Advocating

Jury Decides: Idaho Man Who Founded ‘Church’ Advocating Pedophilia to Stay in Illinois Prison

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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — An Illinois court has decided that an Idaho man who previously established an online “church” advocating for pedophilia will continue to serve his time in prison. After less than a quarter-hour of deliberation, a Madison County jury concluded Wednesday that James M. Lopes, 49, remains a sexually dangerous individual under state law. The swift verdict came during a mandated periodic review to determine whether Lopes should be released from confinement. State prosecutors firmly argued that Lopes had made no attempts at rehabilitation since his last assessment. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine … Read more

Santa Clara Co. Firefighters Join the Fight: Advocating for the Return of Net Neutrality Laws

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SANTA CLARA COUNTY, California – In a bid to restore net neutrality laws, Santa Clara County Fire Department has thrown its support behind the movement. The department’s decision comes as part of the ongoing battle to preserve an open and equal internet for all. The Santa Clara County Fire Department, located in California, believes that net neutrality is crucial for the public’s access to emergency services. Net neutrality regulations aim to prevent internet service providers from blocking or slowing down certain websites or charging extra fees for faster access. These regulations, set in place during … Read more

Celebrating Progress and Advocating for Gender Equality in the Judiciary: The International Day of Women Judges Highlights the Importance of Inclusion and Empowerment

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The International Day of Women Judges, celebrated on March 10th, prompts reflection on the progress achieved in achieving gender equality within the judicial sphere. Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), recognizes the remarkable contributions of her fellow women judges from diverse backgrounds around the world. These women enrich the Mechanism’s chambers with their expertise, some having attained judicial posts that were previously inaccessible to women. While there has been considerable progress, there remains much work to be done to achieve full and equal representation of women in … Read more

Increasing Access to Fair Representation: Advocating for Equitable District Maps in California

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Ventura, California – The redrawing of district maps in California is a crucial process that takes place every decade following the release of updated Census data by the federal government. These new boundaries must accurately represent the state’s population and serve as the basis for Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts. To ensure fairness and nonpartisanship, California established an independent commission, authorized by the Voters First Act in 2008, to undertake this task. Composed of 14 members, the commission comprises five Republicans, five Democrats, and four individuals not affiliated with … Read more