Amy Laura Cahn
@amylauracahn.bsky.social
Lawyering for enviro justice, just transition, & civil, social, economic rights.
Climate & Environmental Justice Fellow at the MA Attorney General’s Office.
Teach @Tufts UEP. Queer femme she/they. Opinions all my own.
Climate & Environmental Justice Fellow at the MA Attorney General’s Office.
Teach @Tufts UEP. Queer femme she/they. Opinions all my own.
Today, a multistate coalition (led by MA, CA, and NY) released guidance affirming the necessity and legality of efforts to advance environmental justice.
www.mass.gov/news/ag-camp...
www.mass.gov/news/ag-camp...
www.mass.gov
June 18, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Today, a multistate coalition (led by MA, CA, and NY) released guidance affirming the necessity and legality of efforts to advance environmental justice.
www.mass.gov/news/ag-camp...
www.mass.gov/news/ag-camp...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
The NAACP is re-mixing 1930s-era "don't buy where you can't work" campaigns to confront the neo-segregationists targeting DEI.
apnews.com/article/blac...
apnews.com/article/blac...
NAACP lists companies that dump DEI in its tactical spending guide for Black Americans
The NAACP wants Black Americans to steer their buying power toward corporations that haven’t pulled back from diversity programs under conservative pressure.
apnews.com
February 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The NAACP is re-mixing 1930s-era "don't buy where you can't work" campaigns to confront the neo-segregationists targeting DEI.
apnews.com/article/blac...
apnews.com/article/blac...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Don’t know if anyone else read the letter and caught that it contradicts the majority opinion in SFFA, which allows discussion of racial identities in essays to be used as a factor in admissions.
They’re trying to rewrite an already very conservative SCOTUS opinion
www.ed.gov/media/docume...
They’re trying to rewrite an already very conservative SCOTUS opinion
www.ed.gov/media/docume...
February 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Don’t know if anyone else read the letter and caught that it contradicts the majority opinion in SFFA, which allows discussion of racial identities in essays to be used as a factor in admissions.
They’re trying to rewrite an already very conservative SCOTUS opinion
www.ed.gov/media/docume...
They’re trying to rewrite an already very conservative SCOTUS opinion
www.ed.gov/media/docume...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
I said something very similar in my talk yesterday. Even before this moment, lots of ostensibly liberal academics believed that "diversity hires" were both endemic (not true) and less qualified (also a lie). The current moment is going to amp this up 1000%.
And where all this anti-DEI policy is heading—and it’s something that this white guy leftist couldn’t wrap his head around—is right wingers searching dept websites to identify any Black, Brown, woman, LGBTQIA instructor and calling for them to be fired b/c they think they’re a “DEI hire”
February 16, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I said something very similar in my talk yesterday. Even before this moment, lots of ostensibly liberal academics believed that "diversity hires" were both endemic (not true) and less qualified (also a lie). The current moment is going to amp this up 1000%.
Best moment of an otherwise excellent New Directions in Environmental Law conference: tag-teaming with @monicavisalam.bsky.social to recruit new listers for @harvilla.bsky.social’s 60 Songs That Explain the 90s. www.theringer.com/podcasts/60-...
60 Songs That Explain the ’90s: The 2000s
First came 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s. (We did that.) Then came 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s: The 2000s. (We’re doing that now—and yes, that’s the actual name.) But wheth...
www.theringer.com
February 16, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Best moment of an otherwise excellent New Directions in Environmental Law conference: tag-teaming with @monicavisalam.bsky.social to recruit new listers for @harvilla.bsky.social’s 60 Songs That Explain the 90s. www.theringer.com/podcasts/60-...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Gay men. Straight women. Now is the appointed hour.
They are distracted. They are slightly drunk. They are feeling nostalgic about (checks notes) mayonnaise for some reason.
Go to the place agreed. Enact the ritual. Wrest the control they have so clumsily squandered. Abracadabra amoroonana.
They are distracted. They are slightly drunk. They are feeling nostalgic about (checks notes) mayonnaise for some reason.
Go to the place agreed. Enact the ritual. Wrest the control they have so clumsily squandered. Abracadabra amoroonana.
February 10, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Gay men. Straight women. Now is the appointed hour.
They are distracted. They are slightly drunk. They are feeling nostalgic about (checks notes) mayonnaise for some reason.
Go to the place agreed. Enact the ritual. Wrest the control they have so clumsily squandered. Abracadabra amoroonana.
They are distracted. They are slightly drunk. They are feeling nostalgic about (checks notes) mayonnaise for some reason.
Go to the place agreed. Enact the ritual. Wrest the control they have so clumsily squandered. Abracadabra amoroonana.
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
NEW: Shortly after being sworn into office on Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi went from the Oval Office to the Justice Department to do President Donald Trump’s bidding.
In a series of orders, Bondi made clear, sometimes explicitly, that the independence of the Justice Department is gone.
In a series of orders, Bondi made clear, sometimes explicitly, that the independence of the Justice Department is gone.
A.G. Pam Bondi says Trump sets DOJ policy, all DOJ lawyers are "his lawyers"
The independence of the Justice Department is gone. Also: Two federal courts have blocked Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship. Expect appeals.
www.lawdork.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
NEW: Shortly after being sworn into office on Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi went from the Oval Office to the Justice Department to do President Donald Trump’s bidding.
In a series of orders, Bondi made clear, sometimes explicitly, that the independence of the Justice Department is gone.
In a series of orders, Bondi made clear, sometimes explicitly, that the independence of the Justice Department is gone.
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Really important new lawsuit by @democracyforward.bsky.social and @publiccitizen.bsky.social , which are out there fighting the good fight.
USAID staff are seeking an injunction re: a "series of unconstitutional and illegal actions" taken by Trump that have "systematically dismantled" USAID. They claim Trump's actions generated a global humanitarian crisis, cost thousands of American jobs, and imperiled U.S. national security interests.
February 7, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Really important new lawsuit by @democracyforward.bsky.social and @publiccitizen.bsky.social , which are out there fighting the good fight.
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
GovWayback: access historical versions of U.S. government pages by replacing ".gov" in the URL with ".govwayback.com" https://govwayback.com/
February 7, 2025 at 3:00 AM
GovWayback: access historical versions of U.S. government pages by replacing ".gov" in the URL with ".govwayback.com" https://govwayback.com/
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Federal health workers are expressing fear and alarm after a website called “DEI Watch List” published the photos, names and public information of a number of workers across health agencies, describing them as “targets.”
Federal health workers terrified after ‘DEI’ website publishes list of ‘targets’
The site calls out workers who have been involved with DEI initiatives. A majority are Black.
www.nbcnews.com
February 5, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Federal health workers are expressing fear and alarm after a website called “DEI Watch List” published the photos, names and public information of a number of workers across health agencies, describing them as “targets.”
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Dear journalists: Now, more than ever,
✨The lawyers need to see the actual court filings.✨
Yes, I know you summarized. Yes, I know your non-attorney readers don't care.
But we need to see the documents. The actual documents.
If you're pulling docs from PACER, use RECAP & give us a link. Please.
✨The lawyers need to see the actual court filings.✨
Yes, I know you summarized. Yes, I know your non-attorney readers don't care.
But we need to see the documents. The actual documents.
If you're pulling docs from PACER, use RECAP & give us a link. Please.
February 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Dear journalists: Now, more than ever,
✨The lawyers need to see the actual court filings.✨
Yes, I know you summarized. Yes, I know your non-attorney readers don't care.
But we need to see the documents. The actual documents.
If you're pulling docs from PACER, use RECAP & give us a link. Please.
✨The lawyers need to see the actual court filings.✨
Yes, I know you summarized. Yes, I know your non-attorney readers don't care.
But we need to see the documents. The actual documents.
If you're pulling docs from PACER, use RECAP & give us a link. Please.
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Again: Trump just ordered 2 dams open to levels that would’ve flooded areas and farms, without warning, all to back up the lies he told about the fires — and the rivers don’t even flow to LA.
Locals panicked and they backed off.
sjvwater.org/decision-to-...
Locals panicked and they backed off.
sjvwater.org/decision-to-...
February 1, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Again: Trump just ordered 2 dams open to levels that would’ve flooded areas and farms, without warning, all to back up the lies he told about the fires — and the rivers don’t even flow to LA.
Locals panicked and they backed off.
sjvwater.org/decision-to-...
Locals panicked and they backed off.
sjvwater.org/decision-to-...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
For a photo op & a bragging media post, Trump minions at the USACoE have thrown away millions of gals of #water farmers were relying on for later this year. This water will not be captured, will not be useful for cities or farms or firefighting. It is now lost.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Acting on Trump's order, federal officials opened up two California dams
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just opened up two California dams. A spokesperson says the flows are 'controlled' and being coordinated with local officials.
www.latimes.com
February 1, 2025 at 1:25 AM
For a photo op & a bragging media post, Trump minions at the USACoE have thrown away millions of gals of #water farmers were relying on for later this year. This water will not be captured, will not be useful for cities or farms or firefighting. It is now lost.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Calling all civil servants and data nerds in the energy & climate space: if you were going to preemptively save any particular documents or data from websites (just in case, no reason), what would it be? (feel free to DM or hmu on Signal if you'd rather not reply publicly)
January 31, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Calling all civil servants and data nerds in the energy & climate space: if you were going to preemptively save any particular documents or data from websites (just in case, no reason), what would it be? (feel free to DM or hmu on Signal if you'd rather not reply publicly)
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Employees from agencies and departments across the federal government told Law Dork about how Trump’s anti-trans orders are leading to government-wide censorship today.
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social has the alarming report.
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social has the alarming report.
Breaking: Disappearing websites, data among the chaos as Trump's anti-trans censorship begins
A stark picture presented across the federal government, with particularly concerning information coming out of the Census Bureau and CDC.
www.lawdork.com
January 31, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Employees from agencies and departments across the federal government told Law Dork about how Trump’s anti-trans orders are leading to government-wide censorship today.
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social has the alarming report.
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social has the alarming report.
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Over 100 JFREJ members gathered in a zoom just before Shabbat this evening to hear some words of Torah, courage, and care, before lighting Shabbat candles together. Thank you Rabbi @abbystein.bsky.social for leading us in this grounding ritual space.
January 31, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Over 100 JFREJ members gathered in a zoom just before Shabbat this evening to hear some words of Torah, courage, and care, before lighting Shabbat candles together. Thank you Rabbi @abbystein.bsky.social for leading us in this grounding ritual space.
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
NEWS: DOJ just withdrew its 11th Circuit brief supporting the plaintiff in a lawsuit over whether a health insurance provider can be held liable under Title VII for denying gender-affirming medical care coverage to an employee because they are transgender. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 31, 2025 at 10:11 PM
NEWS: DOJ just withdrew its 11th Circuit brief supporting the plaintiff in a lawsuit over whether a health insurance provider can be held liable under Title VII for denying gender-affirming medical care coverage to an employee because they are transgender. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Environmental Justice Index is down
January 31, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Environmental Justice Index is down
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
A new era of government censorship has begun.
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | A new era of government censorship has dawned
Donald Trump fancies himself a champion of free speech. Oh, really?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 31, 2025 at 1:47 PM
A new era of government censorship has begun.
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
BREAKING: Judge McConnell blocks Trump administration temporarily from blocking grants/loans to 22 states and DC that sued over funding "pause." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 31, 2025 at 9:16 PM
BREAKING: Judge McConnell blocks Trump administration temporarily from blocking grants/loans to 22 states and DC that sued over funding "pause." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
Really, the only surprise here is that it took antiabortion prosecutors this long.
The New York shield law will prevent this from going forward. She won't be extradited, and there will be nothing Louisiana can do about it. End of story.
The New York shield law will prevent this from going forward. She won't be extradited, and there will be nothing Louisiana can do about it. End of story.
New York doctor indicted for prescribing abortion pill in Louisiana
The case appears to be the first instance of criminal charges against a doctor accused of sending abortion pills to another state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
www.nbcnews.com
January 31, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Really, the only surprise here is that it took antiabortion prosecutors this long.
The New York shield law will prevent this from going forward. She won't be extradited, and there will be nothing Louisiana can do about it. End of story.
The New York shield law will prevent this from going forward. She won't be extradited, and there will be nothing Louisiana can do about it. End of story.
Reposted by Amy Laura Cahn
I saw a post saying that ICE is pausing its tip line, so I decided to call myself to verify.
The recorded voicemail said they are not currently accepting immigration status tips.
Good job, friends.
The recorded voicemail said they are not currently accepting immigration status tips.
Good job, friends.
January 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I saw a post saying that ICE is pausing its tip line, so I decided to call myself to verify.
The recorded voicemail said they are not currently accepting immigration status tips.
Good job, friends.
The recorded voicemail said they are not currently accepting immigration status tips.
Good job, friends.