Latest news with #MichaelsonJenet
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boulder County Courthouse lit blue for Jewish victims, against antisemitism
DENVER (KDVR) — The building overlooking the site where an Egyptian man threw Molotov cocktails on demonstrators seeking the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza was lit up Wednesday night to honor the victims and take a stand against antisemitism. The Boulder County Courthouse was illuminated as a show of solidarity with the 15 victims of a firebombing attack that has been called both an act of terror and a hate crime. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is accused of throwing the homemade Molotov cocktails on the peaceful demonstrators with Run For Their Lives. Boulder Terror Attack: Continuing Coverage 'With support from the City of Boulder and the Boulder community at large, we know as a Jewish community that there are those who will stand up and walk beside us,' said Sen. Michaelson Jenet in a release announcing the symbolic gesture. The display was made possible through a collaboration between the Israeli-American Council Colorado, State Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and the city and county of Boulder. 'This is a powerful statement of unity and stand against antisemitism in response to the horrific terror attack in Boulder,' said IAC Colorado Regional Director Eldad Malka in a release. The building, located at 1325 Pearl Street, was recently made a National Historic Landmark and was illuminated from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday night. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Bill to lift the statute of limitations in child sex assault civil claims hangs in the balance at the Colorado capitol
Survivors of child sexual assault are once again asking Colorado lawmakers to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. If passed by voters, it would allow for civil suits in cases that happened decades earlier. Right now, survivors of child sexual abuse have six years after they turn 18 to bring a civil suit. But most don't come forward for decades. By then, the statute of limitations has run out and their left with trauma that often requires a lifetime of treatment. State Sen.s Jessie Danielson and Dafna Michaelson Jenet are bringing a bill, for the third time in four years, to give them a chance to recover damages. "Once you hear these stories, I don't know how anybody doesn't take action," Danielson said. She and Michaelson Jenet first took action in 2021. They passed a law that allowed survivors of child sexual assault to sue their abusers and institutions -- like churches and schools -- that covered up abuse no matter how long ago it happened. The Colorado Supreme Court struck it down, saying the constitution prohibits retrospective lawsuits. So, last year, Danielson and Michaelson Jenet asked the legislature to refer a ballot measure changing the constitution. It needed two-thirds of the senate to pass, which meant at least one Republican along with every Democrat. Republicans wanted a carve out for institutions. Danielson and Michaelson Jenet refused, and the measure failed. "Once again I return alongside victims and advocates of sexual assault asking for justice," Danielson said at a committee hearing this week, where she and Michaelson Jenet re-introduced the bill, giving the GOP a second chance. Danielson says it's not only about holding predators accountable for past abuse but preventing future abuse. "It's about removing people who still have access to children," Danielson said. But Jessica Fuller, an attorney for the Colorado Catholic Conference, argues the bill is not about making kids safer, "It does not put more perpetrators in jail." She says it will bankrupt nonprofits that will have no choice but to settle cases based on decades old claims, "Witnesses have passed away and cannot be found. If they can be located, they do not have clear memories of the relevant facts and events after such a long passage of time. Those accused of perpetrating the actual harm are often times no longer alive to answer for these claims. Key documents are lost or destroyed after decades." Survivors like Angie Witt, who was abused as a child by her pastor, says let the courts decide. "I don't believe legislators should decide whether or not I have a case. That's the job of the judicial system. Please do not silence the voters of Colorado as I was silenced," she said. The Catholic Church says the amendment could not only cost nonprofits but the government. This month, Los Angeles County agreed to a $4 billion settlement involving thousands of claims of sexual abuse -- at detention and foster care facilities -- dating back more than 60 years. The bill passed its first committee, but Danielson says Republicans have once again vowed to vote against Monday when it's debated on the floor. Danielson says she won't give up. If the legislature won't refer the measure to voters, she says she and supporters will gather signatures to put it on the ballot. "I will absolutely be carrying on this fight. We are going to the ballot. We are going to change the constitution one way or another," Danielson said.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Free societies don't ban books': State bill aims to protect public school libraries from book bans
DENVER (KDVR) — A measure designed to place guards on public school library content decisions moved out of the Colorado Senate Education Committee on Monday. Called the 'Freedom to Read' bill by supporters, the 'Library Resource Decision Standards for Public Schools' bill would require local school boards to establish written policies on their acquisition, use and removal of library resources. 'I didn't understand how I was getting this bill': Measure prohibiting surprise ambulance billing clears Colorado committee Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, a Democrat representing Jefferson County, and Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Democrat representing Commerce City, are the main sponsors of the bill. The pair said the bill would ensure that any removal or restriction of items in a school library would follow a clear, fair and consistent process. Without such a policy, the school board or charter school institute would not be able to remove library resources from its collection. 'Free societies don't ban books,' said Cutter in a release emailed Monday. 'This bill will ensure that the next generation of Coloradans has the opportunity to access a broad spectrum of literature, including works that might challenge preconceived notions or present uncomfortable truths.' Cutter said providing these works empowers Colorado children to 'become well-informed, open-minded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to our democracy.' 'As diverse identities are being erased and marginalized throughout the country, it has never been more important to protect the freedom to read,' Cutter said. Elizabeth School District facing further legal action regarding book ban Michaelson Jenet noted that she is an author and owns a publishing company, and said that bolsters her commitment to telling stories that 'would not otherwise be told.' 'These are the stories that end up on banned book lists,' Michaelson Jenet said in an email statement. 'While other states enact laws to criminalize educators and restrict access to books, this bill sends a strong message that Colorado values our students' freedom to access diverse voices and opinions.' The bill's sponsors said that as currently written, the bill would prevent discriminatory policies and also protect librarians from retaliation. The bill now heads to the Senate floor and is scheduled to be reviewed during Senate Floor Work on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
