Communities

Former Journalist Mike Bivins Convicted of Bias Crimes, Including Arson and Hate-Fueled Attacks on Local Communities

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Portland, Oregon — A Multnomah County jury found Mike Bivins, a former journalist, guilty on Thursday of all 11 counts in his bias crime trial, including serious felony charges of arson and criminal mischief. The verdict stems from a series of bias-driven attacks in May 2022 that targeted minority communities in the city. The jury determined that Bivins was responsible for damaging property at multiple locations, including breaking windows and vandalizing Congregation Beth Israel with a Nazi-themed death threat. Additionally, he attempted to ignite a fire at the Muslim Community Center while individuals were present … Read more

Reddit Takes a Stand: Lawsuit Against AI Firm Highlights the Rights of Sports Communities

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Reddit has launched a legal challenge against AI company Anthropic in a dispute about data scraping, focusing primarily on the platform’s vibrant sports communities. The lawsuit highlights concerns about user privacy and the rights of online content creators, claiming that Anthropic’s actions have violated Reddit’s user agreement. According to reports, the lawsuit stems from allegations that Anthropic has harvested posts from various sports-focused subreddits, disregarding protections that Reddit offers to its more than 100 million daily active users. The platform asserts that this scraping undermines both user privacy and the control individuals have over their … Read more

Chicago Poised to Redefine Industrial Impact with Pioneering Ordinance Aimed at Protecting Vulnerable Communities

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Chicago, IL – Nearly two years after resolving a civil rights complaint that highlighted racial discrimination in its zoning practices, Chicago is on the brink of adopting transformative legislation aimed at preventing polluting industries from adversely affecting low-income communities of color. The proposed ordinance, which could redefine industrial zoning laws in the nation’s third-largest city, is scheduled for consideration by city leaders this Wednesday. The initiative seeks to introduce a robust framework for evaluating the cumulative environmental impact on neighborhoods prior to the approval of new industrial ventures. This move comes in response to national … Read more

Victoria Strengthens Hate Speech Laws, Introduces Protections to Shield Vulnerable Communities from Misuse

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Melbourne, Australia — In an effort to tackle hate speech, Victoria has enacted stringent new laws that significantly enhance penalties for serious vilification offenses, now including threats of violence or incitement to hate based on disability, gender identity, sex, and sexual orientation, extending beyond the previous bounds of race and religion. These legislative amendments follow a growing concern over the rise of such incidences across the state. The recently passed "anti-vilification and social cohesion" bill in Victoria’s state parliament introduces a jail time of up to five years for those convicted of these severe offenses, … Read more