2023 Civics Edition
July 25, 2023
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A View From the Ground
News and information about politics, government, civic participation and engagement from URL Media's network of Black and Brown publishers.
Credit: Alex Kent for AFP/Getty Images
NYC tenants face second year of rent increase: Renters in New York City's rent-stabilized housing will see a higher amount on their rent bill for the second year in a row. This is because the city's mayor-appointed Rent Guidelines Board approved a rent increase last month, which will increase some tenants' rent bill by 3%. In NYC, the average renter spends nearly 69% of their income on housing, so another rent increase can be financially devastating for families and occupants of rent-stabilized housing — where tenants are more likely to be immigrants, low-income and senior citizens. Prism spoke with housing advocates who say this latest rent increase poses a risk of people being priced out of their homes. Read more here.
Lyft, Uber drivers call for increased wages as Minneapolis considers rideshare ordinance: The Minnesota City Council will hold its first hearing on proposed legislation to raise wages and standards for Uber and Lyft drivers later today. Hours before this morning's meeting, Sahan Journal reporter Alfonzo Galvan attended a press conference held by the Minnesota Uber/Lyft Driver's Association (MULDA) outside of the city council chambers. “We not asking for increased wages we asking for fair compensation," said an Uber driver representing the association.
Earlier this year, MULDA, a group led by Somali and East African drivers, attempted to pass legislation to improve the wages and protections of rideshare drivers, but failed as the bill was vetoed by Gov. Tim Walz. Read more on this developing story here.
More: Footage from the press conference (@GalvanReports)
Indigenous educators promote STEM curriculum and careers to future generation: Native Americans remain the lowest-represented racial demographic in STEM, computer science and engineering workforces. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education reports that Native Americans and Alaskan Natives make up 0.4% of all bachelor’s degree holders in engineering, 0.3% of the engineering workforce and 0.1% of engineering faculty. To address this gap, more than 170 educators and administrators came together earlier this month at a Google-backed conference in Colorado to build a community of Indigenous computer science teachers, and discuss best practices for teaching STEM to Native American students. Native News Online has more.Plus: Navajo Nation president: “Oppenheimer” erases history of nuclear waste caused to Indigenous people
Haitian women's World Cup match ignites national pride: Despite all that's currently happening in Haiti, the nation's women's soccer team made its historic debut at the FIFA Women's World Cup last week, igniting pride and euphoria among Haitians worldwide. Haitian Times reports the soccer team lost its first game last Thursday against England 1-0 and will compete against China this Friday, July 28 at Hindmarsh Stadium in South Adelaide, Australia.
“As a Haitian, it is with an inexplicable feeling that I see my country in the cup,” one journalist told the publication. “Haiti’s participation in this World Cup, especially in this chaotic condition that Haitians live in 2023, shows that Haiti can do much more.” Read more here.
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