Florida Repeals 'One of Country's Worst Jim Crow Laws'
Staff | truthdig.com | 2018-11-07
In a "huge and hard fought victory" that writer and activist Shaun King called "one of the most important of our lifetime," Florida on Tuesday overwhelming approved Amendment 4, which restores voting rights for 1.4 million state residents with past felony convictions who were barred from participating in elections even after completing their sentences. | "Not only does this repeal one of the country's worst Jim Crow laws," noted Public Citizen, "it's also the largest e…
truthdig.com/articles/florida-repeals-one-of-countrys-worst-jim-crow-laws/

1.4mn former felons will vote again in Florida
RT | rt.com | 2018-11-07
The passing of Florida's Amendment 4 will restore over a million former felons' right to vote in future elections. While activists are claiming victory, others are left with serious concerns that the changes are too forgiving. | …
rt.com/usa/443298-florida-felons-voting-rights/

Progressives Win on Medicaid Expansion, Public Education, and Voting Rights Through Ballot Initiatives
Rachel M. Cohen | theintercept.com | 2018-11-07
From state legislative races to the House of Representatives, progressive candidates made a dent in the 2018 election season, and will be relatively well-represented in federal and state-level governments next year. But it's not just elected office: Left-wing activists also made their voices heard through ballot initiatives across the country. On Tuesday night, progressives walked away with some wins and some losses on that front. | They made gains for Medicaid expansion, public education, and voting rights. But they lost other battles, like on criminal justice reform, nurse-to-patient ratios, and universal home…
theintercept.com/2018/11/07/ballot-measures-2018-midterms/

In Historic Move, Florida Reverses Ban on Voting Rights for People With Past Felony Convictions
Jessica Corbett | mintpressnews.com | 2018-11-07
"Florida voters made a resoundingly clear statement that the state's shameful lifetime ban on voting is not consistent with the values of democracy." | The post In Historic Move, Florida Reverses Ban on Voting Rights for People With Past Felony Convictions appeared first on MintPress News.
mintpressnews.com/florida-restores-voting-rights-for-1-4-million-people-with-past-felony-convictions/251554/

Eight Lessons from History for Today's Madness
Abby Scher | zcomm.org | 2018-11-07
I learned to peer beyond my political bubble in the early 1980s, first when Ronald Reagan was elected president and destroyed the New Deal coalition in which I was raised and then when Phyllis Schlafly's Stop ERA women indeed stopped the Equal Rights Amendment for women from becoming the law of the land by defeating Read…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/eight-lessons-from-history-for-todays-madness/

Petition: Tell the new Congress to block Trump's white nationalist agenda
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2018-11-07
Last night, Americans shifted the balance of power in the House of Representatives, creating a Democratic majority. The new Congress now holds the responsibility to take a stand for civil and human rights.
splcenter.org/news/2018/11/07/petition-tell-new-congress-block-trump%25E2%2580%2599s-white-nationalist-agenda

The Prison Industry in the United States: Big Business or a New Form of Slavery?
Vicky Peláez | globalresearch.ca | 2018-11-07
This incisive and carefully researched article was first published by Global Research ten years ago in March 2008. | Human rights organizations, as well as political and social ones, are condemning what they are calling a new form of inhumane exploitation … | The post The Prison Industry in the United States: Big Business or a New Form of Slavery? appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/the-prison-industry-in-the-united-states-big-business-or-a-new-form-of-slavery/8289

"Love Prevails": Floridians Celebrate Massive Restoration of Voting Rights to People with Felonies
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-11-07
At least 1.4 million people have regained the right to vote in Florida, following the passage of Amendment 4, a statewide initiative to re-enfranchise people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences, excluding people convicted of murder or sex offenses. The amendment passed overwhelmingly, with 64.5 percent of the vote. It needed 60 percent to pass. The win will permanently alter politics in a state that elected Republican Ron DeSantis as Florida governor by just over 55,000 votes, according to the latest numbers. DeSantis defeated Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who was vying…
www.democracynow.org/2018/11/7/love_prev…

Why Is Israel Afraid of Khalida Jarrar?
Ramzy Baroud | zcomm.org | 2018-11-07
Khalida Jarrar fights for Palestinian women, their freedom and their rights to receive proper education, to seek work opportunity and to better their lives, while facing tremendous obstacles of military occupation, prison and social pressure…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/why-is-israel-afraid-of-khalida-jarrar/

Erdogan Says US Sanctions On Iran Are Against International Law
Middle East Eye | iranian.com | 2018-11-07
Turkish president says US sanctions on Iran, which came into effect Monday, aim to 'upset the global balance' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken out against US sanctions on Iran, saying the measures violate international law and Ankara will not abide by them. Washington's latest round of renewed sanctions on Tehran came into effect […] | The post Erdogan Says US Sanctions On Iran Are Against International Law appeared first on The Iranian.
iranian.com/2018/11/07/erdogan-says-us-sanctions-on-iran-are-against-international-law/

Are Trump Regime Hardliners Heading for War on Iran?
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2018-11-07
Was the Trump regime's JCPOA pullout and harsh sanctions prelude for something far more aggressive — aiming to weaken and try toppling Iran's government forcefully? | Most world community nations oppose Trump's unacceptable and illegal toughness on Iran. | Israel, its lobby, … | The post Are Trump Regime Hardliners Heading for War on Iran? appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/are-trump-regime-hardliners-heading-for-war-on-iran/5659102

US Backs Down: Exempts Iranian Chabahar Port From Restored Sanctions
Sputnik News | iranian.com | 2018-11-07
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed to grant an exemption to allow the development Iran's Chabahar Port from the new Iran sanctions imposed by the United States so it can be used by Afghanistan, a State Department spokesperson told Sputnik on Tuesday. "After extensive consideration, the Secretary has provided for an exception from the imposition of certain sanctions […] | The post US Backs Down: Exempts Iranian Chabahar Port From Restored Sanctions appeared first on
iranian.com/2018/11/06/us-backs-down-exempts-iranian-chabahar-port-from-restored-sanctions/

Hatewatch Headlines 11/7/2018
Hatewatch Staff | splcenter.org | 2018-11-07
Time to declare war on domestic terrorism; CBP accused of voter intimidation; Oregon voters stand behind immigrant sanctuary law; and…
splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/11/07/hatewatch-headlines-1172018

Civil Rights Groups Warn of DOJ Efforts to Intimidate Voters
Jake Johnson | mintpressnews.com | 2018-11-06
"Attorney General Jeff Sessions does not have his eyes set on voter suppression but is instead exploiting this moment to push a false narrative about voter fraud." | The post Civil Rights Groups Warn of DOJ Efforts to Intimidate Voters appeared first on MintPress News.
mintpressnews.com/midterm-elections-civil-rights-groups-warn-of-doj-efforts-to-intimidate-voters/251527/

Trump steps up anti-immigrant campaign on eve of US election
wsws | wsws.org | 2018-11-06
The move to shut down DACA is the latest effort to attack the democratic rights of immigrants.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/11/06/elec…

What Difference will the US Midterm Elections Make? Iran Sanctions, Towards A Global Financial Crisis
Jim Dean | globalresearch.ca | 2018-11-06
The US midterm elections will soon be over. Some will be celebrating, with others passing the crying towel around. Another group of spinmeisters will then go to work for those who have lost, claiming Russian interference or whatever they can … | The post What Difference will the US Midterm Elections Make? Iran Sanctions, Towards A Global Financial Crisis appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/what-difference-will-the-midterm-elections-make-iran-sanctions-towards-a-global-financial-crisis/5659049

Saudi Journalist Tortured to Death in Prison
Middle East Monitor | theantimedia.com | 2018-11-06
(MEMO) — Saudi journalist and writer Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Jasser has died after being tortured while in detention, the New Khaleej reported yesterday. Reporting human rights sources, the news site said that Al-Jasser was arrested and tortured to death after Saudi authorities claimed he administered the Twitter account Kashkool, which disclosed rights violations committed by the Saudi authorities and …

Saudi Journalist Tortured to Death in Prison

ICE Detention Center Says It's Not Responsible for Staff's Sexual Abuse of Detainees
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-11-06
Officials at the detention facility are trying to avoid responsibility by arguing that the detainee "consented" to sexual abuse. | All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government impose criminal liability on correctional facility staff who have sexual contact with people in their custody. These laws recognize that any sexual activity between detainees and detention facility staff, with or without the use of force, is unlawful because of the inherent power imbalance when people are in custody. Yet, one immigration detention center is trying to avoid responsibility for sexual violence within its…
aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/ice-detention-center-says-its-not-responsible

The West is Failing Julian Assange
Consortiumnews | consortiumnews.com | 2018-11-06
While the media focused on Julian Assange's cat rather than his continuing arbitrary detention, evidence shows that Britain worked hard to force his extradition to Sweden where Assange feared he could then be turned over to the U.S., as Stefania… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2018/11/06/the-west-is-failing-julian-assange/

Trump's Top Anti-Immigrant Officials Are Trying to Rig the Census
Shared by Samantha Borek | truthout.org | 2018-11-06
We look at a federal trial underway in New York City that could overturn the Trump administration's plans to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census. Voting rights activists fear the question will deter immigrants from participating in the census, leading to a vast undercount in states with large immigrant communities. This could impact everything from the redrawing of congressional maps to the allocation of federal funding. The citizenship question was announced in March by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who touted it as a way to enforce the Voting Rights Act and protect minorities against voter dis…
truthout.org/video/trumps-top-anti-immigrant-officials-are-trying-to-rig-the-census/

Florida's Amendment 4 Would Restore Voting Rights to 1.4 Million People with Nonviolent Felonies
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-11-06
Florida voters are preparing to vote on Amendment 4, a measure that would restore voting rights to 1.4 million people with nonviolent felonies who have fully completed their sentences. One in five African Americans in Florida and 10 percent of the state's adult population are ineligible to vote because of a criminal record. Across the United States, more than 6.1 million people with felony convictions are not eligible to vote. Florida is one of just four states that bar them from voting for life. In October, Amy Goodman traveled to Melbourne, Florida, and spoke with Desmond Meade, the president of the Florida Rig…
www.democracynow.org/2018/11/6/floridas_…

NAACP Unites in Demand to Make Panama City Florida Polling Sites Accessible to Hurricane Victims
Regan Farley | naacp.org | 2018-11-06
Groups Want Equal Access to the Polls for Communities Displaced by Hurricane Michael BALTIMORE–(November 6, 2018) Florida officials have rejected a formal request from voting rights advocates to make polling locations more accessible to African-American residents of Panama City, Florida, who were hard hit by Hurricane Michael. Late last week, a coalition of voting rights […] | The post NAACP Unites in Demand to Make Panama City Florida Polling Sites Accessible to Hurricane Victi…
naacp.org/latest/naacp-unites-demand-make-panama-city-florida-polling-sites-accessible-hurricane-victims/

"Smoking Gun" Evidence Shows Trump Admin's Top Anti-Immigrant Officials Trying to Rig the Census
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-11-06
We look at a federal trial underway in New York City that could overturn the Trump administration's plans to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census. Voting rights activists fear the question will deter immigrants from participating in the census, leading to a vast undercount in states with large immigrant communities. This could impact everything from the redrawing of congressional maps to the allocation of federal funding. The citizenship question was announced in March by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who touted it as a way to enforce the Voting Rights Act and protect minorities against voter disc…
www.democracynow.org/2018/11/6/smoking_g…

Saudi Arabia Grilled Over Human Rights Record at UN Meeting in Geneva
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2018-11-06
(MEE) — Saudi Arabia has insisted that its investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will be "fair", amid a barrage of criticism at a United Nations meeting on Monday. The half-day public debate at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva came just over than a month after the Saudi insider-turned-critic was murdered in the Saudi consulate …

Saudi Arabia Grilled Over Human Rights Record at UN Meeting in Geneva

US to impose 'additional sanctions' on Russia over Skripal poisoning claim
RT | rt.com | 2018-11-06
Washington will move to impose additional sanctions against Russia, saying Moscow did not meet its demands by the deadline set by the US and accusing Moscow of a chemical attack against a former spy and his daughter in the UK. | …
rt.com/usa/443270-russia-sanctions-chemical-skripal/

Iran Releases Video Vowing Global Partners Will Help It Beat Sanctions
Zero Hedge | iranian.com | 2018-11-06
Less than 24 hours after crippling U.S. sanctions went into effect targeting primarily Iran's energy sector, and hours after SWIFT suspended Iranian banks from accessing the global financial messaging system, succumbing to pressure from the Trump White House, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has published the Islamic Republic's official statement in response. In a 3-minute video posted […] | The post Iran Releases Video Vowing Global Partners Will Help It Beat Sanctions appeared first on
iranian.com/2018/11/06/iran-releases-video-vowing-global-partners-will-help-it-beat-sanctions/

Iran Is Preparing for a Long Siege as the Global Squeeze Begins
Elijah J. Magnier | globalresearch.ca | 2018-11-06
Today the harshest and highest level economic and energy sanctions that can be imposed on any country are being imposed unilaterally on Iran. The US establishment will try its best to bring the Islamic Republic to its knees and Tehran … | The post Iran Is Preparing for a Long Siege as the Global Squeeze Begins appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/iran-is-preparing-for-a-long-siege-as-the-global-squeeze-begins/5659083

Video: Pompeo Announces Iran Sanctions 'Waivers'
Zero Hedge | globalresearch.ca | 2018-11-06
While several European countries that applied for a waiver didn't receive one (reports last week noted that the US had refused to grant a waiver to the European Union as a whole), Italy and Greece did receive waivers. Pompeo noted … | The post Video: Pompeo Announces Iran Sanctions 'Waivers' appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/video-pompeo-announces-iran-sanctions-waivers/5659058

Trump's Sanctions Against Iran Appear To Have Failed
Eric Zuesse | iranian.com | 2018-11-06
This morning it was reported that the following countries will receive 'temporary' waivers excusing them from US sanctions on Iranian oil exports. ‚Ä¢ South Korea ‚Ä¢ Taiwan ‚Ä¢ Turkey ‚Ä¢ Greece ‚Ä¢ Japan ‚Ä¢ China ‚Ä¢ India ‚Ä¢ Italy www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDAXN_Zqq7A&#038… If there will be increasing resistance in the EU, among the nations that Trump is […] | The post T…
iranian.com/2018/11/05/trumps-sanctions-against-iran-appear-to-have-failed/

John Bolton: U.S. Is Preparing More Sanctions Against Iran
Oil Price | iranian.com | 2018-11-06
The United States government is preparing more sanctions against Iran, national security adviser John Bolton told Fox Business News, commenting on what the current sanctions have already helped Washington accomplish, and what the ultimate goal is.
iranian.com/2018/11/06/us-preparing-more-iran-sanctions/

SPLC urges Trump administration to preserve measures that protect immigrant children from detention
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2018-11-05
Jenny Lisette Flores came to America at 15, fleeing civil war in El Salvador to find protection with family members in the U.S.
splcenter.org/news/2018/11/05/splc-urges-trump-administration-preserve-measures-protect-immigrant-children-detention

The ACLU Mourns the Passing of Ramona Ripston
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-11-05
For nearly four decades, Ripston led the ACLU of Southern California and turned it into a civil liberties and civil rights powerhouse. | Ramona Ripston, who led the ACLU of Southern California for nearly four decades, died on Saturday. She was 91. | Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, issued the following statement: | "On Saturday, we lost my friend Ramona Ripston, a civil liberties icon in Los Angeles and one of the country's most dynamic advocates for justice and equality., , "In her nearly four decades as leader of the ACLU's Southern California affiliate, Ramona's off…
aclu.org/blog/aclu-mourns-passing-ramona-ripston

Corporate concentration, intellectual property rights, and U.S. public policy
Martin Hart-Landsberg | mronline.org | 2018-11-05
Dominant corporations have dramatically increased their market power in the U.S. over the last decades, allowing them to boost their profits and, by extension, political power. And, although rarely acknowledged by the media, this trend owes much to the way public policy has promoted corporate intellectual property rights at the public expense. | Source…
mronline.org/2018/11/05/corporate-concentration-intellectual-property-rights-and-u-s-public-policy/

5000-plus stand up for transgender rights in Minneapolis
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2018-11-05
Minneapolis, MN – Over 5000 people from all across Minnesota lined Lake Street, from South Minneapolis to Saint Paul, October 28, to show solidarity with transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex people under attack by the Trump administration. | The action comes in response to a Department of Health and Human Services memo leaked by the New York Times which reaffirmed the administration's aim to legally define gender as "a person's status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth." This definition, if adopted, not only erases any legal definition of "transgender,…
www.fightbacknews.org/2018/11/5/5000-plu…

In Trump's Hands, the Census Becomes a Weapon
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-11-05
We use the census as a tool to build power in communities. The administration wants to use it against those communities. | Almost a decade ago, I ran the Minkwon Center for Community Action, a grassroots organization serving the Korean-American community in Queens. Getting immigrants to participate in the 2010 census was one of our top priorities. Why? Because I knew we could use the census to build power for our communities, just by standing up and being counted. And we did, but it wasn't easy. | First, we had to educate people about the census's importance. After all, it's not just a head count. The…
aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/trumps-hands-census-becomes-weapon

How US Sanctions on Iran Could Herald a Profound Global Power Shift
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2018-11-05
In the medium term, the US will lose influence as Iran gains confidence; in the worst case scenario, there will be a war whose consequences will be incalculable. (MEE Op-ed) — On Monday, the US will ratchet up its brutal and merciless economic war against Iran, raising sanctions to a new level. The Trump administration has said its …

How US Sanctions on Iran Could Herald a Profound Global Power Shift

Tehran Slams Renewed "Cruel" Sanctions as US Split With EU Allies Remains Apparent
Randi Nord | mintpressnews.com | 2018-11-05
The renewed sanctions only serve to further isolate the U.S. from the international community and bring economic hardship home in the form of higher oil prices. | The post Tehran Slams Renewed "Cruel" Sanctions as US Split With EU Allies Remains Apparent appeared first on MintPress News.
mintpressnews.com/iran-slams-renewed-cruel-sanctions-us-split-eu-allies-remains-apparent/251469/

Maduro: Venezuela Sitting on 2nd Biggest Gold Reserve on Earth
TeleSur English | venezuelanalysis.com | 2018-11-05
President Nicolas Maduro described the U.S. sanctions on Venezuela as "crazy" and "criminal."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14133

Gasoline Shortages Hit Western Venezuela
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2018-11-05
Whilst the government hinted at import problems due to US sanctions, others have cited additional factors, including cross-border smuggling, poor maintenance and increased demand due to the upcoming price hike.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14135

Civil Rights Leaders Unite to Deliver Message to Voters Ahead of Midterm Elections
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-11-04
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Vanessa Mbonu/ vmbonu@naacpnet.org Message Underscores the Importance of Elections Taking Place on November 6 BALTIMORE ≠(November 4, 2018)–With the midterm elections on Tuesday, NAACP has partnered with other prominent civil rights groups to release a special public service announcement (PSA) aimed at mobilizing voters in the last days of […] | The post Civil Rights Leaders Unite to Deliver Message to Voters Ahead of Midterm Elections appeared firs…
naacp.org/latest/civil-rights-leaders-unite-deliver-message-voters-ahead-midterm-elections/

Trump's Latin American Sanctions: Clear 'Political Tactic' For Midterms
Sputnik International | venezuelanalysis.com | 2018-11-04
VA's Paul Dobson analyzes the latest US sanctions in this Sputnik News report.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14131

Despite Saudi Crisis, US Increases Threats Against Iran
Consortiumnews | consortiumnews.com | 2018-11-04
Though the U.S.-Saudi alliance may have been weakened because of the Khashoggi murder, both countries are still targeting Iran as new US sanctions are announced on Sunday, writes Marjorie Cohn of Truthout. By Marjorie Cohn Truthout The alleged torture, murder… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2018/11/04/despite-saudi-crisis-us-increases-threats-against-iran/

Michelle Obama Urges NAACP Supporters to Get Out and Vote on Election Day
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-11-03
BALTIMORE (November 3, 2018)–Former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, joins NAACP, the nation's largest civil rights organization, in its civic engagement campaign to increase African American voter turnout on Election Day, November 6. Mrs. Obama's collaboration comes in form of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) where she urges viewers to use their […] | The post Michelle Obama Urges NAACP Supporters to Get Out and Vote on Election Day appeared first on
naacp.org/latest/michelle-obama-urges-naacp-supporters-get-vote-election-day/

Brazilian social leader: 'We defeated the military dictatorship, we'll defeat Bolsonaro'
stuart_m | greenleft.org.au | 2018-11-02
Shockwaves were sent around the world when fascist candidate Jair Bolsonaro won 55% in the second round in Brazil's presidential elections on October 28, defeating Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party (PT). | Infamous for his support for torture and military dictatorship as well as extreme bigotry towards women, the LGBTI community and indigenous peoples, millions in Brazil and globally were horrified and frightened. Not so investors, with Brazil's stock market soaring to new highs on the news of the win by a candidate who has pledged to open up all of Brazil — including ecologically crucial sections of th…
greenleft.org.au/content/brazilian-social-leader-we-defeated-military-dictatorship-well-defeat-bolsonaro

Noam Chomsky: Members of Migrant Caravan Are Fleeing from Misery & Horrors Created by the U.S
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-11-02
As President Trump escalated his attacks and threats against the Central American migrant caravans making their way to the U.S.-Mexico border, the Trump administration unveiled new sanctions against Venezuela and Cuba on Thursday. National security adviser John Bolton declared Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua to be part of a "troika of tyranny" and a "triangle of terror." We speak with world-renowned professor, linguist and dissident Noam Chomsky about U.S. foreign policy in Central America. He joins us in Tucson, Arizona, where he now teaches at the University of Arizona. Chomsky is also institute professor emeritu…
www.democracynow.org/2018/11/2/noam_chom…

Catholic Social Services Wants a License to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Foster Families
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-11-02
The needs of those in the child welfare system should come first, not the religious preferences of agencies receiving taxpayer funds to care for them. | On Tuesday, a federal appeals court will hear oral argument in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, a case of great concern to advocates for children in foster care, the LGBTQ community, faith leaders, and states that are committed to ensuring non-discrimination in government programs. The ACLU is arguing in court for the Support Center for Child Advocates and Philadelphia Family Pride, who have inter…
aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/lgbt-parenting/catholic-social-services-wants-license-discriminate-against-lgbtq

Protests force Morrison to get kids off Nauru
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2018-11-02
Just days after the latest — and largest — round of #KidsOffNauru protests, the federal government has said all children will be removed from Nauru by the end of the year. | Refugee rights organisations held mass protests in Sydney and Melbourne on October 27, with protesters chanting: "Kids off! All off! Close the camps now!" | Mehdi, an Iranian refugee on Nauru, addressed the Melbourne rally by phone. Mehdi said: "Five years of suffering and torture. We are the walking dead." | Abdul Aziz Adam, speaking from Manus Island, thanked rally participants, saying "your protest means a lot to us". | He expl…
greenleft.org.au/content/protests-force-morrison-get-kids-nauru

Signature Match Laws Disproportionately Impact Voters Already on the Margins
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-11-02
Absentee ballots should make voting more accessible. Signature match laws should not be used to disenfranchise marginalized voters. | We sign things all the time — to pay for groceries with a credit card or end a letter to a friend, for example. Rarely do our signatures come under scrutiny. Yet, a number of states are denying people the right to vote because the signature on their absentee ballot — and sometimes even on their application for a ballot itself– doesn't exactly match their signature on the voter registration rolls. And in many cases, the state does not even tell the affected voter t…
aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/signature-match-laws-disproportionately-impact-voters-already-margins

Running for human rights: Palestine needs support
stuart_m | greenleft.org.au | 2018-11-02
As I walked through the tight alleyways of Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza earlier this year, I was followed by dozens of curious barefoot children, fascinated that a foreigner had made them a visit. The siege on Gaza has made it nearly impossible for outsiders to enter. | With the children a few steps behind me, smiling and giggling, I made my way through the dusty camp, being greeted and welcomed by Palestinians who came to their doorways as we passed. | I gratefully accepted an invitation from a fisher's wife to come into their home to see how they lived. She offered me tea on a small silver tray as we…
greenleft.org.au/content/running-human-rights-palestine-needs-support

Warehousing Immigrant Children in the Texas Desert
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-11-01
The Tornillo detention camp represents a major shift in the policy and practice of putting the best interests of the child first. | Since June, the federal government has been operating a massive tent city in the West Texas desert to detain immigrant children who have traveled to the United States seeking protection from persecution and abuse in their home countries. | Last week, I visited the Tornillo detention camp with colleagues from the ACLU of Texas. There are currently over 1,000 unaccompanied immigrant kids at Tornillo, most from Central America, who were transferred from long-term shelter placements. Th…
aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/warehousing-immigrant-children-texas-desert