A new lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of New Orleans accuses Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Vicar General Pat Williams of covering up child sexual abuse. Argent Institutional Trust Co., the bond trustee representing investors, alleges the officials concealed the extent of the abuse before investors purchased $41 million in church bond debt. The lawsuit cites reporting by news outlets highlighting the omission of abusers from the Archbishop’s official list and secret files regarding abuse. The suit seeks to deny Aymond and Williams retirement benefits and prioritize payments to bondholders.
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Across the United States, various activist groups are organizing Labor Day protests targeting the Trump Administration, focusing on worker support and opposing what they term a “billionaire takeover.” “Workers Over Billionaires” demonstrations, spearheaded by May Day Strong and supported by the AFL-CIO, are scheduled in hundreds of locations, including U.S. territories. The Women’s March has also planned “Solidarity September” events, extending beyond Labor Day with a focus on making billionaires pay. Alongside these, “Fight the Trump Takeover” protests are also planned, addressing issues like voter suppression and gerrymandering, with organizers citing a need to resist the perceived undermining of democracy.
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President Javier Milei faced protests and a barrage of projectiles during a campaign rally in Lomas de Zamora, ahead of crucial September and October elections, testing his administration’s mandate. The rally occurred amidst a bribery scandal involving Milei’s sister, Karina, who holds a key government position, with allegations of her involvement in taking cuts from government contracts. These allegations, coupled with Milei’s controversial economic “shock treatment,” which has included austerity measures and deregulation, have fueled opposition and criticism. Milei has responded by repudiating the allegations and using the incident to campaign against opposing political factions, highlighting the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment.
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During a recent cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump echoed unfounded claims about the causes of autism, suggesting that it could be linked to drugs or other artificial factors. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, also expressed his belief that certain interventions are “almost certainly” causing autism and promised a report on the matter by September. These statements come despite scientific consensus, which attributes the rise in autism diagnoses to increased awareness and improved diagnostic methods, not vaccines. Both Trump and Kennedy have continued to spread misinformation, despite the potential harm to public health.
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The Election Research Institute, founded by Honey, spearheaded a Georgia election rule change permitting delayed certification of tallies to address ballot discrepancies, despite these being typically minor issues. Honey also leads Pennsylvania Fair Elections, an organization that disseminated election misinformation, echoing claims of election fraud in 2020 in collaboration with other activists. This group is aligned with individuals who continue to question election results. This move is seen as a continuation of the Trump administration’s pursuit of debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.
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Following a school shooting at Annunciation School in Minneapolis, which resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others, authorities identified the shooter as Robin Westman. The FBI is investigating the attack as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Mayor Jacob Frey urged unity and compassion, warning against using the tragedy to vilify marginalized communities, particularly the trans community. The Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that gun violence is an epidemic and should not be used to scapegoat any particular group, including the trans community.
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Russia’s withdrawal from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture has been condemned by Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry as an attempt to evade accountability and an admission of guilt regarding human rights violations. The ministry highlighted the broad documentation of Russian war crimes and the torture of Ukrainian civilians and troops, despite Moscow’s prior adherence to the convention. The decision follows Russia’s consistent obstruction of the convention’s mechanism, including barring access to detention facilities for monitoring bodies like the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Ukraine has called for the immediate activation of international mechanisms to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
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A Los Angeles jury awarded Cellin Gluck, a filmmaker, at least $2.2 million after he was shot in the face with a less-lethal munition by a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy during a 2020 protest against police brutality. The jury found Los Angeles County liable for Gluck’s injuries and awarded him $3.5 million in damages, along with an additional $300,000 for his daughter’s emotional distress. Although the county intends to explore its options, including an appeal, it stated the awards will be reduced due to the protesters’ partial fault. Gluck’s attorney noted the verdict offers a measure of justice, yet the amount does not adequately compensate Gluck for his injuries and the lasting consequences of the incident.
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On Wednesday, Susan Monarez, the newly appointed CDC Director, was removed from her position by the Trump administration with no explanation given. According to reports, Monarez’s ousting may be due to her pro-science stance and refusal to support changes to US vaccine policies. Following the announcement, at least three other CDC leaders resigned, citing concerns about the “weaponizing of public health” and the censorship of scientific findings. This occurred shortly after the revoking of the emergency use authorization for Covid-19 vaccines, a move that was praised by the Health Secretary, who has reshaped advisory panels to include vaccine opponents.
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Following a mass shooting at a Minneapolis church that killed two children and injured 17 others, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the Republican Party for inaction on gun violence. The shooting, carried out by 23-year-old Robin Westman, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church. The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime. The event prompted calls for government action from Democratic officials, with President Trump issuing a proclamation to lower flags to half-staff.
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John Q. Hosedrinker