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Earlier this month, Iran and the United States held diplomatic talks in Vienna to discuss lifting sanctions on the middle eastern country. The U.S. sanctions have effectively isolated Iran from the global economy and have led to a deep recession of their economy. The Biden has administration has maintained that the sanctions will not be lifted until Iran returns to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – an agreement signed in 2015 which limits the development of Iran’s nuclear weapons program. In 2018, the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement claiming the deal failed to curtail Iran’s missile program and regional influence. Following this, Iran began ignoring limitations on its nuclear program a year later. Last month, Iran and China signed a $400 billion-dollar deal to support the Iranian economy over the next 25 years, thus weakening the United States’ negotiating position.

Iran is also one of the world’s worst human rights abusers. Freedom House reported that the Iranian government has including the security forces and the judiciary, play a major role in the suppression of dissent and other restrictions on civil liberties. Media freedom is severely limited both online and offline and the state-run broadcasting company is tightly controlled by hard-liners and influenced by the security apparatus. Independent newspapers and magazines face censorship and warnings from authorities about which topics to cover and how. This has only worsened as Iran has attempted to cover up its mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic by stepping up harassment and censorship of journalists.

Read more about the JCPOA HERE

Read more about the Human Rights situation HERE

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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

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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.

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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

","comments_count":3,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":false,"created_at":"2019-11-25T15:26:21.848Z","status":"published","snippet":"The second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service has been awarded to the people of Hong Kong in recognition","share_count":3,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":{"state":"","region":"country","geolocate":true,"select_path":"Contact Reps : Federal : Geolocate","lower_chamber":"house","upper_chamber":"senate","chamber_choice":"all","state_required":false,"default_message":"This issue is important to me.","chosen_legislators":["3"],"lower_chamber_name":"House","upper_chamber_name":"Senate"},"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-11-25T15:26:21.846Z","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,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":["news"],"legislator_ids":[3]},{"title":"How do you plan on practicing Maverick voting?","id":219,"slug":"219-do-plan-practicing-maverick-voting","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/219-do-plan-practicing-maverick-voting","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=219","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/219/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":641,"cta_prompt":"Will your vote challenge the status quo; defend the dignity of all people; and support causes greater than one’s self?","cta_type":"record_video","cta_text":"Record Video","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"5.4.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg"},"profile_id":8,"action_count":19,"html_content":"

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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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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On March 30, the U.S. State Department released its annual report which documents human rights practices around the world on a country to country basis. This year’s report reflects the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and recognizes that many governments have used the crisis as a pretext to restrict rights and consolidate authoritarian rule. In contrast, the report positively demonstrates how other governments relied on democratic values and processes, including a free press, transparency, and accountability, to inform and protect their citizens. Finally, the report criticizes China for its human rights abuses, highlighting the genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.

Read the full report HERE

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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

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","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,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Congressman Introduces Bill Requiring Arrested Protesters to Pay for Police Overtime","id":89,"slug":"89-congressman-introduces-bill-requiring-arrested-protesters-pay-police-overtime","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/89-congressman-introduces-bill-requiring-arrested-protesters-pay-police-overtime","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=89","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/89/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should protesters have to pay for police? Tell your Rep. how you feel.","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.8.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":44,"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

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?

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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.

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What is it?

According to Penelope Muse Abernathy and the University of North Carolina Hussman School of Journalism and Media, 2,100 newspapers have closed in the past 15 years, newspaper circulation has fallen by 54 million since 2005, and 36,000 journalist jobs have disappeared. The areas which now face a dearth of local news outlets are known as news deserts.
The decrease of local newspapers has left over 1,800 communities without any local news sources, ranging from rural communities to highly populated suburbs.
\nMany fear that following the pandemic, many more local newspapers will disappear, expanding local news deserts in rural America.
The emergence of social media-based advertising, the decline of local businesses, and consumer preferences have all contributed to the decline of local newspapers, but there are significant consequences for civil society.

Why is it important?

\nAccording to Kenyon College Professor Nancy Powers, the decline of local newspapers contributes to the decline of democracy. Local newspapers “contribute to greater communication between government authorities and the population” and generate greater accountability for local officials. Local news “sets an agenda” for local public policies and leads to better civic discourse.
As local newspapers have decreased in number, misinformation and disinformation have both grown in the past few years. Local newspapers provide trusted sources and prevent the spread of misinformation among less-connected communities.
News deserts contribute to a decline in civil society organizations in rural America, which contributes to a rise in isolation and alienation.

What can you do?

Subscribe to your local newspaper\n
Read our summary of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA) of 2021.

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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

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","comments_count":2,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["short-video"],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-04T20:54:40.156Z","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":"2020-12-04T20:54:40.152Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/uy1tqtjjSqk","video_dimensions":[480,270],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":["short-video"],"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

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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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Yesterday, Google pledged nearly $30 million to combat online misinformation around the world. Most of the money will be used to support the European University Institute, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the European Digital Media Observatory which work to strengthening media literacy skills and supporting fact-checkers. Big tech has been under pressure to step up in the fight against misinformation including last week’s Congressional hearing which saw Google, Facebook and Twitter’s CEOs testify. Many have accused accusing the platforms of allowing misinformation related to the election and the COVID-19 vaccine to be amplified online.

Watch the full Congressional hearing HERE

\nArticle: How big was the global climate strike? 4 million people, activists estimate.\n

The New York demonstration was a powerful reminder of the importance of our right to gather, speak out, and hold our elected officials accountable.

Do you agree with the protest? If so, how would you like to see Congress address our changing climate? Reach out to your Rep. by clicking the link above or let us know how you feel in the comments below.

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One Big Thing: Do you think American Democracy was weakened by the 2020 Election?