Hi everyone! Welcome to the Rapid Response Results Report (RRRR)… Your recap of some of the positive news of the week!
Lowell
The city of Lowell reached an agreement with the 11 Latino and Asian-American residents who filed a lawsuit challenging the current at-large election system. The agreement lays out four more inclusive election models that the city council will choose from, with input from residents.
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_32656642/city-agrees-change-election-system
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Solidarity Lowell was one of many area organizations that co-sponsored Indivisible Westford’s Pro-ROE Rally. A special thank you to our members who came out to support our sister group and women’s healthcare! This well-attended peaceful rally made clear to our elected officials that we stand for bodily autonomy for all people.
https://westford.wickedlocal.com/news/20190610/westford-rally-supports-abortion-access
State
Boston city officials filed a stronger ‘Trust Act’ due to concerns over Boston Police cooperation with ICE.
https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/06/13/boston-revised-trust-act
National
New Jersey has become the second state in the nation after California to adopt a law that requires schools to teach about LGBT history in a move hailed by civil rights groups as a step toward inclusion and fairness.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2019/02/01/nj-schools-teach-lgbt-history-new-law/2749212002/
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Washington, DC residents are leading a challenge to Trump’s liquor license at his Washington hotel over claims that he doesn’t meet the city’s “good character” requirements.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2019/06/14/citing-trumps-character-dc-residents-challenge-city-revoke-his-hotels-liquor-license/
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Belinda Bennett set sail as the world’s first black woman cruise ship captain.
https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/botwc-firsts/belinda-bennett-is-setting-sail-as-the-world-s-first-black-woman-cruise-ship-captain
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A Ramadan tradition in Washington: Young Muslim volunteers feed local homeless.
https://www.voanews.com/episode/ramadan-tradition-washington-young-muslim-volunteers-feed-local-homeless
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Once threatened, sea turtle nests are thriving along the Georgia coast.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/science/sea-turtles-georgia.html
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A team of 633 divers in Florida broke the world record for largest underwater cleanup.
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/448743-more-than-600-divers-set-world-record-cleaning-up-debris-from-the
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New York City will become the first city nationwide to directly fund abortion, thanks to a budget deal announced Friday.
https://thinkprogress.org/new-york-city-to-become-first-city-ever-to-directly-fund-abortion-75ff99038b0f/
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed legislation putting an end to child marriage in the Empire State. The legislation raises the age of consent from 14 to 18, and amends the process to require parental and judicial consent for marriage involving 17- and 18-year-olds.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-ends-child-marriage-raising-age-of-consent-from-14-to-18/
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A federal court ordered the publishers of the Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi and white nationalist website, to pay American Muslim radio host and comedian Dean Obeidallah $4.1 million for publishing false and defamatory statements.
https://www.muslimadvocates.org/court-awards-muslim-commentator-4-1-million-in-lawsuit-against-founder-of-neo-nazi-website/
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After an emotional testimony (and well-deserved public shaming) from Jon Stewart, the House voted to replenish funds in the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/after-emotional-testimony-from-911-responders-house-panel-votes-to-replenish-victim-fund/2019/06/12/826ffa1e-8d27-11e9-8f69-a2795fca3343_story.html
International
Embassies worldwide are defying Trump and flying the Pride flag without permission.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/06/embassies-worldwide-defying-trump-flying-pride-flag-without-permission/
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Britain banned ads depicting harmful gender stereotypes.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/06/14/britain-bans-harmful-gender-stereotypes-advertisements/1455202001/
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The Church of England has voted to withdraw investment from companies that are not pulling their weight in the fight against climate change.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/church-of-england-climate-change-investment-withdraw-paris-agreement-fossil-fuels-a8437781.html
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Fifty top Pakistani clerics have issued a religious decree declaring that transgender people have full marriage, inheritance and funeral rights under Islamic law.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/27/pakistani-clerics-declare-transgender-marriages-legal-in-islam/
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Ecuador became the 27th country to legalize same-sex marriage.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ecuador-legalizes-same-sex-marriage_n_5d026236e4b0985c41994bc0 |
