{"issues":[{"id":"legal-affairs","name":"Legal Affairs","slug":"legal-affairs","description":"The US Congress regulates many aspects of American Legal Affairs, including: the US Federal Courts(Appellate and District), Judges, the US Supreme Court, Civil Action, The Constitution and Constitutional Amendments.","page_title":"US Federal legislation related to Legal Affairs, including the Constitution and the Supreme Court - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/legal-affairs/black_legal-affairs-1429042044.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/legal-affairs/grey_legal-affairs-1429042044.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/legal-affairs/white_legal-affairs-1429042044.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"crime-and-police","name":"Crime & Police","slug":"crime-and-police","description":"Federal legislation related to the prevention of crimes(from assault to organized crime to juvenile crime), firearms and explosives, correctional facilities and terrorism. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about.","page_title":"Crime Prevention Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/crime-and-police/black_crime-and-police-1429042040.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/crime-and-police/grey_crime-and-police-1429042040.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/crime-and-police/white_crime-and-police-1429042040.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"federal-agencies","name":"Federal Agencies","slug":"federal-agencies","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Federal Agencies. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Federal Agencies Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/federal-agencies/black_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/federal-agencies/grey_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/federal-agencies/white_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"government","name":"Government","slug":"government","description":"Federal legislation related to the operations of the US Federal Government. Bills can encompass government administration, regulation of political parties, the US postal service, US territories and public contracts.","page_title":"US Government - Federal legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/government/black_government-1453508811.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/government/grey_government-1453508811.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/government/white_government-1453508811.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"food-and-agriculture","name":"Food & Agriculture","slug":"food-and-agriculture","description":"Federal regulations and laws impacting US Agriculture - research, practices, conservation and food safety. Legislation can also cover alcoholic beverages, the food industry, and farmland.","page_title":"Federal legislation related to regulating US agriculture, food production and food safety - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/food-and-agriculture/black_food-and-agriculture-1429042043.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/food-and-agriculture/grey_food-and-agriculture-1429042043.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/food-and-agriculture/white_food-and-agriculture-1429042043.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"animals","name":"Animals","slug":"animals","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Animals including animal protection, endangered species, livestock and wildlife conservation. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about.","page_title":"Animal Protection, Endangered Species and Wildlife Conservation Bills - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/animals/black_animals-1429042041.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/animals/grey_animals-1429042041.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/animals/white_animals-1429042041.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"ethics","name":"Ethics","slug":"ethics","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Ethics. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about.\r\n","page_title":"Ethics Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/ethics/black_ethics-1455842687.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/ethics/grey_ethics-1455842687.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/ethics/white_ethics-1455842687.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"states","name":"States","slug":"states","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding States. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"States Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/states/black_states-1453508817.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/states/grey_states-1453508817.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/states/white_states-1453508817.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"marijuana-legalization","name":"Marijuana Legalization","slug":"marijuana-legalization","description":"Federal legislation that covers the marijuana - legalization, penatlies, regulation and taxation. Numerous states have now legalized marijuana - how does federal law interact.","page_title":"Legislation regarding the Legalization of Marijuana and penalties - Inform your reps how you feel","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/marijuana-legalization/black_marijuana-legalization-1429042047.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/marijuana-legalization/grey_marijuana-legalization-1429042047.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/marijuana-legalization/white_marijuana-legalization-1429042047.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"drugs","name":"Drugs","slug":"drugs","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Drugs. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Drugs Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/drugs/black_drugs-1439216236.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/drugs/grey_drugs-1439216236.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/drugs/white_drugs-1439216236.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"congress-shenanigans","name":"Congress Shenanigans","slug":"congress-shenanigans","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Congress Shenanigans. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. ","page_title":"Congress Shenanigans Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/congress-shenanigans/black_congress-shenanigans-1429042049.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/congress-shenanigans/grey_congress-shenanigans-1429042049.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/congress-shenanigans/white_congress-shenanigans-1429042049.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"internet","name":"Internet","slug":"internet","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Internet. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Internet Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/internet/black_internet-1429042050.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/internet/grey_internet-1429042050.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/internet/white_internet-1429042050.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"arts-culture-religion","name":"Arts, Culture, Religion","slug":"arts-culture-religion","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Arts, Culture and Religion. Legislation encompasses media (TV, Film, and Books), Music, Performing Arts, Libraries and Historical Resources. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Legislation regarding Arts, Culture and Religion - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/arts-culture-religion/black_arts-culture-religion-1429042041.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/arts-culture-religion/grey_arts-culture-religion-1429042041.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/arts-culture-religion/white_arts-culture-religion-1429042041.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"media-press","name":"Media/Press","slug":"media-press","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Media/Press. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Media/Press Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/media-press/black_media-press-1429042053.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/media-press/grey_media-press-1429042053.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/media-press/white_media-press-1429042053.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"technology","name":"Technology","slug":"technology","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Technology . Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. ","page_title":"Technology Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/technology/black_technology-1429042051.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/technology/grey_technology-1429042051.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/technology/white_technology-1429042051.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false}],"articles":[{"title":"Jury Finds Chauvin Guilty On All Counts in Killing of George Floyd","id":47245,"slug":"47245-jury-finds-chauvin-guilty-counts-killing-george-floyd","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/47245-jury-finds-chauvin-guilty-counts-killing-george-floyd","article_comments":"/api/articles/47245-jury-finds-chauvin-guilty-counts-killing-george-floyd/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/47245/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

What’s the story?

A jury in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd concluded its deliberations on Tuesday and found Chavin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The jury’s verdict comes about 24 hours after closing arguments concluded.
Each charge that Chauvin was convicted of has different characteristics related to the nature of the crime, burden of proof, and potential sentence which the AP explained:
Second-degree unintentional murder carries a sentence of up to 40 years imprisonment. Also known as felony murder, the standard for this charge is killing a victim while committing or trying to commit a felony. It doesn’t require proof that the perpetrator intended to kill the victim, just that the perpetrator intended to use unlawful force which caused bodily harm.
Third-degree murder carries a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment. It requires that a jury find the perpetrator caused the death of the victim through an “eminently dangerous” action with reckless disregard for and conscious indifference to the loss of life.
Second-degree manslaughter carries a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment. It requires that a jury find the perpetrator caused the victim’s death through culpable negligence that created an unreasonable risk and consciously took the chance of causing severe injury or death.

What’s next?

Sentencing is expected to occur in a separate hearing at a later date, in part because prosecutors say they intend to seek an enhanced sentence above the guideline range due to aggravating factors. Chauvin waived his right to have a jury make the determination about aggravating factors in his case, so Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill will do so at sentencing.
Chauvin is a first-time offender, which under Minnesota sentencing guidelines typically leads to a lighter sentence absent aggravating factors. For a person with no criminal history, the sentencing guidelines establish the presumptive sentence for a person with no criminal history is 12 and a half years for each murder charge, whereas a manslaughter conviction has a presumptive sentence of four years. That would amount to a 29-year sentence if no aggravating factors are found based on his conviction on all counts.
In this case, aggravating factors may relate to Floyd’s vulnerability, Chauvin’s status as a uniformed police officer in a position of authority at the time of the killing, and the presence of multiple children who witnessed the killing.
After sentencing is completed, Chauvin and his legal team will have the opportunity to file an appeal in relation to the conviction and sentence. His lawyer indicated on Monday that an appeal is likely to focus in part on what they perceive as improper comments made about the trial by politicians, including Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). Appeals in criminal cases rarely result in convictions or sentences being overturned.

This is a breaking news article and may be updated as additional information comes available.

— Eric Revell

","user_id":795,"cta_prompt":"Do you agree or disagree with the jury's verdict?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"","cta_url":"","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/68a61e/3.png","medium":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/68a61e/3.png","small":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/68a61e/3.png","thumb":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/68a61e/3.png","xsmall":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/68a61e/3.png"},"profile_id":1,"action_count":439,"html_content":"

by Causes | 4.20.21

What’s the story?

A jury in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd concluded its deliberations on Tuesday and found Chavin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The jury’s verdict comes about 24 hours after closing arguments concluded.
Each charge that Chauvin was convicted of has different characteristics related to the nature of the crime, burden of proof, and potential sentence which the AP explained:
Second-degree unintentional murder carries a sentence of up to 40 years imprisonment. Also known as felony murder, the standard for this charge is killing a victim while committing or trying to commit a felony. It doesn’t require proof that the perpetrator intended to kill the victim, just that the perpetrator intended to use unlawful force which caused bodily harm.
Third-degree murder carries a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment. It requires that a jury find the perpetrator caused the death of the victim through an “eminently dangerous” action with reckless disregard for and conscious indifference to the loss of life.
Second-degree manslaughter carries a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment. It requires that a jury find the perpetrator caused the victim’s death through culpable negligence that created an unreasonable risk and consciously took the chance of causing severe injury or death.

What’s next?

Sentencing is expected to occur in a separate hearing at a later date, in part because prosecutors say they intend to seek an enhanced sentence above the guideline range due to aggravating factors. Chauvin waived his right to have a jury make the determination about aggravating factors in his case, so Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill will do so at sentencing.
Chauvin is a first-time offender, which under Minnesota sentencing guidelines typically leads to a lighter sentence absent aggravating factors. For a person with no criminal history, the sentencing guidelines establish the presumptive sentence for a person with no criminal history is 12 and a half years for each murder charge, whereas a manslaughter conviction has a presumptive sentence of four years. That would amount to a 29-year sentence if no aggravating factors are found based on his conviction on all counts.
In this case, aggravating factors may relate to Floyd’s vulnerability, Chauvin’s status as a uniformed police officer in a position of authority at the time of the killing, and the presence of multiple children who witnessed the killing.
After sentencing is completed, Chauvin and his legal team will have the opportunity to file an appeal in relation to the conviction and sentence. His lawyer indicated on Monday that an appeal is likely to focus in part on what they perceive as improper comments made about the trial by politicians, including Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). Appeals in criminal cases rarely result in convictions or sentences being overturned.

This is a breaking news article and may be updated as additional information comes available.

— Eric Revell

","comment_count":60,"issue_slugs":["crime-and-police","legal-affairs"],"created_at":"2021-04-20T21:20:41.446Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story?\nA jury in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd concluded its","html_byline":"

by Causes | 4.20.21

","share_count":8,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Agree","color":"#624A5F","stance":"agree"},{"text":"Disagree","color":"#ECB637","stance":"disagree"}],"reaction_config_id":2,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2021-04-20T21:20:41.981Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"4.20.21","issue_ids":["legal-affairs","crime-and-police"]},{"title":"Petition: Demand Domino’s Changes Its Animal Welfare Practices","id":47243,"slug":"47243-petition-demand-domino-s-changes-animal-welfare-practices","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/47243-petition-demand-domino-s-changes-animal-welfare-practices","article_comments":"/api/articles/47243-petition-demand-domino-s-changes-animal-welfare-practices/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/47243/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

What's the story?

Domino's receives a hearty \"F\" in animal welfare. The worldwide pizza chain has done - and is doing - nothing to mitigate or eliminate the cruel and inhumane treatment of the pigs, chickens, and cows that make up its supply chain.
This ignominious rating was delivered by the Humane Society's Food Industry Scorecard—a year-long audit that examines 100 of the nation's largest food companies' progress toward reducing animal suffering in their supply chains.
Domino’s Pizza was ranked #66—the bottom of an abysmal bottom.

\"Domino’s has no commitments that meaningfully address any of the most pressing concerns—and to our knowledge, it never has.\"

The report added:

\"We encourage [Domino's] to adopt meaningful policies regarding its pork, egg, and chicken supply chains and add plant-based proteins to its menu.\"

How are the animals treated? Warning: Graphic photos

The Humane Society is committed to reducing the dismal conditions of most factory-farmed meat, which often include the following situations:

Mother pigs locked in gestation crates so tiny they can’t turn around.

Hens crammed so tightly in cages they can't spread their wings.

Chickens bred to grow so large they suffer agonizing leg disorders.

-Josh Herman

","user_id":824038,"cta_prompt":"Tell Domino's to adopt meaningful animal welfare practices","cta_type":"petition","cta_text":"","cta_url":"","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/49e254/DEMAND%20DOMINO%27S.png","medium":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/49e254/DEMAND%20DOMINO%27S.png","small":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/49e254/DEMAND%20DOMINO%27S.png","thumb":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/49e254/DEMAND%20DOMINO%27S.png","xsmall":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/49e254/DEMAND%20DOMINO%27S.png"},"profile_id":1,"action_count":1,"html_content":"

by Causes | 4.20.21

What's the story?

Domino's receives a hearty \"F\" in animal welfare. The worldwide pizza chain has done - and is doing - nothing to mitigate or eliminate the cruel and inhumane treatment of the pigs, chickens, and cows that make up its supply chain.
This ignominious rating was delivered by the Humane Society's Food Industry Scorecard—a year-long audit that examines 100 of the nation's largest food companies' progress toward reducing animal suffering in their supply chains.
Domino’s Pizza was ranked #66—the bottom of an abysmal bottom.

\"Domino’s has no commitments that meaningfully address any of the most pressing concerns—and to our knowledge, it never has.\"

The report added:

\"We encourage [Domino's] to adopt meaningful policies regarding its pork, egg, and chicken supply chains and add plant-based proteins to its menu.\"

How are the animals treated? Warning: Graphic photos

The Humane Society is committed to reducing the dismal conditions of most factory-farmed meat, which often include the following situations:

Mother pigs locked in gestation crates so tiny they can’t turn around.

Hens crammed so tightly in cages they can't spread their wings.

Chickens bred to grow so large they suffer agonizing leg disorders.

-Josh Herman

","comment_count":0,"issue_slugs":["government","federal-agencies","animals","ethics","food-and-agriculture"],"created_at":"2021-04-20T19:35:47.595Z","status":"published","snippet":"What's the story?\nDomino's receives a hearty \"F\" in animal welfare. The worldwide pizza chain has done - and is doing - nothing","html_byline":"

by Causes | 4.20.21

","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2021-04-20T22:16:25.625Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":1,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":1,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"4.20.21","issue_ids":["federal-agencies","government","food-and-agriculture","animals","ethics"]},{"title":"IT: Judge slams Maxine Waters' remarks on Chauvin trial, and... 🌲 Time to legalize pot at the federal level?","id":47240,"slug":"47240-judge-slams-maxine-waters-remarks-chauvin-trial-time-legalize-pot-federal-level","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/47240-judge-slams-maxine-waters-remarks-chauvin-trial-time-legalize-pot-federal-level","article_comments":"/api/articles/47240-judge-slams-maxine-waters-remarks-chauvin-trial-time-legalize-pot-federal-level/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/47240/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

Welcome to Tuesday, April 20th, stoners and prohibitionists...

New Mexico’s legalization of marijuana on April 12 made it the seventh state since November 2020 to legalize recreational pot.

While marijuana remains illegal at the federal level per the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, the US has become a patchwork of state-determined laws pertaining to Cannabis sativa L.: some locales have legalized recreational pot, others medicinal and/or CBD oil, a few states have merely decriminalized the plant, and a handful follow the federal guidelines.

Do you support or oppose legalizing pot at the federal level?

Chauvin Judge Warns Waters' Comments May Overturn Trial

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who is presiding over the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd, rebuked Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) after she called for protesters to “get more confrontational” and warned that her statements could lead to the trial being overturned on appeal.

Judge Cahill addressed the comments made by Waters after Chauvin’s lawyers made a motion for a mistrial on the grounds that her comments and others would prejudice the jury:

“Well, I’ll give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned. I’m aware that Congresswoman Waters was talking specifically about this trial, and about the unacceptability of anything less than a murder conviction, and talk about being confrontational. But you can submit the press articles about that.\"

Were Waters’ comments an incitement of violence?

How Good Are You at Spotting Deepfakes?

Click on the image above to take our quiz, then tell us:

How'd you do?

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, in the End…

What's your favorite vegetable?

Wrong.

Because today is:

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.,

—Josh Herman

Talk to us via email at editorial [at] causes.com. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Causes.

","user_id":824038,"cta_prompt":"","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"","cta_url":"","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/3f5f8f/IMPACT%20TODAY%20TAT.png","medium":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/3f5f8f/IMPACT%20TODAY%20TAT.png","small":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/3f5f8f/IMPACT%20TODAY%20TAT.png","thumb":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/3f5f8f/IMPACT%20TODAY%20TAT.png","xsmall":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/3f5f8f/IMPACT%20TODAY%20TAT.png"},"profile_id":1,"action_count":108,"html_content":"

by Causes | 4.20.21

Welcome to Tuesday, April 20th, stoners and prohibitionists...

New Mexico’s legalization of marijuana on April 12 made it the seventh state since November 2020 to legalize recreational pot.

Do you support or oppose legalizing pot at the federal level?

Chauvin Judge Warns Waters' Comments May Overturn Trial

Judge Cahill addressed the comments made by Waters after Chauvin’s lawyers made a motion for a mistrial on the grounds that her comments and others would prejudice the jury:

“Well, I’ll give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned. I’m aware that Congresswoman Waters was talking specifically about this trial, and about the unacceptability of anything less than a murder conviction, and talk about being confrontational. But you can submit the press articles about that.\"

Were Waters’ comments an incitement of violence?

How Good Are You at Spotting Deepfakes?

Click on the image above to take our quiz, then tell us:

How'd you do?

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, in the End…

What's your favorite vegetable?

Wrong.

Because today is:

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.,

—Josh Herman

Talk to us via email at editorial [at] causes.com. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Causes.

","comment_count":23,"issue_slugs":[],"created_at":"2021-04-20T01:14:02.519Z","status":"published","snippet":"Welcome to Tuesday, April 20th, stoners and prohibitionists...New Mexico’s legalization of marijuana on April 12 made it the","html_byline":"

by Causes | 4.20.21

","share_count":1,"reaction_config_id":null,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2021-04-20T06:06:48.829Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"4.20.21","issue_ids":[]},{"title":"Here’s Every State Where Cannabis Is Legal – Time To Legalize at the Federal Level?","id":47239,"slug":"47239-s-state-cannabis-legal-time-legalize-federal-level","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/47239-s-state-cannabis-legal-time-legalize-federal-level","article_comments":"/api/articles/47239-s-state-cannabis-legal-time-legalize-federal-level/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/47239/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

Marijuana legalization is sweeping the U.S.

New Mexico’s legalization of marijuana on April 12, 2021, made it the seventh state since November 2020 to legalize recreational pot.

Legalization Status

As of April 13, 2021, marijuana is fully legal in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Legalization is pending in another three states: Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Another 25 states have mixed policies regarding legalization.

Eight states - Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming - fully prohibit the use of cannabis.

Colorado was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. Advocates of recreational marijuana contend that it adds money to the economy, creates jobs, frees up limited police resources to focus on violent crimes, and helps mitigate the racial disparities in marijuana enforcement. They also argue that regulating marijuana can lower street crime, decentivize drug cartels, and make marijuana use safer through mandated testing, labeling, and child-proof packaging.

Medicinal Use

If state-level laws are any indication, marijuana for medical use is significantly more widely accepted than recreational use. As of April 13, 2021, 35 states have legalized medical marijuana. South Dakota is also set to follow suit on July 1, 2021.

CBD oil is legal in seven additional states, leaving only eight states with no medical marijuana allowances of any sort. Unsurprisingly, those are the same eight states where recreational pot also remains prohibited.

Decriminalization

Marijuana decriminalization means individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana won’t be prosecuted--and subsequently won’t receive criminal records or jail sentences. Decriminalization has been a long-standing goal of advocacy organizations such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). As of April 13, 2021, 19 states have decriminalized marijuana, and will soon be joined by Montana and South Dakota. Thirty states have not decriminalized marijuana.

Even in states that have decriminalized marijuana, possessing larger quantities or selling cannabis may still carry significant penalties. It is therefore important to understand the criminal laws in your state pertaining to marijuana.

Federal marijuana policy

Despite many states loosening marijuana laws, the federal government has yet to follow suit. Under the Controlled Substances Act, federal law continues to prohibit cannabis sale and use. Therefore, even in states where marijuana has been legalized for recreational use, state laws conflict with federal laws.

Marijuana retail businesses, therefore, must remain fully in-state, in jurisdictions where marijuana is legal. The marijuana that a business sells must be grown, sold, used, and taxed within state lines--without using any federal land or means of commerce. This presents a number of complications, including preventing cannabis businesses from using banks (which are federally regulated), deducting business expenses on their federal income taxes (which other businesses are allowed to do), and preventing farmers from using water from federally-managed resources.

-Lorelei Yang & Josh Herman

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by Causes | 4.19.21

Marijuana legalization is sweeping the U.S.

New Mexico’s legalization of marijuana on April 12, 2021, made it the seventh state since November 2020 to legalize recreational pot.

Legalization Status

Eight states - Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming - fully prohibit the use of cannabis.

Medicinal Use

Decriminalization

Federal marijuana policy

-Lorelei Yang & Josh Herman

","comment_count":147,"issue_slugs":["government","marijuana-legalization","drugs","states","crime-and-police"],"created_at":"2021-04-20T01:08:36.485Z","status":"published","snippet":"Marijuana legalization is sweeping the U.S. New Mexico’s legalization of marijuana on April 12, 2021, made it the seventh state","html_byline":"

by Causes | 4.19.21

","share_count":8,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Support","color":"#2ca788","stance":"support"},{"text":"Oppose","color":"#ef3e42","stance":"oppose"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2021-04-20T01:08:37.884Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"4.19.21","issue_ids":["states","marijuana-legalization","government","crime-and-police","drugs"]},{"title":"Judge in Chauvin Trial Rebukes Waters Over Call for Protesters to 'Get More Confrontational’ & Warns Case May Be Overturned on Appeal","id":47238,"slug":"47238-judge-chauvin-trial-rebukes-waters-call-protesters-get-confrontational-warns-case-overturned-appeal","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/47238-judge-chauvin-trial-rebukes-waters-call-protesters-get-confrontational-warns-case-overturned-appeal","article_comments":"/api/articles/47238-judge-chauvin-trial-rebukes-waters-call-protesters-get-confrontational-warns-case-overturned-appeal/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/47238/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

What’s the story?

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who is presiding over the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd, rebuked Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) after she called for protesters to “get more confrontational” and warned that her statements could lead to the trial being overturned on appeal.
Waters spoke to the media at a weekend rally in nearby Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, where she said she is looking “for a guilty verdict” on a murder charge and that protesters will need to “fight for justice” before adding:

“We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.”

Judge Cahill addressed the comments made by Waters after Chauvin’s lawyers made a motion for a mistrial on the grounds that her comments and others would prejudice the jury:

“Well, I’ll give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned. I’m aware that Congresswoman Waters was talking specifically about this trial, and about the unacceptability of anything less than a murder conviction, and talk about being confrontational. But you can submit the press articles about that.

This goes back to what I’ve been saying from the beginning. I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law, and to the judicial branch and our function. I think if they want to give their opinions, they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution, to respect a coequal branch of government.

Their failure to do so I think is abhorrent, but I don’t think it has prejudices with additional material that would prejudice this jury. They were told not to watch the news. I trust they are following those instructions, and that there is not in any way a prejudice to the defendant beyond the articles that were talking specifically about the facts of this case. A congresswoman’s opinion really doesn't matter a whole lot. Anyway, so motion for mistrial is denied.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told reporters on Monday that she doesn’t think Waters should apologize and that, “Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the civil rights movement.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced that is planning to introduce a resolution to censure Waters for her comments in a tweet which read:

“This weekend in Minnesota, Maxine Waters broke the law by violating curfew and then incited violence. Speaker Pelosi is ignoring Waters’ behavior―that’s why I am introducing a resolution to censure Rep. Waters for these dangerous comments.”

Censure is one of the most severe forms of punishment the House of Representatives can mete out, second only to expulsion. The last member of the House to be censured was former Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) in 2010 over ethics violations and unpaid taxes.
A censure resolution offered by McCarthy would receive privileged floor consideration under the House rules because he is the minority leader, and Democrats will offer a motion to table it when he brings it up. If the motion to table fails, a vote on the censure of Waters would follow.

— Eric Revell

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by Causes | 4.19.21

What’s the story?

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who is presiding over the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd, rebuked Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) after she called for protesters to “get more confrontational” and warned that her statements could lead to the trial being overturned on appeal.
Waters spoke to the media at a weekend rally in nearby Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, where she said she is looking “for a guilty verdict” on a murder charge and that protesters will need to “fight for justice” before adding:

“We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.”

Judge Cahill addressed the comments made by Waters after Chauvin’s lawyers made a motion for a mistrial on the grounds that her comments and others would prejudice the jury:

“Well, I’ll give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned. I’m aware that Congresswoman Waters was talking specifically about this trial, and about the unacceptability of anything less than a murder conviction, and talk about being confrontational. But you can submit the press articles about that.

This goes back to what I’ve been saying from the beginning. I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law, and to the judicial branch and our function. I think if they want to give their opinions, they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution, to respect a coequal branch of government.

Their failure to do so I think is abhorrent, but I don’t think it has prejudices with additional material that would prejudice this jury. They were told not to watch the news. I trust they are following those instructions, and that there is not in any way a prejudice to the defendant beyond the articles that were talking specifically about the facts of this case. A congresswoman’s opinion really doesn't matter a whole lot. Anyway, so motion for mistrial is denied.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told reporters on Monday that she doesn’t think Waters should apologize and that, “Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the civil rights movement.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced that is planning to introduce a resolution to censure Waters for her comments in a tweet which read:

“This weekend in Minnesota, Maxine Waters broke the law by violating curfew and then incited violence. Speaker Pelosi is ignoring Waters’ behavior―that’s why I am introducing a resolution to censure Rep. Waters for these dangerous comments.”

Censure is one of the most severe forms of punishment the House of Representatives can mete out, second only to expulsion. The last member of the House to be censured was former Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) in 2010 over ethics violations and unpaid taxes.
A censure resolution offered by McCarthy would receive privileged floor consideration under the House rules because he is the minority leader, and Democrats will offer a motion to table it when he brings it up. If the motion to table fails, a vote on the censure of Waters would follow.

— Eric Revell

","comment_count":237,"issue_slugs":["legal-affairs","congress-shenanigans","crime-and-police"],"created_at":"2021-04-20T00:17:23.523Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story?\nHennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who is presiding over the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in","html_byline":"

by Causes | 4.19.21

","share_count":14,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#edb723","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":5,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2021-04-20T00:20:27.878Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"4.19.21","issue_ids":["legal-affairs","congress-shenanigans","crime-and-police"]},{"title":"How Good Are You at Spotting Deepfakes? Take Our Quiz","id":47235,"slug":"47235-good-spotting-deepfakes-take-quiz","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/47235-good-spotting-deepfakes-take-quiz","article_comments":"/api/articles/47235-good-spotting-deepfakes-take-quiz/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/47235/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

Here are some helpful clues to keep in mind's eye:

Signs that you're seeing a deepfake

Poorly synced audio and video
Lower-quality spots in the video
Irregular blinking
Blurriness where the face meets the neck and hair
Inconsistent skin tone
Blurriness in the face but not elsewhere in the video

Some questions to ask yourself

Is the person saying something you wouldn’t expect them to say?
Who benefits if this video is true?

Good luck!

-Josh Herman

","user_id":824038,"cta_prompt":"How'd you do?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"","cta_url":"","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/6514a1/DeepFakesLogo.png","medium":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/6514a1/DeepFakesLogo.png","small":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/6514a1/DeepFakesLogo.png","thumb":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/6514a1/DeepFakesLogo.png","xsmall":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/6514a1/DeepFakesLogo.png"},"profile_id":1,"action_count":370,"html_content":"

by Causes | 4.19.21

Here are some helpful clues to keep in mind's eye:

Signs that you're seeing a deepfake

Poorly synced audio and video
Lower-quality spots in the video
Irregular blinking
Blurriness where the face meets the neck and hair
Inconsistent skin tone
Blurriness in the face but not elsewhere in the video

Some questions to ask yourself

Is the person saying something you wouldn’t expect them to say?
Who benefits if this video is true?

Good luck!

-Josh Herman

","comment_count":65,"issue_slugs":["government","arts-culture-religion","media-press","internet","technology"],"created_at":"2021-04-19T19:12:49.919Z","status":"published","snippet":"Here are some helpful clues to keep in mind's eye:Signs that you're seeing a deepfake\nPoorly synced audio and","html_byline":"

by Causes | 4.19.21

","share_count":12,"reaction_config":[{"icon":"excited","color":"#EE4950","stance":"excited"},{"icon":"happy","color":"#EDB723","stance":"happy"},{"icon":"apathetic","color":"#3AB093","stance":"apathetic"},{"icon":"sad","color":"#5ACDED","stance":"sad"},{"icon":"angry","color":"#624960","stance":"angry"}],"reaction_config_id":1,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2021-04-19T19:13:20.852Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"4.19.21","issue_ids":["government","internet","arts-culture-religion","media-press","technology"]}],"meta":{"pagination":{"current_page":1,"total_pages":961,"total_count":5766}}}

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