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Hispanic Federation: People's Hearing in Charlotte Documents the True Consequences of Federal Immigration Enforcement in North Carolina
NEW YORK, Sept. 3 -- The Hispanic Federation, an organization that supports and strengthens Latino institutions through education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment and the environment, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026:
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People's Hearing in Charlotte Documents the True Consequences of Federal Immigration Enforcement in North Carolina
Over 25 directly impacted individuals, business owners, community leaders, and legal experts testified on the harm that federal immigration operations caused and continues to cause in communities throughout North ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Sept. 3 -- The Hispanic Federation, an organization that supports and strengthens Latino institutions through education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment and the environment, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * People's Hearing in Charlotte Documents the True Consequences of Federal Immigration Enforcement in North Carolina Over 25 directly impacted individuals, business owners, community leaders, and legal experts testified on the harm that federal immigration operations caused and continues to cause in communities throughout NorthCarolina
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Charlotte, NC - Today, civil rights leaders, public officials, and community advocates gathered for the People's Hearing on Immigration Enforcement: Charlotte. The six-hour event included testimony from more than 25 local residents. Testimony included a wide range of voices who have been directly impacted by federal immigration enforcement, including local business owners, community leaders, and legal experts from across North Carolina.
The hearing took place a little less than a year after federal agents descended on Charlotte communities and as the current administration continues to ignore ongoing calls for accountability and guardrails, opting instead on shade practices that instill fear in communities and endanger lives. The People's Hearings are creating a public record of how immigration enforcement has and continues to harm communities across the country. Charlotte is the sixth stop in the series, following hearings in Saint Paul, MN; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; San Antonio and Dallas, TX. More than 135 people have testified so far about the toll immigration enforcement has taken on families, children, workers, schools, small businesses, faith communities, local governments, public institutions, and U.S. citizens.
"Behind every headline, behind every statistic, there is a human story. There is a child waiting for a parent to come home. There is a worker who helped build our communities now afraid to leave for work. There is a family that has contributed, sacrificed, paid taxes, worshipped, volunteered, and dreamed here -- suddenly treated as if they do not belong. Tragically, the stories we are hearing in North Carolina echo the painful stories we have heard in the other hearings we have organized across the country. This moment is the beginning of a renewed fight for justice and accountability, a fight to make sure that the voices of our communities are heard, that their stories are honored, and that their rights are protected," said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation.
"Through the People's Hearings, I have listened to parents, workers, faith leaders, educators, attorneys, and directly impacted individuals describe how immigration enforcement has upended their lives. Families have been torn apart, businesses have been targeted, and neighborhoods have been disrupted -- but community members in Charlotte continue to show up for one another. An accurate record of the long-lasting damage must be preserved, and those directly impacted should be the ones to tell that story," said Rochelle Garza, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
"For one dark week, DHS and ICE in Charlotte unleashed an operation of terror that separated families, terrorized neighborhoods, and harmed the local economy. Charlotte's Web was another reminder of the fragility of our safety and constitutional rights, including the right to due process. The People's Hearing on Immigration Enforcement held today recorded the testimonies of dozens of witnesses who lived through that terror, including community leaders, families, and small business owners. Each testimony will help to hold those responsible for harm accountable, push for transparency in ICE operations, and help rein in abuses of power that we've seen far too rampant throughout our country. We are here to stand with the people of North Carolina--their bravery and resilience in the face of oppression are the hallmarks of a true democracy," said Katherine Pichardo, President & CEO of Latino Victory.
"During Operation Charlotte's Web, we saw firsthand how Charlotte residents were assaulted and denied their constitutional rights. Businesses lost tens of thousands of dollars, with some still struggling to recover. The aftereffects have been just as bad, as people are afraid to leave their homes and operations continue in Charlotte. Most recently, Action NC member, Manolo Betancur and his Bakery were the victims of intimidation tactics by ex-commander of CBP, Gregory Bovino. The community response during Charlotte's Web and Manolo's recent actions remind us that together, we can push back and prevail," said Hector Vaca, Immigrant Justice Director, Action NC.
"In November, Charlotte's Web didn't just detain people -- it detained trust. It sent a message to every immigrant family in this city that safety is conditional. But the words of testimony have power. When our neighbors stand up and share what enforcement actually looked like -- their fear, the separation and the silence that followed -- that's history being recorded in real time, in their own words. If you weren't there when it happened, then be there when it's told. Watch the stream. Listen all the way through. Because the people who lived through it are the ones who should be believed and understood," said Federico Rios, Interim Director, Latin American Coalition.
"At ourBRIDGE for KIDS, we see every day how children carry the weight of immigration enforcement, even when they do not fully understand what is happening. The People's Hearing gives impacted community members and those of us working with kids and families the opportunity to share how fear and separation are affecting our community, our children's sense of safety, their education, and their ability to simply be kids. We cannot turn away from what is happening to our neighbors; we must stand up for the most vulnerable amongst us," said Salma Villarreal, Executive Director, ourBRIDGE for KIDS.
"During Charlotte's Web, community members were disappeared, families were destroyed, and our community has been forever bonded by the shared trauma of witnessing federal agents raid our home. The People's forum will memorialize the lived experiences of witnesses who lived and worked through a dark week in Charlotte's history," said Stefania Arteaga, Co-Executive Director, Carolina Migrant Network.
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF's focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
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Original text here: https://www.hispanicfederation.org/news/peoples-hearing-in-charlotte-documents-the-true-consequences-of-federal-immigration-enforcement-in-north-carolina/
[Category: Political]
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People's Hearing in Charlotte Documents the True Consequences of Federal Immigration Enforcement in North Carolina
Over 25 directly impacted individuals, business owners, community leaders, and legal experts testified on the harm that federal immigration operations caused and continues to cause in communities throughout North ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Sept. 3 -- The Hispanic Federation, an organization that supports and strengthens Latino institutions through education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment and the environment, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * People's Hearing in Charlotte Documents the True Consequences of Federal Immigration Enforcement in North Carolina Over 25 directly impacted individuals, business owners, community leaders, and legal experts testified on the harm that federal immigration operations caused and continues to cause in communities throughout NorthCarolina
-
Charlotte, NC - Today, civil rights leaders, public officials, and community advocates gathered for the People's Hearing on Immigration Enforcement: Charlotte. The six-hour event included testimony from more than 25 local residents. Testimony included a wide range of voices who have been directly impacted by federal immigration enforcement, including local business owners, community leaders, and legal experts from across North Carolina.
The hearing took place a little less than a year after federal agents descended on Charlotte communities and as the current administration continues to ignore ongoing calls for accountability and guardrails, opting instead on shade practices that instill fear in communities and endanger lives. The People's Hearings are creating a public record of how immigration enforcement has and continues to harm communities across the country. Charlotte is the sixth stop in the series, following hearings in Saint Paul, MN; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; San Antonio and Dallas, TX. More than 135 people have testified so far about the toll immigration enforcement has taken on families, children, workers, schools, small businesses, faith communities, local governments, public institutions, and U.S. citizens.
"Behind every headline, behind every statistic, there is a human story. There is a child waiting for a parent to come home. There is a worker who helped build our communities now afraid to leave for work. There is a family that has contributed, sacrificed, paid taxes, worshipped, volunteered, and dreamed here -- suddenly treated as if they do not belong. Tragically, the stories we are hearing in North Carolina echo the painful stories we have heard in the other hearings we have organized across the country. This moment is the beginning of a renewed fight for justice and accountability, a fight to make sure that the voices of our communities are heard, that their stories are honored, and that their rights are protected," said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation.
"Through the People's Hearings, I have listened to parents, workers, faith leaders, educators, attorneys, and directly impacted individuals describe how immigration enforcement has upended their lives. Families have been torn apart, businesses have been targeted, and neighborhoods have been disrupted -- but community members in Charlotte continue to show up for one another. An accurate record of the long-lasting damage must be preserved, and those directly impacted should be the ones to tell that story," said Rochelle Garza, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
"For one dark week, DHS and ICE in Charlotte unleashed an operation of terror that separated families, terrorized neighborhoods, and harmed the local economy. Charlotte's Web was another reminder of the fragility of our safety and constitutional rights, including the right to due process. The People's Hearing on Immigration Enforcement held today recorded the testimonies of dozens of witnesses who lived through that terror, including community leaders, families, and small business owners. Each testimony will help to hold those responsible for harm accountable, push for transparency in ICE operations, and help rein in abuses of power that we've seen far too rampant throughout our country. We are here to stand with the people of North Carolina--their bravery and resilience in the face of oppression are the hallmarks of a true democracy," said Katherine Pichardo, President & CEO of Latino Victory.
"During Operation Charlotte's Web, we saw firsthand how Charlotte residents were assaulted and denied their constitutional rights. Businesses lost tens of thousands of dollars, with some still struggling to recover. The aftereffects have been just as bad, as people are afraid to leave their homes and operations continue in Charlotte. Most recently, Action NC member, Manolo Betancur and his Bakery were the victims of intimidation tactics by ex-commander of CBP, Gregory Bovino. The community response during Charlotte's Web and Manolo's recent actions remind us that together, we can push back and prevail," said Hector Vaca, Immigrant Justice Director, Action NC.
"In November, Charlotte's Web didn't just detain people -- it detained trust. It sent a message to every immigrant family in this city that safety is conditional. But the words of testimony have power. When our neighbors stand up and share what enforcement actually looked like -- their fear, the separation and the silence that followed -- that's history being recorded in real time, in their own words. If you weren't there when it happened, then be there when it's told. Watch the stream. Listen all the way through. Because the people who lived through it are the ones who should be believed and understood," said Federico Rios, Interim Director, Latin American Coalition.
"At ourBRIDGE for KIDS, we see every day how children carry the weight of immigration enforcement, even when they do not fully understand what is happening. The People's Hearing gives impacted community members and those of us working with kids and families the opportunity to share how fear and separation are affecting our community, our children's sense of safety, their education, and their ability to simply be kids. We cannot turn away from what is happening to our neighbors; we must stand up for the most vulnerable amongst us," said Salma Villarreal, Executive Director, ourBRIDGE for KIDS.
"During Charlotte's Web, community members were disappeared, families were destroyed, and our community has been forever bonded by the shared trauma of witnessing federal agents raid our home. The People's forum will memorialize the lived experiences of witnesses who lived and worked through a dark week in Charlotte's history," said Stefania Arteaga, Co-Executive Director, Carolina Migrant Network.
* * *
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF's focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
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Original text here: https://www.hispanicfederation.org/news/peoples-hearing-in-charlotte-documents-the-true-consequences-of-federal-immigration-enforcement-in-north-carolina/
[Category: Political]
Diverse Coalition Launches National Voting Enthusiasm Effort "We Are America, And We Vote"
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release on Sept. 1, 2026:
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Diverse Coalition Launches National Voting Enthusiasm Effort "We Are America, And We Vote"
A diverse coalition of organizations today launched a national effort called "We Are America, And We Vote." Kicking off just weeks ahead of the final stretch to Election Day, the effort focuses on building enthusiasm among voters through joyful determination, resilience, and realizing our collective power as voters.
Today's kickoff includes the launch of a 90-second ad that highlights people from ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release on Sept. 1, 2026: * * * Diverse Coalition Launches National Voting Enthusiasm Effort "We Are America, And We Vote" A diverse coalition of organizations today launched a national effort called "We Are America, And We Vote." Kicking off just weeks ahead of the final stretch to Election Day, the effort focuses on building enthusiasm among voters through joyful determination, resilience, and realizing our collective power as voters. Today's kickoff includes the launch of a 90-second ad that highlights people fromacross the country, demonstrating the resilience and collective power of Americans. English- and Spanish-language versions of the film will air across coalition partners' digital platforms and be amplified in a six-figure national paid media campaign, part of an overall $1M effort. Shorter 30- and 15-second spots are also available for partners and media.
Young People's Alliance (YPA): "Our government has failed to address many of the pressing issues facing young people because our generation has been a political afterthought. Too many of us have never seen our government deliver for us, so more and more Gen Zs are losing faith in democracy as a real means of change. Voting together, as a united generation, is one of the most powerful ways we have to change who these systems work for and win policy that actually reflects our generation's needs."
Alliance for Youth Action: "History does not remember who meant to show up; it remembers who did. And right now, young people are showing up. This is not a moment for spectators. Every generation faces a test of whether it will bend to fear or rise to meet it, and this is ours. From Seattle to Miami, Phoenix to Manchester, Milwaukee to Jackson -- we're not only the future of democracy. We're the ones fighting for it today, because the stakes demand nothing less."
All Voting Is Local: "Voting is a collective power, and our democracy works best, survives, and thrives when all of us have a voice. During these tough times, We Are America invites all Americans in, regardless of race, location, age, or ideology, with the joy and determination needed to meet the collective demands in this moment."
Common Cause: "Democracy isn't a spectator sport, and it can't be taken for granted. It's something we build together at the ballot box. When powerful interests try to stack the deck or silence our communities, showing up to vote becomes our ultimate source of leverage. This campaign is a nonpartisan declaration that every single voice matters, every community counts, and together, the people will hold power accountable."
Common Cause NC: "Voting is our fundamental freedom as Americans and as North Carolinians," said Sailor Jones, State Director with Common Cause North Carolina. "We encourage voters to use the power of their ballot this fall to help decide the future of our state and nation."
Democracy Defenders Fund: "This campaign offers a joyful antidote to efforts to suppress voting, intimidate voters, and undermine public trust in our elections. It reminds people across the country that their vote matters, that their participation can make a real difference, and that there is power in showing up together as a community."
Democracy Forward: "The right to vote is sacred and foundational to our democracy and is in great peril. We are proud to support this effort to encourage every eligible voter to exercise their fundamental right," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. "Our voices are too important to give up. We all must act to ensure every voter can participate fully and equally in our democracy."
Democracy North Carolina: "We are reminded day after day of a resonating truth of this moment, that if your vote didn't matter, those clinging to power wouldn't constantly be attacking voting access, systems, and engaged communities," said Adrienne Kelly, Executive Director of Democracy NC. "We are proud to stand with others who join us in the effort to protect voters and the vote alike, and fight for a more perfect union that is of, by, and for ALL people."
Fair Fight Action: "The powerful few are attacking our freedom to vote and trying to sow doubt. But when we show up, make our voices heard, and vote alongside our neighbors, we can shape the future. 'We Are America, And We Vote' is a reminder that our voices matter and that together, we're strong."
Hands Off NYC: "Voting is not only one of our most fundamental freedoms; it is one way we bring about a future that works for all of us. Hands Off NYC is proud to join the 'We Are America, And We Vote' campaign to show that we write our story in this country. The future belongs to us, as long as we choose to build it together."
Indivisible Arizona: "In America, we believe that every eligible vote should be cast and counted," said Mary Beth Furman from Indivisible Arizona. "The most important thing we can do to protect our election is to get out and vote early, and not be intimidated."
League of Women Voters: "Voting is an act of power and in this moment, it is an act of resistance. When people try to divide us, silence us, or make us believe our voices don't matter, we come together and use the power that belongs to all of us," said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters. "We will not be intimidated or discouraged from participating in our democracy. We are America. We are voters. And together, we will make our voices heard."
Movement Voter Project: "With more attacks on voting rights every day, we need to make 2026 the biggest early vote in midterm history -- and year-round organizing groups are key to making that happen. Alongside the 'We Are America, And We Vote' campaign and our organizing partners, we are turning voters' anger into one of the biggest early-vote campaigns ever launched."
Murmuration: "We spend every day listening to Americans, and what we hear over and over is not apathy - it's hunger. Americans aren't checked out; they're ready to be called in. 'We Are America, And We Vote' is that invitation. Murmuration is proud to support our partners' work and stand with this coalition to meet voters where they are: rooted in their communities, clear-eyed about the stakes, and ready to show up."
Public Citizen: Our democracy only works when We the People show up and make our voices heard. Bad actors pushing agendas that go against the public interest are attempting to erode that fundamental freedom, but together, we can protect the freedom to vote.This election, and every election, we must fight for the right of every eligible voter to cast their ballot and have it counted."
Save America Movement: "This campaign exists because too many Americans have been told their vote doesn't matter and that apathy is easier than action. We reject that. Voting is not passive; it is resistance. 'We Are America, And We Vote' is a promise: we are not disengaged, we are not defeated, and we are coming to the polls in numbers no one can ignore."
United States Youth Forum: "Young people aren't just the future, we're the now. That's why USYF is proud to support this effort. We know young people are already leading the way, and we're here to help them find their place in protecting our democracy," said Brianna Vanderstelt, youth volunteer at the United States Youth Forum. "We want to turn that 'someone should do something' energy into 'okay, let's do this.' Civic action doesn't have to be boring or dreary. We can make a difference, protect our democracy, have fun, and bring the vibes at the same time. Democracy is for us, too."
Participating organizations include Alliance for Youth Action (AYA), All Voting Is Local, Common Cause, Common Cause NC, Democracy Defenders Fund, Democracy Forward, Democracy NC, Fair Fight Action, Hands Off NYC, Indivisible Arizona, League of Women Voters, LULAC, Movement Voter Project, Murmuration, Protect Democracy, Public Citizen, Save America Movement, United States Youth Forum, UnidosUS, and Young People's Alliance (YPA).
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Original text here: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/diverse-coalition-launches-national-voting-enthusiasm-effort-we-are-america
[Category: Political]
* * *
Diverse Coalition Launches National Voting Enthusiasm Effort "We Are America, And We Vote"
A diverse coalition of organizations today launched a national effort called "We Are America, And We Vote." Kicking off just weeks ahead of the final stretch to Election Day, the effort focuses on building enthusiasm among voters through joyful determination, resilience, and realizing our collective power as voters.
Today's kickoff includes the launch of a 90-second ad that highlights people from ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release on Sept. 1, 2026: * * * Diverse Coalition Launches National Voting Enthusiasm Effort "We Are America, And We Vote" A diverse coalition of organizations today launched a national effort called "We Are America, And We Vote." Kicking off just weeks ahead of the final stretch to Election Day, the effort focuses on building enthusiasm among voters through joyful determination, resilience, and realizing our collective power as voters. Today's kickoff includes the launch of a 90-second ad that highlights people fromacross the country, demonstrating the resilience and collective power of Americans. English- and Spanish-language versions of the film will air across coalition partners' digital platforms and be amplified in a six-figure national paid media campaign, part of an overall $1M effort. Shorter 30- and 15-second spots are also available for partners and media.
Young People's Alliance (YPA): "Our government has failed to address many of the pressing issues facing young people because our generation has been a political afterthought. Too many of us have never seen our government deliver for us, so more and more Gen Zs are losing faith in democracy as a real means of change. Voting together, as a united generation, is one of the most powerful ways we have to change who these systems work for and win policy that actually reflects our generation's needs."
Alliance for Youth Action: "History does not remember who meant to show up; it remembers who did. And right now, young people are showing up. This is not a moment for spectators. Every generation faces a test of whether it will bend to fear or rise to meet it, and this is ours. From Seattle to Miami, Phoenix to Manchester, Milwaukee to Jackson -- we're not only the future of democracy. We're the ones fighting for it today, because the stakes demand nothing less."
All Voting Is Local: "Voting is a collective power, and our democracy works best, survives, and thrives when all of us have a voice. During these tough times, We Are America invites all Americans in, regardless of race, location, age, or ideology, with the joy and determination needed to meet the collective demands in this moment."
Common Cause: "Democracy isn't a spectator sport, and it can't be taken for granted. It's something we build together at the ballot box. When powerful interests try to stack the deck or silence our communities, showing up to vote becomes our ultimate source of leverage. This campaign is a nonpartisan declaration that every single voice matters, every community counts, and together, the people will hold power accountable."
Common Cause NC: "Voting is our fundamental freedom as Americans and as North Carolinians," said Sailor Jones, State Director with Common Cause North Carolina. "We encourage voters to use the power of their ballot this fall to help decide the future of our state and nation."
Democracy Defenders Fund: "This campaign offers a joyful antidote to efforts to suppress voting, intimidate voters, and undermine public trust in our elections. It reminds people across the country that their vote matters, that their participation can make a real difference, and that there is power in showing up together as a community."
Democracy Forward: "The right to vote is sacred and foundational to our democracy and is in great peril. We are proud to support this effort to encourage every eligible voter to exercise their fundamental right," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. "Our voices are too important to give up. We all must act to ensure every voter can participate fully and equally in our democracy."
Democracy North Carolina: "We are reminded day after day of a resonating truth of this moment, that if your vote didn't matter, those clinging to power wouldn't constantly be attacking voting access, systems, and engaged communities," said Adrienne Kelly, Executive Director of Democracy NC. "We are proud to stand with others who join us in the effort to protect voters and the vote alike, and fight for a more perfect union that is of, by, and for ALL people."
Fair Fight Action: "The powerful few are attacking our freedom to vote and trying to sow doubt. But when we show up, make our voices heard, and vote alongside our neighbors, we can shape the future. 'We Are America, And We Vote' is a reminder that our voices matter and that together, we're strong."
Hands Off NYC: "Voting is not only one of our most fundamental freedoms; it is one way we bring about a future that works for all of us. Hands Off NYC is proud to join the 'We Are America, And We Vote' campaign to show that we write our story in this country. The future belongs to us, as long as we choose to build it together."
Indivisible Arizona: "In America, we believe that every eligible vote should be cast and counted," said Mary Beth Furman from Indivisible Arizona. "The most important thing we can do to protect our election is to get out and vote early, and not be intimidated."
League of Women Voters: "Voting is an act of power and in this moment, it is an act of resistance. When people try to divide us, silence us, or make us believe our voices don't matter, we come together and use the power that belongs to all of us," said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters. "We will not be intimidated or discouraged from participating in our democracy. We are America. We are voters. And together, we will make our voices heard."
Movement Voter Project: "With more attacks on voting rights every day, we need to make 2026 the biggest early vote in midterm history -- and year-round organizing groups are key to making that happen. Alongside the 'We Are America, And We Vote' campaign and our organizing partners, we are turning voters' anger into one of the biggest early-vote campaigns ever launched."
Murmuration: "We spend every day listening to Americans, and what we hear over and over is not apathy - it's hunger. Americans aren't checked out; they're ready to be called in. 'We Are America, And We Vote' is that invitation. Murmuration is proud to support our partners' work and stand with this coalition to meet voters where they are: rooted in their communities, clear-eyed about the stakes, and ready to show up."
Public Citizen: Our democracy only works when We the People show up and make our voices heard. Bad actors pushing agendas that go against the public interest are attempting to erode that fundamental freedom, but together, we can protect the freedom to vote.This election, and every election, we must fight for the right of every eligible voter to cast their ballot and have it counted."
Save America Movement: "This campaign exists because too many Americans have been told their vote doesn't matter and that apathy is easier than action. We reject that. Voting is not passive; it is resistance. 'We Are America, And We Vote' is a promise: we are not disengaged, we are not defeated, and we are coming to the polls in numbers no one can ignore."
United States Youth Forum: "Young people aren't just the future, we're the now. That's why USYF is proud to support this effort. We know young people are already leading the way, and we're here to help them find their place in protecting our democracy," said Brianna Vanderstelt, youth volunteer at the United States Youth Forum. "We want to turn that 'someone should do something' energy into 'okay, let's do this.' Civic action doesn't have to be boring or dreary. We can make a difference, protect our democracy, have fun, and bring the vibes at the same time. Democracy is for us, too."
Participating organizations include Alliance for Youth Action (AYA), All Voting Is Local, Common Cause, Common Cause NC, Democracy Defenders Fund, Democracy Forward, Democracy NC, Fair Fight Action, Hands Off NYC, Indivisible Arizona, League of Women Voters, LULAC, Movement Voter Project, Murmuration, Protect Democracy, Public Citizen, Save America Movement, United States Youth Forum, UnidosUS, and Young People's Alliance (YPA).
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Original text here: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/diverse-coalition-launches-national-voting-enthusiasm-effort-we-are-america
[Category: Political]
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences: Building the Future of Weather Forecast Innovation
BOULDER, Colorado, Sept. 3 -- The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences issued the following news:
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Building the future of weather forecast innovation
CIRES scientists work behind the scenes to accelerate weather software development
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NOAA has an ambitious vision to make U.S. weather prediction the best in the world by 2030. This "Moonshot" requires a steady stream of new science to move efficiently into operational forecasting. A CIRES team is supporting these efforts by working behind the scenes to remove barriers that have long slowed weather software development.
NOAA's ... Show Full Article BOULDER, Colorado, Sept. 3 -- The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences issued the following news: * * * Building the future of weather forecast innovation CIRES scientists work behind the scenes to accelerate weather software development - NOAA has an ambitious vision to make U.S. weather prediction the best in the world by 2030. This "Moonshot" requires a steady stream of new science to move efficiently into operational forecasting. A CIRES team is supporting these efforts by working behind the scenes to remove barriers that have long slowed weather software development. NOAA'scurrent operational suite of weather models is made of 21 standalone forecast systems, each with its own software. Researchers in the modeling community are building a new "unified" forecast system: a single coupled, comprehensive Earth modeling system that predicts severe weather, hurricanes, space weather, air quality, and more. A critical part of this work is building software that unifies the workflows and automates common tasks - which is where CIRES comes in.
"Our goal is to make weather model development easier, faster, and more collaborative," said Christina Holt, CIRES scientist and software engineer based in NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory. "The Unified Workflow tools (UW tools) we are developing make it possible to share experiments person to person, machine to machine, or architecture to architecture."
So far, they have integrated UW tools into multiple applications, including NOAA's Unified Forecast System short-range weather application, GSL's Model Prediction Across Scales application, and several that use artificial intelligence. Researchers can now move more easily between projects, transfer new capabilities from one application to another, and spend less time configuring software. The tools also simplify software testing and support, allowing scientists to focus on improving forecasts rather than managing technical differences between applications.
The next big step is to move operations and research and development to the cloud. On July 27, NOAA announced that Google Cloud will support the National Weather Service's gold-standard weather forecasting models. This transition will make weather modeling more flexible, resilient, and easier to update as scientific advances emerge, while allowing computing resources to expand when demand is greatest, --such as during hurricane season. NOAA expects these improvements to support earlier and more precise forecasts and warnings while helping achieve its goal of becoming the world leader in numerical weather prediction, according to NOAA.
Unified Workflow tools won't appear on a weather map or in a forecast discussion. Instead, their impact will be measured in forecasts people depend on every day. By making it easier for scientists to collaborate, share innovations, and move research into operations, these tools help accelerate progress toward NOAA's Numerical Weather Prediction Moonshot. That means better forecasts of hurricanes, winter storms, floods, severe thunderstorms, wildfire weather, and other high-impact events are coming soon.
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Original text here: https://cires.colorado.edu/news/building-future-weather-forecast-innovation
[Category: Environment]
* * *
Building the future of weather forecast innovation
CIRES scientists work behind the scenes to accelerate weather software development
-
NOAA has an ambitious vision to make U.S. weather prediction the best in the world by 2030. This "Moonshot" requires a steady stream of new science to move efficiently into operational forecasting. A CIRES team is supporting these efforts by working behind the scenes to remove barriers that have long slowed weather software development.
NOAA's ... Show Full Article BOULDER, Colorado, Sept. 3 -- The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences issued the following news: * * * Building the future of weather forecast innovation CIRES scientists work behind the scenes to accelerate weather software development - NOAA has an ambitious vision to make U.S. weather prediction the best in the world by 2030. This "Moonshot" requires a steady stream of new science to move efficiently into operational forecasting. A CIRES team is supporting these efforts by working behind the scenes to remove barriers that have long slowed weather software development. NOAA'scurrent operational suite of weather models is made of 21 standalone forecast systems, each with its own software. Researchers in the modeling community are building a new "unified" forecast system: a single coupled, comprehensive Earth modeling system that predicts severe weather, hurricanes, space weather, air quality, and more. A critical part of this work is building software that unifies the workflows and automates common tasks - which is where CIRES comes in.
"Our goal is to make weather model development easier, faster, and more collaborative," said Christina Holt, CIRES scientist and software engineer based in NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory. "The Unified Workflow tools (UW tools) we are developing make it possible to share experiments person to person, machine to machine, or architecture to architecture."
So far, they have integrated UW tools into multiple applications, including NOAA's Unified Forecast System short-range weather application, GSL's Model Prediction Across Scales application, and several that use artificial intelligence. Researchers can now move more easily between projects, transfer new capabilities from one application to another, and spend less time configuring software. The tools also simplify software testing and support, allowing scientists to focus on improving forecasts rather than managing technical differences between applications.
The next big step is to move operations and research and development to the cloud. On July 27, NOAA announced that Google Cloud will support the National Weather Service's gold-standard weather forecasting models. This transition will make weather modeling more flexible, resilient, and easier to update as scientific advances emerge, while allowing computing resources to expand when demand is greatest, --such as during hurricane season. NOAA expects these improvements to support earlier and more precise forecasts and warnings while helping achieve its goal of becoming the world leader in numerical weather prediction, according to NOAA.
Unified Workflow tools won't appear on a weather map or in a forecast discussion. Instead, their impact will be measured in forecasts people depend on every day. By making it easier for scientists to collaborate, share innovations, and move research into operations, these tools help accelerate progress toward NOAA's Numerical Weather Prediction Moonshot. That means better forecasts of hurricanes, winter storms, floods, severe thunderstorms, wildfire weather, and other high-impact events are coming soon.
* * *
Original text here: https://cires.colorado.edu/news/building-future-weather-forecast-innovation
[Category: Environment]
Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 3 -- WildEarth Guardians posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026:
* * *
Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah
Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court
-
Washington, DC - Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challenge ... Show Full Article SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 3 -- WildEarth Guardians posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court - Washington, DC - Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challengeboth sets of illegal proclamations together.
Conservation groups were joined by two additional coalitions of monument supporters, who also filed to renew their litigation on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante today.
"Slashing protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments is unlawful and disregards the Tribes who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial," said Charlie Luke, The Wilderness Society Utah state director. "These protections were put in place for a reason: to safeguard cultural resources, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and the freedom of future generations to experience these lands. The Wilderness Society will continue this fight in court to ensure our treasured Utah national monuments remain protected."
"Not only is the attempt to slash Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments illegal, it's also deeply unpopular," said Michael Toll, staff attorney for the Grand Canyon Trust. "A 2024 poll found that more than 70% of Utah voters supported keeping Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante protected as national monuments; these illegal cuts are wildly out of touch with what the majority of Utahns want."
In July, President Trump illegally redrew the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, reducing both monuments by more than 90%. The attack was one of the largest rollbacks of public lands protections in U.S. history, cutting a million acres more than the 2017 reductions.
Multiple mining claims were filed in both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante immediately after Trump decimated the monuments. Conservation groups have urged the Bureau of Land Management to reject the premature and unlawful claims.
"Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante should have never been put in jeopardy to begin with as no president has the authority to erase or shrink national monuments," said Erika Pollard, Southwest campaign director with the National Parks Conservation Association. "These monuments are among the most beloved public lands in Utah, visited by millions who also travel to neighboring national park sites - Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Glen Canyon and Natural Bridges. Attempting to dismantle the groundbreaking Bears Ears Commission and co-stewardship structures is an insult to the Tribal Nations that deserve a leading role in managing their ancestral lands. Support for these monuments has never wavered and neither will our fight to protect them."
"The gutting of these two monuments is yet another example of this administration rewarding industry with special access to the public's land and resources," said Chris Krupp, public lands attorney for WildEarth Guardians. "Trump didn't unlock the monument for recreation, as he dishonestly claimed, but he did open up a cherished landscape to mining. It's no surprise mining companies are already taking advantage of that."
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes presidents to designate national monuments, but it does not give them the power to shrink the monuments created by their predecessors or to undercut their protections. Congress's intent was clear: the Antiquities Act must be used to protect the nation's archaeological, cultural, and scientific wonders.
"President Trump cannot erase America's national monuments with the stroke of a pen. The Antiquities Act gives presidents the authority to protect places like Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears, not dismantle them for mining and other industrial interests," said Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program. "The monuments preserve an irreplaceable cultural landscape, world-renowned fossil resources, and extraordinary wildlands that are shared by all of us. We're going to court because the law is clear, and future generations deserve to inherit these remarkable places with the protections they were promised."
"President Trump's unlawful attack dismantling Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments was a dark day for America and our nation's long tradition of protecting parks, monuments and wild places for current and future generations," said Steve Bloch, legal director at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). "With the filing of these lawsuits, we intend to make sure Trump doesn't have the final word over the fate of these treasured landscapes. We'll be watching closely for on-the-ground mischief like new mining claims and illegal vehicle use and are ready to swing into action to protect the monuments from any activities that can leave lasting damage."
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument -- home to dinosaur fossils not found anywhere else in the world -- is often described as a "dinosaur Shangri-la." It was established as a national monument in 1996, and in the two decades since it was protected, paleontologists have unearthed fossils from 21 previously undiscovered dinosaur species.
The region also holds great cultural significance to numerous Tribes. It is renowned for the remarkable geologic features for which it is named -- a series of massive, stepped cliff formations that form, literally, a grand staircase. It is home to serpentine canyons that provide endless hiking adventures and streams that support diverse populations of native plant and animal life.
"The big lies behind these illegal rollbacks aren't fooling anyone. The truth is the Trump administration is trying to sell out two of America's most iconic national monuments to benefit oil and mining corporations," said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "Grand Staircase and Bears Ears belong to the American people, not corporate polluters. We'll fight like hell to ensure their remarkable biodiversity and rich cultural landscapes are protected for future generations."
Bears Ears National Monument is home to cliff dwellings and other structures built by the Ancestral Puebloan people, more than 100,000 Native American cultural sites, innumerable historic landmarks, and iconic wildlife such as bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. Tribes continue to visit the lands to hold ceremonies and connect with their ancestors.
The 2016 monument designation included a historic plan for co-management of this unique landscape by federal agencies and five Tribes (the Bears Ears Commission) with sacred cultural interests in the lands.
"These monuments protect places that took millions of years to form. President Trump is trying to destroy them with a stroke of a pen. That cannot stand," said Christy Goldfuss, executive director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "The administration is trying to force this through by executive fiat. The Antiquities Act does not work that way. Presidents have the power to create national monuments to protect what belongs to all of us, but Congress never gave them the power to tear those monuments down. Once you open these lands to mining and drilling, what gets lost is not coming back--ancient cliff dwellings, dinosaur fossils found nowhere else on Earth, sacred sites tied to the Tribal Nations. Tribes led the fight for Bears Ears. Local communities, ranchers, scientists, and outfitters built the record behind Grand Staircase-Escalante. Three in four Utahns want these monuments kept whole. This lawsuit is about honoring the people who built these places and the law that made them possible. We are prepared to stay in this fight as long as it takes."
"President Trump's proclamations, which removed protections from countless objects of scientific and historic importance, are plainly illegal, just as they were in 2017 when he first attacked these treasured monuments," said Heidi McIntosh, managing attorney for Earthjustice's Rocky Mountain Office. "The law has not changed. The Antiquities Act authorizes a president to do just one thing: to designate a national monument, not to dismantle it. Trump's actions are an attack not just on the Antiquities Act, but on the nation's rich cultural and natural heritage."
"The Trump and Cox administrations are cynically undermining the Antiquities Act to support their extreme anti-conservation ideology," said Laura Welp, Southern Utah director with Western Watersheds Project. "Destroying these national monuments serves only their political and business allies, not the public. This partisan attack on some of the nation's last best places is bad for wildlife, bad for native ecosystems, and bad for the country."
"Let's call it what it is: a boon to big business," said Reba Elliott, executive director of Great Old Broads for Wilderness. "Everyone who's visited this beautiful place loves it. It's a place that grandmas and grandpas want to keep for their grandkids forever. Having it turned over to big business is the last thing the land needs-and the last thing the people want."
National monuments provide economic benefits to local economies, creating jobs, enhancing communities and boosting local outdoor recreation economies across the country. Monuments are also incredibly popular.
A 2026 State of the Rockies poll found that 91% of Western voters say existing national monument designations should be kept in place. Contrary to Trump's statements, the monuments offer numerous opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and education and see over a million visitors combined annually. These activities and visitors are vital economic drivers for the rural communities that serve as gateways to the monuments.
Earthjustice represents The Wilderness Society, National Parks Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Western Watersheds Project, WildEarth Guardians, and the Center for Biological Diversity in the litigation. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) are co-plaintiffs, represented by their own counsel.
Because the existing cases are currently stayed, the plaintiffs also asked the court to reopen the cases and formally requested permission to file the updated complaints. (see 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Photos of both national monuments are available here: https://medialibrary.earthjustice.org/share/083E8A8D-5C8A-474D-9783139D836B7ACE/
* * *
Original text here: https://wildearthguardians.org/press-releases/conservation-groups-challenge-trumps-decimation-of-two-national-monuments-in-utah/
[Category: Environment]
* * *
Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah
Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court
-
Washington, DC - Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challenge ... Show Full Article SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 3 -- WildEarth Guardians posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court - Washington, DC - Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challengeboth sets of illegal proclamations together.
Conservation groups were joined by two additional coalitions of monument supporters, who also filed to renew their litigation on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante today.
"Slashing protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments is unlawful and disregards the Tribes who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial," said Charlie Luke, The Wilderness Society Utah state director. "These protections were put in place for a reason: to safeguard cultural resources, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and the freedom of future generations to experience these lands. The Wilderness Society will continue this fight in court to ensure our treasured Utah national monuments remain protected."
"Not only is the attempt to slash Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments illegal, it's also deeply unpopular," said Michael Toll, staff attorney for the Grand Canyon Trust. "A 2024 poll found that more than 70% of Utah voters supported keeping Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante protected as national monuments; these illegal cuts are wildly out of touch with what the majority of Utahns want."
In July, President Trump illegally redrew the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, reducing both monuments by more than 90%. The attack was one of the largest rollbacks of public lands protections in U.S. history, cutting a million acres more than the 2017 reductions.
Multiple mining claims were filed in both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante immediately after Trump decimated the monuments. Conservation groups have urged the Bureau of Land Management to reject the premature and unlawful claims.
"Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante should have never been put in jeopardy to begin with as no president has the authority to erase or shrink national monuments," said Erika Pollard, Southwest campaign director with the National Parks Conservation Association. "These monuments are among the most beloved public lands in Utah, visited by millions who also travel to neighboring national park sites - Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Glen Canyon and Natural Bridges. Attempting to dismantle the groundbreaking Bears Ears Commission and co-stewardship structures is an insult to the Tribal Nations that deserve a leading role in managing their ancestral lands. Support for these monuments has never wavered and neither will our fight to protect them."
"The gutting of these two monuments is yet another example of this administration rewarding industry with special access to the public's land and resources," said Chris Krupp, public lands attorney for WildEarth Guardians. "Trump didn't unlock the monument for recreation, as he dishonestly claimed, but he did open up a cherished landscape to mining. It's no surprise mining companies are already taking advantage of that."
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes presidents to designate national monuments, but it does not give them the power to shrink the monuments created by their predecessors or to undercut their protections. Congress's intent was clear: the Antiquities Act must be used to protect the nation's archaeological, cultural, and scientific wonders.
"President Trump cannot erase America's national monuments with the stroke of a pen. The Antiquities Act gives presidents the authority to protect places like Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears, not dismantle them for mining and other industrial interests," said Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program. "The monuments preserve an irreplaceable cultural landscape, world-renowned fossil resources, and extraordinary wildlands that are shared by all of us. We're going to court because the law is clear, and future generations deserve to inherit these remarkable places with the protections they were promised."
"President Trump's unlawful attack dismantling Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments was a dark day for America and our nation's long tradition of protecting parks, monuments and wild places for current and future generations," said Steve Bloch, legal director at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). "With the filing of these lawsuits, we intend to make sure Trump doesn't have the final word over the fate of these treasured landscapes. We'll be watching closely for on-the-ground mischief like new mining claims and illegal vehicle use and are ready to swing into action to protect the monuments from any activities that can leave lasting damage."
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument -- home to dinosaur fossils not found anywhere else in the world -- is often described as a "dinosaur Shangri-la." It was established as a national monument in 1996, and in the two decades since it was protected, paleontologists have unearthed fossils from 21 previously undiscovered dinosaur species.
The region also holds great cultural significance to numerous Tribes. It is renowned for the remarkable geologic features for which it is named -- a series of massive, stepped cliff formations that form, literally, a grand staircase. It is home to serpentine canyons that provide endless hiking adventures and streams that support diverse populations of native plant and animal life.
"The big lies behind these illegal rollbacks aren't fooling anyone. The truth is the Trump administration is trying to sell out two of America's most iconic national monuments to benefit oil and mining corporations," said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "Grand Staircase and Bears Ears belong to the American people, not corporate polluters. We'll fight like hell to ensure their remarkable biodiversity and rich cultural landscapes are protected for future generations."
Bears Ears National Monument is home to cliff dwellings and other structures built by the Ancestral Puebloan people, more than 100,000 Native American cultural sites, innumerable historic landmarks, and iconic wildlife such as bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. Tribes continue to visit the lands to hold ceremonies and connect with their ancestors.
The 2016 monument designation included a historic plan for co-management of this unique landscape by federal agencies and five Tribes (the Bears Ears Commission) with sacred cultural interests in the lands.
"These monuments protect places that took millions of years to form. President Trump is trying to destroy them with a stroke of a pen. That cannot stand," said Christy Goldfuss, executive director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "The administration is trying to force this through by executive fiat. The Antiquities Act does not work that way. Presidents have the power to create national monuments to protect what belongs to all of us, but Congress never gave them the power to tear those monuments down. Once you open these lands to mining and drilling, what gets lost is not coming back--ancient cliff dwellings, dinosaur fossils found nowhere else on Earth, sacred sites tied to the Tribal Nations. Tribes led the fight for Bears Ears. Local communities, ranchers, scientists, and outfitters built the record behind Grand Staircase-Escalante. Three in four Utahns want these monuments kept whole. This lawsuit is about honoring the people who built these places and the law that made them possible. We are prepared to stay in this fight as long as it takes."
"President Trump's proclamations, which removed protections from countless objects of scientific and historic importance, are plainly illegal, just as they were in 2017 when he first attacked these treasured monuments," said Heidi McIntosh, managing attorney for Earthjustice's Rocky Mountain Office. "The law has not changed. The Antiquities Act authorizes a president to do just one thing: to designate a national monument, not to dismantle it. Trump's actions are an attack not just on the Antiquities Act, but on the nation's rich cultural and natural heritage."
"The Trump and Cox administrations are cynically undermining the Antiquities Act to support their extreme anti-conservation ideology," said Laura Welp, Southern Utah director with Western Watersheds Project. "Destroying these national monuments serves only their political and business allies, not the public. This partisan attack on some of the nation's last best places is bad for wildlife, bad for native ecosystems, and bad for the country."
"Let's call it what it is: a boon to big business," said Reba Elliott, executive director of Great Old Broads for Wilderness. "Everyone who's visited this beautiful place loves it. It's a place that grandmas and grandpas want to keep for their grandkids forever. Having it turned over to big business is the last thing the land needs-and the last thing the people want."
National monuments provide economic benefits to local economies, creating jobs, enhancing communities and boosting local outdoor recreation economies across the country. Monuments are also incredibly popular.
A 2026 State of the Rockies poll found that 91% of Western voters say existing national monument designations should be kept in place. Contrary to Trump's statements, the monuments offer numerous opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and education and see over a million visitors combined annually. These activities and visitors are vital economic drivers for the rural communities that serve as gateways to the monuments.
Earthjustice represents The Wilderness Society, National Parks Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Western Watersheds Project, WildEarth Guardians, and the Center for Biological Diversity in the litigation. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) are co-plaintiffs, represented by their own counsel.
Because the existing cases are currently stayed, the plaintiffs also asked the court to reopen the cases and formally requested permission to file the updated complaints. (see 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Photos of both national monuments are available here: https://medialibrary.earthjustice.org/share/083E8A8D-5C8A-474D-9783139D836B7ACE/
* * *
Original text here: https://wildearthguardians.org/press-releases/conservation-groups-challenge-trumps-decimation-of-two-national-monuments-in-utah/
[Category: Environment]
Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah
HAILEY, Idaho, Sept. 3 -- The Western Watersheds Project posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026:
* * *
Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah
Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court
-
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challenge ... Show Full Article HAILEY, Idaho, Sept. 3 -- The Western Watersheds Project posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court - WASHINGTON, D.C. --Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challengeboth sets of illegal proclamations together.
Conservation groups were joined by two additional coalitions of monument supporters, who also filed to renew their litigation on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante today.
"Slashing protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments is unlawful and disregards the Tribes who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial," said Charlie Luke, The Wilderness Society Utah state director. "These protections were put in place for a reason: to safeguard cultural resources, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and the freedom of future generations to experience these lands. The Wilderness Society will continue this fight in court to ensure our treasured Utah national monuments remain protected."
"Not only is the attempt to slash Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments illegal, it's also deeply unpopular," said Michael Toll, staff attorney for the Grand Canyon Trust. "A 2024 poll found that more than 70% of Utah voters supported keeping Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante protected as national monuments; these illegal cuts are wildly out of touch with what the majority of Utahns want."
In July, President Trump illegally redrew the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, reducing both monuments by more than 90%. The attack was one of the largest rollbacks of public lands protections in U.S. history, cutting a million acres more than the 2017 reductions.
Multiple mining claims were filed in both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante immediately after Trump decimated the monuments. Conservation groups have urged the Bureau of Land Management to reject the premature and unlawful claims.
"Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante should have never been put in jeopardy to begin with as no president has the authority to erase or shrink national monuments," said Erika Pollard, Southwest campaign director with the National Parks Conservation Association. "These monuments are among the most beloved public lands in Utah, visited by millions who also travel to neighboring national park sites - Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Glen Canyon and Natural Bridges. Attempting to dismantle the groundbreaking Bears Ears Commission and co-stewardship structures is an insult to the Tribal Nations that deserve a leading role in managing their ancestral lands. Support for these monuments has never wavered and neither will our fight to protect them."
"The gutting of these two monuments is yet another example of this administration rewarding industry with special access to the public's land and resources," said Chris Krupp, public lands attorney for WildEarth Guardians. "Trump didn't unlock the monument for recreation, as he dishonestly claimed, but he did open up a cherished landscape to mining. It's no surprise mining companies are already taking advantage of that."
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes presidents to designate national monuments, but it does not give them the power to shrink the monuments created by their predecessors or to undercut their protections. Congress's intent was clear: the Antiquities Act must be used to protect the nation's archaeological, cultural, and scientific wonders.
"President Trump cannot erase America's national monuments with the stroke of a pen. The Antiquities Act gives presidents the authority to protect places like Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears, not dismantle them for mining and other industrial interests," said Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program. "The monuments preserve an irreplaceable cultural landscape, world-renowned fossil resources, and extraordinary wildlands that are shared by all of us. We're going to court because the law is clear, and future generations deserve to inherit these remarkable places with the protections they were promised."
"President Trump's unlawful attack dismantling Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments was a dark day for America and our nation's long tradition of protecting parks, monuments and wild places for current and future generations," said Steve Bloch, legal director at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). "With the filing of these lawsuits, we intend to make sure Trump doesn't have the final word over the fate of these treasured landscapes. We'll be watching closely for on-the-ground mischief like new mining claims and illegal vehicle use and are ready to swing into action to protect the monuments from any activities that can leave lasting damage."
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument -- home to dinosaur fossils not found anywhere else in the world -- is often described as a "dinosaur Shangri-la." It was established as a national monument in 1996, and in the two decades since it was protected, paleontologists have unearthed fossils from 21 previously undiscovered dinosaur species.
The region also holds great cultural significance to numerous Tribes. It is renowned for the remarkable geologic features for which it is named -- a series of massive, stepped cliff formations that form, literally, a grand staircase. It is home to serpentine canyons that provide endless hiking adventures and streams that support diverse populations of native plant and animal life.
"The big lies behind these illegal rollbacks aren't fooling anyone. The truth is the Trump administration is trying to sell out two of America's most iconic national monuments to benefit oil and mining corporations," said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "Grand Staircase and Bears Ears belong to the American people, not corporate polluters. We'll fight like hell to ensure their remarkable biodiversity and rich cultural landscapes are protected for future generations."
Bears Ears National Monument is home to cliff dwellings and other structures built by the Ancestral Puebloan people, more than 100,000 Native American cultural sites, innumerable historic landmarks, and iconic wildlife such as bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. Tribes continue to visit the lands to hold ceremonies and connect with their ancestors.
The 2016 monument designation included a historic plan for co-management of this unique landscape by federal agencies and five Tribes (the Bears Ears Commission) with sacred cultural interests in the lands.
"These monuments protect places that took millions of years to form. President Trump is trying to destroy them with a stroke of a pen. That cannot stand," said Christy Goldfuss, executive director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "The administration is trying to force this through by executive fiat. The Antiquities Act does not work that way. Presidents have the power to create national monuments to protect what belongs to all of us, but Congress never gave them the power to tear those monuments down. Once you open these lands to mining and drilling, what gets lost is not coming back--ancient cliff dwellings, dinosaur fossils found nowhere else on Earth, sacred sites tied to the Tribal Nations. Tribes led the fight for Bears Ears. Local communities, ranchers, scientists, and outfitters built the record behind Grand Staircase-Escalante. Three in four Utahns want these monuments kept whole. This lawsuit is about honoring the people who built these places and the law that made them possible. We are prepared to stay in this fight as long as it takes."
"President Trump's proclamations, which removed protections from countless objects of scientific and historic importance, are plainly illegal, just as they were in 2017 when he first attacked these treasured monuments," said Heidi McIntosh, managing attorney for Earthjustice's Rocky Mountain Office. "The law has not changed. The Antiquities Act authorizes a president to do just one thing: to designate a national monument, not to dismantle it. Trump's actions are an attack not just on the Antiquities Act, but on the nation's rich cultural and natural heritage."
"The Trump and Cox administrations are cynically undermining the Antiquities Act to support their extreme anti-conservation ideology," said Laura Welp, Southern Utah director with Western Watersheds Project. "Destroying these national monuments serves only their political and business allies, not the public. This partisan attack on some of the nation's last best places is bad for wildlife, bad for native ecosystems, and bad for the country."
"Let's call it what it is: a boon to big business," said Reba Elliott, executive director of Great Old Broads for Wilderness. "Everyone who's visited this beautiful place loves it. It's a place that grandmas and grandpas want to keep for their grandkids forever. Having it turned over to big business is the last thing the land needs-and the last thing the people want."
National monuments provide economic benefits to local economies, creating jobs, enhancing communities and boosting local outdoor recreation economies across the country. Monuments are also incredibly popular.
A 2026 State of the Rockies poll found that 91% of Western voters say existing national monument designations should be kept in place. Contrary to Trump's statements, the monuments offer numerous opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and education and see over a million visitors combined annually. These activities and visitors are vital economic drivers for the rural communities that serve as gateways to the monuments.
Earthjustice represents The Wilderness Society, National Parks Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Western Watersheds Project, WildEarth Guardians, and the Center for Biological Diversity in the litigation. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) are co-plaintiffs, represented by their own counsel.
Because the existing cases are currently stayed, the plaintiffs also asked the court to reopen the cases and formally requested permission to file the updated complaints. (see 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Photos of both national monuments are available here: https://medialibrary.earthjustice.org/share/083E8A8D-5C8A-474D-9783139D836B7ACE/
* * *
Original text here: https://www.westernwatersheds.org/2026/09/conservation-groups-challenge-trumps-decimation-of-two-national-monuments-in-utah/
[Category: Environment]
* * *
Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah
Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court
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WASHINGTON, D.C. --Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challenge ... Show Full Article HAILEY, Idaho, Sept. 3 -- The Western Watersheds Project posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * Conservation Groups Challenge Trump's Decimation of Two National Monuments in Utah Supplemental complaints to reactivate 2017 monuments litigation in DC District Court - WASHINGTON, D.C. --Conservation groups today challenged President Trump's July 2026 unlawful decimation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Southern Utah. The groups filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to reactivate litigation against Trump's 2017 monument rollbacks and challengeboth sets of illegal proclamations together.
Conservation groups were joined by two additional coalitions of monument supporters, who also filed to renew their litigation on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante today.
"Slashing protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments is unlawful and disregards the Tribes who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial," said Charlie Luke, The Wilderness Society Utah state director. "These protections were put in place for a reason: to safeguard cultural resources, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and the freedom of future generations to experience these lands. The Wilderness Society will continue this fight in court to ensure our treasured Utah national monuments remain protected."
"Not only is the attempt to slash Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments illegal, it's also deeply unpopular," said Michael Toll, staff attorney for the Grand Canyon Trust. "A 2024 poll found that more than 70% of Utah voters supported keeping Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante protected as national monuments; these illegal cuts are wildly out of touch with what the majority of Utahns want."
In July, President Trump illegally redrew the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, reducing both monuments by more than 90%. The attack was one of the largest rollbacks of public lands protections in U.S. history, cutting a million acres more than the 2017 reductions.
Multiple mining claims were filed in both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante immediately after Trump decimated the monuments. Conservation groups have urged the Bureau of Land Management to reject the premature and unlawful claims.
"Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante should have never been put in jeopardy to begin with as no president has the authority to erase or shrink national monuments," said Erika Pollard, Southwest campaign director with the National Parks Conservation Association. "These monuments are among the most beloved public lands in Utah, visited by millions who also travel to neighboring national park sites - Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Glen Canyon and Natural Bridges. Attempting to dismantle the groundbreaking Bears Ears Commission and co-stewardship structures is an insult to the Tribal Nations that deserve a leading role in managing their ancestral lands. Support for these monuments has never wavered and neither will our fight to protect them."
"The gutting of these two monuments is yet another example of this administration rewarding industry with special access to the public's land and resources," said Chris Krupp, public lands attorney for WildEarth Guardians. "Trump didn't unlock the monument for recreation, as he dishonestly claimed, but he did open up a cherished landscape to mining. It's no surprise mining companies are already taking advantage of that."
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes presidents to designate national monuments, but it does not give them the power to shrink the monuments created by their predecessors or to undercut their protections. Congress's intent was clear: the Antiquities Act must be used to protect the nation's archaeological, cultural, and scientific wonders.
"President Trump cannot erase America's national monuments with the stroke of a pen. The Antiquities Act gives presidents the authority to protect places like Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears, not dismantle them for mining and other industrial interests," said Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program. "The monuments preserve an irreplaceable cultural landscape, world-renowned fossil resources, and extraordinary wildlands that are shared by all of us. We're going to court because the law is clear, and future generations deserve to inherit these remarkable places with the protections they were promised."
"President Trump's unlawful attack dismantling Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments was a dark day for America and our nation's long tradition of protecting parks, monuments and wild places for current and future generations," said Steve Bloch, legal director at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). "With the filing of these lawsuits, we intend to make sure Trump doesn't have the final word over the fate of these treasured landscapes. We'll be watching closely for on-the-ground mischief like new mining claims and illegal vehicle use and are ready to swing into action to protect the monuments from any activities that can leave lasting damage."
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument -- home to dinosaur fossils not found anywhere else in the world -- is often described as a "dinosaur Shangri-la." It was established as a national monument in 1996, and in the two decades since it was protected, paleontologists have unearthed fossils from 21 previously undiscovered dinosaur species.
The region also holds great cultural significance to numerous Tribes. It is renowned for the remarkable geologic features for which it is named -- a series of massive, stepped cliff formations that form, literally, a grand staircase. It is home to serpentine canyons that provide endless hiking adventures and streams that support diverse populations of native plant and animal life.
"The big lies behind these illegal rollbacks aren't fooling anyone. The truth is the Trump administration is trying to sell out two of America's most iconic national monuments to benefit oil and mining corporations," said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "Grand Staircase and Bears Ears belong to the American people, not corporate polluters. We'll fight like hell to ensure their remarkable biodiversity and rich cultural landscapes are protected for future generations."
Bears Ears National Monument is home to cliff dwellings and other structures built by the Ancestral Puebloan people, more than 100,000 Native American cultural sites, innumerable historic landmarks, and iconic wildlife such as bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. Tribes continue to visit the lands to hold ceremonies and connect with their ancestors.
The 2016 monument designation included a historic plan for co-management of this unique landscape by federal agencies and five Tribes (the Bears Ears Commission) with sacred cultural interests in the lands.
"These monuments protect places that took millions of years to form. President Trump is trying to destroy them with a stroke of a pen. That cannot stand," said Christy Goldfuss, executive director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "The administration is trying to force this through by executive fiat. The Antiquities Act does not work that way. Presidents have the power to create national monuments to protect what belongs to all of us, but Congress never gave them the power to tear those monuments down. Once you open these lands to mining and drilling, what gets lost is not coming back--ancient cliff dwellings, dinosaur fossils found nowhere else on Earth, sacred sites tied to the Tribal Nations. Tribes led the fight for Bears Ears. Local communities, ranchers, scientists, and outfitters built the record behind Grand Staircase-Escalante. Three in four Utahns want these monuments kept whole. This lawsuit is about honoring the people who built these places and the law that made them possible. We are prepared to stay in this fight as long as it takes."
"President Trump's proclamations, which removed protections from countless objects of scientific and historic importance, are plainly illegal, just as they were in 2017 when he first attacked these treasured monuments," said Heidi McIntosh, managing attorney for Earthjustice's Rocky Mountain Office. "The law has not changed. The Antiquities Act authorizes a president to do just one thing: to designate a national monument, not to dismantle it. Trump's actions are an attack not just on the Antiquities Act, but on the nation's rich cultural and natural heritage."
"The Trump and Cox administrations are cynically undermining the Antiquities Act to support their extreme anti-conservation ideology," said Laura Welp, Southern Utah director with Western Watersheds Project. "Destroying these national monuments serves only their political and business allies, not the public. This partisan attack on some of the nation's last best places is bad for wildlife, bad for native ecosystems, and bad for the country."
"Let's call it what it is: a boon to big business," said Reba Elliott, executive director of Great Old Broads for Wilderness. "Everyone who's visited this beautiful place loves it. It's a place that grandmas and grandpas want to keep for their grandkids forever. Having it turned over to big business is the last thing the land needs-and the last thing the people want."
National monuments provide economic benefits to local economies, creating jobs, enhancing communities and boosting local outdoor recreation economies across the country. Monuments are also incredibly popular.
A 2026 State of the Rockies poll found that 91% of Western voters say existing national monument designations should be kept in place. Contrary to Trump's statements, the monuments offer numerous opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and education and see over a million visitors combined annually. These activities and visitors are vital economic drivers for the rural communities that serve as gateways to the monuments.
Earthjustice represents The Wilderness Society, National Parks Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Western Watersheds Project, WildEarth Guardians, and the Center for Biological Diversity in the litigation. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) are co-plaintiffs, represented by their own counsel.
Because the existing cases are currently stayed, the plaintiffs also asked the court to reopen the cases and formally requested permission to file the updated complaints. (see 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Photos of both national monuments are available here: https://medialibrary.earthjustice.org/share/083E8A8D-5C8A-474D-9783139D836B7ACE/
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Original text here: https://www.westernwatersheds.org/2026/09/conservation-groups-challenge-trumps-decimation-of-two-national-monuments-in-utah/
[Category: Environment]
CAIR-Arizona Condemns Fatal Tucson Hate Crime Shooting
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026:
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CAIR-Arizona Condemns Fatal Tucson Hate Crime Shooting
The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona) today condemned the deadly shooting outside a bar in Tucson that left two men dead and expressed outrage over the hate crime.
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
"We mourn the lives lost in this horrific act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the victims' families, friends, and loved ones. We ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * CAIR-Arizona Condemns Fatal Tucson Hate Crime Shooting The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona) today condemned the deadly shooting outside a bar in Tucson that left two men dead and expressed outrage over the hate crime. In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said: "We mourn the lives lost in this horrific act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the victims' families, friends, and loved ones. Weare disgusted by this hate crime and unequivocally condemn it. Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and protected in their community. We urge law enforcement to continue a thorough and transparent investigation and ensure full accountability under Arizona and federal law for anyone else involved."
Community members are encouraged to REPORTany bias incident, threat, or hate crime to law enforcement and to CAIR-Arizona.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-arizona-condemns-fatal-tucson-hate-crime-shooting/
[Category: Sociological]
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CAIR-Arizona Condemns Fatal Tucson Hate Crime Shooting
The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona) today condemned the deadly shooting outside a bar in Tucson that left two men dead and expressed outrage over the hate crime.
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
"We mourn the lives lost in this horrific act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the victims' families, friends, and loved ones. We ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * CAIR-Arizona Condemns Fatal Tucson Hate Crime Shooting The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona) today condemned the deadly shooting outside a bar in Tucson that left two men dead and expressed outrage over the hate crime. In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said: "We mourn the lives lost in this horrific act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the victims' families, friends, and loved ones. Weare disgusted by this hate crime and unequivocally condemn it. Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and protected in their community. We urge law enforcement to continue a thorough and transparent investigation and ensure full accountability under Arizona and federal law for anyone else involved."
Community members are encouraged to REPORTany bias incident, threat, or hate crime to law enforcement and to CAIR-Arizona.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-arizona-condemns-fatal-tucson-hate-crime-shooting/
[Category: Sociological]
Alianza Americas: Pierre Damas Bel's Death is a Painful Cry of the Pain Inflicted by the Politics of Cruelty
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 3 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following statement on Sept. 2, 2026:
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Pierre Damas Bel's death is a painful cry of the pain inflicted by the politics of cruelty. It Needs to Stop Now!
Pierre's death is a painful reminder of the human consequences of immigration policies rooted in punishment, surveillance, and cruelty.
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Yesterday, a young Haitian man took his life on the highway. Pierre Damas Bel was a freshman at Wright State University, where he dreamed of majoring in neuroscience ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 3 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following statement on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * Pierre Damas Bel's death is a painful cry of the pain inflicted by the politics of cruelty. It Needs to Stop Now! Pierre's death is a painful reminder of the human consequences of immigration policies rooted in punishment, surveillance, and cruelty. - Yesterday, a young Haitian man took his life on the highway. Pierre Damas Bel was a freshman at Wright State University, where he dreamed of majoring in neuroscienceand psychology. Pierre was only 20 years old and, after playing soccer on the Springfield City School District varsity team, hoped to continue playing in college. He was a strong student, and as he described on his social media, he had worked hard and should be looking forward to a bright future.
But, with the stroke of a pen and without assessing conditions in Haiti, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin terminated TPS for Haiti. TPS has been terminated for Afghanistan, Burma, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Syria, and Venezuela by the current administration. Only El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan, and Lebanon remain active with termination dates in September, October, and November 2026, respectively. Decisions have been made regardless of the country's conditions, how long TPS holders have lived in the U.S., or those countries' ability to receive and reintegrate them and their families.
Immigration enforcement has become the practice of cruelty by all means and at any cost. Violent arrests, detention in inadequate conditions, deportations -including deportations to third countries-, and separation of families, all with no due process rights protections, are key components of immigration cruelty. The latest strategy in a myriad of efforts to coerce people to return to their countries of origin has been an increase in arrests and releases with ankle monitors, with the understanding of the unfortunate and cruel stigma associated with them. Springfield, Ohio, felt the brunt of this strategy, a town that became nationally known for then-candidate Trump's offensive and absurd claims during a presidential debate.
Many immigrants feel particularly dehumanized when ICE agents affix an ankle monitor to them. Alianza Americas opposes the use of ankle monitors and other forms of electronic surveillance against TPS holders and all other immigrants. TPS recipients have undergone repeated background checks, fingerprinting, and government vetting to maintain their status. Subjecting them to ankle monitors or unnecessary check-ins is punitive, stigmatizing, and unjustified. Many have lived in the United States with government authorization for years or even decades. They should not be treated as a public safety or flight risk simply because of their immigration status. We must also recognize that immigration irregularity is not a choice: many immigrants never had a viable pathway to enter lawfully, obtain a visa, or secure permanent residence.
We call on schools, universities, and all communities to inform and educate on the limitations of the current immigration system, and to understand the pain and suffering that a person with an ankle monitor carries. When cruelty is the policy, we all suffer.
Alianza Americas mourns the loss of Pierre Damas Bel and stands with his family, friends, and community in this moment of profound grief. Pierre's death is a painful reminder of the human consequences of immigration policies rooted in punishment, surveillance, and cruelty. No one should be subjected to this treatment simply because of their immigration status. These practices must end. We call on our communities and our government to reject policies that inflict suffering and affirm the dignity and humanity of every person.
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Original text here: https://www.alianzaamericas.org/post/pierre-damas-bels-death-is-a-painful-cry-of-the-pain-inflicted-by-the-politics-of-cruelty-it-needs-to-stop-now
[Category: Political]
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Pierre Damas Bel's death is a painful cry of the pain inflicted by the politics of cruelty. It Needs to Stop Now!
Pierre's death is a painful reminder of the human consequences of immigration policies rooted in punishment, surveillance, and cruelty.
-
Yesterday, a young Haitian man took his life on the highway. Pierre Damas Bel was a freshman at Wright State University, where he dreamed of majoring in neuroscience ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 3 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following statement on Sept. 2, 2026: * * * Pierre Damas Bel's death is a painful cry of the pain inflicted by the politics of cruelty. It Needs to Stop Now! Pierre's death is a painful reminder of the human consequences of immigration policies rooted in punishment, surveillance, and cruelty. - Yesterday, a young Haitian man took his life on the highway. Pierre Damas Bel was a freshman at Wright State University, where he dreamed of majoring in neuroscienceand psychology. Pierre was only 20 years old and, after playing soccer on the Springfield City School District varsity team, hoped to continue playing in college. He was a strong student, and as he described on his social media, he had worked hard and should be looking forward to a bright future.
But, with the stroke of a pen and without assessing conditions in Haiti, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin terminated TPS for Haiti. TPS has been terminated for Afghanistan, Burma, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Syria, and Venezuela by the current administration. Only El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan, and Lebanon remain active with termination dates in September, October, and November 2026, respectively. Decisions have been made regardless of the country's conditions, how long TPS holders have lived in the U.S., or those countries' ability to receive and reintegrate them and their families.
Immigration enforcement has become the practice of cruelty by all means and at any cost. Violent arrests, detention in inadequate conditions, deportations -including deportations to third countries-, and separation of families, all with no due process rights protections, are key components of immigration cruelty. The latest strategy in a myriad of efforts to coerce people to return to their countries of origin has been an increase in arrests and releases with ankle monitors, with the understanding of the unfortunate and cruel stigma associated with them. Springfield, Ohio, felt the brunt of this strategy, a town that became nationally known for then-candidate Trump's offensive and absurd claims during a presidential debate.
Many immigrants feel particularly dehumanized when ICE agents affix an ankle monitor to them. Alianza Americas opposes the use of ankle monitors and other forms of electronic surveillance against TPS holders and all other immigrants. TPS recipients have undergone repeated background checks, fingerprinting, and government vetting to maintain their status. Subjecting them to ankle monitors or unnecessary check-ins is punitive, stigmatizing, and unjustified. Many have lived in the United States with government authorization for years or even decades. They should not be treated as a public safety or flight risk simply because of their immigration status. We must also recognize that immigration irregularity is not a choice: many immigrants never had a viable pathway to enter lawfully, obtain a visa, or secure permanent residence.
We call on schools, universities, and all communities to inform and educate on the limitations of the current immigration system, and to understand the pain and suffering that a person with an ankle monitor carries. When cruelty is the policy, we all suffer.
Alianza Americas mourns the loss of Pierre Damas Bel and stands with his family, friends, and community in this moment of profound grief. Pierre's death is a painful reminder of the human consequences of immigration policies rooted in punishment, surveillance, and cruelty. No one should be subjected to this treatment simply because of their immigration status. These practices must end. We call on our communities and our government to reject policies that inflict suffering and affirm the dignity and humanity of every person.
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Original text here: https://www.alianzaamericas.org/post/pierre-damas-bels-death-is-a-painful-cry-of-the-pain-inflicted-by-the-politics-of-cruelty-it-needs-to-stop-now
[Category: Political]