(2019-10-25). Chicago Cops: The Torture Machine, Unending. counterpunch.org 
The Torture Machine: Racism and Police Violence in Chicago. By Flint Taylor. Chicago: Haymarket, 2019. 541pp. $27. The first thing to understand about this important book is the author. Flint Taylor is a Chicago-based civil liberties lawyer of long standing, founding partner in the People's Law Office, and a dogged opponent of Red Squad-style behavior. More
(2019-10-25). She Deserves Our Support: Betty McCollum Wants US to Stop Subsidizing Torture of Palestinian Children. counterpunch.org 
In December 2018, 17-year-old Palestinian teen, Ayham Sabah, was sentenced by an Israeli military court to 35 years in prison for his alleged role in a stabbing attack targeting an Israeli soldier in an illegal Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Sabah was only 14 years old when the alleged attack took place. Another alleged More
(2019-10-25). Texas judge rules father of 'transgender' 7yo will have rights, possibly halting puberty blocker treatment. rt.com 
The bitterly divorced parents of James Younger, 7, will have joint medical decision-making powers, a judge ruled, blocking the mother's attempts to pursue irreversible "gender affirmation" treatments to transition him into a girl. | Judge Kim Cooks of the 255th Family District Court ruled on Thursday that Jeff Younger will have equal rights in the matter with Anne Georgulas, who had previously been given sole custody and guardianship over James and his twin brother Jude. | Georgulas contended that James feels like a girl named "Luna" and wanted to pursue "affirmation" parenting — including puberty blocker…
(2019-10-25). Trumka: Mexican President faces big obstacles to worker rights drive. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—New Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, better known as AMLO and the first progressive president south of the border in decades, faces big obstacles in his drive for Mexican workers' rights, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says. The opposition, he explains, is already coming from big business, which exploits Mexican workers, and from Mexico's company …
(2019-10-25). Open Letter to PM Boris Johnson, Priti Patel, Sajid Javid, and Kevin Hollinrake. dissidentvoice.org Dear Boris Johnson, Priti Patel, Sajid Javid and Kevin Hollinrake, I feel compelled to write to you over my extreme concern regarding the health and well-being of Julian Assange. Please see the link below regarding the psychological torture that Julian Assange has been subjected to, both before leaving the Ecuadorean Embassy and since during his …
(2019-10-25). Chilean Protesters Report Sexual Assault by Military and Riot Police. truthout.org Content Warning: As mobilizations against the government continue in Chile, reports are surfacing of violence and sexual abuse against women involved in the protests. | In Chile over the last several days, multiple allegations were made by human rights and feminist organizations concerning beatings, abuses, and threats of rape against women participating in the protests and cacerolazos (demostrations in which protesters bang pots and pans). | In the wake of arrests and attacks on protesters, women ar…
(2019-10-25). 18 Deaths, 2,400 Arrested in Chile's Protests: Watchdog Report. telesurenglish.net Chile's national human rights institute reported Wednesday that the number of victims rose to 18 and arrested people countrywide rose to more than 2,400 people, following a sixth day of massive anti-government protests in various cities. | RELATED: | HRW Urges Chile to Open Investigations and Respect Human Rights | The National Institute of Human Rights, a public but independent agency, said 898 of the arrests occurred in Santiago — whe…
(2019-10-25). Over 1 Million People March in Chile's Largest Protest. telesurenglish.net About one million people are marching in the streets of the Chilean capital, responding to the convocation of students and labor unions who organized on social media "The Largest March in Chile" on Friday afternoon, with rallies paralyzing major cities. | RELATED: | Chile Unrest: Rights Groups Warn of Dictatorship-Like Practices | The march started between 5-6 p.m., local time, from the Plaza Italia, demanding among others the government to send back the Armed Forces to their m…
(2019-10-25). House of Representatives approves making animal cruelty a federal offense. nationofchange.org Under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, a violator could face up to seven years in prison.
(2019-10-25). Basta friday Weekly Save Chelsea from Torture and Death Vigil&Music. indybay.org MACARTHUR AND FRUITVALE OAKAND 94602…
(2019-10-25). Video: Police officer fatally shoots unarmed teen in back of head. nationofchange.org The federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the boy's father alleges that Villalvazo used excessive and unlawful deadly force while committing assault and battery with negligence.
(2019-10-25). Largest McStrike launched at 6 South London stores. indybay.org October 25, 2019 – The Bakers Food and Allied Workers' Union (BFAWU) will today notify 6 London McDonald's stores that its members will go on strike on 12 November as part of an international day of action for fast food workers' rights.
(2019-10-25). Dorothee Benz on LGBTQ Rights, Joe Emersberger on Ecuador Protests. fair.org 
Media…
(2019-10-25). Raise The Rate Drive unveiled at Addison Road Community Centre. greenleft.org.au 
welfare rights Bernadette SmithIssue 1242 Australia Raise the rate MarrickvilleOctober 25, 2019The Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville, Sydney, has renamed one of its streets to Raise T…
(2019-10-25). Roaming Charges: A Place Where Nobody Knows. counterpunch.org 
This week marked 8th the anniversary of Gaddafi's death in the Libyan town of Sirte. The lesson of his life is: If you do exactly what the US demands, they'll still enter your country, overthrow your government, hunt you down, torture you to death and display your mangled body in a meat locker. Class dismissed. More
(2019-10-25). "You Won't Take Down Lies or You Will?": AOC Grills Facebook's Zuckerberg on Lies in Political Ads. democracynow.org 
This week, as Facebook said it will not fact check political ads or hold politicians to its usual content standards, the social media giant's CEO Mark Zuckerberg was grilled for more than five hours by lawmakers on Capitol Hill on the company's policy of allowing politicians to lie in political advertisements, as well as its role in facilitating election interference and housing discrimination. We play highlights from New York Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ohio Congressmember Joyce Beatty, who asked Zuckerberg about Facebook's record on civil rights, which she called "appalling and disgusting." Bea…
(2019-10-25). Headlines for October 25, 2019. democracynow.org Trump's Justice Department Opens Criminal Probe into Origins of Mueller Investigation, Trump Planning to Send Troops and Tanks to Eastern Syrian Oil Fields, U.N. to Probe Human Rights Abuses in Chile Amid Mass Protests, Ecuador's Indigenous Leaders Halt Talks with President Over Austerity Protests, Bolivia's Evo Morales Declares Election Victory as Opponents Cry Foul, Thousands March in Guinea to Oppose President's Bid for Third Term, Baltimore Congressmember Elijah Cummings Lies in State at U.S. Capitol, Joe Biden's Campaign Reverses Opposition to Super PACs, Protesters Demand New Jersey Offer Driver's Licenses…
(2019-10-24). Police killed CPN leader Paudel in cold blood: NHRC. mronline.org 
The NHRC has recommended that the government should investigate officers issuing orders to police officials who acted against Paudel and bring them to book. | Source
(2019-10-24). I Went to Mexico to Meet Asylum-Seekers Trapped at the Border. This Is What I Saw. aclu.org 
Two weeks ago, I traveled to northern Mexico along with Mexican photographer Guillermo Arias to meet with asylum-seekers who've been trapped at the southern U.S. border by Trump Administration policies. Neither of us was prepared for what we saw there. | We visited two cities — Ciudad Juarez and Matamoros — to track down people who had been placed into the deceptively misnamed "Migrant Protection Protocols" that have slammed America's door shut to people fleeing persecution and violence in their home countries. Before we arrived, we wondered whether the stories we'd read of kidnappings, assaults,…
(2019-10-24). New York forum / 'End sanctions on China & Zimbabwe!'. workers.org 
A Workers World Party forum on "Resisting Sanctions & U.S. Economic Warfare, from China to Zimbabwe" was held in New York City on Oct. 17, featuring two speakers. Omowale Clay, Oct. 17. Omowale Clay, a longtime leader of the December 12th Movement, has been a main organizer in building solidarity . . . | Continue reading New York forum / 'End sanctions on China & Zimbabwe!' at Workers.org
(2019-10-24). Assange's Extradition Is a Case About the Crimes of Empire. commondreams.org UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer, who has been deeply concerned about the treatment of Assange and his health, has been warning the public that Assange has been subjected to psychological torture.(Photo: David G Silvers. Canciller√≠a del Ecuador) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2019-10-24). Indigenous Organizations To Sue Ecuador for Human Rights Abuses. telesurenglish.net The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador announced Thursday that it will file a legal coplaint against the State of Ecuador for violating the human rights of Indigenous leaders during the anti-government protests that rocked the country for at least 12 days. | RELATED: | Ecuadorean Gov't, CONAIE Discuss New Decree on Fuel Subsidies | In a statement published on Twitter, the organizations part of the CONAIE said that the complaint will be filed before national and i…
(2019-10-24). Basta friday Weekly Save Chelsea from Torture and Death Vigil&Music. indybay.org MACARTHUR AND FRUITVALE OAKAND 94602…
(2019-10-24). A Blatant Disregard for Human Dignity. counterpunch.org It says a lot about one's government when ordinary citizens petition the United Nations stop human torture by their government's leaders. Yet that is exactly what a number of Montanans have done. On Oct. 9, 149 ordinary Montana citizens sent their letter to the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights. The letter asks her More
(2019-10-24). Israel Prevents UN Special Rapporteur from Traveling to Palestine. telesurenglish.net Special rapporteur of the United Nations Organization on human rights in Palestine Michael Lynk condemned Israel for preventing him Thursday from traveling to the Palestinian territories, violating thus established procedures and protocols. | RELATED: | Record Number of Palestinian Homes Demolished: Rights Group | "This is a violation of the procedures and protocols because, as part of my work, I must go and see the situation on the ground firsthand," the official said at a press…
(2019-10-24). Newly-inaugurated Indonesian president appoints notorious ex-general as defence minister. wsws.org Former special forces general Prabowo Subianto has a long history of human rights abuses and was intimately connected to the bloody Suharto dictatorship that ruled Indonesia for three decades.
(2019-10-24). Record Number of Palestinian Homes Demolished: Rights Group. telesurenglish.net At least 140 Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem have been demolished so far this year by the Israeli authorities according to the rights organization B'Tselem who said Thursday that the figure was the highest since it began keeping records in 2004. | RELATED: | Palestinian Authority Allegedly Freezes Gaza NGOs Assets | The rights…
(2019-10-24). How the Reckless Use of US Military Power Caused Today's Syrian Kurdish Crisis. truthout.org President Trump has announced sanctions will be lifted on Turkey as a ceasefire remains in place in northern Syria, where Turkey invaded earlier this month after Trump withdrew U.S. troops. On Tuesday Turkey reached an agreement with Russia that would force Syrian Kurdish forces to retreat from a wide swath of the Syrian-Turkish border. The United Nations is reporting Turkey's offensive in northern Syria has displaced over 176,000 people, including nearly 80,000 children. The Turkish assault al…
(2019-10-24). President Maduro Arrives for Non-Aligned Movement in Azerbaijan. telesurenglish.net Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived Thursday in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to participate in the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which kicks off today and Friday. | RELATED: | NAM To Study Sanctions Effects by World Powers: Arreaza | Upon arriving, President Maduro said that "Venezuela is standing, vi…
(2019-10-24). Selected Articles: 5G Cell Phone Radiation is Not Safe. globalresearch.ca Online independent analysis of US-led wars, rampant corruption, corporate greed, civil rights and fraudulent monetary transactions is invariably relegated to the bottom rung of search engine results. | As a result we presently do not cover our monthly running costs which …
(2019-10-24). Hundreds attend Animal Activists Forum. greenleft.org.au 
environment Mary MerkenichIssue 1242 Australia animal rights MelbourneOctober 24, 2019More than 200 people from across the country attended the annual Animal Activist Forum, which was held this year a…
(2019-10-24). Northern Territory to criminalise Aboriginal burial rites. greenleft.org.au 
Aboriginal rights Emma MurphyIssue 1242 AustraliaOctober 24, 2019Aboriginal peoples are no strangers to having governments pass laws telling them how to live their lives and with little to no consultation. Since the federal Coalition government launched the NT Intervention in 2007, the layers of bureaucracy and control smothering ind…
(2019-10-24). New bill set to criminalise NT Aboriginal burial rites. greenleft.org.au Aboriginal rights Emma MurphyIssue 1242 AustraliaOctober 24, 2019Aboriginal peoples are no strangers to having governments pass laws telling them how to live their lives and with little to no consultation. Since the federal Coalition government launched the NT Intervention in 2007, the layers of bureaucracy and control smothering ind…
(2019-10-24). Murdoch University seeks to silence whistleblowing academic. greenleft.org.au 
civil rights Pedro AlvarezIssue 1242 Australia Murdoch University PerthOctober 24, 2019Murdoch University is facing widespread criticism for its decision to seek potentially millions in compensation…
(2019-10-24). Northern Territory forced to back down on plan to criminalise Aboriginal burial rites. greenleft.org.au Aboriginal rights Emma MurphyIssue 1242 AustraliaOctober 24, 2019[Update October 25: The Northern Territory government has been forced to withdraw its Burial and Cremation Bill due to community outcry and concerns raised by Yolngu clans and Aboriginal organisations.] | Aboriginal peoples are no strangers to having governments pass la…
(2019-10-24). Ending Endless War: Andrew Bacevich on How Reckless Use of U.S. Military Power Caused Today's Crisis. democracynow.org 
President Trump has announced sanctions will be lifted on Turkey as a ceasefire remains in place in northern Syria, where Turkey invaded earlier this month after Trump withdrew U.S. troops. On Tuesday Turkey reached an agreement with Russia that would force Syrian Kurdish forces to retreat from a wide swath of the Syrian-Turkish border. The United Nations is reporting Turkey's offensive in northern Syria has displaced over 176,000 people, including nearly 80,000 children. The Turkish assault also led to a number of former ISIS fighters escaping from jail in northern Syria. We speak with Andrew Bacevich, co-founde…
(2019-10-24). Headlines for October 24, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Lifts Sanctions on Turkey, Citing Ceasefire Agreement, Republican Lawmakers Disrupt Closed-Door Impeachment Hearing, Trump's Lawyer Argues the President Can't Be Prosecuted for Murder, Death Toll in Chile Protests Rises to 18 as Human Rights Groups Allege Torture, Spain Removes Remains of Francisco Franco from National Mausoleum, Julian Assange Appears Frail and Confused in London Court Hearing, 39 Bodies Found in Tractor-Trailer in Southeast England, Honduran Woman's Lawsuit Claims Years of Sexual Assault by ICE Agent, Immigrant Worker Injured in New Orleans Hotel Collapse Arrested by ICE, California Utili…
(2019-10-23). Betty McCollum Is Pushing Congress to Stop Subsidizing the Torture of Palestinian Children. mintpressnews.com 
"The legislation I am introducing is expressly intended to end U.S. support and funding for Israel's systematic military detention, interrogation, abuse, torture, and prosecution of Palestinian children." – Betty McCollum…
(2019-10-23). Trump slammed for 'rewarding murder' in Syria as he lifts sanctions on Turkey. thecanary.co Donald Trump has said he will lift sanctions on Turkey after it reportedly agreed to 'permanently' cease hostilities against the largely-Kurdish areas of northern Syria (aka Rojava). But he has faced criticism across the board for being soft in the face of his NATO ally's crimes. | A new stage of the invasion: | Turkey has faced accusations of ethnic cleansing and…
(2019-10-23). Brazilian Activist Under Dead Threats in Rio's Favela Speaks Up. telesurenglish.net Eliana Sousa Silva gave a damning account of how Brazilian police constantly abuse the inhabitants of Mare, a cluster of 16 favelas in Rio de Janeiro, while she has faced multiple threats with her work and constantly fears for her life. | RELATED: | Police Bullet Kills 8-Year-Old Girl in Rio de Janeiro | In Brazil, "being a defender of human rights, being an activist in that field is very hard," the 57-year-old campaigner told EFE. | For many years, the Mare district has been scourged…
(2019-10-23). Chile Protesters Tortured, Sexually Abused by Police: Report. telesurenglish.net The National Institute of Human Rights in Chile (INDH) has confirmed that they have received cases of possible torture at the hands of the authorities amid protests that began against public transport fare hikes but have extended into an uprising against President Piñera's neoliberal policies. | RELATED: | Chile: General Strike Begins as Piñera Asks for Forgiveness
(2019-10-23). Chile Protests: Military Officer Detained for Alleged Homicide. telesurenglish.net The Chilean National Prosecutor's Office reported Tuesday the indictment and preventive detention of a military officer over the charge of the homicide of a protester on Sunday during a protest in the northern city of Coquimbo. | RELATED: | Abuses and Police Violence in Chile, Live on Social Networks | The Ministry of the Interior and Public Security said in a statement that the victim is one of 15 people killed since the protests started in the South American country on Oct. 18.
(2019-10-23). US Renews Chevron License as European Refiner Cuts Venezuela Ties over Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com Finnish-Venezuelan refiner Nynas is one of PDVSA's few remaining cash buyers.
(2019-10-23). She Deserves Our Support: Betty McCollum Wants US to Stop Subsidizing Torture of Palestinian Children. dissidentvoice.org In December 2018, 17-year-old Palestinian teen, Ayham Sabah, was sentenced by an Israeli military court to 35 years in prison for his alleged role in a stabbing attack targeting an Israeli soldier in an illegal Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Sabah was only 14 years old when the alleged attack took place. Another alleged attacker, Omar …
(2019-10-23). Wednesday's Daily Brief: New food agency partnership for children, conference on solidarity for Venezuela, snow leopard at risk of extinction. news.un.org A recap of Wednesday's top stories: UN food agency partnership to feed millions of hungry children; Solidarity conference for 4.5 million Venezuelans on the move; new panel to aid internally displaced persons; healthy working conditions still not universal – UN rights expert; Environment Programme to help endangered snow leopard.
(2019-10-23). Decisive international action needed to end Israeli occupation: UN rights expert. un.org The international community has a responsibility and legal obligation to compel Israel to end its 52 year-long "occu-annexation" of Palestinian territory and remove barriers preventing Palestinian self-determination, a UN independent human rights expert told the General Assembly on Wednesday.
(2019-10-23). Who is counting the ballots for the UAW-GM contract? wsws.org The UAW has decided the deal will pass and is running roughshod over the democratic rights of workers in order to end the strike on the company's terms.
(2019-10-23). Decisive international action needed to end Israeli occupation: UN rights expert. news.un.org The international community has a responsibility and legal obligation to compel Israel to end its 52 year-long "occu-annexation" of Palestinian territory and remove barriers preventing Palestinian self-determination, a UN independent human rights expert told the General Assembly on Wednesday.
(2019-10-23). Trump Lifts US Sanctions on Turkey, Says Ceasefire Permanent. telesurenglish.net United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday a brokered ceasefire in northern Syria is now permanent and lifted sanctions on Turkey as a result, rejecting criticism of his decision to pull out U.S. troops that allowed Kurdish allies to come under attack. | RELATED: | Turkey, Russia Agree on Kurdish YPG Withdrawal, Safe Zone | In a White House speech, Trump described the truce as a "major breakthrough" negotiated by a team led by Vice President Mike Pence, adding that "sanctions…
(2019-10-23). An American Citizen Was Detained While Trying to Pay a Customs Fee on a Gift for His Daughter. theintercept.com The incident, involving a Muslim man and two family members, saw CBP stretch the law "beyond recognition," said a civil liberties attorney.