Latest news with #Marks
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds of ‘DEI' books are back at the Naval Academy. An alum and a bookshop fought their removal.
When the U.S. Naval Academy stripped 381 books tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from its library, retired Commander William Marks saw more than censorship — he saw a threat to the Navy's future. But last week, after immense public outcry, most of those books returned to Nimitz Library shelves. 'Do you believe it?' asked Marks, a 1996 alum who spearheaded a campaign to maintain student access to the books. 'What great news. We're thrilled.' All the books the academy removed in early April had one thing in common: Officials flagged them for DEI themes. They include Maya Angelou's 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and Elizabeth Reis' 'Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex.' The purge followed directives from Trump-appointed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has called DEI initiatives 'divisive.' Determined to ensure that students could still read the works, Marks began crowdfunding to replace them on April 5. 'The motto of the Naval Academy is 'from knowledge, seapower,'' said Marks, who served as a Navy commander for 22 years. 'What we mean is without knowledge, education and intellectual growth, we will never become a strong Navy. So this contradiction really struck me, that instead of encouraging knowledge and encouraging discussion, the Pentagon was actually suppressing knowledge and limiting discussion.' About 4,400 students, members of the Brigade of Midshipmen, attend the Naval Academy while on active duty in the U.S. Navy. After graduation, they are required to serve in the Navy or Marine Corps for at least five years. Women represent more than a quarter of the student body, while men make up over 70 percent of midshipmen. Initially, Marks hoped to fundraise $3,810, which he figured would be enough to cover the cost of the books pulled from Nimitz Library. Since Marks lives in Arlington, Texas, he tapped Old Fox Books & Coffeehouse in Annapolis, Maryland, home to the academy, to be his local partner. Donations have far exceeded his goal, topping $70,000. Jinny Amundson, an owner of Old Fox Books, said by the time she got the call from Marks, she had already heard about the books removed and had started compiling a list of them to purchase for the store's inventory. 'For a bookseller, the idea of censoring any kind of books just gives us heart palpitations,' Amundson said. 'And it's our community. The [midshipmen] think of our shop as a place that they love and one of their sort of unofficial bookstores. We have the mids, the faculty, the administration that come in and think of our space as their own.' Amundson said she understood that the removal of books was an order, which has to be followed within the military. But she found the loophole: Her bookshop could store the titles targeted. It is conveniently located about a block away from the Naval Academy gates. The day before the institution's May 23 graduation, Amundson learned that most of the pulled books were back on the library's shelves. She went to see for herself, took pictures of the books and sent them to many of the authors, who had personally contacted her when the restrictions on the works took effect. Now, just 20 books are being sequestered pending a formal compliance review, according to the Department of Defense. A Navy spokesperson did not provide details to The 19th about those titles. Ultimately, a narrowing of the search terms used to flag books for review resulted in the return of hundreds of books to the Nimitz Library, as the Department of Defense first issued broad guidance about book removals to the military services. 'What struck me was the very arbitrary and even cruel nature of the books that got removed,' Marks said. 'These books were a cross-section of American culture. They were important to the discussion of American history.' In an updated May 9 memo, the Pentagon instructed the military services to use 20 search terms to pinpoint books in their academic libraries that might need to be set aside because of how they engage race or gender. Among those terms were affirmative action; critical race theory; gender-affirming care; transgender people; and diversity, equity and inclusion. People across the political spectrum expressed alarm about the book restrictions, which have been widely opposed, according to Marks. 'We really shouldn't be banning any books,' he said. That includes those with unpopular, or even offensive, ideas like Adolf Hitler's 'Mein Kampf,' which managed to evade the Naval Academy's book purge, he noted. He calls his effort to maintain the midshipmen's access to all books in the Nimitz Library Operation Caged Bird, after the 1969 Angelou memoir that was likely targeted because it describes racial segregation and child abuse. The name Operation Caged Bird also alludes to the feeling of being restrained by censorship. 'I almost felt like I could feel the bars closing in on me in terms of what I can read and can't read,' Marks said. 'That didn't sit right.' Marks' GoFundMe campaign has raised enough money to supply 1,000 books in 2025 and fund a three-year initiative at Old Fox, ensuring midshipmen can access any contested title for free. 'If you're a midshipman and you're writing an essay paper and there's a book you can't find, maybe it's been removed or banned, you can call them, and they'll order it for you, and then you just pick it up free of charge,' Marks said. He's also coordinating with other service academies, anticipating similar battles. At the Navy's three other educational institutions, fewer than 20 books have been flagged as potentially incompatible with the military's mission, as have a few dozen at the Air Force Academy and other Air Force academic institutions. The Army has also been ordered to assess library books at its educational institutions, but a spokesperson from West Point told The 19th that no books have been pulled at this time, as its compliance review is still underway. The return of nearly 400 books to the Naval Academy library coincides with a pending lawsuit accusing Department of Defense-run schools of violating K-12 students' constitutional rights for limiting books and subject matter related to gender, race and sexuality. The American Civil Liberties Union filed E.K. v. Department of Defense Education Activity in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on behalf of 12 students. A hearing will take place June 3. The ACLU seeks a preliminary injunction to give the youth access to materials it argues have been restricted to align with President Donald Trump's executive orders and political agenda. Amundson said she was pleasantly surprised that it took just weeks for the books to be returned to the Naval Academy. 'I believe that what happened and the response that was given in Annapolis — I think that made the administration be much more careful this time around as they're going for these other libraries, the other Department of Defense libraries around the world,' she said. Amundson said using the funds raised from the GoFundMe campaign, the bookstore was able to give away nearly 500 books in the days leading up to the Naval Academy graduation. For weeks, letters of support piled up and people stopped by the bookstore with gratitude, some even driving from hours away to show their support in person. In addition to Operation Caged Bird, Amundson said there were 'powerful arms at work.' There was pushback on the book removals from members of Congress, the Naval Academy's Board of Visitors and the superintendent — who wrote an open letter signed by hundreds of alumni. 'For right now, this was a huge win for us,' Amundson said. The post Hundreds of 'DEI' books are back at the Naval Academy. An alum and a bookshop fought their removal. appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Family sues Myers Park nursing home after resident fatally hit by city truck
A family is suing the city of Charlotte, a garbage truck driver, and the operators of Myers Park Nursing Center, alleging the facility's neglect led to the death of a 68-year-old resident who was struck and killed by a garbage truck after leaving the center unnoticed. ALSO READ: Nursing home patients forced to move due to health, safety issues This is the latest development for the troubled Myers Park Nursing Center, previously known as The Citadel. The same facility just lost Medicaid status due to health and safety concerns. Family members are suing the city, truck driver, and the nursing home owners in the hope of getting answers as to how it happened. The nearly 200-page lawsuit cites serious concerns for resident safety. The lengthy wrongful death lawsuit filed earlier this month claims that Myers Park Nursing Center is responsible for the death of 68-year-old George Marks, citing severe neglect, violations and misconduct. The suit states that in October of 2023, Marks, who was cognitively impaired and wheelchair-bound, left the Myers Park nursing facility unnoticed and made his way to an intersection outside the center in his electric wheelchair where he was hit by a city garbage truck. The suit says the damage left 'anatomical devastation' and Marks remained 'conscious, aware, in agony, and alone.' Later that month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Services Regulation (NCDHSR) cited Myers Park Nursing Center for its failure to supervise Marks, and for failing to even 'attempt' the implementation of basic safeguards to protect him. It's not the first complaint against Myers Park Nursing Center, previously known as The Citadel at Myers Park, or its owning entities. The lawsuit cites concerning NCDHSR reports, including a resident with an amputation who was found face down in a transport van. It's also not the first time Channel 9 reported on these citations. For years we've reported on neglect allegations by the company. In March, Channel 9 reported the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) terminated its agreement with the facility after it allegedly failed to follow health and safety requirements. The attorney representing the Marks estate told Channel 9's Hannah Goetz: 'This case raises serious concerns about resident safety and systemic failures at the facility. The complaint speaks for itself. At this time, we are focused on the legal process and will not be making further comments.' A representative for Myers Park Nursing Center told Goetz on Thursday there is no comment at this time. VIDEO: Suspect in nursing student's death granted bond after 6 years in jail
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
George Santos' former treasurer sentenced to probation over bogus campaign finance reports
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — George Santos ′ former campaign treasurer was sentenced Wednesday to three years' probation for her role in fabricating campaign finance reports for the disgraced ex-congressman from New York. Nancy Marks was also ordered to pay more than $178,000 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert. The veteran Long Island political operative, who resigned as Santos' campaign treasurer in 2023, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges last year. 'I thought I had found a friend in George Santos,' she said Wednesday. 'But everything about him was a lie. I thought it was a true friend and a true person. He was not.' She has admitted to helping Santos inflate his campaign donations during the 2022 election cycle in order to hit the fundraising thresholds needed to qualify for backing from the national Republican Party. Prosecutors say Marks filed campaign finance reports that listed a number of false donors, including at least 10 members of her family and Santos' family. The reports to the Federal Election Commission and the GOP National Committee also falsely claimed Santos had loaned his campaign $500,000 when in reality he didn't have the money to make that kind of loan. Marks faced up to five years in prison. In a filing ahead of Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors had recommended the Shirley resident be sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $178,000 in restitution. Marks' lawyers filed their sentencing request under seal, meaning it wasn't revealed prior to her appearance in Central Islip federal court. Marks worked on more than 150 Republican campaigns on Long Island, including for the current head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, during his successful campaigns for Congress and a failed gubernatorial run. Santos was sentenced last month to more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He's due to report to prison July 25. Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Santos, was sentenced in March to one year and one day in prison for his role in the campaign fraud, which included impersonating a high-ranking congressional aide. Santos served less than a year in Congress before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed he'd fabricated much of his life story. The political unknown had painted himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms, when in reality he was struggling financially. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign. ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at Philip Marcelo, The Associated Press
6 days ago
- Politics
George Santos' former treasurer sentenced to probation over bogus campaign finance reports
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. -- CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — George Santos ′ former campaign treasurer was sentenced Wednesday to three years' probation for her role in fabricating campaign finance reports for the disgraced ex-congressman from New York. Nancy Marks was also ordered to pay more than $178,000 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert. The veteran Long Island political operative, who resigned as Santos' campaign treasurer in 2023, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges last year. 'I thought I had found a friend in George Santos,' she said Wednesday. 'But everything about him was a lie. I thought it was a true friend and a true person. He was not.' She has admitted to helping Santos inflate his campaign donations during the 2022 election cycle in order to hit the fundraising thresholds needed to qualify for backing from the national Republican Party. Prosecutors say Marks filed campaign finance reports that listed a number of false donors, including at least 10 members of her family and Santos' family. The reports to the Federal Election Commission and the GOP National Committee also falsely claimed Santos had loaned his campaign $500,000 when in reality he didn't have the money to make that kind of loan. Marks faced up to five years in prison. In a filing ahead of Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors had recommended the Shirley resident be sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $178,000 in restitution. Marks' lawyers filed their sentencing request under seal, meaning it wasn't revealed prior to her appearance in Central Islip federal court. Marks worked on more than 150 Republican campaigns on Long Island, including for the current head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, during his successful campaigns for Congress and a failed gubernatorial run. Santos was sentenced last month to more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He's due to report to prison July 25. Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Santos, was sentenced in March to one year and one day in prison for his role in the campaign fraud, which included impersonating a high-ranking congressional aide. Santos served less than a year in Congress before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed he'd fabricated much of his life story. The political unknown had painted himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms, when in reality he was struggling financially.
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
George Santos' former treasurer sentenced to probation over bogus campaign finance reports
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — George Santos ′ former campaign treasurer was sentenced Wednesday to three years' probation for her role in fabricating campaign finance reports for the disgraced ex-congressman from New York. Nancy Marks was also ordered to pay more than $178,000 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert. The veteran Long Island political operative, who resigned as Santos' campaign treasurer in 2023, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges last year. 'I thought I had found a friend in George Santos,' she said Wednesday. 'But everything about him was a lie. I thought it was a true friend and a true person. He was not.' She has admitted to helping Santos inflate his campaign donations during the 2022 election cycle in order to hit the fundraising thresholds needed to qualify for backing from the national Republican Party. Prosecutors say Marks filed campaign finance reports that listed a number of false donors, including at least 10 members of her family and Santos' family. The reports to the Federal Election Commission and the GOP National Committee also falsely claimed Santos had loaned his campaign $500,000 when in reality he didn't have the money to make that kind of loan. Marks faced up to five years in prison. In a filing ahead of Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors had recommended the Shirley resident be sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $178,000 in restitution. Marks' lawyers filed their sentencing request under seal, meaning it wasn't revealed prior to her appearance in Central Islip federal court. Marks worked on more than 150 Republican campaigns on Long Island, including for the current head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, during his successful campaigns for Congress and a failed gubernatorial run. Santos was sentenced last month to more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He's due to report to prison July 25. Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Santos, was sentenced in March to one year and one day in prison for his role in the campaign fraud, which included impersonating a high-ranking congressional aide. Santos served less than a year in Congress before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed he'd fabricated much of his life story. The political unknown had painted himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms, when in reality he was struggling financially. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign . ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at .
