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Supreme Court Sides with MAGA And Greenlights Virginia’s Voter Purge Program
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Lower courts, including a three-judge panel from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, had previously blocked Virginia’s efforts, concluding that citizens may be mistakenly purged and noting that some registrations were removed without verified citizenship status. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles emphasized that “none of the parties involved… knew for certain the citizenship status of the purged voters.”

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
The Donald Trump and MAGA-influenced U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Virginia to proceed with a program targeting the removal of suspected noncitizens from its voter registration rolls, in a decision made without commentary from the majority. Just days before the election, conservative justices supported the decision, which sparked sharp reactions from voting rights organizations and Democratic leaders who claim it may disenfranchise hundreds of eligible voters.
The program, implemented under Gov. Glenn Youngkin, directs election officials to purge voters flagged as potential noncitizens through Department of Motor Vehicles data, impacting roughly 1,600 registrations. While Governor Youngkin called the Court’s ruling a “victory for common sense and election fairness,” the program has faced opposition from the Biden administration and advocates, who argue it violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). This 1993 law prohibits “systematic” changes to voter rolls within 90 days of a federal election.
Lower courts, including a three-judge panel from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, had previously blocked Virginia’s efforts, concluding that citizens may be mistakenly purged and noting that some registrations were removed without verified citizenship status. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles emphasized that “none of the parties involved… knew for certain the citizenship status of the purged voters.”
Voting rights advocates contend that Virginia’s program targets lawful voters, including naturalized citizens and U.S.-born residents, at a critical point ahead of Election Day. The Campaign Legal Center (CLC), representing Virginia organizations in opposition to the purge, criticized the Court’s decision, citing flawed data and the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. “The Supreme Court allowing Virginia to engage in a last-minute purge that includes many known eligible citizens… is outrageous,” said CLC attorney Danielle Lange, who emphasized that all eligible Virginians can register on Election Day if needed.
Ryan Snow, counsel for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, highlighted the uncertainty and risks faced by affected voters, particularly those voting absentee. “The list of purged voters includes both new citizens and people born in the U.S., all of whom have the same sacred right to vote,” he noted. Snow urged voters to use Virginia’s same-day registration process if they find themselves removed from the rolls, stressing the availability of multilingual support hotlines for assistance.
The legal dispute has escalated amid national concerns about voting rights, with Republicans like former President Donald Trump promoting the purge as a way to prevent alleged noncitizen voting. However, documented instances of noncitizen voting remain rare; a recent Georgia audit found only nine noncitizens voting out of 8.2 million registrants.
Affected Virginians can confirm their registration status and re-register if necessary using the same-day registration process on Election Day. This process requires signing an eligibility affirmation and casting a provisional ballot. Officials from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said any voters with questions should call or text the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE, or call one of the bilingual Election Protection hotlines at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (Spanish); 844-YALLA-US (Arabic); or 888-API-VOTE (Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese). The organization can check to see if voters are one of the 1600 people who were purged since August 7 and guide them on what steps they can take, including how to use the Same Day Registration process to cast their ballot.
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Remembering George Floyd
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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.
As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.
Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.
We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.
Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.
The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.
We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.
Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
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Hate and Chaos Rise in Trump’s America
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the United States in 2024. In its latest Year in Hate & Extremism report, the SPLC reveals how these groups are embedding themselves in politics and policymaking while targeting marginalized communities through intimidation, disinformation, and violence. “Extremists at all levels of government are using cruelty, chaos, and constant attacks on communities and our democracy to make us feel powerless,” said SPLC President Margaret Huang. The report outlines how hard-right groups aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2024. Figures on the far right falsely framed DEI as a threat to white Americans, with some branding it a form of “white genocide.” After the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, a former Utah legislator blamed the incident on DEI, posting “DEI = DIE.”
Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains. Similar threats hit Jewish institutions and Planet Fitness locations after far-right social media accounts attacked them for trans-inclusive policies. Telegram, which SPLC describes as a hub for hate groups, helped extremists cross-recruit between neo-Nazi, QAnon, and white nationalist spaces. The platform’s lax moderation allowed groups like the Terrorgram Collective—designated terrorists by the U.S. State Department—to thrive. Militia movements were also reorganized, with 50 groups documented in 2024. Many, calling themselves “minutemen,” trained in paramilitary tactics while lobbying local governments for official recognition. These groups shared personnel and ideology with white nationalist organizations.
The manosphere continued to radicalize boys and young men. The Fresh & Fit podcast, now listed as a hate group, promoted misogyny while mocking and attacking Black women. Manosphere influencers used social media algorithms to drive youth toward male-supremacy content. Turning Point USA played a key role in pushing white nationalist rhetoric into mainstream politics. Its leader Charlie Kirk claimed native-born Americans are being replaced by immigrants, while the group advised on Project 2025 and organized Trump campaign events. “We know that these groups build their power by threatening violence, capturing political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “By exposing the players, tactics, and code words of the hard right, we hope to dismantle their mythology and inspire people to fight back.”
Click here for the full report or visit http://www.splcenter.org/resources/guides/year-hate-extremism-2024.
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