The Hoya (https://thehoya.com/news/gu-republican-chapter-deletes-post-about-muslim-americans-after-community-backlash/)
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director and Georgetown University Law Center alum Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
"Georgetown University has a long history of embodying values respected in various faiths and welcoming students of all faiths. Both the initial hateful tweet and the subsequent 'apology' from the Georgetown College Republicans represent the antithesis of the principles of religious liberty upon which Georgetown and our nation were founded.
"Instead of spewing paranoia and hate about the imaginary threat of 'sharia law,' the body of rules that Muslims follow analogous to Halakah in Judaism and Canon Law in Catholicism, these Young Republicans should engage with their Muslim classmates and professors."
SEE ALSO: CAIR's Educational Fact Sheet on "Sharia in American Life" (https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Sharia-in-American-Life-October-2025.pdf)
He noted that yesterday, CAIR released its 2026 Civil Rights Report "The Right to be Different," which documents a pattern of public officials using their offices to narrow the definitions of what Americans can look like, say, or believe in 2025.
SEE: CAIR's 2026 Civil Rights Report Shows the 'Right to Be Different' Narrowed in the Past Year (https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cairs-2026-civil-rights-report-shows-the-right-to-be-different-narrowed-in-the-past-year/)
Also yesterday, CAIR called on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to stop protecting anti-Muslim fascists in his caucus after the speaker refused to condemn Andy Ogles for declaring that Muslims "do not belong in American society."
SEE: CAIR Calls on Speaker Johnson to Stop Protecting Anti-Muslim Fascists in His Caucus (https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-speaker-johnson-to-stop-protecting-anti-muslim-fascists-in-his-caucus/)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-georgetowns-college-republicans-to-engage-with-muslim-classmates-after-denigrating-islam-declaring-muslims-have-no-place-in-american-society/
[Category: Sociological]
