You think midterms are rough? At least you’re not being sued by Trump!

Happening in the World: Yesterday, Myanmar announced that it would free more than 5,600 anti-coup protesters this week in its first significant release of political prisoners since its junta seized power by a coup on February 1. The junta is giving these prisoners amnesty to mark the Lighting Festival, a three-day holiday beginning today in Myanmar. The current regime arrested most of these prisoners earlier this year when millions of dissenters staged a national strike. It remains unclear if top officials of the ousted regime, including its leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, will be among those released (NYT).

Happening in the US: On Monday, former President Trump filed a lawsuit against Congress and the National Archives, hoping to block the release of White House documents related to the January 6 Capitol insurrection. The House Committee investigating the attack requested these documents in August with a specific interest in the roles that Trump and Steve Bannon, Trump’s ally and former chief strategist, played in the events of January 6. Trump’s federal lawsuit seeks to invalidate the committee’s request based on its scope and the documents’ confidential nature, challenging President Joe Biden’s decision to waive executive privilege in this investigation (AP).

Happening in NYC: The New York City Board of Health declared racism a public health crisis on Monday, following the lead of hundreds of local and state governments. A list of action items accompanies this declaration from Monday’s board meeting, including the amendment of city policies that perpetuate racial health disparities. A state bill to make similar declarations is currently moving through the New York State Senate (Gothamist).

Happening in Our Community: Interested in high-tech tracking’s implications for global human rights? Today from 6 to 7 pm, Columbia will host a conversation between Darren Byler, author of In the Camps, China’s High-Tech Penal Colony, and Andrew J. Nathan, professor of political science. Register here to watch this discussion of China’s large-scale tracking network and its role in China’s internment of religious minorities such as the Uyghurs.

US Capitol via Bwarchives