Six months since the brutal arrest of WikiLeaks' publisher Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2019-10-12
While Assange is subjected to what amounts to torture in a British prison, the war criminals he has done so much to expose walk free.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/10/12/pers…
In Iowa, Politicians Protect the Meat Industry by Making Animal Rights Activists Criminals
Leighton Akio Woodhouse | theintercept.com | 2019-10-12
Our short documentary tells the story of one undercover investigator whose footage of a pig factory farm is at the center of Iowa's ag-gag backlash.
theintercept.com/2019/10/12/meat-industry-ag-gag-laws/
Ecuador: 'No Place to Hide', More Cities Reject Neoliberalism
telesurenglish.net | 2019-10-12
For the first time in the history of the Republic of Ecuador, the government headquarters was transferred from Quito, the capital city, to Guayaquil on October 7. | President Lenin Moreno made the decision amid growing protests against the policy package implemented to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. | The decision also happened a week after Moreno declared a State of Exception, a legal move which allows the government to restrict civil and political rights. | Closure of alternative media, detention of hundreds of people and other measures to halt citizen protest, however, would appear to have h…
telesurenglish.net/news/Ecuador-No-Place-to-Hide-More-Cities-Reject-Neoliberalism-20191012-0004.html
Basta Save Chelsea from Torture and Death Vigil&Music
ORION | indybay.org | 2019-10-12
FRUITVALE&MACARTHUR OAKLAND 94602…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/11/18827200.php
'We Will Not Forget His Cruelty,' Declare Rights Advocates After DHS Chief Kevin McAleenan Resigns
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-12
After President Donald Trump announced on Friday night the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan, immigrant rights advocates vowed that "we will not forget his cruelty." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/12/we-will-not-forget-his-cruelty-declare-rights-advocates-after-dhs-chief-kevin?cd-origin=rss
An Aperspectival View of the Culture War
Daniel Thompson | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-10-12
Each stage in the history of the civil rights movement has had a specific theme and focus. In the 19th century it was race and gender, in the 20th it was race, gender, gay, bi, trans, queer, in the 21st it is all of them +. One could say that these are ideas whose time …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/10/an-aperspectival-view-of-the-culture-war/
Real life and resistance in Venezuela — Ben Norton reports on effects of US blockade
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-10-11
Ben Norton speaks about his reporting in Venezuela, where he investigated how bipartisan US sanctions and Trump's embargo are making…
thegrayzone.com/2019/10/11/life-resistance-venezuela-ben-norton-us-blockade/
California to End its Use of Private, For-Profit Prisons
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-10-11
Immigrant advocates say the bill will put an end to almost all immigration detention in the state in the next few years.
truthdig.com/articles/california-to-end-its-use-of-private-for-profit-prisons/
Resisting Anti-Immigrant Hate in the City of Big Shoulders
Teresa Albano | progressive.org | 2019-10-11
A gaggle of far-right MAGA men showed up at a Chicago church to protest its immigrant rights work. Bad decision.
progressive.org/dispatches/chicago-anti-immigration-sentiments-albano-191011/
Administrative Torture: Free Heba al-Labadi, a Jordanian Citizen in Israeli Prison
Ramzy Baroud | counterpunch.org | 2019-10-11
On August 20, Heba Ahmed al-Labadi fell into the dark hole of the Israeli legal system, joining 413 Palestinian prisoners who are currently held in so-called administrative detention. On September 26, Heba and seven other prisoners declared a hunger strike to protest their unlawful detention and horrific conditions in Israeli prisons. Among the prisoners is…
counterpunch.org/2019/10/11/administrative-torture-free-heba-al-labadi-a-jordanian-citizen-in-israeli-prison/
Is Trudeau a Climate Criminal?
Yves Engler | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-10-11
During a rally/press conference before the September 27 climate strike/protest in Montréal a friend interrupted the Prime Minister to label him a "climate criminal". When Trudeau joined the enormous march, I dogged him yelling "criminel climatique/climate criminal". A week later I was detained and given a $150 ticket for yelling "climate criminal" outside a café …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/10/is-trudeau-a-climate-criminal/
Houthis Vow Retaliation As Saudi Naval Blockade Sparks Fresh Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
Ahmed Abdulkareem | mintpressnews.com | 2019-10-11
Saudi Arabia has stepped up its seizure and detention of ships carrying food and fuel into Yemen, sparking shortages that experts warn will push the country's civilians into even more dire straits.
mintpressnews.com/yemen-retaliation-saudi-naval-blockade-humanitarian-crisis/262285/
Corbyn says sanctions on Turkey could be needed if 'appalling' attacks on Kurdish areas of Syria continue
Ed Sykes | thecanary.co | 2019-10-11
The British government has faced criticism for failing to act over Turkey's invasion of northern Syria. The UK's NATO ally is attacking largely-Kurdis…
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2019/10/11/corbyn-says-sanctions-on-turkey-could-be-needed-if-appalling-attacks-on-kurdish-areas-of-syria-continue/
Federal Court Strikes Down Trump's 'Racist Wealth Test' Designed to Punish Low-Income Immigrants
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-11
Immigrant rights groups applauded a federal judge's ruling on Friday which struck down President Donald Trump's proposal to put even more barriers in front of immigrants by labeling them "burdens" to the U.S. government. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/11/federal-court-strikes-down-trumps-racist-wealth-test-designed-punish-low-income?cd-origin=rss
Tens of Thousands Flee Syrian Border Towns as Turkey Bombards Country Following Trump's Green Light
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-11
Human rights workers say 64,000 civilians have fled Syria since Turkey, with President Donald Trump's tacit approval, began an airstrike and shelling offensive in the northeastern region of the country on Wednesday. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/11/tens-thousands-flee-syrian-border-towns-turkey-bombards-country-following-trumps?cd-origin=rss
Chicago actors Theo Germaine and Daniel Kyri push boundaries of queer representation
Michelle Zacarias | peoplesworld.org | 2019-10-11
Friday, Oct. 11, marks the annual recognition of National Coming Out Day. First observed in 1988, the day is dedicated to raising awareness of civil rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. With the current administration occupying the White House threatening to strip away LGBTQ rights, being "visible" remains an inherently political …
peoplesworld.org/article/chicago-actors-theo-germaine-and-daniel-kyri-push-boundaries-of-queer-representation/
Four hours of virtue-signaling: Democratic candidates sweet-talk through soft ball questions in 'equality' town hall
rt.com | 2019-10-11
A sunny and friendly atmosphere oozed from CNN screens as Democratic candidates explained at a televised event how they would fight for LGBTQ rights, taking unchallenging questions from the audience, transgender kids included. | Nine Democratic candidates went toe-to-toe at CNN's LGBTQ town hall event, held in Minnesota, a traditionally Blue state that is arguably the most 'woke' in America. The questions asked to each candidate were approximately the same, covering a range of topics including advancing equality through legislation, the price of drugs for HIV treatment, how to deal with religious objections to…
rt.com/usa/470666-equality-town-hall-democratic/
Day 5: What the #WaterForRivers bus tour was really like
Mat Ward | greenleft.org.au | 2019-10-11
Aboriginal rights Mat WardIssue 1241 Australia Aboriginal culture Murray Darling River crisis Save Our Rivers…
greenleft.org.au/content/day-5-what-waterforrivers-bus-tour-was-really
Administrative Torture: Free Heba al-Labadi, a Jordanian Citizen in Israeli Prison
Ramzy Baroud | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-10-10
On August 20, Heba Ahmed al-Labadi fell into the dark hole of the Israeli legal system, joining 413 Palestinian prisoners who are currently held in so-called administrative detention. On September 26, Heba and seven other prisoners declared a hunger strike to protest their unlawful detention and horrific conditions in Israeli prisons. Among the prisoners is …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/10/administrative-torture-free-heba-al-labadi-a-jordanian-citizen-in-israeli-prison/
A Declassified Court Ruling Shows How the FBI Abused NSA Mass Surveillance Data
Trevor Aaronson | theintercept.com | 2019-10-10
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court found that the FBI may have violated the rights of potentially millions of Americans — including its own agents and informants — by improperly searching through information obtained by the National Security Agency's mass surveillance program. | U.S. District Court Judge James E. Boasberg, who serves in the District of Columbia and the FISA court, made his sweeping and condemnatory assessment in October 2018 in a 138-page ruling, which was declass…
theintercept.com/2019/10/10/fbi-nsa-mass-surveillance-abuse/
War, sanctions or deal: Trump says US has 'three choices' with Turkey in Syria
rt.com | 2019-10-10
US President Donald Trump has laid out three choices for Washington in dealing with Turkey's incursion into Syria, including a "deal" between Ankara and the US-allied Kurdish militias. | Noting that the Kurds and Turkey have been "fighting each other for 200 years" and that no US troops are in the area of Syria under attack by Turkish troops, the US president spelled out the options of his administration on Twitter, seemingly inviting a response from the general public. | ….We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win Militarily, hit Turkey very hard Financially and with Sanctions, or me…
rt.com/usa/470657-war-sanctions-trump-turkey/
SCOTUS Deeply Divided on LGBTQ Rights
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-10-10
The Justices heard cases that would broaden sex discrimination under Civil Rights Act to include Gays, Lesbians and Transgender citizens.
therealnews.com/stories/scotus-deeply-divided-lgbtq-rights
After Trump Abandoned Kurds, Turkish Invasion Raises Fear of Kurdish Genocide & ISIS Resurgence
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-10-10
Turkey has launched an aerial and ground assault on northern Syria targeting Kurdish-controlled areas. The offensive began Wednesday, just days after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least 16 Kurds have been killed so far. Turkey is claiming the death toll is far higher. The Trump administration has faced widespread criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for abandoning the stateless Kurds who had helped the U.S. fight ISIS. Turkey is claiming the assault is needed to establish a "
www.democracynow.org/2019/10/10/turkey_a…
Reaction to Jock Palfreeman's illegal detention continues to grow
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-10-09
civil rights Pip HinmanIssue 1240 Bulgaria political prisoner paroleOctober 9, 2019On October 7, three Bulgarian judges from the Supreme Court of Cassation decided they would need up to two months to review…
greenleft.org.au/content/reaction-jock-palfreeman%E2%80%99s-illegal-detention-continues-grow
Tuesday's Daily Brief: Eye health, UN's financial crisis, progress in Mali and South Sudan, human rights in Australia
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-08
Tuesday's top stories: Global need for eye care is set to increase 'dramatically'; work and reforms of the UN 'at risk'; progress on Mali security; South Sudan peace accord anniversary; Rights chief Bachelet urges rollback on Australia migration policies; and an interview with Maha Mamo, living proof of why statelessness needs to end worldwide.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1048832
"We Have to Mass Mobilize": Laverne Cox & Chase Strangio Sound the Alarm on Major LGBTQ SCOTUS Cases
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-10-07
At the start of its new term, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday in three cases to determine whether LGBTQ people can be fired from their jobs due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, employers cannot discriminate against employees on the basis of sex, as well as race, color, national origin and religion, but the Trump administration claims the law does not cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The cases mark the first time the Supreme Court will rule on LGBTQ rights since conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh re…
www.democracynow.org/2019/10/7/trans_rig…
"A Backlash Against Our Existence": Laverne Cox Speaks Out on Violence Against Trans Women of Color
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-10-07
At least 19 transgender people have been killed in the United States in 2019 — most of them trans women of color. Last year, there were at least 26 killings of transgender people. The American Medical Association has declared the wave of violence an "epidemic." Laverne Cox, the award-winning transgender actress and longtime trans rights activist, says such violence has long been part of the lives of trans people. "For my entire life as a trans woman, for 21 years, I have been hearing about, witnessing, going to memorials [and] going to Trans Days of Remembrance," she says. Cox says the violence reflects a s…
www.democracynow.org/2019/10/7/laverne_c…
Day 4: What the #WaterForRivers bus tour was really like
Mat Ward | greenleft.org.au | 2019-10-07
Aboriginal rights Mat WardIssue 1241 Australia Aboriginal culture Murray Darling River crisis Save Our Rivers…
greenleft.org.au/content/day-4-what-waterforrivers-bus-tour-was-really
Day 3: What the #WaterForRivers bus tour was really like
Mat Ward | greenleft.org.au | 2019-10-06
Aboriginal rights Mat WardIssue 1240 Australia Aboriginal culture Murray Darling River crisis Save Our Rivers…
greenleft.org.au/content/day-3-what-waterforrivers-bus-tour-was-really
Day 2: What the #WaterForRivers bus tour was really like
Mat Ward | greenleft.org.au | 2019-10-05
Aboriginal rights Mat WardIssue 1240 Australia Aboriginal culture Murray Darling River crisis Save Our Rivers…
greenleft.org.au/content/day-2-what-waterforrivers-bus-tour-was-really
Labor unions to join national civil rights conference with Angela Davis in November
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-10-04
Chicago, IL – Unions are on the march in defense of their members across the country, with the autoworker strike against GM and strike authorization votes by teachers and other city employees in Chicago. Unions are also defending their members when they leave work and find their lives in danger from the very people paid to protect them: the police. | Labor is joining a new effort to hold the police accountable for the killing, wrongful conviction, and even torture of young Blacks and Latinos. On November 22-24, veteran human rights activist Angela Davis will be in Chicago to re-establish the National Alliance Ag…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/10/4/labor-un…
'This is an emergency:' New Haven demands a real Sanctuary City
PSL Connecticut | liberationnews.org | 2019-10-04
" øQue queremos? °Ciudad Santuario! øCuando? °Ahora!" was the chant that rang out from the steps of New Haven City Hall on Oct. 2, as a crowd of 50 people gathered to demand immediate action from the Board of Alders on an ordinance establishing strong sanctuary city legislation.
liberationnews.org/this-is-an-emergency-new-haven-demands-a-real-sanctuary-city/
As Man Dies in ICE Custody, California Moves to Ban For-Profit Prisons, Including Immigrant Jails
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-10-03
A Cameroonian immigrant died this week in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in California. The man, identified as 37-year-old Nebane Abienwi, died on Tuesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. This comes as California lawmakers passed a bill last month that would ban private prisons statewide, a major blow to the for-profit prison industry in the U.S. that is deeply entangled in immigration detention. The legislation also orders the closure of four ICE prisons that can jail up to 4,500 immigrants. The bill is currently awaiting the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, who said in his January…
www.democracynow.org/2019/10/3/californi…
Palestinian civil society calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately release activist Ramy Shaath
patrick | bdsmovement.net | 2019-10-02
Palestinian civil society calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately release activist Ramy Shaath: Open Letter30 Palestinian civil society organizations call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights activist Ramy Shaath, and call on all Palestinian, Arab and international organizations to show solidarity with Ramy's just cause and also…
bdsmovement.net/news/palestinian-civil-society-calls-egyptian-authorities-immediately-release-activist-ramy-shaath
Venezuela's CITGO in Danger as Maduro Seeks Debt Renegotiation
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-10-02
US financial sanctions have stopped Venezuela from renegotiating foreign debt since 2017.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14678
Liberation News confronts Boston mayor over police riot vs. anti-fascist protesters
Dru Maxcy | liberationnews.org | 2019-09-30
The violent police repression at the fascist so-called "Straight Pride Parade" — which led to the arrest of 34 counter-protestors and the brutalizing of many more — was only the beginning of a rapidly expanding state-sanctioned attack against left-wing activists and the LGBTQ community in Boston.
liberationnews.org/liberation-news-confronts-boston-mayor-over-police-riot-vs-anti-fascist-protesters/
Weekend Read: Marchers today will demand rights for transgender people amid hate crimes and Trump administration assault
splcenter.org | 2019-09-26
Thousands of people will be marching in Washington, D.C., and across the nation today.
splcenter.org/news/2019/09/28/weekend-read-marchers-today-will-demand-rights-transgender-people-amid-hate-crimes-and
Venezuela: Trump Imposes Travel Ban, Putin Backs Dialogue
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-26
US officials and the Venezuelan opposition have also lobbied the EU to impose harsher sanctions against Caracas.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14671
Washington Gives Guaido $52M in Funding, Slaps Venezuela with New Sanctions
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-25
The new aid package dovetailed with fresh sanctions targeting Venezuela-Cuba oil shipping.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14668
Opinion by Legal Scholar Prof. John Dugard on Relations Between University of Cape Town and Israeli Universities
PACBI | bdsmovement.net | 2019-09-24
Opinion by Legal Scholar Prof. John Dugard on Relations Between University of Cape Town and Israeli Universities : AnalysisAs the University of Cape Town weighs refraining from relations with Israeli Universities enabling the gross violation of Palestinian human rights, renowned South African international law scholar Prof. John Dugard finds that UCT "would be acting in accordance with So…
bdsmovement.net/news/opinion-legal-scholar-prof-john-dugard-relations-between-university-cape-town-and-israeli
US imposes New Sanctions Targeting Venezuela's Food Program
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-18
The Treasury Department has targeted people and companies involved in imports for Venezuela's CLAP program.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14659
Safe For Whom? How the MSD Commission is putting Florida's Children in Danger
splcenter.org | 2019-09-18
The commission appointed by politicians to study school safety in Florida after the mass shooting in Parkland in 2018 has recommended–without evidence to support them–measures that place children at greater risk of being shot or wrongfully arrested; put children's privacy and liberty in jeopardy and strip them of civil rights; create school environments that are more tense, anxiety-provoking, and traumatic; breed distrust between students and faculty; and absorb funds needed for programs that have actually been proven to make schools safer for all students. | Lacking needed expertise and diversity, th…
splcenter.org/20191010/safe-whom-how-msd-commission-putting-floridas-children-danger
Venezuela Oil Production Continues Decline as China Cancels More Shipments
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-12
Russian oil giant Rosneft blasted threats of US sanctions as "unfair competition."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14654