Students across the country are demanding that politicians address the epidemic of gun violence and are calling out those who take money from the National Rifle Association (NRA) in exchange for silence and inaction. These actions come in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, during which 17 teachers and students were killed by a 19-year old man armed with a semiautomatic assault rifle.
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Gunman Kills 17 Students and Teachers at Florida High School
On Wednesday, at least 17 teachers and students were killed by a 19-year-old man armed with a semiautomatic assault rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The gunman has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
Time to Pass Zika Funding is Running Out as Testing Backlog Grows
It’s been more than six months since President Obama called on Congress to pass a $1.9 billion emergency Zika funding bill, but they have yet to appropriate any money towards the public health epidemic that has now infected at least 21,000 individuals in the US and its territories, 1,800 of whom are pregnant.
Lawmakers Push for Zika Funding Bill that Protects Family Planning
Yesterday, the Senate blocked the House’s inadequate Zika response bill that would cut funding for Planned Parenthood.
Anti-Abortion Laws Permanently Blocked in Florida
Last week a Florida district court judge issued a permanent block on two provisions that would have prohibited Planned Parenthood from receiving state or local funding, and would have forced all women’s health organizations that offer abortion services to undergo annual clinic inspections.
Federal Judge Blocks Restrictive Florida Abortion Bill
A federal judge has blocked parts of a new Florida law that aimed to limit access to abortion.
Farmworker Women Awarded $17 Million in Sexual Harassment Suit
In a landmark victory, a federal jury unanimously decided to award a $17 million settlement to five women farmworkers who were subjected to sexual harassment and intimidation.
Conservative Lawmakers Use False Planned Parenthood Videos to Introduce New Anti-Choice Laws
Although comprehensive investigations of Planned Parenthood continue to prove no wrongdoing, conservative politicians are using the issue to push anti-choice legislation.
President Obama Pushed for Immigration Reform at a Florida International University Town Hall
Obama spoke largely about his two biggest promises for immigration reform.
Marissa Alexander To Be Released from Prison
Alexander spent the last three years of her life in prison after firing a warning shot into the air to defend herself from her estranged and abusive husband.
Marissa Alexander Has Accepted a Plea Deal
As of Monday, Alexander must serve another 65 days in Duval County Jail. After that time, Alexander must spend another two years on house arrest.
Federal Judge Exempts Another Catholic University from Birth Control Coverage
The founder of Ave Maria University, Tom Monaghan – who also founded Domino’s Pizza – governs the town of Ave Maria. The town only has one OB/GYN and prohibits the distribution of contraception completely.
Civil Rights Lawsuit for Transgender Workers Is First of its Kind
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has brought two lawsuits on behalf of transgender worker, marking the first time the federal government has sued to protect transgender rights under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
States Refusing to Expand Medicaid Face Increased Costs and Larger Uninsured Populations
According to new data, seven of the 11 major metropolitan areas with rates of uninsured people higher than the national average are in states that have rejected Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
Moral Mondays Movement Expands to Other States for the “Moral Week of Action”
The Moral Mondays movement has announced a Moral Week of Action taking place from August 22 to 28 that will include events and protests in 11 additional states.
Floridians Rally To Support Not My Boss’s Business Act
Women’s health advocates came together in Central Florida last week to rally against the US Supreme Court’s June ruling in Hobby Lobby v. Burwell and push for federal legislation to overturn the decision.
Florida Lawmakers Hold Special Session to Redraw Gerrymandered Maps
Florida lawmakers are in Tallahassee today for a special nine-day session to redraw the state’s congressional districts after a state court ruled last month that Republicans had illegally redrawn the districts for their own benefit. Leon County, Florida Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis found in July that state Republicans had created “a shadow redistricting process” […]
#FreeMarissa: Why Prosecution for Domestic Violence Goes Wrong and Why Marissa Shouldn’t Bear the Brunt of It
I can absolutely understand and relate to the calculating one must go through before taking any action to stop an abuser from being abusive. That’s why I find Marissa Alexander’s story so enraging.
Hundreds March for Marissa Alexander in Jacksonville
“Today, it’s Marissa. Tomorrow, it’s you. And yesterday, it was Trayvon.”
Restrictive Abortion Laws Take Effect in Mississippi and Florida
Mississippi law now bans abortion 20 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period, and a new Florida law went into effect banning abortion at any point in the pregnancy once a fetus is deemed viable unless two doctors certify in writing that it is necessary to protect the health and life of the woman.