Political Calendar: Week of March 5, 2023
Send notices of your events to [email protected]. Editor’s Note: Due to the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and CDC recommendations for social distancing, many events are still being held virtually online. We are doing our best to update the calendar, but you should check with event organizers prior to attending any event to confirm the status.
Political Calendar for the Week of March 5, 2023:
Sunday, March 5, 11:30 a.m.: A fundraiser for Syrian-Turkish earthquake relief, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, 4831 E 22nd Street, Tucson. Please come to a Syrian-Turkish inspired TA’AM, aka lunch, hosted by WILPF, The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Serving lunch from 11:30 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. All proceeds will go to the World Central Kitchen founded by José Andrés, www.worldcentralkitchen.org, for Earthquake Relief and Healing. Suggested minimum donation, $10.
A talk with John Nichols
Sunday, March 5, 6:30 p.m.: A talk with John Nichols, at the IBEW Union Hall – 750 S. Tucson Blvd., Tucson. In case you haven’t heard, Senator Bernie Sanders and John Nichols will be at the Tucson Festival of Books on Sunday talking about their new book. Later on that evening, John Nichols will speak at a free event co-sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America – and the Pima Area Labor Federation. John Nichols is a long progressive activist and American journalist and author. He is the National Affairs correspondent for The Nation and associate editor of The Capital Times. Books authored or co-authored by Nichols include The Fight for the Soul of the Democratic Party, The Genius of Impeachment, The Death and Life of American Journalism, and his latest work with Senator Bernie Sanders – It’s Okay to be Angry About Capitalism.
Monday, March 6, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson ONLINE MEETING March 6: Featured speaker is AZDems 1st Vice Chair Paul Eckerstrom. Register in advance. Meanwhile, you can also watch more than 130 Videos of Candidates and Speakers at of Greater Tucson.
Wednesday, March 8: International Women’s Day.
Wednesday, March 8, 5:30 pm.: Legislative District 21 meeting. Meet the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, please contact Jacqui Bauer, Chair at [email protected].
Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.: Marana Dems & Friends meeting. To request the Zoom meeting invitation send an email to: [email protected]. Meet the second Wednesday of each month. Visit our Facebook Page.
Thursday, March 9 – Sunday, March 11: La Paz County Fair.
Thursday, March 9: The Yuma County Democrats meet the second Thursday of every month, currently on Zoom due to the Pandemic. Meetings are open to the public. For information on how to attend sign up for our newsletter or email [email protected].
Thursday, March 9, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Nucleus Club meeting, at the DoubleTree – Reid Park Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Meet the second Thursday of each month. Non-members will be asked to make a contribution of $20 at the door or in advance. For more information, contact Nucleus Club at Pima County Democratic Headquarters (520) 326-3716.
Thursday, March 9, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Disability Caucus meeting, at Direct Center, 1001 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Monthly meeting of the Disability Caucus. Open to the public. For more information please contact Contact Carol Brown (520) 325-9874.
Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m.: Tanque Verde Valley Democrats meeting. Speakers will be Rep. Ruben Gallego, KIrsten Engel and the LD18 Legislative team of State Senator Priya Sundareshan, House Reps. Chris Mathis and Nancy Gutierrez. Zoom meeting link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85118415460?pwd=UERYUVRwT0VJRE44N1ZsNWRSSFBFZz09. Congressman Ruben Gallego will discuss his plans for running for the US Senate. Former State Senator Kirsten Engel will discuss the water crisis in Arizona. The Legislative District 18 delegation, Senator Priya Sundareshan, Representative Nancy Gutierrez and Representative Chris Mathis, will provide a legislative update.Usually meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information visit our web site. Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club.
Saturday, March 11, 10:00 a.m.: Mule Mountain Democrats meeting, at the Community Y, 26 Howell Avenue, Old Bisbee. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information e-mail Sandy Hummingbird at [email protected], or visit our web page Mule Mountain Democrats.
Saturday, March 11, 10:00 a.m.: Coconino County Democratic Party meeting, at the Murdoch Community Center, 203 E. Brannen Avenue, Flagstaff. Also on Zoom. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information please call (928) 214-0393 or email [email protected], or viit our web page coconinodemocrats.org.
Saturday, March 11, Noon: Arizona List 19th Annual Celebration. Join us Saturday, March 11th, 2023 at 12:00 PM at The Loft Cinema in Tucson, Harkins Theatre at Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, or virtually for an afternoon filled with exciting speakers, awardees from around the state, and amazing prizes from the silent auction! Bidding for the silent auction will open 1 week prior to the event. Click HERE to purchase ticket to the 2023 Annual Event. For sponsorship opportunities, please call Julee Dawson at 520-808-8558.
Saturday, March 11, 1:00 p.m.: Sun City Democrats of Oro Valley meeting, in the Navajo Room of the Activity Center, 1495 Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Sun City. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information lease contact Maureen Salz [email protected].
Saturday, March 11, 3:00 p.m.: Green Valley Democrats fka Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meeting. For more information please see our Facebook page or greenvalleydemocrats.org.
Special Announcements:
Green Valley Democrats Current Events Discussion Group
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.: Green Valley Democrats fka Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meets on Zoom at 10:00 – 11:30. To join the Discussion Group please send your name to [email protected]. Join us at the weekly meeting of the Democratic Headquarters Current Events Discussion Group. We’ll talk about some of the major events of the previous week, including but not limited to political topics, and try and go behind the news for a deeper understanding. For more information, please contact Jean Vickers [email protected].
Drinking Liberally
Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00 p.m.: Drinking Liberally at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street, Tucson. We need to know by the morning of each meeting approximately how many folks will attend. Please RSVP to [email protected]. Informal but thoughtful conversation. As a reminder, The Shanty does not serve food (yes, there is popcorn), so please feel free to bring your own or order in, all allowed at The Shanty. There is no obligation to order anything–but as a thank you to our host, I hope everyone will order at least one drink(alcoholic or otherwise).
Sunday, March 12: Daylight Savings Time begins. Check your TV schedule.
Sunday, March 12: Selection Sunday for NCAA Basketball Tournaments.
Monday, March 13, 5:30 p.m.: Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information please contact Chair Matthew Boyd at [email protected].
Monday, March 13, 6:30 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information see our Facebook page or demsov.org.
Monday, March 13, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Highlands at Dove Mountain meeting, in the Dove Mountain Clubhouse Catalina Room II, 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd., Marana. For more information see our Facebook page.
Tuesday, March 14, Noon: Democrats of Rim Country meeting, at Tiny’s Family Restaurant, 600 Arizona Hwy. 260, Payson, AZ. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please email us at [email protected].
Tuesday, March 14, 3:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democrats meeting, at SaddleBrooke Activities Center, 64518 E. Galveston Lane (Saddlebrooke). Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Steve Groth at (520) 385-6686 or check our web site. SaddleBrookeDemocrats.org.
Tuesday, March 14, 5:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Picture Rocks meeting, via zoom. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact us by email at [email protected] for more information.
Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 23 meeting. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. To access the Zoom link for these virtual meetings, please join our email list. Join us for our monthy happy hour on the last Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Email contact form.
Wednesday, March 15 – Sunday, March 19: Pinal County Fair.
Wednesday, March 15, 4:00 p.m.: Drinking Democratically Happy Hour with DGT, at Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ, 1801 N Stone Ave, Tucson. Join us for the camaraderie with Democrats of Greater Tucson. It’s a wonderful opportunity to talk with and enjoy the company of fellow Democrats. Invite your friends! We have space reserved in the Bourbon Lounge inside. Their Social Hour menu includes drinks and food specials. You can view the menu at their website: Brother John’s menu. Please register for free tickets through Eventbrite (stay tuned for link) so that we can give Brother John’s an estimate of expected attendance, so they can staff appropriately.
Wednesday, March 15, 6:00 p.m.: Graham County Democratic Party meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. Meet via Zoom. For more information. please visit our web page, or visit our Facebook Page.
Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 17 meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Waggoner, Chair at [email protected].
Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at [email protected].
Thursday, March 16: First Round games of NCAA men’s basketball tournament, March Madness begins.
Thursday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks Breakfast on Zoom. Free. Register in Advance. Meet the third Thursday of each month. Visit our web page.
Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, details TBA.
Friday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day.
Friday, March 17, 6:00 p.m.: Gila County Democratic Party general meeting, at the Gila Dems Office, 110 E. Bonita Street, Payson, AZ. Meet the third Friday of each month. For more information please visit our web page, or Facebook Page, email us at [email protected], or call our office 928-363-1808.
Saturday, March 18, 10:00 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party African-American Caucus meeting, at Grace Temple Baptist Church, 1020 E. 31st Street, Tucson. Meet the third Saturday of each month. The caucus is not exclusively for African-Americans, all are welcome to join. For more information please contact Connie DeLarge at [email protected]or (520) 241-8408.
Saturday, March 18, 1:00 p.m.: San Tan Valley Democrats meeting, meet virtually. Meet the third Saturday of each month. Please email group for details: [email protected], or phone: 480-630-9092.
Saturday, March 18, 1:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting. Meetings are every third Saturday of the month. Receive the link through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2963579027298825, or email Tony at [email protected].
LD 18 St. Patrick’s Day Party, Pot Luck and Fundraiser
Sunday, March 19, Noon: LD 18 St. Patrick’s Day Party, Pot Luck and Fundraiser. Party location near Oracle and Orange Grove will be disclosed following ticket purchase. Sales will open to all Democrats in one week. Seating is limited to the first 150 ticket buyers. Tickets: $25, purchase secure on ActBlue. All proceeds go to LD18 Democrats.
Tuesday, March 21, 10:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona meeting, at Rothery Education Center on Fry Boulevard, Northern most building closest to Veterans Park, Sierra Vista. Meet the third Tuesday of each month. For more information email us at [email protected] Visit our web page. Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona.
Wednesday, March 22, 11:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of the Prescott Area meeting, New Time and Place! The Resort at Prescott. Details TBA. Funds raised through this event support Democratic Women of the Prescott Area. Cost of Luncheon $25. Cancellations for reservations must be received 24 hours in advance! Attendees will be billed if they cancel on the day of the event. Meet the fourth Wednesday of each month. Visit our web page.
Wednesday, March 22, 5:00 p.m.: Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the fourth Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Matthew Boyd, Chair at [email protected].
Thursday, March 23, 6:30 p.m.: Casa Grande Democrats meeting. Meet via Zoom, so please call this number or send an email to this contact information to receive a registration link: (520) 251-8247 or [email protected]. Meet the fourth Thursday of each month. Please visit our web page.
Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26: Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair in Tucson.
Saturday, March 25, 10:00 a.m.: Northern Cochise County Democratic Club meeting at the Raphael-in-the-Valley Episcopal-Lutheran Church, 730 S. Hwy 80, Benson AZ.Meet the Fourth Saturday of each month. For more information please contact Kathy Suagee at [email protected]. Visit our web page Northern Cochise County Democrats.
Monday, March 27, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 20 meeting. Meet the fourth Monday of each month. For more information please visit our LD 20 website.
Tuesday, March 28, 4:30 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Saddlebrook Ranch meeting, at 59680 E. Robson Circle, Oracle. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Pease contact Matt Nelson at [email protected], or (651) 414-1334.
Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 18 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Bodine, Chair at [email protected].
Thursday, March 30: Opening Day of 2023 MLB season.
Friday, March 31: Cesar Chavez Day.
Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2: 38th Annual Tucson Folk Festival. The festival features five stages with a range of ways to enjoy and watch the festival, including a free livestream broadcast! All five stages will feature over 125 live performances throughout the weekend including National Headliners, Local and Regional Acoustic Acts, Songwriting Competition winners, Family Show Entertainment, and Young Artist Showcases! The Tucson Folk Festival is a FREE.
Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 2: Phoenix Pride.
Saturday, April 1, 11:00 a.m.: Greater Huachuca Area Democrats meeting virtual on Zoom (soon at a designated restaurant in Serra Vista). Meet the first Saturday of each month. For more information, please email [email protected], or phone (520) 329-2253.
Saturday, April 1: NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four games, from NRG stadium, Houston, TX.
Monday, April 3: NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game.
Tuesday, April 4 – Sunday, April 9: Yuma County Fair.
Wednesday, April 5: Passover begins.
Out Brunch sponsored by Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
Saturday, April 8, 9:30 a.m.: Out Brunch sponsored by Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, at the HighWire Premier Bar & Restaurant, 14 S. Arizona Avenue, Tucson. Out Brunch returns as a brunch event this year! Join us as we celebrate 4 deserving awardees. Tickets are on sale now, but they are limited, so you’ve better hurry!
Tickets $60. Register in Advance.
Saturday, April 8, 9:30 a.m.: Tanque Verde Valley Democrats meeting. Usually meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information visit our web site. Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club.
Saturday, April 8, 10:00 a.m.: Mule Mountain Democrats meeting, at the Community Y, 26 Howell Avenue, Old Bisbee. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information e-mail Sandy Hummingbird at [email protected], or visit our web page Mule Mountain Democrats.
Saturday, April 8, 10:00 a.m.: Coconino County Democratic Party meeting, at the Murdoch Community Center, 203 E. Brannen Avenue, Flagstaff. Also on Zoom. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information please call (928) 214-0393 or email [email protected], or viit our web page coconinodemocrats.org.
Saturday, April 8, 1:00 p.m.: Sun City Democrats of Oro Valley meeting, in the Navajo Room of the Activity Center, 1495 Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Sun City. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information lease contact Maureen Salz [email protected].
Saturday, April 8, 3:00 p.m.: Green Valley Democrats fka Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meeting.
For more information please see our Facebook page or greenvalleydemocrats.org.
Sunday, April 9: Easter Sunday.
Monday, April 10, 5:30 p.m.: Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information please contact Chair Matthew Boyd at [email protected].
Monday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information see our Facebook page or demsov.org.
Monday, April 10, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Highlands at Dove Mountain meeting, in the Dove Mountain Clubhouse Catalina Room II, 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd., Marana. For more information see our Facebook page.
Tuesday, April 11, Noon: Democrats of Rim Country meeting, at Tiny’s Family Restaurant, 600 Arizona Hwy. 260, Payson, AZ. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please email us at [email protected].
Tuesday, April 11, 3:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democrats meeting, at SaddleBrooke Activities Center, 64518 E. Galveston Lane (Saddlebrooke). Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Steve Groth at (520) 385-6686 or check our web site. SaddleBrookeDemocrats.org.
Tuesday, April 11, 5:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Picture Rocks meeting, via zoom. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact us by email at [email protected] for more information.
Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 23 meeting. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. To access the Zoom link for these virtual meetings, please join our email list. Join us for our monthy happy hour on the last Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Email contact form.
Wednesday, April 12, 5:30 pm.: Legislative District 21 meeting. Meet the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, please contact Jacqui Bauer, Chair at [email protected].
Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.: Marana Dems & Friends meeting. To request the Zoom meeting invitation send an email to: [email protected]. Meet the second Wednesday of each month. Visit our Facebook Page.
Thursday,April 13: The Yuma County Democrats meet the second Thursday of every month, currently on Zoom due to the Pandemic. Meetings are open to the public. For information on how to attend sign up for our newsletter or email [email protected].
Thursday, April 13, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Nucleus Club meeting, at the DoubleTree – Reid Park Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Meet the second Thursday of each month. Non-members will be asked to make a contribution of $20 at the door or in advance. For more information, contact Nucleus Club at Pima County Democratic Headquarters (520) 326-3716.
Thursday, April 13, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Disability Caucus meeting, at Direct Center, 1001 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Monthly meeting of the Disability Caucus. Open to the public. For more information please contact Contact Carol Brown (520) 325-9874.
Saturday, April 15: MLB’s Jackie Robinson Day.
Sunday, April 16, 9:00 a.m.: Spring Cyclovia Tucson. This is s car-free, bike friendly event, with people also using tricycles, scooters, wheelchairs, strollers, wagons, skates, hiking boots, etc. to enjoy the pedestrian/bike dominated streets along a set route in Tucson. Info and activity booths along the route for Spring 2023 will be between the Lost Barrio on Park Avenue South of Broadway Blvd. and Himmel Park south of Speedway Blvd.
Tuesday, April 18: Tax Day.
Tuesday, April 18: Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Wednesday, April 19, 6:00 p.m.: Graham County Democratic Party meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. Meet via Zoom. For more information. please visit our web page, or visit our Facebook Page.
Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 17 meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Waggoner, Chair at [email protected].
Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at [email protected].
Thursday, April 20 – Sunday, April 30: Pima County Fair.
Thursday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks Breakfast on Zoom. Free. Register in Advance. Meet the third Thursday of each month. Visit our web page.
Thursday, April 20, 6:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, details TBA.
Friday, April 21, 6:00 p.m.: Gila County Democratic Party general meeting, at the Gila Dems Office, 110 E. Bonita Street, Payson, AZ. Meet the third Friday of each month. For more information please visit our web page, or Facebook Page, email us at [email protected], or call our office 928-363-1808.
Saturday, April 22: Earth Day.
Saturday, April 22: Tucson Children’s Museum Earth Day. FREE Community Event.Come discover all the ways to help make your world a healthier, greener place to live. How to recycle and how composting works, the joys of gardening and how fun it is to enjoy nature. Or learn how to bring nature to your backyard with exhibits from local wildlife groups. There will be exhibitors and activities outside the Museum for all ages. Adults with children are welcome inside the courtyard and the Museum for more kid-centric activities.
Saturday, April 22, 10:00 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party African-American Caucus meeting, at Grace Temple Baptist Church, 1020 E. 31st Street, Tucson. Meet the third Saturday of each month. The caucus is not exclusively for African-Americans, all are welcome to join. For more information please contact Connie DeLarge at [email protected]or (520) 241-8408.
Saturday, April 22, 1:00 p.m.: San Tan Valley Democrats meeting, meet virtually. Meet the third Saturday of each month. Please email group for details: [email protected], or phone: 480-630-9092.
Saturday, April 22, 1:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting. Meetings are every third Saturday of the month. Receive the link through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2963579027298825, or email Tony at [email protected].
Monday, April 24, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 20 meeting. Meet the fourth Monday of each month. For more information please visit our LD 20 website.
Tuesday, April 24, 4:30 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Saddlebrook Ranch meeting, at 59680 E. Robson Circle, Oracle. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Pease contact Matt Nelson at [email protected], or (651) 414-1334.
Tuesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 18 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Bodine, Chair at [email protected].
Sunday, April 28: International Workers’ Memorial Day.
Monday, May 1: International Workers’ Day.
Wednesday, May 3 – Sunday, May 7: Verde Valley Fair.
Friday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo.
Sunday May 14: Mother’s Day.
Saturday, May 20: Armed Forces Day.
Monday, May 29: Memorial Day.
Former Myanmar colonel who once served as information minister gets 10-year prison term for sedition
BANGKOK (AP) — A former high-profile Myanmar army officer who had served as information minister and presidential spokesperson in a previous military-backed government has been convicted of sedition and incitement, a legal official said Thursday. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Ye Htut, a 64-year old retired lieutenant colonel, is the latest in a series of people arrested and jailed for writing Facebook posts that allegedly spreading false or inflammatory news. Once infrequently prosecuted, there has been a deluge of such legal actions since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
He was arrested in late October after a military officer from the Yangon Regional Military Command reportedly filed a change against him, around the time when some senior military officers were purged on other charges, including corruption. He was convicted on Wednesday, according to the official familiar with the legal proceedings who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities.
Ye Htut had been the spokesperson from 2013 to 2016 for President Thein Sein in a military-backed government and also information minister from 2014 to 2016.
After leaving the government in 2016, Ye Htut took on the role of a political commentator and wrote books and posted articles on Facebook. For a time, he was a visiting senior research fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, a center for Southeast Asia studies in Singapore.
After the army’s 2021 takeover, he often posted short personal vignettes and travel essays on Facebook in which he made allusions that were generally recognized to be critical of Myanmar’s current military rulers.
The army’s takeover triggered mass public protests that the military and police responded to with lethal force, triggering armed resistance and violence that has escalated into a civil war.
The official familiar with the court proceedings against Ye Htut told The Associated Press that he was sentenced by a court in Yangon’s Insein prison to seven years for sedition and three years for incitement. Ye Htut was accused on the basis of his posts on his Facebook account, and did not hire a lawyer to represent him at his trial, the official said.
The sedition charge makes disrupting or hindering the work of defense services personnel or government employees punishable by up to seven years in prison. The incitement charge makes it a crime to publish or circulate comments that cause fear, spread false news, agitate directly or indirectly for criminal offences against a government employee — an offense punishable by up to three years in prison.
However, a statement from the Ministry of Legal Affairs said he had been charged under a different sedition statute. There was no explanation for the discrepancy.
According to detailed lists compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a watchdog group based in Thailand, 4,204 civilians have died in Myanmar in the military government’s crackdown on opponents and at least 25,474 people have been arrested.
Top CIA agent shared pro-Palestinian to Facebook after Hamas attack: report
A high-ranking CIA official boldly shared multiple pro-Palestinian images on her Facebook page just two weeks after Hamas launched its bloody surprise attack on Israel — while President Biden was touring the Jewish state to pledge the US’s allegiance to the nation.
The CIA’s associate deputy director for analysis changed her cover photo on Oct. 21 to a shot of a man wearing a Palestinian flag around his neck and waving a larger flag, the Financial Times reported.
The image — taken in 2015 during a surge in the long-stemming conflict — has been used in various news stories and pieces criticizing Israel’s role in the violence.
The CIA agent also shared a selfie with a superimposed “Free Palestine” sticker, similar to those being plastered on businesses and public spaces across the nation by protesters calling for a cease-fire.
The Financial Times did not name the official after the intelligence agency expressed concern for her safety.
“The officer is a career analyst with extensive background in all aspects of the Middle East and this post [of the Palestinian flag] was not intended to express a position on the conflict,” a person familiar with the situation told the outlet.
The individual added that the sticker image was initially posted years before the most recent crisis between the two nations and emphasized that the CIA official’s Facebook account was also peppered with posts taking a stand against antisemitism.
The latest post of the man waving the flag, however, was shared as Biden shook hands with Israeli leaders on their own soil in a show of support for the Jewish state in its conflict with the terrorist group.
Biden has staunchly voiced support for the US ally since the Oct. 7 surprise attack that killed more than 1,300 people, making the CIA agent’s posts in dissent an unusual move.
In her role, the associate deputy director is one of three people, including the deputy CIA director, responsible for approving all analyses disseminated inside the agency.
She had also previously overseen the production of the President’s Daily Brief, the highly classified compilation of intelligence that is presented to the president most days, the Financial Times said.
“CIA officers are committed to analytic objectivity, which is at the core of what we do as an agency. CIA officers may have personal views, but this does not lessen their — or CIA’s — commitment to unbiased analysis,” the CIA said in a statement to the outlet.
Follow along with The Post’s live blog for the latest on Hamas’ attack on Israel
Neither the Office of the Director of National Intelligence nor the White House responded to The Post’s request for comment.
All of the official’s pro-Palestinian images and other, unrelated posts have since been deleted, the outlet reported.
The report comes as CIA Director William Burns arrived in Qatar, where he was due to meet with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts and the Gulf state’s prime minister to discuss the possibility of extending the pause in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip for a second time.
Israel and Hamas agreed Monday to an additional two-day pause in fighting, meaning combat would likely resume Thursday morning Israel time if no additional halt is brokered.
Both sides agreed to release a portion of its hostages under the arrangement.
More than 14,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including many women and children, have been killed in the conflict, according to data from the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.
Lee Hsien Yang faces damages for defamation against two Singapore ministers over Ridout Road rentals
SINGAPORE — The High Court in Singapore has directed Lee Hsien Yang to pay damages to ministers K. Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan for defamatory statements made in Facebook comments regarding their rental of black-and-white bungalows on Ridout Road.
The court issued a default judgment favouring the two ministers after Lee – the youngest son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and brother of current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – failed to address the defamation lawsuits brought against him. Lee had, among other claims, insinuated that the ministers engaged in corrupt practices and received preferential treatment from the Singapore Land Authority for their bungalow rentals.
The exact amount of damages will be evaluated in a subsequent hearing.
Restricted from spreading defamatory claims against ministers
Not only did Justice Goh Yi Han grant the default judgment on 2 November, but he also imposed an injunction to prohibit Lee from further circulating false and defamatory allegations.
In a released written judgment on Monday (27 November), the judge highlighted “strong reasons” to believe that Lee might persist in making defamatory statements again, noting his refusal to remove the contentious Facebook post on 23 July, despite receiving a letter of demand from the ministers on 27 July.
Among other things, Lee stated in the post that “two ministers have leased state-owned mansions from the agency that one of them controls, felling trees and getting state-sponsored renovations.”
A report released by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in June concluded that no wrongdoing or preferential treatment had occurred concerning the two ministers. However, Lee continued referencing this post and the ongoing lawsuits, drawing attention to his remarks under legal scrutiny.
Justice Goh emphasised that the ministers met the prerequisites for a default judgment against Lee. The suits, separately filed by Shanmugam, the Law and Home Affairs Minister, and Dr Balakrishnan, the Foreign Affairs Minister, were initiated in early August.
He failed to respond within 21 days
Lee and his wife, Lee Suet Fern, had left Singapore in July 2022, after declining to attend a police interview for potentially giving false evidence in judicial proceedings over the late Lee Kuan Yew’s will.
His absence from Singapore prompted the court to permit Shanmugam and Dr Balakrishnan to serve him legal documents via Facebook Messenger in mid-September. Despite no requirement for proof that Lee saw these documents, his subsequent social media post on 16 September confirmed his awareness of the served legal papers.
Although Lee had the opportunity to respond within 21 days, he chose not to do so. Additionally, the judge noted the novelty of the ministers’ request for an injunction during this legal process, highlighting updated court rules allowing such measures since April 2022.
Justice Goh clarified that despite the claimants’ application for an injunction, the court needed independent validation for its appropriateness, considering its potentially severe impact on the defendant. He reiterated being satisfied with the circumstances and granted the injunction, given the continued accessibility of the contentious Facebook post.
Lee acknowledges court order and removes allegations from Facebook
Following the court’s decision, Lee acknowledged the court order on 10 November and removed the statements in question from his Facebook page.
In the judgment, Justice Goh noted that there were substantial grounds to anticipate Lee’s repetition of the “defamatory allegations by continuing to draw attention to them and/or publish further defamatory allegations against the claimants.”
The judge mentioned that if Lee had contested the ministers’ claims, there could have been grounds for a legally enforceable case under defamation law.
According to Justice Goh, a reasonable reader would interpret Lee’s Facebook post as insinuating that the People’s Action Party’s trust had been squandered due to the ministers’ alleged corrupt conduct, from which they gained personally.
While Shanmugam and Dr Balakrishnan were not explicitly named, the post made it evident that it referred to them, and these posts remained accessible to the public, as noted by the judge.
Justice Goh pointed out that by choosing not to respond to the lawsuits, Lee prevented the court from considering any opposing evidence related to the claims.
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