90 Miles From Tyranny

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Leader Of The Pack...

New Trafficking Report: From China to Ireland, Human Slavery Is Still a Big Global Problem

The latest report on human trafficking around the world is out, and it's not good news.

The State Department released its annual Trafficking in Persons or "TIP" report Thursday. Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, who helped form some of the nation's human trafficking laws roughly 20 years ago, says it's a tough but fair report.

"China continues to own the worst human trafficking rating of major nations in the world, scoring a Tier 3. Hong Kong, increasingly under the thumb of the Chinese government, is almost as bad, landing on the Tier 2 watchlist," Smith said.

This year for the first time, the report named some governments as complicit in trafficking. In addition to China, those governments include Cuba, North Korea, Russia, and Afghanistan. Their poor status in the TIP report could trigger sanctions and aid cuts.

Smith pointed out that the 2020 report has another disappointing first-time addition – Ireland has been added on the Tier 2 watchlist.

"It's a very disappointing rating but telling," said Smith, who happens to be of Irish heritage. "Since 2013, Ireland has failed to secure a single trafficking conviction and has decreased victim protection efforts. Ireland deserves to be called out. Friends don't let friends ignore trafficking abuses. With the eyes of the world now upon it, Ireland must do better."

Congressman Smith has been at the forefront of the battle against modern slavery known as trafficking, passing laws that created policies to prevent trafficking, prosecute traffickers, and protect victims.

One of his laws has been used to prosecute and jail thousands of human traffickers, even leading to the charges brought against Jeffrey Epstein and the infamous conviction of...

CALLOUS BRUTE: Shock moment man punches elderly woman, 78, in the head and then plays the victim

COPS are on the hunt for a spineless assailant who was caught on video punching a 78-year-old woman in the head in Brooklyn.

The crook was seen strolling down the sidewalk before hitting the woman in the unprovoked attack in Bushwick on June 10.

According to cops, the woman suffered "substantial pain" but turned down medical attention.

The NYPD said on Friday that the man was still at large and are urging people to get in contact with NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline for a potential cash reward.

Surveillance video captures the moment he walks towards the unsuspecting woman before sucker-punching her.

He seems to shout something as he slugs her in the head.

As the woman cries out and staggers, the man instantly appears to act as if it was her fault.

VICIOUS ATTACK

He continues to dispute the punch before running off.

The man, described as a black male, approximately five-foot-nine, is seen raising his palms in question as the woman holds her head in pain.

He was wearing a black long sleeve shirt, green pants and black shoes.

According to cops, the woman suffered "substantial pain" but turned down medical attention.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline anonymously for a potential cash reward at 1-800-577-8477.

This is the latest in a random and seemingly unprovoked attack, earlier this month a 92-year-old woman was punched in the head in Manhattan.

The pensioner was hit with such force she stumbled and hit her head again on a fire hydrant.

Cops have since arrested Rashid Brimmage, 31, who has...