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Mexico is suing American arms manufacturers for arming its gangs, and an American court may award billions in damages

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The government of Mexico is sues American arms manufacturers for their role in facilitating cross-border arms trade supercharged violent crime in Mexico.

The lawsuit seeks $10 billion damages and an injunction ordering the businesses named in the lawsuit – including Smith & Wesson, Colt, Glock, Beretta and Ruger – to alter the best way they do business. In January, a federal appeals court in Boston decided that the industry’s immunity shield, which has previously protected arms manufacturers from civil liability, doesn’t apply to Mexico’s lawsuit.

How law expert who has analyzed court processes against the arms industry for over 25 years, I imagine the choice to permit Mexico to proceed its lawsuit might be a game changer. To understand why, let’s start with some information concerning the federal law that protects the gun industry from civil lawsuits.

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Inviolability of the arms industry

In 2005, Congress passed Act on the protection of legal trade in weaponswhich prohibits lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and sellers for injuries resulting from the illegal use of firearms for criminal purposes.

What is necessary, there are limits to this immunity shield. For example this doesn’t protect a manufacturer or seller who has “knowingly violated a state or federal law applicable to the sale or marketing” of a firearm. Mexico lawsuit alleges that U.S. gun manufacturers aided and abetted the illegal sale of weapons to gun dealers in violation of federal law.

Mexico’s allegations

Mexico says U.S. arms makers engaged in “deliberate efforts to create and maintain an illicit market for their weapons in Mexico

The lawsuit alleges that manufacturers intentionally design their weapons to appeal to criminal organizations in Mexico, including features comparable to easy conversion to totally automatic fire, compatibility with high-capacity magazines and removable serial numbers.

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Mexico also points to industry marketing that guarantees buyers a tactical military experience for civilians. Mexico, meanwhile, maintains that manufacturers distribute their products to dealers they know function transit points for the illicit arms trade. straw salesunlicensed sales at gun shows and on the Internet, and off-the-book sales disguised as stock theft.

In short, Mexico argues that the illicit arms trade is not merely an unwanted byproduct of industry design decisions, marketing campaigns and distribution practices. Instead, in accordance with the lawsuit, a core element of the industry’s business model is to fulfill demand for illegal weapons.

The Mexican army holds a ceremony to destroy illegal weapons in Santa María Rayon, March 22, 2023.
Arturo Hernandez/Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images

In answer, – insist weapons manufacturers that Mexico’s try and hold them legally responsible for the criminal activities of others is precisely the form of lawsuit that the federal immunity shield was intended to dam. They argue that merely selling a product that somebody would later use in against the law doesn’t constitute a violation of federal law, which might strip the manufacturer of immunity. Additionally, gun makers argue that although the Immunity Act doesn’t bar Mexico’s lawsuit, they haven’t any legal obligation to stop criminal violence occurring outside the U.S.

Next legal steps

In January 2024, a federal appeals court in Massachusetts decided that Mexico’s allegations, if true, would strip gun makers of immunity and referred the case back to the court of first instance for reconsideration. Mexico must now provide evidence to support its allegations that the industry is not only aware of the illegal arms trade but actively facilitates it.

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Additionally, to win, Mexico could have to persuade a Boston jury that manufacturers’ design decisions, marketing campaigns and distribution practices are closely enough tied to street crime in Mexico to account for the businesses responsible for the issue. This is often called “direct cause“in law.

For their part, the gun manufacturers asked the trial judge to achieve this postpone the matter until later while they seek an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. However, The Supreme Court was reluctant considering cases related to the arms industry until they’re resolved in lower courts, where nearly all of them are they’re fired and several they settled down.

High stakes for the industry

If Mexico wins the lawsuit, its demand for $10 billion in damages could prompt several of the country’s largest firearms producers bankruptcy. Even if the case were to settle for much less, a Mexican victory would set the template for a wave of future lawsuits that would change the best way the weapons industry operates.

Similar theories about unsafe product designs, irresponsible marketing, and reckless distribution practices in opioid litigation have transformed the pharmaceutical industry. Civil lawsuits forced drug manufacturers to achieve this take public responsibility as a result of the nationwide health crisis, change the best way they do business AND pay billions of dollars in judgments and settlements.

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Mexico’s lawsuit raises the prospect that the gun industry can be next.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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IFA’s ascension initiative accepts the 2025 applications

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For many company owners in African America, entrepreneurship journey is usually an extended, winding road with quite a few challenges and obstacles. Access to education, mentoring and business capital could be crucial for his or her company’s success. To provide a lot of these tools, International Franchise Association (IFA) He created a franchise initiative of ascension (FAI). In the second 12 months, the six -month accelerator program goals to arrange qualified people from insufficiently represented groups, American veterans and the community in an adversarial economic situation with education, mentoring, resources and support to effectively start the profession of the franchise ownership. FAI is an interesting hybrid learning program with virtual classes, led by an instructor and online learning. It also provides individual and group mentor sessions, access to experts, empirical tasks, cases of cases and research opportunities. The program includes franchise foundations, franchise law, selecting the right brand, company financing, marketing and sales, constructing successful teams and rather more.

Fai was led by Omar Simmons, president of Exaltare Capital Management and his wife Raynya in cooperation with IFA. Simmonses were inspired to launch FAI as a stepping stone to assist insufficiently represented entrepreneurs enthusiastic about franchise. Last 12 months, IFA received 70 accomplished applications from potential franchisees throughout the country. Seventeen finalists were chosen after the extensive review of the IFA Review and Interview Committee. Chandler Hayden, the inaugural member of the Kohortis a franchise development coordinator at Taco John’s International. Hayden describes his experience in FAI as a dream come true. “This program has opened a door to world -class education and endless resources. Fai gave us not only tools, but also offered hope and tangible opportunity to succeed as a franchise owners.”

For minorities that usually wouldn’t have the same access to network and capital as others, this program is changing in the game, “he said Calvin ParsonsOwner and CEO Kidokinetics RVA, also part of the inaugural cohort, which was surprised when she learned how tight the franchise community was. “It’s like one large family by which cooperation is crucial. The view of competitive brands cooperating with a purpose to increase progress and impact a positive impact on small corporations, their owners, employees and communities they serve is refreshing,” said Parsons.

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“Franchising offers an unusual path to entrepreneurship, and over 3,000 marks in the USA include virtually every industry. It is not only about owner operators in fast services restaurants; there are also opportunities to participate in investors and owners of small companies in various ways.” Finally, Michael Gatewood, who began his profession at Wall Street and is now a managing director at Westview Management Group and a multi -level franchisee, said about the FAI program: “I highly recommend the FAI program. You will be equipped with tools necessary to start ventures, be surrounded by people who want to succeed and develop as a person and a professional. opportunity”.

Applications are accepted to Kohort 2025, which begins in August 2025 and ends in February 2026. Participants will receive a reimbursement of costs incurred for no less than two signature of the IFA conference. The deadline for submitting applications is May 16, 2025 and incorporates a brief essay and a video component with a written application. Each participant receives a mentor Fai- a franchise skilled who will volunteer to coach them through the program. There are not any costs related to the application or program; However, before submitting the application, you must keep in mind severe content of the content.

To learn more about FAI and tips on how to submit, visit Franchise.org/asmsion.

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(Tagstranslatate) franchise

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Harold’s Chicken Shack is celebrating 75 years in Southside Chicago

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CHICAGO, HAROLD


He is famous for in Southside Chicago and never only, Chicken Shack Harold celebrates 75 years as a family restaurant.

Its origins became the knowledge of the community, considering its significance as a tasty place for chicken for residents and celebrities. The restaurant is known for with out a fanaflict atmosphere, which provides customers the actual “transfer” of the impression.

However, many in Chicago perceive Harold as a representative of his free food culture. According to the primary restaurant, it was opened in 1943 and was founded by Harold Pierce and his wife Hilda, who moved with Alabama as a part of the nice migration of Black Americans. While this restaurant, H&C, gave chicken feet and dumplings, Pierce found his talent for fried chicken with the primary official chicken hut in 1950.

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However, many residents recognized various locations as an original chicken hut. Pierce’s daughter and current general director of Harold, Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, once said at Kimbark Avenue. However, other articles specified flagship restaurants in various locations.

In 1975, in Chicago you would find over 20 Harold chicken huts. Before Pierce died, the locations increased to about 30 to 40 shop windows. Franchise is now the host of many operators, however the one who has essentially the most locations was Laverne Burnett.

Burnett, also referred to as “Chicken Lee” or “Mr. Lee”, was the owner of 10 to 14 stores. Now his heritage is continued by his granddaughter, Toneia Bailey, who on the age of 20 took over the placement from her father.

“I like feeding people,” said Deneen Shenaurlt, a longtime worker who helped the owners of multi -generational. “You feed people with love.”

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Performing fresh, no two Harold items are similar. Operators take creative freedoms with a classic gentle Harold sauce and lemon pepper spice to arrange. The menu stays mostly the identical, with winger offers and fried plates or a part of the chicken, in addition to fish options.

Today Harold’s has It expanded to Different versions found in other states. With Harold’s chicken in Los Angeles and his chicken and an ice bar in Atlanta, the Chicago Institution is constructing a brand new heritage as a basic food reservoir throughout the country. Eve Green, Chicagoan and a protracted -time customer believes that impressions and taste make every purchase price it.

“Freshness, fries, sauce, taste, service, kindness, everything.”

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(Tagstranslate) Harold’s Chickken (T) Harold’s Chicken Shack (T) Chicago (T) Black Restaurants

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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The double class gives us controllers of companies on social media almost as many power as Byedance Tiktok

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When Congress adopted the law In 2024, to Ban Tiktok, unless it’s owned by the USA, legislators argued that the Chinese mother company of the applying Fears of national security. The Trump administration, which awarded the Viral Viral Viral Viral application, soon after taking office in January 2025, This pause has been prolonged again April 4 after Chinese Apparently he crashed Planned contract.

Regardless of how all that is shaking, the fight Tiktok emphasizes the deeper concerns about who controls social media within the United States.

Given this worry, it could surprise the Americans to learn that almost every giant of social media is controlled by just one or two men. For example, Mark Zuckerberg controls the finish, which is the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, while Larry Page and Sergey Brin control Alphabet, which is the owner of YouTube and Google.

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What does “control” mean? These companies are Publicly recorded – everyone should buy or sell their actions – however the legal mechanism known as Double purchase It gives the founders additional votes in shareholders’ decisions. The double structure crowns these people “Corporate royal“As he put it one of the previous Commission for Stock and Stock Stock Stock Stock Stock Stock and Corporate Resources, not requiring a proportional financial risk from them.

While Tiktok is unusual in many respects, the best way he cultivates the power in a single man is definitely quite trivial. The mother company Tiktok, Bytedance, is private, but it surely is Apparently controlled By co -founder, Chinese national Zhang Yiming, through a double structure.

As Professor of corporate lawI call on decision -makers and a society to contemplate the social risk of a system that enables one person to regulate full control over a big corporation using a double class motion.

Double -class effect: meta as a case study

In the usual one-class structure-in which the power of voting trains the quantity of capital of the corporate, which has a shareholder-a citizen in search of total control of the corporate must normally spend lots of money on the acquisition of shares, which also means accepting a high risk. This requirement of “leather in the game” limits how much influence one person can exert on an organization.

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This protection is informal, not compulsory, and the double -class structures get rid of it. Ascendant amongst companies from the Silicon Valley Initial public offer Google 2004 within the USA and recently legalized In Great Britain, the double class model could be very debated in corporate order circles. Until now, nonetheless, his flaws were understood only as an issue for shareholders, not society, despite wide and double -sided concern on the impact of large technology.

Let’s select meta as an example. Zuckerberg apparently he’s the owner only 13.5% of the corporate’s capital, but since it owns 99.7% Supervising the motionHe controls 61% of the corporate’s votes.

This configuration gives him a blockade of corporate policy as a controller, despite the proven fact that he has just over one eighth, a worth of value. He has full control over the corporate, without placing anywhere near the equivalent amount of money threatened.

You should not have to be a parent of a youngster hooked on Instagram to see that the finish generated what might be described as social costs. For example, Amnesty International allegedly that Facebook algorithms “basically contributed to the atrocities committed by Myanmar army” in 2017. promoting disinformation In previous elections within the USA and for damping Non -stories about Hunter Biden.

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These examples emphasize wider social fears related to the mode of content, privacy and the political influence of technology titans. In particular, Zuckerberg – which was related to progressive causes previously – In recent months and has passed strongly to just accept President Donald Trump He asked for Trump’s support for the meta in a legal battle with the European Union.

When the company control meets the Supreme Court

IN 2023 article in a legal journalI noticed that the last decisions of the Supreme Court Extending the constitutional corporate rights Stand to offer the founders of the corporate with unprecedented power to shape society. While the expansion of social giants in social media with clear political programs has gained lots of attention, expanding what is taken into account to be protected corporate speeches and spiritual exercises, was not part of this conversation.

I believe that there’s a real possibility that these two streams will coincide, granting the constitutional protection to “kings of founders” who need to use the corporate’s resources for personal programs. The last two legal changes increase the speed.

First, the courts – especially the Supreme Court under the rule of the foremost judge John Roberts Extending the constitutional corporate rightsWhich can allow founders with a double class to place out exceptions to generally applicable regulations.

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Second, Recent legal changes in Delaware – which, despite its small size, is leading jurisdiction of corporate law In the United States-it can facilitate double-controlled shareholders to exercise power of their companies.

To understand the potential consequences, let’s assume that the corporate’s double-class shareholder was to make him oppose a federal mandate-an example of the requirement to supply medical insurance plans covering contraception-from the rationale that compliance with their religious beliefs. The Supreme Court in Lobby hobby against Burwell He recognized exactly this type of exception based on faith for a big family but private business.

Would he recognize such an exception to an organization like SNAP? The company, best known for its Snapchat application, is publicly traded, but only two men, Robert Murphy and Evan Spiegel, Check 99.5% voice force.

We cannot ensure. The lobby hobby differs from Snap in many ways. However, they’ve the power of their owners to likely that they claim a uniform speech or religious interest that may not characterize a typical large business. Public owners of Snap don’t have anything to say – no votes – in matters of the corporate. If SNAP controllers have confirmed the religious foundations of the corporate release from the regulation – and clarity, it is a purely hypothetical example – the courts can bask in the claim.

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Extending view of the judicial system to corporate constitutional rights – seen not only within the hall of the hobby, but in Citizens United against FEC And a number of the most recent and ongoing cases in state and lower courts – may enable the founders to make use of their companies for personal programs. Regardless of whether it might be especially for Snap, a mix of a double class model and changes within the law appear to open the door.

Elon Musk vs. Double class model

An appropriate contrast might be none aside from on Twitter – renamed X after Elon Musk purchased it and who I recently joined it in XAIAnother undertaking led by musk.

As a personal company, XAI isn’t obliged to submit public investors reports, and many of its ownership structure stays opaque. Let’s assume, nonetheless, that the corporate is owned by the bulk by Musk in the traditional one-class structure-Twitter before it bought it. Given the possibility of upsetting, Musk was consistently willing Lift your hand. He couldn’t use control to get X or XAI – for simplicity we are going to stick with “x” – to practice the identical huge control as Murphy and Spiegel in Snap or Zuckerberg within the finish?

Yes – but with a subtle but essential difference.

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There is a few logic to key corporate decisions X, that are entitled to musk. Quite famously, he began $ 44 billion for the acquisition of your complete company. Legal prohibitions of implementing private resources on the impact are limited to the small universe of matters – antitimonopol, bribery, some types of contributions to campaigns. These resources include companies which can be a form of real estate that’s the property of wealthy people or groups. With limited exceptions, people can use their very own property as they need.

However, in an organization with two classes, controllers use the properties of other people as they need. They can get an enormous legal, economic and organizational force of the company form without having to place large skin in the sport.

Beyond Tikktok: A conversation that the US should lead

Traditionally, issues in regards to the impact of wealthy Guy were visible by the lens of politics, taxes or public regulations. But perception of them as questions on performing private corporate control explains the special social challenges that create double classes.

Wall Street is principally He accepted the chance: Ironclad Zuckerberg insulation in exchange for returns with a rockyist. But this debate isn’t only interesting for the investment community. Everyone participates of their result.

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The audience fairly questions the wisdom of allowing the corporate’s founders to make use of resources and the newly jumbo of the constitutional rights of large corporations within the special service of the program-whether it’s for a foreign government, political party or religious faith-which isn’t even related to the classic goals of corporation or the benefits of the duodenal model.

The characteristic risks posed by Tiktok are mostly unrelated to its motion structure. But the talk on the law of prohibition or sales reminds: the rights created by double -class shares aren’t unique to Chinese control. The home American founder also runs them.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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