Mpofu expected in court today

Advocate Thabani Mpofu

He has been charged with “obstructing the course of justice.” It is alleged that Mpofu  submitted an affidavit with a name of a person who does not exist. He denies the charge.

Mpofu’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa said this matter had been investigated by the Law Society of Zimbabwe and the police’s Law and Order section last year.

“The Zuze person was interviewed and they confirmed that he exists. So, it’s extremely  surprising that that now, you know, suddenly he is locked up for this,” she said.

Meanwhile, police and soldiers have mounted more roadblocks around Harare where many cars and buses have been turned back.

“Even some people with letters confirming they are essential workers, have been turned back,” according to one irate worker who was turned back.

It is not clear why there is this ring of steel around the city. There is speculation it might have something to do with the expected recall of eight MDC A parliamentarians this afternoon by the Secretary-General of the Khupe faction of the MDC.

Post published in: Featured

Corruption reversing the gains made against the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

If not curbed, corruption by these corrupt public officials may reverse the gains made and putting all investment, including donor aid to waste. A research conducted by ACT-SA has confirmed that ZRP officers, ZNA soldiers, and Municipal police are soliciting bribes in exchange for giving a blind eye to violations of the COVID-19 regulations as well as helping all those arrested to enjoy freedom. Also implicated in corruption are the Offices of the District Development Coordinators (DDCs) country-wide.

ACT-SA has shown in its report that the national lockdown declared by President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, pursuant to the Public Health (COVID-19) Prevention, Containment and Treatment (National Lockdown Order, 2020), has unfortunately and shamefully presented an environment ripe for public corruption.

Mr. Obert Chinhamo, the Director of ACT-SA has expressed disappointment that the management of the ZRP is not doing well in responding against corruption by ZRP officers and instilling a culture of integrity within the police service.

“What is clear from these recent developments is that the Commissioner-General of Police is still harbouring corrupt ZRP officers. And he has for a long time been too lenient when allegations of corruption are leveled against ZRP officers. More often, we have witnessed all those accused of corruption and other malfeasance being transferred from one station to the other where they continue with their immoral activities. I think the management of the police should be very strict in its approach. This lockdown has exposed the epidemy nature of corruption in the police similar to the levels, even exceeding the levels it had reached during the Augustine Chihuri era” he says

Mr. Chinhamo added that the heavy fines for violating the COVID-19 regulations are part of the corruption problem.

“We have also observed that corrupt ZRP officers solicit bribes that are less than the gazetted fines. That’s how these corrupt public officials lure their clients to pay the bribes. The heavy fines are actually being used as bait by these corrupt officials. Accused persons thus prefer to save money by paying bribes instead of paying those heavy fines. If they were lower, accused persons would simply pay the fines without any problems.” he says

A leading South African based human rights lawyer Advocate Gabriel Shumba, who is also one of the ACT-SA Trustees, had this to say:

“I am not sure if ZRP officers are being adequately supervised. For instance, if it is not permitted why were some ZRP officers reportedly seen parking their personal cars at checkpoints? This just means that ZRP officers are not being adequately supervised or that their supervisors are giving a blind eye”. He adds.

Advocate Shumba called upon the government to ensure that laws and policies are fully implemented:

“Laws and regulations on corruption busting are not an end in themselves. Implementation and enforcement are critical. Government, ZACC, and civil society must strengthen partnership to ensure good governance, especially in so far as the protection of whistleblowers is concerned” he says

The ACT-SA report also lambasts the Government of Zimbabwe for giving empty promises, especially to the micro, small to medium enterprises and the general populace. Food aid and rescue packages were not given to the people as promised.  Hunger forced people to venture out of their homes in search of food where they met these corrupt public officials.

In addition, the ACT-SA report covered corruption in the health and water sectors. In some areas community boreholes were politicized. In Mbare in Harare, it was alleged that ZANU PF supporters were given first preference to fetch water at community boreholes.  It was also alleged that suspected ZANU PF youths have taken over control of some community boreholes near Budiriro 2 in Harare.

Post published in: Featured

Zimbabwe summons US ambassador over national security adviser’s Floyd protests comments

In response, Ambassador Brian Nichols released a striking and personal statement drawing on Floyd’s death to call on the Zimbabwean government to end its violence against activists and to hold those who perpetuated such crimes accountable.

Nichols met with Zimbabwean Foreign Minister S.B. Moyo “amid a painful, sad and infuriating week,” he said in the statement Monday. The meeting came a day after O’Brien included Zimbabwe in a catalog of “foreign adversaries” who he said, without presenting evidence, were “going to take advantage of this crisis to sow discord and to try and damage our democracy.” A State Department spokesperson confirmed that Nichols and Moyo met to discuss O’Brien’s remarks.

Nichols said in his statement that “George Floyd’s brutal killing, hundreds of thousands of the world’s most vulnerable people succumbing to a global pandemic, the crushing economic cost of lockdowns borne by the poorest among us, remind us that we cannot wait for justice or to recognize each other’s humanity.”

The US diplomat, who has served in the foreign service for more than 30 years, said he “urged Zimbabwe’s government to end state-sponsored violence against peaceful protesters, civil society, labor leaders and members of the opposition in Zimbabwe and to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses.”

“As an African American, for as long as I can remember I have known that my rights and my body were not fully my own,” Nichols writes. “I have also always known that America, conceived in liberty, has always aspired to be better — a shining city on a hill — and that is why I have dedicated my life to her service,” Nichols wrote.

“In a long, unbroken line of black men and women, George Floyd gave the last full measure of devotion to point us to a new birth in freedom,” he wrote. “Every American official from our President to Minneapolis’ African American Police Chief Medaria Arradondo has vowed to deliver justice.”

“Zimbabweans surely wonder when, after so many years, Patrick Nabanyama, Itai Dzamara, and Paul Chizuze will get justice,” he said, referencing three activists who were disappeared in Zimbabwe. Nabanyama, an opposition party worker, was reportedly abducted in 2000 and declared dead in 2010. Dzamara, a journalist and pro-democracy activist, disappeared in 2015, according to Amnesty International. Chizuze, a human rights activist, went missing in 2012.
The US Ambassador noted in his statement that both the US and Zimbabwean constitutions “enshrine the right to free speech and peaceful protest,” but noted that three Zimbabwean protesters had been “arrested, abducted, assaulted and left for dead.”

“Americans will continue to speak out for justice whether at home or abroad,” Nichols said.

Trump, Putin and Bolsonaro find their populist playbooks are no match for coronavirus
In a statement, Moyo said he told Nichols that “O’Brien’s allegations are false, without any factual foundation whatsoever and that they are deeply damaging to a relationship already complicated by years of prescriptive megaphone diplomacy and punitive economic sanctions.”

“Zimbabwe is not and has never been an adversary of the United States of America,” he said, adding that the nation joined with the “many others — including the African Union and the United Nations — who have expressed their deep concern” at Floyd’s killing.

The foreign minister also suggested a double standard to the US domestic response to the protests — which has included a large-scale deployment of national guard members — and its condemnation of Zimbabwe’s response to civil unrest.

“We take due note of the measures deployed by the US authorities to deal with the challenges currently confronting them. At the same time, we recall the harsh US criticism and condemnation of our own response to multiple instances of illegal, violent civil unrest … and we reflect on the lack of balance and even the double standards so evident in US policy towards Zimbabwe,” he said.

According to Human Rights Watch, the southern African nation “remained highly intolerant of basic rights, peaceful dissent, and free expression in 2019.”

Zimbabwe COVID-19 Lockdown Monitoring Report 31 May 2020 – Day 63

Excerpts from reports generated by Community Radio Harare have also been incorporated into this report.

3.0       Emerging issues 
            3.1       General Updates
Nationally, some members of the apostolic sect congregated to worship. In Chinhoyi, ZRP officers dispersed members of the Johani Masowe eChishanu where more than 120 people had congregated. Similar reports were received from Chitungwiza were some churches have resorted to holding small cell groups to adhere to the regulations relating to the number of gathering people. However, in most of the cell groups, congregants do not exercise social distance and most of them do not wear face masks.

In Masvingo, it was reported that ZANU PF was distributing food to its members. The beneficiaries received parboiled rice. The food distribution was facilitated by a ZANU PF secretary for one of the wards, a Mrs Chikwanda. The food distribution did not benefit people from other political parties.  It was unclear if the food distribution was from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare or it was purely a ZANU PF initiative.

In Mabvuku and Tafara, the Harare City Council demolished vending stalls and other illegal structures. The structures included tuckshops and workshops used by informal traders.

It was reported that COVID-19 aid has resurfaced on the black market in some high-density suburbs. The aid includes on-demand groceries such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, salt, soya chunks and mealie-meal. In the Harare suburbs of Highfield, Epworth and Southlea Park, some of the items that are being sold are labelled “Not for Sale” indicating that the food items were meant to be distributed at no cost as food aid.
According to a statement released by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), low-risk sports disciplines will resume on 1 June 2020. The low-risk sports activities include tennis, golf, archery, and motorsport among others. However, citizens and sports clubs have to apply through the Sports and Recreation Commission for approval to host sporting events. The sporting events also have to adhere strictly to the provisions of Statutory Instrument 115 of 2020 and related legislation concerning the containment of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe which include social distance, frequent hygiene and wearing personal protective clothing. The sporting events are also subject to any additional guidelines that may be issued from time to time by the SRC.

A week ago, we reported that a section of Banket District Hospital was razed by fire. Though there were no fatalities reported, the District Medical Officer for Zvimba District Dr. Terence Dandadzi has now indicated that the section of the hospital that was destroyed had COVID-19 donations for other district hospitals in Zvimba. The donations included personal protective equipment (PPEs) and sanitizers.

                     3.2       Mandatory testing and quarantine
In Beitbridge, residents raised alarm over the hiring of quarantined women to cook for their colleagues. It was highlighted that the women are allowed to leave the quarantine centres to buy food items to prepare in the quarantine centres. The residents raised alarm as they are not sure if the women being allowed to leave the quarantine centres have been tested and have received their results.  There is fear that if infected and results are still unknown, they will likely infect other civilians whom they interact with while purchasing food items.  There is therefore need for this to be stopped.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana reported that in line with the plans to re-open schools, Marondera High School now only has 1 returnee who is still in quarantine there while the others have been transferred to other quarantine facilities in the Province. Fifty (50) other returnees from Marondera High School who tested negative for COVID-19 were discharged from quarantine and were provided with transport to their homes.

In Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South, it was reported that four (4) Zimbabweans who illegally entered the country from South Africa to attend a funeral have been placed in mandatory quarantine at Esikhoveni Training Institute after community members raised alarm over their presence. This comes after more than 120 returnees escaped from quarantine centres nationally.

It was reported that protests broke out at COVID-19 isolation centres for returning residents in Harare and Masvingo. It was alleged that returnees demanded to be released due to the poor living conditions at the facilities. At Masvingo Teachers’ College, returnees protested demanding to be addressed by representatives of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and health officials due to the living conditions. In Harare at Queen Elizabeth High School isolation centre, anti-riot police were called to quell a volatile situation when women housed there threatened to riot in protest against poor living conditions.

4.0 Arrests
In Gweru, police officers arrested eight (8) illegal foreign currency dealers close to Chicken Inn in the CBD. The arrested persons were taken to Gweru Central Police Station where they were fined ZWL200. Meanwhile, two (2) more people were arrested at Kudzanayi Bus Terminus in Mkoba for unnecessary loitering. It was reported that the 2 people failed to produce exemption letters to police officers leading to their arrest. The 2 were later released without charge.

5.0 Summary of violations
The table below summarises human rights violations documented by the Forum Secretariat and Forum Members from 30 March to 31 May 2020.

5.0       Conclusion
Confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to increase amid consultations to reopen schools and the resumption of sporting activities. Though the majority of the cases involve returnees, the number of people illegally crossing the border from neighbouring countries is worrying especially in Beitbridge. The Forum urges the government to improve the conditions in quarantine facilities to curb protests and further escapes by returnees. Further, the Forum is concerned about reports of growing police and military presence in quarantine facilities which has seemingly turned them into concentration camps. Though security is important, law enforcement agents should only serve to protect the returnees rather than assault them.The Forum is also concerned with reports of the distribution of food aid on a political basis. Further, the Forum is outraged over the selling of food aid on the black market. The Forum, therefore, calls upon the government to investigate these reports and act against offenders.

WWDs in Masvingo Speak out on the Constitutional Amendment Bill #2

2.6.2020 8:14

The government of Zimbabwe gazette the constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (2). On 22nd of May 2020 the ICOD Zim convened a stakeholder position paper development on the Constitution Amendment Bill (2) in Masvingo Province with women with disabilities.

During the meeting held at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo workshop participants agreed to the idea that all the proposed 27 amendments under the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.2) 2019 affect women with disabilities in Zimbabwe since they are people living in Zimbabwe.

Participants noted that they are certain provisions which affect these women collectively as a group in terms of the protection of their group rights, participation in politics and decision making positions and these are clause 6, 11, 17, 18 and 20 of the Bill. During the workshop the general sentiment was it is trite to note that women are not a homogenous group. Therefore there is need to look at the different groups of women such as women with disabilities and promote their participation in political matters and decision making positions.

Speaking during the work one participant noted that “WWDs are a vulnerable group in our country who have been marginalised, discriminated against and excluded from decision making positions, over the past years their voices in the political sphere have been relegated to the periphery of the political discussion”. The main cause of this is the lack of political representation and the failure of government to implement policies that will allow and secure seats for the political representation of women with disabilities. 

The ICOD Zim has attached the below position paper and submissions by WWDs which will be shared with Parliament of Zimbabwe.

Post published in: Featured

Latest Private COVID-19 Suit Targets Sorrento Therapeutics, Overall Case Total Grows [Sponsored]

%PDF-1.4 %���� 1 0 obj << /Creator (Apache FOP Version 2.3) /Producer (Apache FOP Version 2.3) /CreationDate (D:20200529014817Z) >> endobj 2 0 obj << /N 3 /Length 3 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x��gPTY��{� �M���I��$�$A��@w�i��AQdpFI� ���AFQŀ((��N#��2�”**K�٭�U[�g��x�sO�s�[��1������M��:�1��C�H�(�JN�����!���c����sϑ��>��qy�v�y����%��.��ʱlN2k�w�r4;�-�� 8=%1�{�i��W�-�o�!�o�V��k������Z�kL�0+���t�j� +���|iA/�o3���`?�(��O��f+�y�S/T�����7����o��r�L@�ʿr��`�Q�WN��=t����8@W)��X���o9���Ȁ��

r���”�dQ�(s�+*�JG�*PM��5�(j��F���hS�:��F����ї���)�”���hc,1^�pL �S�9����Lc>` X�!� ��b��l/v;�]Ɖ�Tq�8/��+�5�zpwqӸe�^o�����w�+�m�k�’�A�`F�!�v* g7���D Q�hO%��O/ߒH$5� )��B�Oj&]%=#}��芸��ErEjD:EFD^�qdU�-y+9�A>G�K�ʼn��ڋ����=/:.�(F3�K+k�)6K�P�(�6%�r�r�2EEP���Tu��z�:MC��i��XZ�G�mA�”n$ �!^#~Q�OG����xz �,}��IBN�V�#�O�MbDbIRF�F�#Y(�.9*�I�!�(‘u@�K�4RZK�G:]��5�y���K�P��cYXVK�W6[��좜������U�yy���|�|�|��U�J!F���K�8ÖϨd�3e]S����ԕ��ڕ�*㕙ʑ���}�* *�*9*�*�Uq�L�h�ê�Kj�j�j{պ�f�%�]ճ�[՟h�4�5�44h�5��q�G4�i�Z�Z�Z5Zw�am��#���P���q�5��!�����L��u=t�t�t_������o��ߨ?a@1p3�3�1��PːeXc�`=i��������iq��=4�{�5�3�bbj�3i3�3U1 3�5gҘ��b� 3���Y�����&�)�g���б��h��ݠ����qÔ��e�e�%ߊafůo�hn�`��Fنm�d3c�ik{��Ϯ�n���~��e���C�Ð#��߱�񙓒S�S�ӂ��s��e�����qW9W�k�낛���~w��&�j��Z<�O����瓍��������A�����I޿�}�}j|^����l�nڶ�e�{?;��  �T��r@h@s�R�C`Y ?H/hG��`����LH@HS��f�͇6O����mQߒ���V��[/n#o�v.��9�+�!|1�5�6b�e�:�zŶa���8��2�L�edY�l�e���h������7�.�u�Kq^q'�V���� a �n�����Éډ��$�CI<�?�p<< /Type /Metadata /Subtype /XML /Length 6 0 R >> stream
application/pdf x-unknown 2020-05-29T01:48:17Z Apache FOP Version 2.3 1.4 Apache FOP Version 2.3 2020-05-29T01:48:17Z 2020-05-29T01:48:17Z
endstream endobj 6 0 obj 964 endobj 7 0 obj << /Name /Im1 /Type /XObject /Length 8 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode /Subtype /Image /Width 157 /Height 26 /BitsPerComponent 8 /ColorSpace /DeviceGray >> stream x�͗ilTU��L[J[`b[ k��m�Vٔ��Җ�%”K�%@@Y�”e'(“�”�JD���.�@� �D ��B$(hd *3��u��s�{3ShC�i8��s�]��s�{C�ˀ�5 �ު�^�N��_*�BM���d^�B�$�o�!��n�A���4�)�F.��f2e���t�|��ty>O�핒�֖�a� ۻܠY1��}�j��V�y�����FŐ���Q�m��c�D%NJ�]Hm;[o�ׄ�h���n�U��70�#j���”�xUzkH����v�����I�=G�.�d�`A0�^.7���”�X��)�&�����7:G�(+~T�”�N�+��”v,!z���5�F� %j |�^�;qKw��p�G74���O�v�I�m’Z��N]�W��g�-�ix�L���b�B�U�C�J�D���e�9�}�Jgkp� 8��&���)��f��ψ��a��g��4�<'p���-��pU̿@Ϣ9�P�>‘��2�h.�n8Z����)��l�|��Ft�$��zdr��%[V�3+;�*8r��Z4�_��Q�tR��D�ţ�Q�y1/�w���͸�eS5�z��i��=��@� Jœ�2�&b�T�2�W�5�����F�;”�&*’�c.�����I�)����b�q]jd��a�c�o���^��Eg����u6��^��q{}�̙-�袋20���1U�܉��p(�?�|Ρ�4�cC��7;�E�y����I��Y�dOR�J�r��RhN��������P�U>Q�XJ�{��5X��G�A�4G�WX �1�c�h .���=u�UjL���T*Ki�Z��U�� �j|t�Q��Y�f3�9X�_PP0��'[��+�,q���-����L8�y�_�S�����Xē��$�z�����ke�c,�x�O�T�/��9U��V�L3���pD��e� J�#ʄ�)�=��b�|�0��#8_eR^�����(���0S4�$���D=,R�zV�ͻ�����(r��M��R�KB�%V�7�N�]kG�%6�V�����q�z�����#=���^DG�g�v��_ S��*`���)um��’�A�� �]��X���jU�LU�`82D�,HQ1����J�*�ɔF7��_>’ф��J�JX�����7��%���JeS�.W�q�>A���M�b~St��l�:r�b���_UO���)&�O4���Ҙ�=�f�|��t��NF�ӥ����x����b����Y����6�l�9C��x��GZ(�99���7���[l��/nz�� [vgs�%��u�����dnw�xW�?j��$a�;�ϟ��412�$A�?i endstream endobj 8 0 obj 1384 endobj 9 0 obj << /Name /Im2 /Type /XObject /Length 10 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode /Subtype /Image /Width 157 /Height 26 /BitsPerComponent 8 /ColorSpace [/ICCBased 2 0 R] /SMask 7 0 R >> stream x���kL�W�#2�ˢ�n�ܢ��)ZT��Nq�O��dʭЋ@[[h��֖�fs���m’8]����^U.�)-���dYf�,�Y̲%[^�6��M���Ó����$7 %?ɪz߮�km��v��8 �m�Nk�qB�����a�Ѐ�ߘ��׌�1�D>��’f:kk4���p�);����[���j�`�ɉT�d��n��nc�����g�P�(:| �G���P�P�R6Ec�S±B�i2����ݝ��gU ��’�[���v����˞@�yp�Ɏ�?Q,?q�VӶ��=�R�x�h�sJ8�qhog�C�ڼY O.��3:}Tw�;����S���6�L�x��J�Z�� �~c�H�8W�”��/`Ec�<�£Q����4�PVh~fpI����V텧���̝'���d�Ć��[�gn��3�Ǽ��u��,��19���|�m��a��'08�7�� ��}����� ~F��Mz��a��Z=�z{�v�;I2��⟅���[�r�������uA�v�F��2d��bo�ځ�.��1�bv๬�@pY��mB��|�O���A�+��@aJ�sU��$��,�ԿF6�QRE�ޏy��i��'�ĕ��<�ИT�J_T���^�Xbf$��J�t���;hե���L��0���q��O<�gD�+�o��j�q���Ev�A��L3;~��'�T��rt)��bu2O���J�����$���y�܍D��ܞ��d� �drt���5^�D���|���#|@%�ш1�B&C���fbe��V�v��Ȝ(0�@�~u� /w�,d@��"ue�-��1$p�S�W�#�Ⱦ6��a>��H�f��+’:x� l�b�6@S��kw���vF���ŧ �C53��O���Dǜ/1�*�Hі;g���X �.9�/R�W��Ba߲����]��-2’HW��-�����Jex�”�jqu::�c�y�o�-w��}O:}���Be��,��AG|��q�� �^2�S��R��?��a�s�%��p�Z���� �VUYS���fxK0�ş$��)�=<< /URI (http://prod.resource.cch.com/resource/scion/document/default/sld01e84eed467d9910008891005056881d230a?cfu=Legal&cpid=WKUS-Legal-Cheetah&uAppCtx=cheetah) /S /URI >> endobj 12 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 56.692 683.432 541.19 697.418 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 11 0 R /H /I >> endobj 13 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 56.692 664.532 534.918 678.518 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 11 0 R /H /I >> endobj 14 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 56.692 645.632 268.666 659.618 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 11 0 R /H /I >> endobj 15 0 obj << /URI (https://prod.resource.cch.com/resource/scion/document/default/sld01e84eed467d9910008891005056881d230a?cfu=Legal&cpid=WKUS-Legal-Cheetah&uAppCtx=cheetah) /S /URI >> endobj 16 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 56.692 603.758 218.112 613.748 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 15 0 R /H /I >> endobj 17 0 obj << /URI (https://lrus.wolterskluwer.com/about-us/experts/mark-s-nelson/) /S /URI >> endobj 18 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 71.122 584.589 162.642 594.579 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 17 0 R /H /I >> endobj 19 0 obj << /URI (https://business.cch.com/srd/WasaMedicalHoldingsvSorrentoTherapeutics052820.pdf) /S /URI >> endobj 20 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 84.982 495.087 336.832 505.077 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 19 0 R /H /I >> endobj 21 0 obj << /URI (https://business.cch.com/srd/SRD-JMJ-NorwegianCruiseLinesComplaint-031620.pdf) /S /URI >> endobj 22 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 173.654 134.332 329.524 144.322 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 21 0 R /H /I >> endobj 23 0 obj << /URI (https://business.cch.com/srd/ServiceLampCorp-v-CarnivalCorp-Complaint-052720.pdf) /S /URI >> endobj 24 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 424.914 134.332 540.844 144.322 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 23 0 R /H /I >> endobj 25 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 92.124 120.832 280.084 130.822 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 23 0 R /H /I >> endobj 26 0 obj << /URI (https://business.cch.com/srd/SRD-MSN-PrivateSenBurrComplaint-032420.pdf) /S /URI >> endobj 27 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 140.394 107.332 215.304 117.322 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 26 0 R /H /I >> endobj 28 0 obj << /URI (https://business.cch.com/srd/Jacobson-v-Burr-VoluntaryDismissal-050120.pdf) /S /URI >> endobj 29 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 349.824 107.332 441.904 117.322 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 28 0 R /H /I >> endobj 30 0 obj << /URI (https://business.cch.com/srd/SRD-AMS-XperiCorpComplaint-052620.pdf) /S /URI >> endobj 31 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 256.854 80.332 518.674 90.322 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 30 0 R /H /I >> endobj 32 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /Rect [ 92.124 66.832 135.384 76.822 ] /C [ 0 0 0 ] /Border [ 0 0 0 ] /A 30 0 R /H /I >> endobj 33 0 obj << /Length 34 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x��ˎ���W�”�)�@���*HvF���ʉ�EƁ��x�Ç�U� ���҃��{�%�_^�$¿��/�����_�19�e^�1���,�T���p���(;}�<}�{!�"��B�?>|n�1s��ӧ?��>�|KS*�g-V�8��n�F-�Wᴋ�*7�”]�͟>���0η�X��p�4e���+�X’i&�����0!� ��P:�ff�|�>2|^��|�uc�{�.���2�[����u�#��&���”�@���j���ll���lR�OGܕ���#F���+���y67;���((/�n�N�n��>s&3���~�ұ Qy������v< .��-��1�"f2I��N���ϑ����X�݅�3ɲo��� ʺ��a>�3�)�’�1#;j�,G�����f#�d�Z�q�Yi�7�6�ތ/�w��d�>��8ha4y>��ƍ��g^�d�W2X�g�F�Mƭ��`�o�EqT�;$�v��V��4�̲p��x�h�j���D ?������2 �q#z��’I�f����h*�9I�T*:�u�N�}��=��щ.of�St%�G}Ѩ�oJF��g�,Q���z�.���Ymi�l��5��-Q��T�[��ۘ�>q ���L:�5;�Р�B�^&��h,�f�)fbuB52�^kb�_T�� r;�M�& Th9r$#��^�”��k�)kPe�U��2}�� 0blt��[x>ɯ��A�N�1Z�YK�>@�4�IK��}��z��~��{1���D�M��*�0����*�8��q�’��*���1V:��сy9>�F֜�n���f�Z�Qm!$f6�y�a�N��D�w H��@��x”��c+K� ��S:�xI�~KKpf98����Pj��]�G��yXi>�X�)��(Ȣ��5��7Z�y`��#���H�_�Sz:;�F���`z���L0g���$b��<@!�2�dq<�^u��}�y�h�� �`����J��R�೮�'��Т�Qlmq�Z[-��,_�+��Ť`�b?�`�l���9�܊� rAE/xesnq<��R�P�|�y�~-��j�DS�b%T��9 ����6�P��$`5��3t��uf?B�Y���ͤ���FOb�0�ҵY�X'�Vo)z��Q��N�ڭ�j��> ��{��g����P�1b9 |� �b�4��g8��@�7X�( �8M�sN�-h�����<6֙�Ft��{i욊A�X9��-��9B�N������j�`ӓ� n��^b�ٯ���'����bE����� .�G�9G�� ��^�f�e�jb��LF2�M�UY �����b����R�j��> I�A~qL�qG�,��qB��8E�~�^�K��} ]iV�`�s��Yt�� �QOWɿ� md���C�0�’U���k����O��yL�9L�ݵ(��a3�^�.V�Sa ���&PM>_�{���7�4‹����]3���EՐLjq;]EՃ:I��7��k�K���f7�W�j�u���X���Z]�I������9 U�s��c}�o�:�k.��+vi���m�k�(�������~u�s�8����S>Ǿ�85��o���6^RM���Qm��9<�v�������܅G.�@A�e){蓹�8��꒱j��u*���쀸p-�xTIS���;���P��]�Ӝ��K��n�58���Ů"{p���Moj*K0� ��V�1��r�3� �A��Vη���)��9g������*}n9�cnncܷ��3���o cnB1�Rd��TT�S�zz5�{!ȸ���@0:Ds�Z��Q]�1�o���]�~7����yk�ϵ'y{g���od2R��:�F�;o�P]�<Ƭ��m����m�Z[c�g�_�� 2O�b�$�s�c[k;����v4�'�z�[E(��U�T�_�{Nv��q��E�*~�>A���Q�{�%F9�H�#�v��<�+��^���{������ZZڧ��Q.�P�}������kr�� �%;ye�M�RhEC}�4#xcN�&�^*9��ԐXڤ�v~�дW��7?jD}IKlsh�"�P��S����" �dK>]�>�� zQ>Z/{ֻ�n#zo��oԜ�1��8ʕ-��K�u��j�캍%�Q-�SPO���_�c�y�f��[򛙍׃zUj1��*�]�f�)}�S���/���b@�Y�: Q������I�3�,YU����_��M}oR���6�md�|zu�yf�H�8�>Z�Vm�’TY��8�C�6�q���ZϘ�A��k�HO���^�� ��BD��)#�uU�nBK����Ѣ�q��c��� rJ(����$ (9g�ߴS�xd5(���m��`�Z 7�d0J����B`�M�P�b߲��O8��T��x�>�b�ԌJ�Cy�p�I�l�(�M�6��5�ѭ�8M���+t%D :�,�8�ŸC�yx7��G}��zZGǨ�3B�� 20�]�u?v����ѩ� �y���qC�$`�ݩN �!�9=؛F���AEF�J�m����=�fvS)�Mܐ*��:Q�3J^�����*��{�”+݅�^��vI��<,��=d�x,�w�#%���^#�XnGW[�0&J]�ߣq_�}3�C��>�C^�{pO��c��ƫ��թ|�g<�zmܪ.-笢����q�%hn�H��QI�-���bi�x|�B0��<1����@Nd^�l��:5�ʢƅ�q7�����oƊ�rO�� 9<�����Y[�8e*J�K�����h���*��=C�<+�q���M��R B�Y������@�� endstream endobj 34 0 obj 3845 endobj 35 0 obj [ 12 0 R 13 0 R 14 0 R 16 0 R 18 0 R 20 0 R 22 0 R 24 0 R 25 0 R 27 0 R 29 0 R 31 0 R 32 0 R ] endobj 36 0 obj << /Resources 37 0 R /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /BleedBox [0 0 612 792] /TrimBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 38 0 R /Annots 35 0 R /Contents 33 0 R >> endobj 39 0 obj << /Name /Im3 /Type /XObject /Length 40 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode /Subtype /Image /Width 121 /Height 20 /BitsPerComponent 8 /ColorSpace /DeviceGray >> stream x���}L�eǿ�w�� ��I��*�fB�J��l�&YFm�l��h1g/:����sM�oTs��-� �M�r���6^�˷�<�{)iD4��>��;�|��<�9P������{+0����^9[2��Bt����`ӌr]Z�c.��Lq�qB�Zg�A���M/]^�G <����*�lYc��K�6;A�l,�N�]M�$0�����D�y5�d���AZS�T�u�� k<��o{X�?|�V�d���3/��� �V�/2��3@�0O3`��X�fW[B�C�W��ZI�/��3��S~�޳��V'�ů��,�}+ɔg��3-���4 3{`&���z˄h}�c�1�6��>4��$��зW�!VfXPpAr�*̅��rh�2�`”���vevm�@�������6� endstream endobj 71 0 obj 4541 endobj 70 0 obj << /Length 72 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x�� yG�������_(0�� endstream endobj 72 0 obj 25 endobj 73 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type0 /BaseFont /EAAAAB+ArialMTPro-Bold /Encoding /Identity-H /ToUnicode 74 0 R /DescendantFonts [75 0 R] >> endobj 75 0 obj << /Type /Font /BaseFont /EAAAAB+ArialMTPro-Bold /CIDToGIDMap /Identity /Subtype /CIDFontType2 /CIDSystemInfo << /Registry (Adobe) /Ordering (UCS) /Supplement 0 >> /FontDescriptor 68 0 R /DW 0 /W [ 0 [500 277 332 666 555 555 610 388 277 332 555 721 610 277 555 610 610 721 555 943 610 721 277 277 610 721 721 832 277 666 610 610 777 1000 277 721 332 555 666 555 555 610 777 332 555 555 555 332 888 332 ] ] >> endobj 74 0 obj << /Length 76 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x�]��j�0@�� -�E���B �����|�#�Cc�Y���ֹ�PCǺҽG�-v���U�F����!�x��Gu��~�h�B�g�����)�ɇ�e���Ѝ���D*U�/.s���oa<�Gb����BL�pRw����u�>�9�*�8��[�~�ӯ�U��yڇ%��oO��ψ?�)*�YS�C�L���Nq�Z.�V��X����dڱ���t�g�I/T��� �����TWP�X����2�3�/�cj!Y�H>���@�P�4�A��~�|��Z��A�װ� #��!�Ư�H� ��L������sR~�����|�U8��f�3k����g�s��϶~ U�*!�,?K�����c ~F�𳜦���~[��!���c�,�W��r�-^��ڮ��ה���ݚ�f�~���i��?�ʘs endstream endobj 76 0 obj 448 endobj 77 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /FontName /EAAAAC+ArialMTPro-Regular /FontBBox [-221 -321 1005 923] /Flags 33 /CapHeight 715 /Ascent 923 /Descent -321 /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 0 /MissingWidth 500 /FontFile2 78 0 R /CIDSet 79 0 R >> endobj 78 0 obj << /Length1 9352 /Length 80 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x��Z t[ՙ��I��ȲVˎ7ɲ-;v$[��ݒ�Ļ-ۊ��Y��MFR��� �$`�6t��S��6ʁmC�2%���P���<���91�mN�s߻�����_�0B( �E"���X�쥿G(� ����|�@������pP�2B�`�9 ��f栽���񝏝O����o.�c�8-c�=4��Dw���އ>�;���q��e%n^���+�”!E��� �A:P�Ay!& `anB�([�@���[�@=��~(P��Z ���~�P�n���uP�? ���K(_ �e �K~ ��xR`O)��te (�^�B�PO���R���ǡ��4�� �M#m���C� X���?AH��*(�O�� �����4@S4�K�BZ�����#�n��J��:�;&ӽ���1��$POC*�lJ��*���FF����2���^�X��?�w_��1.�0�Ν+� ���s��}�02�װ;� vp�c�k^���y�cf�.�Xj��|�V�K��b�Fb�/2U���mV��n*2����Yә-��ýc�{z7_v���x��n���������K71r����ڪ-Tjf����$����];����lm[�&��W>a�LR�l�,۬�:9`(��h �)`b�\<��&�w�z����n.NHT��5 |4�u>��{��}�o�g+W���7��?�k���숬��1��U��w�����x��Q9��g�&�:4D赭|zQ!�UڔF���q@Ct0>��o����R�7VU���g-���/P[� p�}��@�N608��v���J���:kI�%�P`�{U�ٜ3����r���b΀.�`F��at���Q���[ 85�h�Vjr�e�j9��Q��i��$iU��Ԃ�B[f*ni�z�KܩtMFbB_�&ӑ���Z8� �� �Wk!�#E��_�j@��S����MW�Y7�l����Ѵ��o�6���3�CU���H�a]�”#������.���9��VO���g�<~{Ԡ�G���I���+��'`[d|��.�PAG8��a�7��M틿�/h��e�(rj���g�G�q�_TyU$!�J ��<�;@y�U�pk�t�cɪ����P^���A�.:�[�#��p��vdz�Rx�^W����>|��sNU5����DQ�PU�x�����>� U�o�2=���AGF�]^�̲�� |R�H�U7�+)s9#5QC�er�Fg,2 ro��_�r-i��B[n�dT��W�&g�’���gj�+�p�8�*��&Q������K��g��ש,F�”�܂�AW�H�!M�Rd�`[� �W�S*�~5�kj��J��i/ʗ�F{�Ջ�ݕ�v�g�N�x�}�G�۷�Μ�������=-��@�`!K���si3���V� ��kd}A �=�[o(�3vr��;��0�M�2*�J۪�HDPwő���g˽�Ҷ��N�G�{�{��3�Ӈ�Ȓ1�_ZW�u�D{���SPQ�ȄEr�1߂a� �”�:]�T�O�S����s󲓍*E�F&�����ZХ)�/aT�o��6g�”&�e���Fͽ�T�T��>�x�wB#�Ԥk)Y��Md�����{����<��m��Rc��<�����.��� >�]����!�3[�B�ȽbgT c9����y��x�!�[Pڱ����+����go�� �j�?���-�2�:�1��o���~��C�$�I�!18H���r���س�ӑϪs+Ʀ*rU؉��Ʀv��חn�z�@nEE�ov���A�.�bQB�6 ��yx��p|��b�%6����� ?>1�Q��v�C’&�3�/Y�y�E�.�����GJe�M�6��wz���?���wA����;��ꈼ !�}�ӈ��! ]�Ѫ��6�w����L/w��Roϕm�Ǘ��Rd��e#�95��/�Vб�o ��.�`�6�U�����Ԗ_��z�fb�M��aoQMu�s��cuu��”/�gF�陘�q���zW7/]�=z�&��MyQ�Z�&’8��� ��?5�Č,�����{oH�|��ۯ:�ӊS F��ua�3�e�����)P�V ���S0,��gbH�.a� M�2�qJ�h����9��^Tl��X��^����%)غ|7����V� ߂�RB�/�^l��DJ��k�i�LEF4r���{�+���Vw�����Ό2[�5���]v{�6�^f/O�.�5��uS����$��є���’j���R]�� y�( p(x{<�|h��5i�9_>�ї!X��/��8`�vf�� �jt IL��A{* R����$�.�#�΄��q{��O�F��H�zV�S@#��A�Q�F[�В��:ݚ”���M����C+�4}j��EY#���l��a3�Ʒ�&�uv䤭7��s��=fpD���8БC�`�q����9��8� ^S^ԗ��v.�l�A�n�2�т&���gqVw#�0��g�1n������d�x���^�����>��TG������h�ؠ��I���ÇƉlӞ����[R ڲ�$1�֚ޞ�^I�z[+�r�/g�Fʅ�����������g���S�k#ѫ���y�w�o=�o�{�Ϋ���.�G�9P���+��[3?ΐ�f=����i�d40v�$��=ɲ��( ����&Hl�H ���”]��e=S߲~���2�/���4Kw��^�Q’��0�~��~1|��gMڷ��p-�M��+G�GR�;Ɠ{�F��{p��Ծf�Zw㦛߶e$������:����”��51�@�Wix�e�e,�]z>�7@��”!w�C�L��u|neT^�+�(o|w��n�z�������-M���|,�+�m��#���na�C5>��`j����E��.���l~z0��8Bl�Qг�w6�K�e����2����,�@W�nz’��qwJ���jl�*.��9�1L�* Zl�FD�4%-�E���=<�=�]��?�t�t�Қ�-��ڴ����iO.D����z�����Kt%�Z�W*���2�6���~0�����v�0��]�]��=r��[o�X`�r�;���&��[��ٓM9��WB�/}x��|vh��C³x��T�z�J/:��Y��8Ì��������^��e���F#��#��=�� ��zi�����s7NtΞ��n�+�vu���B����jM̌��6�d�d8�̻���E�>�n_�!��z��Z��_�����o��&’�� n���YI0��M㲈�{q��ޢI��_y9�@�y��+%�NX�Ju���*�QVj��;��J�<�>��5>��IZQ�lx>x1��y�!�V�c��g ���[�|�9���<��{/$��ʮ���ZqhO���,-Kk1�B��A&7B3[c�g��S6%�j�]��H���׀���W�p%dj� |JG�ߨ��X�į^�s�uPЅ8�|�v����x�{v��i�(#���rb�36��Jj��J�Ƀ�Ȥ2uD4�F��>�����yV�W;��U�8��)i��̝�X���^��6���6+nM�y���d]ibi�t�OPq_(S��Ǘ����V��ϒ���*>6�]�I��;�Do��![�mJ��)�횚�|练�w�� ά X’cN��� p:J0b>�ǿ��G6����q/p�=~ρD7��-�����J%�$a�ɓ��ج���� }V�Snq#>�|z��>6�v ������j�’�w��B$~b8�� ���������c����sVI�6�����uS|��#���t���D�E �p���������bC����^����rw@�},���K�y]a��p��_��0tZ�Z^�ƨ�G��sz�%�ٌ�(�? ��d/���{�!|6@LJ���[ᗾ*��K/V%��`y!�zӖ�IެmM�޺|C�DV3�fw�������K��7��F�e�F�}I������jRl��o�3+’ _��W���A�?Ky�&�A�q���.O�L�T��q{,C�x���� W��,l�����)x’��I��@� ���b0,�Rg-��q��@���$�F�zQ��N�?����L�@eGNߧ`���HrJ��%;���o�Y�)z{�Lg��хC�Ι�.��&��:�!+ L�`�D�]��9iN&�R֩��j���B��+��S/<��}d �i�]CK����L^�&3c|��GmGVGuQ�����fc!sF��ղ���<Νo�)��/r���;=����8���x�%�2r�_�_���T�y<��N��R!OR����;*Ƀ�Mz���UH$|� '����W�]�۞�>w w��akm��z��# ��/�{�nVU�00��?���s{Ks��������|hX�=���q�m�gc�d���+�Y���px�������iH�gD��ɋ�ɗ�g�� �B��< �Hȑ~����e/��NH֎�Y�n�m�m�2�� b��JbB >�6���3Kp������CW�h�k��;|кK����x���F�W_ܒ�V*��s�x�p�P�,,ܨ��m?�>�@��k�nX�n������~�]{���I��)�`�@��~#��5]!ѓ�X/Q��A�Lqm�Hu���؝R��k�<77�4v����}�u��}��b�c�ŴnOg�`�E��o�5��L8slj��9�_q9�+��[b ��~GK>�X,{k#�=8&EWӻ��ׁÖ �׃A�2���?���)fnc�X7��AdÐ�0) �2�R� ��ޞ^Ԅ�w�w����S����9U�ȿЈ�|�y�?ޱ%���”���Mzo��=*��NB3t�s�’OW�������Y� ���0�B6��C��T�b�+�w�7�ƕЧg�D�o$}�6A)���)D� ���b��6h��P+�]З<6A�hn&���yY�%HG� � }��lTs%P���(�2�� �W��Q"�s��g=�K�]��C�C�3���kX��D<���s� � h#�œ�1} ��@{tg�v7����*:~��G��d %'������I%<�,E|�%Z }Md���.�� VЕ���◄���b�0"�P �I�.A*Q�P��C�B= �'� ����P��6ɄP��r��`1���)GRǀ�Pg�?)�E��"�Š� ����̌P��Q�P��|�7_OBm �B=5$Ą�]�pZ���V��ȍ"h���cPBmb����V�YD��F!4MgU�j�+�Z3����9�b0@��֣N���(�'O���Ɔ`�"���룫��Qt���;=dU7E�Q��n-�0�a�X��O��b������;���"��6зFwEá鸾�����L�b��|L߹�D#Q6��C�A����ph!�յC�}wd!�y0�/G���9=��G�@t;�C��`e)�nس�AO�avN�=��Bk���6�F���ms,T*`3 �rT�{Q��5D I��Ҩ0W��ג�YKyu� (�S4��B�tLЊ�K����3M5�s�c�P� ���f�9A��S�*̱�l<�4��������t$�,l�V��ᬝgg�x�<��B�����N��.L-���V�>B��B���E����T��z �ʇ�6����’���E��ױ�� ��}��ل&�o���_��|�=B�ҹ~Ju}��o�ᘞ�ǣ�?0�Fg���tp�P�.����8L6��}�}�E�Tz��0�!���ϳ���_^�D�,�g�E�1�G���ĕH4��P����c��x9F�K�{�r����L鞰o:2����}�~�ݶ�c�9$��A�5�;��e凩�CPƉ+����b�Ųc�� ��< /�̾��H�"ع6�arP��a�`�jo[�ɜA*�T8$�����6_<614���F�g :8��cc�u;d��W���� endstream endobj 80 0 obj 6283 endobj 79 0 obj << /Length 81 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x��;��?��������GA�/0“`b“>�� � endstream endobj 81 0 obj 35 endobj 82 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type0 /BaseFont /EAAAAC+ArialMTPro-Regular /Encoding /Identity-H /ToUnicode 83 0 R /DescendantFonts [84 0 R] >> endobj 84 0 obj << /Type /Font /BaseFont /EAAAAC+ArialMTPro-Regular /CIDToGIDMap /Identity /Subtype /CIDFontType2 /CIDSystemInfo << /Registry (Adobe) /Ordering (UCS) /Supplement 0 >> /FontDescriptor 77 0 R /DW 0 /W [ 0 [500 277 332 666 555 500 555 332 221 277 500 721 555 221 555 555 555 721 500 943 555 721 721 500 555 832 555 721 666 832 277 721 277 500 610 555 500 277 777 666 277 555 555 721 555 221 495 555 555 332 555 332 494 666 221 666 530 354 610 555 555 555 888 500 666 277 555 555 500 277 349 555 277 666 610 555 743 666 777 1000 736 277 1000 1000 ] ] >> endobj 83 0 obj << /Length 85 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x�]�˪�@��y�Y�.�4v%��E/4�8�$54�q�E޾�|”�r����w�O����xmir��o�t���&�c:w���v�d*7�zX�g���6�˾?]�p��vҹ���m��c{=��M���Mcן�˯����p�?����]����}����%�u��o�C��x�������Y{jh�m� u�ƺ?��{1?[��y~�K�����xj~����i~�Y�YE(Pբ$�((ͪ���2[�Ue� PN��ް)�FY�#�̯�B���PuBA�TB����U�⍏��Nx�”D>�N_yD�e�����”_e��S���_0��t”_��/RK��ܠ��D��L�E���,�’t>�’f�O-|����Ҟ`��:�b���(�)���o�#|5|��|1p�Y�.�� ���e?�cs�y5�M�w� �>=W�p���<< /Type /Pages /Count 2 /Kids [36 0 R 58 0 R ] >> endobj 86 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 38 0 R /Lang (x-unknown) /Metadata 5 0 R /PageLabels 87 0 R >> endobj 37 0 obj << /Font << /F20 64 0 R /F18 73 0 R /F17 82 0 R >> /ProcSet [/PDF /ImageB /ImageC /Text] /XObject << /Im1 7 0 R /Im2 9 0 R /Im3 39 0 R /Im4 41 0 R >> /ColorSpace << /DefaultRGB 4 0 R >> >> endobj 87 0 obj << /Nums [0 << /S /D >>] >> endobj xref 0 88 0000000000 65535 f 0000000015 00000 n 0000000139 00000 n 0000002696 00000 n 0000002716 00000 n 0000002749 00000 n 0000003802 00000 n 0000003821 00000 n 0000005405 00000 n 0000005425 00000 n 0000007309 00000 n 0000007330 00000 n 0000007518 00000 n 0000007656 00000 n 0000007795 00000 n 0000007934 00000 n 0000008123 00000 n 0000008262 00000 n 0000008362 00000 n 0000008501 00000 n 0000008618 00000 n 0000008757 00000 n 0000008872 00000 n 0000009012 00000 n 0000009130 00000 n 0000009270 00000 n 0000009409 00000 n 0000009518 00000 n 0000009658 00000 n 0000009770 00000 n 0000009910 00000 n 0000010014 00000 n 0000010152 00000 n 0000010289 00000 n 0000014210 00000 n 0000014231 00000 n 0000014342 00000 n 0000041314 00000 n 0000041133 00000 n 0000014553 00000 n 0000015809 00000 n 0000015830 00000 n 0000017375 00000 n 0000017396 00000 n 0000017496 00000 n 0000017636 00000 n 0000017735 00000 n 0000017875 00000 n 0000018014 00000 n 0000018118 00000 n 0000018257 00000 n 0000018371 00000 n 0000018511 00000 n 0000018602 00000 n 0000018742 00000 n 0000018882 00000 n 0000021774 00000 n 0000021795 00000 n 0000021864 00000 n 0000022075 00000 n 0000022342 00000 n 0000025662 00000 n 0000025641 00000 n 0000025763 00000 n 0000025782 00000 n 0000026302 00000 n 0000025950 00000 n 0000026739 00000 n 0000026759 00000 n 0000027018 00000 n 0000031676 00000 n 0000031655 00000 n 0000031777 00000 n 0000031796 00000 n 0000032385 00000 n 0000031958 00000 n 0000032909 00000 n 0000032929 00000 n 0000033191 00000 n 0000039591 00000 n 0000039570 00000 n 0000039702 00000 n 0000039721 00000 n 0000040454 00000 n 0000039886 00000 n 0000041113 00000 n 0000041200 00000 n 0000041541 00000 n trailer << /Root 86 0 R /Info 1 0 R /ID [<24E5BA0D41A1E9042D73082F0156AF92> <24E5BA0D41A1E9042D73082F0156AF92>] /Size 88 >> startxref 41585 %%EOF

Austerity Cuts May Have Some Explosive Results — See Also

Flatten the Research Curve

Flatten the Research Curve

Navigate the latest changes to federal and state laws, regulations, and executive orders; ranging from Banking & Finance to Tax, Securities, Labor & Employment / HR & Benefits, and more.

Navigate the latest changes to federal and state laws, regulations, and executive orders; ranging from Banking & Finance to Tax, Securities, Labor & Employment / HR & Benefits, and more.

This Law School Is The Best By A Healthy Margin

(Image via Getty)

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day!

According to data collected by ALM for their 2020 Go-To Law Schools ranking, Columbia Law School again came in the top space, placing 70 percent of their graduates in Biglaw jobs. By how many percentage points is CLS above the next law school on the list?

Hint: University of Pennsylvania Law School took the second spot again this year.

See the answer on the next page.

Idle Chatter: 3 Big Misconceptions About Section 230 Of The Communications Decency Act

First Amendment expression is a significant pillar of our constitutional freedoms in the United States, and when it comes to free expression online, the protections for vigorous debate over the internet should be no exception. Now, more than ever, online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are providing incredible means through which to share not only ideas but news and events. The interesting fact is that none other than President Donald Trump himself enjoys using Twitter to directly reach his more than 81 million followers. His tweets, however, are not without controversy, and it seems some of them have now fanned the flames of “censorship” of content (or users) by online platforms, claiming that the social media platform (and others) may be engaging in activity that is eroding the very bedrock principle of First Amendment expression. Whether you agree with him or not, the underlying premise and its context is worth a look, and may even open your eyes to seeing online content liability in a new light.

How this issue came to a head recently is no surprise. After Trump posted a number of tweets on Twitter about potential fraud in mail-in voting, Twitter apparently added an alert within those tweets encouraging users to “[g]et the facts about mail-in ballots.” This drew an immediate and intense response from Trump against Twitter, claiming that “@Twitter is now interfering in the 2020 Election” by relying on fact-checking from “fake news” CNN and The Washington Post. Seems like some robust free expression to me, but the interesting point here is that Twitter itself acknowledged that Trump’s tweets did not violate Twitter’s terms of use and policies, yet Twitter felt obliged to add the warning label. Trump was less than amused — this interaction prompted him to recently sign an executive order directing federal agencies to alter their interpretation of the liability protections afforded internet service providers under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.  Interesting, indeed — but for different reasons than you may think.

To those who are not familiar, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 helped shape the internet as it stands today. Under Section 230(c)(1), “no provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” In essence, Section 230 protects internet service providers from being treated like publishers, affording them immunity from liability for the content that is posted on their platforms. Further, Section 230 allows such providers to avoid liability for taking action “in good faith to restrict access to or availability of material that the provider or user considers to be obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable, whether or not such material is constitutionally protected.”  What does this mean? It means that such providers can regulate certain content that meets such criteria without fear of civil liability for removing it.

From my experience with Section 230 since its inception, I find the current debate striking because many policymakers (and many lawyers) seem to misunderstand certain aspects of Section 230 and its application that are affecting the debate. Here are the three biggest misconceptions regarding Section 230 that everyone needs to keep in mind:

  1. Don’t Get Caught Up With “Publisher” And “Platform.” Given the text of Section 230(c)(1) and the jurisprudence prior its enactment, it is easy to fall into the trap of seeing a legal distinction between “platform” and “publisher” and the extent of control over the content; however, this would be in error. The focus should remain on whether a platform is a “speaker” of the content. For example, if someone posted a defamatory reaction (i.e., comment) to an article posted by a staff writer for Yahoo News, then Yahoo News would not be liable for such defamation simply because it posted the comment. On the other hand, if any of Yahoo’s news editors or staff writers posted defamatory content on the Yahoo News website, then Yahoo News could be held liable for such posting because they would be the “information content provider.” For lack of better words, the online platform must not be the originator of the defamatory content at issue for Section 230 immunity to apply.
  2. Copyrights Are NOT The Issue In Section 230. The fact that an internet service provider may store content it does not know to be infringing or otherwise “take down” such content under its policies and procedures and not be held liable for doing so should not be confused with Section 230 immunity. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and more specifically, Section 512, not only addresses immunity for the transmission and caching of infringing content through automated means, but the requirements for receiving immunity from liability for the storage of infringing content it does not know to be infringing that resides on the platform. Of course, the DMCA is a lot more involved than the thumbnail reference above, but the point is that the DMCA is addressing immunity from liability for actions taken with respect to copyright infringement. Section 230, however, deals with immunity from liability for the posting of defamatory, obscene, excessively violent content, etc., whether or not such material is constitutionally protected.
  3. Section 230 Does NOT Provide Blanket Immunity. Section 230 definitely provides very broad immunity (by design), however, it is not blanket immunity. Section 230 does not, in fact, protect an internet service provider against criminal prosecution under federal statutes. For example, Section 230 does not grant immunity to websites that facilitate and profit from revenge pornography and sextortion, among others. With the enactment of the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” (FOSTA) signed by Trump in 2018, it became illegal for internet service providers to knowingly assist, support, or facilitate sex trafficking as well.  As a result, Section 230 does nothing to immunize an internet service provider from criminal prosecution under such relevant federal statutes.

Regardless of one’s political persuasion, most of us can agree that First Amendment expression is, indeed, a “bedrock” constitutional principle. Does this mean that Twitter’s actions on Trump’s tweets merit a remake of Section 230? At best, Twitter’s action seems ill-advised because it is not something consistently applied across the entire service — the notion of a social media platform potentially “taking sides” is repugnant to our notions of justice and fair play and undermines legitimate discourse. That said, do these facts merit a re-evaluation of Section 230 immunity? Given the broad interpretation of Section 230 by the courts since the law’s enactment, there is a good chance that more restrictive interpretation of Section 230 in line with Trump’s executive order will face an uphill constitutional battle. Perhaps that is the point. Inquiring minds will definitely differ, but the point here is that any debate should maintain the correct perspective on Section 230 and what is does (and does not) do. Anything else is just, well, idle chatter.


Tom Kulik is an Intellectual Property & Information Technology Partner at the Dallas-based law firm of Scheef & Stone, LLP. In private practice for over 20 years, Tom is a sought-after technology lawyer who uses his industry experience as a former computer systems engineer to creatively counsel and help his clients navigate the complexities of law and technology in their business. News outlets reach out to Tom for his insight, and he has been quoted by national media organizations. Get in touch with Tom on Twitter (@LegalIntangibls) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/technologylawyer), or contact him directly at tom.kulik@solidcounsel.com.

Coronavirus Cures Terminally Ill Hedge Fund