Kerry Kennedy on protecting journalists & the business of human rights.

 

THE BUSINESS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS ABROAD On January 17th, Emma Tucker, editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, hosted a discussion in Davos with Kerry Kennedy and the parents of detained WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich about the impact of increasing illegal detainments of journalists and what can be done to stop them. Evan was arrested in March 2023 by Russia’s Federal Security Service while on assignment and is currently being held in the infamous Lefortovo prison despite international pressure for his release. Kerry argues, however, that there is reason for hope, citing recent landmark cases won by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights litigation team that resulted in governments being held accountable for their treatment of journalists. The pressure to end illegal detentions must remain high. Listen to the discussion here to find out more about what is behind the uptick in detentions of journalists, what can be done, and how you can get involved to help free Evan. READ MORE & WATCH THE PANEL KERRY KENNEDY IN THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: ‘N.Y. FARM WORKERS ARE BEING DENIED THEIR RIGHTS’ In an important victory for the United Farm Workers, a union co-founded by Cesar Chavez and embraced by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, over 500 farmworkers at five upstate New York and Hudson Valley farms recently voted to be represented by the union following a drive led largely by female organizers. Writing in the New York Daily News, our President Kerry Kennedy details how abusive working conditions, including threats of retaliation, and substandard living conditions prompted the growing immigrant workforce to seek help protecting their human rights. After voting to join the union, these workers have faced continued intimidation and legal challenges. All five growers and the vegetable growers’ association filed a lawsuit in October claiming that H-2A immigrant farmworkers are not eligible to join a union, despite U.S Department of Labor policy and a 2019 New York law that allows farmworkers to vote in a union and be protected from retaliation. Read more about how these brave farmworkers are fighting to achieve better conditions and membership in the union they want. READ MORE CELEBRATING OUR NEWEST COHORT OF RIPPLE OF HOPE LAUREATES Last month in New York City, we honored our 2023 Ripple of Hope Award laureates: The Edwin Barbey Charitable Trust, a donor-advised fund of the Arizona Community Foundation advised by Peter and Pamela Barbey and their son Matt; Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA President, actor, writer, producer, best-selling author and activist; and The January 6th Select Committee. Now, you can watch their remarks from the evening: From how the Edwin Barbey Charitable Trust celebrates writers and advocates for imprisoned journalists to why Sen. Robert F. Kennedy still inspires Fran Drescher, listen to what our laureates had to say that night. WATCH THE VIDEOS REFLECTING ON THE RFK COMPASS FALL INVESTORS SUMMIT: A CONFLUENCE OF MINDS ON AI, ETHICS, AND INVESTMENTS At the RFK Compass Fall Investors Summit on AI, Ethics, and Investments, held in New York City last November in partnership with Lucid Capitalism and BNY Mellon, leaders from the investment community, tech industry, and civil society organizations dissected critical questions at the intersection of human rights, investment, and artificial intelligence. A core theme at the summit was an insistence that the investment community must work to ensure the implementation of AI technologies does not exacerbate existing societal inequalities and bias. READ MORE RFK HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE NEWS A state-federal partnership to help immigrants—Writing in The Washington Post, our VP of U.S. Advocacy & Litigation Anthony Enriquez highlights how New York City is piloting an innovative approach to migrant reception - one that the federal government could learn from if it's serious about effective and orderly immigration policy. ACLU represents Louisiana man seeking justice after violent encounter with LSP—The ACLU of Louisiana and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights filed a writ application to appeal a misdemeanor criminal conviction on behalf of Anthony Monroe, a Louisiana man who was beaten by Louisiana State Police during a traffic stop and then convicted at a bench trial of resisting arrest. Mr. Monroe is now suing state police for violating his constitutional rights. In the meantime, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights attorney Delia Addo-Yobo represents Mr. Monroe in his criminal appeal, raising important questions about the constitutional right to a jury trial. UPCOMING EVENTS January 26—Deadline to submit student entries to the RFK Book & Journalism Awards: Entries to our professional categories have closed, but there’s still time to submit your high school and college journalism entries! Learn more and submit by January 26! January 30—Apply to run with us in the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon: Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has been selected as a charity partner of the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon on March 17, 2024! Apply now to become one of our five team members and run for human rights. If you're already confirmed to run in this year's half marathon, you can still join our team and set your own fundraising goal in support of social justice. Learn more and apply today! March 10—Application Deadline for the John Lewis Young Leaders Fellowship: The John Lewis Young Leaders program is a year-long fellowship that prepares college students for a future in community organizing and civic engagement. The fellowship application portal for the 2024–2025 academic year is now open! Learn more and submit your application today.  April 26—Speak Truth to Power Video Contest Submission Deadline: For more than ten years, students from around the world have submitted films that address the full spectrum of human rights issues through our Speak Truth to Power video contest. This year’s competition, in addition to the high school and middle school categories, will include a new category for post-secondary students. Films will be judged by a panel of film industry experts, actors, and educators, and winning films will be featured at a special showcase in conjunction with the annual Tribeca Festival event in New York City. Learn more and submit today! June 10–13—RFK Compass Flagship Summer Investors Conference: This invitation-only event, which will take place from June 10-13 on Cape Cod, convenes key decision makers—from leading institutional investors and fund managers—for three days of unparalleled thought leadership and insightful programming on fostering a more equitable investment environment and world. From the state of the financial sector, baby bonds, and responsible tech, our programming will be centered around investor trends and key human rights issues impacting the industry today. Learn more and fill out our interest form.

Your support needed: Stop the sale of assault weapons now. SANDY HOOK PROMISE.

 

David,

The shooter who murdered my sweet little Daniel took an assault rifle and ten 30-round gun magazines with him into Sandy Hook Elementary that day. He was able to fire 154 bullets in less than five minutes. In the blink of an eye, Daniel, 19 other children and six educators were gone forever.

But when the shooter at Sandy Hook paused to reload, 11 children were able to escape. If he had a less lethal firearm and fewer bullets in each magazine that day, maybe my son and others would have survived.

These semi-automatic rifles are military-style firearms designed to kill people quickly with little effort, and they’ve been used again and again to carry out our country’s deadliest mass shootings, like in Sandy Hook, Parkland, Uvalde, and Nashville.

That’s why I’m turning to you for help today: The U.S. Senate has the power to limit access to these military-style weapons and large-capacity magazines. There are solutions to reduce mass shootings and save lives. We’re gathering 100,000 signatures to demand lawmakers pass legislation before more lives are senselessly taken. Please, will you add your signature now?

Sign the petition now and urge the Senate to take action to stop the sale of the most lethal semi-automatic firearms and large-scale capacity magazines.

Sign the Petition

We cannot accept another moment of inaction. In 2023, there were 656 mass shootings – and every minute lawmakers fail to stop the sale of these weapons of war, more children’s lives are at risk.

Your action today will help save lives, and I’m so grateful. You’re also helping me honor Daniel’s too-short life – and every life taken by gun violence. With your support, we’ll continue to make real, meaningful change that will protect other children.

Mark Barden (Daniel's father)

Donate

BREAKING DOWN THE MUELLER REPORT...ONE STEP AT A TIME. PT 1.

 THE FOLLOWING IS MY PERSONAL REVIEW OF THE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE MUELLER REPORT. GIVEN ITS EXTENSIVE LENGTH, I WILL ATTEMPT TO BREAK IT DOWN SECTION BY SECTION. (IT'S OVER 400 PAGES.) THE ANALYSIS WILL ATTEMPT TO STICK TO THE MOST PERTINENT POINTS, ADDRESSING WHAT I FEEL TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES IN TERMS OF A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR LEGAL SYSTEM, AND THE DANGEROUS PRECEDENTS BEING SET BY IGNORING OR DENYING CONCLUSIONS THAT CAN BE REASONABLY DEDUCED OR INFERRED FROM THE DATA.

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INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME 1.

In a very telling and dramatic way, this section begins with the following Statement:

"The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion..."

This is an unqualified conclusion that tells us that the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT had an active role in attempting to influence and determine the outcome of the 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. It does not say "...could have interfered..." or "...may have interfered...", it's a direct accusation that the MUELLER REPORT MAKES, arrived at by the evidence that was uncovered.

Further on, the following is stated in the report.

"As set forth in detail in this report, the Special Counsel's investigation established that Russia interfere~ in the 2016 presidential election principally through two operations. First, a Russian entity carried out a social media campaign that favored presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and disparaged presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Second, a Russian intelligence service conducted computer-intrusion operations against entities, employees, and volunteers working on the Clinton Campaign and then released stolen documents." 

Part of what was uncovered, and prompted the FBI to begin an investigation into possible TRUMP CAMPAIGN coordination with the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT in its activities, is the following taken from the REPORT:

"...a foreign government contacted the FBI about a May 2016 encounter with Trump Campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos had suggested to a representative of that foreign government that the Trump Campaign had received indications from the Russian government that it could assist the Campaign through the anonymous release of information damaging to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton."

What is interesting about this revelation, because it was a major reason that the FBI began its initial 
investigation into possible ties between the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT and the TRUMP CAMPAIGN, was the fact that it became known to the FBI from an outside source, and not from any member of the TRUMP CAMPAIGN. 

TO BE CONTINUED...

THIS PAST ARTICLE TAKES ON MORE SIGNIFICANCE: THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: LETTING THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, AND THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, OFF THE HOOK.

 The Special Counsel defined "coordination" as an "agreement-tacit or express-between the Trump Campaign and the Russian government on election interference."

IF THIS IS THE ONLY DEFINITION USED, THE SPECIAL COUNSELS REPORT CLEARS UP NOTHING AND OPENS
UP SOME DISTURBING POSSIBILITIES.

HOW SO?

IF WE ACCEPT THAT THE ABOVE DEFINITION IS THE 
SOLE MEASUREMENT FOR PROSECUTION, IT LEAVES US WITH  THE FOLLOWING POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:

SCENARIO #1- A RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OPERATIVE ENLISTS A TRUMP CAMPAIGN WORKER WITH A PLAN TO AID DONALD TRUMP, BY GATHERING AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION THAT IS ANECDOTAL IN NATURE, AND FULL OF INNUENDO AND UNSUBSTANTIATED INFORMATION.

SCENARIO #2- A TRUMP ELECTION OFFICIAL APPROACHES A RUSSIAN NATIONAL,WHO CONDUCTS BUSINESS IN THE U.S. THE REASON? HE ASKS THE BUSINESSMAN IF HE COULD OBTAIN "SPECIAL INFORMATION" THAT WOULD AID DONALD TRUMP IN WINNING THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THESE ARE EXAMPLES, NOT ACCUSATIONS. THE POINT IS THIS: IF SCENARIOS LIKE THIS, OR OTHER SIMILAR ONES DID OCCUR, NO LEGAL ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE SPECIAL COUNSEL. WHY? BECAUSE IN NEITHER CASE WAS THE DEFINITION OF PROSECUTORIAL CONDUCT MET.

REMEMBER, IN THE ABOVE DEFINITION, THE "TRUMP CAMPAIGN," AND THE "RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT" HAD TO
BOTH BE INVOLVED, NOT JUST ONE. THE EXAMPLES OF A TRUMP CAMPAIGN WORKER, OR A RUSSIAN BUSINESSMAN,
SHOW US THAT "COLLUSION," OR "ELECTION INTERFERENCE" COULD OCCUR. HOWEVER, THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN BEING INNOCENT OF SUCH ACCUSATIONS, AS THE SUMMARY LETTER IMPLIES, WOULD BE VALID, EVEN IF CRIMINAL ACTS WERE PRESENT IN BOTH SCENARIOS.

THE CONCLUSION IS SIMPLY THIS: THE DEFINITION USED BY THE MUELLER COMMITTEE IS SO NARROW, WHEN REFERRING TO "COORDINATION" TO VIOLATE ELECTION LAW(S), THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, AND JUST ABOUT ANYONE ELSE COULD HAVE COMMITTED ACTS OF "CONSPIRACY" OR "ELECTION INTERFERENCE", BUT WOULD NOT BE CHARGED UNLESS THERE WAS A FORMAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO. 

THIS DOES NOT EXCLUDE AGENTS OF ONE, OR BOTH, ACTING INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE "OFFICIAL " APPROVAL OF THE LEADESHIP. IN FACT, AGENTS OF ONE OR BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN "ENCOURAGED" TO ACT IN A CERTAIN MANNER TO BENEFIT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, BUT WITHOUT AN ACKNOWLEDGED AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE "OFFICIAL LEADERSHIP," NO ONE COULD BE CHARGED CRIMINALLY. THIS EXTREMELY NARROW DEFINITION ESSENTIALLY MADE "CONSPIRACY", "COORDINATION", OR "ELECTION INTERFERENCE" PERFECTLY LEGAL.