February 2024 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

Re: Bank.org Concern of BitLicense Marketplace Manipulation
by Gunnar Larson 30 Oct '24

30 Oct '24

While xNY.io - Bank.org was blowing the wistle, what was happening, FBI? Literally, most of this could have been avoided. When it comes to honesty the Brody of Wall Street reminds you that the truth is so important. PYUSD did not just fall from the sky. And if it takes a new Superintendent, it takes a new Superintendent then. We were not blowing the wistle for the award, FBI. We were blowing the wistle for the protections and since July 25, 2021 you know how we have been treating. Water under the bridge. xNY.io - Bank.org is doing better than ever. However, the FBI cannot accuse us of using Donald Trump RICO arguments against New York State. That would be silly. In other news, on its own who thinks xNY.io is going to be tricked by X.com and Xoom.com? ----- July 25, 2021 BY ELECTRONIC MAIL United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 14420 Albemarle Point Place Suite 102 Chantilly, VA 20151-1750 ATTN: SEC TCR SUBMISSIONS Re: Bank.org Concern of BitLicense Marketplace Manipulation Dear Sir or Madam: Virtual currency fraud is a serious problem for such a developed country as the United States, whose bank regulators have drawn attention to the increase of these crimes. Having discovered that an unregulated virtual currency sphere (such as in Africa, or other developing markets) is very popular among virtual currency fraudsters, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NY-DFS) concluded that this kind of regulatory fraud was threatening U.S. national security. Bank.org’s NY-DFS Shelf Charter application journey has prompted us to contact the SEC with concern of common Directors at Facebook and PayPal (incl. Xoom) who have potentially manipulated the New York State Common Retirement Fund and New York State Teachers Retirement Fund through BitLicense marketplace manipulation tactics and computer crimes. Bank.org's key definition of virtual currency computer crimes is a consistent message across markets. These crimes are relatively new, having been in existence for only as long as Bitcoin has—which explains how unprepared society and the world, in general, is towards combating these crimes. We see this as no fault of NY-DFS and the original BitLicense mandate. Facebook and PayPal along with Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo have leveraged BitLicensee connections to profit daily from virtual currency market manipulation structures with cross-border reach. PayPal's “Conditional BitLicense” may now be employed as a marketplace manipulation instrument. Meanwhile, common Directors at Facebook, PayPal (incl. Xoom) and Diem seemingly have collaborated in orchestrating a virtual currency marketplace manipulation exercise. The New York State Common Retirement Fund and New York State Teachers Retirement Fund are significant investors in Facebook, PayPal, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo. >From their California headquarters, Directors at PayPal (incl. Xoom) have potentially leveraged a Conditional BitLicense award in collaboration with common Directors at Facebook to engage in marketplace manipulation techniques. The Diem Association further shares common PayPal and Facebook Directors in a potential chain of virtual currency computer software and market manipulation architectures. Bank.org must take the necessary steps to guard against fraud and to be extra vigilant about manipulation. We seek SEC guidance on the aforementioned concerns as we organize a reputable Board of Directors for NY-DFS approval. Respectfully yours with appreciation, Gunnar Larson - xNY.io | Bank.org MSc - Digital Currency MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-646-454-9107

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SpaceX Interlocking Directors’ Intent to Manipulate Markets
by Gunnar Larson 18 Oct '24

18 Oct '24

Attorney General James: On November 2, 2023 xNY.io - Bank.org contacted your esteemed office with intent to execute N.Y. Executive Law, Article 15 § 297. Procedure 1. Additionally, § 298-a. Application of article to certain acts committed outside the state of New York, (Israel Crisis). Given several factors, we are reasonably confident in your office and the FBI knowing why xNY.io - Bank.org would seek to engage New York Human Rights Law. As an alumni of United Nations Headquarters in New York, I left the UN as a producer of the Audio Visual Library of International Law. Attorney General James, Nicosia, Cyprus is the only military divided capital city in the world (invaded by Turkey), with active UN Peacekeeping Mission, and is where I have earned my graduate education. When starting my second graduate degree in Cyprus, it is my understanding that the FBI in New York became aware of xNY.io - Bank.org. xNY.io - Bank.org is under investigation by New York for all the logical reasons. However, we are not virtual currency market manipulators and it seems NY-DFS is blaming xNY.io - Bank.org for leading a virtual currency RICO defense. Today we again contact your office seeking New York State Executive Law (Article 15), Human Rights Law as jurisdictional prudence. § 298-a. Application of article to certain acts committed outside the state of New York covers xNY.io - Bank.org various abuses against our enterprise. Furthermore, recent events show that New York State's Attorney General has greater powers than the United Nations in protecting New Yorkers from potential financial crimes. The June 18, 2022 memo below is one such example. xNY.io - Bank.org hopes your esteemed office understands that the dealmakers mentioned in the memo below also bank the United Nations. The flow of money has certainly affected xNY.io - Bank.org with unlawful surveillance, market manipulation and threats. xNY.io - Bank.org will never be deterred and is now motivated more than ever. That said, Attorney General James your office is key to providing New York State greater innovation potential than the United Nations (and New York banks associated). For example, Craig Mokhiber was director of the New York office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, but last week quit his post over the Israel-Hamas war: https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/11/09/exp-craig-mokhiber-un-human-rig… . xNY.io - Bank.org hopes any virtual currency RICO in New York State will not impact potental obstruction, given commuated conflicts. Furthermore, New York City Mayor Adams' situation could be a postive pathway in creative thinking if we are to be proactive problem solvers. Given several factors, we must engage funding to protect xNY.io - Bank.org's interests. Thank you, Gunnar Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053 On Thu, Nov 2, 2023, 12:52 PM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > Dear Madam Attorney General James: > > xNY.io - Bank.org kindly seeks a response from your office concerning the > message below. > > Today in Manhattan, the FTX case will soon be sent for jury deliberation. > According to NPR, "... FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is accused of > orchestrating one of the largest financial frauds in history." > > Additionally, today Donald Trump's civil fraud trial continues in New York > City. > > Attorney General James, as you are aware xNY.io - Bank.org has an ongoing > dialog with your office concerning a 'RICO.' The New York State Department > of Financial Services records office has responded with a memo concerning > the "Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement" here: > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1reLapm-6C0QJZhPKIPtN5HZGbYhTxZMh/view?usp=… > . > > This memo aims to execute N.Y. Executive Law, Article 15 § 297. Procedure > 1. Additionally, § 298-a. Application of article to certain acts committed > outside the state of New York, (Israel Crisis). > > Kind regards, > > Gunnar > -- > Gunnar Larson > xNY.io - Bank.org > > MSc - Digital Currency > MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) > > G(a)xNY.io > +1-917-580-8053 > New York, New York 10001 > > On Sat, Jun 18, 2022, 4:44 PM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > >> Dear Attorney General Letitia James: >> >> xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC seeks to earn your esteemed approval to engage the >> New York False Claims Act under urgent pretences. >> >> Today's correspondence marks the first time in history, a self-titled >> "mafia" (aka, the "PayPal Mafia '') is compelled to answer publicly the >> decision to manipulate both the New York False Claims Act and the Martin >> Act against one another. >> >> - Madam Attorney General, your leadership approach has historical >> context >> <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/climate/exxon-climate-lawsuit-new-york.h…> >> to logic and ultimate Exxon Mobil vs. New York State >> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nLp9RIYw8mAh1SRG8E9PMEK94SV-viUN/view?usp=…> case >> precedent. >> - xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC research and development notes our hawkish >> approach to ESG, D&O and LBO innovation. >> - xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC sees this not a democrat vs. republican >> concern as Mr. Elon Musk (CEO, SpaceX and Tesla) claims. False pretense to >> protect free speech are now being debated as party to a $200B pryamid >> scheme. >> >> Ms. James, on May 21, 2022 xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC >> <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lv9Wt6y1ld4bNap0z3epIxttEGiP_oVpfxH0GTS…> >> contacted the SpaceX Corporation with reasonable concern of CEO Musk's >> intent behind the $44B Twitter LBO. The Orlando Police Pension Fund shared >> similar concerns to the intent behind Twitter's LBO as illegal. >> >> Since, market forces suggest that SpaceX and Tesla directors are part of >> interlocking directorate, self proclaimed the PayPal Mafia. The racket >> could waterfall to problem(s) at the New York State Department of Financial >> Services with Superintendent association to D&O insurance regulation. >> >> Ms. James, xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC seeks your office's urgent assessment >> of this matter. We aim to earn approval to explore the New York False >> Claims Act to confront SpaceX as a racket. >> >> *Like a house of cards, the PayPal Mafia racket could risk a waterfall >> of D&O interlocking directorate insolvencies. In summary: * >> >> 1. xNY.io - Bank.org's May 21, 2022 memo to SpaceX questioned intent >> behind baseless claims pioneered by SpaceX's CEO, branding ESG a scam via >> Exxon Mobil. Obviously, Exxon Mobil vs. New York State >> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nLp9RIYw8mAh1SRG8E9PMEK94SV-viUN/view?usp=…> alludes >> Mr. Musk party to a false claim. >> 2. SpaceX has failed to establish a preponderance of evidence and >> burden of proof not a racket. >> 3. SpaceX has failed to prove that Twitter's LBO is not false claim >> to free speech protection. >> 4. True social innovation cannot sponsor a fake news racket that >> could jeopardize space exploration and war. >> 5. Twitter's LBO dealmakers (Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase) >> company balance sheets, financial statements and other corporate records do >> not impact xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC holding a racket accountable to false >> claims. >> >> The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla leveraging Exxon Mobil as an ESG >> securities scam does not preclude the PayPal Mafia's intent to engage false >> claims at the sacrifice of New York State's financial future. >> >> Madam Attorney General James, we hope to hear from your esteemed office >> and learn assessment of best next steps. >> >> Thank you, >> >> Gunnar >> >> -- >> *Gunnar Larson * >> *xNY.io <http://www.xny.io/> - Bank.org <http://bank.org/>, PBC* >> >> MSc >> <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - >> Digital Currency >> MBA >> <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship >> and Innovation (ip) >> >> G(a)xNY.io >> +1-646-454-9107 >> New York, New York 10001 >> >> On Sun, May 22, 2022 at 9:34 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: >> >>> May 21, 2022 >>> >>> BY ELECTRONIC MAIL >>> >>> SpaceX Corporation >>> Board of Directors >>> One Rocket Road >>> Hawthorne, California >>> 90250 >>> Sales(a)SpaceX.com >>> >>> Re: Potential SpaceX Interlocking Directors’ Intent to Manipulate >>> Markets >>> >>> Dear SpaceX Board of Directors: >>> >>> From our New York headquarters, xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC embodies the >>> notion that rather than a merry-go-round, the process of change and >>> innovation is like a slide. >>> >>> Today’s memo aims to notify the SpaceX Corporation of concern of >>> potential market manipulation that could impact cross-border digital asset >>> innovation, free speech in the United States of America, the global ESG >>> economy and Moon exploration. >>> >>> Please find the attached memo >>> <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lv9Wt6y1ld4bNap0z3epIxttEGiP_oVpfxH0GTS…> >>> addressed to SpaceX's board of directors. >>> >>> Respectfully, >>> >>> Gunnar Larson >>> >>

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Coinbase Scores Victory with Supreme Court Ruling on Federal Arbitration Act - Litigation Finance Journal
by Gunnar Larson 18 Oct '24

18 Oct '24

Check out my new article: https://litigationfinancejournal.com/coinbase-scores-victory-with-supreme-c… Coinbase Scores Victory with Supreme Court Ruling on Federal Arbitration Act - Litigation Finance Journal Litigation Finance Journal recently reported that Coinbase became the first US-based cryptocurrency company to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court. The June decision has been announced, and with a 5-4 majority in favor of Coinbase, the high court ruled “that an interlocutory appeal about one matter (arbitrability) bars the district court from proceeding on another (the merits).” CoinDesk says the ruling is a distinct legal victory for Coinbase, one that could impact future lawsuits against all companies in the United States. For over a century, the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) has been part of user agreements to protect corporations from risk and expense associated with court battles to resolve customer claims. The decision does not represent any high-court conclusions on cryptocurrencies, outside of Coinbase being one of the associated parties. A lower court decision from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California denied Coinbase’s arbitration agreement approach. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit denied Coinbase’s motion to halt hearings while appeal is in progress. The Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Coinbase effectively stays any trial proceedings while appeal is in progress.

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Binance and Coinbase vs. the SEC - Litigation Finance Journal
by Gunnar Larson 18 Oct '24

18 Oct '24

Check out my recent article: https://litigationfinancejournal.com/binance-and-coinbase-vs-the-sec/ On June 5, 2023, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, for allegedly misleading investors and regulators while operating an unregistered exchange. One day later, the SEC sued the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, Coinbase, for similar allegations. Now, litigation financiers around the globe look on as top law firms organize to defend Binance and Coinbase against the SEC. Bloomberg Law reports that Binance and Coinbase have tapped some of the United States’ top law firms to defend their future to exchange nearly $120B in cryptocurrency token assets. The SEC claims that most of these tokens sum up to unregistered securities. Binance and Coinbase deny any wrongdoing. Agencies such as Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Milbank, Latham & Watkins, Wilmer Hale and Sullivan & Cromwell are among those said to bank upwards of $50M – $100M in legal fees for Binance’s and Coinbase’s defense against the SEC’s recent actions. Sullivan & Cromwell is reported to have billed over $80M in fees associated with the FTX Chapter 11 bankruptcy litigation, according to court documents. The SEC says that unregistered securities in the form of cryptocurrency violate US investor protection laws. Yet, former SEC leaders have joined Binance’s defense team. Richard Grime (of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher) has been hired by Binance. Mr. Grime formerly served as assistant director of the SEC’s enforcement division. William McLucas (of Wilmer Culter Pickering Hale and Dorr) formerly served as the SEC’s enforcement director. Mr. McLucus has been hired by BAM Trading Services, the operator of Binance.US. What does all of this mean for the litigation finance industry? Experts suggest that private actions could be explored by litigation investors and their clients in the wake of the SEC’s approach to cryptocurrency tokens being exchanged as unregistered securities. However, collectability remains a pertinent issue for litigation investors, as they consider whether to pursue crypto litigation funding.

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Pending US Supreme Court Decision is a Coinbase Class Action Cliffhange - Litigation Finance Journal
by Gunnar Larson 18 Oct '24

18 Oct '24

Check out my new article: https://litigationfinancejournal.com/pending-us-supreme-court-decision-is-a… Coinbase’s business has been seminal to the legacy of cryptocurrency innovation. As the global digital asset marketplace continues to mature, Coinbase is tiptoeing between a group of class action lawsuits. Now, the United States Supreme Court is deliberating if Coinbase should be protected by mandatory arbitration. Benzinga reports that in March 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court appeared uncertain regarding whether to allow Coinbase to move to arbitration over class actions which had been launched against the firm. Executives at Coinbase argued that private arbitration is a win for business. The June decision by the Supreme Court will spell a new dynamic for cryptocurrency sector litigation. Some digital asset scholars predict that a lack of mandatory arbitration may devastate business dynamics at Coinbase. Allowing class action lawsuits to continue is an expensive proposition that would inevitably impact the pace of cross-border crypto innovation. Meanwhile, U.S. and global regulatory uncertainty is stoking new legislation that could fuel litigation well into the future. The efficient nature of digital asset technology is at a crossroads. The Coinbase decision, commingled with upcoming regulatory requirements worldwide, will shape business dynamics for enterprise crypto software and the entrepreneurs behind future sector innovation.

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Entrapment
by Gunnar Larson 01 Oct '24

01 Oct '24

Hello: I have been under entrapment most of the day. The agents have been rude and I have asked them multiple times to operate under proper decorum. Gunnar Larson

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Sonic Weapons Affect St. Bernard
by Gunnar Larson 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

Brody, the most wonderful St. Bernard on the Planet running around with Havana Syndrome: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana_syndrome Honestly, I really respect this technology. It is super cool. I just do not think they thought it would affect a big, beautiful boy like Brody.

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Havana Syndrome, Sonic Weapons - INTERNATIONAL LEGAL INNOVATION
by Gunnar Larson 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

Cognitive liberty is not currently recognized as a human right by any international human rights treaty.[11] <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_liberty#cite_note-Bublitz_and_Mer…> While freedom of thought <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_thought> is recognized by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights> (UDHR), freedom of thought can be distinguished from cognitive liberty in that the former is concerned with protecting an individual's freedom to think *whatever* they want, whereas cognitive liberty is concerned with protecting an individual's freedom to think *however* they want.[29] <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_liberty#cite_note-29> Cognitive liberty seeks to protect an individual's right to determine their own state of mind and be free from external control over their state of mind, rather than just protecting the content of an individuals’ thoughts.[30] <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_liberty#cite_note-Boire,_Part_II-…> It has been suggested that the lack of protection of cognitive liberty in previous human rights instruments was due to the relative lack of technology capable of directly interfering with mental autonomy at the time the core human rights treaties were created.[21] <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_liberty#cite_note-Boire,_Part_I-21> Havana Syndrome bred by Sonic Weapon technology more or less is lazyly playing in regulatory arbitrage loopholes related to cognitive liberty. Recently, we went to the SEC for guidance on consolidation of an ILO (Intiatal Legal Offering). As we await engagement with the SEC on the ILO prospect, ILO’s resemble Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), but rather than raising money for a new coin, app, or service, they’re used to fund specific litigation. Think micro-investing for lawsuits. In an ILO, investors receive tokens entitling them to shares of potential recoveries, an economic right converted to a digital asset. If cases fail, they lose their investments. We are exploring an ILO at the international level (International Criminal Court <https://www.icc-cpi.int/>, International Court of Justice <https://www.icj-cij.org/en>), to solidify the right of Cognitive Liberty. Likely, the broader public will overwhelmly support their individual right to free thinking and systems and processes associated with thinking freely. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is a pioneer in engaging sonic weapon technology <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_weapon>, An NYPD officer stands ready with the LRAD 500X at an Occupy Wall Street protest on November 17, 2011 near the city hall. The NYPD conducts experiments and other cutting edge innovation strategies as being America's Best Urban Police Force. It should be considered that the NYPD properly file logs of such technology engagement (aka ... what, when, where, why, how) as xNY.io strives to liberate the semantics related to cognitive thinking liberty. Moreover, while the NYPD pioneers new crowd control technology, other private firms have abused the technology for their own selfish agendas. Keeping all this in mind, one of xNY.io's active engagements is closing the semantic loophole related to cognitive liberty. The SEC likely will provide associated guidance in the coming 2022 year. Happy New Year World! Thank you, Gunnar -- *Gunnar Larson - xNY.io <http://www.xNY.io> | Bank.org <http://Bank.org>* MSc <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - Digital Currency MBA <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-646-454-9107 New York, New York 10001

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City Settles Lawsuit From Protesters Who Accused NYPD Of Firing Sound Cannon At Them
by Gunnar Larson 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

https://gothamist.com/news/city-settles-lawsuit-protesters-who-accused-nypd… The City has agreed to pay $748,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by Black Lives Matter protesters who said the NYPD illegally targeted demonstrators with Long Range Acoustic Devices [LRAD] in 2014. Under the settlement, the NYPD will also ban the use of the LRAD’s powerful “deterrent tone” and, for the first time, generate a written policy governing the use of the devices. The suit stems from a demonstration in December of that year, when a group was marching in midtown Manhattan to protest a grand jury’s refusal to indict the officer who killed Staten Island resident Eric Garner using a banned chokehold. As part of an effort to disperse the crowd, two police officers repeatedly used the powerful tone generated by their LRAD. Some of the journalists and protesters who were in close range at the time complained afterwards of pain, ringing in their ears, and migraines that lasted for days afterwards. The LRAD was initially developed for the U.S. Navy after terrorists attacked the U.S.S. Cole in 2000, using a small boat laden with explosives. Like its successors, the original LRAD served a dual function, on the one hand serving as a public-address system capable of communicating ship-to-ship over very long distances, and on the other hand capable of creating a cone of noise so loud and painful that it could deter anyone from approaching. Police forces soon realized these dual functions could be used in policing protests, and began adding them to their arsenals. The NYPD used its first LRAD to address protesters during the 2004 Republican National Convention, though it wouldn’t begin regularly deploying LRADs to protests until 2014. Less frequently, police have also used the device’s piercing sound-weapon function against protesters. The NYPD devices are capable of producing sound as loud as 137 decibels, well over the threshold that can cause pain and lasting damage to human ears. In 2012, Captain Anthony Raganella, the commander of the NYPD’s Disorder Control Unit, requested the department replace his unit’s LRADs with new models: a truck-mounted 500X LRAD at $23,000, and two handheld 100X LRADs at $7,680 each. (The request was included in a larger proposal that included $30,000 for pepper spray and pepper-ball weapons, thousands more for rubber pellet grenades and chemical irritant grenades, and $16,000 for orange crowd-control netting.) In an internal email explaining to the NYPD grants unit the necessity of his request, Raganella cited the threat posed by the Animal Liberation Front, the Earth Liberation Front, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. “The requested equipment would be used to train and ensure the readiness of the Department to respond to any civil unrest caused by these terrorist groups,” Raganella wrote. Today’s settlement brings final resolution to a landmark case first filed five years ago, but the City’s legal defeat dates back to a judge’s 2017 ruling. The de Blasio administration had argued that police couldn’t be held liable for excessive force in using an LRAD because they never actually touched anybody. “The officers' creation of a sound that plaintiffs happened to hear cannot be considered 'physical contact,’” City lawyers claimed. “the LRAD is not an instrumentality of force, but a communication device.” Judge Robert Sweet rejected the argument, ruling, “This is force, and the kind that could be used excessively.” The de Blasio administration appealed the decision, but in 2018 the 2nd Circuit affirmed it, forcefully rejecting the City’s argument that subjecting people to dangerously loud sound isn’t a use of force. “Even though sound waves are a novel method for deploying force,” the court wrote in its opinion, “the effect of an LRAD’s area denial function is familiar: pain and incapacitation.” The 2nd Circuit also reaffirmed that just because there isn’t case law governing a new technology for hurting people, that doesn’t give police a blank check to use that technology however they want. “Novel technology,” the court wrote, “does not entitle an officer to qualified immunity.” Still unwilling to concede the point, the de Blasio administration petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 to overturn the lower courts’ rulings, but the court declined to hear the request. Notwithstanding courts’ repeated findings that the deployment of LRADs could constitute use of force, current NYPD training takes pains to assert that the LRAD is not a weapon. “The LRAD is not any of these,” reads one slide from an LRAD training program for the Disorder Control Unit: “Sound Cannon; Sound Gun; Wave Gun; Sonic Weapons; Active Denial System.” “The tone does not create a sonic wave, blast or have the ability to cause physical injury like a weapon,” one training presentation reads, explaining that NYPD officers may use the tone “to help gain attention of individuals” in bursts of up to three seconds separated by at least a second. In settling the suit, the City does not concede that police officers using the LRAD broke any laws or violated anyone’s rights. But under the terms of the settlement, the NYPD commits to update its administrative guide and its officer training to ban the use of the deterrent tone altogether, and require police using LRADs to “make reasonable efforts to maintain minimum safe distances between the LRAD and all persons within its cone of sound.” Officers who fail to do so “may be subject to such further discipline as deemed appropriate.” The City will also pay the five plaintiffs in the case a total of $98,000, as well as $650,000 in fees for their lawyers, Gideon Oliver, Elena Cohen, and Michael Decker, all affiliated with the National Lawyers Guild. Annika Edrei, the lead plaintiff in the case, was a journalism student in 2014 when she found herself caught in the LRAD’s cone of sound, and suffered migraines for a week afterwards. The experience, she said, discouraged her from attending protests for years. “I actually gave up on a major part of my photography career,” she said. Speaking of the settlement, she said, “I hope that protesters in the future are more protected because of our actions.” “The City could have and should have decided to make policy change and pay our clients for their injuries much earlier,” said Oliver. “But instead of doing that, they fought tooth and nail for years in this case, and so in addition to damages and policy change, the city has to pay attorneys’ fees that are much higher than they would have been.”

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Havana Syndrome, Part 2: How a dog's brain may help solve the mystery of Canadian diplomats' Cuban nightmare
by Gunnar Larson 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

Right now, I am under entrapment (again) and Brody (my beautiful 13 year old St. Bernard) is nervous. Here is research on dogs getting nervous under such conditions: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/havana-syndrome-part-2-how-a-dogs… Could a dog’s brain offer any clues to the mysterious concussion-like syndrome affecting Canadian and American diplomats who were posted to Cuba? That is one of the many threads being pulled in an effort by researchers and scientists — and those affected — to better understand the condition referred to as Havana Syndrome, which has been blamed for debilitating some Canadian diplomats and their families. Little is known about what could have caused the symptoms shared by some diplomats who were posted in Cuba, although U.S. investigators have ruled out sonic weapons, according to the Washington Post. A doctor who examined some of the Canadian and U.S. diplomats has suggested the damage stems from a microwave weapon. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Previous Slain Eganville mom Lisa Sharpe spent years seeking help for troubled son TRENDING Lisa Sharpe, 48, was killed last week in her Eganville home. Her son, Trey Gagnon, has been charged with second-degree murder. (Photo courtesy The Eganville Leader) Ukrainians raise questions about Ottawa charity as allegations swirl around donations TRENDING Ukrainian journalist Olga Khudetska (right), who now provides tactical medical training to Ukrainian troops, raised concerns about equipment donated by Mriya Aid. Suspect arrested after man stabbed to death in south Ottawa overnight, police say TRENDING Ottawa Police are investigating the stabbing death of a man at an apartment in the 2700 block of Saratoga Place in Ottawa Tuesday morning. Ottawa firefighter denies choking comrade TRENDING Eric Einagel's lawyer says his client is "devastated" by the charges levelled against him. 'Far beyond' reasonable: Federal union wants 47 per cent compensation increase over three years TRENDING The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) headquarters in Ottawa. The TBS says the union’s demands for its 120,000 employees would cost nearly $10 billion over the next three years.Next Breadcrumb Trail Links Politics National Local News Havana Syndrome, Part 2: How a dog's brain may help solve the mystery of Canadian diplomats' Cuban nightmare Author of the article:Elizabeth Payne Published Feb 27, 2019 • Last updated Feb 28, 2019 • 5 minute read Join the conversation Andrew King sketches of Elizabeth Payne's Havana Syndrome series. PHOTO BY ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW KING /Postmedia Article content Could a dog’s brain offer any clues to the mysterious concussion-like syndrome affecting Canadian and American diplomats who were posted to Cuba? Advertisement 2 STORY CONTINUES BELOW This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content That is one of the many threads being pulled in an effort by researchers and scientists — and those affected — to better understand the condition referred to as Havana Syndrome, which has been blamed for debilitating some Canadian diplomats and their families. The brains of those diplomats and their spouses are being tested at Dalhousie’s Brain Repair Centre. Officials there were unavailable for interviews, but one of the diplomats involved told this newspaper that early findings have amazed researchers. Little is known about what could have caused the symptoms shared by some diplomats who were posted in Cuba, although U.S. investigators have ruled out sonic weapons, according to the Washington Post. A doctor who examined some of the Canadian and U.S. diplomats has suggested the damage stems from a microwave weapon. Still others have suggested the sounds being reported were actually crickets and that the symptoms are psychosomatic or a form of mass hysteria, hypotheses that anger those living with the after-effects. Dr. Michael Hoffer, a professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery at the University of Miami, who examined 25 people linked to the diplomatic community in Havana, is frustrated by suggestions that the harms done to some of the diplomats are not real. Hoffer was the lead author of a paper that found all of the diplomatic personnel complaining of dizziness, ear pain and tinnitus suffered from an otolithic abnormality (affecting inner ear organs related to balance) and cognitive dysfunction. Such injuries could result in other symptoms such as cognitive difficulties and exhaustion, he said. “Here is the thing: These people did have an injury. I don’t know who injured them. I don’t know what injured them. But I am impatient with the fact that a lot of people are saying it was crickets or an infectious disease. “These people did have an injury. I don’t know who injured them. I don’t know what injured them. But I am impatient with the fact that a lot of people are saying it was crickets or an infectious disease. “Something happened to them. These findings of the inner ear disorder cannot be faked,” he said. “It is not hysteria. It is not crickets.” The suggestion that the symptoms could be psychosomatic has added to the frustration of affected Canadian diplomats. According to documents obtained through access to information by the National Post, a federal government official suggested early on that the symptoms could be psychosomatic. When contacted by this newspaper, one of those diplomats was wary about people questioning the syndrome. That diplomat, who uses the pseudonym Diplomat Allen, is among 15 Canadian diplomatic staff and their families suffering from Havana Syndrome. They are suing the federal government for $28 million, citing lack of support, information and treatment, among other things. He and his family began experiencing mysterious symptoms now associated with the syndrome when they were living in Havana in 2017. Allen and his family left Havana in the fall of 2017 after a series of unexplained events, including a screeching metallic sound in the middle of the night that left them with a variety of symptoms including nausea, uncontrolled nosebleeds, headaches and cognitive difficulties. During the summer of 2017, before the family returned to Ottawa, their three Shih Tzu dogs were behaving strangely, said Allen. Almost every night, the dogs would run to the corner of their yard backing on to a house where American diplomatic staff lived and bark frantically, for no apparent reason. “There was nothing there.” The dogs were shipped back to Ottawa after the family returned. One of them, a seven-year-old, subsequently began behaving strangely — suddenly biting at non-existent flies, arching its back and lying on its back and putting its feet in the air. A veterinarian diagnosed seizures and told the family there was something wrong with the dog’s brain. The vet recommended the dog be euthanized. Allen passed the information to a medical official at Global Affairs who asked if they could arrange for a necropsy on the dog. The necropsy (similar to an autopsy but performed on an animal) was conducted in Kemptville, where the University of Guelph has a campus. Later, Allen and his wife, along with other Canadian diplomats from Havana, travelled to Halifax where they are being assessed and studied at Dalhousie University’s Brain Repair Centre. Doctors there obtained a sample of the dog’s brain, said Allen. In December, researchers at Dalhousie told Allen they had found “something significant” in the dog’s brain and needed more samples. “It could be related,” Allen was told. Any links may help fill in the many blanks surrounding the mysterious syndrome. Researchers at Dalhousie are continuing to study the Canadian diplomats and spouses. Allen said he has been told “they were amazed” at what they found through MRIs of the diplomats’ brains and other tests. “All of us have brain bleeds that we shouldn’t have — and our thought processes are slower than people our age,” he said. MRIs show bleeds coming from small capillaries in their brains, he said, which are completely different from the control group. “For us, this is the concrete evidence we needed that this was real.” Canadian diplomats and families have also been diagnosed with vestibular and vision disorders, cognitive disorders and other issues. There is a small sense of relief at seeing some concrete evidence, but for Allen and others, that does little to allay fears about the future. Those with young children are particularly worried about how they might be affected in the long term. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said the affected diplomats have Canada’s “utmost sympathy and support.” Meanwhile, there are more questions than answers about how and why the damage occurred. Were Canadians collateral damage or targets? What kind of weapons were used? And why? Daniel Livermore, a former foreign service officer who is a senior fellow at uOttawa’s department of public and international affairs, said there is little more than speculation about the source of the mysterious injuries to diplomats — one is that Havana Syndrome resulted from some sort of eavesdropping device gone awry, another is that the injuries are the result of targeted weapons. Cuba, which has always had good international relations with Canada, is not considered to be behind the attacks, if that is what they were. Russia and China are both considered possible suspects if there were attacks with weapons. As to what kind of weapons, there are still more questions. “I don’t know how this is being weaponized,” Livermore said of speculation that the damage was done with microwave weapons. “I don’t even know what the motivation would be. I don’t see a motive,” he said.

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