Biden Administration Must Center Civil Rights in the Fight Against White Supremacy

Our nation’s strength lies in its rich diversity and its embrace of people of all races and genders, regardless of where they come from, how they worship, or whom they love. In recent years, violent white supremacists have attacked this diversity, carrying out attacks across the country — from Charleston, South Carolina, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to El Paso, Texas, to Charlottesville, Virginia, to Buffalo, New York. These assaults are tragic reminders that our nation’s long history of racial terror endures. In 2020, the country saw the highest number of reported hate crimes since the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The key role played by violent white supremacist groups in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol only underscores the seriousness of the threat they pose. The United States has in place laws and authorities necessary to investigate and prosecute white supremacist violence, including as hate crimes and domestic terrorism. The U.S. Code has more than 50 laws that can be used to prosecute acts that meet the definition of domestic terrorism under the USA PATRIOT Act. There are at least six federal statutes that can be used to prosecute bias-motivated crimes committed by white supremacists. But for too long, the federal government has failed to adequately prioritize and resource these types of investigations and prosecutions. Indeed, it has even failed to collect data on the extent of white supremacist violence in the country, mostly relying on voluntary reporting by state and local authorities who may not have the capacity or incentives to accurately track this information. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law released a policy paper detailing strategies to address longstanding problems with U.S. counterterrorism policy, its harms to civil rights and civil liberties, and its failure to address white supremacist violence. The paper, “Confronting White Supremacist Violence: An Effective and Inclusive Path Forward,” shows how the current approach to counterterrorism has resulted in the targeting of communities of color and the muffling of political dissent, while violent extremism has continued to rise. The recent rise in hate crimes and the key role that white supremacist groups played in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol demonstrates the need for thoughtful, effective policy solutions to replace broken models for national security. The Biden administration has committed to tackling the problem but has indicated that, in doing so, it will continue the current failed counterterrorism approach. The paper states: “This doubling down on a national security framework has already caused damage to so many people in America, including many of the same communities who are the targets of white supremacist violence. Instead, the Biden administration should take an inclusive and more effective approach that: •Accounts for and prosecutes white supremacist violence using the laws already on the books; •Implements tangible civil rights and civil liberties safeguards to constrain the use of counterterrorism authorities against protestors and communities of color; and •Does not further expand the footprint and authority of national security agencies.”l

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“Confronting White Supremacist Violence: An Effective and Inclusive Path Forward” is available at www.cawnyc.com

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Home Equity Tips: 3 Upgrades That Will Make Your House Worth More When You Sell

It's likely that your house is your biggest asset, so when it comes time to sell it you'll want to do everything you can to maximize your profit. Good news — the value of your home isn't solely determined by the market, there are several ways in which you can increase its value by making upgrades before listing. Let's take a look at 3 top upgrades that will make your house worth more when you sell.

1. Make It Profitable Not surprisingly, the number one way in which you can increase the value of your home is to add an income suite within the property. If your home has potential to earn buyers' money it will inevitably be more valuable than a property that doesn't have any potential cash flow for the owner. Whether it's a basement suite, laneway home, or a floor that's been made into a separate unit, income units are a huge bonus for buyers. Making money while paying off their home would be a dream come true for most people, and it's a dream that buyers are willing to pay a high price for. 2. Kitchen Is Key Kitchens are often the first area to become dated or worn out within a home, and they're the most important part of the house when it comes to valuation. Make sure that your cabinets and countertops are updated before selling and modernize the design with neutral fixtures that are current yet adaptable to many tastes. Having a fresh kitchen shows both function and fashion to buyers. After all, no one wants to see rusty old appliances and dingy lights when walking into the focal point of a home.

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3. Beautify The Bathrooms Besides the kitchen, bathrooms are the second most important aspect of a home when it comes to valuation. Having multiple bathrooms within a home automatically increases its value significantly, especially if at least two have at least three pieces within them, containing at least a sink, toilet, and either a shower or bath. Ensuring that your bathrooms are leak-free, look meticulously clean, and have a modern design is a fantastic way to make sure that buyers will be impressed during an open house. Bonus tip: if installing a new toilet, consider purchasing one that is eco-friendly with dual-flush options. As people become more and more environmentally conscious, fixtures such as these will cater to a broad spectrum of lifestyle values. If you're ready to prepare your home for sale and are looking for more ways in which you can maximize its market value, contact a trusted real estate professional today. Call Equity Smart Realty Inc at 888-670-6791. We would be happy to share our guidance.l

Call Equity Smart Realty at 888-670-6791 for a consultation.