*Abolishing online anonymity won’t tackle the underlying problems of racist abuse.*

Anonymous speech is an important freedom in itself, since criticism of the powerful is also something that people will often be intimidated from saying once they know they will be identified and punished.

Here is a suggestion: social media conversations platforms should not be allowed to support direct messages. Instead, they could allow person A to inform person B "I'd like to talk with you — please contact me at [phone number/email address/other contact channel]" using fixed wording. That can't be used to carry an insult, but it can be used to start conversations.

*NYPD Reforms Are Failing, Say Plaintiffs Who Won Landmark Stop-and-Frisk Case.*

Dr Faisal Khan, director of public health for St Louis County in Missouri, spoke in a packed and dangerous county council meeting to defend his advice to adopt a mask mandate. The room was full of right-wingers and they responded to him with racist bullying.

St Louis County does not include the city of St Louis, but does include Ferguson.

A Republican wore body armor while he spoke at the wrecker's Jan 6 rally and encouraged people to attack the Capitol.

*Major protests swell in Guatemala as calls grow louder for president, attorney general to resign.*