While you were scrolling through your feeds this week, some stories flew under the radar but demand your attention. From hate groups quietly infiltrating local politics and school boards to America’s prison system becoming literal death traps during climate disasters, there was a lot to learn. Meanwhile, ICE deported a man to a war zone instead of his expected destination, Detroit quietly let slumlords off the hook after promising accountability, and NYC’s small businesses are offering the perfect antidote to generic Father’s Day shopping (we weren’t going to let you forget about Dad ahead of Father’s Day on June 15!).
- Hate groups infiltrate local politics: The Southern Poverty Law Center’s new report reveals how white supremacist and extremist groups have infiltrated mainstream politics and local governments across America. From school boards to state legislatures, hate groups are spreading conspiracy theories and targeting minorities while misogynistic influencers recruit young men through social media. These aren’t just rural movements anymore. Read at URL Media.
- Why climate justice may mean prison abolition: America’s massive prison system is becoming a death trap as climate change intensifies. Incarcerated people face deadly heat waves with temperatures reaching 149°F inside facilities lacking air conditioning, while hurricanes leave prisoners stranded without power or medical care for days. At least 41 people died in Texas prisons during 2023’s heat wave alone. Meanwhile, prisons worsen climate change through massive energy use and pollution, creating a vicious cycle that demands both prison reform and climate action. Read at URL Media.
- Prison release becomes deportation nightmare: Ngoc and Tuan Phan have never spent a night together in their own home since marrying in 2009 while he was incarcerated. After serving 25 years for murder, Tuan expected deportation to Vietnam where his wife waited with family at the airport. Instead, ICE unexpectedly sent him to war-torn South Sudan, where the State Department has evacuated diplomatic staff due to extreme violence. A judge later ruled the deportation of Tuan and seven others violated due process requirements. Ngoc hasn’t heard from her husband since his deportation, and he’s believed held at a US military base in Djibouti. Read more at AsAm News.
- City drops slumlord lawsuits quietly: Detroit quietly dropped three major lawsuits against notorious slumlords who owned hundreds of properties and exploited tenants through predatory land contracts. The city had accused speculators like Michael Kelly and the Hagermans of running an “invest and neglect” business model that treated exploitation as capitalism. Instead of securing binding reforms, officials abandoned the cases without explanation, sending a green light to other property speculators that Detroit won’t enforce accountability for tenant abuse. Read more at Outlier Media.
- NYC shops selling meaningful gifts for dad: Forget generic Father’s Day gifts and support small NYC businesses instead. From The Hustle Barber Shop’s grooming products to Brooklyn Film Camera’s vintage Polaroids, Comedy in Harlem shows, custom bike tune-ups at Tuned, and SUPLMNT’s sneaker-inspired water bottles, these local spots offer meaningful gifts that actually tell a story. Read more at Epicenter NYC.
This content may have been created with AI collection or assistance.
