{"issues":[{"id":"short-video","name":"Short Video","slug":"short-video","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false,"follower_count":36},{"id":"news","name":"News","slug":"news","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false,"follower_count":46},{"id":"legislation","name":"Legislation","slug":"legislation","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false,"follower_count":48}],"legislators":[{"id":3,"chamber":"house","country":null,"first_name":"Pete","last_name":"Aguilar","nickname":null,"party":"D","gender":"M","district":"31","state":"CA","state_name":"California","state_rank":"","birthday":"1979-06-19","senate_class":null,"term_start":"2021-01-03","term_end":"2023-01-03","title":"Rep","twitter_id":"reppeteaguilar","facebook_id":"reppeteaguilar","youtube_id":null,"website":"https://aguilar.house.gov","phone":"+1-202-225-3201","fax":null,"photos":{"small":"https://assets.hosted-assets.com/public/legislator/photo/A000371/small_rep_aguilar_1558565219.jpg","medium":"https://assets.hosted-assets.com/public/legislator/photo/A000371/medium_rep_aguilar_1558565219.jpg"},"represented_district_name":"California 31st Congressional District","ocd_id":"ocd-division/country:us/state:ca/cd:31","upper":false,"lower":true,"legislative_body_id":3}],"legislative_bodies":[{"name":"United States House","id":3,"district_id":"us"}],"districts":[{"name":"United States","ocd_id":"ocd-division/country:us","state":null,"cover_images":{"large":"https://countable-us.s3.amazonaws.com/district/cover_image/default.png"},"released":false,"id":"us"}],"articles":[{"title":"Bipartisan Bill Blocking Imports Made With Uyghur Forced Labor in Xinjiang Signed Into Law","id":518,"slug":"518-bipartisan-bill-blocking-imports-made-uyghur-forced-labor-xinjiang-signed-law","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/518-bipartisan-bill-blocking-imports-made-uyghur-forced-labor-xinjiang-signed-law","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=518","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/518/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Do you support or oppose the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"1.26.22","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/d9a374/d9a374-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","xsmall":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/d9a374/d9a374-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","small":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/d9a374/d9a374-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","medium":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/d9a374/d9a374-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","large":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/d9a374/d9a374-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png"},"profile_id":4,"action_count":7,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

A bipartisan bill to crack down on the use of forced labor from Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities who are persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party in Xinjiang was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act passed the House on a voice vote and then cleared the Senate by unanimous consent. It sanctions foreign individuals and companies involved with the use of forced labor in Xinjiang and bans all imports from the region through a presumption that products made in part or in whole are tainted by forced labor. The ban takes effect in 180 days.
Businesses can seek exemptions from the import ban by providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection with “clear and convincing evidence” that their supply chains are free of forced labor. Enforcement of the import ban will be coordinated with Canada and Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
While it ultimately garnered broad bipartisan support, the legislation stalled during the last session of Congress with the House and Senate unable to reach an agreement amid a lobbying push against the bill, including Apple, Coca-Cola, and Nike, among others. Victoria’s Secret, Patagonia, and L.L. Bean have all said they’re reworking their supply chains after being named in a report as using Chinese cotton from Xinjiang in their products. Intel apologized in China on Thursday for sending a letter to its suppliers asking them to not use labor or products from Xinjiang
Similar issues arose in the current Congress, with the Biden administration opposed to initial drafts of the bill reportedly due to concerns it would block imports of polysilicon, which is material used inside most solar panels, and potentially make it more difficult to meet climate goals. The Washington Post reported that Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry told lawmakers it would take five to 10 years to move the global supply chain for solar panels away from Xinjiang.
The bill’s lead sponsors were Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the Senate, and Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the House. Rubio praised the bill’s enactment in a statement:

“This is the most important and impactful action taken thus far by the United States to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their use of slave labor. It will fundamentally change our relationship with Beijing. This law should also ensure that Americans no longer unknowingly buy goods made by slaves in China. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues to ensure the new law is implemented correctly and enforced properly.”

President Joe Biden signed the bill in the Oval Office without a formal signing ceremony and press in attendance. Biden tweeted, “The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure supply chains are free from the use of forced labor — including from Xinjiang and other parts of China.”

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Radio Free Asia / Fair Use)

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What’s the story?

A bipartisan bill to crack down on the use of forced labor from Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities who are persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party in Xinjiang was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act passed the House on a voice vote and then cleared the Senate by unanimous consent. It sanctions foreign individuals and companies involved with the use of forced labor in Xinjiang and bans all imports from the region through a presumption that products made in part or in whole are tainted by forced labor. The ban takes effect in 180 days.
Businesses can seek exemptions from the import ban by providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection with “clear and convincing evidence” that their supply chains are free of forced labor. Enforcement of the import ban will be coordinated with Canada and Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
While it ultimately garnered broad bipartisan support, the legislation stalled during the last session of Congress with the House and Senate unable to reach an agreement amid a lobbying push against the bill, including Apple, Coca-Cola, and Nike, among others. Victoria’s Secret, Patagonia, and L.L. Bean have all said they’re reworking their supply chains after being named in a report as using Chinese cotton from Xinjiang in their products. Intel apologized in China on Thursday for sending a letter to its suppliers asking them to not use labor or products from Xinjiang
Similar issues arose in the current Congress, with the Biden administration opposed to initial drafts of the bill reportedly due to concerns it would block imports of polysilicon, which is material used inside most solar panels, and potentially make it more difficult to meet climate goals. The Washington Post reported that Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry told lawmakers it would take five to 10 years to move the global supply chain for solar panels away from Xinjiang.
The bill’s lead sponsors were Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the Senate, and Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the House. Rubio praised the bill’s enactment in a statement:

“This is the most important and impactful action taken thus far by the United States to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their use of slave labor. It will fundamentally change our relationship with Beijing. This law should also ensure that Americans no longer unknowingly buy goods made by slaves in China. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues to ensure the new law is implemented correctly and enforced properly.”

President Joe Biden signed the bill in the Oval Office without a formal signing ceremony and press in attendance. Biden tweeted, “The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure supply chains are free from the use of forced labor — including from Xinjiang and other parts of China.”

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Radio Free Asia / Fair Use)

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":1,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"U.S. & NATO Allies Provide Aid to Ukraine Amid Russia’s Military Buildup","id":516,"slug":"516-u-s-nato-allies-provide-aid-ukraine-amid-russia-s-military-buildup","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/516-u-s-nato-allies-provide-aid-ukraine-amid-russia-s-military-buildup","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=516","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/516/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Are you concerned about Russia invading Ukraine?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"1.26.22","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4cfe2b/4cfe2b-USNATOAidtoUkraineRussiaBuildup.jpg","xsmall":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4cfe2b/4cfe2b-USNATOAidtoUkraineRussiaBuildup.jpg","small":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4cfe2b/4cfe2b-USNATOAidtoUkraineRussiaBuildup.jpg","medium":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4cfe2b/4cfe2b-USNATOAidtoUkraineRussiaBuildup.jpg","large":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4cfe2b/4cfe2b-USNATOAidtoUkraineRussiaBuildup.jpg"},"profile_id":11,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

The U.S. and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies are increasing shipments of military aid to Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing military buildup on Ukraine’s borders.
The news comes as Russia is insisting that NATO provide a legal guarantee Ukraine will never be admitted to the alliance and remove forces from NATO member countries in Central and Eastern Europe like Bulgaria and Romania. The U.S. and NATO have rejected those demands as non-starters and are taking steps to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and reassure allies in the region.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to the press Friday after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland. Blinken said he conveyed that the U.S. and its European allies and partners “stand firmly with Ukraine in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He added:

“We’ve been clear: If any Russian military forces move across Ukraine’s border, that’s a renewed invasion. It will be met with a swift, severe, and a united response from the United States and our partners and allies. We also know from experience that Russia has an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyber attacks, paramilitary tactics, and other means of advancing their interests aggressively without overtly using military action. Those types of Russian aggression will also be met with a decisive, calibrated, and again, united response.”

Blinken’s comments specifying that any movement across Ukraine’s border is a renewed invasion come after President Joe Biden had to clean up a similar statement he made during a press conference Wednesday. Biden said Wednesday that, “Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does. It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and then we end up having a fight about what to do and no do, et cetera.” On Thursday, Biden clarified his remarks by saying:

“If any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion. And it would be met with severe and coordinated economic response that I’ve discussed in detail with our allies, as well as laid out very clearly for President Putin. But let there be no doubt at all that if Putin makes this choice, Russia will pay a heavy price.”

The Latest on Russia’s Military Buildup

Over the last several months, Russia has undertaken a significant military buildup on Ukraine’s border with over 100,000 troops in close proximity to the border and more personnel in staging areas where they could quickly be moved to the front. The buildup is larger than what occurred before Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine and launched an invasion of the Donbas region in 2014, where it still supports a separatist insurgency. The ongoing conflict has led to more than 14,000 deaths to date.
Russia’s military is also moving troops and advanced equipment, such as its advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile system, into neighboring Belarus for what they say are military exercises. Some of the units have been moved across Russia from bases in Siberia and the country’s Far East to areas near Ukraine. This comes as Russia’s navy is also undertaking notable training exercises: it sent amphibious vessels from its Baltic Fleet into the Mediterranean Sea this week, where they’ll reportedly link up for training with other Russian warships that just completed exercises with ships from the Iranian and Chinese navies in the Gulf of Oman.
It’s still unclear whether Putin has decided to attack Ukraine, and he has said he has no plans to invade Ukraine. However, the multi-pronged buildup of military assets gives Putin the ability to threaten Ukraine by land from the south via Crimea, from the east via the Donbas, or the north from Belarus; and by sea through an amphibious landing from the Black Sea.
Russia is reportedly laying the groundwork for a “false flag” operation to use as justification for an attack on Ukraine. The U.S. announced sanctions on Thursday against several Russian-backed officials who were being recruited to undermine Ukraine’s government and to prepare to take over the country’s government and control the country’s critical infrastructure during a Russian occupation.

U.S. & NATO Step Up Military Aid to Ukraine

The U.S. is shipping more ammunition and lethal military aid to Ukraine and also gave a green-light to NATO allies providing Ukraine with American-made missiles and other equipment typically subject to export control rules.
The three Baltic states ― Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania ― are sending Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-air missiles, among other equipment. Additionally, the United Kingdom has flown “thousands” of anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in an airlift that began earlier this week, an effort that was depicted in a timelapse compiled by the UK Defence Journal.
The Netherlands offered to provide military aid directly to Ukraine if asked and deployed F-35 fighters to Bulgaria for their first foreign deployment in a show of solidarity. Spain is considering sending jet fighters to Bulgaria as well and is sending warships to the Black Sea and the eastern Mediterranean Sea. France has also offered to send troops to Bulgaria, while Denmark has deployed a warship to the Baltic Sea.
NATO’s counter-buildup comes as a U.S. Navy carrier strike group centered on the USS Harry S. Truman is operating in the Mediterranean Sea and is set to participate in a NATO exercise that begins Monday.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Major Neil Penttila, 7th Army Training Command Public Affairs via Flickr / Creative Commons)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2022-01-26T16:38:05.494Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? The U.S. and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies are increasing shipments of military aid to","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":4,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2022-01-26T16:38:05.454Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"U.S. & NATO Allies Provide Aid to Ukraine Amid Russia’s Military Buildup","cta_prompt":"Are you concerned about Russia invading Ukraine?","html_content":"

What’s the story?

The U.S. and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies are increasing shipments of military aid to Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing military buildup on Ukraine’s borders.
The news comes as Russia is insisting that NATO provide a legal guarantee Ukraine will never be admitted to the alliance and remove forces from NATO member countries in Central and Eastern Europe like Bulgaria and Romania. The U.S. and NATO have rejected those demands as non-starters and are taking steps to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and reassure allies in the region.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to the press Friday after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland. Blinken said he conveyed that the U.S. and its European allies and partners “stand firmly with Ukraine in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He added:

“We’ve been clear: If any Russian military forces move across Ukraine’s border, that’s a renewed invasion. It will be met with a swift, severe, and a united response from the United States and our partners and allies. We also know from experience that Russia has an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyber attacks, paramilitary tactics, and other means of advancing their interests aggressively without overtly using military action. Those types of Russian aggression will also be met with a decisive, calibrated, and again, united response.”

Blinken’s comments specifying that any movement across Ukraine’s border is a renewed invasion come after President Joe Biden had to clean up a similar statement he made during a press conference Wednesday. Biden said Wednesday that, “Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does. It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and then we end up having a fight about what to do and no do, et cetera.” On Thursday, Biden clarified his remarks by saying:

“If any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion. And it would be met with severe and coordinated economic response that I’ve discussed in detail with our allies, as well as laid out very clearly for President Putin. But let there be no doubt at all that if Putin makes this choice, Russia will pay a heavy price.”

The Latest on Russia’s Military Buildup

Over the last several months, Russia has undertaken a significant military buildup on Ukraine’s border with over 100,000 troops in close proximity to the border and more personnel in staging areas where they could quickly be moved to the front. The buildup is larger than what occurred before Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine and launched an invasion of the Donbas region in 2014, where it still supports a separatist insurgency. The ongoing conflict has led to more than 14,000 deaths to date.
Russia’s military is also moving troops and advanced equipment, such as its advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile system, into neighboring Belarus for what they say are military exercises. Some of the units have been moved across Russia from bases in Siberia and the country’s Far East to areas near Ukraine. This comes as Russia’s navy is also undertaking notable training exercises: it sent amphibious vessels from its Baltic Fleet into the Mediterranean Sea this week, where they’ll reportedly link up for training with other Russian warships that just completed exercises with ships from the Iranian and Chinese navies in the Gulf of Oman.
It’s still unclear whether Putin has decided to attack Ukraine, and he has said he has no plans to invade Ukraine. However, the multi-pronged buildup of military assets gives Putin the ability to threaten Ukraine by land from the south via Crimea, from the east via the Donbas, or the north from Belarus; and by sea through an amphibious landing from the Black Sea.
Russia is reportedly laying the groundwork for a “false flag” operation to use as justification for an attack on Ukraine. The U.S. announced sanctions on Thursday against several Russian-backed officials who were being recruited to undermine Ukraine’s government and to prepare to take over the country’s government and control the country’s critical infrastructure during a Russian occupation.

U.S. & NATO Step Up Military Aid to Ukraine

The U.S. is shipping more ammunition and lethal military aid to Ukraine and also gave a green-light to NATO allies providing Ukraine with American-made missiles and other equipment typically subject to export control rules.
The three Baltic states ― Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania ― are sending Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-air missiles, among other equipment. Additionally, the United Kingdom has flown “thousands” of anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in an airlift that began earlier this week, an effort that was depicted in a timelapse compiled by the UK Defence Journal.
The Netherlands offered to provide military aid directly to Ukraine if asked and deployed F-35 fighters to Bulgaria for their first foreign deployment in a show of solidarity. Spain is considering sending jet fighters to Bulgaria as well and is sending warships to the Black Sea and the eastern Mediterranean Sea. France has also offered to send troops to Bulgaria, while Denmark has deployed a warship to the Baltic Sea.
NATO’s counter-buildup comes as a U.S. Navy carrier strike group centered on the USS Harry S. Truman is operating in the Mediterranean Sea and is set to participate in a NATO exercise that begins Monday.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Major Neil Penttila, 7th Army Training Command Public Affairs via Flickr / Creative Commons)

Almost two years ago, we made the call for Mavericks – people who challenge the status quo; people who defend the dignity of all; and people who work in service of a cause greater than oneself. Thousands, maybe millions, have answered the call.

As the 2020 Election approaches, we need mavericks more than ever before. Like the original maverick, Senator John McCain, we ask you to use your vote to challenge the status quo, defend the dignity of all people and support causes greater than one’s self.

Watch the video and let us know how you plan on Maverick Voting. Post your responses and videos here and/or on Twitter and Facebook pages and take the pledge if you haven’t already at https://www.mavericksneeded.org/.

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","custom_cta_text":"Record Video","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":3,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - Western Region","id":395,"slug":"395-local-news-source-guide-western-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/395-local-news-source-guide-western-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=395","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/395/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":2,"html_content":"

Arizona - AZ AZCentral

New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal

Oregon - OR The Oregonian

Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal

California – CA Los Angeles Times

Washington - WA The Seattle Times

Utah - UT Deseret News

Colorado - CO The Denver Post

Hawaii - HI Honolulu Star Advertiser

Alaska - AK Anchorage Daily News

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:43.123Z","status":"published","snippet":"Arizona - AZ AZCentral New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal Oregon - OR The Oregonian Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal","share_count":1,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:43.121Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - Western Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Arizona - AZ AZCentral

New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal

Oregon - OR The Oregonian

Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal

California – CA Los Angeles Times

Washington - WA The Seattle Times

Utah - UT Deseret News

Colorado - CO The Denver Post

Hawaii - HI Honolulu Star Advertiser

Alaska - AK Anchorage Daily News

As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center, the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with important voter information and answer all your questions about the upcoming 2020 election. For more, check out Campaign Legal Center's State and Locally Focused Resources for Supporting Voting Rights.

","comments_count":2,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["short-video"],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-04T20:56:04.486Z","status":"published","snippet":"As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center , the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with","share_count":2,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-12-04T20:56:04.483Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/QPdVFA0dxMg","video_dimensions":[480,270],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 6: When can you expect to know the election result?","cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","html_content":"

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The second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service has been awarded to the people of Hong Kong in recognition of their fight for democracy. The award, which was presented to the people of Lesbos, Greece, last year was presented this year to former lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing and activist Figo Chan Ho-wun on Saturday, November 23rd. The two accepted the award from Cindy McCain, the wife of late Senator John McCain, alongside the Halifax Security Forum, on behalf of all protesters in Hong Kong.

Giving this award to the people of Hong Kong makes the Halifax Security Forum—a network of international experts, academics, military officials, entrepreneurs and authors—the first international organization to recognize the struggles of the city’s people. This certainly comes at a delicate time: last week, the US Congress almost unanimously voted to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. This act would impose stricter monitoring of Hong Kong and, should any action be taken by the government to erode at the city’s freedoms, sanctions against China. President Trump, who has been in the process of working out a new trade deal with Beijing as a focal point of his re-election campaign, has yet to comment on whether he will sign the act into law or not.

In this context, the Halifax Forum’s recognition of the Hong Kongese could be seen as a challenge to Beijing itself. However, the Forum stands firm in its decision. Cindy McCain, who is also a board member of the Forum, said that she hopes “this tribute to those who are struggling for their rights in Hong Kong will encourage more people around the world to raise their voices in support of their cause, especially in my country’s government. They are fighting for something larger than themselves.”

Article: People of Hong Kong awarded 2019 John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service – an honour that comes at delicate time in US-China relations

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Article: People of Hong Kong awarded 2019 John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service – an honour that comes at delicate time in US-China relations

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":0,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":["news"],"legislator_ids":[3]},{"title":"Introducing the Diplomacy Caucus","id":119,"slug":"119-introducing-diplomacy-caucus","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/119-introducing-diplomacy-caucus","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=119","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/119/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":898,"cta_prompt":"A bipartisan group of lawmakers are banding together to support America's diplomats","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":7,"html_content":"

The ongoing impeachment hearings in Washington, DC have had the unintended consequence of dragging down the morale of America’s foreign service as U.S. diplomats have been caught up in the partisan crossfire. To remedy this, four members of congress, two Republicans and two Democrats, have announced the creation of the Diplomacy Caucus. The caucus will bring together lawmakers of both parties in the interest of strengthening the U.S. diplomatic corps through legislation. Do you feel that America’s public servants are being protected enough by Congress, or is the creation of this caucus a necessity?

Article: With State Department Under Fire, Lawmakers Form a Diplomacy Caucus

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Article: With State Department Under Fire, Lawmakers Form a Diplomacy Caucus

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NATO and its members are facing a growing threat in the form of Mis-, Dis-, and Mal-information (MDM) campaigns that can be traced back to authoritarian regimes and their proxies. Much of this “weaponized” information seems aimed at weakening confidence in member governments and in the alliance itself. While Russia poses the most immediate threat, China and others are also engaged in these antidemocratic campaigns. One important step in countering MDM is measuring the public’s awareness of the threat. This is difficult because efforts are increasingly sophisticated, subtle, and coordinated. To counter this threat, NATO and its members must measure and build public awareness of MDM and clearly communicate NATO objectives especially younger populations in NATO member states. This event is the second of a four-part series to build public awareness of MDM, communicate NATO’s importance (particularly to youth), and pursue forward-looking, evidence-based, and trust-based policymaking.

This event is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State – NATO Mission. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.

Event Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/86136984413

Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas has three decades of experience working on national security and foreign policy in the U.S. executive, legislative branch, private sector and for international organizations overseas. In 2019-2020 she ran to represent New York’s 17th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. She is currently President, Farkas Global Strategies. Prior to that she was Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United State and the Atlantic Council and National Security Contributor for NBC/MSNBC.

She served from 2012 to 2015 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia/Ukraine/Eurasia, Balkans, Caucasus and conventional arms control. From 2010 to 2012 she was Senior Advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for the NATO Summit. Prior to that, she was Executive Director of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism and senior fellow at the American Security Project. From 2001 to 2008, she served as a Professional Staff Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee responsible for Asia Pacific, Western Hemisphere, Special Operations Command, and policy issues including combatting terrorism, and export control.

From 1997-2001 Farkas was a professor of international relations at the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College. She served 1996-97 in Bosnia with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). She has published numerous journal articles and opinion pieces and Fractured States and U.S. Foreign Policy: Iraq, Ethiopia, and Bosnia in the 1990s (Palgrave/St. Martin’s Press). She speaks Hungarian and German, has studied French, Spanish, Serbo-Croatian, Russian and Hindi.

Dr. Farkas obtained her MA and Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She serves a DC Family Court-Appointed Special Advocate. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Board of Directors for the Project 2049 Institute, Supporters of Civil Society in Russia, Leadership Council-Women in National Security, and the Board of Trustees of her alma mater, Franklin & Marshall College.

Edward Lucas is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). He was formerly a senior editor at The Economist. Lucas has covered Central and Eastern European affairs since 1986, writing, broadcasting, and speaking on the politics, economics, and security of the region.

A graduate of the London School of Economics and long-serving foreign correspondent in Berlin, Vienna, Moscow, and the Baltic states, he is an internationally recognized expert on espionage, subversion, the use and abuse of history, energy security and information warfare.

He is the author of four books: The New Cold War (2008, newly revised and republished); Deception (2011); The Snowden Operation (2014), and Cyberphobia (2015). His website is edwardlucas.com and he tweets as @edwardlucas.

H.E. Jüri Luik is the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia as of 12 June 2017.Prior to becoming Minister of Defence, Jüri Luik was the Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2015-2017 he was the Director of the International Centre for Defence and Security. From 2012-2015 Jüri Luik served as the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Moscow. From 2007-2012 he served as the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and permanent representative to NATO. From 2003-2007 Jüri Luik served as the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Washington. From 2002-2003 he served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Head of the NATO accession negotiation delegation. From 1999-2002 Jüri Luik served as the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia. From 1996-1999 he served as the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Brussels.

From 1995-1996 Luik was a Visiting Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in Washington. From 1994-1995 he served as the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Estonia. From 1993-1994 Jüri Luik served as the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia. From 1992-1993 he served as Minister without a Portfolio, heading the Estonian Delegation in Russian-Estonian intergovernmental negotiations. In 1992 he was a Member of the Riigikogu and in 1991 he served as the Head of the Division for International Organisations and Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and later served as the director of the same division. From 1990-1991 Jüri Luik served as the assistant advisor on Anglo-Saxon countries at the Estonian Institute From 1988-1990 he was the political editor at the magazine Vikerkaar. Born on 17 August 1966, in Tallinn, he graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in journalism. He has been awarded the diplomatic rank of ambassador.

Moderator:

David J. Kramer serves as Managing Director for Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute. Prior to joining the Institute, he taught at Florida International University's Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, where he also was Senior Fellow in the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy and Director for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Before moving to Miami, Kramer worked in Washington, DC for 24 years, including as Senior Director for Human Rights and Democracy with The McCain Institute for International Leadership; President of Freedom House; and Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Kramer also served eight years in the U.S. Department of State during the George W. Bush administration, including as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs (responsible for Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus affairs as well as regional non-proliferation issues); Professional Staff Member in the Secretary’s Office of Policy Planning; and Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary for Global Affairs. He also was Executive Director of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy in Washington. He is author of the book, Back to Containment: Dealing with Putin’s Regime.

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Event Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/86136984413

Moderator:

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What’s the story?

The leaders of the five countries with the world’s largest nuclear arsenals released a joint statement this month to “affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought” and express their commitment to preventing further nuclear proliferation and “an arms race that would benefit none and endanger all.”
The U.S., the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Great Britain, and France were represented in the statement, which addressed their collective desire to reduce strategic risks stemming from nuclear weapons. The joint statement explained:

“We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons ― for as long as they continue to exist ― should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented.”

The joint statement also allowed the five nations to “emphasize the importance of preserving and complying with our bilateral and multilateral non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control agreements and commitments.”
All five countries are parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and are believed to have the largest nuclear arsenals in the world. The U.S. and Russia have the largest arsenals, although China is rapidly modernizing and expanding its arsenal. Three other countries with declared nuclear weapons arsenals ― India, Pakistan, and North Korea ― didn’t join the statement.
A spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a statement to express appreciation for the statement as a recognition of those countries’ commitment to curtailing nuclear proliferation and avoiding nuclear war. He added that “the only way to eliminate all nuclear risks is to eliminate all nuclear weapons.”
This statement comes amid several looming threats to global stability, including Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s border; China’s use of its military to coerce Taiwan; Iran potentially moving to acquire nuclear weapons; and North Korea’s tests of nuclear-capable missiles.
Recent efforts to renew the push for arms control have also fallen flat as Russia and the U.S. let the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty expire in 2019, with both seeking to develop missiles with that range given China’s large arsenal of such weapons as a non-signatory. Discussions of a new INF Treaty involving all three countries haven’t progressed, and the three countries are also stepping up their development of hypersonic missiles, a technology that North Korea is also pursuing.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / RomoloTavani)

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What’s the story?

The leaders of the five countries with the world’s largest nuclear arsenals released a joint statement this month to “affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought” and express their commitment to preventing further nuclear proliferation and “an arms race that would benefit none and endanger all.”
The U.S., the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Great Britain, and France were represented in the statement, which addressed their collective desire to reduce strategic risks stemming from nuclear weapons. The joint statement explained:

“We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons ― for as long as they continue to exist ― should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented.”

The joint statement also allowed the five nations to “emphasize the importance of preserving and complying with our bilateral and multilateral non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control agreements and commitments.”
All five countries are parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and are believed to have the largest nuclear arsenals in the world. The U.S. and Russia have the largest arsenals, although China is rapidly modernizing and expanding its arsenal. Three other countries with declared nuclear weapons arsenals ― India, Pakistan, and North Korea ― didn’t join the statement.
A spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a statement to express appreciation for the statement as a recognition of those countries’ commitment to curtailing nuclear proliferation and avoiding nuclear war. He added that “the only way to eliminate all nuclear risks is to eliminate all nuclear weapons.”
This statement comes amid several looming threats to global stability, including Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s border; China’s use of its military to coerce Taiwan; Iran potentially moving to acquire nuclear weapons; and North Korea’s tests of nuclear-capable missiles.
Recent efforts to renew the push for arms control have also fallen flat as Russia and the U.S. let the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty expire in 2019, with both seeking to develop missiles with that range given China’s large arsenal of such weapons as a non-signatory. Discussions of a new INF Treaty involving all three countries haven’t progressed, and the three countries are also stepping up their development of hypersonic missiles, a technology that North Korea is also pursuing.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / RomoloTavani)

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Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested protestors to pay for police overtime.

Rep. Banks (R-Ind.) said \"Hoosier taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for illegal protests — it is a violation of their 1st Amendment rights.”

Despite Banks’ statements, such a bill would erode First Amendment protections and make citizens less likely to protest.

\nArticle: GOP lawmaker to introduce bill requiring arrested DC protesters pay for police overtime\n

Banks claims that this bill would not prohibit other demonstrations or protests, but historically speaking, many of our nation’s most important civil rights victories have come from protests that led to arrests. It seems likely that adding financial responsibility on top of the threat of arrest may prevent would-be-activists from participating in future protests.

Is this an intimidation tactic? If so, is it a violation of our First Amendment rights?

What do you think? Should activists ever be on the hook for police overtime?

","comments_count":4,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-08T16:57:59.427Z","status":"published","snippet":"Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested","share_count":13,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-08T17:09:45.576Z","allow_advocacy":false,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Congressman Introduces Bill Requiring Arrested Protesters to Pay for Police Overtime","cta_prompt":"Should protesters have to pay for police? Tell your Rep. how you feel.","html_content":"

Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested protestors to pay for police overtime.

Rep. Banks (R-Ind.) said \"Hoosier taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for illegal protests — it is a violation of their 1st Amendment rights.”

Despite Banks’ statements, such a bill would erode First Amendment protections and make citizens less likely to protest.

\nArticle: GOP lawmaker to introduce bill requiring arrested DC protesters pay for police overtime\n

Is this an intimidation tactic? If so, is it a violation of our First Amendment rights?

What do you think? Should activists ever be on the hook for police overtime?

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":4,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 5: What is \"Ballot Harvesting\" or \"Ballot Assistance\"?","id":358,"slug":"358-ask-expert-episode-5-ballot-harvesting-ballot-assistance","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/358-ask-expert-episode-5-ballot-harvesting-ballot-assistance","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=358","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/358/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.20","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg"},"profile_id":9,"action_count":4,"html_content":"

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-04T20:55:31.252Z","status":"published","snippet":"As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center , the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-12-04T20:55:31.250Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/aajlcjVZyVo","video_dimensions":[480,270],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 5: What is \"Ballot Harvesting\" or \"Ballot Assistance\"?","cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","html_content":"

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":1,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"New California Law Prohibits Political Deepfakes","id":100,"slug":"100-new-california-law-prohibits-political-deepfakes","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/100-new-california-law-prohibits-political-deepfakes","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=100","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/100/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should deepfake videos be considered protected speech?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.22.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":15,"html_content":"

California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false information about political candidates.

Specifically, the bill applies to instances where deepfake technology is used to intentionally spread false information about a candidate within 60 days of an election.

The bill includes exceptions for parody and satire, as well as cases where the broadcaster or publisher makes it clear that the media has been manipulated.

Article: California Becomes The Second State To Restrict Political “Deepfakes”

The bill has already drawn harsh criticism from free speech advocates, including the ACLU, who claimed \"this bill will not solve the problem of deceptive political videos; it will only result in voter confusion, malicious litigation, and repression of free speech.”

It’s worth noting that libel and defamation have never been protected by the first amendment, and many deepfake videos could be classified as libel or defamation.

Do you think outlawing deepfake videos is an attack on the first amendment? Can we stop the spread of misinformation without relying on censorship? Let us know in the comments below.

","comments_count":3,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-22T14:57:04.556Z","status":"published","snippet":"California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false","share_count":2,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#9F1962","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-22T15:29:37.361Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"New California Law Prohibits Political Deepfakes","cta_prompt":"Should deepfake videos be considered protected speech?","html_content":"

California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false information about political candidates.

Specifically, the bill applies to instances where deepfake technology is used to intentionally spread false information about a candidate within 60 days of an election.

The bill includes exceptions for parody and satire, as well as cases where the broadcaster or publisher makes it clear that the media has been manipulated.

Article: California Becomes The Second State To Restrict Political “Deepfakes”

It’s worth noting that libel and defamation have never been protected by the first amendment, and many deepfake videos could be classified as libel or defamation.

Do you think outlawing deepfake videos is an attack on the first amendment? Can we stop the spread of misinformation without relying on censorship? Let us know in the comments below.

","custom_cta_text":"React","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":3,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - Midwest Region","id":394,"slug":"394-local-news-source-guide-midwest-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/394-local-news-source-guide-midwest-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=394","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/394/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":1,"html_content":"

Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune

Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman

Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star

Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register

Kansas - KS Wichita Eagle

Michigan - MI Detroit News

Minnesota - MN Duluth News Tribune

Montana - MT Billings Gazette

Missouri - MO St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nebraska - NE Lincoln Journal Star

Wyoming - WY Casper Star-Tribune

Ohio - OH Cincinnati Enquirer

Wisconsin - WI Wisconsin State Journal

North Dakota - ND Bismarck Tribune

South Dakota - SD Rapid City Journal

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:00.175Z","status":"published","snippet":"Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register Kansas","share_count":1,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:00.169Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - Midwest Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune

Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman

Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star

Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register

Kansas - KS Wichita Eagle

Michigan - MI Detroit News

Minnesota - MN Duluth News Tribune

Montana - MT Billings Gazette

Missouri - MO St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nebraska - NE Lincoln Journal Star

Wyoming - WY Casper Star-Tribune

Ohio - OH Cincinnati Enquirer

Wisconsin - WI Wisconsin State Journal

North Dakota - ND Bismarck Tribune

South Dakota - SD Rapid City Journal

In this video, the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public highlights the importance of asking questions before you accept something as true or assume something is false. This video outlines three main lessons, by which viewers are introduced to foundational questions they can ask when deciding what to believe:

1. Who's behind the information?

2. What's the evidence?

3. What do other sources say?

Time Stamp Questions:

1:05 What is the difference between skepticism and cynicism?

2:05 How can you catch yourself being overly critical and how should you go about changing that?

5:08 What are ways to vet info without being too cynical?

Check out other Misinfo Day videos HERE

Access the Misinfo Day Toolkit HERE

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["short-video"],"private":false,"created_at":"2022-01-24T19:39:57.980Z","status":"published","snippet":"In this video, the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public highlights the importance of asking questions before","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2022-01-24T21:22:53.453Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/foKrSqxBMDE","video_dimensions":"200,113","video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"WATCH || Misinfo Day: Skepticism vs. Cynicism","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

1. Who's behind the information?

2. What's the evidence?

3. What do other sources say?

Time Stamp Questions:

1:05 What is the difference between skepticism and cynicism?

2:05 How can you catch yourself being overly critical and how should you go about changing that?

5:08 What are ways to vet info without being too cynical?

Check out other Misinfo Day videos HERE

Access the Misinfo Day Toolkit HERE

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":0,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":["short-video"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Bipartisan Bill Blocking Imports Made With Uyghur Forced Labor in Xinjiang Signed Into Law","id":515,"slug":"515-bipartisan-bill-blocking-imports-made-uyghur-forced-labor-xinjiang-signed-law","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/515-bipartisan-bill-blocking-imports-made-uyghur-forced-labor-xinjiang-signed-law","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=515","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/515/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Do you support or oppose the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"1.25.22","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f7464/8f7464-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","xsmall":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f7464/8f7464-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","small":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f7464/8f7464-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","medium":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f7464/8f7464-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png","large":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f7464/8f7464-UyghurForcedLaborPreventionActSigned.png"},"profile_id":11,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

A bipartisan bill to crack down on the use of forced labor from Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities who are persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party in Xinjiang was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act passed the House on a voice vote and then cleared the Senate by unanimous consent. It sanctions foreign individuals and companies involved with the use of forced labor in Xinjiang and bans all imports from the region through a presumption that products made in part or in whole are tainted by forced labor. The ban takes effect in 180 days.
Businesses can seek exemptions from the import ban by providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection with “clear and convincing evidence” that their supply chains are free of forced labor. Enforcement of the import ban will be coordinated with Canada and Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
While it ultimately garnered broad bipartisan support, the legislation stalled during the last session of Congress with the House and Senate unable to reach an agreement amid a lobbying push against the bill, including Apple, Coca-Cola, and Nike, among others. Victoria’s Secret, Patagonia, and L.L. Bean have all said they’re reworking their supply chains after being named in a report as using Chinese cotton from Xinjiang in their products. Intel apologized in China on Thursday for sending a letter to its suppliers asking them to not use labor or products from Xinjiang
Similar issues arose in the current Congress, with the Biden administration opposed to initial drafts of the bill reportedly due to concerns it would block imports of polysilicon, which is material used inside most solar panels, and potentially make it more difficult to meet climate goals. The Washington Post reported that Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry told lawmakers it would take five to 10 years to move the global supply chain for solar panels away from Xinjiang.
The bill’s lead sponsors were Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the Senate, and Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the House. Rubio praised the bill’s enactment in a statement:

“This is the most important and impactful action taken thus far by the United States to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their use of slave labor. It will fundamentally change our relationship with Beijing. This law should also ensure that Americans no longer unknowingly buy goods made by slaves in China. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues to ensure the new law is implemented correctly and enforced properly.”

President Joe Biden signed the bill in the Oval Office without a formal signing ceremony and press in attendance. Biden tweeted, “The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure supply chains are free from the use of forced labor — including from Xinjiang and other parts of China.”

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Radio Free Asia / Fair Use)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2022-01-25T19:06:09.078Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? A bipartisan bill to crack down on the use of forced labor from Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Support","color":"#333373","stance":"support"},{"text":"Oppose","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"oppose"}],"reaction_config_id":7,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2022-01-25T19:06:08.974Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Bipartisan Bill Blocking Imports Made With Uyghur Forced Labor in Xinjiang Signed Into Law","cta_prompt":"Do you support or oppose the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act?","html_content":"

What’s the story?

A bipartisan bill to crack down on the use of forced labor from Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities who are persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party in Xinjiang was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act passed the House on a voice vote and then cleared the Senate by unanimous consent. It sanctions foreign individuals and companies involved with the use of forced labor in Xinjiang and bans all imports from the region through a presumption that products made in part or in whole are tainted by forced labor. The ban takes effect in 180 days.
Businesses can seek exemptions from the import ban by providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection with “clear and convincing evidence” that their supply chains are free of forced labor. Enforcement of the import ban will be coordinated with Canada and Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
While it ultimately garnered broad bipartisan support, the legislation stalled during the last session of Congress with the House and Senate unable to reach an agreement amid a lobbying push against the bill, including Apple, Coca-Cola, and Nike, among others. Victoria’s Secret, Patagonia, and L.L. Bean have all said they’re reworking their supply chains after being named in a report as using Chinese cotton from Xinjiang in their products. Intel apologized in China on Thursday for sending a letter to its suppliers asking them to not use labor or products from Xinjiang
Similar issues arose in the current Congress, with the Biden administration opposed to initial drafts of the bill reportedly due to concerns it would block imports of polysilicon, which is material used inside most solar panels, and potentially make it more difficult to meet climate goals. The Washington Post reported that Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry told lawmakers it would take five to 10 years to move the global supply chain for solar panels away from Xinjiang.
The bill’s lead sponsors were Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the Senate, and Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the House. Rubio praised the bill’s enactment in a statement:

“This is the most important and impactful action taken thus far by the United States to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their use of slave labor. It will fundamentally change our relationship with Beijing. This law should also ensure that Americans no longer unknowingly buy goods made by slaves in China. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues to ensure the new law is implemented correctly and enforced properly.”

President Joe Biden signed the bill in the Oval Office without a formal signing ceremony and press in attendance. Biden tweeted, “The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure supply chains are free from the use of forced labor — including from Xinjiang and other parts of China.”

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Radio Free Asia / Fair Use)

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":0,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"One Year After Jamal Khashoggi’s Death, Many Questions Remain","id":85,"slug":"85-year-jamal-khashoggi-s-death-questions-remain","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/85-year-jamal-khashoggi-s-death-questions-remain","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=85","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/85/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Do you think Congress Should Reopen an Investigation?","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.2.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":18,"html_content":"

Wednesday, October 2nd marks one year since journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khashoggi was a known political dissident, and many of his articles were critical of the Saudi government. The exact circumstances of his murder remain suspicious and largely unverified, and one year later, there are still many questions surrounding his death.

Here’s what you need to know about Khashoggi:

Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi born author, journalist and political dissident.
He was assassinated on October 2nd, 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi was a legal resident of the United States, and a columnist for the Washington Post at the time of his death.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's death.
Later, the Saudi government claimed his death was the result of rogue actors.
\nBy November, the CIA had concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.\n
A United Nation’s Report concluded that he was killed and dismembered by Saudi state actors.
His remains have never been found.
\nInitially, President Trump promised “severe punishment” if it became clear that the Saudi government had assassinated Khashoggi. One month later, he backpedaled on this claim, citing his reluctance to “destroy the economy” by straining Saudi-U.S. relations.\n
\nA trial for 11 men accused of killing Khashoggi began in January, 2019 but has taken place in Saudi Arabia, mostly outside of public view.\n
\nLast week, Saudi Crown Prince admitted that Khashoggi’s death “happened under my watch.”\n
\nMohammed bin Salman still denies ordering the killing of Khashoggi.\n

Article: Khashoggi's murder: One year on, here's what we know

Even after multiple investigations and a Saudi trial, the exact details of the murder are still unknown. Khashoggi’s murder is a brutal blow to global press freedoms and an alarming strain to U.S.-Saudi relations. People deserve to know the truth about what happened to Jamal Khashoggi, and as long as the Saudi government and the White House continue to shroud this event in secrecy, people will continue to harbor suspicions about our government’s willingness to pursue justice and our democratic commitment to a free press.

Do you think Congress should demand an investigation into Khashoggi’s death? If so, let your Representative know.

You can also sound off on twitter using the hashtags #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

Or, you can reach out to the 2020 Presidential candidates below using #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-02T15:59:54.482Z","status":"published","snippet":"Wednesday, October 2nd marks one year since journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.","share_count":5,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-02T16:04:51.013Z","allow_advocacy":false,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"One Year After Jamal Khashoggi’s Death, Many Questions Remain","cta_prompt":"Do you think Congress Should Reopen an Investigation?","html_content":"

Here’s what you need to know about Khashoggi:

Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi born author, journalist and political dissident.
He was assassinated on October 2nd, 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi was a legal resident of the United States, and a columnist for the Washington Post at the time of his death.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's death.
Later, the Saudi government claimed his death was the result of rogue actors.
\nBy November, the CIA had concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.\n
A United Nation’s Report concluded that he was killed and dismembered by Saudi state actors.
His remains have never been found.
\nInitially, President Trump promised “severe punishment” if it became clear that the Saudi government had assassinated Khashoggi. One month later, he backpedaled on this claim, citing his reluctance to “destroy the economy” by straining Saudi-U.S. relations.\n
\nA trial for 11 men accused of killing Khashoggi began in January, 2019 but has taken place in Saudi Arabia, mostly outside of public view.\n
\nLast week, Saudi Crown Prince admitted that Khashoggi’s death “happened under my watch.”\n
\nMohammed bin Salman still denies ordering the killing of Khashoggi.\n

Article: Khashoggi's murder: One year on, here's what we know

Do you think Congress should demand an investigation into Khashoggi’s death? If so, let your Representative know.

You can also sound off on twitter using the hashtags #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

Or, you can reach out to the 2020 Presidential candidates below using #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

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In July of 2018, investigative reporter Susan Greene filmed an interaction between Denver police and a naked, handcuffed man. Police asked Greene to stop recording, and when she refused, they seized her phone, handcuffed her, and pushed her into a police car. The interaction was captured on police body cam footage.

\nArticle: Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training After Unlawful Arrest of Journalist\n

The right to record police officers have been repeatedly upheld by the courts as an essential element of free speech and free press.

After a 7 month internal investigation, the Denver Police Department agreed to provide First Amendment training for their officers, specifically conceding the right to photograph and record in public.

Is this a win for free speech? Let us know in the comments below.

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\nArticle: Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training After Unlawful Arrest of Journalist\n

The right to record police officers have been repeatedly upheld by the courts as an essential element of free speech and free press.

Is this a win for free speech? Let us know in the comments below.

","custom_cta_text":"React","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":0,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - North East Region","id":393,"slug":"393-local-news-source-guide-north-east-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/393-local-news-source-guide-north-east-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=393","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/393/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

Region: North East

New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor

New York - NY New York Times

Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe

Connecticut - CT Hartford Courant

Delaware - DE The News Journal

Maine - ME Portland Press Herald

Maryland - MD Maryland Independent

Pennsylvania - PA York Dispatch

Rhode Island - RI The Providence Journal

Vermont - VT Burlington Free Press

West Virginia - WV The Herald-Dispatch

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Region: North East

New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor

New York - NY New York Times

Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe

Connecticut - CT Hartford Courant

Delaware - DE The News Journal

Maine - ME Portland Press Herald

Maryland - MD Maryland Independent

Pennsylvania - PA York Dispatch

Rhode Island - RI The Providence Journal

Vermont - VT Burlington Free Press

West Virginia - WV The Herald-Dispatch

","custom_cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"confirmed_users_replies_count":0,"lawmaker_default_message":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"McCain Institute Human Rights and Democracy Summit","id":508,"slug":"508-mccain-institute-human-rights-democracy-summit","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/508-mccain-institute-human-rights-democracy-summit","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=508","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/508/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"The McCain Instituteis hosting its inaugural Human Rights and Democracy Summit.","cta_type":"custom","cta_text":"RSVP HERE","cta_url":"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mccain-institute-human-rights-and-democracy-summit-tickets-221054950307","formatted_publish_date":"12.2.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/3b74e4/3b74e4-11_30_2021_Summit_For_Democracy_General_Promo_TW.jpg","xsmall":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/3b74e4/3b74e4-11_30_2021_Summit_For_Democracy_General_Promo_TW.jpg","small":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/3b74e4/3b74e4-11_30_2021_Summit_For_Democracy_General_Promo_TW.jpg","medium":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/3b74e4/3b74e4-11_30_2021_Summit_For_Democracy_General_Promo_TW.jpg","large":"https://cdn.hosted-assets.com/we-hold-these-truths/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/3b74e4/3b74e4-11_30_2021_Summit_For_Democracy_General_Promo_TW.jpg"},"profile_id":4,"action_count":1,"html_content":"

The virtual event will take place in conjunction with the White House’s Summit for Democracy on December 9 – 10, 2021. The McCain Institute’s Human Rights and Democracy Summit will be split into two segments: ending forced labor and defending democracy.

The summit will be livestreamed on the McCain Institute Youtube page.

—

Additional Details:

11:00 a.m. EST – Galvanizing Cooperation Among Democracies to End Forced Labor

Virtual Event | Organized by the McCain Institute for International Leadership, Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, and Humanity United | Held in the United States in English

Description: The right to fundamental freedoms, justice and dignity is at the very core of democracy. The perpetuation of slavery, through forced labor, child labor, human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, of nearly 25 million people is an affront to democratic values. Join the McCain Institute, the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery and Humanity United for a conversation with civil society and government leaders from democracies taking steps to eliminate forced labor from their countries and global supply chains.

View the panel’s official page on the Summit 4 Democracy website.

Participants:

• Secretary Martin Walsh – U.S. Department of Labor

• Ambassador Katherine Tai – United States Trade Representative

• James Kofi Annan – Founder and President, Challenging Heights

• Heidi Hautula – Member of European Parliament

• Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne – Senate of Canada

• Leonardo Sakamoto – President, Repórter Brasil

• Ambassador Josette Sheeran – Executive Chairman, McCain Institute for International Leadership

• Philippe Sion – Managing Director, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking, Humanity United

• Alex Thier – CEO, Global Fund to End Modern Slavery

Submit questions for the panelists here.

—

12:30 p.m. EST – The Perils of Defending Democracy: Perspectives from Around the World

Virtual Event | Organized by the McCain Institute for International Leadership | Held in the United States in English

Description: Democratic norms and human rights are under attack around the world and human rights defenders are at grave risk. The McCain Institute is convening journalists and activists from Russia, Turkey, and Venezuela to share the threats they face, their first-hand experiences, and their expectations of the U.S. government.

Participants:

• Barış Altıntaş (Turkey) – Journalist and civil society professional. Founding president and co-director of the Istanbul-based Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)

• Roman Badanin (Russia) – John S. Knight Senior International Fellow at Stanford University, and the founder and editor-in-chief of the recently established investigative media outlet Agentstvo (agents.media) and former editor-in-chief of investigative outlet Proekt

• Carla Angola Rodríguez (Venezuela) – Multimedia journalist with a career spanning over 20 years and millions of followers on social media

• Paul Fagan – Director of the Human Rights and Democracy programs for the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University

Additional speakers may be added

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The summit will be livestreamed on the McCain Institute Youtube page.

—

Additional Details:

11:00 a.m. EST – Galvanizing Cooperation Among Democracies to End Forced Labor

Virtual Event | Organized by the McCain Institute for International Leadership, Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, and Humanity United | Held in the United States in English

View the panel’s official page on the Summit 4 Democracy website.

Participants:

• Secretary Martin Walsh – U.S. Department of Labor

• Ambassador Katherine Tai – United States Trade Representative

• James Kofi Annan – Founder and President, Challenging Heights

• Heidi Hautula – Member of European Parliament

• Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne – Senate of Canada

• Leonardo Sakamoto – President, Repórter Brasil

• Ambassador Josette Sheeran – Executive Chairman, McCain Institute for International Leadership

• Philippe Sion – Managing Director, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking, Humanity United

• Alex Thier – CEO, Global Fund to End Modern Slavery

Submit questions for the panelists here.

—

12:30 p.m. EST – The Perils of Defending Democracy: Perspectives from Around the World

Virtual Event | Organized by the McCain Institute for International Leadership | Held in the United States in English

Participants:

• Barış Altıntaş (Turkey) – Journalist and civil society professional. Founding president and co-director of the Istanbul-based Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)

• Carla Angola Rodríguez (Venezuela) – Multimedia journalist with a career spanning over 20 years and millions of followers on social media

• Paul Fagan – Director of the Human Rights and Democracy programs for the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University

Additional speakers may be added

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