|
|
The Russia story just keeps getting weirder. This morning, NBC News reported that a former Soviet counterintelligence officer was in the meeting with Junior and crew. And, a Republican donor and operative who said he had tried to obtain Hillary Clinton's missing emails from Russian hackers killed himself in a Minnesota hotel room days after talking to the WSJ about his efforts. Whoever writes this movie will have pah-lenty of material. Back on Capitol Hill, the fallout from the GOP attempt to repeal the ACA continues. If you’re keeping count, several Republicans are still on the fence and already Senators Susan Collins (D-ME) and Rand Paul (D-KY) are voting NO. Which means if just one more GOPer gives it a thumbs down, the Republican plan is DOA. In other news, “watch your back, bitch.” That’s how Trump’s personal attorney responded to a random, unsolicited email to him encouraging him to resign. Sheesh! Good thing this guy doesn’t check the info@TheBeatDC.com account. We’d have no friends. Speaking of inappropriate language, what’s the deal with Donald Trump telling the First Lady of France that she’s in good shape? Honestly, where are his handlers? Maybe had he said this to Beyoncé who just introduced the world to Rumi and Sir in an Instagram post where she’s wearing a bikini less than a month after giving birth to twins, we’d understand. But c’mon, dude. Not appropriate language on the world stage. Oh, and please take note of this very important PSA: On Sunday evening, we don’t care if you have a video of Donald Trump french kissing Vladimir Putin and you want to give The Beat the exclusive. Please don’t tweet, DM, email, or call us between 9 and 10P. We, just like the rest of the world, will be firmly planted in front of the TV eagerly watching the return of Game of Thrones. Here’s what we’ve got this Friday: - Judge rules grandma can’t be banned and expands the definition of “bona fide” in Trump travel ban case.
- Don King says critics treat Trump like “a Black man.” Oookay.
- The number of Muslim refugees coming to the U.S. -- ban or no ban -- is down.
- Dow Jones CEO champions diversity -- for women.
- Corrine Brown hosts two fundraisers before sentencing.
- NABJ has a new ED.
- Chaka Fattah, both Junior and Senior, in more hot water.
- Meet Monica Garcia, the Latino Victory Project’s newest staffer.
- Congressmen Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Rubén Gallego want the FEC to investigate Trump Jr, Kushner, and Manafort.
- Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) started a new caucus for members who don’t take PAC money.
- Hate robocalls as much as we do? FCC’s Ajit Pai fights “spoofing.”
- Justice is one step closer for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) and her husband.
- And we’re back to solar panels on the border wall. But Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), an electrical engineer, puts the kibosh on that idea.
- Lawsuit claims Customs and Border Protection are illegally turning asylum seekers away.
- NABJ gives Ebony and Fox News a thumbs down.
- #NRAtoDOJ takes place today and tomorrow. Learn more.
| |
|  |
Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) with visiting Bank of America Student Leaders from North Carolina on Wednesday. | |  |
WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi interviewing Paul Butler about his new book Chokehold at Busboys and Poets on Wednesday. | |
| | |
Lynch Spokesperson Addresses Trump’s Claim About Russian Lawyer
When confronted with any unpleasant issue -- like treason, for instance -- Donald Trump has two go-to answers: blame Barack Obama and/or Hillary Clinton. That was no different on Thursday. At a press conference in France, Trump blamed Obama’s former AG Loretta Lynch for allowing Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump Jr., into the country. In a statement, Robert Raben, a spokesperson for Lynch said the former attorney general “does not have any personal knowledge of Ms. Veselnitskaya's travel ... The State Department issues visas, and the Department of Homeland Security oversees entry to the United States at airports.”(Disclosure: The Beat is produced by The Raben Group.) More here.
| |
Lieu and Gallego Want FEC to Investigate Trump Jr, Kushner, & Manafort
Congressmen Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) sent a letter to FEC Acting General Counsel Lisa Stevenson requesting an immediate investigation of Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner for possible violations of federal election law. Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, it is illegal to accept anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a local, state, or federal election. Specifically, the letter points out that -- even if the Trump campaign did not receive the promised opposition research -- the law prohibits solicitation as well as receipt of anything of value from a foreign national. “The United States Congress has long understood that foreign interference in U.S. elections is among the most egregious possible assaults on our democracy and must be prevented. In this vein, Congress enacted the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1966. This Act established registration requirements and limitations on foreign nationals with regard to political contributions. As such, it is incumbent upon the FEC to examine the following matters.” See the full letter here.
| |
Judge Rules Grandma is Legit
In another setback for Donald Trump and his travel ban, a federal judge in Hawaii has vastly expanded the list of “bona fide” family relationships with U.S. citizens that visa applicants can use to get into the country. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson on Thursday ordered the government not to enforce the ban on grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the U.S., a win for advocates. “Common sense, for instance, dictates that close family members be defined to include grandparents,” Watson said in his ruling. “Indeed grandparents are the epitome of close family members.” Watson also ruled that the government may not exclude refugees who have formal assurance and promise of placement services from a resettlement agency in the U.S. SCOTUS will hear arguments in October. More here.
| |
|  |
Uber Chief Brand Officer Bozoma John heading to the office Wednesday. | |  |
Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) speaking on Wednesday with Marco Regil and rescue dog Griffin on Capitol Hill about how to prevent animal cruelty. | |
| | |
Durbin Staffer Heads to the Latino Victory Project
After a successful run as the National Press Secretary for Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mónica García is leaving the post. On Monday, she will start with the Latino Victory Project, an ambitious effort to build political power within the Latino community to ensure the voices of Latinos are reflected at every level of government and in the policies of the country. As an experienced bilingual communicator focused on diversity and inclusion, García will serve as Deputy Communications Director. Her prior roles include Press Secretary for Hispanic Media for then-Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and National Translation Coordinator for President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign. Mónica has made a career developing strategic messaging targeting America's diverse Latino constituencies. She will help Latino Victory continue to develop the infrastructure for a pipeline of Latino candidates, voters, and donors. A native of Blue Island, Illinois, Mónica earned her B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Northwestern University. After graduation, she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research in Mexico City. Congrats, Mónica! More about her here.
| |
Ro Khanna’s Caucus is PAC Free
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) started a new caucus for members who don’t take PAC money. Khanna told Politico that the NO PAC Caucus “is designed to encourage members of Congress to voluntarily not accept PAC money and to push for legislation that ultimately bans PAC money from Congress. Good luck with that. So far there are only two other members: Congressmen Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) --who's running to unseat Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) who does take PAC money -- and Jared Polis (D-CO). However, Khanna says he is recruiting colleagues from both sides of the political aisle. “I think this (endeavor) is bipartisan,” Khanna said. Part of Khanna’s district includes Silicon Valley hence he was able to raise funds through big checks from the tech industry, and he is “very sympathetic” of members in less affluent districts that have a harder time raising funds for their campaigns. “This is not with any judgment on my colleagues [who accept PAC money] or any sense that my position is any more moral than theirs,” Khanna added. O'Rourke showed that it can be done. He outraised Cruz by about $500,000 in April through June, giving him a boost in his first quarter as a Senate candidate. O'Rourke hauled in $2.1 million compared to $1.6 million for Cruz. More here from Politico.
| |
Justice One Step Closer for Plaskett and Husband
Two former staffers have been charged in connection with circulating nude images of Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) and her husband. The federal indictment against Juan McCullum, 35, and Dorene Browne-Louis, 45, was unsealed yesterday. The indictment did not name McCullum and Browne-Louis' boss, but both worked for Plaskett, who has previously spoken out about her private images being posted online. According to the statement from DOJ, McCullum got the private images in March 2016 after offering to take an iPhone belonging to his boss to an Apple store to get it fixed, and that phone had the photos and videos on it. After McCullum left Plaskett’s office, he sent the images to politicians, the media, and other people who knew Plaskett -- including Browne-Louis. The indictment accuses Browne-Louis of making false statements to a federal grand jury that was investigating the case. In a statement to BuzzFeed on Thursday, Plaskett said her "privacy was invaded, which was followed by an organized smear campaign and defamatory press reports concerning both me and my family." She added that she is still "saddened by the damage we suffered as a result of those egregious acts," but is grateful authorities have tracked down the culprits. More here.
| |
|  |
Michael Dyson, host of The Raw Word TV show and Yara Shahidi on Wednesday. | |  |
Congressman Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) caught putting on his tie to go in to vote on Wednesday -- in line with the House dress code rules! | |
| | |
Will Mayweather Bring Obama and Trump Together? We Doubt It!
In an interview with TMZ, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has said former President Barack Obama could attend his August 26th fight against Conor McGregor. Speaking during the press tour ahead of their bout next month, Mayweather spoke highly of the audience he's expecting the matchup to attract. "Barack Obama may be there,” the boxer said. Ummm ... we doubt it. It’s much more likely another Oval Office occupant will find his way there, though. UFC President Dana White recently indicated that Donald Trump could be on the guest list for the megafight and was "100 per cent interested" but added he may not attend as he "feels like he ruins events.” Ha! Too easy. Anyway, perhaps having been knocked to the sunken place one too many times, Mayweather attended Trump's inauguration in January. But honestly, we doubt Trump will find his way to Vegas for this fight. He’s got his hands full these days. On second thought, with this guy, you just never know. More here.
| |
Don King Says Trump Critics Treat Him Like a Black Man
We think boxing promoter Don King, who has known Trump since the two men brought a series of Mike Tyson fights to Atlantic City casinos years ago, must want to play Sam Jackson's character in Django Unchained. King was a Trump campaign surrogate last summer, lavishly praising him in a column King wrote for the African American newspaper he owns, and he once described a Trump wedding as “a spontaneous combustion of love.” Even the president’s tweets -- King admits that sometimes those leave him speechless -- aren’t a reason to stop backing him and hanging out with him at the Trump estate in Mar-a-Lago in Florida, and talking to him regularly on the phone. Trump is doing a fab job as president, King tells Politico, and if only people would stop yammering about the one place everyone keeps bringing up. “He’s doing an excellent job, but it’s hard to evaluate because they don’t talk about nothing but Russia.” King’s advice to the president: hang in there. “Mr. Trump, they’re treating you like a Black man. No matter what you say or do, you are guilty as hell.” Anybody have an address for Don King? We’d love to send him a copy of JAY-Z’s 4:44. Just as soon as his psychological evaluation concludes. See the entire interview here.
| |
|  |
Members of the group Community Voices Heard and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) advocating on Wednesday for no cuts to HUD housing. | |  |
CA Assembly members Monique Limón and Miguel Santiago taking their friend Congressman Jimmy Gómez (D-CA) to the airport on Tuesday for his first day on the Hill. | |
| | |
Embattled Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown Hosting Two Fundraisers
Former Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown, who was found guilty of fraud in May, is hosting two fundraising events ahead of a hearing for a new trial. She has invited her supporters to "party for a purpose" on July 29th and a “surprise event” on August 6th. The fundraising events are the latest efforts to support Brown during her legal battle in Jacksonville. The flyer also invites Brown's supporters to join her at the federal courthouse August 7th during hearings on motions for acquittal and a new trial and says proceeds will benefit Brown's legal defense fund. Brown's attorney, James Smith, said that supporters should be prepared for Brown's sentencing hearing should a judge deny the motions for acquittal and a new trial. Smith asked Brown's supporters to write letters of support, handwritten if possible, with pertinent photos to be presented to the judge at the sentencing hearing. Brown was found guilty on 18 counts, and not guilty on four counts. More here.
| |
Both Junior and Senior Fattah Face New Allegations
The son of former Congressman Chaka Fattah has filed a civil case against the federal government, alleging that leaks to the media during the 2012 bank and tax fraud investigation that eventually sent him to prison ruined his reputation and prospects of earning a living. But, as the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, the suit has unearthed new allegations of misconduct by his now-incarcerated father and shed additional light on how the elder Fattah exerted his considerable political clout to line the pockets of friends and family members during his two-decade tenure. In testimony made public for the first time on Wednesday, a former Philadelphia School District contractor said he was pressured six years ago to reoffer a $144,000-a-year job to the younger Fattah or face consequences to his business. David Shulick said that after firing Chaka “Chip” Fattah Jr. in the summer of 2011, the congressman ordered to give the then-28-year-old his job back. “I was told to rehire him,” Shulick testified in a deposition last year. “I had a subsequent meeting with my lobbyist, Herb Vederman, and said I did not want to rehire him. I was told I had no choice.” More here.
| |
Cops Pull Over Florida’s First Black Elected State Attorney
The first Black elected state attorney, Aramis Ayala, was pulled over by police last month. The video, which was recorded on the officer’s body camera on June 19th, shows Ayala, who was returning from teaching a class at Florida A&M University College of Law, in her car and speaking to at least two cops -- who approached the vehicle from both sides. “What agency are you with?” the officer nearest Ayala asks her as he reviews her license. “I’m the state attorney” she responds. “Thank you, your tag didn’t come back. Never seen that before,” the officer quickly responds, explaining that her tag did not come back registered to a vehicle. Ayala then asks for clarification on why her tag was run in the first place. The same officer explains that it’s a procedure that is done “all the time.” In a statement to CNN Alaya said, “To be clear, I violated no laws. The license plate, while confidential, was and remains properly registered. The tint was in no way a violation of Florida law. Although the traffic stop appears to be consistent with Florida law [my] goal is to have a constructive and mutually respectful relationship between law enforcement and the community,” she added. “I look forward to sitting down to have an open dialogue with the chief of Orlando Police Department regarding how this incident impacts that goal.” See the video here.
| |
|  |
The Leadership Conference President Vanita Gupta standing with survivors of sexual assault telling Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to uphold the law and protect students’ civil rights on Thursday. | |  |
Congressman Rubén Kihuen (D-NV) meeting on Thursday with leaders from LVGEA to discuss small business and economic development in Nevada. | |
| | |
FCC’s Pai Helps to Stop Those Annoying Robo Calls
The FCC stepped up its efforts to crack down on robocalls Thursday, opening up an inquiry into how to combat illegal and fraudulent callers. The FCC voted to explore the issue of caller ID spoofing, which allows robocall operators to mask their identity and even make their numbers appear benign. "With today’s action at the FCC, relief from robocalls is getting closer for American consumers,” Chairman Ajit Pai said. The agency receives more complaints about robocalls than any other topic, Pai told reporters Thursday. Praise! Learn more here.
| |
Dow Jones CEO Champions Diversity -- For Women
Dow Jones & Co. CEO William Lewis, the parent of The Wall Street Journal, sent out a letter to the staff on Monday evening saying he is in the process of hiring a diversity and inclusion specialist to lead, audit and advise on diversity issues across the Dow Jones company. Great, right? But not so fast. The CEO said gender equality within the company will be the critical, initial focus. “I recognize that other areas -- such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, flexible working, disability and veteran status -- are all issues and opportunities that need to be championed. The need, though, to improve the career chances and choices of women is pressing” Lewis wrote. We hope the CEO understands that women of color count. Additionally, we hope he will cast his net a little wider in the very near future as The Beat has highlighted a lack of people of color across all spectrums in society. Read the entire letter here.
| |
|  |
David Johns, LaToia Jones, and friends wishing Nicholas Wiggins a happy birthday on Monday. | |  |
Congresswoman Mia Love (R-UT) advocating on Wednesday to end human trafficking after witnessing victims on a trip to her native country, Haiti. | |
| | |
NABJ Awards Fox News and Ebony Magazine the Thumbs Down Award
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced that its 2017 Thumbs Down Award goes to FOX News and Ebony Magazine. The Thumbs Down Award is presented annually to an individual or organization for especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical reporting, commentary, photography or cartoon about the Black community or for engaging in practices at odds with the goals of the NABJ. "We take this award very seriously," said NABJ President Sarah Glover (pictured). "It is our hope that the recipients would re-evaluate their policies and procedures to ensure that they are following the highest journalistic and ethical standards." FOX News was selected for numerous reasons. In addition to lawsuits accusing the cable news network of "abhorrent, intolerable, unlawful and hostile racial discrimination," there have also been allegations of sexual harassment. Additionally, the lack of diversity in key positions is a major concern for NABJ. Co-recipient Ebony Magazine, under its new owners Clear View Group, has made headlines this year because of staff cuts; the relocation of its headquarters from its founding base in Chicago to LA; and, its very public and sometimes offensive responses to reports of late or non-payment for work already performed by staff or freelance journalists. More here.
| |
NABJ Names Shirley Carwell Executive Director
In more NABJ News, Shirley Carswell, a lecturer at the Howard University Cathy Hughes School of Communications and formerly Deputy Managing Editor at the WaPo, is serving as interim Executive Director of NABJ. “We are excited to have her onboard. She brings a wealth of expertise as a newsroom executive, former Washington Post deputy managing editor and Howard University professor,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover. NABJ announced on June 22nd it was seeking a new and permanent ED. Darryl R. Matthews Sr. was let go in October 2015 amid cost-cutting moves. Carswell is also a former treasurer of the Washington Association of Black Journalists. She retired from the Post after a lengthy career as a copy editor, copy desk chief and newsroom administrator. At the time of her retirement, she was a member of the senior leadership team for the award-winning newspaper and website. Carswell graduated magna cum laude from Howard, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism. More about her here.
| |
|  |
Roland Martin at the Alpha Phi Alpha Convention in Baltimore on Wednesday. | |  |
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) with Pomona College student intern Heriberto González on Wednesday. | |
| | |
The Beef Between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-India Business Council
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the board of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) are in the middle of a major beef right now. The USIBC voted unanimously to break off from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a fight that seems to come down to turf and autonomy. Chamber President Tom Donahue is dismissing the vote, saying the USIBC cannot separate without their consent. The board members who voted to split off from the Chamber include heavyweights such as Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi, former defense secretary William S. Cohen, and MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga. USIBC, which has about 350 members, claims that Donahue was unhappy that the USIBC invited VP Mike Pence to a meeting because Donohue wanted to invite Pence to a different event. If you’ve ever worked in a coalition, you understand how sensitive this can be. There are also accusations that Donohue wanted to oust certain members of the USIBC board and install others, moves that would be unprecedented in the history of the council. The Chamber has since dismissed USIBC President Mukesh Aghi (pictured) and another USIBC senior official. Aghi said in a letter that the Chamber dismissed him because he would not agree to report to the Chamber instead of to the U.S.-India group. Whew! This drama gives us some insight into how high-level CEOs beef. WaPo has more.
| |
|  |
Trump family events planner and HUD official Lynne Patton with Lara Trump at her baby shower cruising around the Wilmington Coast last week. | |  |
Congresswomen Frederica Wilson (D-FL) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) wearing red on Wednesday in support of the Chibok Girls. | |
| | |
House Passes Measure Against Human Trafficking
On Wednesday, the House passed three anti-human trafficking measures that co-sponsor Congressman William Lacy Clay (D-MO) says seek to combat “a form of 21st century slavery. The legislation would give grants to local police officers to fight sex trafficking and would allow local police departments to compete for federal grants that would be used to educate and prosecute customers of sex trafficking. The initiatives would also protect those victims who come forward to report illicit activity, reauthorizing a 2000 law that protects these victims. The measures head to the Senate, where they face an uncertain future. More here.
| |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Accused of Illegally Turning Away Asylum Applicants
A group of immigration lawyers and advocates filed a class-action lawsuit on Wednesday against Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly for systematically violating international law for people who are seeking asylum. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are accused of violating the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which states that any foreigner who reaches the U.S. has the right to apply for asylum. However, CBP officials have been reported to have threatened to take away foreigners' children unless they signed forms forgoing their asylum claims, or said on camera that they had no fear of returning home. Recently, many people have sought asylum in the U.S. due to gang violence in Central American countries such as El Salvador and Honduras. CBP officials are reiterating the president’s anti-immigrant rhetoric by not reaching out to asylum seekers who need help the most. A country that was founded by immigrants should be opening doors to those who need sanctuary, not closing doors. More here.
| |
Cárdenas Says Solar Panel Border Wall Makes No Sense
Those stories and memes making the rounds on social media about solar panels on a border wall turn out not to be jokes after all. The president said yesterday he is seriously considering putting solar panels on his proposed border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as he told a reporter yesterday on board Air Force One. When asking whether Trump was joking, the president responded, “No, not joking, no. There is a chance that we can do a solar wall. We have major companies looking at that,” adding that “there’s no better place for solar than the Mexico border – the southern border.” Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) was not impressed. "Donald Trump doesn't know what he's talking about. I happen to be an electrical engineer, I happen to know a little bit about solar power, I happen to know that what he's saying just doesn't make sense," said Cárdenas. More here from The Hill.
| |
|  |
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) talking on Wednesday with animal rights activist Marco Regil about what they can do to stop and prevent animal cruelty. | |  |
Howard University's Greg Carr, Urban Conservative Project President Liz Copeland, and The Joint Center's Spencer Overton on TV One on Wednesday. | |
| | |
Nevada Gov Not Happy with GOP Healthcare Legislation
Governor Brian Sandoval (R), the first Latino to be elected to statewide office in Nevada, is not a fan of his party’s effort to repeal Obamacare. “I’m greatly concerned and very protective of the (Medicaid) expansion population,” Sandoval said Thursday during a meeting in Rhode Island at the National Governor’s Association. “They are living healthier and happier lives as a result of their receiving coverage, and for them to lose that at this point would be very hurtful for them. And it's about people -- this is about people. And 210,000 people in my state,” adding that he doesn’t see much difference between the new GOP version and an older one. Sandoval told CNN he would be meeting today with VP Mike Pence and other administration officials to discuss the issue. More here.
| |
Senators Introduce Legislation on North Korea
On Thursday, Senators Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced bipartisan legislation that would ban any person or group doing business with North Korea from using the U.S. financial system and imposes U.S. sanctions on those participating in North Korean labor trafficking abuses. The North Korean Enablers Accountability Act is also co-sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). “The bill we are introducing is a bipartisan effort that represents additional measures required to get our North Korea policy right. We seek to impose real consequences for those entities who, even after Kim Jong-un’s defiance and continued flagrant violations of international law, continue to do business and support his vicious regime.” Menéndez said. Senator Menéndez has continuously urged the Trump administration to put North Korea at the top of their agenda. Click here to see the full text of the legislation.
| |
|  |
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joining the Korean Church Coalition Wednesday afternoon to speak out against North Korea’s human rights abuses and in support of its people. | |  |
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) chatting with Google interns on Wednesday. | |
| | |
Robotics Teams Denied Visas Coming Here After All
Good news about a group of Afghan teenage girls participating in an international robotics competition next week in DC. The Beat reported on the intense public outcry when the State Department twice denied their request for visas, without any explanation whatsoever, and now that decision has been reversed. A Homeland Security spokesman said in an email that the teens would be able to be on hand after all to participate along with teams from more than 160 other countries. Trump reportedly intervened to approve the visas for the teens. Another group that had been denied visas for the competition, the robotics team from Gambia, has also been granted visas. More here.
| |
EPA Proposes Removing Protections for Alaskan Watershed That Is Home to 30 Native Villages
On Tuesday, the EPA proposed removing restrictions for the planned Pebble Mine Project near Bristol Bay, Alaska. Alaska Native communities, along with fishermen, fought hard to establish protections for the proposed site, which holds valuable copper and mine but sits dangerously close to the watershed that is home to the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery -- a resource on which many groups of Native people rely for their culture and subsistence lifestyle. Thirty-one Alaska Native villages dot the wider Bristol Bay region. They spent more than a decade protesting the extraction project through litigation and campaigns. And in 2014, the environmental agency announced it would block the project under the Clean Water Act -- but this came only after measuring what impacts the project would have. The EPA said it is seeking tribal consult. More here.
| |
|  |
Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) with Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander during his visit to Capitol Hill on Wednesday. | |  |
Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah on Wednesday visiting members of Leaders Up and seeing firsthand their work to prepare young adults for careers in Chicago. | |
| | |
Number of Muslim Refugees Down from Last Year
It’s likely no surprise that given the controversial Trump travel ban on Muslims entering the U.S. and presidential rhetoric about Muslims, that new data show a sharp drop in the number of Muslim refugees since Trump moved into the White House. Pew Research Center figures show that the number of Muslim refugees coming to the U.S. in the first six months of 2017 is down 56 percent compared to the same period last year. The data also show that the number of refugees overall is down 46 percent. Pew found that the number of Muslim refugees who have entered the US so far this year is a fifth of what it was last year. Interestingly, the top country of origin for refugees admitted under the Trump administration is Congo. By contrast, the percentage of Christian refugees admitted to the US is at 57 percent this year, much higher than last year. More here from the WaPo.
| |
Cuba’s Jewish Community Pens Open Letter to U.S.
On Wednesday, leaders of the Jewish community in Cuba sent an open letter today to their “brothers and sisters” in the U.S. expressing concern that reversing policy towards the island could have an impact on religious institutions, which have benefited from increased ties between the countries. “The Jewish Community of Cuba, since its founding, has maintained ties of friendship and brotherhood and sisterhood with the Jewish people of the United States, even in moments when diplomatic relations between both countries did not exist,” states the letter. It is signed by seven Jewish leaders, including Adela Dworkin, President of the Jewish Community of Cuba, as well as its Vice President, David Prinstein, leaders of Havana's Sephardic Center and Jewish community coordinators in different parts of the country. More here.
| |
| FOMO
Today - Saturday, July 15th: The Rainbow PUSH Coalition holds its 46th annual international convention in Chicago. Click here for more information.
Today - Sunday, July 16th: The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is hosting their 94th convention in Baltimore, MD. The convention theme is "The Urgency of Now." Click here for more information.
Today - Sunday, July 16th: The 14th Annual SABA North America Convention, DC. Click here for more info and to register.
Today - Saturday, July 22nd: The March on Washington Film Festival. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, July 18th, 9A: The launch of the National Association of Diverse Consultants, NADC is the largest association of diverse political and public affairs professionals. National Press Club, 529 14th Street, N.W. 13th floor.
Tuesday, July 18th, 7P: Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sponsors the fifth annual Hip Hop on the Hill. Toro Toro, 1300 I Street, N.W. Click here to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, July 18th - July 23rd: The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. holds its 83rd Grand Chapter Meeting in Orlando, FL. Click here for more information and to register. Wednesday, July 19th, 10:30A: A conference call with former Vice President Al Gore and faith leaders to discuss climate change. Click here for more information and to register. Wednesday, July 19th, 5P: Birthday celebration honoring Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC). 430 First Street, S.E. RSVP to Randy Broz or Keonté Lee at 202.403.0606 or email: randy@abcconsultingdc.com
Wednesday, July 19th, 6P: The Washington Government Relations Group and the Embassy of Canada host the 8th Annual Tin Cup Awards. 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
Thursday, July 20th, 9A: The Washington International Trade Association sponsors its NAFTA Series kickoff event. Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Hill Staff: contact Diego Anez at 202.312.1600 or danez@wita.org to reserve your seat.
Saturday, July 22nd - 26th: The NAACP holds its 108th annual convention in Baltimore, MD. Click here for more information and to register.
Tuesday, July 25th, 5:30P: The Raben Group hosts an evening of conversation with Paul Butler, author of Chokehold: Policing Black Men, and James Forman, author of Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America. 1341 G Street, N.W. Click here to register.
Wednesday, July 26th - 29th: The National Urban League holds its annual convention in St. Louis, MO. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, July 26th - Friday, July 28th: ColorComm, Women of Color in Communications, holds its 2017 conference in Miami, FL, featuring keynote speaker Whoopi Goldberg. Click here to register. Thursday, July 27th, 5P: Bridge PAC sponsors a reception honoring Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC). Diageo House, 310 6th Street, S.E. RSVP to Randy Broz or Ashley Helsing at 202.403.0606 or via email: randy@abcconsultingdc.com
Friday, August 4th, 5:30P: Black 44 sponsors a happy hour to celebrate former President Barack Obama's birthday. Invite only.
Saturday, August 5th, 3P: The Congressional Hispanic Staff Association hosts a tailgate before the DC United v. Toronto FC game. For more info, email James Hauser at iph86@georgetown.edu
Wednesday, August 9th - 13th: The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) holds its annual convention and career fair in New Orleans. Click here for more information and to register. Thursday, August 10th - 13th: The Congressional Black Caucus Political Education & Leadership Institute sponsors the 2017 Mississippi Policy Conference in Tunica, MS. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, August 16th - 20th: The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance holds its 14th biennial convention in Anaheim, CA. Click here for more information.
Friday, August 18th: The deadline to apply for the Poynter Institute and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 2017 Leadership Academy for Diversity in Digital Media, to be held Dec. 3rd - 8th in St. Petersburg, FL. The tuition-free program trains journalists of color to work in digital media. Click here for more information and to apply.
Friday, August 18th - 20th: A weekend on Martha's Vineyard with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and special guests Congressmen James Clyburn (D-SC), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), and Richard Neal (D-MA), and Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). For more information and to RSVP, contact Mariko Bennett: mariko@cocobproductions.com or call 301.741.3443.
Monday, August 28th, 9A: The 2017 Black Political Power Summit, to illustrate the possibilities, challenges and plans to capitalize on both the historic political opportunities and dire economic and civil rights challenges the Black community faces during the 2018 and 2020 political cycles. Hosted by The Collective. For more information, contact Quentin James: quentin@collectivepac.org
Thursday, September 7th - 9th: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the Native American Journalists Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) sponsor the Excellence in Journalism 2017 conference in Anaheim, CA. Click here for more details and to register.
Sunday, September 10th: Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park. MN about her years in the White House. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Monday, September 11th - 13th: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute annual Hispanic Heritage Month conference and awards gala. Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center,1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
| |
| Powered by The Raben Group
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
