Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
World Relief Celebrates Trump Administration Easing Restrictions on Foreign-Born Religious Workers
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- World Relief issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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World Relief Celebrates Trump Administration Easing Restrictions on Foreign-Born Religious Workers
Churches no longer need to replace R-1 visa holders during long interruptions, ensuring ongoing ministry
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Today, the Department of Homeland Security published a new rule alleviating restrictions on foreign-born religious workers holding R-1 visas that previously required them to depart the U.S. for a full year after five years of service before renewing their R-1 visa and continuing ministry.
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- World Relief issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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World Relief Celebrates Trump Administration Easing Restrictions on Foreign-Born Religious Workers
Churches no longer need to replace R-1 visa holders during long interruptions, ensuring ongoing ministry
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Today, the Department of Homeland Security published a new rule alleviating restrictions on foreign-born religious workers holding R-1 visas that previously required them to depart the U.S. for a full year after five years of service before renewing their R-1 visa and continuing ministry.Initially announced on Wednesday, this adjustment means that religious workers can qualify for a renewed R-1 visa immediately after departing the U.S., provided they still meet requirements for approval. Previously, churches would have to replace workers in that absence, which could sometimes extend beyond the initial year. World Relief celebrates this important step that signals the administration's support for essential faith workers providing critical spiritual care.
"What could appear to be a simple administrative change marks a transformative shift for churches and ministries in communities across the nation," commented Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. "Beloved co-laborers no longer have to step away from important ministries for a year, or worry about unexpected challenges from bureaucratic processes. We're grateful for the administration's initial prioritization and encourage Congress to move to codify the change into law."
World Relief has long joined faith leaders, churches and denominations in advocating around this issue, initially in 2023 as a member of the Evangelical Immigration Table, in a letter to Congress, and in June 2025, World Relief joined the National Association of Evangelicals, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and many other faith-based organizations to ask for eased restrictions on foreign-born religious workers. This move by DHS is an important step toward easing those restrictions.
To learn more about World Relief, visit worldrelief.org.
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World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world's greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe.
Since then, for over 80 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to build a world where families thrive and communities flourish. Today, organizational programming focuses on humanitarian and disaster response, as well as community strengthening and resilience.
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Original text here: https://worldrelief.org/pr-world-relief-celebrates-trump-administration-easing-restrictions-on-foreign-born-religious-workers/
[Category: Sociological]
Statement From the National Consumers League on the Proposed Netflix-Warner Brothers Merger
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The National Consumers League issued the following news release:
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Statement from the National Consumers League on the Proposed Netflix-Warner Brothers Merger
The National Consumers League is deeply concerned about the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, and its potential impacts on competition, consumer choice, and subscription prices.
By combining the nation's largest streaming service with one of its most significant competitors -- including HBO Max -- this transaction would substantially reduce competition in the digital entertainment
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The National Consumers League issued the following news release:
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Statement from the National Consumers League on the Proposed Netflix-Warner Brothers Merger
The National Consumers League is deeply concerned about the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, and its potential impacts on competition, consumer choice, and subscription prices.
By combining the nation's largest streaming service with one of its most significant competitors -- including HBO Max -- this transaction would substantially reduce competition in the digital entertainmentmarketplace. The long history of consolidation in the media industry shows that mergers of this scale tend to diminish competitive pressure and give dominant firms greater leverage to raise prices rather than pass savings on to consumers. A Netflix-Warner combination, or an alternative merger between Paramount and Warner, could mean that consumers' monthly subscription bills -- already on the rise -- are likely to increase again without meaningful improvements in choice or content quality.
The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League:
"Today's streaming environment benefits from significant competition among multiple platforms. Losing HBO Max as a standalone competitor risks narrowing consumer options and weakening incentives for innovation in programming and pricing. Rather than delivering better value to households, this merger could lead to higher costs for viewers who already pay multiple streaming subscriptions. We urge antitrust enforcers and lawmakers to carefully scrutinize this deal to protect consumers, preserve competitive choice, and prevent undue price increases in the streaming market."
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
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Original text here: https://nclnet.org/statement-from-the-national-consumers-league-on-the-proposed-netflix-warner-brothers-merger/
[Category: Consumer Services]
Oxfam America Statement on President Trump's Gaza Board of Peace
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 17 [Category: Sociological] -- Oxfam America issued the following news release:
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Oxfam America Statement on President Trump's Gaza Board of Peace
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In response to the appointment of the members of the Trump Administration's Gaza Board of Peace, Abby Maxman said:
"The newly appointed Board of Peace members are already dangerously behind on their temporary mandate to protect the lives of the more than 2 million Palestinians that are hanging in the balance. They must now act immediately to improve humanitarian access and enable a sustained and predictable surge
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 17 [Category: Sociological] -- Oxfam America issued the following news release:
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Oxfam America Statement on President Trump's Gaza Board of Peace
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In response to the appointment of the members of the Trump Administration's Gaza Board of Peace, Abby Maxman said:
"The newly appointed Board of Peace members are already dangerously behind on their temporary mandate to protect the lives of the more than 2 million Palestinians that are hanging in the balance. They must now act immediately to improve humanitarian access and enable a sustained and predictable surgeof aid and other vital goods, and help ensure and end to the violence and the killings, including the respect for the ceasefire, as essential steps towards a path to sustainable peace and security for all Palestinians and Israelis.
"Since the Board of Peace was established by the UN in November and made responsible for relief and recovery in Gaza, Israel has continued to block aid, restrict the movement of people, and is moving to strip established humanitarian organizations of their registration to operate in the Palestinian territory even as the latest official figures show continued extreme hunger. Palestinians in Gaza still struggle to find safe water, shelter, medical care, ongoing insecurity and brutal winter storms.
"The US-led Board of Peace was granted the power and responsibility to protect the lives and futures of Palestinians in Gaza temporarily. To succeed in its mission, it must not passively accept the unconscionable restrictions that Israel has placed on humanitarian access, lifesaving operations and the movement of people. The Board must ensure that its actions do no harm, uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, and prioritize the safety, dignity and rights of Palestinians above all else.
"President Trump insisted on leading Gaza's recovery, and now he now bears responsibility for ensuring that the Board of Peace delivers to save lives now, uphold international law, and support a credible transition towards Palestinian governance of an independent state that respects the rights, dignity and self-determination of Palestinians and can exist side by side with Isreal in peace and security."
/ENDS
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Original text here: https://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/oxfam-america-statement-on-president-trumps-gaza-board-of-peace/
Direct Relief Support Departs for 14 Countries, 44 U.S. States and Territories
SANTA BARBARA, California, Jan. 17 -- Direct Relief issued the following news:
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Direct Relief Support Departs for 14 Countries, 44 U.S. States and Territories
Direct Relief's Humanitarian Activity for the week of 01/09/2026 - 01/16/2026
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Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 500 shipments of requested medical aid to 44 U.S. states and territories and 14 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 6.9 million defined daily doses of medication
Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for chronic conditions, medicines to treat infectious diseases, oncology
... Show Full Article
SANTA BARBARA, California, Jan. 17 -- Direct Relief issued the following news:
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Direct Relief Support Departs for 14 Countries, 44 U.S. States and Territories
Direct Relief's Humanitarian Activity for the week of 01/09/2026 - 01/16/2026
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Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 500 shipments of requested medical aid to 44 U.S. states and territories and 14 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 6.9 million defined daily doses of medication
Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for chronic conditions, medicines to treat infectious diseases, oncologycare, personal protective equipment, and more.
Amid ongoing conflict and the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, access to lifesaving care in Haiti remains under severe strain, particularly for people living with chronic illness who rely on routine treatment.
In response to an urgent request from Fondation Haitienne de Diabete et de Maladies Cardio-Vasculaires, or FHADIMAC, Direct Relief shipped essential medicines and medical supplies to support patients and frontline healthcare providers. FHADIMAC is Haiti's leading referral center for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, supporting clinics nationwide from its sites in Port-au-Prince and Jeremie.
The shipment includes insulin injection devices, antibiotics, cardiovascular medicines, and treatments for Type 2 diabetes.
Medical Aid Arrives in Ethiopia's Tigray Region
Direct Relief has delivered its first shipment of essential medicines to Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where health services continue to recover following years of conflict.
The shipment was made possible through collaboration with the International Council of Nurses, the Ethiopian Nurses Association, and the Tigray Regional Health Bureau. Direct Relief provided essential medications to support cancer care, infectious disease treatment, pain management, anesthesia, and other urgent clinical services.
A formal handover ceremony took place on January 12, attended by leadership from the Ethiopian Nurses Association, hospital staff, regional health authorities, and local media. The medicines are now being used at Ayder Hospital and will also support onward distribution to additional healthcare facilities across the region.
Operational Snapshot
Direct Relief delivered 455 shipments containing 1.5 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:
* Welvista, South Carolina
* NC MedAssist, North Carolina
* St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy - Dallas, Texas
* CommunityHealth, Illinois
* St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy Cincinnati, Ohio
* Hope Clinic and Care Center, Wisconsin
* Voces Coalicion de Inmunizacion y Promocion de la Salud, Puerto Rico
* Health and Hope Clinic, Inc., Florida
* NOVA ScriptsCentral Inc Pharmacy, Virginia
* University Health - Truman Medical Center HSD, Missouri
Around the World
Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 5.4 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 49,326 lbs., to countries including the following:
Ukraine
* India
* Ghana
* Chad
* Sudan
* Ethiopia
* Pakistan
* Haiti
IN THE NEWS
Altadena Library Hosts Teen Wellness Workshop as Community Continues Eaton Fire Recovery - Pasadena Weekendr
Miami Heat to host Jamaica Night in support of hurricane recovery efforts - CNW Network
Trevor Noah named host of 2026 Grammy Awards - The Music Universe
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Original text here: https://www.directrelief.org/2026/01/direct-relief-support-departs-for-14-countries-44-u-s-states-and-territories/
[Category: Health Care]
Cato Institute: Expert Commentary Available on Trump Administration's Energy Announcement
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- Cato Institute issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Expert Commentary Available on Trump Administration's Energy Announcement
The Trump administration announced today a new plan that would require tech companies to pay for their own power.
Travis Fisher, director of energy and environmental policy studies at Cato, and Glen Lyons, founder of Advocates for Consumer Regulated Electricity, issued the following statement:
"PJM is broken, and we need to think out of the box. If the goal is to accommodate new large customers like data centers without impacting
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- Cato Institute issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Expert Commentary Available on Trump Administration's Energy Announcement
The Trump administration announced today a new plan that would require tech companies to pay for their own power.
Travis Fisher, director of energy and environmental policy studies at Cato, and Glen Lyons, founder of Advocates for Consumer Regulated Electricity, issued the following statement:
"PJM is broken, and we need to think out of the box. If the goal is to accommodate new large customers like data centers without impactingresidents' bills, CRE offers a simple, straightforward, and complementary solution."
Fisher and Lyons have previously written on this topic and have an upcoming policy brief on Consumer Regulated Electricity. A release date has not been finalized, but please let me know if you'd like an embargoed copy.
What is Consumer Regulated Electricity? Consumer Regulated Electricity or CRE is a policy reform that allows privately financed, off-grid electric utilities to serve new customers under voluntary contracts. CRE utilities would be physically islanded from the regulated grid and would not be subject to economic regulation at the state or federal level. Because they would not interconnect with incumbent systems, CRE utilities would impose no costs, reliability risks, or stranded-asset exposure on existing customers.
Related Commentary:
* New Hampshire Sparks a Revolution in Electricity Supply (https://www.cato.org/commentary/new-hampshire-sparks-revolution-electricity-supply)
* Free Markets for Electricity (https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-podcast/free-markets-electricity)
* Artificial Intelligence Needs Electricity, and Electricity Needs Freedom (https://www.cato.org/blog/artificial-intelligence-needs-electricity-electricity-needs-freedom)
* Feeding AI's Energy Appetite (https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-podcast/feeding-ais-energy-appetite)
* "Speed to Power" and the Department of Energy's Grid Proposal to FERC (https://www.cato.org/blog/speed-power-department-energys-grid-proposal-ferc)
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Original text here: https://www.cato.org/news-releases/expert-commentary-available-trump-administrations-energy-announcement#
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR in the News, January 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR in the News, January 17, 2026
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REPORT: CAIR Helped Foil Plot Against President Trump (Video)
CAIR: Thumbs down - Houston Chronicle
Perhaps Gov. Greg Abbott should mouth an Allahu Akbar or two. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which the governor bizarrely deemed a terrorist organization, says it had been working with the FBI to prevent terror attacks, including an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. To quote another Texas governor:
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR in the News, January 17, 2026
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REPORT: CAIR Helped Foil Plot Against President Trump (Video)
CAIR: Thumbs down - Houston Chronicle
Perhaps Gov. Greg Abbott should mouth an Allahu Akbar or two. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which the governor bizarrely deemed a terrorist organization, says it had been working with the FBI to prevent terror attacks, including an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. To quote another Texas governor:Oops.
CAIR-NJ: Muslim Heritage Month 2026: Events across N.J. - NJ.com
CAIR-MN: Minneapolis braces for march called by Jake Lang, pardoned Jan. 6 rioter - Washington Post
A counterprotest is also planned at the federal building in downtown Minneapolis nearby, despite reports that people were being encouraged to stay home, according to the executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Jaylani Hussein. A group calling itself the People's Action Coalition Against Trump announced on Instagram that it would gather to protest Lang's efforts to bring "his hateful anti-Islam rally to City Hall."
CAIR-MN: Pardoned Jan. 6 rioter leads Minneapolis march, outnumbered by counterprotest - Washington Post
CAIR-MN: Judge puts limits on federal agents in Minnesota, as protests cool with the weather - CNN
"My community, we are health workers, drivers, teachers, laborers, entrepreneurs, engineers, public servants," Somali American Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of CAIR Minnesota, said. "We belong here because we are Americans."
CAIR: Tlaib among Democratic members of Congress in Minnesota to witness ICE incursion - Michigan Advance
CAIR: Outrage over Islamophobic, anti-Palestinian graffiti at Whitman High School - DC News Now
CAIR: Graffiti targeting Muslims found at Walt Whitman High; investigation underway - Baltimore Sun
Video: CAIR Maryland, Muslim Council Condemn Islamophobic Hate Graffiti at Walt Whitman High School
CAIR: Anti-Muslim graffiti at Bethesda school sparks outrage - WUSA9
CAIR : Local Muslim and Jewish Groups Condemn Islamophobic Graffiti Found at Walt Whitman High School - The MoCo Show
CAIR: Islamophobic graffiti at Montgomery County high school causes concern from local leaders - WJLA
CAIR: MCPS, police investigating graffiti targeting Palestinians, Muslims at Whitman High - Bethesda Magazine
CAIR: 'F-Muslims, Nuke Palestine' Graffiti Found At Walt Whitman HS In Bethesda - Daily Voice
CAIR-LA: Annual O.C. report shows hate crimes could be on the rise again - Los Angeles Times
"It's very limited data," said Amr Shabaik, legal director for the Council of American-Islamic Relations' greater Los Angeles chapter. "It's not going to capture the multitude of incidents that people still experience and have a negative impact on our local communities."
CAIR-FL: 2 accused of harassing USF Muslim students received trespass warning at CAIR event - WTSP
CAIR-FL: Misdemeanor charges filed against three men who interrupted USF Muslim student prayer service - WUSF
CAIR: New York City Council speaker takes aim at antisemitism with 5-point plan - CBS News
Afaf Nasher, executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told CBS News New York she supports combating antisemitism, but she believes the council should be fighting all types of hate crimes equally.
"I don't know about you, Marcia, but I've never learned about the genocide in Bosnia. I've never learned about the genocide in Palestine. I've never learned about the genocide in Rwanda," Nasher said. "So we want to see that kind of funding and investment towards all communities and not specifically one faith group."
CAIR-Cleveland: Cleveland's Proposed Crisis Response Bureau Could Cut Down on Police Arrests - Cleveland Scene
"We've received hundreds of letters and phone calls from incarcerated individuals," Faten Odeh, head of the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Council on Wednesday. "I can't help but wonder how different their lives would've been if Tanisha's Law was available at the time they were incarcerated."
CAIR: Immigrant advocates push N.J. Gov. Murphy to sign protections into law before his term - Philly Voice
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-in-the-news-january-17-2026/
CAIR Expresses Solidarity with Muslim Community in Scotland After Mosque Targeted with Hate Graffiti
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Expresses Solidarity with Muslim Community in Scotland After Mosque Targeted with Hate Graffiti
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Scotland after a mosque was targeted with hate graffiti.
According to media reports, offensive graffiti was discovered on Edinburgh Central Mosque, alarming worshippers and prompting condemnation
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Expresses Solidarity with Muslim Community in Scotland After Mosque Targeted with Hate Graffiti
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Scotland after a mosque was targeted with hate graffiti.
According to media reports, offensive graffiti was discovered on Edinburgh Central Mosque, alarming worshippers and prompting condemnationfrom community members and local leaders. The incident is being treated as a hate crime.
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
"We stand in full solidarity with the Muslim community in Scotland following this disturbing act of hate targeting a house of worship. Attacks on mosques and other religious institutions are an attack on the basic principles of religious freedom, safety and human dignity. We commend local residents who have spoken out against this bigotry and urge law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident and hold those responsible accountable."
Earlier this month, CAIR expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Australia following a reported hate attack on an Imam (religious leader) and his wife.
Last year, CAIR express similar solidarity with Muslims in Scotland and the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Ireland after hate incidents targeting those communities.
Also last year, CAIR said that Islamophobia is "spinning out of control" in Europe.
CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La mision de CAIR 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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END
CONTACT : 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-expresses-solidarity-with-muslim-community-in-scotland-after-mosque-targeted-with-hate-graffiti/
