List of All Articles with Tag 'erica'

Days after the US Supreme Court struck down race-conscious university admissions, civil rights groups have filed a federal lawsuit targeting so-called “legacy” admissions at Harvard University. The lawsuit, alleging widespread discrimination at the college in violation of the Civil Rights Act, is the latest challenge to the practice of prioritising university admissions for the children of alumni. “There’s no birthright to Harvard. As the Supreme Court recently noted, ‘eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.’ There should be no way to identify who your parents are in the college application process,” said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights, which filed the complaint on 3 July. “Why are we rewarding children for privileges and advantages accrued by prior generations?” he said in a statement. “Your family’s last name and the size of your bank account are not a measure of merit, and should have no bearing on the college admissions process.” The group filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Chica Project, the African Community Economic Development of New England and the Greater Boston Latino Network. Last week, the conservative supermajority on the nation’s highest court ruled that private and public colleges and universities may not consider race as a factor in admissions, striking down the precedent affirmed in the 2003 ruling in Grutter v Bollinger. Civil rights advocates and justices who supported the decades-long precedent, intended to promote racially diverse college campuses, derided what they argue is the court’s ongoing perversion of the 14th Amendment and the foundational concept of equal protection. The latest lawsuit points to Harvard data finding that 70 per cent of the college’s donor-related and legacy applicants are white. So-called “legacy” applicants have a roughly six times greater chance of admission, according to records, pointing to a “custom, pattern and practice” that is “exclusionary and discriminatory” and “severely disadvantages and harms applicants of color,” plaintiffs argued. The complaint calls on the US Department of Education to initiate a federal investigation into Harvard’s application process and for the federal government to declare such practices illegal. “Harvard’s practice of giving a leg-up to the children of wealthy donors and alumni – who have done nothing to deserve it – must end,” Lawyers for Civil Rights litigation fellow Michael Kippins said in a statement accompanying the complaint. Following the Supreme Court ruling, Democratic lawmakers and President Joe Biden urged universities to reconsider their legacy admissions, which he said “expand privilege instead of opportunity.” The Independent has requested comment from Harvard. Read More Biden condemns Supreme Court striking down affirmative action: ‘This is not a normal court’ Biden reveals ‘new path’ to student debt relief after Supreme Court strikes down president’s plan Pence ‘doesn’t believe’ racial inequality exists in schools as he celebrates SCOTUS affirmative action ban

A high school graduate and a 20-year-old man became the latest victims of America’s spate of gun violence and mass shootings this weekend. Kylis Fagbemi, 20, and Aaliyah Gonzalez, 18, were partying at a block party in the Brooklyn Homes area of South Baltimore, Maryland, in the early hours of Sunday morning when gunfire broke out. In total, 30 people were shot – including the two victims killed. Among the 28 who survived, half were children. Baltimore police believe at least two shooters are behind the attack and are seeking those involved, while the victims’ families and the community come to terms with the tragedy. Here’s what we know so far: The victims On Sunday afternoon, police identified the two victims killed in the attack. Aaliyah Gonzalez, 18, was shot and killed on the scene. Kylis Fagbemi, 20, was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Gonzalez’s heartbroken mother paid tribute to her daughter in a Facebook post, sharing photos of her recent high school graduation. “MY BABY!!! Worst day of my life! I cannot do life without her. I NEED HER!!,” she wrote. “Why would they do this to a perfect angel. I love you so much baby. I didn’t get there fast enough. God this is a mistake!!! Please!!” In a follow-up post, she added: “I always said, ‘No matter how much I say I love you, I love you more than that.’” The shooting At around 12.35am on Sunday, Baltimore police received multiple calls reporting a shooting on the 800 block of Gretna Court. Officers responded to the scene, where the community had been holding its annual Brooklyn Day block party, to find 30 victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One female victim was pronounced dead on the scene while nine victims were rushed to local hospitals and 20 walked into area hospitals across the region. One male victim died at the hospital from his injuries. Among the 28 victims who survived, three were in critical condition and 14 were minors. The non-fatal female victims injured were one 13-year-old, one 14-year-old, two 15-year-olds, three 16-year-olds, two 17-year-olds, two 18-year-olds, three 19-year-olds, one 20-year-old, one 23-year-old and one 32-year-old. The non-fatal male victims injured were one 13-year-old, one 15-year-old, two 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds, three 18-year-olds, one 22-year-old and one 31-year-old. Witnesses revealed how they initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks going off. “The shots were just going on and on and on,” Lakell Nelson, 54, told the Baltimore Sun. But, reality set in when two women told her they had been shot. “I kinda didn’t believe them at first because they were walking up the street. I said, ‘Show me,’ and the girl was like, ‘I was shot in my butt,” she said. “When she turned around, I saw the hole through her shorts.” Ms Nelson said she drove the two women to a local hospital. The shooters Baltimore Police said that they believe there was at least two shooters in the attack. Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley told Fox Baltimore on Sunday afternoon: “We know for sure there are more than one. We don’t know how many.” As of Monday morning, the suspects’ identities remain unknown and no arrests had been made. Mayor Brandon Scott described the actions of the soooters as “cowardly” and urged people to come forward with information. “This was a reckless, cowardly act that happened here and that has permanently altered many lives and cost two people their lives,” he said in a press conference on Sunday. “I want those who are responsible to hear me, and hear me very clearly.” Speaking to the perpetrators, he said: “We will not stop until we find you, and we will find you. Until then, I hope that every single breath you take, that you think about the lives that you took, think about the lives that you impacted here tonight.” He added: “Treat this as if it were your family. How you would want people to treat it if you were mourning, if this was your neighborhood, if this was an event in your community that this happened at. We want you to treat it that way because that’s how we have to treat each other as Baltimoreans.” Anyone with information is urged to contact Homicide detectives at 410-396-2100. Those who wish to remain anonymous may utilise the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line, at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You may also text tips through the Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland website. Read More Two killed, 28 injured and manhunt on for gunmen: How a Baltimore block party turned into a bloodbath Baltimore mass shooting: Two dead, three critical and 25 more injured in ‘cowardly act’ Baltimore: Mayor condemns ‘reckless’ mass shooting of 30 people

Wall Street bankers, investors and economists have for months waffled over whether a US recession is coming. But for some Americans, the unforgiving economic pain typical during recession has already set in.

A fun, neighbourhood block party turned into a horrific bloodbath over July 4 weekend when at least two shooters opened fire on partygoers, killing two people and wounding 28 others. The mass shooting unfolded in the Brooklyn Homes area of South Baltimore, Maryland, in the early hours of Sunday morning as hundreds gathered for the annual community celebration. Kylis Fagbemi, 20, and Aaliyah Gonzalez, 18, died in the attack. Now, more than 24 hours on, the shooters are still at large. Here’s what we know so far: The shooting At around 12.35am on Sunday morning, Baltimore police received multiple calls reporting a shooting on the 800 block of Gretna Court. Officers responded to the scene, where the community had been holding its annual Brooklyn Day block party, to find 30 victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One female victim was pronounced dead on the scene while nine victims were rushed to local hospitals and 20 walked into area hospitals across the region. One male victim died at the hospital from his injuries. Among the 28 victims who survived, three were in critical condition and 14 were minors. The non-fatal female victims injured were one 13-year-old, one 14-year-old, two 15-year-olds, three 16-year-olds, two 17-year-olds, two 18-year-olds, three 19-year-olds, one 20-year-old, one 23-year-old and one 32-year-old. The non-fatal male victims injured were one 13-year-old, one 15-year-old, two 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds, three 18-year-olds, one 22-year-old and one 31-year-old. Witnesses revealed how they initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks going off. “The shots were just going on and on and on,” Lakell Nelson, 54, told the Baltimore Sun. But, reality set in when two women told her they had been shot. “I kinda didn’t believe them at first because they were walking up the street. I said, ‘Show me,’ and the girl was like, ‘I was shot in my butt,” she said. “When she turned around, I saw the hole through her shorts.” Ms Nelson said she drove the two women to a local hospital. The victims On Sunday afternoon, police identified the two victims killed in the attack. Aaliyah Gonzalez, 18, was shot and killed on the scene. Kylis Fagbemi, 20, was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Gonzalez’s heartbroken mother paid tribute to her daughter in a Facebook post, sharing photos of her recent high school graduation. “MY BABY!!! Worst day of my life! I cannot do life without her. I NEED HER!!,” she wrote. “Why would they do this to a perfect angel. I love you so much baby. I didn’t get there fast enough. God this is a mistake!!! Please!!” In a follow-up post, she added: “I always said, ‘No matter how much I say I love you, I love you more than that.’” The shooters Baltimore Police said that they believe there was at least two shooters in the attack. Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley told Fox Baltimore on Sunday afternoon: “We know for sure there are more than one. We don’t know how many.” As of Monday morning, the suspects’ identities remain unknown and no arrests had been made. Mayor Brandon Scott described the actions of the soooters as “cowardly” and urged people to come forward with information. “This was a reckless, cowardly act that happened here and that has permanently altered many lives and cost two people their lives,” he said in a press conference on Sunday. “I want those who are responsible to hear me, and hear me very clearly.” Speaking to the perpetrators, he said: “We will not stop until we find you, and we will find you. Until then, I hope that every single breath you take, that you think about the lives that you took, think about the lives that you impacted here tonight.” He added: “Treat this as if it were your family. How you would want people to treat it if you were mourning, if this was your neighborhood, if this was an event in your community that this happened at. We want you to treat it that way because that’s how we have to treat each other as Baltimoreans.” Anyone with information is urged to contact Homicide detectives at 410-396-2100. Those who wish to remain anonymous may utilise the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line, at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You may also text tips through the Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland website. Read More Baltimore mass shooting: Two dead, three critical and 25 more injured in ‘cowardly act’ Baltimore block party shooting shatters holiday weekend celebration, leaving 2 dead and 28 wounded Baltimore: Mayor condemns ‘reckless’ mass shooting of 30 people

Three explosions took place in Washington, DC over the weekend in what appears to be targeted attacks on businesses. An ATM, a Nike store, and a Safeway grocery store were all struck by explosions starting at about 4.30am on Sunday. The suspect remains on the loose and police are on the lookout for a vehicle used in the explosions. The attacks all occurred within 15 minutes, with the first taking place when the suspect blew up an ATM outside Truist Bank in the 2300 block of Washington Place in northeastern Washington. After leaving the scene in the car, the suspect detonated a second explosion at 4.36am at the Nike Store located in the 700 block of H Street. Nine minutes later, a molotov cocktail-style explosive was thrown at the Safeway grocery store on the 300 block of 40th Street before the suspect again left the scene by car. No injuries have been reported and the Metropolitan Police has said that the suspect didn’t appear to have been targeting the public as the explosions took place at closed businesses. Read More A DC Nike store, Safeway and ATM were targeted with explosives. Now the hunt is on to catch a hooded suspect Three Washington DC businesses targeted with explosive devices as hooded suspect on loose

Former Trump administration press secretary Stephanie Grisham has claimed that she saw Donald Trump showing off documents to guests at Mar-a-Lago, as she slammed his lack of respect for the nation’s secrets. “I watched him show documents to people at Mar-a-Lago on the dining room patio,” Ms Grisham told MSNBC. “He has no respect for classified information [and] never did.” Her comments come after the former president was charged with 37 felonies last month over his handling of classified documents on leaving the White House. While his legal troubles are heating up, a conservative billionaire network is reportedly working to ensure he doesn’t win the 2024 Republican primary, according to a new report. Americans for Prosperity Action, a network of political organisations created by Charles and David Koch, will spend money for the first time on the Republican presidential primary. It has already raised more than $70million to fund races that officials hope will help the Republican party move past Mr Trump, according to The New York Times. Read More Kevin McCarthy knows he crossed the line with Donald Trump Trump's GOP support dips slightly after his indictment over classified documents, AP-NORC poll finds ‘Any Republican not named Trump’: Paul Ryan says former president is only candidate who would lose to Biden

Anthony Mackie was a nervous wreck on set with Harrison Ford on his first day on set of 'Captain America: Brave New World',

Mike Pence cheered the end of affirmative action in US colleges and universities on Sunday in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing the practice. The former vice president discussed the issue on CBS’s Face the Nation and said that the time for policies aimed at improving outcomes for minority students in general had passed. A candidate for the presidency in 2024, Mr Pence is gunning for the GOP nomination against his own former boss, Donald Trump, and other conservatives like Florida Gov Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. His comments came as activists and authorities in the higher education field vowed to keep fighting to ensure that diversity would remain a core value in student recruiting. “Fundamentally, do you believe that there are racial inequities in the education system in the United States?” asked host Margaret Brennan. “I really don’t believe there is [racial inequality in US schools]. I believe there was,” Mr Pence said. “I mean, it’s — there may have been a time when affirmative action was necessary simply to open the doors of all of our schools and universities, but I think that time has passed.” His response drew immediate backlash on Twitter, with many questioning whether Mr Pence’s children had attended schools and colleges with diverse student bodies. The three Pence children, Michael, Charlotte and Audrey, attended Purdue, DePaul, and Yale Universities. The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that universities and colleges may not consider race as a specific factor when choosing to admit individual students. They may, however, continue to take into account how race plays into the individual experiences that those prospective students describe in their applications, such as in personal essay prompts. “[T]he student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual—not on the basis of race,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts for the majority. The suit was brought on behalf of a group of Asian American students who argued that they were discriminated against by admissions staff at Harvard University. Critics of the ruling say it will gut efforts to improve representation of minority students in college classes. College enrollment rates remain noticeably lower among Black and Hispanic students compared to white and Asian American students. In addition, an analysis of US education data has shown that about 40 per cent of Black children attend schools where 90 per cent or more of the students are nonwhite. President Joe Biden responded to the ruling on Thursday after news of the decision broke, telling reporters simply: “This is not a normal court.” Read More Biden reveals ‘new path’ to student debt relief after Supreme Court strikes down president’s plan The Supreme Court risks inflaming the prejudices that America sought to banish In 370 days, Supreme Court conservatives dash decades of abortion and affirmative action precedents Mike Pence claims Biden is rehabilitating the Iran nuclear deal Trump returns to campaign rallies, draws thousands to small South Carolina city ahead of July 4 Biden blames GOP for student loan ruling as 2024 political consequences loom

Former Vice President Mike Pence was a surprise guest this weekend at a rally in Paris, France, hosted by Iranian dissidents in support of overthrowing Iran’s regime. Mr Pence, who’s running in the increasingly-crowded 2024 Republican primary, railed against the authoritarian government in Tehran and what he claimed were efforts by the Biden administration to revive the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran, the US, and several European countries. That deal was abandoned by the Trump administration who accused Tehran of violating the deal “in spirit”. “Now, a new administration is threatening to unravel all of the progress we made in marinalising the tyrannical regime in Tehran,” Mr Pence claimed. “They are working overtime to restore the Iran Nuclear Deal, putting Tehran back on the fast track to obtaining nuclear weapons.” The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment on those comments. He also claimed that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon in a year if sanctions were rolled back and the 2015 deal snapped back into place. However, the Biden administration has shown no signs, at least publicly, of reigniting the abandoned agreement. If there was any possibility of restarting Iran negotiations, those would now have likely hit a roadblock with the suspension of Rob Malley, Biden’s special envoy to Iran, over an internal State Department review into whether he mishandled classified material. Sources with knowledge of the situation described Mr Malley as a proponent of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to The Independent. The State Department has refused to confirm in recent weeks whether talks regarding the nuclear deal are ongoing, and has only said that Mr Malley’s status is under review. Pence appeared at the annual event hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) just days after an unannounced visit to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky. The dissident group’s event went off without a hitch and was attended by thousands despite an initial refusal by the French government to allow the group a permit for an outdoor rally. That decision was later reversed by a French court. Authorities had warned that the threat of a terror attack necessitated the rally’s cancelation. NCRI’s previous events in Paris have faced similar threats including in 2018 when a diplomat working for Iran’s government and three others were arrested and later convicted of a bomb plot. The former vice president’s European trip comes as his bid for the White House has yet to clear double-digit levels of support in any major polling, though he is likely to qualify for at least one presidential debate. Read More Mike Pence meets with Zelensky in Ukraine Indiana Supreme Court upholds abortion ban, says state constitution gives only limited protections Biden blames GOP for student loan ruling as 2024 political consequences loom Trump leaned on Arizona governor to flip state’s election results after 2020 loss, report says Biden condemns Supreme Court striking down affirmative action: ‘This is not a normal court’ Senator who once worked at a Planned Parenthood warns that Republicans are planning a national abortion ban

President Joe Biden will travel to the UK next week for two days ahead of a Nato summit in Lithuania. Mr Biden will meet King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the White House said in a brief statement on Sunday. “President Biden is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom, Lithuania, and Finland from July 9-13. President Biden will first travel to London, United Kingdom for engagements with King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to further strengthen the close relationship between our nations,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She added: “The President will then travel to Vilnius, Lithuania from July 11-12 to attend the 74th NATO Summit. On July 13, President Biden will visit Helsinki, Finland for a U.S.-Nordic Leaders Summit. More details about the trip will be announced soon.” Mr Biden’s first meeting with King Charles comes soon after the coronation of the British monarch, which he did not attend. First Lady Jill Biden and granddaughter Finnegan represented the US at the historic event. Mr Biden spoke with Mr Sunak and other European leaders last week in the wake of the armed rebellion in Russia by the mercenary army Wagner Group. The British Prime Minister, who is facing waves of political blows at home, travelled to Washington DC last month where he met with the president at the White House. Read More Biden's upcoming European trip is meant to boost NATO against Russia as the war in Ukraine drags on Prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case denies retaliating against IRS agent who talked to House GOP Biden reveals ‘new path’ to student debt relief after Supreme Court strikes down president’s plan

Longtime conservative check-writers the Koch family are reportedly working to make sure Donald Trump doesn’t win the 2024 Republican primary, according to a new report. Americans for Prosperity Action, a network of political organisations created by Charles and David Koch, will spend money for the first time in its existence on the Republican presidential primary. It has already raised more than $70m to fund races that officials hope will help the Republican party move past Mr Trump, according to the New York Times. The group’s intent is reportedly aimed at stopping Mr Trump — the clear Republican front-runner — from winning the 2024 primary. The Times reports that a top official in the network, Emily Seidel, wrote to the group’s donors in a memo that it was time to “have a president in 2025 who represents a new chapter.” In the 2020 election cycle the group spent nearly $500m backing Republican candidates and causes. Though Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is the only Republican with competitive numbers when compared to Mr Trump, the organisation reportedly has not decided who it will field in its mission to stop Mr Trump from taking on Joe Biden in 20224. Read More Kevin McCarthy knows he crossed the line with Donald Trump Trump's GOP support dips slightly after his indictment over classified documents, AP-NORC poll finds ‘Any Republican not named Trump’: Paul Ryan says former president is only candidate who would lose to Biden

Members of the far-right organization, the Proud Boys, have been ordered to pay more than $1million damages for their role in destroying property at a predominantly Black church in 2020. DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz approved the judgement on Friday against Proud Boys members Joseph Biggs, Enrique Tarrio, Jeremy Bertino, and John Turano, as well as the group's LLC. Judge Kravitz described the incident as "hateful and overtly racist conduct," according to CNN. The hate group tore down the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church's Black Lives Matter sign while rallying in Washington DC in 2020. On 12 December, 2020, individuals dressed in Proud Boys clothing had "leaped over Metropolitan AME's fence, entered the church's property, and went directly to the Black Lives Matter sign," according to Judge Kravitz's order. "They then broke the zip ties that held the sign in place, tore down the sign, threw it to the ground, and stomped on it while loudly celebrating," Mr Kravitz wrote in his ruling. "Many others then jumped over the fence onto the church’s property and joined in the celebration of the sign’s destruction.” He added that the church had "vocally and publicly" supported civil rights and racial justice causes. “Church leaders and congregants view supporting the Black Lives Matter movement as a continuation of the church’s mission of advocacy for civil rights and racial justice,” he wrote. The judge also said the Proud Boys had "incited and committed acts of violence against members of Black and African American communities across the country". "They also have victimized women, Muslims, Jews, immigrants, and other historically marginalized people,” he wrote. The $1m compensation awarded to the church will be used to repair the sign and increase security in reponse to the attack and "ongoing threats". Arthur Ago, an attorney representing the church, said the congregation was not looking for a "monetary windfall" but rather wanted to "stop the Proud Boys from being able to act with impunity, without fear of consequences for their actions". Tarrio, a leader of the Proud Boys, pleaded guilty in July 2021 to property destruction in a criminal case involving the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner at another predominantly Black church in Washington. Tarrio and Biggs were also among the four Proud Boys found guilty of seditious conspiracy for their roles in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Read More The FBI and Homeland Security had 'a massive amount' of warnings about Jan. 6, a Senate report finds Former DC police lieutenant indicted for leaking information to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio Ex-Proud Boys leader Tarrio guilty of Jan. 6 sedition plot