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The Second Battle of Fallujah 20 Years Later: One Marine's Reflections
ERLANGER, Kentucky, Oct. 31 -- Disabled American Veterans issued the following news:
By Brian Buckwalter
Content warning: This story contains frank descriptions of urban combat that may be disturbing for some readers.
Marine veteran Alex Nicoll remembers Fallujah, Iraq, as a dead city.
When he and others from Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, stepped foot inside the "City of Mosques" in early November 2004, nearly all of the residents were gone. Leaflets dropped by U.S. forces warned of an impending attack and told them to get out. Most listened.
Anyone remaining--estimates put
... Show Full Article
ERLANGER, Kentucky, Oct. 31 -- Disabled American Veterans issued the following news:
By Brian Buckwalter
Content warning: This story contains frank descriptions of urban combat that may be disturbing for some readers.
Marine veteran Alex Nicoll remembers Fallujah, Iraq, as a dead city.
When he and others from Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, stepped foot inside the "City of Mosques" in early November 2004, nearly all of the residents were gone. Leaflets dropped by U.S. forces warned of an impending attack and told them to get out. Most listened.
Anyone remaining--estimates putthe number between 3,000 and 4,500 extremists--was considered an enemy combatant. They hid in buildings, knew every nook and cranny of the city, and could move silently through a network of tunnels or across rooftops connected by ladders.
"It was so quiet at times that it was just, like, you know it's going to get crazy. Because once it gets quiet, it means they're waiting," Nicoll said.
Seven months earlier, U.S. forces had stormed into Fallujah for the first time to carry out Operation Valiant Resolve--a hasty response to insurgents ambushing, burning and then hanging four U.S. Blackwater civilian contractors from a bridge over the Euphrates River.
U.S. forces took over a third of the city before turning the operation over to the 1,100-person Fallujah Brigade, a Sunni security force, at the urging of the Iraqi government. Not long after, the brigade dissolved and the soldiers turned their weapons over to the insurgents. Twenty-seven U.S. service members died in the first battle.
But allowing Fallujah to remain an insurgent safe haven and base of operations for both Iraqi and foreign extremists jeopardized the future of the country. A second operation was needed.
This time, the drafted plan called for the largest urban assault on a city since the Vietnam War--12,000 personnel from all military branches and Iraqi security forces were tapped to be the attacking force.
The prevailing hope was that the feints and raids the Marines had been doing since September would lead to political negotiations and a settlement instead of a fight. There was little appetite for a large-scale urban conflict.
Those hoped-for negotiations never came to fruition. On Nov. 8, 2004, Operation Phantom Fury began.
'HOUSE OF HELL'
The assault brought on by U.S. forces was swift and overwhelming. In a city of over 2,000 city blocks covering 25 square kilometers, the majority of the fighting happened over the course of only a couple of weeks.
Nicoll, who was a private first class during the battle, said 3/1 was the most urban-combat-experienced infantry battalion in the Marine Corps at the time and specifically selected for this operation. Atypically, this was its members' third deployment together and their second to Iraq; stop-loss orders kept much of the unit intact.
"I don't know if it's happened too many times in history that people got to be that close for so many years before you get into combat," Nicoll said.
They knew what they were doing, trusted each other and were ready to fight.
"It's pretty impressive when rules of engagement are thrown out the window, the wall of lead that comes with Marines," said Nicoll. "I'm glad I got to see that. For a just reason or not? That's debatable. But it's irrelevant, too. We got to be a part of Marines being unleashed."
Five days into the assault, on Nov. 13, Nicoll's squad was on patrol in the southwestern part of the city. He had just come out of an abandoned Iraqi shop with a pack of cigarettes when a call for help came over the radio.
A firefight had broken out in a nearby house. Injured Marines were trapped inside. Nicoll's squad ran toward the building with 1st Sgt. Brad Kasal, a senior enlisted Marine from another company, joining them.
Where they stood would become known as the "House of Hell."
The only way they could get to the injured Marines was to run through an open room covered by fire from above by insurgents. They ran through the kill zone to where the other Marines were.
Cpl. Robert Mitchell, Nicoll's squad leader and a close friend, started providing first aid to the injured Marines while Nicoll and Kasal focused on helping kill the rest of the enemy fighters in the house. But this meant they had to go back through the open room. As they ran through the room for cover in a stairwell closet, insurgents opened fire.
Nicoll said bullets rained down on them from the second story. He got hit in the left leg and once in the chest. Kasal got hit several times in his legs, too. An insurgent then threw a grenade at them. Kasal grabbed Nicoll and pulled him in, shielding Nicoll with his body to protect him from the blast while absorbing the shrapnel with his own body.
According to Nicoll's recollection, that's when Mitchell came running to where they were--across the same kill zone--and started ripping Nicoll's gear off. His body armor had stopped the bullet from piercing his chest, but the impact fractured all his ribs and punctured a lung. He was having trouble breathing.
"Once you can't take a breath, there's really no pain," Nicoll said. "You know, every part of your body is, like, just pulling for that last breath."
Mitchell put a tourniquet on Nicoll's leg and continued treating the two Marines' other wounds. As he did, an Iraqi insurgent lying in the room who they thought was dead took a breath and reached for his weapon. Mitchell saw him, but his own rifle had been damaged by enemy fire. All he had was his combat knife.
"With his rifle inoperable, he drew his combat knife, stabbed the insurgent, and eliminated him instantly," reads Mitchell's Navy Cross award citation from the incident.
Nicoll said the moment was much more gruesome than the citation's description; even as his life faded, he turned his head away when Mitchell went in for the kill.
"I hope that's the single-most ruthless act of violence I'll ever have to witness," Nicoll said. "It was about as hard as it gets."
THE AFTERMATH
Mitchell, who was also wounded inside the house, was able to coordinate evacuation of all the wounded before Marines used demolition charges and leveled the house.
What happened inside the House of Hell that day instantly became an indelible part of Marine Corps history and lore. Tactically, the lessons learned from the ambush changed the way Marines conduct urban assaults on houses.
Nicoll, who was medically evacuated out of Iraq, had to have his left leg amputated below the knee and began a long journey of recovery.
His attitude inside Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., was positive. His father was by his side. Nicoll praised his therapist and his care team, and he enjoyed the attention from the media and military leadership who visited.
But once he left the hospital, he said he found himself retired at 23 years old with no transferable skills and nothing to do. He became nomadic and reclusive, living in the woods, feeling worthless and disconnected.
"I went years thinking I'm never going to be a part of anything like that. I'm never going to be as good at anything than I was at combat," said Nicoll. "I felt like I had already served my purpose, which is a horrible way to look at it. But that's how I looked at it for a while."
Nicoll said it took about 15 years before he discovered the trades and refound purpose in his life. He now works as a motorcycle mechanic.
He also races motorcycles--calling his home's garage world headquarters for One Foot in the Grave Racing--saying the adrenaline rush is a needed reminder that he's not invincible.
Nicoll said he finds comfort in having regular contact with Marines he served with. He lives near several of them and vows to never live more than an hour from at least one of them. Mitchell visits at least once a year. They all regularly check in on each other.
"You're never going to get those buddies again," Nicoll said.
Reflecting on his experiences in Fallujah 20 years later, he said he's almost at the point where he'll have lived more of his life as an amputee than with two legs, but it's normal to him now. He's been through every emotion about the war itself, but has no regrets.
"I got to be in combat and do exactly what we trained to do, and we did it," Nicoll said. "And we did it well."
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Original text here: https://www.dav.org/learn-more/news/2024/the-second-battle-of-fallujah-20-years-later-one-marines-reflections/
[Category: National Defense]
Scripps Research Institute: Calibr-Skaggs Announces Initial Dosing of a First-in-Class Regenerative Lung Medicine in a Phase 1 Trial for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
LA JOLLA, California, Oct. 31 (TNSres) -- The Scripps Research Institute issued the following news on Oct. 30, 2024:
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CMR316 is a once-weekly inhaled, lung-targeted drug designed to precisely expand lung stem cells and regenerate damaged lung tissue.
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The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines, the nonprofit drug development division of Scripps Research, announced today that the first dose of a pioneering regenerative lung therapy, CMR316, has been given in a phase 1 trial assessing safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
... Show Full Article
LA JOLLA, California, Oct. 31 (TNSres) -- The Scripps Research Institute issued the following news on Oct. 30, 2024:
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CMR316 is a once-weekly inhaled, lung-targeted drug designed to precisely expand lung stem cells and regenerate damaged lung tissue.
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The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines, the nonprofit drug development division of Scripps Research, announced today that the first dose of a pioneering regenerative lung therapy, CMR316, has been given in a phase 1 trial assessing safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF). This once-weekly, inhaled drug has potential to revolutionize treatment of lung diseases by stimulating stem cells to regenerate damaged lung tissue.
"There are currently no regenerative treatments for any lung disease, including IPF, which is a deadly condition characterized by extensive tissue damage and permanent lung scarring," says Chan Beals, MD, chief medical officer of Calibr-Skaggs. "Based on our encouraging preclinical data, CMR316 has the potential to halt or even reverse IPF, in addition to other severe lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This clinical milestone--achieved through the collaborative 'bench to bedside' model of Scripps Research and Calibr-Skaggs scientists--brings us closer to delivering a first-in-class medicine that could transform the lives of many people affected by debilitating lung diseases."
IPF is a severe, chronic, and progressive disease with no known cause and no cure. It affects roughly 100,000 people in the United States, drastically reducing their quality of life. With ever-increasing fibrosis in the lung over time, IPF progresses from mild shortness of breath and dry cough during activity to an inability to breathe even at rest. Difficulty breathing can lead to pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure, preventing the brain and other organs from receiving adequate oxygen. There is no cure for IPF, aside from a lung transplant which is rarely an option, and tragically, patient survival after diagnosis is a mere 2-5 years. Available treatments, such as anti-fibrotics, can only slow disease progression and manage symptoms, highlighting the critical need for innovative new therapies. With an understanding that the lung's natural yet limited capacity to regenerate and repair is impaired in IPF, a new therapeutic strategy has emerged.
CMR316 is a first-in-class drug designed to precisely stimulate lung stem cells to regenerate lung tissue. Specifically, CMR316 targets type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2s)--the stem cells in the lower airway of the lungs that are reduced in patients with IPF. Stimulating AEC2 stem cells causes them to differentiate into type 1 AEC (AEC1) cells that are crucial for gas exchange and maintaining lung stability and function. Thus, stimulating AEC2 stem cells with CMR316 has potential to repair damage caused by many lung conditions, including IPF. Furthermore, CMR316's regenerative mechanism is distinct yet complementary to that of approved anti-fibrotics, which could allow them to be combined for even greater effect.
CMR316 was discovered and developed through a partnership between Scripps Research and Calibr-Skaggs scientists, led by President and CEO Peter Schultz, PhD, and Associate Professor of Chemistry Michael Bollong, PhD, who is the Early Endowed Roon Chair for Cardiovascular Research. In April 2024, they published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which provided proof of concept for CMR316's ability to stimulate AEC2s to regenerate lung tissue in IPF and several other lung disease models.
From this foundational 'bench' research, the Calibr-Skaggs drug development team, led by Vice President of Pharmacology Sean Joseph, PhD, performed critical preclinical safety studies and received regulatory approval to reach the 'bedside' for testing CMR316 in humans.
"Through careful testing of CMR316 over the last few years--a huge team effort--we are cautiously optimistic that the benefits and exceptional safety profile we observed preclinically will translate to patients with lung diseases, including those with IPF," says Joseph.
CMR316 is being tested at Fraunhofer ITEM in Hanover, Germany in an extensive phase 1 study in healthy volunteers (Parts 1 and 2) and patients with IPF (Part 3). The study title is "A Phase 1/1b Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Nebulized CMR316 in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis" (EU trial number: 2023-510456-23-00). The main objective of the trial is to assess the safety and tolerability of single (Part 1) and multiple inhaled doses of CMR316 in healthy volunteers (Part 2) and patients with IPF (Part 3).
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JOURNAL: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2400077121
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Original text here: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2024/20241030-cmr316-clinical-trial.html
[Category: Environment]
PCAOB Welcomes Global Partners to 16th International Institute on Audit Regulation
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) today concluded its two-day 2024 International Institute on Audit Regulation, in Washington, DC. Established by the PCAOB in 2007, the event offers regulators from around the world a chance to discuss issues related to auditor oversight, audit quality, and investor protection. Attending the Institute this year were nearly 90 officials from audit regulators in 40 non-U.S. jurisdictions, as well as officials from several international
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) today concluded its two-day 2024 International Institute on Audit Regulation, in Washington, DC. Established by the PCAOB in 2007, the event offers regulators from around the world a chance to discuss issues related to auditor oversight, audit quality, and investor protection. Attending the Institute this year were nearly 90 officials from audit regulators in 40 non-U.S. jurisdictions, as well as officials from several internationalorganizations.
"This conference embodies the PCAOB's convictions that international cooperation and communication strengthen audit quality around the globe," said PCAOB Chair Erica Y. Williams. "For 16 years, this event has helped to generate valuable perspectives for the PCAOB and our international counterparts as we continue our collective work to protect investors."
Under the theme of "Raising the Bar for Audit Quality," the Institute included sessions with PCAOB Board Members and staff, leaders from non-U.S. regulatory bodies, and representatives from the investor community and other key stakeholder groups across auditing and financial reporting. Panel discussions covered topics such as the outlook for audit regulation, investor perspectives, the use of technology, audit firm culture, and recent developments in standards, inspections, and enforcement.
This year's institute featured a fireside chat between Chair Williams and Gary Gensler, Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Keynote sessions included remarks from Dr. Kelly R. Pope, Professor at DePaul University's School of Accountancy and MIS; and Stephen J. Scott, Founder and CEO at Starling Trust Sciences. SEC Chief Accountant Paul Munter also provided an update.
"The PCAOB's commitment to building and maintaining constructive relationships helps us facilitate cooperation on audit oversight for the benefit of investors," said Karen B. Dietrich, Director of the PCAOB's Office of International Affairs. "The International Institute on Audit Regulation exemplifies this spirit of cooperation, and we look forward to future events and engagement with our international colleagues."
Learn more about the PCAOB's international work (https://pcaobus.org/oversight/international) on our website.
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About the PCAOB
The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.
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Original text here: https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-welcomes-global-partners-to-16th-international-institute-on-audit-regulation
[Category: Accounting]
Jonathan Knauth, Marine Regimental Combat Camera Staff Noncommissioned Officer, Bravo Co., 1st Bn., 8th Marines
ERLANGER, Kentucky, Oct. 31 -- Disabled American Veterans issued the following news:
Jonathan Knauth was packed inside a combat vehicle, waiting for the call to enter Fallujah. As "Breach, breach, breach!" screamed across the radio, the tracks began rolling, and he and others from Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, were unknowingly on their way to fight in the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War.
He was used to viewing the Marine Corps through a photographic lens. Knauth's job as a combat camera Marine was to document, create a visual record and ultimately tell the story of life among
... Show Full Article
ERLANGER, Kentucky, Oct. 31 -- Disabled American Veterans issued the following news:
Jonathan Knauth was packed inside a combat vehicle, waiting for the call to enter Fallujah. As "Breach, breach, breach!" screamed across the radio, the tracks began rolling, and he and others from Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, were unknowingly on their way to fight in the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War.
He was used to viewing the Marine Corps through a photographic lens. Knauth's job as a combat camera Marine was to document, create a visual record and ultimately tell the story of life amongMarines.
"When you're out there behind the camera in the field, it's the best job ever," said Knauth. "But every Marine is a rifleman."
Once the vehicle stopped and Marines began pouring out onto the city streets, Knauth remembers a being met with heavy machine-gun fire, grenades and tracer rounds skipping across the ground.
"You feel that energy; that tension starts to ratchet up a little bit," he said. "But they're ready; everybody is ready to go."
Knauth recalls climbing upstairs inside a house when a large explosion rocked the building. He hit the deck and crawled to the roof, where he encountered a surprising scene: laughing Marines.
"It was really hard to get combat-fatigued because you're living on that edge," he added.
At times Knauth was forced to sling his camera over his shoulder and use his rifle. However, he was able to capture images, and today, many of his memories from Fallujah exist in still frames.
Some of his combat experiences involved Aubrey McDade, who he earned the Navy Cross for his efforts while rescuing two wounded Marines.
"He didn't flinch," Knauth said. "He ran up into the fight, carrying wounded Marines off the battlefield--doing what Marines do."
Nowadays, the month of November can be difficult. Knauth recalls Marines dying on the Marine Corps Birthday and Thanksgiving. "It's hard to find joy during those moments," he said.
What he'd like Americans to take away from the Battle of Fallujah is the hefty price of freedom and the decision to send young men and women into harm's way.
"For our leaders, you must weigh your decision because they have consequences," he said. "Some are not coming home; it isn't without the burden and a heavy heart."
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Original text here: https://www.dav.org/learn-more/news/2024/jonathan-knauth-marine-regimental-combat-camera-staff-noncommissioned-officer-bravo-co-1st-bn-8th-marines/
[Category: National Defense]
American Bridge 21st Century Launches Six-Figure Ad Campaign Targeting Puerto Rican Voters
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- American Bridge 21st Century, an organization that says it focuses on holding Republicans accountable and helps deliver Democratic victories, issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
Today, following the horrific comments made about Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican community at Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, American Bridge 21st Century announced a rapid-fire text campaign in three key battleground states -- Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
This campaign will reach out directly to the Puerto Rican community in these three Blue Wall states
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- American Bridge 21st Century, an organization that says it focuses on holding Republicans accountable and helps deliver Democratic victories, issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
Today, following the horrific comments made about Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican community at Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, American Bridge 21st Century announced a rapid-fire text campaign in three key battleground states -- Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
This campaign will reach out directly to the Puerto Rican community in these three Blue Wall statesand will show voters the truth -- that Donald Trump has never been a friend to Puerto Ricans, and that this isn't his first or last time emboldening racists.
"The extreme racism at Sunday night's rally couldn't be any clearer and at American Bridge, we weren't that surprised. We also know how to seize an opportunity to talk to voters and we'll always take it. So, we're doing what we do best -- pairing our expert years of opposition research and nimble strategy execution to talk to voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin about yet another reason to vote against Trump until the last possible moment of the cycle," said American Bridge 21st Century co-founder Bradley Beychok. "When we saw him refuse to apologize for his friend Tony Hinchcliffe's comments while sleeping through a Mar-a-Lago speech on Tuesday morning, we knew we needed to make sure voters in these swing states saw it, too."
"From chucking paper towels at Puerto Rican people in need of disaster relief, to saying that we should sell Puerto Rico itself, to delaying over $20 billion in hurricane relief, Donald Trump has proven time and time again that he has never and will never have Puerto Ricans' backs," said American Bridge 21st Century president Pat Dennis. "Our job at American Bridge is to make sure voters know the truth about him -- and with this targeted campaign we're doing just that. We've left no stone unturned in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and we're not going to stop until polls close on Tuesday."
The initial $175,000 buy, which will hit cell phones on Thursday, October 31, is a part of American Bridge 21st Century's $140 million paid media program to defeat Donald Trump this Tuesday.
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Original text here: https://www.americanbridgepac.org/american-bridge-21st-century-launches-six-figure-ad-campaign-targeting-puerto-rican-voters/
[Category: Political]
Advocates Launch Awareness Campaign to Get Thousands of DACA Recipients Enrolled in ACA Health Coverage
LOS ANGELES, California, Oct. 31 -- The National Immigration Law Center issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
WASHINGTON - Today, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), United We Dream (UWD), and Young Invincibles launched an online campaign to reach thousands of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients who will soon be eligible to purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The campaign, which enlists more than 200 organizations representing 41 states, aims to encourage DACA recipients across the country who are in need of health coverage
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, Oct. 31 -- The National Immigration Law Center issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
WASHINGTON - Today, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), United We Dream (UWD), and Young Invincibles launched an online campaign to reach thousands of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients who will soon be eligible to purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The campaign, which enlists more than 200 organizations representing 41 states, aims to encourage DACA recipients across the country who are in need of health coverageto sign up during open enrollment, starting November 1 to January 15.
Despite DACA's transformative impact, DACA recipients remain disproportionately uninsured. In May, after years of advocacy by immigrant youth and allies, the Biden administration finalized a rule that, for the first time, allows DACA recipients and other groups to access affordable health insurance plans on ACA marketplaces.
Raha Wala, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy at NILC, said:
"Access to more affordable health insurance options means more DACA recipients will be able to see a doctor and get quality care when they need it. That, in turn, means healthier and stronger communities overall. As open enrollment begins, we're working to make sure that as many DACA recipients as possible know about ACA insurance plans newly available to them and can make informed decisions about their care."
Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy of United We Dream, said:
"Immigrant young people continue to brave the fight for everyone to have access to affordable healthcare. This year, we celebrated a major step towards achieving this goal by ensuring hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients can finally go to the doctor, get medicine and have annual check-ups, and address any other medical concerns that have been pushed off for far too long through the Affordable Care Act. Medical care should never be dependent on someone's immigration status, and this new ACA rule will have an undeniably positive, life-changing impact for our communities. With open enrollment approaching, our goal is to get as many eligible people enrolled as possible and fight back against the hateful, anti-immigrant actors already attempting to end this rule and stop thousands of people from accessing healthcare."
Martha Sanchez, Director of Health Care Policy and Advocacy at Young Invincibles said:
"Extending ACA marketplace coverage to DACA recipients is a crucial step in ensuring they receive the support and health care they deserve. Young adults are the most uninsured age group, and this historic expansion will offer many young DACA recipients the chance to secure health coverage for the first time in their lives. This access will result in better health outcomes, routine check ups, mental health access, and fewer costly emergency room visits. As open enrollment approaches on November 1, it's vital that DACA recipients have access to the information and resources needed to find the best insurance plan for their unique needs. As such, we are thrilled to work alongside our fellow advocates and lead the charge to helping our community members get covered."
A small group of conservative states is seeking to block the Biden administration's rule in a federal lawsuit. A court in North Dakota has not yet ruled on the states' request to temporarily block the policy before it goes into effect.
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Original text here: https://www.nilc.org/press/advocates-launch-awareness-campaign-to-get-thousands-of-daca-recipients-enrolled-in-aca-health-coverage/
[Category: Law/Legal]
ADL Commends 10 Colleges, Universities for Efforts Made to Fight Campus Antisemitism
NEW YORK, Oct. 31 -- The Anti-Defamation League issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
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Urges other institutions to follow suit as it reassesses Report Card grades
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ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today commended 10 colleges and universities for their recent efforts and policies to address campus antisemitism. Since the initial release of ADL's Campus Antisemitism Report Card in April of 2024, and a subsequent update in June following the protest encampments, these institutions have taken proactive steps to foster a more inclusive environment for Jewish students and
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 31 -- The Anti-Defamation League issued the following news release on Oct. 30, 2024:
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Urges other institutions to follow suit as it reassesses Report Card grades
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ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today commended 10 colleges and universities for their recent efforts and policies to address campus antisemitism. Since the initial release of ADL's Campus Antisemitism Report Card in April of 2024, and a subsequent update in June following the protest encampments, these institutions have taken proactive steps to foster a more inclusive environment for Jewish students andall students.
Almost all assessed colleges and universities have revised their protest, demonstration and time, place and manner policies in advance of the new academic year. Additionally, at least over 50% of these schools have enacted other major changes, including establishing task forces, mandating antisemitism education and ameliorating bias incident reporting and investigation processes.
In letters to the presidents of each of the institutions, ADL praised the schools for their progress in working to combat antisemitism on campus. In alignment with ADL's Six Asks for combatting antisemitism on college and university campuses, these 10 institutions have implemented a number of critical policies:
* Alongside new procedures for campus demonstrations, the University of Pennsylvania has developed workshops on combatting antisemitism and hate for members of the campus community and established the Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion.
* University of Michigan has streamlined their system for responding to bias incidents, has hired a Title VI coordinator to support the University's response to reports of discrimination or harassment and is in the process of developing a mandatory anti-discrimination training.
* Strengthening collaborative efforts, Michigan State University has convened a monthly gathering of colleagues to discuss issues of student safety. The University has also launched a DEI Foundations learning module that includes discussions of antisemitism.
* SUNY Purchase's new 'Diversity Defined' resource firmly prohibits antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination, while simultaneously rejecting BDS.
* Prioritizing research efforts, CUNY Queens College has sought to assess antisemitism on campus through surveys and focus groups. The College is also working with the Jewish Community Relations Council Community Security Initiative to improve public safety.
* CUNY Brooklyn College has strengthened campus protest policies, organized regular Emergency Response Team meetings and has developed new orientation training that addresses antisemitism.
* In advance of the new academic year, the University of Colorado, Boulder amended its protected-class definitions webpage to explicitly prohibit antisemitism, Islamophobia and caste. This month, the University also de-recognized the campus SJP chapter.
* Barnard College amended the Expectations for Community Conduct policy to note that "substituting the word 'Zionist' as a proxy for 'Jewish' or 'Israeli,' for example, may constitute prohibited discrimination."
* Wellesley College is providing anti-religious bias training to all residential life and orientation staff and has mandated Title VI training for all first years and other incoming students.
* New York University has launched a university-wide mandatory training that includes examples of conduct that would be considered discrimination against Jews or Israelis. The University was also the first to update its policy to explicitly underscore that code words like 'Zionist' could result in conduct violations.
"When we first launched the Campus Antisemitism Report Card, we urged university leaders to use the grades they received as motivation to do better and improve their scores, and in the cases of these 10 schools the progress has been demonstrable," said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. "These universities' recent efforts and policies should lay the foundation for continued progress and should serve as a model for other schools to follow."
ADL encourages these schools, and all colleges and universities, to continue their efforts in the ongoing fight against campus antisemitism, both via policy changes and through the consistent and balanced enforcement of said policies. Doing so sends an important message to their campus communities: antisemitism has no place on our campuses.
"We encourage these schools, and all colleges and universities, to continue their efforts in the ongoing fight against campus antisemitism," said Shira Goodman, ADL Vice President of Advocacy. "There is much more work to be done to ensure that our campuses have no tolerance for antisemitism."
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Campus Antisemitism Report Card: https://www.adl.org/campus-antisemitism-report-card
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Original text here: https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-commends-10-colleges-and-universities-efforts-made-fight-campus
[Category: Law/Legal]