(2020-05-07). Kadhimi takes office as Iraq's PM amid fiscal & coronavirus crises. rt.com 
Mustafa al-Kadhimi took office as Iraq's prime minister early Thursday after breaking months of political deadlock. The former intelligence chief will have to tackle a staggering economic crisis, a health pandemic and the specter of renewed protests. | Observing social distancing, lawmakers gathered at parliament in masks and gloves around 9: 00pm local time, but the vote was delayed to make last-minute edits to ministerial posts. | Kadhemi soon received a congratulatory call from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who announced a 120-day waiver extension on US sanctions to let Iraq buy gas from neighboring Ira…
(2020-05-07). Palestinian movement scores big legal win for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign in Britain. workers.org 
Members of Unite the Union, a British and Irish labor union, show support for the Palestinian people. The Palestine Solidarity Committee won a legal victory for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign in Britain when the country's highest court issued a landmark ruling that struck a blow against the Whitehall . . . |
(2020-05-07). #WorkerRightsNow: Day of Action for Essential Worker Bill of Rights. indybay.org Online and/or phone call actions…
(2020-05-07). MoveOn: Protecting Voting Rights in the Age of Coronavirus. indybay.org Online…
(2020-05-06). A red-baiter, an anti-Trumper & a libertarian walk into a bar: Facebook angers conservatives & liberals alike with oversight picks. rt.com 
Facebook has unveiled its 20-person Oversight Board, a supposedly independent body able to reverse the platform's own content moderation decisions. The names have raised eyebrows all over the political spectrum. | The social media behemoth revealed its 'supreme court' roster on Wednesday, showing off a pedigreed list of legal scholars, human rights advocates, and journalists from around the globe. While the Oversight Board idea was initially presented to the Facebook community back in 2018, as a way for aggrieved users to appeal content take-downs to an independent panel, bylaws unveiled in January suggested i…
(2020-05-06). Venezuela arrests eight mercenaries part of "Operation Gedeon," including two US citizens. peoplesdispatch.org Fisherman of the coastal town Chuao aided to capture and detain 8 mercenaries that planned to enter into Venezuela to carry out assassinations and eventually overthrow President Maduro…
(2020-05-06). Activists file new challenge to proposed Twin Metals mine. peoplesworld.org 
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Opponents of a proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota sued Wednesday to challenge the federal government's renewal of Twin Metals' mineral rights leases, saying the government didn't conduct a full-scale environmental review of the project near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The national and regional groups behind the new challenge lost …
(2020-05-06). May Day Voices: Strikers in Massachusetts. peoplesworld.org 
Note: To maintain their safety, activists spoken to will only be referenced by initials. Under cover of darkness, not too long before early morning's pale olive light broke across the horizon, activists, workers, renters, and all class-conscious individuals nationwide made their last-minute preparations, and ticked of their checklists; a May Day strike was about to …
(2020-05-06). First COVID-19 Death in Immigration Detention a Result of Continued Dehumanization of People by ICE. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-05-06). Venezuelans 'teetering on the brink of survival' warn UN human rights experts. news.un.org United Nations independent experts demanded on Wednesday that the Venezuelan Government take concrete actions to tackle the devastating impact on basic human rights of the country's economic crisis.
(2020-05-06). Coronavirus and human rights: New UN report calls for disability-inclusive recovery. news.un.org The COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying inequalities experienced by the world's one billion people with disabilities, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in launching a report issued on Wednesday that calls for a disability-inclusive recovery and response to the crisis.
(2020-05-06). SPLC's Civil Rights Memorial Center, closed due to COVID-19, publishes children's activity book online. splcenter.org …
(2020-05-05). Solitary Confinement Used For Children As Young As 11 After COVID-19 Exposure. therealnews.com 
Lawyers say Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services and the Department of Correctional Services aren't being transparent about conditions in juvenile detention centers.
(2020-05-05). Refocusing May Day On The Revolutionary Struggle For Workers' Rights. therealnews.com 
The revolutionary history of May Day is recognized around the world in a way that should inspire workers in the United States to continue their fight.
(2020-05-05). Detainees put at high risk for COVID-19 at Madison, Wi., jail. liberationnews.org 
To protect them from COVID-19, incarcerated people must be freed.
(2020-05-05). Headlines for May 5, 2020. democracynow.org Dire Forecasts Warn U.S. Death Toll Could Surge in Coming Weeks as States Move to Relax Restrictions, China Rebukes Trump Admin Claim That Coronavirus Was Man-Made, Report Says Brooklyn Jail Destroying Medical Records to Hide Toll of COVID-19, J. Crew Files for Bankruptcy, Betsy DeVos Sued for Garnishing Wages of Student Loan Holders During Pandemic, EU, World Leaders Pledge Billions to Fund Coronavirus Vaccine; U.S. Sits Out, Questions Raised After 3 Doctors in Russia Fall from Hospital Windows, U.K. May Have Second-Highest Coronavirus Death Toll; France Identifies COVID-19 Case from December, Venezuela Detains…
(2020-05-05). COVID-19: UN teams step up efforts to protect rights in prisons, as revolts intensify worldwide. news.un.org As senior UN officials spread the alarm over the rapid spread of COVID-19 through prisons — where physical distancing is nigh on impossible, and hygiene is often inadequate — UN Corrections, Justice and Human Rights teams are working to protect prison staff and detainees from the ravages of the virus.
(2020-05-05). Palestinian Prisoner Re-Detained on the Day of his Release. imemc.org Israeli forces, on Monday morning, arrested Nihad Zgheir, as soon as he was released from Israel's Gilboa jail, Quds News Network reported. The Committee of the Families of Jerusalem Prisoners told QNN that Zgheir, 42, who was released from prison Monday morning, after serving 35 months, was re-arrested by the …
(2020-05-04). Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's trust status threatened by Department of Interior. liberationnews.org 
"This is a violation of our rights…"
(2020-05-02). [Editorial] COVID-19: remaking the social contract. thelancet.com "Allegiance, after all, has to work two ways; and one can grow weary of an allegiance which is not reciprocal." The British playwright David Hare quoted this line by the American writer James Baldwin in his recent reflections on the UK Government's response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Baldwin's reminder and warning in the context of civil rights in the mid-20th century USA speak now in the pandemic to communities the world over who are unsure of their governments' allegiances to them.
(2020-05-01). A County Jail Battles COVID-19 and the Opioid Crisis—At the Same Time. progressive.org The pandemic and an increase in immigration detainees create a double whammy for the rural Ohio jail.
(2020-04-30). How the ACLU is Responding to the Pandemic, Visualized. aclu.org 
The COVID-19 pandemic has closed down many businesses, but the ACLU's work of defending and expanding civil liberties and civil rights continues, essential as ever. At the ACLU, our most immediate focus has been on issues arising from the government's response — or lack thereof — to the pandemic., , Since the start of the outbreak, we've filed over 90 legal actions and have seen thousands of people released from prisons, jails, and immigration detention. | We and ACLU offices across the country are working in nearly every state to save lives, advocate for vulnerable communities, safeguard the r…
(2020-04-30). Cuba is Ready to Aid the U.S. in its Fight Against COVID-19. progressive.org Despite Trump's sanctions, Cuba advocates international solidarity as the only way to overcome this pandemic.
(2020-04-29). Chomsky: COVID-19 strikes, solidarity can help defeat Trump and the neoliberal assault. thegrayzone.com Noam Chomsky on COVID-19 workers' strikes; Trump's attacks on China and the WHO; "lesser evil" voting; bipartisan war-mongering/sanctions; & what…
(2020-04-29). Federal Bill Would Release Vulnerable People from Prisons to Help Stop Spread of COVID-19. aclu.org A month ago, Congress gave the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
(2020-04-24). Florida voting rights trial to be argued online. splcenter.org …
(2020-04-16). Venezuelan Crude Production Falls amid Coronavirus Crisis. venezuelanalysis.com The Caribbean country has seen worsening gasoline shortages as the US ramps up secondary sanctions.
(2020-05-04). Tamil detainee speaks out from Christmas Island. greenleft.org.au 
Until 26 months ago, Priya live…
(2020-05-05). Ending Sanctions Only Way to Prove US Sincerity in Offering Help, Rouhani Tells Abe. iranian.com In a telephone conversation with Japan's prime minister, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the US should first lift the unlawful sanctions against Tehran to prove it is sincere in offering help in the battle with the novel coronavirus. "If the Americans are honest amid the conditions caused by the coronavirus and intend to take a …
(2020-04-30). Four Myths About Trans Athletes, Debunked. aclu.org For years state lawmakers have pushed legislation attempting to shut trans people out of public spaces. In 2020, lawmakers zeroed in on sports and introduced
(2020-04-13). Venezuela Extends COVID-19 Quarantine as Pope Criticizes Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com This is the first time the Pontiff has spoken out against the measures.
(2020-04-12). Derrick Broze Interview — Government Induced Coronavirus Fear, Removal Of Your Rights & SOLUTIONS. thelastamericanvagabond.com Joining me today is the founder of The Conscious Resistance, activist, researcher and author Derrick Broze. He is here today to discuss his outstanding work on the Coronavirus event, his coverage of 5G (both as it pertains to Coronavirus and just its inherent dangers as a technology) and the real world solutions for the many …
(2020-04-10). Mike Elk on Frontline Worker Rights, Joe Emersberger on Pandemic Sanctions. fair.org 
Media…
(2020-04-06). Senate Bill Challenges Online Encryption, Constitutional Rights to Speech and Privacy. projectcensored.org A Senate bill, the EARN IT Act of 2020, introduced by Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in March 2020, appears to revise regulations aimed at preventing online sexual…
(2020-04-04). Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws: A Humanitarian Message. zcomm.org One way to help others survive is to insist that the United States lift sanctions against Iran and instead support acts of practical care…
(2020-03-31). Venezuela Blasts US 'Transition' Plan as 'Tutelage'. venezuelanalysis.com Washington has threatened to "increase" crippling sanctions until Caracas accepts the deal.
(2020-03-30). Rosneft Dodges US Sanctions by Transferring Venezuela Operations to Russian State Firm. venezuelanalysis.com Moscow insists that its support for the Venezuelan government and role in its oil industry will remain unchanged.
(2020-03-26). [Correspondence] Considering inequalities in the school closure response to COVID-19. thelancet.com As COVID-19 is declared a pandemic and several countries declare nationwide school closures, these measures are affecting hundreds of millions of children.1 More countries are entering delay and mitigation phases of pandemic control, with an urgent need for proactive and multifaceted responses addressing children's social, economic, and health needs to avoid widening disparities and honour commitments to the UN Convention on Child Rights and Sustainable Development Goals.2…
(2020-03-25). UN, EU Urge Venezuela Sanctions Relief as Coronavirus Outbreak Intensifies. venezuelanalysis.com The South American nation has 91 reported COVID-19 cases so far.
(2020-03-12). [UPDATED] Venezuela Confirms Coronavirus Cases as US Slaps New Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com The Venezuelan president denounced the difficulties caused by US sanctions in tackling coronavirus.
(2020-03-11). Venezuela Oil Output Steadies as Prices Tumble. venezuelanalysis.com Sanctions and a fall in oil prices could threaten Venezuela's main source of foreign currency.
(2020-02-08). Iraq and Russia Prepare to Boost Military Ties as US Threatens Sanctions. theantimedia.com Iraq and Russia are preparing for deepening military coordination.