(2021-06-27). How A US Congressman Took On The US Blockade Against Venezuela. popularresistance.org On a cold winter day in February 2019, activists gathered in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts, to denounce the attempted US-backed coup in Venezuela. More than two years later, in the wake of ongoing rallies and discussions with Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, activists gained some ground as the congressman tweeted an open letter to President Joe Biden on June 14 in which he called on the president to end "all secondary and sectoral sanctions" against Venezuela. The letter stated: | "While US officials debate the sanctions policy in Washington, for people in Venezuela the ongoing crisis is a lif…
(2021-06-27). US and European Union Blockade on Venezuela Is Collapsing: Here is Some Evidence. orinocotribune.com The recent change in discourse by Juan Guaidó, affirming that he now aspires to negotiations with the Venezuelan government, seems to have its root in the United States that may be thinking about reversing some sanctions, just as President Nicolás Maduro had asserted a few days ago. And once again the administration of Joe Biden is urging for broad negotiations with specific deadlines to be carried out so that "in Venezuela there are free and fair elections." This was stated on Thursday, June 24, by Wendy Sherman, undersecretary of the US State Department. | Sherman's post on her social media, carrying this messa…
(2021-06-27). The Case of Alex Saab: US Abduction of Venezuelan Diplomat, a Global Challenge. orinocotribune.com By Sara Flounders and Roger D. Harris — Jun 24, 2021 | With the possible extradition of a Venezuelan diplomat to the US on bogus charges, an emergency human rights delegation organized by the International Campaign to Free Alex Saab was quickly dispatched to Cabo Verde, where he is imprisoned. This island archipelago nation off the west coast of Africa is one of the smallest, poorest, and geographically isolated countries in the world. | The international human rights delegation did not gain Alex Saab's freedom. They were even denied a visit with him. But breakthroughs were made raising the visibility of the…
(2021-06-27). Weaponizing Science In Global Food Policy. popularresistance.org Santa Cruz, CA – In July, the United Nations will convene "Science Days", a high-profile event in preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit later this year. Over the course of two days, the world will be treated to a parade of Zoom sessions aimed at "highlighting the centrality of science, technology and innovation for food systems transformation." | Nobody disputes the need for urgent action to transform the food system. But the UNFSS has been criticized by human rights experts for its top-down and non-transparent organization. Indigenous peoples, peasants, and civil society groups around the world know their h…
(2021-06-27). Syrian Arab Army Fire Inflicted More Losses On Militants In Greater Idlib. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | On June 27, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) shelled militants' positions in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib in response to recent ceasefire violations. | According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the army targeted a number of towns and villages in the al-Zawiya Mount in the southern Idlib countryside as well as in al-Ghab Plains in the northern countryside of Hama. | The SAA shelling led to some losses. A militant, identified as Yusuf Firas Qassim, was killed in the to…
(2021-06-27). Tuesday 6/29: India: The world's largest strike, COVID crisis, Hindu nationalism, human rights. indybay.org Monterey Peace & Justice Center | 1364 Fremont Boulevard | Seaside, CA 93955…
(2021-06-27). LGTBIQ+ Community Celebrates Gay Pride in Panama. telesurenglish.net Demanding several social reforms, human rights organizations and activists marched on Saturday in Panama to hold the 2021 Gay Pride parade. | RELATED: | Carrying banners and chanting, activists marched from the "5 de Mayo" Square to the Cinta Costera viewpoint to fight for their rights and condemn stigma, discrimination, and violence. | The activists pointed out that the Panamanian State has a historical debt with the LGBTIQ+ community while also warning over a…
(2021-06-27). On Contact: Judicial Lynching. popularresistance.org On the show this week, Chris Hedges talks to Craig Murray, the former British ambassador to Uzbekistan, who was removed from his post after he made public the widespread use of torture by the Uzbek government and the CIA. | Murray has since become one of Britain's most important human rights campaigners, a fierce advocate for Julian Assange and a supporter of Scottish independence. His coverage of the trial of former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who was acquitted of sexual assault charges, saw him charged with contempt of court and sentenced to eight months in prison. The very dubious sentence, which upe…
(2021-06-27). Hidden Cemeteries at Residential Schools: Churches and Canada Responsible for Genocide. indybay.org Chief Cadmusn Delmore of the Cowessess First Nation said 751 unmarked graves were found at Marieval Residential School. In 2008 — thirteen years ago — Hidden from History published a list of 28 mass graves at residential schools and hospitals in Canada. The information comes from historical accounts and eyewitness testimony of survivors who witnessed fellow students being tortured and murdered.
(2021-06-27). Revealing The Pentagon Papers In Congress: A Pyrrhic Victory. popularresistance.org I propped myself up on an elbow as the announcer read the news: The Supreme Court ruled, 6-3, against Nixon. The government's unprecedented move to stop the presses had failed. The Court agreed with two lower courts that the attempt to impose prior restraint on the press was unconstitutional. | The ruling turned out to be more complex than at first glance, but it was an unequivocal call for Constitutional constraint on an out-of-control control executive. The Court challenged the executive's misuse of "national security" as a mantra to undermine the Bill of Rights and accrue quasi-dictatorial powers. Writing for…
(2021-06-27). The Privatization of Medicare. counterpunch.org 
Image by When you want to know if the US government, or the political party in charge, is pulling a fast one on the public, look at the name they give a new program or law. The USA PATRIOT Act is a classic example. An acronym for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, that law, passed in November 2001 with no hearings, was actually a huge wishlist of a decade's worth of repressive and invasive assaults on the Bill of Rights pulled off Congressional shelves rushed through for Presid…
(2021-06-27). Secret Justice — The Insiders' View. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
A collective submission made by special advocates (security-cleared barristers who appear in secret proceedings) has been cleared for publication. This document is a response to the review being performed by Sir Duncan Ouseley, looking into the operation of closed material procedures (CMPs) under the Justice and Security Act 2013. It gives an unprecedented insight into …
(2021-06-27). Wednesday 7/7: Voting Rights Now! Sidewalk Rally for Democracy in Pacifica. indybay.org Intersection of CA-1 and Reina Del Mar @ 1 Reina Del Mar, Pacifica, CA 94044…
(2021-06-26). Biden Administration Warns Allies Against Restoring Ties With Syria's Assad. news.antiwar.com After supporting efforts to oust him, some of Washington's Gulf allies have accepted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is here to stay and are working on restoring ties with Damascus. On Friday, a US official warned US allies against getting friendly with Assad and threatened sanctions. Joey Hood, the acting assistant secretary of state for …
(2021-06-26). Final Declaration of ALBA-TCP's 19th Summit for Heads of State & Government: Unity, Fair Vaccine Distribution & Opposition to Illegal Sanctions. orinocotribune.com The Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Sacha Llorenti, read the Final Declaration of the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government, repudiating the aggressive and coercive measures exercised by the United States and Europe, advocating for a fair distribution of vaccines and medical supplies to combat COVID-19, and supporting and promoting respect for the sovereignty and the unity processes of the countries that make up ALBA-TCP, among other issues. | The document was put to a vote and was approved by the delegations present. Llorenti…
(2021-06-26). Final Declaration of ALBA-TCP's 19th Summit for Heads of State & Government: Unity, Fair Vaccine Distribution & Opposition to Illegal Sanctions. libya360.wordpress.com The Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Sacha Llorenti, read the Final Declaration of the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government, repudiating the aggressive and coercive measures exercised by the United States and Europe, advocating for a fair distribution of vaccines and medical supplies…
(2021-06-26). How a US Congressman took on the US blockade against Venezuela. peoplesdispatch.org After a sustained campaign carried out by local activists, US member of Congress Jim McGovern publicly condemned the current US policy towards Venezuela, particularly the regime of sanctions which have caused 'needless death'
(2021-06-26). ECOWAS Court Dismissed Cape Verde's Motion to Set Aside Judgment for Release of Alex Saab. orinocotribune.com In its judgment delivered on 15 March 2021, the ECOWAS Court of Justice declared illegal the arrest and detention of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Nain Saab Moran, ordered his release from further custody, quashed the extradition proceedings against him to the United States and awarded him $200,000 reparation for the violations of his human rights by Cape Verde. | On 15 April, the Government of Cape Verde filed two motions praying the ECOWAS Court to set aside the Judgment. Both motions were vigorously opposed by the defence team of Alex Saab and in today's decision, which followed a hearing on 31 May, the ECOWAS Cour…
(2021-06-26). Daring Ambush Leaves Five SDF Fighters Dead In Syria's Deir Ezzor. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | On June 25, five fighters of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed and many others were injured when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen in the northern countryside Deir Ezzor. | The fighters came under attack as they were passing in the town of Jazrat al-Milaj. Their vehicle was targeted by the gunmen with light fire arms. | The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the ambush was carried out by ISIS cells. Nevertheless, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agen…
(2021-06-26). [World Report] Mental health fears over Hungarian anti-LGBTQI laws. thelancet.com New legislation bans the portrayal of homosexuality to under-18s, sparking backlash from human rights and mental health experts. Ed Holt reports.
(2021-06-26). Hidden Cemeteries at Residential Schools: Churches and Canada Responsible for Genocide. indybay.org Chief Cadmusn Delmore of the Cowessess First Nation said 751 unmarked graves were found at Marieval Residential School. In 2008 — thirteen years ago — Hidden from History published a list of 28 mass graves at residential schools and hospitals in Canada. The information comes from historical accounts and eyewitness testimony of survivors who witnessed fellow students being tortured and murdered.
(2021-06-26). 26 June, Online Event: #Save_Israa event with sister and son of Palestinian prisoner Israa Jaabis (Arabic, Spanish). samidoun.net 
Saturday, 26 June Online Event (Live translation: Arabic and Spanish) 12 pm Pacific -3 pm Eastern — 9 pm central Europe — 10 pm Palestine Join on Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/81577264737 Many people may not know why so many Palestinians are imprisoned in Israeli jails. We must understand that, when living under occupation, any reason or no reason (for example, in the case of administrative detention) may be used to imprison those who fight for their natural, human and political rights. In the Zionist occupation prisons and interrogation rooms, systematic torture is considered routine and legal, espec…
(2021-06-26). 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.
(2021-06-26). 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…
(2021-06-26). Five Palestinians have been killed protesting illegal settlement — but 'NYT' covers 'gentle stream' in nearby kibbutz. mronline.org The story is getting wide coverage in Palestine but not in the United States, though these lands are the supposed basis of a "Palestinian state"—and again, five Palestinians have been killed defending their rights. | June 26, 2021…
(2021-06-26). Wednesday 7/7: Voting Rights Now! Sidewalk Rally for Democracy in Pacifica. indybay.org Intersection of CA-1 and Reina Del Mar @ 1 Reina Del Mar, Pacifica, CA 94044…
(2021-06-26). European Leaders Strongly Reject Hungarian PM's Anti-LGTBIQ Law. telesurenglish.net On Friday, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen considered starting a violation claim against the widely criticized LGTBIQ+ harming law passed by Hungary's Parliament. | RELATED: | Von der Leyen added she had sent several letters to Budapest expressing her concern since the measure violates LGBTIQ+ community rights and European values. | EC President's statements came after 17 Heads of State and Government signed…