July 6, 2023 – US
Pew Research (US) – Janell Fetterolf
How Americans’ views of the U.S. compare with international views of the U.S. – People around the world see both strengths and flaws in the United States, but they generally view the U.S. positively
The survey asked Americans and then asked residents of 24 other countries their views on various criteria: tolerance, democracy, institutions, products, international affairs. All get an score and an analysis of the results. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/06/27/how-americans-views-of-the-us-compare-with-international-views-of-the-us/?utm_campaign=2023-07-05+Rundown&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Pew&subscriberkey=00Q0P00000oErugUAC
Common Dreams (US) – Jake Johnson
On Eve of July 4th, Bishop William Barber Unveils ‘Moral Declaration for America’ – “It is time for people with a moral conscience to wield every ounce of influence and power they have towards justice and to force this nation to be true to what it said on paper.”
“We are all responsible for this mess,” he added. “So, it’s time to let go of the blame game. It is time for people with a moral conscience to wield every ounce of influence and power they have towards justice and to force this nation to be true to what it said on paper—‘that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'” https://www.commondreams.org/news/william-barber-moral-declaration Related tweet from Prez on Redefining patriotism for July 4: https://twitter.com/PrezLives2022/status/1676416038278184961?s=20
The Hill (US) – Timothy Head and David Safavian
Don’t take a step back on criminal justice reform
As the political climate heats up and the usual tough-on-crime talk dominates, especial around the recent First Steps Act reforms to the criminal legal system, the authors want to expose the short-sightedness of any redress of the progress to date: “America incarcerates more of its citizens than any other country on earth. In the United States, the land of the free and the home of the brave, we have over 2 million prisoners — a staggering 629 out of every 100,000 people. Rwanda is a distant second. Yet as a nation, we rank in the bottom third for safety from violent crime. This mismatch between incarceration and safety should concern anyone who cares about the size, scope, and power of government, let alone the costs.” https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4078667-dont-take-a-step-back-on-criminal-justice-reform/
Truth Out (US) – Victoria Law
In Brutal Summer Heat, Prisoners Say Their Cells Are Like “Stifling Hot Coffins” – Days of extreme heat without access to enough water and cooled air become deadlier for an aging prison population.
While advocates are confident that Texas authorities will never concede that people in jail are dying of heat. The toll is already mounting: “This past June, 32 people died in Texas state prisons. During the last week of June, three people, including Hagerty, died in Texas prisons that lacked air-conditioning… While the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has not reported a heat-related death since 2012, a study found that extreme heat was likely behind 271 summer deaths between 2001 and 2019.” https://truthout.org/articles/in-brutal-summer-heat-prisoners-say-their-cells-are-like-stifling-hot-coffins/
The Marshall Project (US) – Christie Thompson
As Police Arrest More Seniors, Those With Dementia Face Deadly Consequences – Many cities are changing how they respond to mental health calls, but less attention has been paid to the unique risks for people with Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.
Thompson offers an overview of what is happening between police and older people. The incidents have increased – by 20% from 2000-2020. “National data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimates that from 2010 to 2020, over 12,000 people 65 and older ended up in a hospital emergency room for injuries caused by police or private security.” Additionally, there is a question of what happens when mentally ill seniors are charged. What follows is a graphic exposé of physical harm from police incidents while arresting people with dementia and while responding to calls from nursing homes. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2022/11/22/police-arrests-deadly-texas-florida-seniors-dementia-mental-health?utm_source=subscriber-email&utm_medium=email (Cf also https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?e=bf19df4840&u=a92567c13cca06b470824aead&id=76c0803353
The Canadian Press –
Prisons head said process to notify minister of Bernardo transfer was followed – Mendicino’s office got advance warning of transfer, emails show
The issue is now divided into two parts: the process used to decide on a transfer for Paul Bernardo, and who knew about the transfer beforehand. The former, the question of the transfer, is a well-established protocol for Correctional Services Canada and raises questions about the conflict between Correctional policy and victims’ rights. The second is a political matter and the evidence seems to suggest that the office of Minister Mendicino is at fault. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mendicino-corrections-head-bernardo-transfer-1.6896290?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar Tweet from John Howard Society on Bernardo transfer: “Concerning that Minister would issue directives affecting rights of many during Bernardo communications debacle: Where is directive that rights of victims are to be central to transfer decisions? Analysis and consultation needed.” https://twitter.com/JohnHoward_Can/status/1676571677361164289?s=20
CBC News – Moira Donovan
Former sex worker’s victory in small claims court sets precedent, lawyer says – Decision clarifies that contracts for sex work are enforceable
What can the sex worker do if the client does not pay for the services? Sue in the small claims court. And as happened in this Nova Scotia case, the contract is enforceable. “Brogan then turned to small claims court to recover the money — in what advocates believe is the first time such a case has come before the courts in Canada — and won a judgment that she was entitled to the unpaid amount, plus interest and costs… It kind of opens the doors and sets the tone,” says Brogan, who is now working as a peer support worker. “Any steps towards having more rights and it be recognized as work — I think is a huge positive.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/former-sex-worker-small-claims-court-national-precedent-1.6896597
Homeless Hub – Erin Dej et al. – A fact sheet
Understanding Homelessness: Perspectives from 3 Mid-Sized Cities in Ontario –