(2019-12-17). Actions planned to 'Abolish sanctions!'. workers.org 
New York Organizers from New York-based anti-war, anti-racist and anti-imperialist organizations and defenders of human rights gathered at the Solidarity Center Dec. 14 to plan an ongoing campaign against Washington's use of economic sanctions, calling such sanctions the "equivalent of war." The planning meeting of about 40 organizers showed what . . . | Continue reading Actions planned to 'Abolish sanctions!' at Workers.org
(2019-12-17). The real interest of the United States and transnational corporations in Latin America and the Caribbean. mronline.org 
What are the real interests of the U.S. and corporations in the region? Freedom, democracy, human rights? No. Their goal is to preserve imperialist domination of our natural resources. | Source
(2019-12-17). In the Midst of Trump's Attacks, Offshoots of Progress in Congress for Immigrants' Rights. aclu.org From the continued separation of families, to attacks on asylum-seekers, to the largest immigration raid ever in a state, to an unprecedented number of immigrants jailed by ICE, this year was filled with new lows for the…
(2019-12-17). Activists demand release of Sahrawi human rights defender. peoplesdispatch.org Human rights defenders and activists in Western Sahara and internationally are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mahfouda Bamba Lefkir, a prominent Sahrawi human rights activist who was arrested and sentenced by Moroccan authorities last month. Lefkir's detention and imprisonment is believed to be politically motivated as she has been politically targeted and physically assaulted by the Moroccan authorities in the past for standing up against its occupation and illegal detention of activists. | According to reports, Lefkir tried to object to the sentencing of fellow activists, Mohammed Lamine S…
(2019-12-17). Turkey Threatens Retaliation Against Proposed US Sanctions. globalresearch.ca Intervention by one nation in the internal affairs of others breaches the UN Charter and other international law. | Non-intervention is a core Charter principle, calling for disputes to be settled "by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace …
(2019-12-17). Chile: Piñera May Face 20 Years for Crimes Against Humanity. telesurenglish.net The 7th Court of Guarantees of Santiago Tuesday admitted a complaint about crimes against humanity presented by the Upper House's Human Rights Commission president Alejandro Navarro against Chile's President Sebastian Piñera. | RELATED: | Chilean NGO Detects Caustic Soda in Water Used by Riot Police | "He will be punished with imprisonment in any of its g…
(2019-12-17). Indian students unite in solidarity against police brutality. peoplesdispatch.org On Sunday December 15, police brutally attacked two Muslim institutions (Jamia Millia Islamia University in the New Delhi and Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh) where students were protesting the recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). At least 125 people were injured in the police attacks and 50 were detained. In response to the barbaric violence, students from across India have taken to the streets against police brutality and the 'unconstitutional' CAA. | The university campus and the surrounding areas remain besieged by the police. Despite the imminent risk of further violent repression by t…
(2019-12-17). Female Journalist Placed Under Administrative Detention for Four Months. imemc.org According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said that, on Monday, the Israeli authorities issued an administrative detention order for a period of four months against female Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tawil, 26, who was detained last week at her family home in al-Bireh, the Palestinian News and Info Agency reported. …
(2019-12-17). The Real Interest of the U.S. in Latin America and the Caribbean. Preserve Imperialism. globalresearch.ca What are the real interests of the U.S. and corporations in the region? Freedom, democracy, human rights? No. Their goal is to preserve imperialist domination of our natural resources | *** | Our America is again suffering escalating aggression by U.S. imperialism …
(2019-12-17). March For Housing Now Confronts MacArthur Commons in Oakland. indybay.org The East Bay Housing Justice Week of Action included Moms4Housing reclaiming a West Oakland home, demonstrations at Citibank and Wells Fargo on Broadway downtown, and housing rights banner hangs, among other actions. On November 23, a large March for Housing Now confronted the economic injustices represented by the new high-end MacArthur Commons housing complex.
(2019-12-17). Take Action Now: Protect Workers' Rights. thenation.com Take Action Now: Protect Workers' Rights…
(2019-12-17). Tuesday's Daily Brief: Refugees, indigenous languages, Niger, Syria and Kyrgyzstan. news.un.org Our top stories for Tuesday include: UN chief at refugee forum; eyes of the world need to be on Niger; International Year of Indigenous Languages closes; Strengthening minority rights in Kyrgyzstan; hostilities in Syria's Idlib.
(2019-12-17). Democratic 2020 Candidates Focus on Public Education at Historic Forum. truthout.org Ahead of the last Democratic presidential debate of the year this Thursday, seven candidates appeared Saturday at the historic Democratic Presidential Forum on Public Education in Pittsburgh, an event organized by public education organizations, unions, civil rights organizations and community groups. We play highlights from the forum and get response from Keron Blair, director of the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools in Atlanta; Jitu Brown, national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance; and Car…
(2019-12-17). It took Boris Johnson less than a week to betray all the working class voters who backed him. thecanary.co Boris Johnson is ploughing ahead with getting his Withdrawal Agreement for Brexit through parliament. So any voter who backed him for that can rest somewhat assured for now. But will Johnson give working people the continued rights he promised? Or the policies necessary to ensure the world is still safe and liveable for their kids and grandchildren? | In short, probably not. Because Johnson has already made an apparent u-turn on…
(2019-12-17). Democratic Candidates Focus on Public Education at Historic Forum with Civil Rights & Labor Groups. democracynow.org 
Ahead of the last Democratic presidential debate of the year this Thursday, seven candidates appeared Saturday at the historic Democratic Presidential Forum on Public Education in Pittsburgh, an event organized by public education organizations, unions, civil rights organizations and community groups. We play highlights from the forum and get response from Keron Blair, director of the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools in Atlanta; Jitu Brown, national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance; and Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Education Action. She recently authored a report titled "S…
(2019-12-17). Last-ditch attempt to stop Nord Stream 2: US Senate passes Pentagon budget that includes Russian pipeline sanctions. rt.com 
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act just approved by the US Senate includes a bill sanctioning companies involved in building the almost-finished Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. | The "Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019" embedded in the 3,500 page NDAA was proposed by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), who argued the pipeline would "vastly strengthen President Vladimir Putin at the expense of the rest of the free world." | Penalizing the companies involved in installing the pipeline will "have protected Europe's energy security and…
(2019-12-16). Human Rights, Myopic Perspectives, and Ideological Manipulations. counterpunch.org 
Since the 1990s, the U.S. government has launched manipulative ideological campaigns with respect to human rights in order to justify interventions in the affairs of nations that resist subordination to U.S. imperialist intentions. The U.S. ideologically manipulated human rights campaign has ignored the evolution of the meaning of democratic rights during the last two and More
(2019-12-16). EXPLAINED: What Really Happened in Jamia? peoplesdispatch.org In the afternoon of December 15, news broke about violent clashes between youths and students protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the police in Delhi's Jamia area. What followed was a series of violent attacks and detentions through the evening and night to early Monday morning. As these developments took place, social media started getting flooded with different reports about the events, some true, and some unverified. But what really happened? NewsClick brings to you a timeline of events, as they took place yesterday.
(2019-12-16). Those Torture Drawings by Guantanamo Prisoner in the NYT. globalresearch.ca In 2002, John Kiriakou captured the Guantanamo prisoner who drew those sickening pictures. Abu Zubaydah has a constitutional right to face his accusers in court, or be released, Kiriakou says. | *** | The New York Times last week published shocking drawings…
(2019-12-16). UN Accuses Brazil's Bolsonaro of Violating Anti-Torture Pact. telesurenglish.net The United Nations in Geneva accused Monday the government of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro for failing to comply with the international pact against torture. | RELATED: | Brazil's Amazon Deforestation Rises Over 100% Year-Over-Year | A report written by the U.N. Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture denounced the dismantling of the National Mechanis…
(2019-12-16). IPS Bars Entry of Winter Clothing as Palestinian Detainees Suffer Harsh Winter Conditions. imemc.org The Palestine Prisoners Centre for Studies has called on international humanitarian and human rights institutions, foremost of which is the Red Cross, to exert pressure on Israeli Prison Services (IPS) to provide winter clothing and covers desperately needed during the severe cold season. The spokesperson for the Centre, Riyad Al-Ashqar, …
(2019-12-16). Erdogan Threatens to Close 2 US Military Bases in Turkey. telesurenglish.net Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Sunday to shut down two strategic military bases used by the United States if Washington imposes sanctions on Turkey for buying the S-400 Russian missile system. | RELATED: | Turkey Stands Its Ground Against NATO Over Syria Dispute | "If necessary, we'll close Incirlik and also Kurecik," Erdogan said in a televised…
(2019-12-16). Sri Lankan authorities delay on whether to prosecute award-winning writer Shakthika Sathkumara. wsws.org Sri Lanka's ruling elite is whipping up religious communalism to counter the development of unified mass action by workers, youth and the rural poor against government austerity and attacks on democratic rights.
(2019-12-16). 2019 was a Watershed Year in the Movement to Stop Solitary Confinement. aclu.org Back in 2016, then President of the United States, Barack Obama, called | solitary confinement " an | affront to our common humanity" and ordered the Justice Department to | implement reforms to the practice in U.S. prisons. Although just three short | years ago, in too many ways it seems a different age: We have seen a resurgence | of the "tough on crime" rhetoric that favors harsh policies and approaches that | we know don't work. Despite these…
(2019-12-15). US Treasury chief applauds sanctions as ALTERNATIVE to military conflicts…but it hardly sits well with those sanctioned. rt.com 
Sanctions imposed on some stubborn countries are a better option than military conflicts, Steve Mnuchin claimed, just as the US rolled out fresh penalties against Iran and EU firms helping build a German-Russian pipeline. | "The reason why we're using sanctions is because they are an important alternative for world military conflicts. And I believe it's worked," Mnuchin told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the Doha Forum in Qatar on Saturday. He singled out North Korea and I…
(2019-12-13). COP25 Was Moved to Spain to Conceal Chilean Government's Human Rights Violations. therealnews.com 
The concept of "loss and damage" and carbon markets are a sticking point at the UN's climate summit, and protests are continuing in Chile, the original site of the talks. Oxfam's Nafkote Dabi and Gary Hughes of Biofuelwatch discuss the realities of COP25.
(2019-12-13). UN human rights report cites 'multiple root causes' of deadly Chile protests. news.un.org During the recent mass protests which led Chile to declare a state of emergency, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a report published on Friday that international human rights norms had been violated by both police and army personnel, which should be prosecuted.
(2019-12-13). Friday's Daily Brief: Yemen exclusive, India rights, Chile, Ebola updates. news.un.org Our top stories for Friday include an exclusive UN News interview with Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths; India's new "discriminatory" citizenship law; a milestone smallpox eradication anniversary; helicopters deployed in DR Congo Ebola fight; Mediterranean migrant latest, and Chile's deadly protests: UN report finds clear pattern of repression.
(2019-12-13). UN Counters US Claims Of "Proof" Iran Attacked Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu Impunity & Turkey Sanctions. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/12/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
(2019-12-12). Support the Workers of Iran, but Oppose US Sanctions. therealnews.com 
How is it possible to oppose the violent suppression of Iranian protest while still condemning U.S. sanctions on Iran?
(2019-12-12). MN withstands -10 windchill to demand human rights at home and abroad. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On December 10, 25 protesters rallied outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar's office to mark International Human Rights Day. After chanting outside the senator's office, Brad Sigal from the MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee addressed the crowd to draw attention to Trump's record of human rights abuses against immigrants. The protesters then marched in -10 degrees windchill to the legendary May Day Books in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. | Tracy Molm of the Anti-War Committee spoke at the closing rally inside the bookstore. "On Human Rights Day we come together to call attention to human rights…
(2019-12-12). The 2020 Election Promises Record Turnout. aclu.org Due to high levels of enthusiasm and interest, election experts are predicting record-setting turnout rates in the upcoming 2020 election. In anticipation of this historic election, the ACLU, volunteers, and supporters of voting rights across the country have been advocating for state legislatures to adopt policies that improve registration, the voting process, and ensure that more citizens are eligible to participate. | This year, no state made greater improvements to the registrati…
(2019-12-12). Perth Pride: LGBTI community challenges corporatisation. greenleft.org.au 
LGBTIQ rights Petrina HarleyIssue 1248 Australia Rainbow Rebellion PerthDecember 12, 2019Perth Pride assembled its biggest parade to date on November 30, with 115 floats. But many in the LGBTIQ comm…
(2019-12-11). The Fight Inside the NLRB for Union Rights. progressive.org The NLRB unions argue that a recent set of executive orders from the board prevent them from undertaking basic union functions.
(2019-12-11). How can the U.S. dare lecturing China about Rights of the Muslims? dissidentvoice.org In 2019, I have written a long analysis about "the Uygur issue"; analysis which will be soon published as a book. For some time, I have been warning the world that the West, and the United States in particular, are helping to radicalize the Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province and outside. And not only that: I …
(2019-12-11). The Battle for Abortion Access Is In the States. aclu.org This past year has been a critical one in | the fight for reproductive freedom. For decades, politicians who want to | interfere with people's personal decisions about pregnancy have worked to push | abortion care out of reach. They've quietly passed 483 state abortion | restrictions since 2011 — including 59 new restrictions passed in 2019 alone. | And after Trump was able to put two new justices who are hostile to abortion | rights on the Supreme Court, politicians decided to go for broke. | Since Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation, | seven states have passed laws banning abortion from the earliest day…
(2019-12-10). Aboriginal leader Sam Watson's farewell draws big numbers. greenleft.org.au 
Aboriginal rights Jim McIlroyIssue 1248 Australia BrisbaneDecember 11, 2019More than 1000 people attended the funeral for Wangerriburra and Birri Gubba leader Sam Watson in Musgrave Park on December 6. | Watson passed away on November 26, just two weeks after his 67t…
(2019-12-10). "Listen to Mother Earth": Indigenous Youth Leaders at COP25 in Madrid Protest Fossil Fuel Extraction. democracynow.org 
"Our movements must be bigger than recycling and braver than holding signs," said Rose Whipple, a member of the Santee Dakota and Ho-Chunk, and youth delegate with SustainUS, who joined a panel of youth climate activists at the United Nations climate summit in Madrid, Spain. Indigenous peoples from Canada and the United States are at the summit, speaking out against extraction, new pipeline projects and the environmental devastation of their territories, and calling for movements to center the rights of indigenous peoples.
(2019-12-09). Arizona educators, progressives confront ALEC summit and Betsy DeVos. fightbacknews.org Tucson, AZ – On December 4, a coalition of union educators, immigrant rights, police crimes, and climate change activists confronted the agenda of corporations like UPS and energy industry giants and billionaires like Charles Koch and Sheldon Achelson. At its height the crowd numbered around 200 with signs reading: "ALEC: Oligarchy in progress" and "Privatization, criminalization, incarceration, climate change, imperialism: #ALECisBehindIt." | The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a notorious organization of hardcore conservatives, was holding its States and Nation Policy Summit in Arizona. ALEC hoste…
(2019-12-09). On Human Rights Day, Let's Abolish Nuclear Weapons. progressive.org A nuclear war would create one of the worst humanitarian crises imaginable, one for which no nation would have an adequate emergency or health response.
(2019-12-07). US Claims "Fresh Intelligence" Of Iran Attacks Yet Provides Zero Evidence — MSM Blindly Regurgitates. thelastamericanvagabond.com Here we go again with "fresh intelligence" to justify the continued sanctions and destabilization of Iran. It's a plan that has been well documented even by their own writings (See Which Path to Persia? — 2009). Of course, complicating U.S. foreign policy is the involvement of Israel. The Last American Vagabond covers the latest political posturing, distortion, and general …
(2019-12-05). Rights for workers means no going soft on Hansonism. greenleft.org.au 
union rights Sam WainwrightIssue 1248 Australia Ensuring Integrity Bill ACTUDecember 5, 2019Supporters of workers' rights breathed a big sigh of relief when the Coalition's union-busting Fair Work (…
(2019-12-04). Massive Colombia strike hits neoliberal policies, repression. liberationnews.org 
All progressive people should stand in solidarity with all those advocating for the immediate end to the political persecution of human rights, social and political leaders in Colombia.
(2019-12-04). TIAR Countries Blacklist Top Venezuelan Officials as US Slaps New Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Venezuela of "hijacking" mass anti-neoliberal protests in "our own backyard."
(2019-12-02). Prison By Any Other Name: A Report on South Florida Detention Facilities. splcenter.org …
(2019-12-02). Venezuela's PDVSA Secures Temporary Lease Extension for Curacao Refinery. venezuelanalysis.com Despite the extension, refinery owners are looking to end the 34-year cooperation under pressure from US sanctions.
(2019-11-28). US Vows to 'Reinforce' Sanctions, Accuses Venezuela and Cuba of Stirring Regional 'Strife'. venezuelanalysis.com Elliott Abrams reiterated support for Guaido and denied that sanctions are damaging the Venezuelan economy.
(2019-11-22). Congress Quietly Unites To Extend "Temporary" Patriot Act Under Cover Of The Impeachment Distraction. thelastamericanvagabond.com The only time Republicans and Democrats can agree is when they are discussing the expansion of the permanent war and surveillance state. The Last American Vagabond takes a closer look at the many layers of deception about how legislation gets pushed through which contains buried provisions that further erode the U.S. Constitution and liberty. This is …
(2019-11-21). Weekend Read: The struggle for Native American voting rights. splcenter.org November is Native American Heritage Month — a fitting time to honor the resistance and resilience of Native peoples, including their fight to be heard by and represented in the government that dispossessed them for centuries.
(2019-11-13). Neo-Nazi Group NSM Faces New Upheaval After James Hart Stern's Death. splcenter.org The leadership of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement (NSM) has been thrown into chaos again following the death of self-described civil rights activist James Hart Stern.