Hear Jaquira Díaz talk about her novel!

Happening off campus: Yesterday, a California law that would require federal agents to wear identification was blocked in federal appeals court. The presidential administration claimed the law would threaten the safety of officers and was unconstitutional as it was a state law imposing regulations on the federal government. California lawyers argued that the law does not discriminate against federal officers as it would apply to all law enforcement, including local officers, and states had the ability to apply laws to federal agents that are “generally applicable.” They also said the law would benefit officers’ safety, decreasing the likelihood of civilians attacks unidentified agents in self-defense. The judges of the appeals court stated they did not consider the safety implications of the law on officers, only ruling on the basis of whether the law was unconstitutional. (AP)

Happening near campus: The Mamdani administration was ordered by a state judge yesterday to pause its relocation plan for a homeless men’s shelter intake office. Formerly located in Midtown, services were slated to move to an office in the East Village on May 1 before residents sued the city. The men’s shelter, Bellevue, was set to be closed down entirely due to unsafe building conditions, with the city moving over 200 men to locations in Brooklyn despite the plan to move intake offices to Manhattan’s East Village. Residents claimed the city rushed the relocation process and failed to properly review the plan and notify the public. (Gothamist)

Happening on campus: Jaquira Díaz, Assistant Professor of Writing, will be discussing her novel This is the Only Kingdom today at the Lenfest Center for the Arts. Edwidge Danticat of African American and Africa Diaspora Studies will be speaking alongside Díaz, with Dean of Columbia University School of the Arts and Parr Professor of English and Comparative Literature Sarah Cole making the introduction. The event will be starting at 6:30 pm, find more information here.

Quote of the day: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” —Mae West

East Village via Wikimedia Commons.