IN THIS ISSUE

• Featured Issue: Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act: Police Reform in Schools in Exchange for Psychological Services

• Palestine: Share your Story

• Israel/Palestine Legislative Tracker

FEATURED ISSUE

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act: Police Reform in Schools in Exchange for Psychological Services

By: Romael “Kane” Khan, MPAC Policy Intern

The murder of George Floyd and the rise in support for the Black Lives Matter movement not only brought attention to the importance of racial justice but gave rise to another frequently overlooked topic: the role of police officers in our public school system. Specifically, if the strategy behind the investment being made on behalf of the American taxpayer is actually working to ensure the well-being of the next generation of our leaders.

To address this critical issue, and meaningfully reform the way we are looking after our students,  Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT), introduced The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act on June 17 of this year. He was joined by Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) who introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

If passed into law, this bill would address the school-to-prison pipeline, in which students who are treated as criminals from a young age by resource officers in school, namely students of color, are more likely to be arrested in the future.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Muslim high school student speaks out on being harassed after graduation speech
• More than 100 killed in Yemen as fighting over oil-rich Marib region continues 
• U.S. carries out airstrikes in Syria and Iraq 
• Settlers in occupied West Bank agree to evacuate illegal outpost
• Trump organization charged with scheme conspiracy and tax fraud
• Whitmer appoints first Palestinian-American as judge for Wayne County Third Circuit Court

LEGISLATIVE TRACKER:

Review status of  key legislation on issues we're covering — 

Please review our legislative tracker-- this is a resource MPAC updates on a weekly basis, allowing our supporters to see what legislation we are supporting. Our tracker includes the bill number, Representative or Senator who sponsored the bill along with a brief summary or description.

1. HR.2590 Introduced by Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
   Referred to Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on 4/15/21

   To promote and protect the human rights of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation and to ensure that United States taxpayer funds are not used by the Government of Israel to support the military detention of Palestinian children, the unlawful seizure, appropriation, and destruction of Palestinian property and forcible transfer of civilians in the West Bank, or further annexation of Palestinian land in violation of international law.

2. S.Res.225 - Introduced by Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
   Referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on 5/19/21

   A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the value of Palestinian and Israeli lives and urging an immediate cease-fire and diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

3. H.J.49 - Joint Resolution introduced in the House by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [D-NY-14} 
   Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on 5/20/21

   A resolution calling for congressional disapproval of the proposed direct commercial sale to Israel of certain weaponry and munitions.

What can you do to help?  

Contact your local congressional offices.

UP-AND-COMING:

Despite a barrage of critical issues violating human and civil liberties coming to the forefront of public discourse in recent history, many faith leaders have chosen to remain silent. We’re bringing together three pastors and a religious scholar on Thursday, July 8th to discuss the civic power of the Church's congregants and how the church can make a difference in protecting the voices of its members. Moderated by MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.