courthousenews--2020-12-14--Jailed ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero Sues Over Arrest in US Court

SAN ANTONIO ( CN ) — The recently imprisoned Rwandan hotelier whose actions during the East African nation ’ s 1994 genocide inspired the 2004 film “ Hotel Rwanda ” claims in a federal lawsuit that a Greek private charter airline and a Rwandan secret agent conspired to kidnap and jail him .
Paul Rusesabagina , who has a home in Texas , sued GainJet Aviation and Constantin Niyomwungere in San Antonio federal court Monday afternoon , alleging they worked with Rwandan President Paul Kagame to punish Rusesabagina for publicly criticizing Kagame and his government .
“ This case arises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government and defendants GainJet and Constantin Niyomwungere to engage in the unlawful extradition , arbitrary detention , and torture of Paul Rusesabagina , ” the 90-page lawsuit states .
“ Mr .
Rusesabagina has become yet another victim of Rwandan President Paul Kagame ’ s practice of silencing political opponents and arbitrarily detaining them under the pretext of ‘ terrorism.
’ ” Rusesabagina was a manager at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Rwanda ’ s capital of Kigali in 1994 when Hutu-led militias and government officers , including police and soldiers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hwa and politically moderate Hutus during the Rwandan Civil War .
More than half a million Tutsis died during the genocide .
The son of a Hutu father and Tutsi mother , Rusesabagina sheltered more than 1,200 refugees from paramilitary forces that spring before he and his wife , Taciana , an ethnically Tutsi woman , were able to flee to Tanzania with help from the Rwandan Patriotic Front , whose armed wing began and won the Rwandan Civil War before installing Kagame as the nation ’ s president in 2000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children are named as plaintiffs in the suit .
Much of the complaint documents the numerous accusations against Kagame and his government , which allegedly perpetrated human rights violations , including the murder of hundreds of thousands of Hutu Rwandans , and undermined the Rwandan democracy by suppressing opposition parties and rigging elections .
“ Targeting of Mr. Rusesabagina increased as he became an internationally known humanitarian and continued to speak out against Rwandan government human rights abuses , including when Mr. Rusesabagina spoke in support of the United Nations ’ Mapping Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Kagame and his government are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Congo , ” the lawsuit states .
It continues , “ As a result of these criticisms of Kagame and his government , Mr. Rusesabagina became the subject of harassment , threats against his life , at least one assassination attempt and a decades-long smear campaign by Mr. Kagame ’ s government and its state-run media.
” This coordinated harassment has culminated , the lawsuit claims , in Rusesabagina ’ s August 2020 arrest in Kigali .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to leave his home in San Antonio , Texas , and travel to Burundi by way of Dubai to speak at churches and at public gatherings about his experience during the Rwandan genocide .
When Rusesabagina got to Dubai and boarded a plane chartered by GainJet , a private airline based in Athens , Greece , he expected to be taken to Burundi for this speaking circuit .
Instead , he alleges he was joined by Niyomwungere , a “ Rwandan operative , ” and taken to Kigali , where Rusesabagina “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return.
” “ As the plane neared the Kigali airport , the coconspirators bound Mr. Rusesabagina , ” the lawsuit claims .
“ When Mr. Rusesabagina got off the plane , he was surrounded by armed Rwandan law enforcement , blindfolded , and tied at the hands and feet .
The conspirators then tortured Mr. Rusesabagina by keeping him bound by his feet and hands , and keeping him blindfolded , for three days.
” After imprisoning him for weeks , Rwandan officials indicted Rusesabagina on “ terrorism ” charges , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-profile and effective critic of Kagame and his regime.
” Rusesabagina and his family are represented by Robert Hilliard of Hilliard Martinez Gonzalez LLP in Corpus Christi , Texas .
The family seeks statutory and punitive damages under the Torture Victim Protection Act , the Alien Tort Statute and international law , in addition to alleging civil conspiracy , fraud , false imprisonment and intentional infliction of severe emotional distress .
Calls placed to GainJet and the Rwandan Embassy in Washington were not returned by press time .
In the months since Rusesabagina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media outlets — which are notably censored by the state , according to free-speech watchdogs in the U.S. — published scathing columns suggesting that the activist was “ undone by hubris ” , characterizing him as an “ opportunist ” during the genocide and accusing him of lending “ support to militia groups based in neighboring [ Democratic Republic of Congo ] and Burundi.
” His trial is set for Jan. 26 and he has been denied bail .
“ No one kidnapped Paul Rusesabagina … he was detained at a legally recognized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , ” said Jean Cabin Habimana , a Rwandan prosecutor , according to an Al Jazeera report from late November .

The recently imprisoned Rwandan hotelier whose actions during the East African nation’s 1994 genocide inspired the 2004 film “Hotel Rwanda” claims in a federal lawsuit that a Greek private charter airline and a Rwandan secret agent conspired to kidnap and jail him.
SAN ANTONIO (CN) — The recently imprisoned Rwandan hotelier whose actions during the East African nation’s 1994 genocide inspired the 2004 film “Hotel Rwanda” claims in a federal lawsuit that a Greek private charter airline and a Rwandan secret agent conspired to kidnap and jail him.
Paul Rusesabagina, who has a home in Texas, sued GainJet Aviation and Constantin Niyomwungere in San Antonio federal court Monday afternoon, alleging they worked with Rwandan President Paul Kagame to punish Rusesabagina for publicly criticizing Kagame and his government.
“This case arises out of a conspiracy of the Rwandan government and defendants GainJet and Constantin Niyomwungere to engage in the unlawful extradition, arbitrary detention, and torture of Paul Rusesabagina,” the 90-page lawsuit states. “Mr. Rusesabagina has become yet another victim of Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s practice of silencing political opponents and arbitrarily detaining them under the pretext of ‘terrorism.’”
Rusesabagina was a manager at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali in 1994 when Hutu-led militias and government officers, including police and soldiers, began a mass slaughter of ethnic Tutsi, Hwa and politically moderate Hutus during the Rwandan Civil War. More than half a million Tutsis died during the genocide.
The son of a Hutu father and Tutsi mother, Rusesabagina sheltered more than 1,200 refugees from paramilitary forces that spring before he and his wife, Taciana, an ethnically Tutsi woman, were able to flee to Tanzania with help from the Rwandan Patriotic Front, whose armed wing began and won the Rwandan Civil War before installing Kagame as the nation’s president in 2000.
Rusesabagina, his wife and their six children are named as plaintiffs in the suit. Much of the complaint documents the numerous accusations against Kagame and his government, which allegedly perpetrated human rights violations, including the murder of hundreds of thousands of Hutu Rwandans, and undermined the Rwandan democracy by suppressing opposition parties and rigging elections.
“Targeting of Mr. Rusesabagina increased as he became an internationally known humanitarian and continued to speak out against Rwandan government human rights abuses, including when Mr. Rusesabagina spoke in support of the United Nations’ Mapping Report in 2010. That report concluded that President Kagame and his government are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Congo,” the lawsuit states.
It continues, “As a result of these criticisms of Kagame and his government, Mr. Rusesabagina became the subject of harassment, threats against his life, at least one assassination attempt and a decades-long smear campaign by Mr. Kagame’s government and its state-run media.”
This coordinated harassment has culminated, the lawsuit claims, in Rusesabagina’s August 2020 arrest in Kigali. According to the allegations, Rusesabagina was asked to leave his home in San Antonio, Texas, and travel to Burundi by way of Dubai to speak at churches and at public gatherings about his experience during the Rwandan genocide.
When Rusesabagina got to Dubai and boarded a plane chartered by GainJet, a private airline based in Athens, Greece, he expected to be taken to Burundi for this speaking circuit. Instead, he alleges he was joined by Niyomwungere, a “Rwandan operative,” and taken to Kigali, where Rusesabagina “had previously sworn that he would never return.”
“As the plane neared the Kigali airport, the coconspirators bound Mr. Rusesabagina,” the lawsuit claims. “When Mr. Rusesabagina got off the plane, he was surrounded by armed Rwandan law enforcement, blindfolded, and tied at the hands and feet. The conspirators then tortured Mr. Rusesabagina by keeping him bound by his feet and hands, and keeping him blindfolded, for three days.”
After imprisoning him for weeks, Rwandan officials indicted Rusesabagina on “terrorism” charges, which he says is cover for being “a high-profile and effective critic of Kagame and his regime.”
Rusesabagina and his family are represented by Robert Hilliard of Hilliard Martinez Gonzalez LLP in Corpus Christi, Texas. The family seeks statutory and punitive damages under the Torture Victim Protection Act, the Alien Tort Statute and international law, in addition to alleging civil conspiracy, fraud, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of severe emotional distress.
Calls placed to GainJet and the Rwandan Embassy in Washington were not returned by press time.
In the months since Rusesabagina’s August arrest, some Rwandan media outlets — which are notably censored by the state, according to free-speech watchdogs in the U.S. — published scathing columns suggesting that the activist was “undone by hubris”, characterizing him as an “opportunist” during the genocide and accusing him of lending “support to militia groups based in neighboring [Democratic Republic of Congo] and Burundi.”
His trial is set for Jan. 26 and he has been denied bail.
“No one kidnapped Paul Rusesabagina … he was detained at a legally recognized place after being notified of charges against him,” said Jean Cabin Habimana, a Rwandan prosecutor, according to an Al Jazeera report from late November.


courthousenews--2020-12-14--Judge Orders White House to Produce Details of Census Schedule

( CN ) — A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to produce documents related to the compressed census schedule that critics say will lead to an undercount that could cause some states to receive less federal funding while altering the balance of power in the legislative branch .
U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh said the Trump administration ’ s “ conduct has required compressing the case schedule ” in a 10-page order denying the administration ’ s attempt to delay producing documents .
Trump administration lawyers have argued they do not have the necessary time to comb through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal or confidential information is accidentally made public through the court .
Koh , who has routinely tussled with Justice Department attorney Alexander Sverdlov during hearings , said the administration ’ s actions have necessitated a compressed schedule and that “ time is of the essence ” in getting the problem sorted out before the counting part of the process can begin .
“ Defendants ’ problem is of entirely their own making , ” Koh wrote .
“ Defendants have known for nearly five months that they needed to produce the documents.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ records production request by the plaintiffs — a coalition of cities , counties and civil rights groups — closely mirrors that of the Government Accountability Office and the Trump administration should therefore have little problem in producing the documents during an accelerated timeframe .
Nevertheless , Koh did provide the Trump administration recourse to address their confidentiality concerns , saying they could provide documents with such questions to a magistrate judge that could rule on whether they abide by privacy regulations .
Government attorneys asked Koh to delay the document production date due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused the government of trying to run out the clock by using delay tactics until the relief being sought was no longer relevant .
The National Urban League and other plaintiffs sued the U.S. Census Bureau in September after the agency finalized its plans to truncate the counting portion of the census .
Instead of delaying the overall deadline of Dec. 31 , the Trump administration decided to shorten the period in which the bureau collects population data while also truncating the all-important follow-up phase from 11.5 weeks to 7.5 weeks .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early due to the pandemic , while critics say the administration is trying to undercount certain urban areas and areas with high concentrations of undocumented workers .
The undercount , the plaintiffs argue , will not only compromise the validity of the census data but will affect how federal funding is allocated .
The plaintiffs say this will mar a process known as apportionment , where congressional seats are allotted to states based on population counts derived from the census .
Plaintiffs also expressed concern the deadline was moved ahead so the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden is sworn in next month .
However , documents leaked to the U.S. House of Representatives show the apportionment numbers will likely not be ready before the Jan. 20 deadline , meaning the Biden administration may have the final say over how the census is ultimately concluded .
Koh has already granted the plaintiffs a temporary restraining order , indicating she believes they are likely to succeed on the merits .
The order prevented the Trump administration from ending the headcount portion early .
However , the Trump administration appealed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restraining order , the U.S. Supreme Court withdrew it without comment .
Nevertheless , several aspects of the case remain to be litigated .
There are other cases related to the census pending in federal court , including one over whether undocumented workers should be included in the headcount .
On Monday , the Supreme Court declined to take up the Trump administration ’ s request to fast track that issue .
The case may still be taken up during the court ’ s next session .

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to produce documents related to the compressed census schedule that critics say will lead to an undercount that could cause some states to receive less federal funding while altering the balance of power in the legislative branch.
(CN) — A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to produce documents related to the compressed census schedule that critics say will lead to an undercount that could cause some states to receive less federal funding while altering the balance of power in the legislative branch.
U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh said the Trump administration’s “conduct has required compressing the case schedule” in a 10-page order denying the administration’s attempt to delay producing documents.
Trump administration lawyers have argued they do not have the necessary time to comb through 88,000 pages of documents to ensure no personal or confidential information is accidentally made public through the court.
Koh, who has routinely tussled with Justice Department attorney Alexander Sverdlov during hearings, said the administration’s actions have necessitated a compressed schedule and that “time is of the essence” in getting the problem sorted out before the counting part of the process can begin.
“Defendants’ problem is of entirely their own making,” Koh wrote. “Defendants have known for nearly five months that they needed to produce the documents.”
The judge also noted that the records production request by the plaintiffs — a coalition of cities, counties and civil rights groups — closely mirrors that of the Government Accountability Office and the Trump administration should therefore have little problem in producing the documents during an accelerated timeframe.
Nevertheless, Koh did provide the Trump administration recourse to address their confidentiality concerns, saying they could provide documents with such questions to a magistrate judge that could rule on whether they abide by privacy regulations.
Government attorneys asked Koh to delay the document production date due to the burdensome amount, while plaintiffs accused the government of trying to run out the clock by using delay tactics until the relief being sought was no longer relevant.
The National Urban League and other plaintiffs sued the U.S. Census Bureau in September after the agency finalized its plans to truncate the counting portion of the census.
Instead of delaying the overall deadline of Dec. 31, the Trump administration decided to shorten the period in which the bureau collects population data while also truncating the all-important follow-up phase from 11.5 weeks to 7.5 weeks.
The administration said it was necessary to conclude early due to the pandemic, while critics say the administration is trying to undercount certain urban areas and areas with high concentrations of undocumented workers.
The undercount, the plaintiffs argue, will not only compromise the validity of the census data but will affect how federal funding is allocated. The plaintiffs say this will mar a process known as apportionment, where congressional seats are allotted to states based on population counts derived from the census.
Plaintiffs also expressed concern the deadline was moved ahead so the Trump administration could finish the process before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in next month. However, documents leaked to the U.S. House of Representatives show the apportionment numbers will likely not be ready before the Jan. 20 deadline, meaning the Biden administration may have the final say over how the census is ultimately concluded.
Koh has already granted the plaintiffs a temporary restraining order, indicating she believes they are likely to succeed on the merits. The order prevented the Trump administration from ending the headcount portion early.
However, the Trump administration appealed and after a Ninth Circuit panel upheld the restraining order, the U.S. Supreme Court withdrew it without comment. Nevertheless, several aspects of the case remain to be litigated.
There are other cases related to the census pending in federal court, including one over whether undocumented workers should be included in the headcount.
On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to take up the Trump administration’s request to fast track that issue. The case may still be taken up during the court’s next session.


courthousenews--2020-12-14--Attorney General Barr Stepping Down Weeks Before Trump Exit

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Attorney General William Barr will resign his post just before Christmas , President Donald Trump said shortly after his election loss to Joe Biden was formally certified .
Trump said Barr will step down on Dec. 23 in a tweet featuring a resignation letter from the nation ’ s outgoing top cop that heaped praise on the president ’ s s single term in office .
Barr ’ s exit , which was expected , comes as Biden ’ s win in November was finally enshrined by the Electoral College on Monday .
Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks over Biden ’ s victory with Trump claiming regularly – and baselessly – that widespread voter fraud is to blame for his loss .
The Department of Justice declared publicly on Dec. 1 that it found zero evidence of election or voter fraud .
But in his resignation letter shared by and addressed to Trump , Barr notably wrote : “ I appreciate the opportunity to update you this afternoon on the Department ’ s review of voter fraud allegations in the 2020 election and how these allegations will continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Barr , who also served as attorney general for President George H.W .
Bush.
, offered glowing reviews of Trump , saying that the administration ’ s achievements were “ unprecedented ” and “ historic ” and all while “ in the face of relentless , implacable resistance.
” When Trump put Barr forward for confirmation in the Senate last year , he faced a grilling from skeptical Democrats who called into question for two days whether the nominee would remain loyal to the president first or to the department he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s capacity for impartiality stemmed from a 19-page memo he sent to a slew of White House attorneys in 2017 that theorized former special counsel Robert Mueller was investigating the president improperly .
The attorney general also did little to assuage concerns during his confirmation hearing , telling lawmakers repeatedly he believed loyalty was owed in equal measure to both the Justice Department and the president .
Barr entered the Justice Department only after his predecessor Jeff Sessions resigned at the president ’ s request in November 2018 .
Sessions and Trump came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator from Alabama recused himself from Mueller ’ s investigation into Russia interference in the 2016 election .
Announcing Barr ’ s resignation Monday , Trump said he had a “ very nice meeting ” with the attorney general at the White House and offered his compliments , saying he had done an “ outstanding job.
” In a follow-up tweet , Trump also said he selected Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen to serve as acting head of the department in Barr ’ s place for the remaining six weeks of the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets indicate Barr ’ s exit from the administration is amicable , a Wall Street Journal report from Dec. 10 cited an anonymous source who claimed Barr actively worked to keep investigations into Hunter Biden , President-elect Joe Biden ’ s son , under wraps in the lead-up to the November election .
Trump has regularly pushed , and very publicly , for probes into the Bidens .
Barr reportedly knew of the inquiries since spring , though the exact timeline is murky , according to the Wall Street Journal report .
Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation related to his taxes .
Richard Donoghue , a former prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York , will replace Rosen as deputy attorney general .
In February , as the president faced his impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate , Donoghue was tapped by the Justice Department to assist with “ coordinating ” matters related to Ukraine .
It was Trump ’ s call with Ukraine ’ s President Volodomyr Zelensky , in which he pushed for an investigation into the Bidens , that earned the single-term president his impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A representative for the Department of Justice did not immediately return a request for comment Monday night .
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler did not mince words Monday when reacting to Barr ’ s resignation .
“ From misleading the American public about the Mueller report to his dangerous efforts to overturn Covid safety measures , from his callous disregard for civil rights to his rampant politicization of the Justice Department , William Barr was willing to do the president ’ s bidding on every front but one , ” the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added , “ Barr refused to play along with President Trump ’ s nonsensical claims to have won the election .
He is now out as attorney general one month early .
In 37 days , President-Elect Biden will be sworn into office .
Whomever Joe Biden chooses as the new attorney general will have a tremendous amount of work to do to repair the integrity of the Department of Justice—and I , for one , look forward to being a partner in that project .
The work must begin without delay @ @

Attorney General William Barr will resign his post just before Christmas, President Donald Trump said shortly after his election loss to Joe Biden was formally certified.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Attorney General William Barr will resign his post just before Christmas, President Donald Trump said shortly after his election loss to Joe Biden was formally certified.
Trump said Barr will step down on Dec. 23 in a tweet featuring a resignation letter from the nation’s outgoing top cop that heaped praise on the president’s s single term in office.
Barr’s exit, which was expected, comes as Biden’s win in November was finally enshrined by the Electoral College on Monday. Trump and Barr have been at odds in recent weeks over Biden’s victory with Trump claiming regularly – and baselessly – that widespread voter fraud is to blame for his loss.
The Department of Justice declared publicly on Dec. 1 that it found zero evidence of election or voter fraud. But in his resignation letter shared by and addressed to Trump, Barr notably wrote: “I appreciate the opportunity to update you this afternoon on the Department’s review of voter fraud allegations in the 2020 election and how these allegations will continue to be pursued.”
In the brief two-page letter, Barr, who also served as attorney general for President George H.W. Bush., offered glowing reviews of Trump, saying that the administration’s achievements were “unprecedented” and “historic” and all while “in the face of relentless, implacable resistance.”
When Trump put Barr forward for confirmation in the Senate last year, he faced a grilling from skeptical Democrats who called into question for two days whether the nominee would remain loyal to the president first or to the department he would spearhead. Most questions around Barr’s capacity for impartiality stemmed from a 19-page memo he sent to a slew of White House attorneys in 2017 that theorized former special counsel Robert Mueller was investigating the president improperly.
The attorney general also did little to assuage concerns during his confirmation hearing, telling lawmakers repeatedly he believed loyalty was owed in equal measure to both the Justice Department and the president.
Barr entered the Justice Department only after his predecessor Jeff Sessions resigned at the president’s request in November 2018. Sessions and Trump came to blows openly after the former U.S. senator from Alabama recused himself from Mueller’s investigation into Russia interference in the 2016 election.
Announcing Barr’s resignation Monday, Trump said he had a “very nice meeting” with the attorney general at the White House and offered his compliments, saying he had done an “outstanding job.”
In a follow-up tweet, Trump also said he selected Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen to serve as acting head of the department in Barr’s place for the remaining six weeks of the Trump administration.
While the president’s tweets indicate Barr’s exit from the administration is amicable, a Wall Street Journal report from Dec. 10 cited an anonymous source who claimed Barr actively worked to keep investigations into Hunter Biden, President-elect Joe Biden’s son, under wraps in the lead-up to the November election. Trump has regularly pushed, and very publicly, for probes into the Bidens.
Barr reportedly knew of the inquiries since spring, though the exact timeline is murky, according to the Wall Street Journal report. Hunter Biden was subpoenaed last week in an investigation related to his taxes.
Richard Donoghue, a former prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York, will replace Rosen as deputy attorney general. In February, as the president faced his impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate, Donoghue was tapped by the Justice Department to assist with “coordinating” matters related to Ukraine. It was Trump’s call with Ukraine’s President Volodomyr Zelensky, in which he pushed for an investigation into the Bidens, that earned the single-term president his impeachment by the House a month before.
A representative for the Department of Justice did not immediately return a request for comment Monday night.
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler did not mince words Monday when reacting to Barr’s resignation.
“From misleading the American public about the Mueller report to his dangerous efforts to overturn Covid safety measures, from his callous disregard for civil rights to his rampant politicization of the Justice Department, William Barr was willing to do the president’s bidding on every front but one,” the New York Democrat said in a statement.
He added, “Barr refused to play along with President Trump’s nonsensical claims to have won the election. He is now out as attorney general one month early. In 37 days, President-Elect Biden will be sworn into office. Whomever Joe Biden chooses as the new attorney general will have a tremendous amount of work to do to repair the integrity of the Department of Justice—and I, for one, look forward to being a partner in that project. The work must begin without delay.”


courthousenews--2020-12-14--California Takes Amazon to Court for Details of Covid Response

( CN ) — California wants a Sacramento County judge to order Amazon to divulge information as part of an ongoing investigation into the company ’ s Covid-19 policies and workplace conditions .
Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Monday the company has not responded to subpoenas about potential coronavirus outbreaks , deaths or any other health risks at its facilities and other raw data on worker safety .
“ Amazon has made billions during this pandemic relying on the labor of essential workers .
Their workers get the job done while putting themselves at risk , ” Becerra said during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s critical to know if these workers are receiving the protections on the job that they are entitled to under the law.
” As of Monday , California has seen 1.5 million cases of Covid-19 and over 21,000 deaths .
In recent weeks , a surge has pushed the state ’ s hospital capacity to the limit .
While the pandemic has thrown brick-and-mortar businesses into disarray , Amazon ’ s profits have skyrocketed as more Americans stay home and order a plethora of essentials from the e-retailing behemoth .
But Becerra said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an excuse to ignore worker safety .
His office and Amazon started informal talks about the investigation this past May , but Becerra said the company has been opaque about key information related to Covid-19 and its workforce .
“ Given the manifest intersection of workplace health and the public health during this pandemic , the attorney general ’ s concerns grew as several reports regarding working conditions for individuals working at California Amazon facilities and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 highlighted the potential risk to Californians , ” Becerra ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento County Superior Court .
According to the filing , Amazon told Becerra ’ s office it had lost one of the early requests for information but would respond in the next month .
But by June , Amazon had not done so .
Around the same time , Amazon told a San Francisco Superior Court that it complied with the request for information and the California AG ’ s office did not find any reason to shut down a facility for violations of state law , according to petition .
But Becerra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misleading .
The attorney general subpoenaed Amazon this past August regarding its policies on the coronavirus , which facilities report the highest rate of infections , who has been diagnosed among its workforce , where they worked and cleaning procedures at facilities .
He also sought information about deaths related to Covid-19 at facilities in the Golden State .
Becerra ’ s office says Amazon hasn ’ t even been able to answer “ low-hanging fruit ” questions , like what is Amazon ’ s full legal name or any of its fictious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial request for information related to 150 Amazon facilities in California , but was narrowed to just seven by late November .
Another letter seeking information went out on Dec. 7 , but the company has not responded except to say it needs more time .
“ The slow drip of information from Amazon is an insufficient response , ” Becerra writes in the petition .
“ Absent the requested data , the attorney general is unable to adequately determine if Amazon is complying with applicable California law to protect its workers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech giant is “ puzzled by the attorney general ’ s sudden rush to court because we ’ ve been working cooperatively for months and their claims of noncompliance with their demands don ’ t line up with the facts .
The bottom line is that we ’ re a leader in providing Covid-19 safety measures for our employees — we ’ ve invested billions of dollars in equipment and technology , including building on-site testing for employees and providing personal protective equipment .
We encourage anyone to compare our speed and actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employer.
” Becerra did not specify what prompted the investigation other than his office received credible reports and complaints about Amazon ’ s facilities .
“ We believe it merits looking into Amazon ’ s practices and protocols based on information that we have received , ” Becerra said .
“ It ’ s one of those things where we will try to do this informally , cooperatively .
But one way or another we ’ re going to get the information we need to protect Californians ’ health and safety .
”

California wants a Sacramento County judge to order Amazon to divulge information as part of an ongoing investigation into the company’s Covid-19 policies and workplace conditions.
(CN) — California wants a Sacramento County judge to order Amazon to divulge information as part of an ongoing investigation into the company’s Covid-19 policies and workplace conditions.
Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Monday the company has not responded to subpoenas about potential coronavirus outbreaks, deaths or any other health risks at its facilities and other raw data on worker safety.
“Amazon has made billions during this pandemic relying on the labor of essential workers. Their workers get the job done while putting themselves at risk,” Becerra said during a press briefing. “It’s critical to know if these workers are receiving the protections on the job that they are entitled to under the law.”
As of Monday, California has seen 1.5 million cases of Covid-19 and over 21,000 deaths. In recent weeks, a surge has pushed the state’s hospital capacity to the limit.
While the pandemic has thrown brick-and-mortar businesses into disarray, Amazon’s profits have skyrocketed as more Americans stay home and order a plethora of essentials from the e-retailing behemoth. But Becerra said Californians’ demand for goods should not be an excuse to ignore worker safety.
His office and Amazon started informal talks about the investigation this past May, but Becerra said the company has been opaque about key information related to Covid-19 and its workforce.
“Given the manifest intersection of workplace health and the public health during this pandemic, the attorney general’s concerns grew as several reports regarding working conditions for individuals working at California Amazon facilities and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 highlighted the potential risk to Californians,” Becerra’s office says in a 13-page petition filed in Sacramento County Superior Court.
According to the filing, Amazon told Becerra’s office it had lost one of the early requests for information but would respond in the next month. But by June, Amazon had not done so.
Around the same time, Amazon told a San Francisco Superior Court that it complied with the request for information and the California AG’s office did not find any reason to shut down a facility for violations of state law, according to petition. But Becerra’s office says those statements were misleading.
The attorney general subpoenaed Amazon this past August regarding its policies on the coronavirus, which facilities report the highest rate of infections, who has been diagnosed among its workforce, where they worked and cleaning procedures at facilities. He also sought information about deaths related to Covid-19 at facilities in the Golden State.
Becerra’s office says Amazon hasn’t even been able to answer “low-hanging fruit” questions, like what is Amazon’s full legal name or any of its fictious business names used in California.
The initial request for information related to 150 Amazon facilities in California, but was narrowed to just seven by late November. Another letter seeking information went out on Dec. 7, but the company has not responded except to say it needs more time.
“The slow drip of information from Amazon is an insufficient response,” Becerra writes in the petition. “Absent the requested data, the attorney general is unable to adequately determine if Amazon is complying with applicable California law to protect its workers from Covid-19."
An Amazon spokesperson said the tech giant is “puzzled by the attorney general’s sudden rush to court because we’ve been working cooperatively for months and their claims of noncompliance with their demands don’t line up with the facts. The bottom line is that we’re a leader in providing Covid-19 safety measures for our employees — we’ve invested billions of dollars in equipment and technology, including building on-site testing for employees and providing personal protective equipment. We encourage anyone to compare our speed and actions in this area to any other major employer.”
Becerra did not specify what prompted the investigation other than his office received credible reports and complaints about Amazon’s facilities.
“We believe it merits looking into Amazon’s practices and protocols based on information that we have received,” Becerra said.
“It’s one of those things where we will try to do this informally, cooperatively. But one way or another we’re going to get the information we need to protect Californians’ health and safety.”


Top Eight

Your Monday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight stories for today including the Electoral College is poised to officially certify Joe Biden as President-elect and Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect ; A nursing director in Long Island became the first American to receive a vaccination for Covid-19 ; Early voting began in Georgia for a pair of Senate primary runoffs , and more .
Sign up for the CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday .
1 . )
The Electoral College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden as President-elect and Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect of the United States , closing one of the last chapters of the Trump presidency .
2 . )
The first dose of a vaccine for Covid-19 was administered Monday morning to a front-line medical worker on Long Island .
3 . )
Citing Major League Baseball ’ s long history of corked bats , spitballs and steroids , the Second Circuit on Monday appeared unlikely to revive a class action that says a coverup of the 2017 electronic sign-stealing scandal cheated fans out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 . )
The U.S. Supreme Court was nearly unanimous Monday in clearing New Mexico over the evaporation of precious Pecos River water on its watch when the hurricane-hit Texas needed storage help .
5 . )
Campaign season is finally drawing to a close in Georgia , as polling precincts opened Monday morning for early voters casting ballots to determine the state ’ s senators in Washington and the balance of power during the Biden administration .
6 . )
Three men who plotted to blow up an apartment building inhabited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , asked a 10th Circuit panel on Monday to toss their 25- to 30-year sentences .
7 . )
The Trump administration announced sanctions against two Iranian intelligence officials Monday , blaming them for the 2007 disappearance of retired FBI agent Bob Levinson , who is now believed to be dead .
8 . )
The Trump administration took Sudan off a federal terrorism blacklist Monday , less than two months after the country agreed to normalize its relations with Israel .

Top eight stories for today including the Electoral College is poised to officially certify Joe Biden as President-elect and Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect; A nursing director in Long Island became the first American to receive a vaccination for Covid-19; Early voting began in Georgia for a pair of Senate primary runoffs, and more.
Your Monday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight stories for today including the Electoral College is poised to officially certify Joe Biden as President-elect and Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect; A nursing director in Long Island became the first American to receive a vaccination for Covid-19; Early voting began in Georgia for a pair of Senate primary runoffs, and more.
Sign up for the CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
National
1.) The Electoral College is poised Monday to officially certify Joe Biden as President-elect and Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect of the United States, closing one of the last chapters of the Trump presidency.
Vermont's three members of the electoral college cast their ballots Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 in Montpelier, Vt. The electors signed their ballots in the House chamber in the Vermont Statehouse during a brief ceremony. (AP Photo/Wilson Ring)
2.) The first dose of a vaccine for Covid-19 was administered Monday morning to a front-line medical worker on Long Island.
Nurse Annabelle Jimenez, left, congratulates nurse Sandra Lindsay after she is inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, at the Jewish Medical Center, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, Pool)
3.) Citing Major League Baseball’s long history of corked bats, spitballs and steroids, the Second Circuit on Monday appeared unlikely to revive a class action that says a coverup of the 2017 electronic sign-stealing scandal cheated fans out of an honest fantasy baseball competition.
A fan holds a sign criticizing a sign-stealing scandal during a spring training baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
4.) The U.S. Supreme Court was nearly unanimous Monday in clearing New Mexico over the evaporation of precious Pecos River water on its watch when the hurricane-hit Texas needed storage help.
Pecos River near the Rio Grande (Image via Wikipedia)
Regional
5.) Campaign season is finally drawing to a close in Georgia, as polling precincts opened Monday morning for early voters casting ballots to determine the state’s senators in Washington and the balance of power during the Biden administration.
Voters pass through security at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, on their way to vote on the first day of early voting for the state’s U.S. Senate runoff elections. (Courthouse News photo/Kayla Goggin)
6.) Three men who plotted to blow up an apartment building inhabited by Muslim immigrants in Garden City, Kansas, asked a 10th Circuit panel on Monday to toss their 25- to 30-year sentences.
The Byron White Federal Courthouse in Denver, home of the 10th Circuit. (Amanda Pampuro/Courthouse News)
International
7.) The Trump administration announced sanctions against two Iranian intelligence officials Monday, blaming them for the 2007 disappearance of retired FBI agent Bob Levinson, who is now believed to be dead.
FILE - In this March 6, 2012, file photo, an FBI poster showing a composite image of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, right, of how he would look like now after five years in captivity, and an image, center, taken from the video, released by his kidnappers, and a picture before he was kidnapped, left, displayed during a news conference in Washington. A U.S. judge ordered Iran on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, to pay $1.45 billion to Levinson's family, who is believed to have been kidnapped by the Islamic Republic while on an unauthorized CIA mission to an Iranian island in 2007. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
8.) The Trump administration took Sudan off a federal terrorism blacklist Monday, less than two months after the country agreed to normalize its relations with Israel.


courthousenews--2020-12-14--Mapping Coral Reefs From the Sky Guides Conservation Efforts

( CN ) — New technological advancements have allowed scientists to create detailed maps of the beautiful and highly endangered coral reefs of Hawaii , paving the way for important developments in conserving them .
In a study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , researchers made groundbreaking progress by developing a new method of mapping corals from an airborne observatory .
Coral reefs are richly biodiverse hotspots , home to more than 25 % of marine species , and are some of the oldest ecosystems we have today .
They thrive in warm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the algae that lives in their soft tissue .
The algae provides important nutrients , giving them their vibrant colors and attracting tons of sea creatures .
Corals have withstood a lot in their time on Earth , but their defenses have been weakened by human activity and as a result are extremely fragile and easily disturbed by changes in their surroundings .
They are very sensitive to changes in oxygen levels , pH and temperatures , and when any of these are thrown out of balance the coral can eject their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in shallow water are at the most risk of disturbance by human activity like coastal development , agricultural runoff , pollution , fishing , and recreational misuse .
Scientists predict that without swift preservation measures , 75 % of coral reefs could be critically threatened by the year 2050 .
To prevent this , detailed and accurate maps are needed to determine where healthy reefs live , and which reefs are in the most danger .
Scientists have pursued this before , using satellites to try to gain a bird ’ s-eye view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ method did not provide enough detail to accurately gauge the threat levels of different regions , and mapping with field-based surveys was too limited a view as well .
The authors of the study found that airborne technology can gather the most complete observations in impressive detail of the reefs ’ conditions .
They hope this new method will allow them to identify live coral reefs and design specific conservation methods to protect them .
The team focused on Hawaii for their study , since it is rich in coral reefs facing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , climate change has brought more intense heatwaves to the islands which cause tragic bleaching events .
In 2015 , the reefs suffered extreme loss from a heatwave , but the extent of the damage is still unknown .
Enter Arizona State University ’ s researchers from the Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science .
They designed and developed a new method of airborne mapping , capable of capturing well-rounded data of the reefs ’ health .
After applying this approach , they determined that live corals were distributed at “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main Hawaiian islands.
” “ We undertook this first-ever mapping of a large archipelago to determine where corals live in Hawaiian waters despite repeated heatwaves and problematic coastal development issues , ” said lead author Greg Asner , director of the center .
“ It ’ s this basic information that is needed by partner organizations to drive more cost-effective protections , restoration activities , and public engagement.
” The aircraft responsible for this was the ASU Global Airborne Observatory , a flying laboratory with state of the art mapping technology capable of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never before seen detail .
It achieves this through the use of laser-guided imaging spectroscopy — a technique often used to map complex landscapes such as forests — and artificial intelligence .
“ Operational mapping of live coral cover within and across Hawaii ’ s reef ecosystems affords opportunities for managers and policy-makers to better address reef protection , resilience , and restoration , ” said co-author Brian Neilson , head of Hawaii ’ s Division of Aquatic Resources .
“ With these new maps , we have a better shot at protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to improve conditions for corals and the myriad of species that depend upon corals.
” After obtaining the data collected by the aircraft , the maps were combined with known data of marine and coastal activities and analyzed together in a computer algorithm .
From that , they determined the location of the corals , and discovered that nearshore development poses a great threat to them .
The corals here face threats from fishing practices trying to sustain the growing occupancy of the islands , and fishing pollution can damage or even kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scuba divers who don ’ t know how to treat living corals and could step on them , unwittingly causing damage .
And urban development causes toxic runoff to flow into the ocean from lawns , agriculture , golf courses and other sources that can kill reefs .
This development in coral imaging has the potential to raise awareness and highlight the biggest risks to these invaluable ecosystems , and put them on track to healing .
“ Never before has there been such a detailed and synoptic view of live corals at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gove of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
“ These findings are foundational for developing place-based conservation and management strategies to promote reef persistence and mitigate further losses in corals across Hawaii.
” Furthermore , the technology even allowed them to identify the strongest , most resilient corals out of all the islands ’ reefs and gave them the name ‘ refugia.
’ These sites show a resistance to human activity and environmental stressors that would normally disrupt other coral reefs , and the authors hope that they can be vital areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are trying to make major leaps on the science and technology side to directly address coral reef conservation and management challenges , starting in the Hawaiian Islands , ” said Asner .
“ Our hope is that these outcomes will grow the discussion among communities , environmental managers , and elected officials , without which , we will continue to lose coral reefs right before our eyes .
”

New technological advancements have allowed scientists to create detailed maps of the beautiful and highly endangered coral reefs of Hawaii, paving the way for important developments in conserving them.
(CN) — New technological advancements have allowed scientists to create detailed maps of the beautiful and highly endangered coral reefs of Hawaii, paving the way for important developments in conserving them.
In a study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers made groundbreaking progress by developing a new method of mapping corals from an airborne observatory.
Coral reefs are richly biodiverse hotspots, home to more than 25% of marine species, and are some of the oldest ecosystems we have today. They thrive in warm, sunny waters, and are nourished by the algae that lives in their soft tissue. The algae provides important nutrients, giving them their vibrant colors and attracting tons of sea creatures.
Corals have withstood a lot in their time on Earth, but their defenses have been weakened by human activity and as a result are extremely fragile and easily disturbed by changes in their surroundings. They are very sensitive to changes in oxygen levels, pH and temperatures, and when any of these are thrown out of balance the coral can eject their algae and experience bleaching events.
Reefs in shallow water are at the most risk of disturbance by human activity like coastal development, agricultural runoff, pollution, fishing, and recreational misuse. Scientists predict that without swift preservation measures, 75% of coral reefs could be critically threatened by the year 2050. To prevent this, detailed and accurate maps are needed to determine where healthy reefs live, and which reefs are in the most danger.
Scientists have pursued this before, using satellites to try to gain a bird's-eye view of the endangered coral reefs. This method did not provide enough detail to accurately gauge the threat levels of different regions, and mapping with field-based surveys was too limited a view as well.
The authors of the study found that airborne technology can gather the most complete observations in impressive detail of the reefs’ conditions. They hope this new method will allow them to identify live coral reefs and design specific conservation methods to protect them.
The team focused on Hawaii for their study, since it is rich in coral reefs facing the effects of human caused environmental stressors. Additionally, climate change has brought more intense heatwaves to the islands which cause tragic bleaching events. In 2015, the reefs suffered extreme loss from a heatwave, but the extent of the damage is still unknown.
Enter Arizona State University’s researchers from the Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science. They designed and developed a new method of airborne mapping, capable of capturing well-rounded data of the reefs’ health. After applying this approach, they determined that live corals were distributed at “51 feet of water depth across the main Hawaiian islands.”
"We undertook this first-ever mapping of a large archipelago to determine where corals live in Hawaiian waters despite repeated heatwaves and problematic coastal development issues," said lead author Greg Asner, director of the center. "It's this basic information that is needed by partner organizations to drive more cost-effective protections, restoration activities, and public engagement."
The aircraft responsible for this was the ASU Global Airborne Observatory, a flying laboratory with state of the art mapping technology capable of imaging the status of coral reefs in never before seen detail. It achieves this through the use of laser-guided imaging spectroscopy — a technique often used to map complex landscapes such as forests — and artificial intelligence.
"Operational mapping of live coral cover within and across Hawaii's reef ecosystems affords opportunities for managers and policy-makers to better address reef protection, resilience, and restoration," said co-author Brian Neilson, head of Hawaii's Division of Aquatic Resources. "With these new maps, we have a better shot at protecting what we have while focusing on where to improve conditions for corals and the myriad of species that depend upon corals."
After obtaining the data collected by the aircraft, the maps were combined with known data of marine and coastal activities and analyzed together in a computer algorithm. From that, they determined the location of the corals, and discovered that nearshore development poses a great threat to them.
The corals here face threats from fishing practices trying to sustain the growing occupancy of the islands, and fishing pollution can damage or even kill a coral. Tourism can also attract scuba divers who don’t know how to treat living corals and could step on them, unwittingly causing damage. And urban development causes toxic runoff to flow into the ocean from lawns, agriculture, golf courses and other sources that can kill reefs.
This development in coral imaging has the potential to raise awareness and highlight the biggest risks to these invaluable ecosystems, and put them on track to healing.
"Never before has there been such a detailed and synoptic view of live corals at this scale," said co-author Jamison Gove of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "These findings are foundational for developing place-based conservation and management strategies to promote reef persistence and mitigate further losses in corals across Hawaii."
Furthermore, the technology even allowed them to identify the strongest, most resilient corals out of all the islands’ reefs and gave them the name ‘refugia.’ These sites show a resistance to human activity and environmental stressors that would normally disrupt other coral reefs, and the authors hope that they can be vital areas for coral conservation and restoration.
"We are trying to make major leaps on the science and technology side to directly address coral reef conservation and management challenges, starting in the Hawaiian Islands," said Asner. "Our hope is that these outcomes will grow the discussion among communities, environmental managers, and elected officials, without which, we will continue to lose coral reefs right before our eyes."


Murder Trial

DES MOINES , Iowa — The Iowa Supreme Court upheld an appeals court decision that found Fontae Buelow , who @ @ @ @ @ is entitled to a new trial to allow him to present evidence supporting his defense @ @ @ @ @ .

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


Workers’ Comp

ALBANY , N.Y. — A workers ’ compensation board improperly rescinded partial disability awards issued to an undocumented construction worker @ @ @ @ @ not prove he had adequately searched for other jobs , an appeals court in New @ @ @ @ @ , who does not speak or read English well , applied to work with 62 @ @ @ @ @ and used the services of a job-location firm .


Subpoenas

NEW YORK — The Second Circuit remanded to a district court a case relating to the enforcement of congressional subpoenas @ @ @ @ @ s financial records .
Further proceedings in compliance with the Supreme Court ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ required .


Voter Status

MADISON , Wis. — Wisconsin voters must decide for themselves whether they qualify as “ indefinitely confined , ” the @ @ @ @ @ ruled , finding that two county clerks improperly determined that an emergency order resulted in @ @ @ @ @ and removed the requirement of a valid photo ID to obtain an absentee ballot .


Trump’s Wisconsin Loss

MADISON , Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court tossed President Donald Trump ’ s bid to overturn his loss last @ @ @ @ @ , finding that his campaign is “ challenging the rulebook adopted before the season began @ @ @ @ @ claims of this type must be brought expeditiously .
”


courthousenews--2020-12-15--Scientists Warn Massive Red Sea Oil Spill Is Imminent, and It Will Be Catastrophic

( CN ) — Oil from a decaying tanker in the Red Sea must be removed immediately to prevent an environmental disaster four times the size of the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska , a team of international scientists warned Tuesday .
In a policy brief published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science , researchers explained the tanker Safer is an abandoned storage and offloading vessel containing 1.15 million barrels of crude oil that is already seeping into the seawater inlet between Africa and Asia .
Access to the ship is controlled by Yemen ’ s Houthis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s civil war , which has killed more than 100,000 people and has triggered the world ’ s worst humanitarian crisis , according to the United Nations .
Scientists warn that the Red Sea ’ s warm-water coral reefs are endangered without swift intervention , to say nothing of the millions of people who rely on the water ’ s fish to feed themselves .
“ The time is now to prevent a potential devastation to the region ’ s waters and the livelihoods and health of millions of people living in half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coast , ” said Karine Kleinhaus , an associate professor of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University , in a release .
“ If a spill from the Safer is allowed to occur , the oil would spread via ocean currents to devastate a global ocean resource , as the coral reefs of the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba are projected to be among the last reef ecosystems in the world to survive the coming decades , ” she said .
The urgent policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opportunity to Save a Unique Marine Ecosystem , ” comes weeks after The New York Times reported that the Houthis have agreed to allow a U.N. team to repair the vessel .
The northern Red Sea ’ s coral reefs are unique because they survive in much warmer waters than current ocean temperatures , which are too high for most coral to tolerate .
In contrast , over half of Australia ’ s Great Barrier Reef has degraded from marine heat waves caused by climate change .
Originally a Japanese oil tanker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Houthis since 2015 , after which her structural condition “ deteriorated significantly , ” according to Wikipedia .
In May 2020 , seawater breached the engine compartment of the tanker , causing oil spots to appear next to the vessel .
Kleinhaus ’ policy brief includes a computer model of how the oil would disperse if the hull is breached during winter , which will spread the crude much farther than a summer breach due to the typical winter currents in that region of the Red Sea .
Despite signs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been blocked by the Houthis — prompting dire warnings from the international community .
“ Emergent action must be taken by the U.N. and its International Maritime Organization to address the threat of the Safer , despite political tensions , as a spill will have disastrous environmental and humanitarian consequences , especially if it occurs during winter , ” the team of scientists warn .
“ With millions of barrels of oil , a day passing through the Red Sea , a regional strategy must be drafted for leak prevention and containment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unique ecosystems , unusual water currents , and political landscape .
”

Oil from a decaying tanker in the Red Sea must be removed immediately to prevent an environmental disaster four times the size of the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, a team of international scientists warned Tuesday.
(CN) — Oil from a decaying tanker in the Red Sea must be removed immediately to prevent an environmental disaster four times the size of the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, a team of international scientists warned Tuesday.
In a policy brief published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, researchers explained the tanker Safer is an abandoned storage and offloading vessel containing 1.15 million barrels of crude oil that is already seeping into the seawater inlet between Africa and Asia.
Access to the ship is controlled by Yemen’s Houthis, who are embroiled in that country’s civil war, which has killed more than 100,000 people and has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.
Scientists warn that the Red Sea’s warm-water coral reefs are endangered without swift intervention, to say nothing of the millions of people who rely on the water’s fish to feed themselves.
“The time is now to prevent a potential devastation to the region’s waters and the livelihoods and health of millions of people living in half a dozen countries along the Red Sea’s coast,” said Karine Kleinhaus, an associate professor of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, in a release.
“If a spill from the Safer is allowed to occur, the oil would spread via ocean currents to devastate a global ocean resource, as the coral reefs of the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba are projected to be among the last reef ecosystems in the world to survive the coming decades,” she said.
The urgent policy brief, "A Closing Window of Opportunity to Save a Unique Marine Ecosystem," comes weeks after The New York Times reported that the Houthis have agreed to allow a U.N. team to repair the vessel.
The northern Red Sea’s coral reefs are unique because they survive in much warmer waters than current ocean temperatures, which are too high for most coral to tolerate. In contrast, over half of Australia's Great Barrier Reef has degraded from marine heat waves caused by climate change.
Originally a Japanese oil tanker, the 45-year-old Safer has been under control of the Houthis since 2015, after which her structural condition “deteriorated significantly,” according to Wikipedia.
In May 2020, seawater breached the engine compartment of the tanker, causing oil spots to appear next to the vessel.
Kleinhaus’ policy brief includes a computer model of how the oil would disperse if the hull is breached during winter, which will spread the crude much farther than a summer breach due to the typical winter currents in that region of the Red Sea.
Despite signs of structural deterioration, access to the tanker has been blocked by the Houthis — prompting dire warnings from the international community.
“Emergent action must be taken by the U.N. and its International Maritime Organization to address the threat of the Safer, despite political tensions, as a spill will have disastrous environmental and humanitarian consequences, especially if it occurs during winter,” the team of scientists warn.
“With millions of barrels of oil, a day passing through the Red Sea, a regional strategy must be drafted for leak prevention and containment that is specific to the Red Sea’s unique ecosystems, unusual water currents, and political landscape.”


courthousenews--2020-12-15--Farmerworkers Ask Judge to Block Federal Wage Freeze

FRESNO , Calif. ( CN ) — The nation ’ s largest farmworkers union urged a federal judge in California Monday to halt a pending wage freeze for immigrant workers , arguing the Trump administration rushed the contentious plan that could save farmers a combined $ 167 million annually in labor costs .
In a last-minute attempt to prevent the freeze from taking effect on Dec. 21 , California-based United Farm Workers accused the feds in virtual oral arguments of “ catching everyone off guard ” with the rule change that stands to cut the average worker ’ s pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
The union blasted the Trump administration for rewriting a law intended to protect workers and turning it into a boon for employers .
“ The Department of Labor has constructed a manner of calculating adverse effect wages that is deliberately not tied to actual market wages and produces significantly lower wages for farmworkers unrelated to market conditions , ” said the union ’ s attorney Mark Selwyn .
The new rule published by the Labor Department last month locks in at 2019 levels the minimum wage employers must pay foreign agricultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the adverse effect wage rate .
The move came less than two months after the administration broke with tradition and announced it would no longer use Farm Labor Surveys when determining the minimum wage states must pay foreign farmworkers .
While the union wants the freeze tossed out entirely , it ’ s currently trying to persuade U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd to bar the implementation next week and maintain the status quo while the lawsuit plays out .
It claims the rule directly violates the heart of the adverse effect wage rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beginning in 2023 , the Labor Department will tie future wage increases to the generic employment cost index instead of relying on the survey , causing wages to rise at an even slower rate .
During his time in office , U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has advocated for lowering the adverse effect wage rate that largely determines how much farmworkers get paid state-by-state .
In defense of the rule Perdue claims will provide farmers with “ greater stability , ” the administration ’ s lawyers argued the union and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upcoming shift from the Farm Labor Survey .
Department of Justice attorney Michael Gaffney downplayed the change , saying it would actually prevent the pay decreases farmworkers experienced in over a dozen states between 2017-2019 , and that it would benefit higher-skilled workers like supervisors and truck drivers .
“ I don ’ t think this is an example of swinging to one extreme or another , ” Gaffney said .
Gaffney countered that a preliminary injunction delaying next week ’ s rule change could cause farmworkers harm by forcing the Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the benefit of a completed labor survey .
Drozd noted the hypocrisy in Gaffney ’ s argument , pointing out that the Trump administration voluntarily decided to abruptly nix the survey and eschew the critical data collected from over 35,000 U.S. farms and ranches .
During the more than 90-minute hearing , the Obama appointee directed most of his questions to the defendants , appearing to agree with the union that the administration didn ’ t consider the scope of the pay cuts or explain the rationale for the change .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hard to imagine there ’ s not an adverse effect , ” Drozd said of the estimated $ 1.6 billion farmworkers could lose over the next two years .
Last month in a separate but related case , Drozd sided with the union and ordered the feds to resume the labor survey .
On Monday he didn ’ t commit to a timeline for his decision on the union ’ s motion but hinted it would come next week .
The plaintiffs capped the hearing by noting the Trump administration is wholly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published each November .
“ This is a situation of the government ’ s own making and farmworkers should not be made to suffer for it , ” Selwyn said .

The nation’s largest farmworkers union urged a federal judge in California Monday to halt a pending wage freeze for immigrant workers, arguing the Trump administration rushed the contentious plan that could save farmers a combined $167 million annually in labor costs.
FRESNO, Calif. (CN) — The nation’s largest farmworkers union urged a federal judge in California Monday to halt a pending wage freeze for immigrant workers, arguing the Trump administration rushed the contentious plan that could save farmers a combined $167 million annually in labor costs.
In a last-minute attempt to prevent the freeze from taking effect on Dec. 21, California-based United Farm Workers accused the feds in virtual oral arguments of “catching everyone off guard” with the rule change that stands to cut the average worker’s pay by 4% over the next two years. The union blasted the Trump administration for rewriting a law intended to protect workers and turning it into a boon for employers.
“The Department of Labor has constructed a manner of calculating adverse effect wages that is deliberately not tied to actual market wages and produces significantly lower wages for farmworkers unrelated to market conditions,” said the union’s attorney Mark Selwyn.
The new rule published by the Labor Department last month locks in at 2019 levels the minimum wage employers must pay foreign agricultural workers with H-2A visas, known as the adverse effect wage rate. The move came less than two months after the administration broke with tradition and announced it would no longer use Farm Labor Surveys when determining the minimum wage states must pay foreign farmworkers.
While the union wants the freeze tossed out entirely, it’s currently trying to persuade U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd to bar the implementation next week and maintain the status quo while the lawsuit plays out. It claims the rule directly violates the heart of the adverse effect wage rate: safeguarding farmworkers from unreasonable pay cuts.
Beginning in 2023, the Labor Department will tie future wage increases to the generic employment cost index instead of relying on the survey, causing wages to rise at an even slower rate. During his time in office, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has advocated for lowering the adverse effect wage rate that largely determines how much farmworkers get paid state-by-state.
In defense of the rule Perdue claims will provide farmers with “greater stability,” the administration’s lawyers argued the union and the greater public had plenty of notice about the upcoming shift from the Farm Labor Survey.
Department of Justice attorney Michael Gaffney downplayed the change, saying it would actually prevent the pay decreases farmworkers experienced in over a dozen states between 2017-2019, and that it would benefit higher-skilled workers like supervisors and truck drivers.
“I don’t think this is an example of swinging to one extreme or another,” Gaffney said.
Gaffney countered that a preliminary injunction delaying next week’s rule change could cause farmworkers harm by forcing the Labor Department to establish 2021 adverse effect wages without the benefit of a completed labor survey.
Drozd noted the hypocrisy in Gaffney’s argument, pointing out that the Trump administration voluntarily decided to abruptly nix the survey and eschew the critical data collected from over 35,000 U.S. farms and ranches.
During the more than 90-minute hearing, the Obama appointee directed most of his questions to the defendants, appearing to agree with the union that the administration didn’t consider the scope of the pay cuts or explain the rationale for the change.
“The number is so staggering it’s hard to imagine there’s not an adverse effect,” Drozd said of the estimated $1.6 billion farmworkers could lose over the next two years.
Last month in a separate but related case, Drozd sided with the union and ordered the feds to resume the labor survey. On Monday he didn’t commit to a timeline for his decision on the union’s motion but hinted it would come next week.
The plaintiffs capped the hearing by noting the Trump administration is wholly to blame for the missing data typically published each November.
“This is a situation of the government’s own making and farmworkers should not be made to suffer for it,” Selwyn said.


courthousenews--2020-12-15--Problem Solvers Caucus Proposes More Covid-19 Relief Options

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers Monday offered Congress a double dose of compromise to end months of gridlock over Covid-19 relief talks as the year and unemployment benefits for 12 million Americans run out .
The Problem Solvers Caucus , a 50-member group made up of moderate House Democrats and Republicans , have been chipping away at the months-long stalemate in Congress since September .
Just two weeks ago , the caucus formally introduced a $ 908 billion proposal to shore up the U.S. economy , but it gained little traction .
On Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new plan to break up the massive bill into two smaller parts with tailored features that might make passage slightly easier should the measures actually come up for a vote .
The first bill proposed by the caucus totals $ 748 billion and would extend unemployment benefits for another 16 weeks and to the tune of $ 300 in weekly supplemental aid .
The CARES Act stimulus package passed in the spring offered $ 600 in unemployment benefits .
Approximately $ 300 billion from that $ 748 billion pool would aid small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allocated for emergency food assistance .
Another $ 13 million would be parceled out to hurting farmers , ranchers and fisheries .
Under the proposal , student loan forbearance would be extended through April 2021 and an eviction moratorium set to expire just after Christmas would extend through Jan. 31 while another $ 25 billion would go toward rental assistance .
During a press conference unveiling the legislation Monday , Virginia Senator Mark Warner , a Democrat , illuminated the stakes saying : “ It would be Scrooge-like if we went away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose their unemployment , or the day after New Year ’ s to lose their apartment.
” What is not included anywhere in the first proposal package is a second round of $ 1,200 stimulus checks like those that were issued when the pandemic initially swept across America .
The omission may prove to be a fatal flaw since last week Senators Bernie Sanders , an independent from Vermont and Josh Hawley , a Missouri Republican , vowed from the Senate floor to delay passage on any relief bill that does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill put forward by the caucus is a $ 160 billion package which would infuse state , local and tribal governments with much needed funding .
Notably , it includes a legal liability protection provision for nonprofit organizations and businesses , including universities and hospitals .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has championed liability protections , often pointing to his fears of an “ epidemic of lawsuits ” that would wash over the U.S. once the pandemic is eased .
“ It simply won ’ t make it possible for us to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
But Democrats have balked at the liability shields , arguing they would hurt workers while giving businesses carte blanche to expose employees to a variety of injuries — physical and legal .
Under the $ 160 billion package , a “ nationwide gross negligence standard for Covid-19 exposure , medical malpractice and workplace testing claims ” would be stood up and plaintiffs would be allowed to file in state court or have the option to remove to federal court .
Where Republicans in the House and Senate would likely cringe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the deal might prove more workable .
Under the bill , employers are not subject to liability under federal employment law in cases of exposure to Covid-19 if it can be shown that the employer was “ trying to conform to public health standards and guidance.
” The Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair Tom Reed , a New York Republican , told reporters Monday that compromise could still be made on liability issues and state and local funding .
A summary of the bill also notes that governors would have to distribute at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local funding based on population size or the loss of revenue due to the pandemic or a combination of both .
There is an ever-shrinking window to pass relief with a government funding currently in the works to avoid a shutdown by this Friday .
It is expected the stopgap measure will be rolled out on Tuesday .

A bipartisan group of lawmakers Monday offered Congress a double dose of compromise to end months of gridlock over Covid-19 relief talks as the year and unemployment benefits for 12 million Americans run out.
WASHINGTON (CN) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers Monday offered Congress a double dose of compromise to end months of gridlock over Covid-19 relief talks as the year and unemployment benefits for 12 million Americans run out.
The Problem Solvers Caucus, a 50-member group made up of moderate House Democrats and Republicans, have been chipping away at the months-long stalemate in Congress since September. Just two weeks ago, the caucus formally introduced a $908 billion proposal to shore up the U.S. economy, but it gained little traction.
On Monday, however, the caucus rolled out a new plan to break up the massive bill into two smaller parts with tailored features that might make passage slightly easier should the measures actually come up for a vote.
The first bill proposed by the caucus totals $748 billion and would extend unemployment benefits for another 16 weeks and to the tune of $300 in weekly supplemental aid. The CARES Act stimulus package passed in the spring offered $600 in unemployment benefits.
Approximately $300 billion from that $748 billion pool would aid small businesses while a $13 million purse would be allocated for emergency food assistance. Another $13 million would be parceled out to hurting farmers, ranchers and fisheries. Under the proposal, student loan forbearance would be extended through April 2021 and an eviction moratorium set to expire just after Christmas would extend through Jan. 31 while another $25 billion would go toward rental assistance.
During a press conference unveiling the legislation Monday, Virginia Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat, illuminated the stakes saying: “It would be Scrooge-like if we went away and left folks the day after Christmas to lose their unemployment, or the day after New Year’s to lose their apartment.”
What is not included anywhere in the first proposal package is a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks like those that were issued when the pandemic initially swept across America. The omission may prove to be a fatal flaw since last week Senators Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, vowed from the Senate floor to delay passage on any relief bill that does not have a direct payment.
The second bill put forward by the caucus is a $160 billion package which would infuse state, local and tribal governments with much needed funding. Notably, it includes a legal liability protection provision for nonprofit organizations and businesses, including universities and hospitals.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has championed liability protections, often pointing to his fears of an “epidemic of lawsuits” that would wash over the U.S. once the pandemic is eased.
“It simply won’t make it possible for us to get back to normal,” McConnell said last week.
But Democrats have balked at the liability shields, arguing they would hurt workers while giving businesses carte blanche to expose employees to a variety of injuries — physical and legal.
Under the $160 billion package, a “nationwide gross negligence standard for Covid-19 exposure, medical malpractice and workplace testing claims” would be stood up and plaintiffs would be allowed to file in state court or have the option to remove to federal court.
Where Republicans in the House and Senate would likely cringe at the suggestion, another compromise built into the deal might prove more workable. Under the bill, employers are not subject to liability under federal employment law in cases of exposure to Covid-19 if it can be shown that the employer was “trying to conform to public health standards and guidance.”
The Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair Tom Reed, a New York Republican, told reporters Monday that compromise could still be made on liability issues and state and local funding.
A summary of the bill also notes that governors would have to distribute at least 40% of their state and local funding based on population size or the loss of revenue due to the pandemic or a combination of both.
There is an ever-shrinking window to pass relief with a government funding currently in the works to avoid a shutdown by this Friday. It is expected the stopgap measure will be rolled out on Tuesday.


courthousenews--2020-12-15--Commission Says Prisoners Should Be Prioritized in Covid-19 Vaccination Plans

( CN ) — As U.S. health care workers start receiving Covid-19 vaccinations this week , a new report touted as a pandemic-induced blueprint for criminal justice reform recommends prisoners should also be at the front of the line for inoculations .
With states across the country hitting record numbers of new Covid-19 cases , U.S. prisoners are also contracting the novel coronavirus at unprecedented levels .
More than 22,000 prisoners were infected by the respiratory illness last week , bringing the total number of infections for prisoners , as of Dec. 8 , to 249,883 , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys general Loretta Lynch and Alberto Gonzales , the National Commission on Covid-19 and Criminal Justice , which backs recommendations from the American Medical Association , says people incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails should receive priority consideration for Covid-19 vaccines — at the same priority level as police and correctional officers .
“ Covid-19 and other infectious diseases pose outsized risks to those confined by the criminal justice system .
Many of the largest reported clusters of Covid-19 infections are in correctional facilities , ” according to the commission ’ s new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Reshaping Criminal Justice After Covid-19.
” Established in late July by the Council on Criminal Justice , the commission published a series of reports with recommendations to law enforcement , courts , prisons , jails and nonprofits on how to deal with the pandemic .
Looking beyond the pandemic , the commission recommended long term policy changes “ to better balance public health and public safety ” in its latest report .
Despite widespread warnings by public health officials early in the pandemic that prisoner populations should be reduced to prevent major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this front , according to the commission .
“ State prison populations have declined marginally since the pandemic began — a recent study estimates the drop is less than 5 % , ” the report states .
“ The number of people held in federal prisons has fallen by double that rate , over 10 % .
Jail populations fell more significantly , but are steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels.
” To significantly reduce prison and jail crowding , the report advises states and counties to expand their compassionate release policies , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentences are an inefficient approach to preventing crime because recidivism rates decline markedly as prisoners age .
For health emergencies involving communicable diseases , the report says , authorities should set up protocols wherein incarcerated people can petition for their release , including an expedited case-review process that looks at the petitioner ’ s health , the threat they may pose to public safety and their behavior behind bars .
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy , a Democrat , recently signed a bill that could be a model for releasing inmates during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates within one year of their release date , excluding those convicted of murder or aggravated sexual assault , can be awarded with four months shaved off their sentence for every month served during a public health emergency caused by an infectious or communicable disease .
The situation in Texas illustrates how a new approach to expediting prisoner releases amid a pandemic could save lives .
Of the 190 Texas inmates killed by Covid-19 as of Oct. 4 , 88 % were eligible for parole and nine had been approved for parole but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report by the University of Texas at Austin .
Echoing nationwide calls to examine police funding prompted by George Floyd ’ s death in May at the hands of Minneapolis police , the commission recommends diverting people suffering from mental health issues into treatment programs instead of arresting them .
Miami-Dade County in Florida , for instance , rolled out a Criminal Mental Health Project in 2000 that reduced arrests of mentally ill people .
“ In 2013 , Miami police arrested only nine of more than 10,000 people in response to mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them to crisis stabilization centers .
The reduction in arrests allowed the county to close one of its five jails , ” the commission ’ s report states .
Lynch and Gonzales discussed the commission ’ s new report Monday with Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart .
Lynch , who served as attorney general under President Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017 , said with Covid-19 taking a toll on cities ’ tax revenues it makes sense to rethink police-arrest practices , as its common knowledge among people in the field of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons have become this nation ’ s largest mental health institutions.
” “ People were talking about defunding the police as a choice , it ’ s about to happen as a matter of necessity because of the economic travails so many municipalities find themselves in , ” Lynch said .
Gonzales said he believes the phrase “ defund the police ” has become an unnecessary distraction because every community wants law enforcement to protect them .
“ But I think we all have to admit it ’ s imperfect and mistakes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around in the criminal justice system makes sense , ” Gonzales said .
“ We can ’ t overcome problems by incarcerating more people and by spending more money , it just doesn ’ t work.
” Gonzales was President George W. Bush ’ s attorney general from 2005 to 2007 .

As U.S. health care workers start receiving Covid-19 vaccinations this week, a new report touted as a pandemic-induced blueprint for criminal justice reform recommends prisoners should also be at the front of the line for inoculations.
(CN) — As U.S. health care workers start receiving Covid-19 vaccinations this week, a new report touted as a pandemic-induced blueprint for criminal justice reform recommends prisoners should also be at the front of the line for inoculations.
With states across the country hitting record numbers of new Covid-19 cases, U.S. prisoners are also contracting the novel coronavirus at unprecedented levels.
More than 22,000 prisoners were infected by the respiratory illness last week, bringing the total number of infections for prisoners, as of Dec. 8, to 249,883, according to The Marshall Project.
Led by former U.S. attorneys general Loretta Lynch and Alberto Gonzales, the National Commission on Covid-19 and Criminal Justice, which backs recommendations from the American Medical Association, says people incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails should receive priority consideration for Covid-19 vaccines — at the same priority level as police and correctional officers.
"Covid-19 and other infectious diseases pose outsized risks to those confined by the criminal justice system. Many of the largest reported clusters of Covid-19 infections are in correctional facilities," according to the commission's new and final report "Experience to Action: Reshaping Criminal Justice After Covid-19."
Established in late July by the Council on Criminal Justice, the commission published a series of reports with recommendations to law enforcement, courts, prisons, jails and nonprofits on how to deal with the pandemic.
Looking beyond the pandemic, the commission recommended long term policy changes "to better balance public health and public safety" in its latest report.
Despite widespread warnings by public health officials early in the pandemic that prisoner populations should be reduced to prevent major outbreaks, states made little progress on this front, according to the commission.
"State prison populations have declined marginally since the pandemic began — a recent study estimates the drop is less than 5%," the report states. "The number of people held in federal prisons has fallen by double that rate, over 10%. Jail populations fell more significantly, but are steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels."
To significantly reduce prison and jail crowding, the report advises states and counties to expand their compassionate release policies, especially in light of research showing long prison sentences are an inefficient approach to preventing crime because recidivism rates decline markedly as prisoners age.
For health emergencies involving communicable diseases, the report says, authorities should set up protocols wherein incarcerated people can petition for their release, including an expedited case-review process that looks at the petitioner's health, the threat they may pose to public safety and their behavior behind bars.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, recently signed a bill that could be a model for releasing inmates during a pandemic.
New Jersey adult or juvenile inmates within one year of their release date, excluding those convicted of murder or aggravated sexual assault, can be awarded with four months shaved off their sentence for every month served during a public health emergency caused by an infectious or communicable disease.
The situation in Texas illustrates how a new approach to expediting prisoner releases amid a pandemic could save lives.
Of the 190 Texas inmates killed by Covid-19 as of Oct. 4, 88% were eligible for parole and nine had been approved for parole but not yet released, according to a report by the University of Texas at Austin.
Echoing nationwide calls to examine police funding prompted by George Floyd's death in May at the hands of Minneapolis police, the commission recommends diverting people suffering from mental health issues into treatment programs instead of arresting them.
Miami-Dade County in Florida, for instance, rolled out a Criminal Mental Health Project in 2000 that reduced arrests of mentally ill people.
"In 2013, Miami police arrested only nine of more than 10,000 people in response to mental health calls, bringing the vast majority of them to crisis stabilization centers. The reduction in arrests allowed the county to close one of its five jails," the commission's report states.
Lynch and Gonzales discussed the commission's new report Monday with Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart.
Screenshot of Former Attorneys General Loretta Lynch and Alberto Gonzales during a virtual discussion on Monday.
Lynch, who served as attorney general under President Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017, said with Covid-19 taking a toll on cities' tax revenues it makes sense to rethink police-arrest practices, as its common knowledge among people in the field of criminal justice that "our jails and prisons have become this nation's largest mental health institutions."
"People were talking about defunding the police as a choice, it's about to happen as a matter of necessity because of the economic travails so many municipalities find themselves in," Lynch said.
Gonzales said he believes the phrase “defund the police” has become an unnecessary distraction because every community wants law enforcement to protect them.
"But I think we all have to admit it's imperfect and mistakes are being made. I think moving money around in the criminal justice system makes sense,” Gonzales said. “We can't overcome problems by incarcerating more people and by spending more money, it just doesn't work.”
Gonzales was President George W. Bush's attorney general from 2005 to 2007.