Monthly Archives: March 2021

2021-03-31: News Headlines

contributors (2021-03-31). Jewish Nat'l Fund Lawsuit against Palestinian Rights Advocacy in US Slapped down by Federal Judge on First Amendment Grounds. juancole.com U.S. Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Filed by Jewish National Fund Against Palestinian Rights Nonprofit Contact: press@ccrjustice.org Lawsuit "Not Persuasive," Judge Rules ( Center for Constitutional Rights) — March 30, 2021, Washington, D.C. — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and others against a U.S.-based Palestinian rights organization. The …

Peoples Dispatch (2021-03-31). Housing for people, not for profit: Rights groups demand action across Europe. peoplesdispatch.org Rights groups organized two days of action for housing rights across major cities in Europe. The demands included affordable housing, an end to profiteering from rents and putting a stop to evictions…

Guest Contributor (2021-03-31). The Chinese State attacks the Bar: A Call to Arms — Lord Sandhurst QC. ukhumanrightsblog.com On 26 March, the Government of the People's Republic of China announced sanctions against a number of British individuals and entities. Most publicity has been attracted by the inclusion of well-known politicians on the list. But the most sinister inclusion may be "Essex Court Chambers". Whereas the sanctioning of a politician, who is unlikely to …

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-31). Biden Administration Slams China in Annual Human Rights Report. news.antiwar.com Continuing the hostile rhetoric against Beijing,

Margaret Flowers (2021-03-30). Nicaragua: Building The Good Life (Buen Vivir) Through Popular Revolution. dissidentvoice.org As I traveled in Nicaragua on the recent Sanctions Kill delegation, one thing was clear: social transformation (revolution) requires both political power and participation by the people. Without political power, revolutionary programs will not have the material resources they require. Without the participation of the people, revolutionary programs, even with resources, cannot be put into …

Editor (2021-03-30). Smash Georgia's anti-voting law. workers.org The Republican Party-dominated state government has pushed through a bill making Georgia the first state to pass a broad anti-voting law. This law drags voting protection for African Americans back to the racist norms before the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Losing the national presidential vote and two Senate seats . . . |

Joyce Chediac (2021-03-30). In memoriam: Nawal El Saadawi, Egyptian feminist and anti-imperialist. liberationnews.org Egyptian feminist Nawal El Saadawi died March 21 at age 89. Neither imprisonment nor job loss, nor banning her writings, not even death threats could stop her fight for the rights of Egyptian women. She exposed both the religious and sectarian foundation of patriarchy. Her courage and uncompromising defense of women and the poor inspired …

_____ (2021-03-30). Virginia Public Sector Workers Organize To Make Their New Bargaining Rights A Reality. popularresistance.org When Virginia changed its law last year to allow local government workers to bargain collectively, it was a leap forward in a time when the trend is generally in the opposite direction. | As always, the devil is in the details—and there's a lot of devilry here. But the change presents a substantial opening for unions. Now teachers, firefighters, and sewer workers are getting organized and pushing local governments to bargain over such issues as pay and staffing. | Bargaining is still banned for state employees. But the new law, which takes effect May 1, allows cities, counties, and towns to bargain with the…

splcenter (2021-03-30). Outrage in Georgia: Civil rights groups sue to block state's shameful new voter suppression law. splcenter.org &nbsp…

Finian Cunningham (2021-03-30). China Aces Western Hypocrisy. dissidentvoice.org There's a new dawn evident: China is not putting up with what it sees as hypocritical Western interference in its sovereign affairs. Sanctions are being met with rapid counter-sanctions, and Chinese officials are vociferously pointing out Western double standards. There was a time when the United States and its allies could browbeat others with condemnations. …

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-03-30). 'Abhorrent': Arkansas Poised to Deny Trans Youth Healthcare. commondreams.org "Stripping youth of this care even when it is recommended by their doctors, supported by their parents, and demanded by the dire situations of the youth is cruel and deadly." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

commondreams (2021-03-30). Civil Rights Groups Sue Georgia Over New Sweeping Voter Suppression Law. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Jeffrey D. Sachs (2021-03-30). The Current Battle Over Voting Rights Is a Battle for America's Future. commondreams.org Republican-controlled state legislatures across the US are enacting new restrictions on voter participation that target non-whites. Since the Civil War, the white supremacist culture—embraced by a shrinking minority in America—has always based its power on violence and voter suppression. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Ali Harb (2021-03-30). US judge dismisses lawsuit linking Palestine solidarity group to 'terrorism'. middleeasteye.net US judge dismisses lawsuit linking Palestine solidarity group to 'terrorism' | Judge rejected argument that US Campaign for Palestinian Rights was liable for militant attacks because of its support for BDS as 'not convincing' | Tue, 03/30/2021 – 23: 41 | Palestinian rights activists in Washington protest against Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank, 3 July 2020 (MEE/File photo) | A US judge has dismisse…

Ali Harb (2021-03-30). US judge dismisses lawsuit linking Palestine solidarity group to 'terrorism'. middleeasteye.net US judge dismisses lawsuit linking Palestine solidarity group to 'terrorism' | Judge dismissed argument that US Campaign for Palestinian Rights was liable for militant attacks because of its support for BDS as 'not convincing' | Tue, 03/30/2021 – 23: 41 | Palestinian rights activists in Washington protest against Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank, 3 July 2020 (MEE/File photo) | A US judge has dismiss…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Iran Rejects Ending 20% Enrichment for Some Sanctions Relief. news.antiwar.com A report from Politico on Monday said the Biden administration was ready An unnamed Iranian official responded to the report and

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Report: US Preparing to Offer New Proposal to Iran. news.antiwar.com According to Citing people "familiar with the matter," the report said the proposal could be put forward as early as this week. One source said the proposal asks Iran to halt some nuclear activity, such as new advanced centrifuges and the enrichment of uranium at 20 percent, in exchange for some relief from US sanctions, although details are still being worked out…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Report: EU Set to Sanction Iranian Officials. news.antiwar.com According to Citing three unnamed European diplomats, the report said the sanctions are expected to be agreed on Wednesday. If implemented, the sanctions would come at a sensitive time, as a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, i…

Staff (2021-03-30). Derek Chauvin Defense Blames "George Floyd Himself for His Own Death," Not the Police "Blood Choke" democracynow.org As the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin continues, we speak with Minneapolis civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong, who says prosecutors in the case clearly established that "the actions of Derek Chauvin played the most critical role in cutting off the air supply of George Floyd," leading to his death, while the defense appears to be resorting to a strategy of victim-blaming. "I was really dismayed to see them try to deflect blame to bystanders and to blame George Floyd himself for his own death," says Armstrong, a former president of the Minneapolis NAACP.

Staff (2021-03-30). Headlines for March 30, 2021. democracynow.org First Witnesses Testify in Murder Trial of Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin, Who Killed George Floyd, Civil Rights Groups File Second Legal Challenge to Georgia Voter Suppression Bill, WHO Says COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Began in Animal Hosts, Rather Than Laboratory Escape, CDC Director Warns of "Impending Doom" as Coronavirus Cases Rise Across U.S., CDC Extends Federal Eviction Moratorium to June 30, Wealthiest 1% of Americans Account for One-Third of Unpaid Taxes to IRS, Protests Erupt in Mexico Demanding Justice for Salvadoran Refugee Killed by Police, Suez Canal Reopens After Salvage Teams Clear Stuck Container Ship, 60 Ch…

2021-03-30: News Headlines

Editor (2021-03-30). Smash Georgia's anti-voting law. workers.org The Republican Party-dominated state government has pushed through a bill making Georgia the first state to pass a broad anti-voting law. This law drags voting protection for African Americans back to the racist norms before the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Losing the national presidential vote and two Senate seats . . . |

Joyce Chediac (2021-03-30). In memoriam: Nawal El Saadawi, Egyptian feminist and anti-imperialist. liberationnews.org Egyptian feminist Nawal El Saadawi died March 21 at age 89. Neither imprisonment nor job loss, nor banning her writings, not even death threats could stop her fight for the rights of Egyptian women. She exposed both the religious and sectarian foundation of patriarchy. Her courage and uncompromising defense of women and the poor inspired …

Marcelle Cendrars (2021-03-30). Nicaragua: Building The Good Life (Buen Vivir) Through Popular Revolution. dissidentvoice.org As I traveled in Nicaragua on the recent Sanctions Kill delegation, one thing was clear: social transformation (revolution) requires both political power and participation by the people. Without political power, revolutionary programs will not have the material resources they require. Without the participation of the people, revolutionary programs, even with resources, cannot be put into …

_____ (2021-03-30). Virginia Public Sector Workers Organize To Make Their New Bargaining Rights A Reality. popularresistance.org When Virginia changed its law last year to allow local government workers to bargain collectively, it was a leap forward in a time when the trend is generally in the opposite direction. | As always, the devil is in the details—and there's a lot of devilry here. But the change presents a substantial opening for unions. Now teachers, firefighters, and sewer workers are getting organized and pushing local governments to bargain over such issues as pay and staffing. | Bargaining is still banned for state employees. But the new law, which takes effect May 1, allows cities, counties, and towns to bargain with the…

splcenter (2021-03-30). Outrage in Georgia: Civil rights groups sue to block state's shameful new voter suppression law. splcenter.org &nbsp…

Finian Cunningham (2021-03-30). China Aces Western Hypocrisy. dissidentvoice.org There's a new dawn evident: China is not putting up with what it sees as hypocritical Western interference in its sovereign affairs. Sanctions are being met with rapid counter-sanctions, and Chinese officials are vociferously pointing out Western double standards. There was a time when the United States and its allies could browbeat others with condemnations. …

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Iran Rejects Ending 20% Enrichment for Some Sanctions Relief. news.antiwar.com A report from Politico on Monday said the Biden administration was ready An unnamed Iranian official responded to the report and

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Report: US Preparing to Offer New Proposal to Iran. news.antiwar.com According to Citing people "familiar with the matter," the report said the proposal could be put forward as early as this week. One source said the proposal asks Iran to halt some nuclear activity, such as new advanced centrifuges and the enrichment of uranium at 20 percent, in exchange for some relief from US sanctions, although details are still being worked out…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Report: EU Set to Sanction Iranian Officials. news.antiwar.com According to Citing three unnamed European diplomats, the report said the sanctions are expected to be agreed on Wednesday. If implemented, the sanctions would come at a sensitive time, as a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, i…

Staff (2021-03-30). Headlines for March 30, 2021. democracynow.org First Witnesses Testify in Murder Trial of Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin, Who Killed George Floyd, Civil Rights Groups File Second Legal Challenge to Georgia Voter Suppression Bill, WHO Says COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Began in Animal Hosts, Rather Than Laboratory Escape, CDC Director Warns of "Impending Doom" as Coronavirus Cases Rise Across U.S., CDC Extends Federal Eviction Moratorium to June 30, Wealthiest 1% of Americans Account for One-Third of Unpaid Taxes to IRS, Protests Erupt in Mexico Demanding Justice for Salvadoran Refugee Killed by Police, Suez Canal Reopens After Salvage Teams Clear Stuck Container Ship, 60 Ch…

Staff (2021-03-30). Derek Chauvin Defense Blames "George Floyd Himself for His Own Death," Not the Police "Blood Choke" democracynow.org As the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin continues, we speak with Minneapolis civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong, who says prosecutors in the case clearly established that "the actions of Derek Chauvin played the most critical role in cutting off the air supply of George Floyd," leading to his death, while the defense appears to be resorting to a strategy of victim-blaming. "I was really dismayed to see them try to deflect blame to bystanders and to blame George Floyd himself for his own death," says Armstrong, a former president of the Minneapolis NAACP.

Ali Harb (2021-03-30). US judge dismisses lawsuit linking Palestine solidarity group to 'terrorism'. middleeasteye.net US judge dismisses lawsuit linking Palestine solidarity group to 'terrorism' | Judge dismissed argument that US Campaign for Palestinian Rights was liable for militant attacks because of its support for BDS as 'not convincing' | Tue, 03/30/2021 – 23: 41 | Palestinian rights activists in Washington protest against Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank, 3 July 2020 (MEE/File photo) | A US judge has dismiss…