Following an audit prompted by allegations of policy violations, two police officers in Greer, South Carolina, were terminated for misusing the department’s automatic license plate recognition technology. The Greer Police Department’s policy mandates that Flock Safety cameras be used solely for public safety missions, with violations subject to disciplinary action. The city emphasized its commitment to protecting citizen privacy and safety while employing advanced technology for its duties.
Read More
An upstate New York citizen is suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alleging the agency violated his First Amendment rights by sending federal officers to his home to deliver a warning about an email he sent to the agency’s former acting director. The email, sent after an ICE officer fatally shot a protester, contained strong criticisms of the director and was deemed a threat by ICE. The lawsuit contends that such political speech is protected under the First Amendment, and points to a similar incident involving another upstate New York resident who received a federal warning after criticizing ICE online.
Read More
In the early morning hours Sunday, National Guard troops fatally shot an armed man in downtown Memphis. Responding to calls of shots fired, officers observed an armed male, later identified as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, who fled on foot and was pursued by Memphis police and National Guard soldiers. The situation escalated when Johnson reportedly turned toward the National Guard members with his weapon, prompting two soldiers to fire and strike him. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is independently investigating the incident, collecting evidence and conducting interviews to determine the sequence of events leading to the shooting.
Read More
It appears a vessel participating in a New York ship parade, intended to celebrate a significant national holiday, found itself removed due to banners deemed “politically charged.” The banners in question carried messages such as “Save the Clean Water Act” and advocated for “Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Climate Solutions.” This incident has sparked considerable debate, with many interpreting it as a suppression of free speech, particularly given the holiday’s association with liberty and freedom.
The irony is not lost on observers that a vessel named “Clearwater,” historically dedicated to environmental advocacy and once championed by figures like Pete Seeger, would be the one subjected to such action.… Continue reading
A nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers while walking to Mass in her habit in McAllen, Texas. Following her arrest, parish officials and members of Congress intervened on her behalf. Ugboaja, who volunteers as a minister and is a registered nurse, was released and has since returned home, with the diocese expressing gratitude for the swift intervention.
Read More
A poll worker in Syracuse, New York, Paigelynne Gonyea, was approached at her polling place by two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who demanded she remove a social media post calling for the indictment of an agent involved in a shooting. The agents presented Gonyea with a notice stating she might be in violation of federal law for doxxing and threatening a federal official, despite her contention that her post only contained publicly available information. Gonyea refused to sign the document or remove the post, citing concerns for her safety and free speech, and has since contacted legal and political representatives for assistance. The incident has drawn criticism, with some characterizing it as government overreach and a violation of election laws that prohibit federal agents from entering polling places without specific cause.
Read More
The District of Columbia has settled a lawsuit with a resident who alleged illegal detention by police for protesting a federal law-enforcement surge by playing Darth Vader’s theme song. The settlement, for an undisclosed “significant amount” according to the ACLU, will result in the plaintiff dropping his claims against the district and four officers. However, the agreement does not resolve O’Hara’s separate claims against a member of the Ohio National Guard, whose attorneys argue his actions were part of his official duties. This resolution underscores the ongoing defense of constitutional freedoms against governmental attempts to stifle peaceful dissent.
Read More
ICE agents recently accessed voter files in both Texas and North Carolina, a development that has raised significant concerns and sparked considerable debate. The specific details indicate that election officials in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and Webb County, Texas, provided voter information to agents from the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit. This action was reportedly part of an effort by the Trump administration to identify instances of noncitizens voting.
The implications of this access to sensitive voter data are far-reaching. For many, the idea of an immigration enforcement agency delving into voter rolls strikes at the core of democratic processes and protections.… Continue reading
During a recent court hearing regarding Idaho’s new bathroom bill, the state’s attorney suggested that DNA testing might be necessary for enforcement, a proposal met with skepticism and logistical challenges. This law, which restricts transgender individuals from using restrooms aligning with their gender identity, faces legal challenges asserting violations of constitutional rights. Law enforcement groups have also voiced concerns, deeming the bill impractical and unworkable due to the difficulty in determining sex at birth during field contacts. The hearing underscored the plaintiffs’ argument that the law is vague and difficult to enforce.
Read More
The streets around Delaney Hall became a scene of escalating tension and unrest as protesters faced off with riot police, leading to arrests and a city-wide curfew that only seemed to amplify the chaos. What began as a demonstration, with many participants asserting it was peaceful, devolved into a stark confrontation, leaving observers questioning the narrative and the extent of the force used.
Reports from those present painted a picture of a heavy-handed police response, with claims that peaceful protesters, even those confined to a designated “free speech zone,” were corralled and blocked. The imposition of a 9:30 p.m. curfew was widely criticized as an infringement on free speech, particularly for adults engaged in a protest.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
ICE Agents Intimidate Poll Worker Over Social Media Post
A poll worker in Syracuse, New York, Paigelynne Gonyea, was approached at her polling place by two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who demanded she remove a social media post calling for the indictment of an agent involved in a shooting. The agents presented Gonyea with a notice stating she might be in violation of federal law for doxxing and threatening a federal official, despite her contention that her post only contained publicly available information. Gonyea refused to sign the document or remove the post, citing concerns for her safety and free speech, and has since contacted legal and political representatives for assistance. The incident has drawn criticism, with some characterizing it as government overreach and a violation of election laws that prohibit federal agents from entering polling places without specific cause.
Read More