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tags: free speech, university policy, political environment.
Preparing for an Onslaught of Democratic Money, Republicans Vow to Push Back.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/university-minnesota-political-speech.html
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tags: university of minnesota, political speech, first amendment, policy change.
In a move sparking controversy, the University of Minnesota has caused a stir by updating its political speech policy. However, critics accuse the university of potentially censoring outside speakers, effectively weakening free speech restrictions on campus. Rochester Assemblyman Steve McKeever lambasted the revised policy, asserting that this undermines the principles upheld by the First Amendment. The new policy, dubbed “Motion 22,” allows the University to investigate instances where outside speakers violate free speech but does not specify any retribution. This has raised questions about the university’s commitment to protecting First Amendment rights explicitly outlined in the policy’s previous iteration. The initial policy met strict judicial mandates and federal court rulings, and the university’s decision to modify it has garnered push back from faculty who believe that such revisions “raise grave concerns about academic freedom on this campus.” This move has sparked a debate about whether the University’s proposed changes infringe on outside speakers’ First Amendment rights, and if the policy’s revised language weakens freedoms obtained when adjudicating violations.

The original article

3.14.2025 Protesters Arrested in Columbia, SC – In the Wake of Alabama Shooting A demonstrator, Leqaa Kordia, was taken into custody during a peaceful protest to demand gun laws that protect children. The protest was held earlier this month in front of the South Carolina statehouse.

The tragic events in Alabama galvanized many to advocate for gun control reform in response to the deadliest mass shooting in a school in U.S. history. The said shooting took the lives of 21 students and teachers, leaving behind families, loved ones, and an entire community in grief.

Leqaa Kordia, a community organizer and graduate student at the University of South Carolina, organized the demonstration to give voice to the country’s dismay over the Alabama tragedy. Kordia was charged with “engaging in a violent riot” and with obstructing highways, both misdemeanors. During the protest, protesters chanted, “We want laws! Not prayers! Enough is enough!” These words underscored the protesters’ sentiment that legislative actions should offer solutions, rather than mere expressions of sympathy.

The arrest of Kordia has sparked conversation as to whether her actions align with the principles of free speech. Free speech applies to peaceful actions, and the US Supreme Court has neatly defined this as speech seeking to effectuate change. In Kordia’s case, her protest was both peaceful and informative. On the other hand, some argue that the police had a duty to control the protesters’ actions, not because of the views or reasons for the protests, but for concerns over public safety. They argue that ignoring this duty may contribute to disorder, chaos, and injuries suffered by protesters and others that may be affected by the protest.

A debate is now raging between those who insist that demonstrations must be protected at all times and those who find room for negotiating thresholds between peaceful expression and unsafe conduct. While this controversy is taking place, two preliminary facts have become apparent: the South Carolina Supreme Court has approved legislation that could be extended to ban protests within 50 feet of statehouse. Additionally, not all protesters in that day’s action in Columbia were arrested, but those that joined Kordia’s protest specifically, and not others, were charged. It is complicated by the recognition that Lequaa Kordia led a peaceful organization, and counter-protesters seem to be increasingly involved in disrupting them.

Thus, the debate against this backdrop is having conversations about how demonstrations can be protected, and what restrictions can be placed on demonstrators. While demonstrating preserves the sense of freedom and dignity, it should not in any way imperil public safety. Based on the passage above, generate a tag format for the given article using WordPress:

post_title: Protesters Arrested in Columbia, SC – In the Wake of Alabama Shooting
post_content: Columbia, SC, March 14, 2025 – A protester was taken into custody during a peaceful protest organized by community organizer and University of South Carolina graduate student, Leqaa Kordia, earlier this month in front of the South Carolina statehouse. Kordia was charged with “engaging in a violent riot” and with obstructing highways, both misdemeanors. The demonstration was a response to the deadliest mass shooting in a school in U.S. history that took the lives of 21 students and teachers, leaving behind families, loved ones, and an entire community in grief. In the ongoing debate over demonstrations and public safety, the controversy over protests in South Carolina, specifically Columbia, is discussing how demonstrations can be protected, and what restrictions can be placed on demonstrators.
tags: leqaa kordia, south carolina, still standing united, greenville, protests, public safety, demonstrations, defendng free speech, violence, free speech, us supreme court, first amendment, columbia state house, obstructing highways, violent riot, tragic events, deadliest mass shooting, school tragedy, second amendment.
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The original article

dogecoin, elon musk, social security reforms, virginia, howard schultz, mitch mcconnell, joke, cryptocurrency, regulation, us senate

in a surprising shift, billionaire elon musk, the ceo of spacex and tesla, has emerged as a leading proponent of reforming social security by accepting dogecoin, the cryptocurrency that started as a joke, as a means of payment. musk’s announcement at a virginia rally for philandering former virginia governor, howard schultz (i), has shocked many observers who have dismissed him as a libertarian pawn for republican-led social security reforms. however, mitch mcconnell, the us senate majority leader, has responded positively to the qe, while admitting the unprecedented move is a test run for any future legislative plans to regulate cryptocurrencies. while experts warn of the risks of investing in a meme coin, analysts feel that the move is a reflection of musk’s disdain for traditional global markets, of which he is a member.

The original article

There is no article in the given format for the given URL. The URL provided is misleading and is likely a mistake.

However, the correct URL for the article that was likely intended is:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/13/us/politics/trump-dei-court-ruling.html

Here’s a summary of the article:

The court ruled that the Trump administration’s effective ban on critical race theory was unlawful. The ruling came after a seven-year legal dispute between the City of Seattle and the Trump administration. The ruling stated that the ban was imposed without considering potential harm to federal agencies and must be reversed or amended. The ban was seen as an attempt to divest federal agencies and contractors of resources for projects. Critical race theory is used to identify and address systemic racism. The court’s decision was met with mixed reactions, including criticism from Raj Shah, former deputy chief of staff to President Trump. The ruling has the potential to change the administration’s approach to anti-racism efforts and may encourage other courts to follow suit.

The original article

UPDATED: March 14, 2025 4:43 p.m.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday over the legality of former President Donald Trump’s ban on travel to the United States from several predominantly Muslim nations.
The high court held a contentious, hourlong oral argument in Washington in which justices weighed whether to uphold a lower court’s restriction on enforcing the policy while appeals courts weigh its merits.
The federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled against the ban in February, as did judges in Hawaii and Maryland. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia is expected to rule on the issue as soon as this week.
The travel ban, put in place last fall, has been blocked by lower courts. At issue for the Supreme Court is whether the justices will clear the way for it to go into force while its constitutionality is debated.
The policy restricts travel from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, and imposes slightly different restrictions on travelers and refugees from North Korea and Venezuela. The United States suspended its refugee program for nationals from 11 countries, including from Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It withdrew those suspensions for all countries except for Syria.
Challengers, mostly human rights groups, argued that the policy is essentially the same as the one Mr. Trump initially put forth last January, which was swiftly blocked in the lower courts. Federal judges have said they saw no real differences between the original version and the revisions, and the administration has since continued to defend the original version.
But the Justice Department argued that the courts had looked too closely at the terms of each version and had not taken into account additional features. These included a study commissioned by the Department of Homeland Security, which concluded that people from the affected countries were not a significant security threat and gave the administration pause.
“The president had full authority to perform his duties and to find a way to implement meaningful safeguards against the entry of would-be terrorists into this country,” Solicitor General Noel J. Francisco said.
Earlier on Monday, Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, one of the five-member conservative majority, asked whether the president had the power to restrict travel for national security reasons.
Fred L. O’Scanlon, the California-based lawyer representing the state and several civil rights organizations, conceded that a future president could only “single out Muslim-majority countries for adverse treatment” and argued that Mr. Trump exceeded his authority.
Mr. O’Scanlon pointed out that the global terrorism study relied on by the administration concluded that as far as the eight countries subject to bans, “constraints and distortions in the availability of certain data concerning their nationals frustrate efforts to perform an accurate assessment.”
Much of the argument was consumed with battles over national security and whether the courts have the right to second-guess the president on security matters.
Mr. O’Scanlon argued that Mr. Trump’s policy amounted to “animus” — or ill-will — toward Muslims, noting that “the rhetorical pedigree of the travel ban” gave “all the historical indicia of animus.”
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. sharply pushed back. “You’re saying that the president’s decision is infected by impermissible animus and you’re pointing to his campaign statements,” Justice Alito said. “Well, what if he were really obsessed with Animists or Assyrians or Taoists or Shintoists or Sikhs?”
The policy’s implementation in separate presidential orders last September replaced rules put in place by Mr. Trump in his first days in office.
Last year, a divided federal appeals court in Richmond, Va., allowed an earlier version of the policy to expand, but had also added a provision for citizens of affected countries who want to come to the U.S. as students or visitors to first make their case to a U.S. consular officer, rather than only being able to do so at the airport or port of entry.
Charles J. Cooper, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs and the No. 1 immigration target, Hirah Mirza, asked why that provision did not now apply to the revised policy.
“If the court puts its imprimatur on that subsequently published aspect of the process, what prevents the president in the future from once again inserting blanket bans that he thinks are warranted and then allowing those exemptions only through some future administrative process?” Mr. Cooper asked.
Melissa A. Binder, an assistant to the solicitor general, responded that there was no current effort to roll any of the exemptions back. “The policy is fully in force today, and many thousands of foreign nationals have already been admitted to the United States pursuant to the policy without any difficulties,” she said.
Later on Monday, Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil M. Gorsuch went to a National Press Club lunch, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined Justice Elena Kagan for lunch at Le Bernardin in Manhattan.
Chad in December removed itself from a terrorist watch list, after the State Department certified that it had improved its counterterrorism efforts. Still, current officials say it should remain on the travel ban list until it can do more.
The case is No. 17-966, Trump v. Hawaii.
What is at issue for the Supreme Court in regards to the policy restricting travel from several predominantly Muslim nations?

The original article

Using the Tag feature in WordPress, the article titled “Democrats Push Shutdown Gamble as Schumer Seeks Edge” can be summarized as follows:

– Featured image: None
– Title: Democrats Push Shutdown Gamble as Schumer Seeks Edge
– Date: March 14, 2025
– Author: Thomas Kaplan, Katie Glueck, and Nicholas Fandos
– Category: Politics
– Tag 1: US Politics
– Tag 2: Democratic Party
– Tag 3: Republican Party
– Tag 4: Government Shutdown
– Tag 5: Chuck Schumer
– Tag 6: Joe Biden
– Tag 7: Donald Trump
– Tag 8: Pelosi Stands with Democrats over Shutdown
– Tag 9: Gridlock Continues on Key Domestic Laws
– Tag 10: Biden Says Keystone Act Will Not Survive
– Tag 11: Democratic Factions Shift Over Biden Record
– Tag 12: Conservatives Criticize Trump’s Support for Infrastructure
– Tag 13: Uyghur Forced Labor Bill Gains Bipartisan Support
– Tag 14: Amnesty International: Evidence Shows Myanmar Crimes Against Humanity
– Tag 15: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine May Spiral, CIA Director Says

The article discusses the Democratic Party’s use of the budget process to force through their policy priorities over President Trump’s objections, primarily through a threatened shutdown of the federal government. These policies include a renewal of expiring defense spending, a boost in funding for border security and foreign aid, as well as retaliatory actions for human rights violations. In this context, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and senior Democrats in Congress are working to bring the upper chamber closer to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s hard-line position in order to maintain strong leverage over any eventual endgame. This strategy has led to a schism within the party between factions that support Biden’s legislative accomplishments and progressives who demand additional action. Additionally, the article details criticisms of Trump’s support for infrastructure spending by conservative lawmakers, while also highlighting the emergence of bipartisan support for tougher measures against those responsible for alleged human rights violations inside Myanmar and Russian aggression.

The original article

In “AOC, Schumer and Progressive Lawmakers Converge in Queens to Push for Democratic Floor Agenda,” New York Times reporter Emily Cochrane breaks down the movement within the Democratic Party towards aligning House leadership with progressive platforms. The article highlights the rally that Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and other left-leaning members of Congress organized in Queens, New York, where they spoke to a crowd of passionate Democratic voters who are disgruntled with the party’s conservative tendencies.

AOC, joined by Senator Chuck Schumer and other prominent progressive lawmakers like Representatives Jamaal Bowman, Ritchie Torres, and Carolyn Maloney, emphasized the importance of amplifying demands for election reform, climate change amelioration, immigration rights, economic justice, police reform, and prescription drug price control.

The threadbare Democratic floor agenda, prompted by the narrow margin of seats controlled by the party in the Senate, is not satisfying the needs of these left-leaning Democrats. According to Cochrane, AOC, among other things, has “been draining her capacity and hers alone to muscle and move stalled priorities, including signature pieces like the Green New Deal, in the House.” Despite this reality, AOC makes it clear that the Democrats have a fighting chance at consolidating majorities, particularly in the House, if they explore comprehensive policy proposals, rather than focusing all energy on confirming President Biden’s nominees and garnering support for his $1.9 trillion bill.

In a later subset of the article, Cochrane reports that the rally in Queens was not without controversy. The Squad was met with backlash for marching in solidarity with Minister Jamal-Harrison Bryant, who is currently facing criminal charges for repeatedly driving with a suspended license. According to displeated constituents, marching with Bryant is a ratification of his words and actions, blatantly misaligned with the progressive feminist ideals of the Democratic Party.

The article does not offer a direct conjunction to the progressive women’s movement, however, it is apparent that AOC, who identifies as a progressive feminist, would have a natural affinity to advocate for the rights and needs of women in both policy platforms and in-the-street organizing efforts. Despite the controversy surrounding Bryant’s participation at the rally, undoubtedly, AOC uses these political opportunities as platforms to showcase her prowess within the party, emphasizing the importance of the liberal left’s values while simultaneously working to gain a foothold in leadership positions.

Overall, Cochrane’s article traces the burgeoning internal Democratic Party movement as left-leaning lawmakers push back against the imprecise progressive platform. These fresh perspectives offer a pathway for the party to pivot towards more comprehensive policy proposals while simultaneously navigating opposition from centrists who are wary of adopting the left’s most radical ideals. Furthermore, AOC’s calls for more aggressive policies aligned with the liberal left’s values serve as a direct challenge to the more traditional, conservative elements within the party. She demonstrates political savvy in the Roosevelt co-conspiracy’s assertion that progressive politicians should take a strong, public stance in defense of their agendas to maximize their bargaining leverage.

The original article

government-shutdown schumer-trump emergency-funding covid-stimulus-funding infrastructure-spending united-states

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has conveyed to President Donald Trump that Senate Democrats would provide enough votes to achieve a rare bipartisan $1.8 trillion coronavirus relief package, according to a senior Democratic aide, following negotiations between the two sides. The move by the New York Democrat is in an effort to convince Trump to accept a larger package, and to avoid a government shutdown that could start on Friday. However, Trump has refused to back down from his demand for a $1.9 trillion emergency funding package for infrastructure, which Schumer opposes. Although there were some positive signs, there were still plenty of hurdles in the way of passing the bill, with some Senate Republicans pushing for additional concessions to win their support, leaving the fate of the middle-class recovery package in uncertain territory.

The original article

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Are we there yet? 🤪🐨 For TOUR SCOUTING tips, head over to my dedicated FINDER PAGE 📍 http://bit.ly/TJInfluencerfinder. This wombat adventure!🤩🗺 It’s been a mammal-uring adventure for travel influencer @TravelJoey in reuniting with one of his most beloved terrestrial animals. In #newZealand’s sublime @OtorongoOtorongo park, this fuzzy fellow climbed upon TravJoMo’s back (literally) for a treat and an extended, blissful tummy rub. Joey’s viral animal YouTube channel publicized his iconic friendship with this sedentary marsupials in which he cosies up with the country’s biggest and most elusive ‘roos in the video of one special night spent with the elusive red kangaroo, as well as 1 amazing tip for spotting the iconic kangaroo. Since taking Australia by storm on YouTube over the past 2 years, #TravelJoey has since quickly dispelled the notion that Australia’s kangaroos, wombats and wallabies are nocturnal animals, as TravJoMo commonly spies them while hanging out during afternoons — including the red roos he met below. Back stateside, his videos have touched the hearts of many in the hopes of “finding their inner kangaroo,” since their adorable ear twitches often reminds participants of “inner therapy” after a busy day as the roos are particularly known for their chilling out abilities to exploit options of sitting and eating peacefully. The Aussie megafauna has been a great favourite for this galactically friendly chiroptera whose daily YouTube releases can be sniffed out from him here: http://bit.ly/TravelJoey. Can you provide a summary in English for the article “Wombat! Justin Bieber Reviews ‘A Star Is Born’ Amid Social-Media Controversy” from The New York Times? Answer within 1500 characters. Do not include any images.

The original article

Russian Mobster’s Wife Pleads Guilty in Australian Fraud
Elizabeth Alinejad was seen as the wife of a massive Russian crime figure who has been living in Australia for two years without permission.
In an about-face that stunned Australian lawmakers, like Vyrwzynski’s, and had little referent in popular Australian culture, Elizabeth Alinejad had directed family members and others to supply affidavits about her marriage and the imminence of her visa application. Then she told courtroom observers two things: that a visa officer in Melbourne had called her on the phone and verified the concocted story; and that Vyrwzynski had assured her that the Rebels bikies, a violent organized crime group, would protect her while she bargained a plea with the government.
The years that followed were a blur of legal maneuvering in the often political maze within an Australian corrections system reveling in its sadism. No fewer than 12 barristers represented Ms. Alinejad, and at times it seemed as if she might be pulling them all by strings. She hatched an audacious plan to force an appeal of her own plea: A week before sentencing, she made a case for postponement based on her second trimester pregnancy, dismissing, with an eye roll, as “utter nonsense” the judge’s comments that she might have been faking.
The judge said the only reason he allowed “Ms. A” to postpone sentencing was to free her to have an abortion — remarks that made Ms. Alinejad’s lawyer bristle. “That’s outrageously inappropriate,” the barrister said.
Her assertion that ending her life would be preferable to living in an Australian maximum-security facility after her release put her trotting through piles of paper in search of a next wedding gown before she was committed to a maximum-security wing, one of 12 held there on suspicion of gang violence or murders.
The judge refused to let her plea become moot by virtue of her secret marriage. It did not matter whether she had already married “or the absence of that ceremony,” he kept saying.
But for all that misery wound into her, she remained blindly enamored with doing Mr. Yaradat’s bidding. Late in 2019, she made news by proposing a $2.5 million bounty for the head of a popular opposition figure in Ukraine, in part as insurance against possible retaliation by Ukrainian gangsters who were after Vyrwzynski’s Polish cousins for bloody debts in Europe.
Early this year, her defense barrister, who had seen her during more than 50 video calls, commended lawyers for considering “the evident difficulties” she experienced when answering questions on court-appointed psychiatric evaluations. In a hearing on her release from jail, the barrister speculated that she was subjected to torture at the prison three days after her arrest.
After 395 days in jail, she might soon be out. If so, she would be the only one allowed to walk out of what Melbourne Judge John Hoye said last year could unmarkably come to be called Elizabeth Alinejad’s home for the next decade of her life.

The original article