Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
CAIR-NJ Calls on Public Officials to Speak Out Against Anti-Muslim Letter Sent to Passaic County Restaurant
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-NJ Calls on Public Officials to Speak Out Against Anti-Muslim Letter Sent to Passaic County Restaurant
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The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said today that public officials should speak out against an anti-Muslim letter sent to a Passaic County restaurant.
CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi told News 12 New Jersey :
"We really need
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-NJ Calls on Public Officials to Speak Out Against Anti-Muslim Letter Sent to Passaic County Restaurant
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The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said today that public officials should speak out against an anti-Muslim letter sent to a Passaic County restaurant.
CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi told News 12 New Jersey :
"We really needour officials to come forth and condemn this whether it's issuing a statement, whether it's posting a video on social media, whether it's going to the mosque and speaking to the community. Because right now, the hate against Muslims has been normalized for too long."
Earlier this week, CAIR-NJ held a press conference at Paterson City Hall alongside Mayor Andre Sayegh and other community leaders to condemn Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's defamatory and dangerous smear of Paterson and its American Muslim residents.
CAIR's national office also condemned Gabbard's rant against American Muslims and Islam during a Turning Point USA conference over the weekend as "delusional" and "disqualifying."
During a speech at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest on December 20, Gabbard falsely claimed that Muslims in Paterson are plotting to impose "sharia law" and "Islamic principles" on the city through legal or violent means. CAIR-NJ says these claims are baseless, dangerous, and contribute to anti-Muslim hate and discrimination.
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report, Unconstitutional Crackdowns, which reveals that Islamophobia remains at record-high levels nationwide.
CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Selaedin Maksut Executive Director, CAIR-NJ, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414; CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-nj-calls-on-public-officials-to-speak-out-against-anti-muslim-letter-sent-to-passaic-county-restaurant/
Woodwell Climate Research Center: Climate Risk Assessment: Holyoke, Massachusetts
FALMOUTH, Massachusetts, Dec. 24 (TNSres) -- Woodwell Climate Research Center, formerly the Woods Hole Research Center, issued the following policy brief on Dec. 17, 2025 entitled "Climate Risk Assessment: Holyoke, Massachusetts":
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
The impacts of climate change on the frequency and severity of physical hazards are putting many communities at risk. As the threat of climate change grows, so too does the need for accessible information, tools, and expertise to support climate-resilient decision making across multiple scales, from communities to countries. Woodwell
Climate
... Show Full Article
FALMOUTH, Massachusetts, Dec. 24 (TNSres) -- Woodwell Climate Research Center, formerly the Woods Hole Research Center, issued the following policy brief on Dec. 17, 2025 entitled "Climate Risk Assessment: Holyoke, Massachusetts":
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
The impacts of climate change on the frequency and severity of physical hazards are putting many communities at risk. As the threat of climate change grows, so too does the need for accessible information, tools, and expertise to support climate-resilient decision making across multiple scales, from communities to countries. Woodwell
ClimateResearch Center believes there is a need to localize and customize climate risk assessments. This information is critical for local government leaders as they make planning decisions, but it is not available to all communities. Woodwell believes that this science should be freely and widely available. To address this gap, Woodwell works with communities across the world, including Holyoke, MA, to provide community climate risk assessments, free of charge.
Results summary
As a result of climate change, flood risk is projected to increase for Holyoke. The probability of the historical 100-year rainfall event, a useful indicator of flood risk, is expected to more than double by mid-century and be nearly five times as likely by the end of the century. Streamflow for the Connecticut River is also projected to rise throughout this century with an increase of 9% by 2050 and an additional 5% by 2080.
Both increases in streamflow and heavier rainfall will translate into greater flood depths and extent for Holyoke. Here we present our findings on extreme precipitation and flooding to help Holyoke in its plans to create a more resilient future for all residents.
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The full text of the document is posted at: https://www.woodwellclimate.org/climate-risk-assessment-holyoke-ma/
[Category: Environment]
Study: The surprising impact of COVID-19 on urban bird beaks
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Dec. 24 [Category: Political] -- Santa Fe Institute posted the following news release:
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Study: The surprising impact of COVID-19 on urban bird beaks
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, biologists at UCLA documented a natural experiment as it played out among a population of dark-eyed juncos in Los Angeles. The pandemic lockdowns offered a rare chance to study the impacts of human activity on urban wildlife, and one impact on local juncos was a rapid change in beak morphology. In a recent paper in PNAS, SFI External Professor Pamela Yeh and co-author Eleanor Diamant describe
... Show Full Article
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Dec. 24 [Category: Political] -- Santa Fe Institute posted the following news release:
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Study: The surprising impact of COVID-19 on urban bird beaks
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, biologists at UCLA documented a natural experiment as it played out among a population of dark-eyed juncos in Los Angeles. The pandemic lockdowns offered a rare chance to study the impacts of human activity on urban wildlife, and one impact on local juncos was a rapid change in beak morphology. In a recent paper in PNAS, SFI External Professor Pamela Yeh and co-author Eleanor Diamant describehow, in the first two years of the pandemic, juncos' bills began to grow longer and more slender more like the beaks of their forest-dwelling kin whose beaks are adapted to foraging for seeds. As the UCLA campus reopened, the urban juncos' beaks returned to their pre-pandemic, urban-adapted shape shorter, stouter, and suited to scavenging for human food scraps.
During this anthropause, which saw a seven-fold decrease in human activity across the UCLA campus in Fall 2021 compared with the campus reopening in Fall 2022, aligned with minimal dining options and a reduction in food waste across campus. "All birds that hatched in 2020 and 2021 experienced low human activity in their early life," the authors write. "As such, we can isolate immediate and cumulative impacts of lower human activity including food waste on the junco population's morphological response." The surprising findings highlight the substantial and inadvertent impact humans can have on other species around us.
Read the paper "Rapid morphological change in an urban bird due to COVID-19 restrictions" in PNAS (December 15, 2025). Doi: 10.1073/pnas.2520996122
MORE
" How the Pandemic Lockdowns Changed a Songbird's Beak," The New York Times (December 15, 2025)
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Original text here: https://www.santafe.edu/news-center/news/study-the-surprising-impact-of-covid-19-on-urban-bird-beaks
Nation's Pediatricians Go to Court Over Unlawful Health Funding Cuts
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 [Category: Political] -- 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:
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Nation's Pediatricians Go to Court Over Unlawful Health Funding Cuts
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Lawsuit Challenges Retaliation Against Pediatricians for Defending Evidence-Based Care
Washington, D.C. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the nation's leading organization of primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 [Category: Political] -- 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:
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Nation's Pediatricians Go to Court Over Unlawful Health Funding Cuts
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Lawsuit Challenges Retaliation Against Pediatricians for Defending Evidence-Based Care
Washington, D.C. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the nation's leading organization of primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialistswith 67,000 members, is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The AAP is doing so after HHS abruptly cut nearly $12 million in federal public health funding in retaliation because AAP has spoken out against the administration's actions that have threatened children's health. Democracy Forward represents AAP in this case.
AAP alleges that HHS, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), retaliated against AAP for its protected speechincluding its advocacy for evidence-based vaccine policyby suddenly terminating seven long-running federal grants.
AAP is asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to immediately block the funding cuts and order the government to restore the grants while the case proceeds.
The terminated funding supported critical pediatric public health programs serving communities across the country, including efforts to prevent sudde n unexpected infant death, improve early detection of developmental disabilities and birth defects, strengthen pediatric care in rural communities, support adolescents facing substance use and mental health challenges, and improve standards of care for newborns. AAP warns that without immediate court intervention, these programs will end within weeks, staff will be laid off, and children and families nationwide will lose access to crucial child health programs.
"For 95 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has lived our mission: to optimize the health and wellbeing of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. We do that through the care pediatricians provide to families every day, through our evidence-based policy, and through our advocacy," said Mark Del Monte, JD, AAP Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President. "The AAP has long enjoyed a strong partnership with the federal government; we need this partnership to advance policies that prioritize children's health. These vital child health programs fund services like hearing screenings for newborns and safe sleep campaigns to prevent sudden unexpected infant death. We are forced to take legal action today so that these programs can continue to make communities safer and healthier."
"The Department of Health and Human Services is using federal funding as a political weapon to punish protected speech, trying to silence one of the nation's most trusted voices for children's well-being by cutting off critical public-health funding in retaliation for speaking the truth," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. "The Constitution does not allow the government to punish organizations for defending science, medicine, and children's lives. This unlawful retaliation puts kids at risk, undermines public health, and threatens free speech itselfand we are going to court to stop them."
The complaint asks the court to immediately enjoin the grant terminations and restore funding while the case proceeds, arguing that the administration's actions violate the First Amendment and undermine public health. It cites examples of other grantees doing similar work that have not had grants cancelled, and critical public comments by members of the administration targeting AAP for protected speech, making clear that the actions taken against AAP are retaliatory.
The case is American Academy of Pediatrics v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, et al., and the legal team at Democracy Forward in this case includes Joshua Salzman, Allyson Scher, Michael Torcello, Joel McElvain, and Robin Thurston.
Read the complaint here.
A Spanish version of this press release is here.
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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/updates/aap-funding-complaint/
Equality California Statement on Attorney General Bonta's Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration's Declaration Targeting Transgender Healthcare
LOS ANGELES, California, Dec. 24 [Category: Sociological] -- Equality California posted the following news release:
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Equality California Statement on Attorney General Bonta's Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration's Declaration Targeting Transgender Healthcare
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December 24, 2025
CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057 / MOBILE: (213) 355-3057 / EMAIL: press@eqca.org
SACRAMENTO, Calif. California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a coalition of state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging a recent declaration by U.S. Department of Health
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, Dec. 24 [Category: Sociological] -- Equality California posted the following news release:
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Equality California Statement on Attorney General Bonta's Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration's Declaration Targeting Transgender Healthcare
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December 24, 2025
CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057 / MOBILE: (213) 355-3057 / EMAIL: press@eqca.org
SACRAMENTO, Calif. California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a coalition of state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging a recent declaration by U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that seeks to undermine professionally recognized standards of care for transgender youth and threatens doctors and hospitals with exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid for providing medically necessary healthcare. Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang released the following statement:
"We're grateful to Attorney General Rob Bonta and the coalition of state attorneys general for acting quickly to protect access to healthcare for transgender youth.
The so-called 'Kennedy Declaration' is unlawful and another dangerous overreach by the Trump administration. RFK Jr. does not have the legal authority to punish doctors for providing medically necessary, evidence-based healthcare.
Families should determine the appropriate care for their child in consultation with their doctors without interference from politicians like RFK Jr. and Donald Trump. This is yet another example of the Trump Administration attempting to control people's bodies while simultaneously dismantling healthcare access for millions of Americans.
This lawsuit is essential to protecting healthcare providers who are following the law. It sends a clear message that doctors and clinics in California should not fear losing their licenses or being excluded from Medicaid or Medicare simply for providing medically necessary care to transgender youth, and should continue to provide care to their patients.
In California, this care remains legal and protected under state law, and providers should be able to deliver it without fear of federal intimidation or retaliation.
Equality California will never stop fighting to ensure transgender youth can get the healthcare they need and deserve."
Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
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Original text here: https://www.eqca.org/12-24-25/
CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Crown Heights Stabbing
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Crown Heights Stabbing
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The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of an alleged perpetrator in a Crown Heights stabbing.
SEE: Brooklyn Man Arrested, Charged With Hate Crime in Crown Heights Stabbing
The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Crown Heights Stabbing
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The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of an alleged perpetrator in a Crown Heights stabbing.
SEE: Brooklyn Man Arrested, Charged With Hate Crime in Crown Heights Stabbing
The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquartersin Crown Heights, stemming from a verbal altercation between an unidentified suspect and a 35-year-old victim.
In a statement, Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, said:
"We applaud the swift arrest of the suspect in Crown Heights hate crime stabbing. While this alleged act of antisemitic violence is reprehensible, the quick response from authorities sends a clear message: hate-fueled violence will not be tolerated. We stand with the victim and the entire community in calling for justice and safety for all."
She said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, anti-Muslim hate, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La mision de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprension del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com ; CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-welcomes-arrest-of-suspect-in-crown-heights-stabbing/
CAIR Welcomes Ruling Granting Attorney's Fees in Case Over Right of Arkansas Muslim Incarcerees to Gather for Communal Prayer in Prison
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Welcomes Ruling Granting Attorney's Fees in Case Over Right of Arkansas Muslim Incarcerees to Gather for Communal Prayer in Prison
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization, today welcomed a ruling granting attorney's fees to CAIR and another legal group in the case in which they represented a Muslim incarceree in a case alleging that the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) failed to accommodate
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Welcomes Ruling Granting Attorney's Fees in Case Over Right of Arkansas Muslim Incarcerees to Gather for Communal Prayer in Prison
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization, today welcomed a ruling granting attorney's fees to CAIR and another legal group in the case in which they represented a Muslim incarceree in a case alleging that the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) failed to accommodatehis religious practices.
Earlier this year, CAIR announced a major federal court order requiring the ADC to provide Muslims their own weekly prayer service, or Jummah.
CAIR and Professor Douglas Laycock filed the lawsuit in 2019 on behalf of three incarcerated Muslims, Gregory Holt, Wayde Stewart, and Rodney Martin challenging ADC's policy of requiring Muslims to pray with others who did not share their religion. The lawsuit challenged ADC's policy under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which requires jails and prisons to accommodate the sincerely-held religious beliefs of incarcerees.
"This ruling affirms that protecting religious freedom behind prison walls is not optional and that institutions will be held accountable when they violate federal law," said Gadeir Abbas, Deputy Litigation Director at CAIR National. "Muslim incarcerated people do not lose their right to practice their faith simply because they are in custody, and Jummah prayer is a core religious obligation that must be respected."
He added that Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers an educational toolkit, called "A Correctional Institution's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," to help correctional officers and administrators gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
SEE: A Correctional Institution's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
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CONTACT : Gadeir Abbas, CAIR Deputy Litigation Director, (202) 742-6420, gabbas@cair.com ; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-ruling-granting-attorneys-fees-in-case-over-right-of-arkansas-muslim-incarcerees-to-gather-for-communal-prayer-in-prison/
