Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Socialists Are Setting the Agenda in New York City
Claire Valdez and Brad Lander rapidly won their primaries Tuesday night, sending a sign of strength for an NYC left led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Congressional candidates Claire Valdez and Brad Lander, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Darializa Avila Chevalier at a rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 18, 2026. Photo: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA via AP
Two key primaries in New York City delivered whopping victories for an emboldened left led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday, as democratic socialists sought to define the future of the Democratic Party.
Mamdani-backed congressional candidates Claire Valdez and Brad Lander were declared the winners in their two districts less than half an hour after polls closed. While democratic socialist challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier was still neck-and-neck with fifth-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, one message from the night was clear: The left isn’t just having a moment — it’s dictating how Democrats play the game of electoral politics.
“Even when we are outspent, our agenda and operation bring out voters in a way the Democratic Party establishment no longer aspires to,” Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, told The Intercept. “It is democratic socialists who are defining much of the political terrain in New York.”
Several races played out as proxy wars between the Democratic Party establishment and progressive insurgents, or even between progressives and socialists, to prove who would do more to disrupt the status quo. In hotly contested primaries spanning four out of five NYC boroughs, candidates touted endorsements from Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as well as their proximity to the most unconventional wings of the Democratic Party.
“If you’re an establishment Democrat, that’s spent,” streamer Hasan Piker told local outlet Hell Gate Tuesday night. “We’re not giving another dime to Israel, hopefully an arms embargo, or at least pushing for one. We’re gonna make sure that we change the American trajectory.”
As Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman put it to CNN on Tuesday, “The dirtbag left is surging.”
Lander, who represents the clearest bridge between socialists and progressives out of the three Mamdani-endorsed congressional candidates, was the first to sail to victory Tuesday night. Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., fell to Lander less than 10 minutes after polls closed, with roughly a third of votes counted in the 10th Congressional District. Goldman, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and a staunch supporter of Israel, had lagged in public polling for months, suggesting the energy on the ground was firmly against the incumbent.
Monday, June 22, 2026
Judge blocks use of federal database to check citizenship, saying it could wrongly purge voters
The decision is a major legal setback for President Donald Trump in his efforts to use federal agencies to encourage a nationwide crackdown on noncitizens illegally on state voter rolls.
PUBLISHED: June 22, 2026 at 1:45 PM PDT | UPDATED: June 22, 2026 at 2:02 PM PDT
By ALI SWENSON and FATIMA HUSSEIN
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s election integrity strategy is unlawful and can no longer be used.
U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, aggregated Americans’ sensitive personal data in a way that could result in voters being wrongly purged from voter rolls.
“All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,” Sooknanan said in an order explaining the decision. “This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens.”
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House during an executive order signing about quantum computing, Monday, June 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
PUBLISHED: June 22, 2026 at 1:45 PM PDT | UPDATED: June 22, 2026 at 2:02 PM PDT
By ALI SWENSON and FATIMA HUSSEIN
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s election integrity strategy is unlawful and can no longer be used.
U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, aggregated Americans’ sensitive personal data in a way that could result in voters being wrongly purged from voter rolls.
“All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,” Sooknanan said in an order explaining the decision. “This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens.”
World Refugee Day 2026
World Refugee Day 2026
Stand with refugees. Defend the right to safety and protection.
On World Refugee Day 2026, JRS/USA invites people of faith and goodwill to stand in solidarity with refugees and defend the right to seek safety. As the world marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Geneva Convention, we are reminded that protection was never meant for a select few. It is a promise rooted in human dignity — and it must be kept alive.
What is World Refugee Day?
World Refugee Day is observed each year on June 20 to honor the strength, courage, and resilience of people who have been forced to flee their homes because of conflict, persecution, or violence. It is also a day to recommit ourselves to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of refugees around the world.
In 2026, World Refugee Day carries special significance. The world marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Geneva Convention, the international agreement that protects the rights of refugees and affirms the right to seek safety.
World Refugee Day 2026 Theme: Until Everyone Is Safe
The UNHCR theme for World Refugee Day 2026, “Until Everyone Is Safe,” reminds us that safety is not divisible. No community is truly secure while people forced to flee are denied protection, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives.
For JRS/USA, this theme reflects our mission of accompaniment, service, and advocacy. Protection is not only a legal principle. It is a moral responsibility and a shared commitment that grows across communities through welcome, relationships, services, and action.
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Not One Stone Left upon Another
By Pastor Hal Mayer
The fall of Jerusalem was a most savage and brutal time in history. But the lessons for us today ring truer today than ever. Join us to understand what will happen to the world and God’s church in the final time of trouble.
On Jan 10, 2017 @ Georgetown University Fauci foretold the Covid 19 Pandemic
Ten days before Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2017, Anthony Fauci PREDICTED:
"there is no question that there will be a challenge the coming administration in the arena of infectious diseases"...
Religious liberty ‘is not a sword to harm others,’ Laser says
(National Constitution Center)
News Jeff Brumley | June 17, 2026
Religious freedom is a radical invention that allows all Americans to believe or not believe as they choose, but on the condition that others are not harmed, said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“That’s what religious freedom is. Here’s what it’s not — it’s not a sword to harm others. It’s not a license to discriminate. It’s not a permission slip for the government to favor one set of religious views or to impose those views on all its workers. It’s not a trump card to play when someone else’s views are politically inconvenient.”
Rachel Laser
In other words, religious liberty is the opposite of what the Trump administration and other Christian nationalists claim it is, Laser said during a June 16 discussion hosted by Center for American Progress, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Interfaith Alliance and American Humanist Association.
The Washington, D.C. event served as the launch of “Religious Liberty for All: Celebrating This Founding Freedom at America 250,” a new report by the four organizations featuring 20 prominent elected officials, faith leaders, historians, legal experts and theologians making the case for religious freedom and diversity rooted in the U.S. Constitution.
“We are correcting the record here with Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, agnostics, humanists and many lawmakers,” Laser explained. “We are correcting the record about what the true foundational values of this country are, and we’re proudly reminding America that religious freedom means we are all free to live as ourselves and believe as we choose.”
The release of “Religious Liberty for All” was timed to pre-empt the anticipated publication of a report by the Religious Liberty Commission, which President Donald Trump formed in 2025 to promote a Christian nationalist view of religious freedom, Interfaith Alliance President Paul Raushenbush said.
“We have every reason to believe it will offer a perspective of religious freedom that privileges one narrow experience. However, the report we are launching today intentionally features a range of experiences of religious freedom from voices that include diverse religious traditions as well as non-religious traditions. Religious freedom for all recognizes how religious freedom benefits all the people when it is applied equally and fairly.”
Money and power
Samosa Caucus condemns Frisco Indian flag-burning incident
Samosa Caucus condemns Frisco Indian flag-burning incident
By Sumit Jangir • June 16, 2026 12:00 PM PDT
FRISCO, Texas (Diya TV) — The six Indian American members of Congress, known collectively as the Samosa Caucus, have strongly condemned the burning and tearing of an Indian flag during an anti-immigration protest in Frisco, Texas, calling the act hateful and harmful to the Indian American community.
The lawmakers issued a joint statement on June 15 after a video of the incident spread widely across social media. The footage showed a man tearing an Indian flag outside Frisco City Hall while demonstrators cheered and shouted anti-India slogans. The protest focused on opposition to immigration and what organizers described as an “Indian immigration invasion” in Texas.
The incident sparked outrage among Indian Americans and community leaders across the United States. Members of the Samosa Caucus said the event reflected a troubling rise in anti-Indian rhetoric and xenophobia.
The joint statement was signed by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, and Suhas Subramanyam. Together, they represent the entire Indian American caucus in Congress.
The lawmakers expressed solidarity with Indian Americans in Frisco and across the country. They emphasized that all people deserve to live safely and with dignity, regardless of their background.
“We strongly support the constitutional right to freedom of expression for all Americans,” the lawmakers said in their statement. “At the same time, we condemn the tearing of an Indian flag outside Frisco City Hall alongside hateful anti-India rhetoric, which continues to fuel anti-Indian violence and xenophobia.”The group also stated that acts of intimidation and hate directed at any community have no place in the United States.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Why is Darializa Avila Chevalier's Wikipedia link redirected instead of going directly to her bio?
Why does Darializa Avila Chevalier Wikipedia link lead to a New York State Congressional page, instead of going directly to her bio?
The Wikipedia link for Darializa Avila Chevalier loops back to the New York congressional election page because her personal biography page is currently a candidate for deletion on Wikipedia. [1]
When a Wikipedia entry is flagged for deletion, volunteer editors often turn the page name into a "redirect". They point her name toward the larger 2026 New York Congressional Elections Page where her political run is already detailed. [1, 2]
Wikipedia editors usually make this move for a couple of key reasons:
Strict Notability Rules
Wikipedia has rigid rules regarding who gets a standalone article. Political candidates who have not yet won an election or held a major office are often deemed not "notable" enough for their own separate biography page.
Active Deletion Discussions
Editors frequently debate whether a candidate's background can simply be covered within the main page for the election. If the consensus is that a separate page is not needed yet, they merge the pages and forward the candidate's link to the election page. [1, 2]
Where to Find Her Bio Instead
If you want to read her actual career and personal biography right now, you can check out these verified non-Wikipedia sources:Her Background and Work History: Review her detailed profile on the Ballotpedia Darializa Avila Chevalier Bio Page.
Her Platform and Campaign Goals: See her priorities directly on the Our Revolution Candidate Slate or the official Justice Democrats Endorsement Page. [1, 2, 3]
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
-More-
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a community organizer from Harlem who is running as a Democratic candidate for New York's 13th congressional district.
She is a progressive candidate running in the June 23, 2026 primary election. She is challenging the long-time incumbent lawmaker Adriano Espaillat.
Key Details About Her CampaignMajor Endorsements: Her run has the backing of many high-profile progressive groups and leaders. These include Justice Democrats, the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Campaign Issues: The main topics in her race have focused on federal immigration policy, U.S. support for Israel, and her own past posts on social media.
Fundraising: Her campaign reported raising over $402,000 to fund her run for office.
If you would like, I can give you more details on her background, look up the latest primary election results, or show you how she compares to her opponents. Let me know how you want to proceed!
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a major topic in the news right now because she is in the final days of a highly competitive primary race happening on June 23, 2026. [1, 2]
As a progressive political newcomer, her campaign has drawn national attention for a few specific reasons: [1, 2]
1. Combative Debates with the Incumbent
She recently faced off against long-time Representative Adriano Espaillat in a series of heated, televised debates. The two clashed sharply over big district issues like housing, public safety, and immigration enforcement. [1, 2, 3]
2. Controversy Over Past Social Media Posts
Her campaign has faced heavy scrutiny regarding old tweets she wrote about top Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris. During the recent debates, she apologized for the inflammatory nature of the old posts but defended her right to criticize the establishment party platform. [1]
3. A Test of Progressive Influence
Her run is being closely watched as a major test of local progressive power. She has high-profile backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, making this race a prime example of the ideological splits inside the Democratic party. [1, 2, 3]
4. Legal Scrutiny Over a Campaign Event
In the final days of early voting, her campaign also raised eyebrows among election law experts after promoting a legally questionable ice cream giveaway for people who cast their ballots. [1]
Is there a specific aspect of her policies, the recent debates, or the election laws you would like to know more about?
💫
The Wikipedia link for Darializa Avila Chevalier loops back to the New York congressional election page because her personal biography page is currently a candidate for deletion on Wikipedia. [1]
When a Wikipedia entry is flagged for deletion, volunteer editors often turn the page name into a "redirect". They point her name toward the larger 2026 New York Congressional Elections Page where her political run is already detailed. [1, 2]
Wikipedia editors usually make this move for a couple of key reasons:
Strict Notability Rules
Wikipedia has rigid rules regarding who gets a standalone article. Political candidates who have not yet won an election or held a major office are often deemed not "notable" enough for their own separate biography page.
Active Deletion Discussions
Editors frequently debate whether a candidate's background can simply be covered within the main page for the election. If the consensus is that a separate page is not needed yet, they merge the pages and forward the candidate's link to the election page. [1, 2]
Where to Find Her Bio Instead
If you want to read her actual career and personal biography right now, you can check out these verified non-Wikipedia sources:Her Background and Work History: Review her detailed profile on the Ballotpedia Darializa Avila Chevalier Bio Page.
Her Platform and Campaign Goals: See her priorities directly on the Our Revolution Candidate Slate or the official Justice Democrats Endorsement Page. [1, 2, 3]
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
-More-
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a community organizer from Harlem who is running as a Democratic candidate for New York's 13th congressional district.
She is a progressive candidate running in the June 23, 2026 primary election. She is challenging the long-time incumbent lawmaker Adriano Espaillat.
Key Details About Her CampaignMajor Endorsements: Her run has the backing of many high-profile progressive groups and leaders. These include Justice Democrats, the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Campaign Issues: The main topics in her race have focused on federal immigration policy, U.S. support for Israel, and her own past posts on social media.
Fundraising: Her campaign reported raising over $402,000 to fund her run for office.
If you would like, I can give you more details on her background, look up the latest primary election results, or show you how she compares to her opponents. Let me know how you want to proceed!
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a major topic in the news right now because she is in the final days of a highly competitive primary race happening on June 23, 2026. [1, 2]
As a progressive political newcomer, her campaign has drawn national attention for a few specific reasons: [1, 2]
1. Combative Debates with the Incumbent
She recently faced off against long-time Representative Adriano Espaillat in a series of heated, televised debates. The two clashed sharply over big district issues like housing, public safety, and immigration enforcement. [1, 2, 3]
2. Controversy Over Past Social Media Posts
Her campaign has faced heavy scrutiny regarding old tweets she wrote about top Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris. During the recent debates, she apologized for the inflammatory nature of the old posts but defended her right to criticize the establishment party platform. [1]
3. A Test of Progressive Influence
Her run is being closely watched as a major test of local progressive power. She has high-profile backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, making this race a prime example of the ideological splits inside the Democratic party. [1, 2, 3]
4. Legal Scrutiny Over a Campaign Event
In the final days of early voting, her campaign also raised eyebrows among election law experts after promoting a legally questionable ice cream giveaway for people who cast their ballots. [1]
Is there a specific aspect of her policies, the recent debates, or the election laws you would like to know more about?
Source: Google AI
'Our hearts are broken': Pastor mourns loss after deadly tent collapse at outdoor church event
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Sunday, June 14, 2026
EastLake Community Church | Screenshot/EastLake Community Church website
Pastor Troy Keaton of EastLake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia, said his church family was grieving after one person died and more than 20 others were injured when a burst of wind lifted a tent during an outdoor 20th-anniversary service.
The collapse happened at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday during an outdoor service, and a severe storm cell had moved through the area with heavy rain, lightning and strong winds before the tent structure failed, according to a statement by Bedford County, Virginia.
Eleven people were taken by ambulance to local hospitals, and 11 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries. One person died at the scene.
Bedford 911 Emergency Communications received the initial report and classified the incident as a mass casualty event.
First responders from Moneta Volunteer Fire Department were already at the event and began rescue efforts immediately, while emergency personnel and resources from neighboring localities also responded, according to the county’s statement.
The tent had passed an inspection by the Bedford County Division of Building Inspections last Tuesday.
County officials extended condolences to the church community and thanked local and regional first responders for their work.
The release linked the failure to weather conditions, saying the storm cell brought heavy rain, lightning and strong winds before the tent failed.
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