COVID-19: How Hateful Extremists Are Exploiting the Pandemic
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Effect of Fireworks, Chinese New Year and the COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollution and Public Attitudes
Special Issue on COVID-19 Aerosol Drivers, Impacts and Mitigation (VII) Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 20: 2318–2331, 2020 ISSN: 1680-8584 print / 2071-1409 online Publisher: Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2020.06.0299 Effect of Fireworks, Chinese New Year and the COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollution and Public Attitudes Peter Brimblecombe1,2, Yonghang Lai3* 1 Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan 2 Aerosol Science Research Center, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan 3 School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ABSTRACT Concentrations of primary air pollutants are driven by emissions and weather patterns, which control their production and dispersion. The early months of the year see the celebratory use of fireworks, a week-long public holiday in China, but in 2020 overlapped in Hubei Province with lockdowns, some of > 70 days duration. The urban lockdowns enforced to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic give a chance to explore the effect of rapid changes in societal activities on air pollution, with a public willing to leave views on social media and show a continuing concern about the return of pollution problems after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Fireworks typically give rise to sharp peaks in PM2.5 concentrations, though the magnitude of these peaks in both Wuhan and Beijing has decreased under tighter regulation in recent years, along with general reductions in pollutant emissions. Firework smoke is now most evident in smaller outlying cities and towns. The holiday effect, a reduction in pollutant concentrations when normal work activities are curtailed, is only apparent for NO2 in the holiday week in Wuhan (2015–2020), but not Beijing. -
Identity & In-Group Critique in James Mason's Siege
A Paler Shade of White: Identity & In-group Critique in James Mason’s Siege J.M. Berger RESOLVE NETWORK | April 2021 Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism Series https://doi.org/10.37805/remve2021.1 The views expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the RESOLVE Network, the U.S. Institute of Peace, or any entity of the U.S. government. CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 2 HISTORY AND CONTEXT ...................................................................................... 4 METHODOLOGY: LINKAGEBASED ANALYSIS ............................................... 6 OVERVIEW OF CONTENT ..................................................................................... 7 INGROUP CRISIS: A PALER SHADE OF WHITE .............................................13 INGROUPS IN CRISIS ........................................................................................20 THE OUTGROUP IN THE INGROUP ...............................................................23 CONCLUSION: INSIGHTS & RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................25 BIBLIOGRAPHY .....................................................................................................28 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Discussions of extremist ideologies naturally focus on how in-groups criticize and attack out-groups. But -
Nonprofit Security Grant Program Threat Incident Report
Nonprofit Security Grant Program Threat Incident Report: January 2019 to Present November 15, 2020 (Updated 02/22/2021) Prepared By: Rob Goldberg, Senior Director, Legislative Affairs [email protected] The following is a compilation of recent threat incidents, at home or abroad, targeting Jews and Jewish institutions (and other faith-based organization) that have been reported in the public record. When completing the Threat section of the IJ (Part III. Risk): ▪ First Choice: Describe specific terror (or violent homegrown extremist) incidents, threats, hate crimes, and/or related vandalism, trespass, intimidation, or destruction of property that have targeted its property, membership, or personnel. This may also include a specific event or circumstance that impacted an affiliate or member of the organization’s system or network. ▪ Second Choice: Report on known incidents/threats that have occurred in the community and/or State where the organization is located. ▪ Third Choice: Reference the public record regarding incidents/threats against similar or like institutions at home or abroad. Since there is limited working space in the IJ, the sub-applicant should be selective in choosing appropriate examples to incorporate into the response: events that are most recent, geographically proximate, and closely related to their type or circumstance of their organization or are of such magnitude or breadth that they create a significant existential threat to the Jewish community at large. I. Overview of Recent Federal Risk Assessments of National Significance Summary The following assessments underscore the persistent threat of lethal violence and hate crimes against the Jewish community and other faith- and community-based institutions in the United States. -
Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor Remote Proctoring Is Available, but Not Recommended. Please Consider Alternative Assess
Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor Remote proctoring is available, but not recommended. Please consider alternative assessment strategies. If you absolutely cannot use alternatives, and want to move forward using Respondus Lockdown Browser, here are some aspects to consider to minimize the impact to your students: Definitions: • Respondus Lockdown Browser is an internet browser downloaded and installed by students, which locks down the computer on which they are taking the test so that students cannot open other applications or web pages. Lockdown Browser does not monitor or record student activity. • Respondus Monitor is an instructor-enabled feature of Respondus Lockdown Browser, which uses the students’ webcams to record video and audio of the exam environment. It also records the students’ computer screens. Instructors can view these recordings after the exam session is over. Considerations: • If Respondus Monitor is enabled, students must have a webcam to take the test. Be aware that many of your students may not have access to a webcam. You will need to offer an alternative assessment for students who do not have a webcam. o Students may not be asked to purchase a webcam for these exams, unless one was required as an initial expectation for the course. Requiring the purchase of additional materials not specified in the class description or original syllabus opens up a host of concerns, including but not limited to: student financial aid and ability to pay, grade appeals, and departmental policies. • Both Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor require a Windows or Mac computer. iPads require a specialized app, and are not recommended. -
Event Identification and Analysis on Twitter Qiming DIAO Singapore Management University, [email protected]
Singapore Management University Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access) Dissertations and Theses 8-2015 Event identification and analysis on Twitter Qiming DIAO Singapore Management University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll Part of the Databases and Information Systems Commons, and the Social Media Commons Citation DIAO, Qiming. Event identification and analysis on Twitter. (2015). 1-90. Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access). Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll/126 This PhD Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access) by an authorized administrator of Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University. For more information, please email [email protected]. Event Identification and Analysis on Twitter by Qiming DIAO Submitted to School of Information Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems Dissertation Committee: Jing JIANG (Supervisor / Chair) Assistant Professor of Information Systems Singapore Management University Hady W. LAUW Assistant Professor of Information Systems Singapore Management University Ee-Peng LIM Professor of Information Systems Singapore Management University Wee Sun LEE Associate Professor of Computer Science National University of Singapore Singapore Management University 2015 Copyright (2015) Qiming DIAO Event Identification and Analysis on Twitter Qiming DIAO Abstract With the rapid growth of social media, Twitter has become one of the most widely adopted platforms for people to post short and instant messages. -
The Effect of Lockdown Policies on International Trade Evidence from Kenya
The effect of lockdown policies on international trade Evidence from Kenya Addisu A. Lashitew Majune K. Socrates GLOBAL WORKING PAPER #148 DECEMBER 2020 The Effect of Lockdown Policies on International Trade: Evidence from Kenya Majune K. Socrates∗ Addisu A. Lashitew†‡ January 20, 2021 Abstract This study analyzes how Kenya’s import and export trade was affected by lockdown policies during the COVID-19 outbreak. Analysis is conducted using a weekly series of product-by-country data for the one-year period from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Analysis using an event study design shows that the introduction of lockdown measures by trading partners led to a modest increase of exports and a comparatively larger decline of imports. The decline in imports was caused by disruption of sea cargo trade with countries that introduced lockdown measures, which more than compensated for a significant rise in air cargo imports. Difference-in-differences results within the event study framework reveal that food exports and imports increased, while the effect of the lockdown on medical goods was less clear-cut. Overall, we find that the strength of lockdown policies had an asymmetric effect between import and export trade. Keywords: COVID-19; Lockdown; Social Distancing; Imports; Exports; Kenya JEL Codes: F10, F14, L10 ∗School of Economics, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Email: [email protected] †Brookings Institution, 1775 Mass Av., Washington DC, 20036, USA. Email: [email protected] ‡The authors would like to thank Matthew Collin of Brookings Institution for his valuable comments and suggestions on an earlier version of the manuscript. 1 Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned an unprecedented level of social and economic crisis worldwide. -
Social Media, Misinformation and the Covid-19 Pandemic
SOCIAL MEDIA, MISINFORMATION AND HOW CAN PEOPLE IDENTIFY ONLINE MISINFORMATION THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC RELATED TO COVID-19? Developed with assistance from David Hill, MD > Online misinformation is common, but during the COVID-19 pandemic it has become “viral.” It is important to check the source for any information you read online. > A good rule of thumb: if you are looking for scientific information, it is best to access it from scientific or federal websites (Centers for Disease Control, US Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, US Health and Human Services) or from state and local health departments because they vet the information and provide reliable sources. HOW CAN PEOPLE POINT OUT MISINFORMATION IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER? > Avoid telling someone to take a post down. This can create “forbidden fruit” and actually encourage others to share it. If you are going to point out misinformation, it is best to also provide links to credible sources with accurate information. HOW CAN SOCIAL MEDIA BE HELPFUL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? > Social media is a great way to share resources and confirm information. > It allows us to socialize when we may be stuck at home due to social-distancing measures. > It also provides a way to check in with your friends and family to see how they are managing during the pandemic. HOW CAN SOCIAL MEDIA BE HELPFUL TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS DURING THE PANDEMIC? > Social media helps health care professionals to stay up-to-date with rapidly evolving information. They can see information when it is released, as well as expert reactions to it. -
Understanding Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities a Practical Guide
Understanding Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities A Practical Guide ODIHR Understanding Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities A Practical Guide Published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Ul. Miodowa 10 00-251 Warsaw Poland www.osce.org/odihr © OSCE/ODIHR 2017 All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may be freely used and copied for educational and other non-commercial purposes, provided that any such reproduction is accompanied by an acknowledgement of the OSCE/ ODIHR as the source. ISBN 978-92-9234-945-5 Cover designed by Nona Reuter Designed by Nona Reuter Printed in Poland by Poligrafus Jacek Adamiak Understanding Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities A Practical Guide Acknowledgments ODIHR would like to express its gratitude to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the following individual experts, whose contributions were instrumental in the devel- opment of this guide: Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in- Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, United States Stacy Burdett, Vice President, Government Relations, Advocacy & Community Engagement, Anti-Defamation League (ADL), United States Jakub Cygan, Main Specialist, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Poland Paul Giannasi, Head of the Cross-Government Hate Crime Programme, Ministry of Justice, United Kingdom Gabriela Jiraskova, Crisis Management Consultant, World Jewish Congress, Czech Republic Robin Sclafani, Director, CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, Belgium Michael Whine, Director, Government & International Affairs, Community Security Trust (CST), United Kingdom Contents Foreword vii Executive Summary ix Introduction 1 PART ONE: UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE 5 I. -
Antisemitism in MPA Classrooms and Beyond
Journal of Public Affairs Education ISSN: 1523-6803 (Print) 2328-9643 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/upae20 Talking about antisemitism in MPA classrooms and beyond Jamie Levine Daniel, Rachel Fyall & Jodi Benenson To cite this article: Jamie Levine Daniel, Rachel Fyall & Jodi Benenson (2019): Talking about antisemitism in MPA classrooms and beyond, Journal of Public Affairs Education, DOI: 10.1080/15236803.2019.1646581 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15236803.2019.1646581 View supplementary material Published online: 13 Aug 2019. Submit your article to this journal View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=upae20 JOURNAL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDUCATION https://doi.org/10.1080/15236803.2019.1646581 Talking about antisemitism in MPA classrooms and beyond Jamie Levine Daniel a, Rachel Fyall b, and Jodi Benenson c aIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; bUniversity of Washington; cUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha ABSTRACT KEYWORDS On October 27, 2018, a gunman killed eleven people attending Antisemitism; Jews; cultural Shabbat services in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. competency; administrative For many – both Jews and non-Jews – this tragedy served as evil; trust a wake-up call about the persistence of antisemitism in the United States today. MPA curricula and public affairs research have rarely addressed contemporary antisemitism, yet we argue for including conversations about antisemitism in MPA class- rooms. This article serves as a resource for the public affairs teaching community so our colleagues can feel prepared and empowered to address antisemitism in their classrooms. -
Testimony of Lecia Brooks Chief of Staff, Southern Poverty Law Center
Testimony of Lecia Brooks Chief of Staff, Southern Poverty Law Center before the Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy Committee on Financial Services United States House of Representatives Dollars against Democracy: Domestic Terrorist Financing in the Aftermath of Insurrection February 25, 2021 My name is Lecia Brooks. I am chief of staff of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Now in our 50th year, the SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. SPLC lawyers have worked to shut down some of the nation’s most violent white supremacist groups by winning crushing, multimillion-dollar jury verdicts on behalf of their victims. We have helped dismantle vestiges of Jim Crow, reformed juvenile justice practices, shattered barriers to equality for women, children, the LGBTQ+ community, and the disabled, and worked to protect low-wage immigrant workers from exploitation. The SPLC began tracking white supremacist activity in the 1980s, during a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan and other organized extremist hate groups. Today, the SPLC is the premier U.S. nonprofit organization monitoring the activities of domestic hate groups and other extremists. In the early 1990s, the SPLC launched its pioneering Teaching Tolerance program to provide educators with free, anti-bias classroom resources, such as classroom documentaries and lesson plans. Now renamed Learning For Justice, our program reaches millions of schoolchildren with award-winning curricula and other materials that promote understanding of our nation’s history and respect for others, helping educators create inclusive, equitable school environments. -
OSCE MEETING on the RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RACIST, XENOPHOBIC and ANTISEMITIC PROPAGANDA on the INTERNET, and HATE CRIMES Session
PC.NGO/18/04 18 June 2004 ENGLISH only OSCE MEETING ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RACIST, XENOPHOBIC AND ANTISEMITIC PROPAGANDA ON THE INTERNET, AND HATE CRIMES Session 2 ‘ONLINE PROPAGANDA AND THE COMMISSION OF HATE CRIME’ MICHAEL WHINE Mr Chairman, I work primarily for the Community Security Trust, which provides defence and security services for the Jewish community in the UK. Part of our research during the past fifteen years has been on how antisemitic extremist groups, neo-nazi, Islamist radicals, and others, promote hatred of, and plan offensive activity against the Jewish community. Increasingly we are able to ascertain what these extremists are planning by accessing the Internet. We accept that the development of cyberspace has facilitated the growth of new forms of hate groups and that it allows cheap accessible communication which avoids legal restrictions and which his capable of being encrypted. We know that there has been an explosion of websites, that they promote hatred, and that there is an alarming increase in religious and racial tension, including violence, directed at many minorities, but particularly the Jewish communities. What we must now do is begin to examine the relationship between such sites and violence on the streets. We should also analyse the development of the command and control mechanisms that cyberspace allows. The websites are, in effect, a showcase of wares; they promote the hate groups’ ideologies and allow them to advertise themselves. These groups also now increasingly use cyberspace to organise themselves and their activities. I would suggest that the next important growth is not in the use of websites as such but rather in the internal and restricted access sites. -
SOCIAL DISTANCING + COVID-19: Staying Home During a Pandemic Saves Lives
SOCIAL DISTANCING + COVID-19: Staying home during a pandemic saves lives It is important that people understand the seriousness of this situation. In just a week’s time, Louisiana went from zero positive cases of COVID-19 to more than 100 cases. This is one of the highest per capita rates of COVID-19 cases in the entire country, and it is expected to continue unless we each change our behaviors. Right now, everyone is urged to take aggressive measures to contain this virus. We all have a role to play in protecting not just ourselves but our neighbors, friends and everyone else we interact with. What is social distancing and how does it work? When we look at what has worked in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in other countries, it’s protective measures to encourage “social distance.” o Social distancing is a public health practice that aims to prevent sick people from coming into close contact with healthy people in order to reduce opportunities for disease transmission. o Social distancing can include large-scale measures like closing schools and bars, as well as individual decisions such as avoiding crowds and minimizing non- essential travel. With COVID-19, the goal of social distancing is to slow down the outbreak to reduce the chance of infection among high-risk populations and to reduce the burden on health care systems and workers. Experts call this “flattening the curve” – successful social distancing can prevent surges in illness that could overwhelm health care systems. Social distancing can help lower the pace and extent of spread of COVID-19.