Republic News
Toph Beifong Statue Vandalized As Police Enforce Curfew
By Zheng Wang

This morning, police officers awoke to find the statue of Toph Beifong, located above the entrance of Republic City Police Headquarters, vandalized; the statue was found covered in red paint. Toph Beifong was a companion of Avatar Aang, who aided him in the Final Battle against the Fire Nation during the Hundred Year War. Her most famous achievements are discovering metalbending and establishing the Metalbending Police Force of Republic City, serving as its first Chief of Police.

In a press conference with the vandalized statue behind him, current Chief of Police Hong Lu said, "I have one thing to say to these people: stop. The people who do such things, like protest and vandalize, simply interfere with the process of justice. If you want the Avatar to receive justice, let the police do their jobs. We have to direct more and more effort towards these wastes of time when we have more important things to do. Whoever did this should think twice about doing something like this again."

The discovery was quite a shock to law enforcement, as officers had been patrolling the streets all night to enforce the recently imposed curfew on Republic City citizens. Whoever vandalized the statue was able to slip past the several law enforcement agents without them knowing. Because of this, the police's nightly patrols are doubling in numbers, especially around the police headquarters, as to more strictly enforce the curfew.

The curfew began after several protests occurred in support of Avatar Shen, who has been charged with the murder and assault of Earth Republic citizens Hou Chen and two of his friends. The possibility of the death penalty being carried out against the Avatar shocked many citizens. The curfew imposed by the police shocked many more.

The head of the activist group "For Balance," in a rally last week, located down the street from the police headquarters, said, "The police are using the Avatar's case as a distraction from their own misdeeds. What happened to the investigations of corruption? The bribery from gang officials? We need an answer."

The rally shortly became violent as many attending clashed with approaching police, who attempted to break up the crowd. Chief Lu also commented about the For Balance rally, saying, "It was simply a matter of keeping people safe. Having people in the middle of the road creates a traffic jam and safety hazard. What if someone got hit by a car? This is standard procedure: we would have done this if the rally was for or against us. As I said before, let us do our jobs."

The organization For Balance responded to the chief's comments in a statement later that day, saying, "The blatant lies spread by the police cannot be made more apparent than today. Chief Lu is fully aware of what his men did and why, and so does the rest of Republic City. The police need to face the music. The citizens of Republic City want their cycle of corruption and scandal to end, and balance to be restored."

Avatar Shen is unlikely to comment on recent events, as his court hearing draws nearer by the day. Accompanied by his team of lawyers, funded by the White Lotus, he is building a defense for the likely event that he will go trial, at a date to be determined.

Republic News
Breaking: Avatar Shen's Trial Date Finalized
By Zheng Wang

Avatar Shen's trial has officially been announced to take place next month at City Hall. He plead not guilty to the first-degree murder and assault charges against Earth Republic citizen Hou Chen and two of his friends. The news comes after weeks of negotiating between the prosecution and defense, as the defense attempted to reach a plea agreement. However, without such agreement, if he is to be found guilty, the Avatar may face execution.

Republic City Police, in their announcement, said, "In this case of the murder of Hou Chen, the one who is responsible cannot be more clear. Multiple eyewitnesses as well as several pieces of physical evidence points to only one person: Avatar Shen. We have a strong case set up by the best lawyers in the world. Rest assured, Avatar Shen will be brought to justice."

Many have urged the President of the United Republic, President Hiro, to overturn the Superior Court's decision if he is found to be guilty. If such an action is legal is still under question. The President has not publicly stated if he was planning on pardoning the Avatar, though has said he expects to work with the Avatar in the future.

When asked if, in anticipation for a potential execution of the Avatar, the White Lotus was preparing a potential search for his successor. The head of the organization Yin said, "No, we are not, and we don't plan on beginning preparations for many years. Avatar Shen will be found innocent in that courtroom, and he will continue being the Avatar for decades to come. He is a remarkable young man, and after working with him, I can assure he will do well."

Avatar Shen has stayed outside of the public eye for the last weeks in preparation for his hearing. Many expect him to continue this in preparation for his trial. Though, many individuals in the press criticized the Avatar for this. The Elemental Times, in a recent editorial, said, "First, he [the Avatar] tells us he wants to keep us safe. Then, riots break out throughout the city. After that, he says he wants to help people. Then he bunkers away in his basement. This Avatar has proven himself to be dishonest, and it's plain to see for all."

The last month has been the most eventful months of the last two decades: the new Avatar had been discovered, he had been charged with murder, protestors gathered throughout the city and newspapers are polarizing the public. The proceeding months will also be just as eventful, with a heavily publicized trial drawing every nearer and a potential execution of an Avatar.

The future remains uncertain for the citizens of the world. Billions are watching Republic City closely to learn the fate of the Avatar and the world. However, in this time of confusion, all we can do is have hope—hope that whatever happens next month, we will live in a more balanced and peaceful world.