Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Chicago Nonprofit Organization and National Teachers Union Sue U.S. Department of Education for Unlawful Public Education Funding Cuts
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [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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Chicago Nonprofit Organization and National Teachers Union Sue U.S. Department of Education for Unlawful Public Education Funding Cuts
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Lawsuit Challenges Sudden Termination of Community School Grants Despite Congressional Approval and Direction
Washington, D.C. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [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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Chicago Nonprofit Organization and National Teachers Union Sue U.S. Department of Education for Unlawful Public Education Funding Cuts
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Lawsuit Challenges Sudden Termination of Community School Grants Despite Congressional Approval and Direction
Washington, D.C. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council(BPNC) filed a lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Department of Education's abrupt and unlawful decision to terminate millions of dollars in funding for Full-Service Community Schools in the middle of approved, multi-year projects. Democracy Forward and Jacobson Lawyers Group PLLC represent the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit explains that, despite strong performance by grantees and clear congressional direction, the Department cut off funding without notice, without lawful justification, and without following required procedures. As a result, more than $60 million in unused, congressionally appropriated funds designated to support students, families, and communities in vulnerable situations are set to expire on December 31, 2025.
Full-Service Community Schools provide wraparound servicesincluding social, health, nutrition, and mental health support, and family resourcesparticularly in high-poverty and rural areas. For decades, congressionally-appropriated funding for multi-year grants based on the school's performance has been approved by the federal government. The complaint alleges that the Department, under the Trump-Vance administration, has abandoned that established process and replaced it with newly created policy preferences that were never adopted through lawful rulemaking.
The plaintiffs argue that the Department's actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act, federal education law, and Congress's direction to the agency to use the funds it appropriated to fund community schools.
"We at BPNC were shocked and dismayed to learn of the termination of our FSCS grant with ACT Now and Chicago Public Schools. We have been diligently working in partnership with Curie High School and Chicago Public Schools to implement the highest quality after-school programs and services for all students and community members. We believe that our partnership with Chicago Public Schools and ACT Now advanced the stated mission of the U.S. Department of Education Full Service Community School grant to support low-income students and families in our community, to ensure their access to high-quality afterschool academic support, and to provide technical and career support to help mold the workforce of the future," said Patrick Brosnan, Executive Director of Brighton Park Neighborhood Council. "We hope and pray that these necessary grant funds are restored, and we can continue to provide the needed services so that all students and families in our community can achieve their goals and thrive,"
"The Department of Education is not Linda McMahon's personal plaything where she gets to decide what legally mandated functions stay or go or whether spending is allocated or notand yet she repeatedly acts like it," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "From cutting summer school and after school programs last June, to deep Medicaid and SNAP cuts, to now gutting community school grants in the middle of a school year, her actions are only hurting young people and increasing stress and anxiety for hundreds of thousands of families. Here, there was no communication with districts or even a request to ask for modifications-these grants were simply terminated on a whim. They fund crucial medical, dental, nutrition, after school tutoring, and enrichment programs that increase academic achievement and attendance, boost high school graduation rates, and reduce achievement gaps. And the data show that for every dollar spent on community schools, there is a $7 return on investment. For a secretary who claims she's concerned about achievement and attendance, why terminate a program that boosts both? And for a secretary who is crisscrossing the country talking about civics, why not simply follow the law and allocate the community school grants to the districts that have been counting on them?"
"President Trump's assault on public education in America has consistently been swiftly and decisively rebuffed in communities and courts across the country. We are again heading to court -this time during the holiday season-to protect students, families, educators, and communities from the cruelty and lawlessness of this administration," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. "The U.S. Department of Education cannot ignore the law, override Congress, and pull the rug out from under schools and programs that rely on congressionally-approved funding, and we are going to court to secure a ruling to prevent these harms."
"The Department of Education is unlawfully refusing to spend tens of millions of dollars that Congress appropriated to help students and their families get the support they need to succeed. We are proud to stand with these organizations who are demanding more for our nation's students," said Lynn Eisenberg from Jacobson Lawyers Group.
The case is Brighton Park Neighborhood Council et al. v. McMahon et al.
Read the complaint here.
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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/updates/fscs-grant-termination-release/
CAIR-Austin Calls on Gov. Abbott, Other Politicians to Condemn Harassment of Austin Muslims and Stop Fomenting Hate
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-Austin Calls on Gov. Abbott, Other Politicians to Condemn Harassment of Austin Muslims and Stop Fomenting Hate
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Muslim civil rights and advocacy group calls on Austin PD to investigate potential violations of local laws or park regulations
(AUSTIN, TEXAS, 12/29/25) - The Austin, Texas, chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Austin) today called on Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to condemn
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR-Austin Calls on Gov. Abbott, Other Politicians to Condemn Harassment of Austin Muslims and Stop Fomenting Hate
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Muslim civil rights and advocacy group calls on Austin PD to investigate potential violations of local laws or park regulations
(AUSTIN, TEXAS, 12/29/25) - The Austin, Texas, chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Austin) today called on Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to condemnthe targeted harassment of a group of Austin Muslims at a local public park and stop fomenting anti-Muslim hate across the state.
WATCH VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT
CAIR-Austin also called on the Austin Police Department to review the incident (Reference 2587406) and determine whether it violated any local criminal laws or Austin Parks and Recreation regulations.
On December 26 around 7:00 a.m., during a monthly potluck breakfast at Walnut Creek Park hosted by a local Austin Muslim group, two individuals arrived and began shouting anti-Muslim slurs and cursing at Muslim families as they gathered to eat and socialize. One of the individuals was dressed in a Crusader-era costume and used a megaphone to amplify the harassment. A community member called 911, and police officers responded but did not intervene, citing free speech protections and advising the Muslim families to conclude their gathering and leave the park.
The harassment may be connected to similar incidents in other states, some of which have resulted in criminal charges.
Last month, CAIR and its Florida chapter (CAIR-Florida) welcomed the University of South Florida Police Department's decision to file felony hate-crime-enhanced charges against two men involved in Islamophobic harassment of Muslim students praying inside a USF parking garage.
In a statement, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan said:
"Texas Muslim families and non-profit organizations in Texas have recently faced increased targeted harassment and Islamophobic bigotry by state officials and hateful groups, and Austin is no exception. These attacks and smear campaigns against the Muslim community and the organizations that serve them should not concern the Muslim community alone. Divisive, hateful and threatening rhetoric undermines the safety and sense of belonging of all Texans.
"Local law enforcement authorities must take reports of religious harassment seriously and ensure that everyone can practice their faith and go about their daily lives without intimidation. This incident must be condemned by elected officials and reviewed for potential legal violations - just as it would be if the roles were reversed."
The incident occurred just days before the Austin Muslim community began its celebration of January 2026 as the city's first Austin Muslim Heritage Month (AMHM). The month will include a series of city-sponsored events highlighting the contributions and talents of Austin's Muslim community, aimed at fostering belonging and unity among Austinites."
Muzzammil Ahmad, an Austinite Imam who attended the event and witnessed the incident, said:
"When Muslim families show up for this monthly potluck with their children right after morning prayers, they do so in good faith, seeking joy, fresh air, and connection to one another and God's nature. It was deeply troubling that those hateful individuals chose to intimidate and threaten us in a public place that is meant for children to play around safely.
"Muslims want what everyone else wants: to live, work, raise their children, and practice their religion freely and peacefully. Our faith teaches us the values of respect, and coexistence, and these are the values we bring with us into shared public places. We call on law enforcement to make sure these spaces remain safe and welcoming to everyone regardless of their faith."
CAIR Op-Ed: Abbott's attacks on Muslims draw on an old religious bigotry playbook
CAIR: Texas, Florida lead GOP battle against Muslim advocacy groups - The Hill
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.
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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CONTACT : Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager, (512) 785-7105, szayan@cair.com; CAIR-DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll, (832) 549-1042, mcarroll@cair.com; CAIR-Texas Austin Chapter Civic Engagement Organizer Sameeha Rizvi, 512-893-1371, srizvi@cair.com; Imran Ghani, Executive Director, CAIR-Houston, ighani@cair.com, 713-922-5270; John T. Floyd, CAIR National Board Member, CAIR-Texas Houston, 713-254-2016, jfloyd@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
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-austin-calls-on-gov-abbott-other-politicians-to-condemn-harassment-of-austin-muslims-and-stop-fomenting-hate/
CAIR Condemns Israeli Prison's Use of Dogs, Objects to Rape Palestinians, Calls for U.S. Sanctions on Ben-Gvir
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Condemns Israeli Prison's Use of Dogs, Objects to Rape Palestinians, Calls for U.S. Sanctions on Ben-Gvir
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the United States to impose sanctions on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other members of the Israeli government responsible for the apartheid state's prisons after a Palestinian journalist and others kidnapped
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Condemns Israeli Prison's Use of Dogs, Objects to Rape Palestinians, Calls for U.S. Sanctions on Ben-Gvir
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the United States to impose sanctions on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other members of the Israeli government responsible for the apartheid state's prisons after a Palestinian journalist and others kidnappedby Israel recounted details of sexual assaults, including the use of various objects and dogs to sodomize them.
In a statement, CAIR said:
"These new allegations of sexual assault on Palestinian prisoners held by Israel - including the use of various objects and dogs to sodomize detainees - are deeply disturbing. The international community has a moral and legal obligation to ensure independent investigations, protect survivors and hold perpetrators and responsible authorities accountable.
"We call on the United Nations, the International Criminal Court and human rights organizations worldwide to take immediate steps to investigate these allegations and ensure justice for victims. Our own government should impose sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir and other members of the Israeli government responsible for the apartheid state's prisons. It should also suspend military and political support that enables human rights violations and to demand transparency and accountability from Israeli authorities."
Washington, D.C., based CAIR has repeatedly called for action against Israel's systematic and documented rape and torture of Palestinians prisoners.
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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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-condemns-israeli-prisons-use-of-dogs-objects-to-rape-palestinians-calls-for-u-s-sanctions-on-ben-gvir/
America First Legal Defends Boston University Student Targeted with Death Threats for Reporting Apparent Violations of Federal Immigration Law
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [Category: Political] -- America First Legal, a civil rights organization, posted the following news release:
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America First Legal Defends Boston University Student Targeted with Death Threats for Reporting Apparent Violations of Federal Immigration Law
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America First Legal (AFL) has sent a demand letter and formally notified Boston University (BU) that it represents a student whom the university failed to protect from credible death threats after he reported apparent violations of federal immigration law.
Zachary Segal, a BU undergraduate student, became the target
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [Category: Political] -- America First Legal, a civil rights organization, posted the following news release:
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America First Legal Defends Boston University Student Targeted with Death Threats for Reporting Apparent Violations of Federal Immigration Law
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America First Legal (AFL) has sent a demand letter and formally notified Boston University (BU) that it represents a student whom the university failed to protect from credible death threats after he reported apparent violations of federal immigration law.
Zachary Segal, a BU undergraduate student, became the targetof harassment after posting on X that he contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to report what he believed to be violations of federal immigration law.
There is nothing unlawful about reporting suspected violations of federal law. Yet, thousands of individuals, including fellow BU students, sent Mr. Segal threatening messages and covered campus with posters labeling Segal a "racist and fascist." One poster displayed across the campus states that people like Segal have "no place" on BU's campus.
Mr. Segal received multiple death threats, including messages stating, "If I ever see you i'm [expletive] killing you and leaving ur dead body on the sidewalk"; "I'll be waiting outside your little event tonight"; and "We're coming for you." One message referenced the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, threatening, "Here's to hoping you're the next to get Kirked."
Rather than defend Segal, Boston University instructed Segal not to attend classes and placed the burden on him to arrange academic accommodations himself, effectively admitting it could not ensure his safety on campus. At the same time, BU officials issued critical public statements and refused to condemn the threats or announce concrete safety measures.
Boston University's response violates its duty of care under Massachusetts law and contradicts its own published commitments to protect free expression and protect students from harassment. Because the University has acknowledged it cannot safely accommodate Mr. Segal in Boston, AFL has demanded a reasonable accommodation allowing him to transfer to Boston University's Washington, D.C. program for the remainder of his education.
"Universities cannot claim to support free speech while allowing students to face death threats for expressing political opinions," said Emily Percival, Senior Counsel at America First Legal. "Boston University must protect its students, not force them into hiding."
America First Legal will continue to fight for accountability when institutions abandon their legal obligations and allow intimidation to quell free expression.
Read the full letter here.
Read more about AFL's efforts here.
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Original text here: https://aflegal.org/press-release/america-first-legal-defends-boston-university-student-targeted-with-death-threats-for-reporting-apparent-violations-of-federal-immigration-law/
AFP-Minnesota Demands Accountability for Walz Amid Growing Fraud Investigations
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-Minnesota Demands Accountability for Walz Amid Growing Fraud Investigations
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Dec 29, 2025 by AFP
ST. PAUL, MN - Americans for Prosperity-Minnesota (AFP-MN) called on state lawmakers to hold Governor Tim Walz accountable for the state's multibillion dollar fraud scandal Monday, following the FBI and House Oversight Committee announcing expanded efforts to investigate and dismantle the schemes stealing from federal programs.
AFP-MN is working in St. Paul and across
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-Minnesota Demands Accountability for Walz Amid Growing Fraud Investigations
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Dec 29, 2025 by AFP
ST. PAUL, MN - Americans for Prosperity-Minnesota (AFP-MN) called on state lawmakers to hold Governor Tim Walz accountable for the state's multibillion dollar fraud scandal Monday, following the FBI and House Oversight Committee announcing expanded efforts to investigate and dismantle the schemes stealing from federal programs.
AFP-MN is working in St. Paul and acrossthe state to ensure that Walz and every state government official who bears responsibility for this unprecedented crisis is held accountable for their crimes against hardworking Minnesota taxpayers.
Jake Coleman, AFP-MN state director, gave the following statement:
"It's clear that Tim Walz thinks he can get away with covering up this massive scandal that happened under his watch. With new reports uncovering millions more in stolen funds every day, Walz is busy posting online about how Minnesota is the '#5 state to live in.' In fact, Minnesota is the #1 state for fraud, and AFP-MN will not stand for it.
"It was bad enough that Gov. Walz destroyed our state budget surplus in order to fund a massive expansion of social services that we cannot afford. But it should outrage every Minnesotan that their hard-earned dollars were wasted, plundered, and may have even made its way foreign terror groups thanks to his incompetency.
"AFP-MN is grateful to the FBI and House Oversight Committee for their continued investigations into this scheme. We will not rest until every dollar of our stolen money is accounted for, and every state official accountable is brough to justice."
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Original text here: https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/afp-minnesota-demands-accountability-for-walz-amid-growing-fraud-investigations/
Virginia DEQ approves water permits for controversial SSEP pipeline
BOONE, North Carolina, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release:
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Virginia DEQ approves water permits for controversial SSEP pipeline
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December 29, 2025
CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org
RICHMOND, Va. On Dec. 23, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality approved the Virginia Water Protection Permit and Upland Certification for the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC's methane gas pipeline "Southeast Supply Enhancement Project."
The approval comes despite deep public opposition
... Show Full Article
BOONE, North Carolina, Dec. 29 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release:
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Virginia DEQ approves water permits for controversial SSEP pipeline
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December 29, 2025
CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org
RICHMOND, Va. On Dec. 23, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality approved the Virginia Water Protection Permit and Upland Certification for the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC's methane gas pipeline "Southeast Supply Enhancement Project."
The approval comes despite deep public oppositionto the project and concerns raised in comments on the draft permit, as well as additional comments delivered on behalf of the Southern Environmental Law Center, Appalachian Mountain Advocates and Appalachian Voices during a Dec. 18 DEQ hearing. Those comments reiterated that "Transco has failed to adequately consider less impactful crossing methods" and that DEQ "must do more to analyze and evaluate Transco's cumulative impacts and their effects on water quality and beneficial uses."
The massive SSEP pipeline expansion is proposed between Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and Coosa County, Alabama. It includes 26.4 miles of new pipe in Pittsylvania County and 28.4 miles of new pipe in Rockingham, Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson counties, North Carolina. Additionally, the SSEP would expand emissions-producing gas-fired compressor units in Iredell and Davidson counties, North Carolina, and compressor station modifications in Anderson County, South Carolina, Walton and Henry counties in Georgia and Coosa County, Alabama. The project recently received state-level permits from North Carolina agencies, but still requires a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Most of the SSEP's new pipe would be laid near or next to existing Transco pipelines and parts of the project cover a route similar to the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate extension. The co-location of multiple high-pressure, large-diameter pipelines is of significant concern for local residents in the impacted counties and was not adequately addressed in the DEQ's review of the project.
"The Transco SSEP's proposed crossings of streams and wetlands pose substantial harm to aquatic habitat, fish and wildlife, and will cause sedimentation and in some cases permanently damage these public resources," said Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator at Appalachian Voices. "The agency has granted permission for the SSEP's developers to spoil Virginia waterways, at the cost of our communities, for a project that serves no local benefit."
"The Virginia DEQ has proposed the same kinds of deficient requirements and enforcement approach that failed so badly on the Mountain Valley Pipeline, causing serious damage to our waters and our communities since 2018, said David Sligh, Wild Virginia's Water Quality Program Director. "There is no reason to believe these weak and inadequate measures will work any better on SSEP than they did on MVP. DEQ has again failed in its most basic mission and given SSEP a license to cause destruction the Clean Water Act was created to prevent."
"Granting of these permits shows a refusal to believe the science that shows the continued burning of fossil fuels is the primary reason for stronger, more frequent, rain, floods and other impacts associated with the increase in global warming," said Buck Purgason of Good Stewards of Rockingham. "Science should not be denied for corporate gain or political hoaxes. These pipelines have been shown to be unnecessary for future development; they are for the continued practice of fracking the Earth for export of gas for generations to come and the devastation of the planet along the way."
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Original text here: https://appvoices.org/2025/12/29/ssep-va-water-permits/
Oregon Residents Seek Immediate Relief to Stop Federal Agents from Releasing Toxic Chemicals Into Homes
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [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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Oregon Residents Seek Immediate Relief to Stop Federal Agents from Releasing Toxic Chemicals Into Homes
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Request Emergency Court Order to Stop DHS From Using Tear Gas and Other Chemical Munitions Near Gray's Landing, an Affordable Housing Development
Portland, Ore. A group of affordable housing residents and a nonprofit housing provider moved for
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 [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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Oregon Residents Seek Immediate Relief to Stop Federal Agents from Releasing Toxic Chemicals Into Homes
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Request Emergency Court Order to Stop DHS From Using Tear Gas and Other Chemical Munitions Near Gray's Landing, an Affordable Housing Development
Portland, Ore. A group of affordable housing residents and a nonprofit housing provider moved forpreliminary relief today in their lawsuit challenging the federal government's repeated use of tear gas, smoke grenades, and other chemical munitions that have flooded their homes with toxic substances. The lawsuit asks a federal court to block the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies from deploying chemical agents that permeate Gray's Landing, an affordable housing complex located next to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland.
For months, federal officers have fired chemical munitions toward and around Gray's Landing during protests near the ICE facilitydespite the protests being largely peaceful and despite knowing that the chemicals repeatedly enter residents' apartments. The toxins have caused residentsincluding children, seniors, people with disabilities, and veteransto experience severe physical and psychological harm, including breathing difficulties, chest pain, dizziness, panic attacks, and repeated emergency medical visits. Residents report being forced to seal their homes, wear gas masks indoors, and avoid using their own living spaces.
The plaintiffs, residents of Gray's Landing and the affordable housing provider REACH Community Development, are represented by Democracy Forward, Protect Democracy, Jacobson Lawyers Group PLLC, and Bradley Bernstein Sands LLP.
The lawsuit argues that the government's conduct violates the Constitution by infringing on residents' rights to bodily integrity, personal security, and the safe use of their homes. It seeks ongoing relief to stop DHS and federal officers from continuing to deploy chemical munitions in ways that predictably expose residents to toxic substances.
"Gray's Landing is a residential community," said Margaret Salazar, CEO of REACH Community Development. "Families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities are repeatedly exposed to chemical agents deployed from the ICE facility just feet from their homes. Children are coughing indoors, seniors are struggling to breathe, and daily life has become a source of stress and fear. REACH is standing with residents to protect their health and well-being while the court considers our case."
"This is my home, and chemical agents have repeatedly entered our apartments," said Mindy King, a Gray's Landing resident and plaintiff in the lawsuit. "The exposure has made it harder to breathe, and it has disrupted everyday life for me and my family. We are asking for these conditions to be addressed so residents are not repeatedly exposed in ourhomes."
"The chemical agents being used by the federal government to discourage people from using their voices in lawful protests are harmful and have poisoned residents, including children," said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward. "Federal officers know that poison is flooding apartments where families live, where children sleep, and where seniors and veterans seek safetyand they keep using them anyway, fully aware of the severe harm they cause. There is no legal or moral justification for this use of force-it is a profound abuse of power and violates the U.S. Constitution. We are in court to stop it."
" The Trump administration is deliberately using chemical munitions to deter lawful protest against its activities in Portland, treating Gray's Landing residents like collateral damage," said Rachel Goodman, Special Counsel and Impact Lead at Protect Democracy. "This is just one example of the ways the administration's campaign of militarized immigration enforcement is making communities across the country less safe and less free."
"The federal government's months-long poisoning of Gray's Landing residents with tear gas and other chemicals is shocking and illegal. We are filing this motion so that these residents do not suffer a single more instance of being exposed to poison gas while just trying to live in peace in their homes," said Daniel Jacobson, Founder of Jacobson Lawyers Group PLLC.
The lawsuit emphasizes that tear gas and similar chemical agents are designed to cause physical harm, are banned in warfare, and are particularly dangerous when used near homes and enclosed spaces. Plaintiffs argue that the government's actions were not necessary to address any imminent threat and instead reflected deliberate indifference to the foreseeable harm inflicted on innocent residents.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to immediately block further use of chemical munitions near Gray's Landing while the case proceeds, to prevent additional irreparable harm.
The case is REACH Community Development et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al.
Read the filing here.
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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/updates/oregon-tear-gas-gray-landing/
