Latest news with #RussellContreras
Axios
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Court upholds Arkansas' school indoctrination bans
Arkansas' bans on critical race theory instruction and "indoctrination" in schools held up in court this week. The big picture: A three-judge panel from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the bans do not violate students' free speech rights because the government can lawfully dictate what is taught in schools, the Arkansas Advocate reported. Zoom in: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' sweeping education law, the LEARNS Act of 2023, includes a section on "prohibited indoctrination." It's defined as communication by a public school employee or guest speaker that compels a person to adopt, affirm or profess an idea that people of a legally protected group like race, sex or religion are inherently superior or inferior or that people of a protected group should be discriminated against. The law specifically calls critical race theory "prohibited indoctrination." Context: Critical race theory holds that racism is baked into the formation of the nation and ingrained in the U.S. legal, financial and education systems, Axios' Russell Contreras writes. It was developed in law schools in the late 1970s and early 1980s and does not teach that members of any race, group, religion or nationality are superior. Some scholars argue that race-based policies, like affirmative action, or those that take race into account, like redistricting protections, are needed to address racial inequity. Flashback: U.S. District Court Judge Lee Rudofsky temporarily halted implementation of the indoctrination section of LEARNS from going into effect in May 2024. What they're saying: The First Amendment right to receive information doesn't authorize a court to require the state to retain curriculum materials or instruction, even if information was removed for political reasons the Arkansas Advocate reported.
Axios
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
How to celebrate Juneteenth in Philadelphia
Juneteenth celebrations take over Philadelphia on Thursday and throughout the weekend with festivals, performances and a block party. The big picture: Momentum around the holiday, which honors the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas, appears to be expanding across the U.S. amid the Trump administration's backlash against civil rights and discussions on racism, Axios' Russell Contreras reports. Context: This is the fourth year that Juneteenth has been a national holiday since President Biden signed legislation in 2021. Government offices, post offices, banks and the stock market are closed, while city trash and recycling pickups won't be collected. Zoom in: Thursday's premier event in Philly is a block party at the African American Museum from noon to 7pm. The event, in partnership with Wawa's Welcome America and Visit Philly, features live music, a beer garden, food trucks, dance performances and family-friendly activities The celebration, billed "Audacious Freedom," is headlined by DJ Drama, Lady Alma, Kid Capri and Slick Rick. Thursday 10am-5pm 🇺🇲 Museum of the American Revolution: Check out the new Revolutionary War Flags exhibit, catch a theatrical performance, and tag along on a museum tour ($10). ⛓️ Eastern State Penitentiary: Stop by for discussions with guest speakers, choir performances and a family storytime. 10:45am-2:30pm. 🛍️ Pop-up Market at Independence Visitor Center: Shop Black-owned makers and small businesses from 11am-4pm. Sunday 🥁 Juneteenth Parade and Festival: A marketplace with hundreds of vendors and a youth pavilion opens in Malcolm X Park at 10am. The parade steps off from the Mann Center with roughly 2,000 participants and more than two dozen floats at 12:30pm. Stay late for the music festival at 5pm in Malcolm X Park. And a Miss Juneteenth Pageant is slated for 6pm at the National Constitution Center. 🌳 Bartram's Garden: Spend the day outside in the botanical garden enjoying performances, workshops, lawn games and storytelling.
Axios
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Where to celebrate Juneteenth in Miami
Juneteenth is on Thursday, and there are numerous ways to celebrate the holiday across Miami. Why it matters: Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation. The big picture: Despite recent backlash against civil rights and discussions of racism, celebrations of the holiday are growing, Axios' Russell Contreras reports. Here are some ways to celebrate locally Miami Juneteenth Festival: Enjoy live music, local food and family friendly fun at the Griffing Center in North Miami today from noon to 11pm. Free. The Juneteenth Experience: Celebrate Miami's Black history with a theatrical concert from Hued Songs at the Colony Theatre on Lincoln Road in South Beach. Today and Thursday, 7:30pm. Tickets $31.50+. NMB Juneteenth Experience: Enjoy a step show and drumline competition, live performances from local Greek sororities, food vendors and activities for all ages. Thursday from 5pm-9pm. Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater in North Miami Beach. Free. Freedom Crowns at Miami Children's Museum: Design your own "Freedom Crown" and contribute to a community quilt for Juneteenth. Thursday 5pm-9pm. Non-member tickets $18+. Uhuru Rising: A Cultural Awakening: An immersive Juneteenth experience centered on liberation, cultural awakening and creativity. Thursday, 4pm-7pm. Free. Barry University. " Malcolm X" screening at O Cinema: Watch the 1992 film, starring Denzel Washington, and stay for a community conversation on racial justice and anti-Black rhetoric. Thursday, 7pm. $14 +. Freedom Fest: Juneteenth Celebration: Celebrate freedom, culture and community. Kid Zone, free book giveaways, live DJ, food vendors and dancing.
Axios
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
How to honor Juneteenth in Tampa Bay
Juneteenth is on Thursday, and there are numerous ways to celebrate the holiday across Tampa Bay. Why it matters: Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation. The big picture: Despite recent backlash against civil rights and discussions of racism, celebrations of the holiday are growing, Axios' Russell Contreras reports. Zoom in: Here's how to celebrate locally: Tampa Bay Juneteenth Festival, Tampa: This weeklong celebration kicks off Monday night with a youth summit, continues through the week with community discussions and a Top Golf fundraiser and culminates in a free block party-style festival on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. Juneteenth Celebration on the Deuces, St. Petersburg: This party in the heart of St. Pete's Black business district will feature vendors, artists and more. 11am-8pm Thursday at The Catalyst on the Deuces Tampa Heights Cultural Fest - A Juneteenth Community Celebration, Tampa: This free, family-friendly event will include live music, local vendors, food, a community kickball game and more. 5-9pm Sunday at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association Juneteenth Arts Festival, Sarasota: Join the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe for a free day of local art and short films, a free jazz concert, a documentary screening and more. 11am-7pm Sunday at the troupe's North Orange Avenue campus Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration, Tarpon Springs: Catch water slides, live music, line dancing and free food at this festival in east Tarpon.
Axios
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Antisemitic incidents in Colorado have spiked 40%, ADL says
Sunday's attack on demonstrators in Boulder advocating for Israeli hostages is part of an alarming trend of violence targeting Jewish individuals and pro-Israel advocates — incidents that some experts link to a rise in antisemitism. The big picture: Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have soared almost 900% in the last 10 years, and last year reached their highest level recorded in nearly half a century, Axios' Russell Contreras writes per a recent Anti-Defamation League (ADL) report. By the numbers: Colorado recorded 279 such incidents in 2024 compared with 198 in 2023 — a 40% spike. The rise comes as at least 33 extremist groups — including white nationalists, anti-LGBTQ+ organizations and anti-government militias — are currently active in Colorado, per the Southern Poverty Law Center. The latest: A pattern of violence has emerged nationwide in recent weeks, affecting both Jewish communities and individuals and groups publicly supporting Israel. The trend is raising concerns about the intersection of antisemitism and political tensions over the Israel-Hamas war. Zoom in: Two Israeli Embassy employees were fatally shot May 21 outside a Jewish museum reception in Washington, D.C. In mid-April, an arsonist torched the Pennsylvania governor's mansion on the first night of Passover as Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family slept inside. What they're saying: While criticism of Israeli policies is not inherently antisemitic, some Jewish leaders warn that increasingly hostile rhetoric can draw on or reinforce antisemitic tropes. "What we've seen these last few months is a shocking pattern of anti-Israel sentiment manifesting itself in antisemitic violence," Halie Soifer, chief executive of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, told the New York Times. "With each incident there's a further shattering of our sense of security." What's next: Boulder will host its 30th annual Jewish Festival this Sunday — at the same Pearl Street Mall where the fiery attack occurred.
