New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that the state will file a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for separating families at the border. At the time of the announcement, over 70 immigrant children had been placed in at least 10 federal shelters across New York. “The Trump Administration’s policy to tear apart families is a moral failing and a human tragedy. We will not tolerate the Constitutional rights of children and their parents being violated by our federal government,” Cuomo said in a statement. “New York will act and file suit to end this callous and deliberate attack on immigrant communities.” Read more at CNN.
“Tender Age” Detainment Facilities Are Imprisoning Babies and Toddlers
After forced separation from their families, children under the age of five are being sent to “tender age” facilities in Combes, Raymondville, and Brownsville, T.X. Lawyers and pediatricians who have visited the facilities reported rooms full of crying children in jail-like conditions. Read more at The Associated Press.
Jeff Sessions’ Church Issues Formal Complaint Against Him
640 members of the United Methodist Church, including clergy and lay members, issued a formal complaint to the pastors at churches Jeff Sessions attends in Mobile, A.L. and Alexandria, V.A. The complaint accuses Sessions of child abuse, immorality, racial discrimination, and misrepresentation of the Church’s values for supporting policies that separate families at the border. “My ideal outcome is that his pastors in church leadership who know him will speak with him, and that in those conversations he will be challenged to think through the level of harm he is causing and have a change of heart, which is about as Methodist as you can get,” Reverend David Wright, who spearheaded the movement, told USA Today. You can find the complaint online, and check out USA Today’s coverage here.
Nina Simone’s Birthplace Will Be Nationally Preserved
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Nina Simone’s childhood home in Tryon, N.C. will be protected and preserved. “We’re delighted to work with the home’s new owners and the local community to chart a new future for the property that will honor her tremendous contributions to American society and inspire new generations of artists and activists to engage with her legacy,” said National Trust CEO Stephanie Meeks. Read more at Billboard.
Photo by Kat Borchart for BUST
Gina Rodriguez Sends Undocumented Latina Student To College
The Jane The Virgin star is using her “For Your (Emmy) Consideration” promotional cash to fund an undocumented student’s next four years at Princeton University. Rodriguez, who partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles to choose a candidate, said that her show’s team “has always jumped at any opportunity to help me do something for the Latinx community.” See more on The Hollywood Reporter.
Kate Spade New York To Donate $1,000,000 To Suicide Prevention
Following the designer’s suicide at age 55, Kate Spade New York will donate $1 million to suicide prevention and awareness groups, including the Crisis Text Line, in the founder’s honor. Read more at ABC News.
This article was published June 20, 2018
Top photo via ny.gov
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