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Paul Rusesabagina's Health Declines - Dizziness and High Blood Pressure Soars

Prescribed Medication Withheld For Illegally Kidnapped & Jailed Humanitarian

CHICAGO - Dec. 28, 2020  -- Paul Rusesabagina has now been in prison after being illegally kidnapped and held bound and blindfolded in Rwanda for 123 days.

His wife and family are extremely concerned about his health as they have been since he was kidnapped. In recent weeks, the situation has become much worse. Paul's wife, Taciana, is more than just a concerned wife, she is also a trained nurse who has worked in hospitals and owned a private pharmacy. She is very concerned that the Rwandan government is setting Paul up to suffer a stroke due to his ongoing hypertension.

In talking with Paul on Friday, Christmas Day, on the family's weekly five minute call, he sounded very upset about his health, which is rare for him. He usually tries to protect the family from the worst of his condition. On this call though, he asked us to "pass this message on to who you have to." From Paul, this is a very serious sign.

He has been mentioning that his blood pressure is high since the family were first able to talk with him, and getting higher on recent calls. In addition, he has complained of dizziness and headaches. On the family

call this week, he said that his dizziness is worse, and is getting in the way of his normal functioning during the day. Paul has also lost a significant amount of weight during his imprisonment, according to information from his lawyer and the media, the family believes in the range of 30-40 pounds. On someone of Paul's frame, about 5'8" this is an alarming amount of weight.

Taciana Rusesabagina said, "The family is very concerned because my husband Paul has not been given the medicine prescribed to him for years by his Belgian doctor. We sent supplies of this medicine to the Belgian Embassy, and were told that they delivered them to the Rwandan prison. These medications never reached my husband."

The only medicine that Rusesabagina is given by the Rwandan government is two pills a day, a double dose from the one pill a day two weeks ago. He is told that these are for blood pressure, but there is no way for him or his family to know whether this is true. These pills could be for anything. Most importantly, they are obviously not working as Paul's blood pressure is higher than ever and his dizziness is worsening. These are incredibly serious symptoms that are pre-conditions for a stroke.

There are standards for treatment of blood pressure that the Rwandans are clearly not following with Rusesabagina. He should have remained on his existing medicine that was provided to him by his Belgian doctor via the Belgian consular officials. With Rusesabagina's marked weight loss, he should also have his medications and condition fully reassessed, since blood pressure is clearly related to weight.

Most importantly, it is clear that the current medications he is taking are not working. Standard medical treatment in this situation involves trying other medications or combinations of medications to find the specific treatment that works for the patient's physiology. Doubling the dose of a medication that is not working is completely insufficient if that does not work immediately. Hypertension patients typically work with their doctors for weeks or months to find the treatment that works best for them. Paul had this with his Belgian doctors. The Rwandan doctors are starting over with a single medication, ignoring his previous medication despite the fact that it was provided to him.

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PRLog - Global Press Release Distribution

Even worse, the Rwandan government continues to deny that there is anything wrong with Rusesabagina. In press releases and statements by people like the Rwandan Ambassador to the United States and the Rwandan Justice Minister, they insist that Paul has medical treatment and that he is fine. The Rwanda authorities are telling the U.S. and Belgian government that his blood pressure is high, but explain that this is probably due to a "new machine" that they are testing which is not properly calibrated. However, the machine does not factor in the dizziness, which is due to hypertension. These stories are completely false, and these lies may be intended to hide his worsening condition so that no one intervenes. Rusesabagina is likely being told by the Rwandans to tell both the Belgian and United States diplomats that he "is fine."

Rusesabagina has no access to his Belgian doctor. In addition, his Belgian doctor has requested information from the Rwandan doctor, but this has not been granted. And again, the medicine sent by the Belgian doctor was never given to Rusesabagina.

The Rusesabagina family has pleaded with the Rwandan government to free Paul Ruseabagina on compassionate grounds, but now believe that his situation is worsening by the day and that a health crisis may come sooner rather than later. Thus the family, led by Paul's wife, Taciana, once again urge the governments of both the United States and Belgium to intervene. If Rusesabagina's health continues to deteriorate, all three governments will bear responsibility.

Paul Rusesabagina was illegally kidnapped and taken to Rwanda, he is innocent of all the charges that the Rwandan government has manufactured against him. He will not receive a fair trial in the Rwandan system, his health is now an IMMEDIATE concern. Prisoners in the Rwandan system frequently die or are disappeared. Paul's family is desperately concerned that he will become President Paul Kagame's latest victim.

#FreeRusesabagina

Website: www.hrrfoundation.com Twitter: @freethehero (https://twitter.com/freethehero) Facebook: @FreePaulRusesabagina (https://www.facebook.com/FreePaulRusesabagina) Instagram: #FreeRusesabagina (https://www.instagram.com/freerusesabagina/?hl=en) TikTok: #FreeRusesabagina (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJyXmy5k/)

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The Rusesabagina Family Thanks Congresswoman Maloney for Her Courage and Dedication to Human Rights

CHICAGO - Dec. 17, 2020 - -- Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) showed great courage and a commitment to human rights when she wrote Rwandan President Paul Kagame and urged him to release Hotel Rwanda hero Paul Rusesabagina. In her letter, Maloney stressed what the Rusesabagina family and Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation have said all along; that he was kidnapped and taken to Rwanda, where he was arrested and detained. He never would have gotten on the Gain Jet plane had he known its real destination was Kigali and not Burundi.

Mahoney further states that when Kagame took Rusesabagina against his will, Kagame violated international and United States law. She underscored that by resorting to clandestine methods, he ignored all legal processes used to extradite suspected criminals from another nation. There is a process that provides basic protections to people in the United States while allowing people who have been accused of crimes to be sent back to the country that wants to prosecute. The United States has deported four people to Rwanda over the course of the last 20 years. Additionally, four others are currently in Americans prisons and will be sent back to Rwanda once they have completed their sentences. If Kagame had credible evidence, he would have gone through the normal process as he had with other cases. This alone is reason to let Rusesabagina go.

Rusesabagina said in open court that he was tortured after he was taken. He was bound and blindfolded on the GainJet plane and held incommunicado for several days. Furthermore, he is a cancer survivor who has several health problems such as hypertension, and other cardiovascular problems. The Rwandan prison where he is being held has been reported as being one of the worst places for Covid-19. Rusesabagina has been taken to the hospital a few times. Despite this, he has been denied access to the medicine he needs. Maloney underscores the humanitarian reasons to release Rusesabagina.

Rusesabagina is a human rights activist. His bravery saved 1,268 people during the Rwandan genocide. In 2005, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is not someone who deserves to be treated this way.

By sending Kagame this letter, Congresswoman Maloney stressed the importance of due process, the rule of law and the United States commitment to human rights. She let Kagame know that Rusesabagina has full support of the United States government. She should be thanked and applauded for her courage, resolve, and commitment to helping people like Rusesabagina who is a permanent United States resident.

Read Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's letter ( https://hotelrwandarusesabaginafoundation.files.wordpress...)

#FreeRusesabagina

Website: www.hrrfoundation.com Twitter: @freethehero (https://twitter.com/freethehero) Facebook: @FreePaulRusesabagina (https://www.facebook.com/FreePaulRusesabagina) Instagram: #FreeRusesabagina (https://www.instagram.com/freerusesabagina/?hl=en) TikTok: #FreeRusesabagina (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJyXmy5k/)

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Bank Robbers Have Getaway Cars, Paul Rusesabagina's Kidnappers Had GainJet

Family, Legal Team of Illegally Extradited and Jailed Humanitarian File Lawsuit Against Complicit Aviation Company GainJet

SAN ANTONIO - Dec. 16, 2020 -- This morning the family and legal representatives of illegally extradited and jailed humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina held a virtual press conference to announce a lawsuit against aviation company GainJet for their role in kidnapping Hotel Rwanda hero Paul Rusesabagina. This case arises out of a conspiracy between the Rwandan government and defendant GainJet to engage in the unlawful extradition, arbitrary detention, and torture of Paul Rusesabagina.

In late August 2020, the international human rights icon whose story of saving 1,268 people during the Rwandan Genocide as told in the film Hotel Rwanda, was flown by GainJet against his will from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Kigali, Rwanda. Paul boarded the GainJet flight expecting to travel to Burundi, where he believed he was going to speak at churches and public gatherings about his experiences with the Rwandan genocide at the invitation of Constantin Niyomwungere (the Bishop), who is also named in the lawsuit.

For years, Paul has been targeted by the Rwandan government for speaking out about human rights abuses perpetrated by the regime of President Kagame. Threats against him further increased as he became an internationally known humanitarian. Paul left Rwanda two decades ago, gaining Belgian citizenship and lawful permanent resident status in the United States where he has a home in San Antonio, Texas. Out of fear for his life, Paul previously swore never to return to Kigali while there is a brutal dictator in power but continued his life's work dedicated to bringing peace and democracy to Rwanda and motivating governments, nongovernmental organizations, and ordinary people to work together to prevent genocide throughout the world. He longed to be able to return to Rwanda but only when there is sustainable peace in both his homeland and the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

GainJet has previously run charters carrying President Kagame, including bringing him to the U.S. where he enjoys freedoms while at the same time behaving like a strongman dictator in Rwanda. The Africa base of GainJet's operations is in Rwanda with their main headquarters located in Athens, Greece.

"Transportation is the key element in a kidnapping and GainJet was the only reason Paul was able to be successfully and illegally taken to Rwanda. There is proof that the invoices from GainJet were paid for by the government of Rwanda. Bank robbers use getaway cars, Kagame used GainJet," said lead attorney Robert Hilliard of Texas-based Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP. "The wrongful kidnapping of Paul Rusesabagina, international human rights icon and U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, is a world issue. As the Rev. Martin Luther King recognized 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'"

"GainJet had an independent responsibility as an international jet charter service to protect the safety of all of their passengers, not just those paying the bills. Paul has confirmed that while he was on the GainJet flight, he was bound and tied before it landed in Rwanda. Despite this, GainJet and its employees and agents did not issue any international 'Mayday' call or 'squawk '7700" on the radio — the internationally recognized code for distress or an emergency situation in flight. The pilots had to know they were taking part in a kidnapping," added Hilliard.

The complaint was filed in federal court in San Antonio, Texas. View Rusesabagina Complaint Against GainJet (https://hotelrwandarusesabaginafoundation.files.wordpress...).

"In a world increasingly beset by false narratives, manufactured ambiguity, and fake news, the legal system and lawsuits like this one become even more important. We are going to shine a lot of light on this situation. And I think the facts will show that Paul Kagame is a tyrant, not a president, that Constantin Niyomwungere is a criminal, not a Bishop, and that GainJet is better described as a flying prison cell than a private jet charter," said attorney Nicholas Shadowen of Hilliard Shadowen LLP.

Attorneys Robert Hilliard of Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP and Nicholas Shadowen of Hilliard Shadowen LLP were joined at the virtual press conference by Paul's wife Tatiana Rusesabagina and two of his adult children, Anaïse Kanimba and Roger Rusesabagina. Participants also included Dr. Brian Endless, a political science professor at Loyola University-Chicago and senior adviser for the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation and moderator Kitty Kurth, president of Kurth Lampe Worldwide, an international public affairs firm that has represented Paul Rusesabagina for over a decade.

A recording of the press conference can be viewed on the #FreeRusesabagina Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/FreePaulRusesabagina

#FreeRusesabagina

Website: www.hrrfoundation.com Twitter: @freethehero Facebook: @FreePaulRusesabagina Instagram: #FreeRusesabagina TikTok: #FreeRusesabagina

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CELEBRATE BIDEN/HARRIS WIN & LOCAL VOLUNTEERS: INDIVISIBLE CHICAGO’S VIRTUAL INAUGURATION CELEBRATION JANUARY 20

Illinois reps Underwood, Casten, Newman kick off Everything New is Blue Again, free, interactive comedy and music show to thank volunteers and celebrate their work to elect Biden-Harris ticket

CHICAGO, IL, January 4, 2021 - Indivisible Chicago announces Everything New is Blue Again, the group’s celebration of its successful “3 States, 1 Mission” campaign to rebuild the Midwest Blue Wall and send Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House, Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. CT.

Produced in partnership with the Hideout Inn and Chicago4Real, Indivisible Chicago’s virtual party will stream live on Facebook, Twitch and partner websites. Here’s the initial lineup, with more details TBA:  

5:30 p.m.: Indivisible Chicago’s Tom Moss and Marj Halperin will host a live panel discussion with the three Illinois Congressional leaders Indivisible volunteers helped propel into office: Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten and Marie Newman. 

6 p.m.: Live improv comedy and special musical guests, including singer-songwriter Michael McDermott. Also: vignettes from Indivisible volunteers, chronicling their work. Directed by Second City veteran TJ Shanoff and emceed by radio host Justin Kaufmann, the show cast, in formation, will include well-known veterans of Chicago’s improv scene. Special thanks go to The Hideout Inn for helping coordinate musical performances and show producer David Sterling.

7 p.m.: If the Biden-Harris team hosts its own celebration, Everything New is Blue Again turns into Chicago’s #1 inauguration watch party. We’ll celebrate this victory and the volunteers who helped put our country back on track.

The event is free, but guests will need to register at https://www.indivisiblechicago.com/inauguration to receive the party link.

“In some ways, the Biden-Harris win has felt like a slow-motion victory,” said Indivisible Chicago Executive Director Darcey Regan. “But as long as it’s taken to certify – and re-certify – the results, our volunteers have been working even longer. While we can’t all be together on inauguration night, it’ll be incredibly gratifying to join virtually and celebrate our volunteers who fought through the pandemic to ensure real leadership for this country.” 

The “3 States, 1 Mission” campaign officially kicked off in February, with extensive plans to canvass in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. COVID-19 shut down those plans before they could begin, forcing Indivisible Chicago volunteers to quickly pivot to campaign tools better suited to the pandemic.

Throughout the year, Indivisible Chicago volunteers: 

made more than a half-million phone calls

sent 1.4 million texts

knocked on 17,000 doors in Michigan—during a pandemic

wrote 685,000 postcards and started a national movement that exploded to 15.7 million written by 100,000 volunteers across the country. 

For the Georgia runoffs, The Democratic Senate Coordinating Committee asked Indivisible Chicago to relaunch the successful phone banks, and these have been running through January 4 to encourage early voting in person and through absentee ballots. Indivisible Chicago’s postcard program was also extended to reach more than 1 million Georgia voters.

In the 2018 midterms, Indivisible Chicago helped Illinois Democratic candidates Lauren Underwood and Sean Casten win their tightly contested suburban races for congress with volunteer canvassing trips, phone banks, and postcard parties. This year, Indivisible Chicago supported Casten’s and Underwood’s re-election campaigns, while Marie Newman called the group her “special sauce” for support that propelled her to Congress representing Illinois’ 3rd District. 

About Indivisible Chicago Launched in January, 2017, Indivisible Chicago is a progressive coalition of neighborhood chapters throughout the Chicago area. One presidential term later, Indivisible Chicago is recognized as a national leader in the grassroots movement to advance progressive values, candidates, and elected officials. Indivisible Chicago’s proven track record includes helping rebuild the Midwest Blue Wall in 2020 as the largest independent, out-of-state phone bank operation for both Michigan and Wisconsin. Indivisible Chicago field operations helped elect Illinois Representatives Sean Casten (IL06) and Lauren Underwood (IL14), knocking on 20,000 doors in that campaign’s last weekend alone. Indivisible Chicago also serves as a reliable partner for impacted communities seeking to elevate their cause. This includes support for the Black Lives Matter movement and coordinating logistics for the 2018 Families Belong Together rally, which drew 60,000 to Daley Plaza in support of immigrants seeking refuge at our southern border. Visit indivisiblechicago.com to sign up for the coalition’s mailing list or join the nearest Indivisible Chicago chapter. For the latest updates, follow Indivisible Chicago on Facebook (@IndivisibleChi), Twitter (@IndivisibleChi) and Instagram (@IndivisibleChicago). 

To work with Indivisible Chicago in partnership, please email info@indivisiblechicago.com.                                                                                                                                             #   #   #

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Geeks Gather to Support Healthcare Workers Battling COVID-19

Geeks 4 HOPE Announced by Patrick Rothfuss’ Worldbuilders

For Immediate Release

April 27, 2020 For More Information Kevin Lampe (312) 617-7280 kevin@kurthlampe.com

Worldbuilders, the geeks doing good non-profit founded by best-selling fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss, announces a fundraiser for healthcare workers battling COVID-19 - Geeks 4 HOPE.

Now through May 1, 2020 - Geeks 4 HOPE  will focus the power of geekery and fandom to provide personal protection equipment, training, and other support to health care workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. People can visit http://geeks4hope.com to watch the live streams and make donations.

The week will feature live-streamed interviews, discussions, performances, and more with authors, artists, and gamers hosted by the Worldbuilders staff. Donations are tax-deductible, and all proceeds will go to Project HOPE to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 for health care workers and in our communities.

Geeks 4 HOPE schedule

Monday, April 27

2 pm cdt  - 4 pm cdt Patrick Rothfuss live streaming

The Founder of Worldbuilders and author of the KingKiller Chronicles shares his joy of gaming and more to help raise funds for Geeks4Hope!

6pm cdt - 7pm cdt Myke Cole (author of Sixteenth Watch & The Armored Saint) talks with Rabih Torbay, CEO of Project HOPE

What happens when a security contractor, government civilian, military officer, author, and TV fugitive hunter interviews the President & COO of an international charity that has responded to every major disaster since the 2004 tsunami, deploying staff, volunteers, & critical medical support where it's needed? We're going to find out as Myke Cole and Rabih Torbay talk about creative solutions to crisis situations as part of #Geeks4hope

Tuesday, April 28

1 pm cdt Author S. L. Huang’s Critical Point book release and virtual book signing

S.L. Huang, Hugo-nominated author of the Cas Russell trilogy, celebrates the release of her new thriller "Critical Point" with a livestream signing books for Worldbuilders. These books are available for pre-order at worldbuildersmarket.com/collections/sl-huang .

2 pm cdt  - 4 pm cdt Patrick Rothfuss live streaming

The Founder of Worldbuilders and author of the KingKiller Chronicles shares his joy of gaming and more to help raise funds for Geeks4Hope!

Wednesday, April 29

2 pm cdt  - 4 pm cdt Patrick Rothfuss live streaming

The Founder of Worldbuilders and author of the KingKiller Chronicles shares his joy of gaming and more to help raise funds for Geeks4Hope!

8 pm cdt Meet the New Worldbuilders: Gray, Zay and the Rothfuss

The mission of geeks doing good is central to Worldbuilders, but the beginning of 2020 the Worldbuilders team brought in a new Executive Director, Gray Miller, and Assistant Director, Zay Olsen. They safely and distantly hang out with Founder & Author Patrick Rothfuss in this livestream to talk about geekery, games, and the One True Whiskey Sour. Oh, and the ongoing mission of Worldbuilders to help make the world a better place. That, too.

Thursday, April 30

2 pm cdt  - 4 pm cdt Patrick Rothfuss live streaming

The Founder of Worldbuilders and author of the KingKiller Chronicles shares his joy of gaming and more to help raise funds for Geeks4Hope!

6 pm cdt - 7 pm cdt James Ernest & Mike Selinker & Tom Cotter, Emergency Response Director of Project HOPE hosted by Zay from Woldbuilders

Board game developers James Ernest and Mike Selinker join ProjectHOPE Emergency Response Director Tom Cotter and Worldbuilders Assistant Director Zay! Whoa! So they just Launched the new Lords of Vegas! Come over and hang out with the brilliant game developers James Ernest and Mike Selinker – and Zay from Worldbuilders. Determine who would have been the best casino boss and the ultimate conqueror of the Vegas strip in another time.

Friday, May 1

2 pm cdt  - 4 pm cdt Patrick Rothfuss live streaming

The Founder of Worldbuilders and author of the KingKiller Chronicles shares his joy of gaming and more to help raise funds for Geeks4Hope!

More guests and performances will be announced during the week-long fundraiser.

“So… the world is burning. We’re all scared. Every day is a struggle… and for me a huge part of that struggle is wishing I could do more to help than simply isolate myself and hoard canned goods. And I know I’m not alone: so many of my friends and colleagues in the geek community feel the same way. We *all* want to help, and we don’t know how….” said Rothfuss.

“So I’ve been working with Worldbuilders to find a way to help. Something we can do *right now* to help support healthcare workers, flatten the curve, and keep people safe. And here’s what we’ve come up with: #geeks4hope.” added Rothfuss. “I’m excited to give our community a way to come together and provide support for the people who need it most in places where they’re fighting the hardest.”

People can follow Geeks 4 HOPE at http://geeks4hope.com and and see announcements on social media using the hashtag #geeks4hope; on Twitter; follow @worldbuilders and @WBMarket_; Facebook Worldbuilders and Worldbuilders Market, and Instagram Worldbuilders Market

Donations are tax-deductible, and all proceeds will go to Project HOPE to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 for health care workers and in our communities.

About Project HOPE

Project HOPE operates around the world wherever the need is greatest, working side-by-side with local health workers and addressing the greatest public health challenges to enable people to live their best lives. We respond to disasters and health crises, staying on in communities after the emergency subsides to help find durable solutions to epidemics and any other neglected health needs. For more information on Project HOPE and its response to the coronavirus outbreak, visit www.projecthope.org and follow @projecthopeorg.

About Worldbuilders

Worldbuilders believes that people will always help others when given a chance, and their mission is to give everyone that chance. Worldbuilders, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, partners with established charities that might otherwise get overlooked by the geek community. The team reflects its audience of geeks, gamers, and book nerds, embodying the nonprofit’s motto of “Geeks Doing Good.” They also help fellow gamers and fans become part of their favorite stories through merchandise at Worldbuilders Market, where all the proceeds go towards supporting their mission. Over the past eleven years Worldbuilders–with the support of the community of awesome geeks–has raised more than $10 million for Heifer International. https://worldbuilders.org  

Patrick Rothfuss is the bestselling author of The Kingkiller Chronicle. His first novel, The Name of the Wind, won the Quill Award and was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Its sequel, The Wise Man’s Fear, debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller chart and won the David Gemmell Legend Award. His novels have appeared on NPR’s Top 100 Science Fiction/Fantasy Books list and Locus’ Best 21st Century Fantasy Novels list. Pat lives in Wisconsin, where he builds box forts with his children and runs Worldbuilders, a book-centered charity that has raised more than $10 million for Heifer International. He can be found at patrickrothfuss.com and on Twitter at @patrickrothfuss.

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Patrick Rothfuss Is Reminding You About Worldbuilders 2018 Anniversary Fundraiser

STEVENS POINT, Wis. - Nov. 20, 2018  -- Worldbuilders, the geeks doing good non-profit founded by New York Times best-selling fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss, announces its 10th Annual charitable fundraiser. Running from November 27 to December 11, all money raised during the 2018 two-week fundraiser will go to Heifer International to support their humanitarian efforts worldwide. Founded ten years ago by the Kingkiller Chronicles creator Patrick Rothfuss, Worldbuilders has raised more than $8.5 million for Heifer International. They are hoping to reach $10 million this year.  Last year, Worldbuilders gave away more than $200,000 worth of games, books, and other fabulous prizes including a room on the JoCoCruise, and a handcrafted gaming table. Worldbuilders began simply, one day in the living room of Patrick Rothfuss. As his first novel, The Name of the Wind, began to gather a fan base he saw an opportunity to engage them to help others. He asked people to donate to Heifer International because he liked their philosophy of "teaching someone to fish." To sweeten the pot he offered signed books (first editions and out of print versions) and posters from his own world. It wasn't long before other authors were donating books and other geeky prizes. It was incredibly successful. According to Rothfuss, Worldbuilders does one thing: raise money for charities they respect that might otherwise get overlooked by the geek community. The Worldbuilders team is full of geeks, gamers, and book nerds, and people who tend to respect intelligent solutions–whether it's a rock-solid magic system in a favorite fantasy series or an airtight game mechanic that's easy to learn and offers amazing variety. For every $10, donors receive a chance to win awesome books, games, and other prizes. There will be auctions for prizes that role-playing gamers can use in their own games, rare collectibles, and plenty of stories to share. As in years past, the most creative and interesting folks in the writing and gaming industries will be joining the fun. Watch for special blog posts, tweets, Facebook postings, and all other social media for exciting details. About Worldbuilders Worldbuilders believe that people will always help others when given the chance. It's their aim to give everyone that chance. Worldbuilders is a non-profit that does one thing: they raise money for charities they respect that might otherwise get overlooked by the geek community. The Worldbuilders team is full of geeks, gamers, and book nerds, and people who tend to respect intelligent solutions–whether it's a rock-solid magic system in a favorite fantasy series or an airtight game mechanic that's easy to learn and offers amazing variety. Over the last ten years, Worldbuilders–with the support of the community of awesome geeks–has raised more than $8.5 million for Heifer International.  (https://worldbuilders.org/) Patrick Rothfuss is the bestselling author of The Kingkiller Chronicle. His first novel, The Name of the Wind, won the Quill Award and was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Its sequel, The Wise Man's Fear, debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller chart and won the David Gemmell Legend Award. His novels have appeared on NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction/Fantasy Books list and Locus' Best 21st Century Fantasy Novels list. Pat lives in Wisconsin, where he builds box forts with his children and runs Worldbuilders, a book-centered charity that has raised more than $8.5 million for Heifer International. He can be found at patrickrothfuss.com and on Twitter at @patrickrothfuss. Heifer International Heifer's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. For more than 70 years, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in more than 25 countries, including the United States, to help communities become more self-reliant and lift farming families to a living income. For information, visit heifer.org, read our blog, follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @Heifer and @HeiferCEO or call 888.5HUNGER (888.548.6437).

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Fourth woman comes forward about sexual harassment and assault at CeaseFire/Cure Violence

CHICAGO - Nov. 16, 2018  -- A fourth woman has come forward about her own experience being sexually assaulted and serially sexually harassed as an employee at CeaseFire, the organization now known as Cure Violence. Janelle Saila said she decided to come forward after seeing the press conference earlier this month where three women, all former employees of Cure Violence, came forward about their experiences being sexually harassed and assaulted at work. The women are Ameena Matthews, star of the award-winning documentary about CeaseFire, "The Interrupters," Angalia Bianca, and Lakisha McGowan. At the press conference, they stood alongside State Rep. Kelly Cassidy and attorneys Ed Mullen and Liz Homsy as Bianca announced she would be filing a federal suit in the matter. Saila worked for CeaseFire, the organization now known as Cure Violence from 2006 to 2015. She believes she was the first woman hired by the organization and she worked as a violence interrupter, and then as a hospital liaison for CeaseFire. Following is Saila's full statement: "I saw the press conference on October 31st where Bianca, Lakisha, and Ameena from Cure Violence publicly called out the sexual harassment and discrimination by Cobe Williams, now a senior executive at Cure Violence, and their culture of mistreatment of women. I remember Bianca as a workaholic who would do anything for the organization and for the people we were trying to help. "Finally, I thought, 'it's time.' Maybe now people will see. I felt relief. "I knew Cobe when I was a 12-year old girl, and he was about 17 years old. He would chase me and other young girls to bring us to an older man in the neighborhood. He never caught me, and my relatives got him to stop. "I started working at Cure Violence when I was 25 years old, and Cobe started working there a few years later. I had not seen him in years and didn't have great memories of him, but I tried to show him the ropes and be supportive of him because I believe in second chances. "While we worked together, Cobe would blow me kisses and rub my leg under the table even when there were other people in meetings. He would write me notes and texts over and over saying he wanted to take me out, even though he knew I had a fiancé. "The behavior escalated when he was promoted to the '10th floor,' where the leadership of Cure Violence works. One day in about 2008, Cobe pulled me into a room and kissed me. I said no, so he grabbed my face, squeezed it and stuck his tongue down my throat. I pushed him away, said 'don't do me like that,' opened the door and left. "I told a co-worker, but said I didn't want to start a controversy; I just didn't want it to happen again. But it did. "Another day, I had to drive with Cobe to a work-related event. He tried to kiss me while we were in the car and he grabbed me in my genital area and said 'you are gonna get with me sometime.' I still remember his bad breath. "Cobe would frequently grab me inappropriately in the hallway. He used his influence at work to try to attract me, and he got cockier as he gained more power in the organization. He said 'you're not going to be here [in 10th-floor leadership] if you're not fucking me.' "I stopped interacting with him as much as I could. I avoided travel so I wouldn't be around him. "The leadership at Cure Violence created a culture that allowed and even encouraged this to happen. Cobe was the worst, but it was chaos with men feeling they could use women. I never made a formal report against Cobe, but there is no way Dr. Slutkin and other senior leadership didn't know what was going on. "The job shrank me out. Working with people on the street was easy. I could handle that. Working with Cobe and the men at Cure Violence was hard. It became normal, but it wasn't normal. It was wrong. I believe Bianca, Lakisha, and Ameena, because I was a victim too." The statute of limitations has passed in Saila's case so she will not be joining Bianca's lawsuit, but she said she strongly supports Bianca's efforts. Fox 32 Chicago: Top official at Chicago anti-violence group accused of workplace sexual harassment (http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/top-official-at-ch...)

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United Sued for In-Flight Sexual Assault

CHICAGO - Oct. 30, 2018  -- Craig D. Tobin of Tobin & Munoz, LLC today filed suit against United Airlines for Negligence of a Common Carrier and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress following the in-flight sexual assault of a United Airlines passenger, Katie Campos, on a flight from Newark, NJ to Buffalo, NY on December 19, 2017. "Despite screaming and repeatedly asking for help, at no time did United remove Ms. Campos from harm's way. She was forced to be on this flight for over 50 minutes in the dark while the assailant continued to sexually assault and harass her on the airplane," said Tobin. "This took place one week after United CEO Oscar Munoz issued an open letter telling everyone that he would not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assaults on United Airlines.  There is no policy in place which was clear by the lack of reaction by the flight attendants." Background: On December 19, 2017, plaintiff Katie Campos had a ticket for travel from Newark, New Jersey to Buffalo, New York aboard United Airlines Flight 1683. Campos and her fiancée Erin were returning from the Bahamas where they were celebrating their engagement. Campos was assigned seat 26D, which was the aisle seat of the three-seat configuration utilized by United's aircraft. Erin was seated in seat 26C, right across the aisle from Campos. Their last leg of their journey home from Newark to Buffalo experienced a significant delay of seven hours. The flight was originally scheduled to depart Newark at 4:00 p.m. EST but did not take off until approximately 11:00 p.m. EST. Michael Hildebrand, another passenger on the flight, consumed a substantial amount of alcohol at an airport restaurant during the seven-hour delay. Hildebrand consumed approximately $180.00 worth of alcohol at an airport restaurant during the delay. After taking her seat, Campos observed Hildebrand entering the aircraft and noticed that he was visibly intoxicated. When the boarding was complete, Campos was seated in the aisle seat, with Hildebrand immediately to her right. Another young woman sat to Hildebrand's right – the window seat. Immediately upon taking his seat, Hildebrand began to touch and harass the young woman seated by the window, touching her face and asking "if he could kiss her." The young woman repeatedly asked Hildebrand to stop. Hildebrand turned to his attention on Campos just as the plane began its takeoff procedure. Without her consent, he thrust his hand between her legs and forcefully grabbed her inner thigh and crotch. Campos, alarmed and fearful for her safety, shoved Hildebrand's hand away and demanded that he stop touching her. Hildebrand ignored her demand and again pushed his hand between Campos' legs and up her crotch. Campos again firmly demanded him not to touch her. With his hand still on her crotch, he slurred out "I am not touching you." Campos again forced his hand away. Hildebrand shoved his hand into her crotch a third time, this time even more forcefully than before. Campos bolted from her seat and rushed to the rear of the aircraft to notify United's flight attendants. Campos notified United's flight attendants of the sexual assault and harassment she had just suffered in her seat, that she feared she would be attacked again, and did not feel safe sitting next to Hildebrand. Campos pleaded with United's flight attendants to find her a new seat and to check on the young woman who was still sitting next to Hildebrand. United's flight attendants, now aware that Hildebrand had sexually assaulted Campos, ignored her terrified pleas and directed her to return to her seat next to Hildebrand. Hildebrand repeatedly assaulted Campos throughout the flight and United flight attendants did nothing to stop him. (Please read the attached lawsuit for details.) Established in 1985, Tobin & Muñoz, LLC (https://www.barristers.com/) has built a distinguished reputation for defense and plaintiff representation in complex civil cases, as well as high-profile criminal matters. Under the leadership of Craig D. Tobin, the team consistently wins multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.

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Honoring Mayor Harold Washington at Rainbow PUSH this morning. With Dick Simpson and Rev. Jesse Jackson. #todaysklwoffice (at Rainbow PUSH Coalition)

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Honoring Mayor Harold Washington at Rainbow PUSH this morning. With Dick Simpson and Rev. Jesse Jackson. #todaysklwoffice (at Rainbow PUSH Coalition)

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Live to tape - the download with @jkaufs Justin Kaufmann @wgnradio #todaysklwoffice (at Cards Against Humanity Theater)

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Cutting the wire WiFi arrives Pembroke TWP thanks to @cambiumnetworks @reprobinkelly #todaysklwoffice @mycbcast (at Township of Pembroke)

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#todaysklwoffice w/Pilsen Alliance - parents call for removal of Orozco Academy principal @chipubschools (at Jose Clemente Orosco)

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Honored to host #todaysklwoffice a discussion of Breitbart with @hopenothate Nick Lowles moderated by Brian Endless

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#todaysklwoffice @commoncauseIL funder @citywinerychi starring host/performer @corkysiegel (at City Winery Chicago)

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#todaysklwoffice @turkishairlines lounge in Istanbul heading to Albania (at Turkish Airlines First Class & Business Lounge)