(2021-06-23). Liberal Media Propaganda Tells the World: America is First. zcomm.org CNN or MSNBC or NPR or similar outlets bombard us with hour after hour with the idea that the U.S. has the absolute right to impose sanctions on country after country overseas if they violate human rights or are not democratic…
(2021-06-23). As Iran Elects New President, Experts Urge Biden to Rejoin Nuclear Deal, Lift Sanctions. zcomm.org "The Biden administration must remain resolute and seek a break from the disastrous conditions that helped contribute to this result."
(2021-06-23). Fatiha Briki is the latest Algerian human rights activist under detention. peoplesdispatch.org According to Fatiha Briki's family and the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees, of which she was a member, the activist was taken into custody on June 17. No reason has been provided by the authorities…
(2021-06-23). Chinese diplomat urges Canada to stop human rights violations against indigenous people. ecns.cn A senior Chinese diplomat urged Canada on Tuesday to immediately stop human rights violations against its indigenous people, and called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to keep following the human rights issues in Canada.
(2021-06-23). Iranian Forces Test-Fired Locally-Made Rocket Launchers In Syria's Deir Ezzor — Report. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | Iranian-backed forces have test-fired locally-made single barrel rocket launchers in the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on June 23. | The tests took place near the government-held towns of al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal in the southern countryside of Deir Ezzor | "The militias deployed the locally-made launchers in the deserts of al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal then launched a number of Iranian rockets randomly towards the depth of the desert as part…
(2021-06-23). Joseph Biden, a Champion of Human Rights? globalresearch.ca
(2021-06-23). New Evidence Reveals that Senator John McCain and Other High-Ranking Vietnam War POWs May Have Lied to the American Public About Being Tortured. globalresearch.ca
(2021-06-23). U.S.seizes websites used by Iranian news outlets. ecns.cn The United States on Tuesday seized dozens of websites used by the Iranian news outlets for "violation of sanctions".
(2021-06-23). Headlines for June 23, 2021. democracynow.org Republicans Block Major Voting Rights Bill as Democrats Vow to Continue Fight, Air Raid in Tigray Kills Dozens, Adding to Conflict-Fueled Devastation, Japan Restarts First Nuclear Reactor in Over 3 Years Amid Widespread Opposition, Rights Groups Sound Alarm as Nicaragua's Gov't Escalates Crackdown on Opposition, Shooting in Mexican Border Town Kills at Least 15 People in Crossfire, At Least 3 Arab Israeli Journalists Have Come Under Attack in Past Month, U.S. Gov't Seizes PressTV.com and Other Websites Linked to Iran, Hong Kong Newspaper Apple Daily Shuts Down Days After Police Raid Newsroom, Arrest Editors, Cata…
(2021-06-23). Foreign Affairs Minister Arreaza Discusses the Real Reasons Behind US Aggression Against Venezuela (+Russia). orinocotribune.com 
Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza, on his official visit to the Russian Federation, gave a keynote speech at the Valdai International Discussion Club in Moscow on June 22. In his address, Minister Arreaza explained—from a historical and geopolitical perspective—the real reasons behind the imperial attempts to dominate Venezuela as well as the multipronged aggression led by the United States against the Bolivarian nation. | Arreaza pointed out that the unilateral coercive measures, misnamed sanctions, constitute a collective punishment inflicted on 30 million Venezuelans, for the sole r…
(2021-06-23). Venezuela May Continue Challenging Illegal Blockade Imposed by the European Union. orinocotribune.com The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled this Tuesday that Venezuela is entitled to challenge the unilateral and restrictive measures imposed on it by the old continental supremacist bloc. | With the ruling, the highest European court annulled the judgment of the General Court in which an appeal filed by Venezuela was declared inadmissible. With the appeal, Venezuela had requested the annulment of the illegal sanctions, and argued that it was "affected by its provisions." | The case | In 2017, after the violent street riots know as guarimbas, led by the Venezuelan extreme right, the Council of the…
(2021-06-23). The US Could Be Using Iran's Election to Sabotage Nuclear Deal. news.antiwar.com Biden administration officials are downplaying the idea that Iran's presidential election will impact negotiations to revive the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA. But the election of Ebrahim Raisi, a judge under US sanctions who is close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, might give President Biden the excuse to blame the failure to salvage the …
(2021-06-23). A Fight for Democracy: GOP Blocks Voting Bill as Democrats Renew Push to Reform Filibuster. democracynow.org 
As Senate Republicans use the filibuster to block debate on the most sweeping voting rights bill considered by Congress in decades, we look at what is in the bill and the next steps forward. Elizabeth Hira, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice's Democracy Program, describes the For the People Act as "a massive democracy reform package" that seeks to address systemic flaws in U.S. elections. "This bill creates a wholesale opportunity for us to fix all of the things that have been wrong in our democracy." We also speak with Reverend William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, who says Republica…
(2021-06-23). Ex-Cop Eric Adams Takes Lead in NYC Mayoral Race in City's First Election with Ranked-Choice Voting. democracynow.org 
We look at the early results from New York's highly anticipated primary election Tuesday. In the heated mayoral race, Brooklyn borough president and former New York police officer Eric Adams is leading, but it will likely take several weeks to announce a winner with the new ranked-choice voting system. Civil rights attorney Maya Wiley is currently in second place, followed closely by former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang has conceded after receiving less than 12% of the tallied vote even after the media covered him as a front-runner. "My sense is that Adams will pr…
(2021-06-23). Biden has a chance to oversee biggest river restoration project in US history. nationofchange.org Removing four dams would promote salmon recovery, clean energy, agriculture and Indigenous rights.
(2021-06-23). Tuesday 6/29: Sacramento: Deadline for Democracy Rally for Voting Rights Now! indybay.org Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse on front steps, 501 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 | Follow any and all COVID guidelines. This is a peaceful event.
(2021-06-23). Tuesday 6/29: We Demand Voter Rights Now! Deadline for Democracy Rally in San Jose. indybay.org Intersection of Winchester Blvd. and Stevens Creek Blvd at the San Jose / Santa Clara border (sidewalk intersection of Santana Row shopping center). | Follow all and any COVID guidlines…
(2021-06-23). Wednesday 7/7: Oakland: Deadline for Democracy Rally to Demand Voting Rights Now! indybay.org Oscar Grant / Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94705 | Follow all and any current COVID guidelines…
(2021-06-23). Texas governor signs series of reactionary laws, announces plan to build border wall. wsws.org Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Republican-controlled state legislature have enacted a series of reactionary laws attacking immigrants and robbing residents of their democratic rights.
(2021-06-23). After GOP smackdown of voting rights debate, advocates vow to fight. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—After a 50-50 partisan Senate tie, which in practical terms was a loss, disgusted and often angry voting rights advocates vowed to keep fighting for the cause. From Democratic President Joseph Biden to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, they promised the contest "is just beginning" and will continue until everyone's path to the polls is easier …
(2021-06-23). When You Lift from the Bottom, Everyone Rises: Have We Entered America's Third Era of Reconstruction? juancole.com 
( Tomdispatch.com) — West Virginia, a state first established in defiance of slavery, has recently become ground zero in the fight for voting rights. In an early June op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin vowed to maintain the Senate filibuster, while opposing the For the People Act, a bill to expand voting …
(2021-06-23). The Heat: U.S. Senate Republicans block debate on voting rights bill. america.cgtn.com 
Republicans block a voting rights bill in the U.S. Senate. Plus — bipartisan negotiations continue on infrastructure. But can they reach a deal?>
(2021-06-23). Atlanta: 'No Pride in Detention'. workers.org 
Members of several trans and Latinx organizations assembled at the Atlanta ICE headquarters June 15 to declare "No Pride in Detention." Initiated by Community Estrella and its founder, Li An (Estrella) Sanchez, the main demand was to end the detention of trans people. As the group marched around the heavily . . . |
(2021-06-23). Ex-Cop Eric Adams Takes Lead in New York City Mayoral Race. truthout.org 
We look at the early results from New York's highly anticipated primary election Tuesday. In the heated mayoral race, Brooklyn borough president and former New York police officer Eric Adams is leading, but it will likely take several weeks to announce a winner with the new ranked-choice voting system. Civil rights attorney Maya Wiley is currently in second place, followed closely by former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang has conceded after receiving less than 12% o…
(2021-06-23). Pressure to End Filibuster Mounts After Republicans Block Voting Rights Debate. truthout.org 
Republicans voted to block Democrats' landmark voting rights bill, the For the People Act or S.1, on Tuesday. The bill that many have touted as a package that could save American democracy would have massively expanded access to voting and targeted corruption in politics. | Senate Republicans blocked debate on the bill in a party line, 50-50 vote. Due to the filibuster, the legislation needed 60 votes to advance to a debate. The House passed a version of the bill earlier this year. | Senate…
(2021-06-23). Senate Republicans block watered-down Democratic voting rights bill. wsws.org In the run-up to the vote, Biden and the Democratic leadership shamelessly courted West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who put forward a "compromise" proposal incorporating voter suppression measures supported by the Republicans.
(2021-06-23). With support of Biden, federal court backs Trump's police-state assault on peaceful protests in Lafayette Square. wsws.org On Monday, a federal judge dismissed lawsuits alleging former president Donald Trump directed police to violate the constitutional rights of peaceful protesters who were violently attacked in Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020.
(2021-06-23). Is Performative Progress the Best Democrats Can Do on Voting Rights? thenation.com Is Performative Progress the Best Democrats Can Do on Voting Rights?
(2021-06-23). Pass on Old El Paso and Latina Fresh while workers are denied their rights. greenleft.org.au General Mills workers are holding firm on their demand to be treated fairly with a reasonable pay rise and job security. Jim McIlroy reports.
(2021-06-22). Iran's Raisi: Supports renewed Nuclear Deal, Seeks Lifting of US Sanctions, and Restored Saudi Diplomatic Relations. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — In his first press conference on Monday, newly elected President Ebrahim Raisi expressed support for the negotiations in Vienna toward restoring the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the United Nations, as long as, he said, they achieve benefits for the Iranian nation and do not drag on forever. He …
(2021-06-22). China, allies seek probe into indigenous children's remains in Canada. popularresistance.org "We call for a thorough and impartial investigation into all cases where crimes were committed against the indigenous people, especially children, so as to bring those responsible to justice, and offer full remedy to victims," Jiang Duan, a senior official at China's mission to the U.N. in Geneva, told the Human Rights Council.
(2021-06-22). International Criticism of Nicaragua Crackdown Grows. latinorebels.com MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — International criticism of Nicaragua's government grew on Tuesday after another night of arrests in Managua. Fifty-nine countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council signed onto a statement expressing concern over arbitrary arrests and the restriction of fundamental rights.
(2021-06-22). Democracy From Bay to Bay. strategic-culture.org U.S. democracy does not extend to Guantanamo Bay or any of the hideous 'black sites' where the CIA and its international partners conducted torture. | President Joe Biden
(2021-06-22). New Evidence Reveals That Senator John McCain and Other High-Ranking Vietnam War POWs May Have Lied to the American Public About Being Tortured. covertactionmagazine.com Collusion by the White House, the Pentagon, and the mainstream media resulted in disparagement, denial, and suppression of eyewitness testimony confirming that most POWs were actually well-treated by their North Vietnamese captors (in contrast to the brutal torture and death often meted out to North Vietnamese POWs by U.S. forces). When numerous U.S. POWs began …
(2021-06-22). Liberal Media Propaganda Tells the World: America is First. counterpunch.org If you get your foreign policy news today from CNN or MSNBC or NPR or similar outlets, then you're bombarded hour after hour with the idea that the United States has the absolute right to impose sanctions on country after country overseas if they violate human rights or are not democratic. To give just one example: On Sunday, CNN anchor Dana Bash grilled Biden National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on why the White House is not imposing yet more sanctions on Russia (and
(2021-06-22). Tareck El Aissami to Bloomberg: Venezuela to Quadruple Oil Production by End of Year—Gas Lines Will End by July. orinocotribune.com Speaking to the "Production can go up to 600,000 barrels per day if everything goes well and sanctions are not increased," he said. "Even getting to that would be implausible in the medium term; production capacity has been…
(2021-06-22). Tareck El Aissami to Bloomberg: #Venezuela to Quadruple #Oil Production by End of Year—#Gas Lines Will End by July. orinocotribune.com Speaking to the "Production can go up to 600,000 barrels per day if everything goes well and sanctions are not increased," he said. "Even getting to that would be implausible in the medium term; production capacity has been…
(2021-06-22). Iran's New President Endorses Nuclear Talks, Won't Meet Biden. news.antiwar.com Iran's new President-elect Ebrahim Raisi has held his Raisi said his goal is to ease international sanctions, and he endorsed the JCPOA nuclear deal. He said his assessment is that the US should immediately return and fulfill its obligations to th…
(2021-06-22). Iran's New President Endorses Nuclear Talks, Won't Meet Biden. news.antiwar.com Iran's new President-elect Ebrahim Raisi has made his Raisi said his goal is to ease international sanctions, and he endorsed the JCPOA nuclear deal. He said his assessment is that the US should immediately return and fulfill its obligations to the deal.
(2021-06-22). US Sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela Hamper the Global Fight Against COVID-19. orinocotribune.com 
By Cole Stangler — Jun 18 2021 | Critics say the sanctions undermine U.S. ambitions to vaccinate the world, while new polling shows a clear majority favors a policy change. | IN CUBA, the smallest country in the world to produce its own Covid-19 vaccines, five immunizations are currently in clinical trials. Soberana 2 and Abdala have reached Phase 3, making the island nation the only country in Latin America to reach the final stage in vaccine development. In the meantime, three other kinds of Cuban Covid-19 shots are in early trial phases. | Last month, Cuban authorities opted to begin early distribution of…
(2021-06-22). Headlines for June 22, 2021. democracynow.org South African President Blasts Big Pharma for Refusing to Share COVID-19 Vaccine Technology, Cuba Says Abdala Vaccine Shows 92% Efficacy Against COVID-19, Coronavirus Surges in Indonesia; Colombia Death Toll Passes 100,000, White House Falls Behind Goal of Donating 80 Million Vaccine Doses by End of June, Deaths Soared by 32% in U.S. Nursing Homes, Where 4 in 10 Had COVID-19 in 2020, Senate GOP to Filibuster Restoration of Voting Rights Protections, Belarus Hit with New Sanctions as U.N. Rights Chief Decries Torture and Other Abuses, Zapatistas Arrive in Spain, Marking 500 Years Since Cortés's Conquest of Mexico,…
(2021-06-22). New Evidence Reveals That Senator John McCain and Other High-Ranking Vietnam War POWs May Have Lied to the American Public About Being Tortured. covertactionmagazine.com Collusion by the White House, the Pentagon, and the mainstream media resulted in disparagement, denial, and suppression of eyewitness testimony confirming that most POWs were actually well-treated by their North Vietnamese captors (in contrast to the brutal torture and death often meted out to North Vietnamese POWs by U.S. forces). When numerous U.S. POWs began …
(2021-06-22). Republicans Won't Even Debate "For the People Act" as They Flood States with Voter Suppression Bills. democracynow.org 
Senate Republicans are expected to use the filibuster to block debate on the For the People Act, a sweeping bill that would protect voting rights across the United States and improve ballot access. The Senate vote comes as Republican state lawmakers are passing sweeping measures to suppress the vote. According to the Voting Rights Lab, 18 states have enacted more than 30 laws to restrict voting since the November election. The For the People Act is "the most important voting rights bill since the Voting Rights Act of 1965," says Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman. "It just goes to show you how afraid the Republican…
(2021-06-22). Republican filibuster is only the beginning of epic voting rights battle. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—It is no surprise that despite a spate of endorsements and a rally of backers Tuesday on Capitol Hill, the Senate sponsor of the For The People Act expects it'll hit a Republican rock in a Senate vote to bring it up for debate. Democratic President Joe Biden calls the For The People Act (S1/HR1) …
(2021-06-22). Progressives unleash state-level legislation tsunami to combat Republican assault on democracy. peoplesworld.org 
In the face of a vicious Republican-orchestrated assault on democratic rights and working-class economic gains, states dominated by Democratic governors and legislatures representing broad multi-racial governing coalitions are pulling in the opposite direction—going all out to expand rights. And in some GOP-dominated states, voters are taking matters into their own hands to bypass the obstruction …
(2021-06-22). The coordinated assault on voting rights is 'Jim Crow 2.0'. therealnews.com 
Georgia's new voting law is the latest example of the right wing's naked assault on democracy; Vice President Kamala Harris's trip to Mexico and Guatemala proves the US government has no interest in addressing the "root causes" of Central American migration.
(2021-06-22). UN criticized for leaving out Israel and Saudi coalition from list of violators of children's rights. peoplesdispatch.org 
Despite having verified cases of child right violations, Israel, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and several parties in Afghanistan were not included in this years' UN report on Children and Armed Conflict…
(2021-06-22). D.C. Statehood is Constitutional. Robert Kennedy Never Said Otherwise. aclu.org The movement for D.C. statehood has gained remarkable momentum in recent years. A bill to admit the district as the 51st state passed the House with unanimous Democratic support in April, and a hearing before the Senate is slated for June 22. As the hearing approaches, opponents of statehood are reaching back into history to bolster their agenda — but their interpretation may be misguided. | The movement's adversaries have misleadingly cited a
(2021-06-22). When You Lift from the Bottom, Everyone Rises. tomdispatch.com West Virginia, a state first established in defiance of slavery, has recently become ground zero in the fight for voting rights. In an early June op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin vowed to maintain the Senate filibuster, while opposing the For the People Act, a bill to expand voting rights. Last week, after mounting pressure and a leaked Zoom recording with billionaire donors, he showed potential willingness to move on the filibuster and proposed a "compromise" on voting rights. Nonetheless, his claim that the filibuster had been critical to protecting the "rights of Democrats i…
(2021-06-22). On the Podcast: Defending Speech We Hate. aclu.org The ACLU's role in defending freedom of speech has been hotly contested by some critics recently — but these conversations are far from new. Throughout its history, the organization has had to balance its dedication to advancing civil rights for marginalized people and