France

ISIS claimed to be behind the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 that killed 129 people. Though several of the bombers have been identified, there is still a lot of backlash is France against Muslim civilians and the rising population of Syrian refugees. Several Muslims in the area have already started battling this stigma, creating art pieces to support the people of France and participating in a social media campaign against ISIS called #NotInMyName. For people who wish to help, donate to the Red Cross or follow the hashtag #PorteOuverte.

Poland

Thousands of protesters paraded through the streets of Poland on Nov. 11 carrying signs with such messages as “Great Catholic Poland,” “Stop Islamisation” and “Poland for the Polish” while burning the EU flag. Between 25,000 and 50,000 people joined the march, according to The Telegraph, protesting the influx of refugees in Poland. Protesters chanted slogans such as “work makes you free,” a reference to the slogan used by the Nazis during World War II and hung above the Auschwitz work camp.

Uganda

Yoweri Museveni, president of Uganda since 1985, has a new slogan according to an article by The Economist: “Vote Museveni. President now. President forever.” Uganda’s elections will be held in February 2016. Many citizens fear that Museveni will hold on to his power, even though there are eight presidential candidates, including Kizza Besigye, an opposition leader who has been arrested repeatedly in the past for fighting such elections. Many of Museveni’s supporters are getting paid to go to rallies on behalf of Museveni.

United States

Latina high school senior Anry Fuentes became the first transgender cheerleader in California last week. Fuentes, 17, tried out not because she would break history, but just because she wanted to cheer, she told People magazine. Fuentes had cheered for years at Denair High School. When Fuentes decided to transition, she faced backlash from her family. However, her team supported her. This was Fuentes’ third time trying out of the cheer team.