** Outrage after National Park Police aggressively dispersed peaceful protest
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Wednesday, June 3, 2020
The United States Park Police functions as a unit of the National Park Service with jurisdiction in all federal parks | N ([link removed]) ational Park Service ([link removed])

On the night of Monday, June 1st, United States Park Police aggressively dispersed peaceful protesters ([link removed]) in D.C.'s Lafayette Square to facilitate a photo op for President Trump in front of a historic church. The aggressive actions, which involved tear gas, also forced clergy out of the church.

The Park Police functions as a unit of the National Park Service ([link removed]) under the Department of the Interior. Numerous eyewitnesses confirm that tear gas was used, in addition to the fact that the protest was non-violent prior to actions taken by the Park Police ([link removed]) . Such aggressive actions go against the right to protest and peaceably assemble as protected in the Bill of Rights, resulting in calls for Secretary Bernhardt to resign ([link removed]) if he knew of plans to use the Park Service in a manner against the Constitution.

Members of Congress have responded to the event by demanding answers ([link removed]) , writing that "this grossly irresponsible action put bystanders, unarmed protesters, clergy, and other law enforcement agents in danger," and adding that Park Police "must not be used as a tool to perpetuate institutional racism or commit violence against the American people."
Quick hits


** Outrage after National Park Police aggressively dispersed peaceful protest
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | Vox ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Religion News Service ([link removed]) | Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])


** BLM, gutted, moves West with top posts unfilled and fewer employees than expected
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The Hill ([link removed])


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E&E News ([link removed]) | KUNR ([link removed]) | Daily Evergreen [Opinion] ([link removed])
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Reuters ([link removed]) | Bloomberg ([link removed]) | Oilprice ([link removed]) | Journal of Petroleum Technology ([link removed]) | Fox ([link removed])


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Associated Press ([link removed]) | Alaska Public Media ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Alaska Journal of Commerce ([link removed])


** Documents show oil industry's role in shaping drilling safety regulations
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Huffpost ([link removed])


** Big Oil could end up even bigger as smaller companies go bankrupt during pandemic
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Nature Conservancy buys stretch along Virgin River, protects wildlife corridor near Zion
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
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Quote of the day
If Secretary Bernhardt knew of plans to use the Park Service to gas peaceful protesters and clergy so the president could cross the street for a photo op, he must resign."

—Jennifer Rokala
C ([link removed]) enter for Western Priorities Executive Director ([link removed])
Picture this


** @U ([link removed]) SFWSRefuges ([link removed])
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To find a nearby refuge, enter your Zip Code here: [link removed] ([link removed]) Design: @bellzisbirding ([link removed]) & @Beaniejean ([link removed])

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