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Students who survived the shooting rampage at their Florida school take to social networks and the news media with their pain and outrage, many demanding that this time adults act. Another federal appeals court rules against President Trump’s Muslim travel ban, saying it most likely violated the Constitution’s clause forbidding religious discrimination by the government in a decision based largely on public statements he made. The children’s literature community confronts #MeToo as complaints against prominent writers and editors surface. EPA Administrator’s first class flights explained as way to avoid exposure to critics among fellow travelers. -Dru Menaker, Chief Operating Officer

The most pressing threats and notable goings-on in free expression today

U.S.

Student who survived Florida shooting pleads with Trump and Congress: ‘Please, take action’
“Please, take action. Ideas are great. Ideas are wonderful and they help you get reelected and everything,” David Hogg said on CNN as he looked straight at the camera. “But what’s more important is actual action . . . that results in saving thousands of children’s lives. Please, take action.”
WASHINGTON POST

Trump’s Latest Travel Ban Suffers Blow From a Second Appeals Court
A second federal appeals court ruled against President Trump’s latest effort to limit travel from countries said to pose a threat to the nation’s security. The decision, from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Richmond, Virginia, will have no immediate practical impact.
NEW YORK TIMES

Children’s Book Industry Has Its #MeToo Moment
The week began with the world of children’s and young adult literature celebrating its most prestigious awards, the industry’s version of the Oscars. It ended with surprise and confusion as trade groups, literary agents, and a publisher broke with several best-selling authors over allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.
NEW YORK TIMES

Pruitt’s security threat? A passenger shouting, ‘You’re f—ing up the environment’
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s security team decided last year he should fly first class to avoid confrontations with angry individuals on planes and in airports, an agency official said as EPA sought to explain the chief’s penchant for pricey travel.
POLITICO

 
Global

Turkey sentences journalists to life in jail over coup attempt *PEN Case List
A Turkish court has sentenced six defendants, including three prominent journalists, to life in prison over allegations of involvement in a 2016 coup attempt, in the first conviction of journalists in trials related to the failed putsch.
THE GUARDIAN

Instagram gives in to Russian censors
Instagram has removed a video posted by Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny following pressure from the country’s communications regulator. A spokesperson for Facebook, which owns Instagram, confirmed in an emailed statement that it had decided to comply with Russia’s demands.
CNET

First came the massacre. Then came the coverup.
In January, the military acknowledged that 10 men had been killed at Inn Din but said they were terrorists. The Reuters article shreds that shoddy coverup. The journalists have been rightly honored with PEN America’s PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award. If Burma has any respect left for democracy, it must release them immediately and drop the charges.
WASHINGTON POST

How China’s multi-pronged crackdown on dissent took aim at citizen journalists and rights defence websites
Huang Qi has served two prison terms for his work on the site. The 54-year-old was detained for the third time on November 28, 2016, after police raided his flat in Chengdu. Huang was just one of many key figures behind such websites who have recently been put behind bars.
HONG KONG FREE PRESS

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