Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Israel-boycott referendum is dead after DSA declines to defend it in court
(JTA) — The Pittsburgh group behind a ballot referendum that would compel the city to boycott Israel said it won’t defend the measure against multiple legal challenges, ending its longshot bid to make November’s ballot.
The Democratic Socialists of America chapter announced it would not defend the effort on Sunday night, the evening before a scheduled court date for multiple challenges to the referendum. The local Jewish federation, several rabbis and the city controller all challenged the referendum in court, while both of Pennsylvania’s US senators condemned it and a staffer in the mayor’s office resigned after revealing she had signed it.
“We have made the difficult but strategic decision to withdraw our petitions so that we can come back stronger, more experienced and fully ready to continue fighting for a free Palestine with all avenues available to us,” the Pittsburgh DSA chapter tweeted.
Claiming that “politicians and interest groups” are “afraid of this referendum because they know if it goes to a vote, it wins,” the group added, “Unfortunately, today their efforts to push us off November’s ballot succeeded.”
Jewish groups celebrated the move as a victory.
“The DSA’s proposed referendum initiative posed a grave threat to the core values and financial viability of the Jewish community, as well as to the entire city of Pittsburgh’s ability to provide vital city services in a lawful manner,” the federation said in a press release.
DSA withdraws Pittsburgh referendum
It added, “In the end, it was their antisemitic and anti-Israel agenda that led to the referendum initiative’s defeat.”
The referendum would have added a clause to the city charter “prohibiting investment or allocation of public funds, including tax exemptions, to entities that conduct business operations with or in the state of Israel unless and until Israel ends its military action in Gaza, fully allows humanitarian assistance to reach the people of Gaza, and grants equal rights to every person living in the territories under Israeli control.”
The federation described the referendum efforts as the first time an “anti-Israel boycott and divestment proposal at the municipal level” would have faced a popular vote.
The DSA-backed organizing group, No War Crimes On Our Dime, submitted ballot signatures for approval earlier this month, but the federation quickly challenged the validity of the signatures, claiming they actually fell far below the required signature threshold. Four local rabbis from Reform, Conservative and Orthodox congregations joined the challenge.
Both the Jewish groups’ challenge and a separate legal challenge, from Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler, also maintained that the referendum violated state law that prohibits the government from doing business with companies that boycott Israel. Both challenges were scheduled to be heard Monday before the DSA dropped out.
In backing down, the DSA maintained that it had gathered enough signatures to make the ballot and framed its decision as a “strategic withdrawal, and by no means a loss.” It said it would continue pressing for its ultimate goal.
“This isn’t about us, and at the end of the day this isn’t about ballot access — this is about pressuring for a ceasefire and a Free Palestine,” the group wrote.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Pittsburg, PA
Petition for ‘antisemitic’ ballot referendum dropped before judge hears objections
![Petition for ‘antisemitic’ ballot referendum dropped before judge hears objections Petition for ‘antisemitic’ ballot referendum dropped before judge hears objections](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/05/17/33614f23-1069-4a5b-b0a0-3e291ab6ed9a/thumbnail/1200x630/ca82d613338ce8a87cf3da058e08a400/pittsburgh-city-council-building.jpg?v=d8f7565ef3e8b72561ee316b5993cbf9)
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A petition for a ballot referendum that Jewish organizations call antisemitic was dropped shortly before a judge was expected to hear objections to the case.
It would have prohibited Pittsburgh from doing business with anyone engaged in working with Israel. A judge said this withdrawal came down to the fact that the petitioners did not have the proper amount of valid signatures to put the referendum on the ballot.
“This is about something that was illegal and not appropriate to be on the ballot,” said Jeff Finkelstein, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
He referred to a petition for a referendum that sought to prevent the city from funding or engaging with any entity doing business with Israel, until “Israel ends its military action in Gaza.”
It came from a group called ‘No War Crimes On Our Dime,’ with the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America.
Ben Case is one of the leaders.
“This grassroots coalition came together in a matter of weeks this summer on the energy of Pittsburghers who felt this was something we could do to support the people of Palestine and pressure for peace,” Case said.
The federation and other Jewish organizations, with the city controller, filed objections to the referendum, calling it antisemitic.
“If you look at the definition of antisemitism, which is called the IHRA definition, one of the things it talks about is when the State of Israel is held to a higher standard than any other country in the world,” Finkelstein said. “You don’t see any of these groups talking about any country in the world and putting any kinds of sanctions on them. It’s only the State of Israel.”
They also said it is a violation of state law.
“The state has legislation saying that you cannot boycott, divest, or have sanctions against the State of Israel,” Finkelstein said.
Those wanting the ballot question said the county elections office did an initial review of the signatures they submitted and told them the referendum could be on the ballot. Technically, it didn’t have the required number of valid signatures from registered voters in Pittsburgh.
However, both sides say the fight is not over.
“We’ll use every avenue available to us to fight for peace, equality, and justice, from Pittsburgh to Palestine,” Case said.
“This is a community that has persevered, suffered the worst antisemitic attack in American history, and will continue to be strong going forward,” Finkelstein said.
Last week, Mayor Ed Gainey’s office told KDKA-TV that the mayor had serious concerns regarding the implications of the proposed referendum if it were to pass, and wanted to prevent it from becoming part of the home rule charter.
Pittsburg, PA
Falcons cut former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
![Falcons cut former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Falcons cut former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver](https://www.pennlive.com/resizer/v2/AKRFHB5CVBBU7J6NO3GVIFI5A4.jpg?auth=47184d94733673b5f0a82134691b44fb1bfef4e1d066e168a265473ca7dc93a0&width=1280&quality=90)
The Atlanta Falcons are releasing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington, they announced on Sunday. Washington got a chance with the Falcons in July amid injuries in their wide receiver room, but he has been unable to parlay that into anything significant in that room.
It is yet another team that Washington was looking to make but has found his attempts unsuccessful. Over the last few years since leaving the Steelers, Washington has played for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and others trying to stick in one spot.
Washington suffered a significant foot injury in training camp with the Cowboys in 2022. Ever since that injury, Washington has failed to make any practice squad or 90-man roster for more than a few weeks.
The Steelers’ second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Washington had his best season in 2019, racking up 757 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, Washington would become buried on the depth chart over time as he failed to separate consistently.
Washington’s lack of playing time eventually got to him, with reports of him requesting a trade out of Pittsburgh during their 2021 training camp. Pittsburgh let him walk following the 2021 season, and his adventure around the NFL has continued since then.
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers Get Tough News on Jaylen Warren Injury
![Steelers Get Tough News on Jaylen Warren Injury Steelers Get Tough News on Jaylen Warren Injury](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6631,h_3729,x_0,y_641/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_steelers/01j5kyx8y6f7ayhchmgr.jpg)
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are having trouble avoiding injuries during training camp and their first two preseason games. After a disappointing 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills where the first team offense was nonexistent, there is some salt being thrown in their proverbial wound. It was announced that running back Jaylen Warren will miss multiple weeks due to an apparent hamstring injury.
After catching a pass from quarterback Russell Wilson, Warren left the game under his own power but looked hobbled. He missed the remainder of the game, and reportedly could miss some time. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissaro, Warren’s injury is a hamstring issue that could keep him out multiple weeks.
With the uncertainty of Warren’s return timeline, it’s possible he misses the team’s week one opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Steelers beat writer for Penn Live, Nick Farabaugh, added via his X account that Warren’s availability for week one is “going to be right on the border.”
The injury comes at the worst possible time for the Steelers. Warren’s 2023 campaign earned him a starting role with the team, as he formed a formidable one-two punch with Najee Harris. With 149 carries, he picked up over 700 rushing yards in addition to over 300 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Without Warren, Harris figures to continue his role as the Steelers’ bell cow. He may be given more carries with Warren out, but it’s possible the Steelers use this as a chance to give some other players an expanded look.
Behind Harris, there figures to be more opportunities for newly-signed Cordarrelle Patterson to work as a runner. Depth options like La’Mical Perine, Aaron Shampklin, and Jonathan Ward, who all impressed in small doses during preseason action, could also benefit from Warren’s injury.
The Steelers open their season in just a few weeks against the Falcons. The team travels to Atlanta to take on the Falcons on September 8, giving Warren just three weeks to get back on the field.
Make sure you bookmark Steelers OnSI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more
-
Ohio5 days ago
Ohio taxpayers sent families $966 million for private school tuition: Capitol Letter
-
World7 days ago
What could an EU Commissioner do to tackle the housing crisis?
-
Politics1 week ago
Tim Walz 'misspoke' about using weapons ‘in war,' Harris campaign says: report
-
Politics1 week ago
GOP states sue to stop Biden admin extending Obamacare to illegal immigrants
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump legal cases in limbo after SCOTUS immunity ruling, freeing up schedule to campaign
-
News1 week ago
Photos: Family of Michael Brown Jr. marches on Ferguson 10 years later
-
News1 week ago
Cross-Tabs: August 2024 Times/Siena Poll of the Likely Electorate
-
Politics1 week ago
Secret Service apologizes after breaking into Massachusetts salon to use bathroom before Harris fundraiser