Three things for February 17
1. Former Department of Justice employees call for Attorney General’s resignation
Over 1,100 former Department of Justice officials signed an open letter to Attorney General William Barr on Sunday, calling for Barr’s resignation.
The former employees cited Barr’s alleged political interference in cases of criminal prosecution, “most recently in connection with the sentencing of President Trump’s close associate, Roger Stone.”
Stone was originally convicted on several charges including lying to Congress and obstruction of justice during Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 Trump campaign.
The Department of Justice rebuked several of Stone’s prosecutors for recommending Stone face seven to nine years in prison, sparking controversy and resulting in calls for Barr to resign.
2. Mexican activists gather to protest violence against women
Activists gathered outside Mexico’s presidential palace on Friday to protest nationwide violence against women.
The protest was sparked by outrage following the brutal murder of 25-year-old Ingrid Escamilla in Mexico City.
Graphic images of Escamilla’s body were circulated on the front pages of Mexican media outlets, causing widespread outrage due to her early death.
An average of 10 women are killed each day in Mexico, prompting protestors to graffiti slogans like “they are killing us” alongside Escamilla’s name on the presidential palace walls.
3. ‘Love Island’ host found dead in her London home
English actress and television presenter Caroline Flack was found dead in her London flat on Saturday.
Flack, age 40, hosted the British dating reality TV show “Love Island” from June 2015 to December of last year.
As a result of Flack’s death, ITV — the channel which airs “Love Island” — pulled an episode of the spinoff series “Love Island: Unseen Bits” from airing.
An episode of “Love Island” meant to air on Sunday was also cancelled. “The Surjury”, an upcoming show featuring Glack as host, has also been cancelled in the wake of her death.
