| 1. MENTAL HEALTH GROUP PULLS OUT OF POLICE EVENT OVER BLUE LIVES MATTER SPONSORSHIP: ThriveNYC, a mental health organization backed by Chirlane McCray, wife of Mayor Bill de Blasio, has dropped out of an event for first responders after learning that pro-cop group Blue Lives Matter was a co-sponsor. The event, which aims to train police in recognizing signs of depression, was initially going to be staffed with counselors from ThriveNYC. New York Post: “Councilman Joe Borelli said his office was approached in June by Blue Lives Matter about setting up mental health programs for cops, and at first Thrive jumped at the chance to take part. That enthusiasm plummeted when Borelli’s office showed Thrive higher-ups the event flyer, which featured the program’s logo alongside that of Blue Lives Matter, said Borelli chief of staff Frank Mascia. Blue Lives Matter, formed in the aftermath of the fatal 2014 ambush of NYPD officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, is regarded as a controversial group by some for its juxtaposition to Black Lives Matter.” 2. RAG & BONE MOVES N.Y.F.W. SHOW FROM HUDSON YARDS: Rag & Bone has pulled its New York Fashion Week show from the Shed at Hudson Yards. The designer brand is the second to move its show from the development, following news that owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross hosted a fund-raiser for Donald Trump. Women’s Wear Daily: “According to a source close to the brand, Rag & Bone is no longer presenting its spring 2020 collection at the Shed, and its new location has not yet been confirmed. The news comes after Prabal Gurung also pulled his upcoming spring 2020 show from Hudson Yards, following the backlash against Ross. Gurung took to his Twitter account in a 10-tweet thread to express his outrage against Ross’s support of the president, also stating that he hadn’t confirmed hosting his show at the Vessel at Hudson Yards, but ended conversations after getting word of Ross’s fund-raiser." 3. N.F.L. PARTNERS WITH JAY-Z FOR FUTURE EVENTS: The National Football League will consult Jay-Z’s sports and entertainment company Roc Nation on future events, including the Super Bowl halftime show, as well as on social activism. The league will work with the rapper and his company on the N.F.L. Inspire Change initiative, which was created by the league after an agreement with a group of players who protested social and racial injustice during the national anthem. Associated Press: “While the entertainment portion of the deal is important—Roc Nation’s stable includes Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Shakira and, of course, Jay-Z—much emphasis from both the league and the representation group is being placed on the social relations aspect of the agreement. For Inspire Change to succeed, it must have strong roots within the communities that are most affected by the issues the players want addressed: criminal justice reform; relationships with police; economic growth opportunities; and educational progress.” 4. CREATORS OF ‘AREA 51’ EVENT TO LAUNCH ALIEN-THEME FESTIVAL: The creators of a viral Facebook event that jokingly invited attendees to storm Area 51 are now launching a real music festival themed around aliens. Called Alienstock, the event will take place in Rachel, Nevada, near Nellis Air Force Range and Area 51. The town of Rachel, however, says they weren’t asked by organizers. USA Today: “Brock Daily, one of the organizers of the event, told USA Today in a message that the purpose of the event was to ‘embrace the cultural statement made by the viral event.’ … While the event claims the town of Rachel is ‘on board’ with the event, the town website clarifies that residents were not asked. ‘A dubious group, known for chaotic events like Burning Man and the Las Vegas Electric Music Festival has taken over this event,’ the website reads. ‘The residents were not asked and are not on board and will certainly not allow their town to be taken over by a bunch of drunken kids. This has a high potential of getting ugly.’” 5. U.S. ATHLETES PROTEST TRUMP AND GUN VIOLENCE AT PAN-AM GAMES: Two American athletes at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, kneeled during the national anthem to protest President Donald Trump, gun violence, and racial and social injustice. American fencer Race Imboden knelt during the national anthem on Friday, and hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her first during the medal ceremony on Saturday. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee said Imboden may face discipline for his protest. Time: “‘Every athlete competing at the 2019 Pan American Games commits to terms of eligibility, including to refrain from demonstrations that are political in nature. In this case, Race didn’t adhere to the commitment he made to the organizing committee and the U.S.O.P.C.,’ said Mark Jones, vice president of communications at U.S.O.P.C., in a statement on Saturday … ‘We respect his rights to express his viewpoints, but we are disappointed that he chose not to honor his commitment. Our leadership are reviewing what consequences may result.’” | 