Haajrah Gilani


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Tech Policy Press •

Puerto Rico’s Crypto Community Enjoys a Tax Haven, But Does Puerto Rico Benefit?

In an upscale bar covered in fake flowers and neon signs that read “DTF - Down to Fiesta,” a group of mostly white, millennial-aged men gathered in February 2024 for an event called ‘Crypto Mondays San Juan.’ Their aspiration: making millions in ‘tax haven’ Puerto Rico.

Pedro Rivera, who refers to himself as “Blockchain Pedro,” regularly runs these events, conducted in English, out of San Juan’s tourist hub. Guests typically include dozens of transplants, many of whom likely benefit from extens
Tech Policy Press •

Supreme Court Mulls NetChoice Cases: Reading the Room

Haajrah Gilani reported from the Supreme Court in Washington, DC.

On Monday, the US Supreme Court appeared hesitant over what to do about a pair of state laws in Florida and Texas that would restrict social media companies’ ability to moderate content on their platforms.

In the Moody v. NetChoice, LLC and NetChoice, LLC v. Paxton cases, the Court is assessing whether the Florida and Texas laws are constitutional under the First Amendment. ​​The two cases represent a circuit split where lower c
Tech Policy Press •

Assessing Support for Child Online Safety Legislation at Senate Hearing with Big Tech CEOs

Gabby Miller reported from New York; Haajrah Gilani reported from the Capitol in Washington D.C.

When Christine Almadjian began using social media, it was for lunchtime selfies and retweeting posts about One Direction. But she soon found herself in private chat rooms with predators who would continue to loom around through new or duplicate accounts.

“As children, we did not have the foresight to dangerous situations the way we might now,” said Almadjian at a senator-led press conference follow
Tech Policy Press •

Senators Explore AI in Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions | TechPolicy.Press

WASHINGTON — Detroit police used facial recognition technology to investigate an instance of stolen watches four years ago. The system matched a photograph from the store to the man they eventually arrested.

Except he didn’t do it.

The police department falsely arrested Robert Williams after the software misidentified him. As a Black man, Williams was at a higher risk of being misidentified, according to academic research.

Williams took his case to the American Civil Liberties Union and he de
ProPublica •

Congressional Watchdog Will Launch Inquiry Into FDA Oversight of Medical Device Recalls

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., left, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., urged the GAO to investigate the FDA’s oversight of medical device recalls, after reporting by ProPublica and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Congressional investigators are launching an inquiry into the Food and Drug Administration’s oversight of medical device recalls for the first time in years following reports that the agency failed to issue warnings about breathing machines capable of sending hazardous particles and fumes
Medill News Service •

Disenfranchised voters find alternative ways to participate in key state elections

VIRGINIA – Richard Walker grew up in a family where voting was mandatory because of the long history of Black voter suppression. He always valued his right to vote.

But after Walker completed his prison sentence in 2005, he lost his suffrage, a consequence of legislation he only learned about then.

“Of course, I was angry. I’m like, ‘who the heck is the Commonwealth of Virginia to deny me my constitutional right to vote?’” Walker said. He didn’t regain that privilege until about seven years la
Planet Forward •

Senators seek industrial decarbonization

The United States experiences major natural disasters about five times more frequently than it did in the 1980s, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del. said in a senate hearing on Wednesday. This statement cited a National Climate Assessment released by the Biden administration on Tuesday.

“Adjusting for inflation, in the 1980s, the United States experienced a $1 billion disaster every four months, on average,” Carper said. “Today, there is one every three weeks.”

This finding set the tone for the Senate Env
Medill News Service •

Sen. Ossoff-led subcommittee hosts first public hearing in foster care inquiry

The Senate Subcommittee for Human Rights and the Law held its first public inquiry into the foster care system on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. / (HAAJRAH GILANI/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)

WASHINGTON — In February of 2023, the U.S. Senate Human Rights Subcommittee Chairman Jon Ossoff launched a bipartisan inquiry following reports that children in the care of Georgia’s state government have been subject to abuse and neglect.

In 2018, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) placed 2-ye
Sojourners •

‘Catholics Say Ceasefire Now’ at White House Pray-in

Fifty protesters gathered for a “pray-in” in Lafayette Square on Thursday afternoon, holding signs directly facing the White House that said, “Catholics say ceasefire now.”

The Catholic and Christian-led prayer service was meant to urge President Joe Biden, the second Catholic U.S. president, to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Speakers and attendees expressed their disapproval of Biden’s response to the war since it started in early October.

“We’re here as Catholics, Christians
UPI •

Supreme Court weighs public officials’ blocking social media accounts - .com

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court heard two sets of oral arguments Tuesday in cases that involve whether public officials' personal social media accounts are considered public forums.

One case, O'Connor-Ratcliff vs. Garnier, involved Michelle O'Connor-Ratcliff and T.J. Zane, two school board members in a district in San Diego who used their personal Facebook and Twitter accounts to communicate with the public, including seeking feedback from constituents.
Medill News Service •

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators express disappointment for the Biden Administration

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators hold a sign that says "Ceasefire" at a Washington rally for Palestinian solidarity on Oct. 20, 2023. (Juliann Ventura/Medill News Service)

WASHINGTON — Laila El-Haddad said for weeks she had the same ritual morning and night: She checked to make sure her family in Gaza is still alive.

She said they sent “frenzied and harrowing,” updates about bombs that only seemed to get closer, shattered windows, dilapidated trees and neighbors losing entire bloodlines.

El-Hadd
Medill News Service •

Thousands gather in Washington to show solidarity for Palestinians

Demonstrators wearing keffiyeh wave the Palestinian flag at the Day of Action for Palestine in Washington on Oct. 14, 2023. (Haajrah Gilani / MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)

WASHINGTON — At a rally Saturday to show support for Palestinians, a small but powerful voice cut through the deep, collective roar of the protesters’ chants, “Long live Palestine!” screamed a young boy, maybe 6 years old. He was among thousands of protesters gathered in a downpour in Lafayette Square, right across from the White Hous
ProPublica •

Senator Calls for DOJ Action Against Philips for Keeping CPAP Machine Complaints Secret

Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling for “immediate, aggressive action” against Philips for keeping known defects with the company’s CPAP machines secret.

A powerful U.S. senator is calling on federal prosecutors to take immediate action against Philips Respironics after revelations the global company withheld thousands of warnings about popular breathing machines capable of spewing hazardous particles and fumes into the masks of patients.

“Philips brazenly turned a blind eye to its dangerous de
Medill News Service •

House Republicans and Democrats debate the future of college admissions after the Supreme Court affirmative action decision

The House Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee meets in the Rayburn House Office on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (Haajrah Gilani / MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)

WASHINGTON — As universities establish new policies following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision banning affirmative action in higher education, House Democrats and Republicans on Thursday raised concerns about what this new era means for the college admissions process, the demographics of admitted students and the overall fut
Medium •

‘Protect consumers:’ Unclear future for Pritzker-signed deceptive pregnancy center bill

As a pregnant college student without health insurance, Kristi Keorkunian-Rivers visited a nearby center that promised her the free ultrasounds and pregnancy confirmation she sought. Instead of any of these services, Keorkunian-Rivers found herself in a locked room watching a video of mutilated fetuses and women with abortion regrets who feared they’d go to hell.

“Halfway through I’m like, ‘I’m not getting an abortion’ and I started banging on the door for them to let me out. And they just didn

Crime: Heal The Hurt and Value Young Lives

Click here to return to the project page, where we have more stories about addressing crime in North Philadelphia.

When La’Cinda Trotter asked the teens who committed carjackings in her In-Home Supervision Program if they would still steal someone’s car if they had a license, they all said no.

“Their mindset is different and I don’t think people take the time to actually talk to them,” said Trotter, the program supervisor for ISP at the Institution for the Development of African American Youth

Hartranft: A Neighborhood in Transition

Text by Haajrah Gilani. Images by Natalie Kerr. Video by Haajrah Gilani, Natalie Kerr and Brooke Beyer.

Click here to return to the project page, where we have more stories about addressing crime in North Philadelphia.

When a developer’s house became a nesting place for rats on Park Avenue, Homer Jackson called and left notes on the door in an attempt to prevent the spread.

“From that house, now, we have rat nests up and down the street and it’s pretty crazy,” said Jackson,” a Hartranft resid
Buffalo News •

Joaquin Phoenix supports Newfane sanctuary owner in cow dispute

As a lifelong vegan with a history of rescuing cows, the Academy Award-winning actor stands in solidarity with Asha’s Farm Sanctuary owner, Tracy Murphy, after she was arrested on Tuesday, his social impact adviser, Michelle Cho, wrote in an email to The News.

“To so harshly punish a woman who was simply showing kindness to two individuals who had wandered onto her property is astounding,” Phoenix’s statement said. “There was an opportunity here to show compassion and mercy.”

Murphy was arrest
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