(2019-04-23). The Path to War with Iran Is Paved With Sanctions. commondreams.org The administration's plan is clear: keep beating the twin drums of terrorism and nuclear threat. Bolton and Pompeo will use both to justify more sanctions and more provocations. (Photo: Wikicommons) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-04-23). Anti-Choice Protests Explode as State Lawmakers Protect Abortion Rights. truthout.org Giving testimony at the Rhode Island state house in support of abortion rights protections was "unnerving and unsettling" for Jamie Hagen, a post-doctoral fellow in Providence. | A volunteer abortion clinic escort, Hagen told Rewire.News she feels people don't understand how at risk access to reproductive rights is in Rhode Island as lawmakers there pressure Democratic leadership to allow votes on Reproductive Health Care Act, which would enshrine Roe protections into state law. | From church members handing out anti-choice t-shirts outside the state house to the same folks taking up most of the seats and wavi…
(2019-04-23). Protect women's rights 'before, during and after conflict' UN chief tells high-level Security Council debate. un.org Over the course of the past decade, there has been "a paradigm shift" in understanding the devastating impact of sexual violence in conflict on international peace and security, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council during a high-level debate on Tuesday.
(2019-04-23). Illinois House votes to block immigrant detention center construction. peoplesworld.org 
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(2019-04-23). Right-Wing Vigilantes Hold Migrants Hostage on U.S. Border. Did Border Patrol Give Tacit Approval? democracynow.org 
The FBI has arrested the head of an armed vigilante group that has repeatedly filmed itself detaining migrant border crossers at gunpoint. Sixty-nine-year-old Larry Mitchell Hopkins is the leader of the far-right, pro-Trump group calling itself United Constitutional Patriots, which the American Civil Liberties Union described as an "armed fascist militia organization." His arrest came just days after the ACLU accused the vigilantes of illegally detaining 300 migrants, including young children, near Sunland Park, New Mexico, last week. We speak to Peter Simonson, executive director of the ACLU of New Mexico.
(2019-04-23). Trump's Latest Iran Sanctions Show an Unraveling of US Foreign Policy. therealnews.com 
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson says unilateral sanctions against Iran are illegal, and show the ascendancy of John Bolton; they intensify tension with China and threaten our international position…
(2019-04-23). Portland, Ore.: Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution. workers.org 
The Hands Off Venezuela Coalition in Portland, Ore., displayed banners and placards calling for "No Sanctions, No Coup, No Media Lies" over the I-5 freeway for two hours during heavy early morning commuting traffic on April 19. The largest banner read, "Trump and Dems wage war, We say No More." . . . | Continue reading Portland, Ore.: Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution at Workers.org
(2019-04-23). SPLC answers questions about antigovernment extremists who detain migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. splcenter.org In recent days, media outlets have reported that armed militia groups, acting as border vigilantes, have been detaining migrants at gunpoint along the along the U.S.-Mexico border.
(2019-04-23). Letter To Swedish PM From Int'l Figures On Behalf of Ola Bini. telesurenglish.net "Ola was detained at Quito airport on April 11 and prevented from boarding a plane to Japan. His basic rights were denied: he was not informed of the accusations against him, nor was he provided translation into his native language, Swedish, and he was kept in illegal custody without the ability to communicate with the Swedish consul, in flagrant disregard of Ecuador's constitution."
(2019-04-23). Venezuelan Authorities Identify 5 Electrical System Saboteurs. telesurenglish.net Minister of Communication Jorge Rodriguez, unveiled Tuesday the identification of five people involved in attacks on the National Electric System (SEN). | RELATED: | Venezuela Blackouts Part of Planned US Operation: Russia Defense Ministry | Rodriguez named Ramon Oswaldo Garcia, in Spain; Miguel Jose Freita in Colombia; Julio Cesar Acuña and…
(2019-04-23). France 'Determined to Continue' Trade With Iran, Officials Say. telesurenglish.net France declared on Tuesday that the country is "determined to continue to implement" the Iran nuclear deal and to allow Iran to draw the "economic benefits" after the announcement of new U.S sanctions against countries exporting Iranian products. | RELATED: | US Ends Sanction Waivers for Countries Importing Iranian oil | In an officia…
(2019-04-23). Headlines for April 23, 2019. democracynow.org Sri Lankan Minister Says Easter Bombings Were Retaliation for NZ Mosque Attacks, Trump Admin to Ratchet Up Unilateral U.S. Sanctions on Iranian Oil, House Democrats Subpoena Former White House Counsel Don McGahn, Trump Sues to Quash Subpoena Requesting 10 Years of Financial Records, Sen. Kamala Harris Calls for Trump's Impeachment, Breaking from Democratic Leaders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Proposes Canceling Student Loan Debt, Making Public Colleges Free, Supreme Court to Weigh Citizenship Question on 2020 Census, Supreme Court to Decide If LGBTQ Workers Are Protected by Civil Rights Act, Charges Dropped Against 3 A…
(2019-04-23). Trump Officials Want to Veto UN Measure Opposing Rape as Weapon of War. truthout.org In what critics denounced as the Trump administration's latest attack on women's rights across the globe, U.S. officials are reportedly threatening to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution seeking to end the use of rape as a weapon of war over its language on reproductive health. | According to the Guardian — which first reported on U.S. opposition to the measure late Monday — Trump officials are objecting to the…
(2019-04-23). #CountMeIn: Immigrant Rights Community Rally Outside of the Supreme Court. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2019-04-23). Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Responds to Supreme Court Argument Regarding 2020 Census. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2019-04-23). Chile Seeks to Step up Measures against Environmental Crimes. plenglish.com 23 de abril de 2019, 17: 21Santiago de Chile, Apr 23 (Prensa Latina) Strong sanctions against environmental crimes are envisaged in a bill presented by a group of experts in the Senate Environment Committee that will be legislated soon.
(2019-04-23). Several Governments Criticize New US Action against Iran. plenglish.com Washington, April 23 (Prensa Latina) Several governments on Tuesday criticized the U.S. decision to end exemptions that allow eight countries to buy Iranian crude without facing sanctions from Washington.
(2019-04-23). Responding to public outrage, FBI arrests leader of border militia which detained hundreds of migrants. wsws.org The arrest of border vigilante leader Larry Hopkins on Saturday is an effort by federal agents and CBP to publicly distance themselves from the right-wing militia groups with whom they routinely collaborate.
(2019-04-23). Mexico Detains Some 250 Migrants in Chiapas. plenglish.com Mexico, Apr 23 (Prensa Latina) Some 250 foreigners were detained by migration and Federal Police officers in Chiapas, on the Mapastepec-Pijijiapan Highway, at the Luis Echegaray immigration checkpoint, that force confirmed on Tuesday.
(2019-04-23). Digital Rights Defenders Sound Alarm Over Big Tech's Efforts to 'Erode' California's Landmark Privacy Law. commondreams.org Digital rights advocacy groups are sounding the alarm about legislation in California backed by Big Tech that critics warn would water down a landmark data privacy law the state adopted last year. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-04-23). 2nd Annual Berkeley Forum on Access and Disability Rights. indybay.org Ed Roberts Campus | 3075 Adeline St Berkeley 94703…
(2019-04-23). Washington tightens sanctions to cut Iran oil exports to "zero" wsws.org The lifting of waivers granted to five countries that imported substantial quantities of Iranian oil represents a dangerous escalation of US economic warfare against Tehran.
(2019-04-23). Government Sanctioned Racketeering. indybay.org The city of Oakland was ground zero for the housing crisis.The collapse of Indy Mac Bank and the failure on the part of Lehman Brothers to correct the documentation before selling the securities to Fannies Mae in bundles of securities is what cause the Chinese government to threaten to liquidate their subprime mortgage holdings of $140 billion with Fannie Mae. | Henry Paulso, Steve Mnuchin and Jerry Brown collaborated. | They used MERS and Ocwen financial to put 67 million illegally generated mortgage transactions into the system between 2006 and 2009. | The present political system in Oakland is the result of Je…
(2019-04-23). Spain Predicts Disputes with U.S. Over Sanctions Against Cuba. plenglish.com Madrid, Apr 23 (Prensa Latina) Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell predicted today numerous disputes between Europe and the United States, following the latter's decision to intensify economic sanctions against Cuba.
(2019-04-23). As Supreme Court's Right-Wing Justices Indicate Siding With Trump, Opponents Denounce 'Bald-Faced Attempt to Racially Rig' US Census. commondreams.org Decrying the Trump administration's attack on immigrant rights and marginalized communities across the country, civil rights advocates gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday as the court heard arguments regarding the potential addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-04-23). Saudi Arabia: 37 Executed on "Terrorism" Charges. telesurenglish.net 37 citizens were executed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for "terrorism" activities. | RELATED: | Rohingya Detainees on Hunger Strike Tortured by Saudi Arabia | The individuals were accused of cooperation with enemy organizations and against the interest of the state. Among the victims were 11 men who were convicted of spying for Iran and 14 others convict…
(2019-04-23). The Prosecution of Julian Assange is Infinitely Bigger Than Assange. theantimedia.com (CJ Opinion) — Julian Assange's mother reported yesterday that the WikiLeaks founder has not been permitted any visitors during his detention in Belmarsh Prison, including from doctors and his lawyers. Doctors who visited Assange in the Ecuadorian Embassy have attested that he urgently needs medical care. Belmarsh is a maximum security prison sometimes referred to as "the UK's Guantanamo Bay". And …
(2019-04-23). Iran Foreign Minister Describes as Desperate Recent US measures. plenglish.com Tehran, Apr 23 ( Prensa Latina ) Foreign Minister Mohammed Yavad Zarif described today as desperate the measures implemented by the United States to raise the tone and sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(2019-04-23). Chelsea Manning Remains in Jail Indefinitely. theantimedia.com (CD) — Chelsea Manning remained in jail on Monday after a federal appeals court rejected her bid to be released and affirmed a lower court's finding of contempt. The whistleblower was sent to jail March 8, and has spent part of the detention in solitary confinement for contempt due to her refusal to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. "Appellant …
(2019-04-23). Meghan McCain accuses Whoopi Goldberg of finding terrorism 'funny' in voting rights debate. rt.com 
The conversation on daytime talk show 'The View' descended into an unusually sharp shouting match after Meghan McCain had a rather emotional reaction to Bernie Sanders' comments about felons being allowed to vote.
(2019-04-22). Dallas Goldtooth: Hold Banks Accountable for Financing Climate Chaos & Violating Indigenous Rights. democracynow.org 
As millions celebrate Earth Day around the globe, we speak with organizer Dallas Goldtooth about indigenous-led anti-pipeline activism in the United States. President Trump signed two executive orders earlier this month to facilitate the approval of pipeline projects at a federal level, limiting states' ability to regulate such projects. The move is intended in part to clear the way for permitting on the northeastern Constitution pipeline, which has stalled after New York invoked the Clean Water Act to reject the project on environmental grounds. This comes as climate activists have filed a federal lawsuit with t…
(2019-04-22). In Rejecting Chelsea Manning's Appeal, Court Essentially Ignores All Arguments For Release From Jail. shadowproof.com The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an appeal from Chelsea Manning, which challenged a district court's order that found her in civil contempt. | On March 8, a federal district court jailed Manning for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigation into WikiLeaks. She was held in prolonged solitary confinement for around 27 days before authorities at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center moved her to general population. | Judges for the appeals court offered no explanation [ PDF] as to wh…
(2019-04-22). North Korea Pleads for Food Aid as Trump Sanctions Noose Tightens. mintpressnews.com As much as Trump likes to rail against the failed policies of his predecessor, he seems to be mimicking them, using North Korea's food shortages as leverage to force the country to denuclearize, a move that DPRK believes would bring about only a swifter death.
(2019-04-22). US Cancels Iran Oil Waivers for Turkey, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Greece. theantimedia.com (TM) — The United States announced on Monday it would no longer grant sanctions exemptions to eight countries, including Turkey, the Hàºrriyet Daily News reported. The White House said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — close US allies that back President Donald Trump's hawkish stance against regional rival Iran — would work to make up …
(2019-04-22). FBI accuses migrant-hunting militia leader of training to 'ASSASSINATE' Soros, Clinton & Obama. rt.com 
The leader of a militia group known for detaining migrants at the US border has been accused of plotting the assassination of former US President Barack Obama and other key Democratic Party figures, the FBI said in court papers.
(2019-04-22). Supreme Court Takes Cases of People Fired for Being LGBTQ. aclu.org 
The court will consider whether to take anti-discrimination protections away from LGBTQ people. | Can a business fire someone because they're LGBTQ? The Supreme Court will soon tell us. | After a funeral home outside Detroit fired Aimee Stephens because she is transgender, Aimee won a federal appeals court ruling that the firing violated the federal law barring sex discrimination in the workplace. After Don Zarda was fired from his job as a skydiving instr…
(2019-04-22). Julian Assange as Neuroses. counterpunch.org 
Julian Assange continues to ripple and roam as a cipher through the political and media scape of the world. Detained in Belmarsh maximum security prison, the sort of stately abode only reserved for the most dangerous of criminals, many with indeterminate sentences, he electrifies and concerns. The US political classes continue to simmer with an More
(2019-04-19). Headlines for April 19, 2019. democracynow.org Mueller Report Shows No Trump-Russia Conspiracy But Leaves Open Question of Obstruction, Trump Admin to Spend $40 Million on New Immigration Detention Camps, Central American Migrants Claim Assault by Mexican Authorities, ACLU Warns of "Fascist Militia" Holding Migrant Border Crossers at Gunpoint, Nicaragua Bans Anti-Government Protests, Arresting Dozens, Mali's Government Resigns as Protesters Condemn Ethnic Violence, Sudan: Mass Protests Demand Civilian Rule After Omar al-Bashir's Ouster, Bangladeshi Teen Burned to Death After Reporting Sexual Assault, Saudi Court Suspends Hearing for 11 Women's Rights Activist…
(2019-04-19). Julian Assange as Neuroses. dissidentvoice.org Julian Assange continues to ripple and roam as a cipher through the political and media scape of the world. Detained in Belmarsh maximum security prison, the sort of stately abode only reserved for the most dangerous of criminals, many with indeterminate sentences, he electrifies and concerns. The US political classes continue to simmer with an …
(2019-04-19). Arsonists Leave Fascist Symbols at the Highlander Center. therealnews.com 
The Highlander Center has been at the heart of civil rights, labor, and poor people's struggles in this country for the last 87 years. Some people see this arson as an act of war…
(2019-04-19). Weekend Read: Cuban asylum seekers detained in Louisiana. splcenter.org Every day, tens of thousands of immigrants are locked behind bars in the United States. Many are detained for months, even years, far from their loved ones and communities.
(2019-04-19). Northern Ireland Mourns Lyra McKee, Journalist and LGBT Activist Shot at Nationalist Riot. theintercept.com Lyra McKee, a young writer and activist for LGBT rights, was killed by a bullet fired in the direction of police officers and journalists in Derry.
(2019-04-18). US 'Tightens Noose' on Cuba. therealnews.com 
Sec. of State Pompeo announced that Cuban Americans and US citizens who lost property after Cuba's 1959 revolution can now sue companies that have benefitted from this property. This represents an important intensification of sanctions on Cuba, says Jeb Sprague…
(2019-04-18). Headlines for April 18, 2019. democracynow.org Attorney General Barr to Release Redacted Mueller Report, John Bolton Praises Monroe Doctrine as U.S. Sanctions Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, New U.S. Sanctions to Target Remittances & Companies Doing Business in Cuba, North Korea Tests New Weapon, Rejects Role of U.S. Secretary of State, Trump Administration to End Reporting on Size of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal, Former Peruvian President Alan García Dies by Suicide as Police Move In, Teen Who Threatened Colorado Schools Dead of Self-Inflicted Gunshot, Philadelphia DA Clears Path for Mumia Abu-Jamal to Appeal Murder Conviction, New York Grants Parole to Brink's Heist Ge…
(2019-04-18). Dialing 911 Can Get You Evicted. aclu.org The eviction of Beverley Somai for calling the police is part of a disturbing trend. | Last year, Beverley Somai learned a brutal truth that too many people across the country face: Calling the police can get you evicted. | In 2017, Ms. Somai and her adult disabled son moved to Bedford, Ohio, to seek housing stability and better educational and employment opportunities. However, a few months after settling in, Ms. Somai discovered that her neighbor played loud music at all hours of the night, making it impossible for her and her son to rest. Even worse, the neighbor began to intimidate Ms. Somai and her son by fo…
(2019-04-18). Thursday's Daily Brief: impact of bad working conditions, Syria and Libya humanitarian news, human rights in Bahrain, families reunified in South Sudan. un.org Thursday's top news includes: A new report on the dangerous impact of stressful working conditions; the need to decongest Al Hol camp in Syria; a US$2 million allocation from the UN's emergency fund to ramp up the humanitarian response in Libya; human rights concerns over a mass terrorism trial in Bahrain; and 6,000 children reunited with their parents and caregivers in South Sudan.
(2019-04-18). Victory for Boycott HP Campaign: Netherlands Trade Union FNV Drops HP as Partner for its Member Offers. bdsmovement.net 
Victory for Boycott HP Campaign: Netherlands Trade Union FNV Drops HP as Partner for its Member Offers: UpdateMarking a significant victory for the Boycott HP campaign and the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV), the largest trade union of the Netherlands, with 1.1 million members, has dropped HP as a partner in their offers to thei…
(2019-04-17). Headlines for April 17, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Vetoes Resolution Ending U.S. Support for War on Yemen, DOJ Orders Denial of Bond to Migrants, Allowing for Indefinite Detention, Trump Admin Resumes "Remain in Mexico" Policy, Dems Probing Report of Trump Pardon for Blocking Entry to Migrants, U.K.: Police Arrest 200+ Climate Activists Occupying Central London, D.C.: Extinction Rebellion Stages Protest in Front of RNC, French President Macron Vows to Rebuild Notre-Dame in 5 Years, Sudan: Al-Bashir Moved to Prison as African Union Sets Deadline to Install Civilian Gov't, Egypt: MPs Vote to Extend President Sisi's Rule to 2030, Indonesia: President Joko Wido…
(2019-04-17). South Dakota Can't Silence Our Protest Against the Keystone XL Pipeline. aclu.org The "Riot-Boosting" Act Constitutes Self-Censorship and a Loss of our First Amendment Rights. | This piece originally appeared at NDN Collective. | For Indigenous Peoples in South Dakota, the land is more than just the ground beneath our feet. | We believe in and act upon the notion that people, nature, society and all living things are interconnected, in relation to one another, and operate as a system. Our Indigenous cultures have taught us through our languages, stories a…
(2019-04-17). ICC Makes "Dangerous Decision" to Drop Probe into U.S. War Crimes in Afghanistan After U.S. Pressure. democracynow.org 
The International Criminal Court has announced it will not investigate possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the United States and other actors in Afghanistan. The court suggested the U.S.'s lack of cooperation with the investigation was behind the decision. Earlier this month, the U.S. revoked the visa of the ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda. A 2016 report by the ICC accused the U.S. military of torturing at least 61 prisoners in Afghanistan during the ongoing war. The report also accused the CIA of subjecting at least 27 prisoners to torture, including rape, at CIA prison sites in A…