Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Save the Children, Mattel and Amazon MGM Studios Launch Global Campaign for 'Masters of the Universe' Film
WESTPORT, Connecticut, April 30 -- Save the Children, an organization that says it is giving children a healthy start in life, opportunity to learn and protection from harm, posted the following news release on April 28, 2026:
* * *
Save the Children, Mattel and Amazon MGM Studios Launch Global Campaign for "Masters of the Universe" Film
Partnership will mobilize fandom to create real-world impact for children worldwide
*
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Global humanitarian organization Save the Children today announced its participation in a worldwide social impact campaign with Mattel, Inc., a leading
... Show Full Article
WESTPORT, Connecticut, April 30 -- Save the Children, an organization that says it is giving children a healthy start in life, opportunity to learn and protection from harm, posted the following news release on April 28, 2026:
* * *
Save the Children, Mattel and Amazon MGM Studios Launch Global Campaign for "Masters of the Universe" Film
Partnership will mobilize fandom to create real-world impact for children worldwide
*
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Global humanitarian organization Save the Children today announced its participation in a worldwide social impact campaign with Mattel, Inc., a leadingglobal play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, alongside Amazon MGM Studios tied to the upcoming "Masters of the Universe" movie, which will be released theatrically June 5.
To celebrate the campaign's launch, fans will enjoy a special message from the film's heroes Nicholas Galitzine (Adam/He-Man), Camila Mendes (Teela), and Idris Elba (Duncan), inspiring them to give back and harness their very own power. Starting April 28, on "Masters of the Universe Day" as declared by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley in 1987, fans can support children worldwide by giving via Pledge or by texting HERO to 707070, with all donations benefitting Save the Children directly.
Masters of the Universe has spread a message of finding power from within for more than 40 years. The campaign transforms the idea that "You Have the Power!" into a global movement, mobilizing fans to help children around the world have a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm.
Clare Rodger, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Save the Children U.S., said: "The long-standing partnership we've built with Mattel around our shared commitment to help children learn, play, and thrive has lasted for 20 years. Today, we're excited to invite Masters of the Universe fans to become heroes in the real world. Heroism doesn't stop at the screen, and this campaign shows how every action can help shape brighter futures and better outcomes for children across the U.S. and around the world."
Nancy Molenda, Vice President of Global Corporate Events and Philanthropy at Mattel, said: "Masters of the Universe has inspired generations to discover their inner power. Through this campaign, we're extending that legacy to children who need it most--working with Amazon MGM Studios and Save the Children to provide the confidence, resources, and support they need to shape their futures."
Stephen Bruno, Head of Film Marketing at Amazon MGM Studios, said: "Amazon MGM Studios is honored to support this campaign with Mattel and Save the Children, bringing the ethos of Masters of the Universe beyond the screen to help create real-world impact. It's a powerful way to connect fandom with purpose and show that heroism can make a difference in communities everywhere.
James Citron, CEO of Pledge, said: "At Pledge, we believe everyone has the power within to create change. By bringing 'You Have the Power!' to life, this campaign shows how fandom and community can drive real-world impact for children around the globe."
Mattel has partnered with Save the Children for more than 20 years, building a longstanding relationship focused on reaching children who are too often overlooked and supporting them to build brighter futures. The Masters of the Universe campaign is part of Mattel's Play It Forward initiative, which harnesses Mattel's brands, partners, and fans to create meaningful impact for children around the world. Through Play It Forward, Mattel has supported kids in underserved communities, rural areas, and regions impacted by crisis and disaster, helping ensure they have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
From today through and beyond the movie's global release date of June 5, retail activations supporting children, immersive experiential moments, community screenings with local organizations, and #YouHaveThePower fan content will keep the momentum going. For more information, visit Pledge.to/MOTU-X-Save-The-Children.
* * *
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie(R), Hot Wheels(R), Fisher-Price(R), American Girl(R), Thomas & Friends(TM), UNO(R), Masters of the Universe(R), Matchbox(R), Monster High(R), Polly Pocket(R), as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world's leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.
* * *
About Amazon MGM Studios
Amazon MGM Studios is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content. Original series premiere on Prime Video, which is available to watch on hundreds of compatible devices in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Original films are produced and acquired by the studio for theatrical release and exclusively for Prime Video. Amazon MGM Studios also produces content for MGM+, the premium pay television network.
* * *
About Pledge
Named Fast Company #2 Most Innovative company, Pledge is the world's most trusted and #1-rated fundraising platform, powering generosity everywhere. With over $200 million raised for 65,000+ charities in 200+ countries, we partner with leading brands like Mattel, CNN, Zoom, Warner Bros. Discovery, Evite, and Shopify -- meeting donors where they are through a donation platform that makes giving seamless across every channel, from mobile and TV to livestreams and beyond. Our AI-powered tools, partnerships and programs like Free the Fee, which pay the card fees, ensure more dollars reach nonprofits, inspiring a new era of generosity.
* * *
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children - every day and in times of crisis - transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2026-press-releases/save-the-children-mattel-amazon-mgm-studios-launch-global-giveback-campaign
[Category: Sociological]
Protect Our Care: Deadly Repercussions of RFK Jr.'s Anti-Vax Agenda Go Global
WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Protect Our Care issued the following news:
* * *
Deadly Repercussions of RFK Jr.'s Anti-Vax Agenda Go Global
In the week since Trump health secretary RFK Jr. repeatedly lied to Congress that he's "never been anti-vaccine", the consequences of his very real, very dangerous anti-vax agenda continued to mount.
* Politico reports RFK Jr. is deliberately holding up $600 million in Congressionally approved and appropriated funds for international humanitarian group, Gavi that "provides vaccines for 20 diseases, including measles, malaria and polio, to more than 50 low-income
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Protect Our Care issued the following news:
* * *
Deadly Repercussions of RFK Jr.'s Anti-Vax Agenda Go Global
In the week since Trump health secretary RFK Jr. repeatedly lied to Congress that he's "never been anti-vaccine", the consequences of his very real, very dangerous anti-vax agenda continued to mount.
* Politico reports RFK Jr. is deliberately holding up $600 million in Congressionally approved and appropriated funds for international humanitarian group, Gavi that "provides vaccines for 20 diseases, including measles, malaria and polio, to more than 50 low-incomecountries across the globe" - obstruction that is projected to leave "tens of thousands" of people dead.
* Studies published this week in JAMA Pediatrics found that RFK Jr. CDC's "decision to drop the long-standing recommendation that newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth will likely lead to hundreds of additional infections among children, along with more cases of liver cancer, deaths and millions in added health care costs." While a federal judge has put a temporary pause on the guidance, Kennedy is actively working to skirt the ruling to make it easier to jam through these types of unfounded anti-vax policies.
* STAT reports RFK Jr. blew off a promise he made during Congressional hearings to "share a controversial vaccine research contract by last Friday". Kennedy is suspiciously withholding "information on David Geier, a longtime vaccine critic who was hired to review vaccine data."
"RFK Jr., the guy who maliciously claimed no vaccine is safe and founded a smear group dedicated to driving down vaccination rates, feigned offense when lawmakers pointed out his well-documented anti-vax rhetoric and policies," said Kayla Hancock, Director of Protect Our Care's Public Health Project. "The minute Kennedy left the Congressional hot seat, it was right back to anti-vax business as usual - from obstructing $600 million in life-saving vaccine aid to poor nations, to stonewalling lawmakers on his secret autism research despite the rigorously debunked claims about vaccines, to scheming to skirt a federal court ruling against his Hepatitis B vaccine rollback that leaves more kids needlessly inflicted with liver cancer. Trump's health secretary can lie all he wants to lawmakers' faces, but it won't cover up the deadly and costly consequences of the administration's anti-vax agenda that worsen by the day."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.protectourcare.org/deadly-repercussions-of-rfk-jr-s-anti-vax-agenda-go-global/
[Category: Health Care]
Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis: Carbon Capture for Gas Power is a High-risk Strategy for EU Countries
LAKEWOOD, Ohio, April 30 (TNSbrep) -- The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis issued the following news release:
* * *
Carbon capture for gas power is a high-risk strategy for EU countries
Key Takeaways:
EU countries should take note of the UK's significant subsidies for gas power with carbon capture and storage (CCS) before betting on similar projects.
High costs, technical challenges and long timelines mean CCS for gas power is a high-risk strategy for EU countries.
Decarbonising gas power stations with hydrogen is more expensive than doing so with CCS.
CCS may divert
... Show Full Article
LAKEWOOD, Ohio, April 30 (TNSbrep) -- The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis issued the following news release:
* * *
Carbon capture for gas power is a high-risk strategy for EU countries
Key Takeaways:
EU countries should take note of the UK's significant subsidies for gas power with carbon capture and storage (CCS) before betting on similar projects.
High costs, technical challenges and long timelines mean CCS for gas power is a high-risk strategy for EU countries.
Decarbonising gas power stations with hydrogen is more expensive than doing so with CCS.
CCS may divertresources away from more cost-effective and technically proven renewable energy solutions.
*
Vast UK subsidies for a planned gas power plant with carbon capture and storage (CCS) should serve as a warning for EU countries considering similar projects, according to new research from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
The UK has earmarked pound sterling23 billion in subsidies for Net Zero Teesside, which aims to be the world's first gas-fired power station with CCS. UK electricity consumers will pay for most of these subsidies.
Given that this single project will account for less than 3% of the UK's 2050 CCS target, the report urges EU Member States to reconsider any attempts to decarbonise gas power plants with CCS.
The European Commission launched the EU's Industrial Carbon Management Strategy in February 2024, prioritising CCS for industrial sectors. But the strategy does not explicitly exclude CCS for power generation, potentially leaving the door open for EU Member States to use the technology for gas power plants.
"Substantial subsidy requirements and underperforming pilot projects mean CCS with gas power is a high-risk strategy for EU countries," said Andrew Reid, an IEEFA energy finance analyst and author of the report. "EU Member States should approach the technology with caution, as it may divert resources away from more cost-effective and technically proven renewable energy solutions."
The report highlights the challenges of using CCS for gas power:
* No track record. Europe has no successful CCS projects attached to gas-fired power facilities.
* High costs. There is little economic incentive for infrastructure owners to apply CCS without subsidies or other forms of financial support.
* Capture rates. Leading carbon capture projects underperform, highlighting the continued technical issues of CCS and the potential for further cost rises.
* Long timelines. CCS projects take 10-15 years to develop because of permitting, infrastructure and cross-border agreements.
* Infrastructure gaps. The EU has no operational carbon dioxide pipeline network.
* Storage. Significant uncertainties remain about long-term carbon dioxide storage potential and the safety of offshore sites.
Given these issues, EU countries may instead aim to decarbonise gas power stations by using hydrogen as a fuel. But this is a much more expensive option that still relies on immature technology.
Because of high fuel prices, hydrogen power plants can be 10 times more expensive than gas CCS units on a levelised cost of electricity basis.
"The cheapest way to decarbonise gas power stations is to reduce the need for them -- through renewables, energy storage and stronger grids," said Reid.
Read the briefing note: https://ieefa.org/articles/carbon-capture-gas-power-high-risk-strategy-eu-countries
* * *
About IEEFA
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) examines issues related to energy markets, trends and policies. The Institute's mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy. www.ieefa.org
* * *
Original text here: https://ieefa.org/articles/carbon-capture-gas-power-high-risk-strategy-eu-countries
[Category: Energy]
Catholic League Issues Commentary: Mamdani's Quest To Rape The Rich
NEW YORK, April 30 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on April 29, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
* * *
MAMDANI'S QUEST TO RAPE THE RICH
Besides an insatiable appetite for control, what defines the Left is an equally insatiable appetite for envy. No one epitomizes these vices today better than New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a young Muslim man born to privilege who has never had a real job.
He recently stuck
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 30 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on April 29, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
* * *
MAMDANI'S QUEST TO RAPE THE RICH
Besides an insatiable appetite for control, what defines the Left is an equally insatiable appetite for envy. No one epitomizes these vices today better than New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a young Muslim man born to privilege who has never had a real job.
He recently stuckhis face into a camera and said, "When I ran for mayor, I said I was going to tax the rich. Well, today we're taxing the rich." He had his proverbial snarky grin on his face, delighted with his decision to fleece the upper class. If he had any integrity, he would include himself and his parents in his rape-the-rich game.
Mamdani has made it plain that he supports the "abolition of private property." Or as he likes to put it, "If there was any system that could guarantee each person housing--whether you call it the abolition of private property or you call it a statewide housing guarantee--it is preferable to what is going on right now."
Calls for the "abolition of private property" are what made Karl Marx famous. It is a basic tenet of communism. Now if Mamdani were honest, he would have to rid himself of his private property holdings, and those of his uber-rich parents. They all sing from the same communist playbook, but in real life they are capitalists par excellence.
Mamdani loves private property so much that he owns four acres of land in Jinja, Uganda. It is worth an estimated $250,000. Not bad for a plot of land with nothing on it (at least for the moment). As one Ugandan told a reporter, "One thing for sure is that Zohran owns not only one land here, but many." He may not be required to report private property holdings that do not generate income, so he can skirt scrutiny. This is the kind of capitalist trick that if done by others would drive him mad.
The working class can barely afford to pay for one wedding, but Mamdani had no problem paying for three of them. The biggest one was in Uganda. He made sure to keep the riff-raff far away. He hired heavily armed men and masked special forces to guard his family's estate, making ICE agents look angelic.
Mommy and daddy are filthy rich. Mira Nair is an international filmmaker and Mahmood Mamdani is a Columbia University professor. He makes $300,000 a year, which is not exactly chump change, especially for a Marxist. She is worth an estimated $5 million. She sold her Manhattan apartment in 2019 for $1.45 million.
Family holdings in Uganda are extensive, going beyond Jinja. Their prize possession is a luxury 5-bedroom villa on two acres of land. It has a pool, gardens and a spectacular view of Lake Victoria. It is worth more than 1 million dollars.
Despite all his loot, Mamdani wants to rape the rich. He is not driven by justice--he is driven by envy. Envy is not identical to jealousy. The jealous want what others have; the envious want to deprive others of what they have. That defines Mamdani.
The Catholic Church considers envy to be one of the seven capital sins. Robert Nisbet, the great American sociologist, got it right when he said, "Of the seven deadly sins, of all states of the human mind indeed, envy is the basest and ugliest. It is also the most corrosive of spiritual and moral fiber in the bearer and the most destructive of the social fabric."
It is bad enough that Mamdani stokes the flames of envy, but what makes him even more detestable is his rank hypocrisy. Pope Francis did not know him, but he knew of his ilk. "Hypocrites are people who pretend, flatter and deceive because they live with a mask over their faces and do not have the courage to face the truth."
Mamdani doesn't have the courage to tell the truth about his enormous wealth. Instead, he pretends to be one of the masses. But he never was and he never will be. He is a nepo-baby foreign investor who is not subject to the consequences of his own economic policies. "Do as I say, not as I do" never sounded more obscene.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.catholicleague.org/mamdanis-quest-to-rape-the-rich/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Calls on States to Oppose Efforts to Dilute Black Political Representation After SCOTUS Ruling Weakening Voting Rights Act
WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on April 29, 2026:
* * *
CAIR Calls on States to Oppose Efforts to Dilute Black Political Representation After SCOTUS Ruling Weakening Voting Rights Act
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on all states to oppose efforts to dilute Black political representation after a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that dealt a blow to protections under the Voting Rights Act.
In a 6-3 ruling, the court significantly
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on April 29, 2026:
* * *
CAIR Calls on States to Oppose Efforts to Dilute Black Political Representation After SCOTUS Ruling Weakening Voting Rights Act
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on all states to oppose efforts to dilute Black political representation after a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that dealt a blow to protections under the Voting Rights Act.
In a 6-3 ruling, the court significantlynarrowed the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, making it substantially harder to challenge voting maps that disproportionately disadvantage minority communities. By requiring plaintiffs to prove intentional discrimination, rather than allowing challenges based on discriminatory outcomes, the decision alters decades of precedent and limits one of the most important legal tools for combating racial inequities in the electoral process.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
"We strongly disagree with the Supreme Court's decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act, which helped undo centuries of racist oppression that excluded Black Americans from the political process.
"State legislators in numerous states have clearly shown an eagerness and a willingness to disenfranchise Black voters when given the opportunity, and today's ruling could increase the risk of new attempts to do so.
"We encourage all state legislators to strongly oppose any efforts to limit the political participation of Black Americans or dilute the presence of Black elected officials."
* * *
CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-states-to-oppose-efforts-to-dilute-black-political-representation-after-scotus-ruling-weakening-voting-rights-act/
[Category: Sociological]
Brady Responds to Trump Administration Decision to Subvert ATF Regulations After Four Years of Declining Gun Violence
WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued the following statement on April 29, 2026:
* * *
Brady Responds to Trump Administration Decision to Subvert ATF Regulations After Four Years of Declining Gun Violence
Primarily designed to serve the special interests of the gun industry, many of these moves will flood our communities with crime guns and spur more violence after years of historic progress
*
Today, Brady, the nation's oldest gun violence prevention group, released the following statement condemning the Trump administration's moves to weaken firearm regulations
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued the following statement on April 29, 2026:
* * *
Brady Responds to Trump Administration Decision to Subvert ATF Regulations After Four Years of Declining Gun Violence
Primarily designed to serve the special interests of the gun industry, many of these moves will flood our communities with crime guns and spur more violence after years of historic progress
*
Today, Brady, the nation's oldest gun violence prevention group, released the following statement condemning the Trump administration's moves to weaken firearm regulationsand policies under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The administration's announcement comes days after Acting Director Todd Blanche of the Department of Justice said to Gun Talk Radio: "Going back to the Reagan administration, the gun industry takes two steps forward. And then a Democrat comes in and takes us eight steps back. We're not going to take two steps forward. We're going to go forward a mile."
Brady President Kris Brown said:
"For the past four years, the U.S. has been experiencing historic declines in gun crime and homicides -- driven by historic investments in violence prevention, evidence-based strong gun policies, and efforts to hold the gun industry accountable. In continuing to roll back or weaken those policies that have kept us safe, Trump and his administration are putting communities at risk in ways that no other industrialized country experiences. While we need time to fully analyze the broader impacts of these dozens of policy changes, this remains clear: after years of successfully combatting gun violence at historic levels in cities throughout this country, any and all efforts to undermine that success will put lives at risk. You simply cannot claim to be tough on crime while catering to the needs of a special interest lobby whose business model is built upon profits earned from the ongoing public health crisis of American gun violence."
"These Trump administration actions aren't respecting Americans' rights, and they have absolutely nothing to do with the Second Amendment. Trump's administration is proving over and over and over again that its priority is protecting industry profits, despite how that limits law enforcement's access to crime-solving tools and endangers American lives. We have grave concerns with summaries of the policy changes, and we are eager to highlight these concerns with the newly confirmed Director and members of the ATF."
These measures, in concert with the Trump administration's prior actions to weaken firearms regulations and gun industry oversight and enforcement, help fulfill the gun industry's wishlist for the administration -- regardless of the impact to American public safety. In the absence of robust ATF enforcement of federal gun laws, Brady's work to bring transparency to the gun industry and hold unscrupulous dealers accountable for violating the law will remain crucial. That includes the Gun Store Transparency Project, the largest database of ATF gun dealer inspection reports available to the public. See our latest updates here (https://www.bradyunited.org/press/gun-store-transparency-project-inspection-reports).
* * *
Brady has one powerful mission -- to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It's in our hands.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.bradyunited.org/press/trump-administration-weakens-gun-regulations-atf
[Category: Political]
'Arrest Hegseth For War Crimes!' CODEPINK Confronts Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Ahead of His House Armed Services Committee Testimony
LOS ANGELES, California, April 30 -- CodePink, a grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, posted the following news release:
* * *
"ARREST HEGSETH FOR WAR CRIMES!" CODEPINK Confronts Secretary of War (Crimes) Pete Hegseth Ahead of His House Armed Services Committee Testimony
WASHINGTON - CODEPINK "greeted" Secretary of War Pete Hegseth while he was entering the House Armed Services Committee Hearing on the Department of Defense FY27 Budget Request. CODEPINK organizer Olivia DiNucc confronted Hegseth by directly
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, April 30 -- CodePink, a grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, posted the following news release:
* * *
"ARREST HEGSETH FOR WAR CRIMES!" CODEPINK Confronts Secretary of War (Crimes) Pete Hegseth Ahead of His House Armed Services Committee Testimony
WASHINGTON - CODEPINK "greeted" Secretary of War Pete Hegseth while he was entering the House Armed Services Committee Hearing on the Department of Defense FY27 Budget Request. CODEPINK organizer Olivia DiNucc confronted Hegseth by directlyasking him, "Why did you order the bombing of a girls' school in Iran?" and "Why have you been carrying out illegal attacks on fishermen in the Caribbean and Pacific?"
After the hallway confrontation, the group tried to attend the "public" hearing, but the public was prohibited from entering.
Leila, an Iranian-American CODEPINK volunteer, explained why she was there to confront Hegseth:
"The war with Iran is reckless and profoundly costly, especially in human lives. On its very first day, 165 schoolchildren were reportedly killed. Children like Makan, a seven-year-old whose mother could identify him only by a single shoe. No political objective can justify that kind of loss.
"For years, this conflict has been waged against civilians through crippling sanctions that have placed immense strain on ordinary Iranians. Now, it has escalated into direct military force, billions of dollars in bombs dropped on a population that has already endured so much.
"Far from achieving stability, this war is further destabilizing the region, with no clear or realistic path to meaningful outcomes. Like past interventions in Iraq, Syria, and Libya, it risks deepening chaos rather than resolving underlying issues.
"At its core, this war reflects a failure of leadership. When diplomacy remains possible, choosing war is not a strength; it is an abdication of responsibility. So far, it has created more division, more suffering, and more uncertainty, without bringing the United States and Iran any closer to resolution."
The confrontation comes on the heels of the launch of CODEPINK's new campaign to arrest Hegseth for war crimes. As a part of the campaign for accountability, activists are demanding that the media do their jobs and put Hegseth in the hot seat to answer for his war crimes. As Secretary of War, he's launched new unprovoked wars, bombed an Iranian elementary school, and has murdered nearly a hundred fishermen in the Caribbean under the guise of fighting "narco-terrorism." When Congress recently demanded answers on the Minab school bombing, the deadline for a response came and went without any answers. The media, which is supposed to represent the interests of the people, not those in power, has a duty to get these answers.
"Pete Hegseth is a war criminal who should be removed from office and arrested. He has said that he will not follow any "stupid rules of engagement" that are intended to minimize civilian deaths. In addition to all the school children and other civilians killed in Iran, he ordered the boat strikes in the Caribbean that have killed at least 186 people to date," explained CODEPINK volunteer Debbie Pfaff.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.codepink.org/hegsethhallwayprotest
[Category: Sociological]