Our weekly roundup of the news, some trends, and our thoughts — plus a reading list for the weekend.
A follow-up to last week’s immigration news: SB4, a state immigration law that would make crossing the border illegal on a state level and give law enforcement officials, at the state, county, and local levels the authority to stop, jail, and prosecute migrants suspected of violating these new state criminal statutes, is still blocked by a panel of federal appeals court judges while they weigh its legality.
Infrastructure and Migration: The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed and Fox News immediately found a way to spin the accident and blame it on migrants. Anchors went on air and said, “You’ve been talking a lot about the potential for wrongdoing or potential for foul play, given the wide open border.” Meanwhile, Border Report reported: “Six immigrant construction workers remain missing and are presumed dead after the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to local media and Global Refuge. The missing workers are part of a crew fixing potholes when a cargo ship struck the bridge. The contractor working with the Maryland Transportation Authority told the Baltimore Banner that the missing workers are from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, and live in Dundalk and Highlandtown. They are in their 30s and 40s.” A fundraiser for their families has been started by the City of Baltimore.
Labor News: Phoenix City Council just passed an ordinance that will provide thousands of workers with protections from extreme heat. As reported by The Guardian, “In a unanimous 7-0 vote, Phoenix city council passed an ordinance on Tuesday requiring employers to provide access to rest, shade, water and air conditioning.” We love shade — and have two great interviews with architect Ersela Kripa here and here for you to read. After The Cut got everyone riled up (again) because of a (clickbait?) essay on a 10-year age gap, the NYMag Union went back to the bargaining table, to fight for a strong contract and “support all this filthy, juicy viral content.” And Cillian Murphy is set to start in a labor movie, the film adaptation of Blood Runs Coal.
Assorted: Apparently, the NYPD is hiring an influencer to reach the youth? Women on TikTok are reporting getting punched in the streets of New York City. Kamala Harris clapped along to a group of people protesting her.
Recommended Reading:
First, on chance and luck and meaning from
:Next, a recent immigration reading list from
:This interview in Politico with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who is “launching a full-scale war against social media.”
Lastly, a two-for-one. This essay by Rachel Connolly about Maradona, and subsequently El Diego — the Maradona biography.