2020-05-30: News Headlines

Kristian Williams (2020-05-30). Rights, riots and police brutality. zcomm.org Riots are communities defining what counts as police brutality and to set the limits of authority. It is here, not in the courts, that our rights are established…

commondreams (2020-05-30). Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Condemns Mark Zuckerberg's Decision to Continue Publishing President Trump's Tweets Glorifying Violence. commondreams.org ______________________________…

ACLU (2020-05-29). Anthony Romero on Leading in a Time of Crisis. aclu.org Anthony Romero started his job as executive director of the ACLU just seven days before September 11, 2001, and he's been with us ever since. The subsequent "war on terror" presented new and widespread threats to civil rights and civil liberties. Now, he faces a new challenge: leading the ACLU during the COVID-19 pandemic. He joined the podcast this week to discuss how the ACLU is navigating the current moment., , "In moments of crisis, in moments of fear, civil liberties are often imperiled," Romero told our host, Emerson Sykes. The organization has had to "adjust to our understanding of what liberty and free…

Filiberto Nolasco Gomez (2020-05-29). While Minneapolis burned immigrant prisoners in Sherburne County jail started hunger strike. peoplesworld.org Editor's note: This article is reprinted from Workday Minnesota. In a press statement, Interfaith Coalition on Immigration (ICOM) announced that immigrant detainees had begun a hunger strike at the Sherburne County jail in Elk River, Minnesota. ICOM explained that the hunger strikers have asked for their release from Sherburne County Jail. In the statement, ICOM explained they …

news.un (2020-05-29). UN human rights office welcomes moves to curtail spread of hatred and violence online. news.un.org The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has welcomed steps taken by social media companies to prevent their platforms from being used to promote hatred, violence and misinformation, Spokesperson Rupert Colville said on Friday.

news.un (2020-05-29). More 'can and must be done' to eradicate caste-based discrimination in Nepal. news.un.org Shocked over the killing last weekend of five men in Nepal, who had planned to escort home one of their girlfriends from a higher caste, the UN human rights chief on Friday stressed that ending caste-based discrimination is "fundamental" to the overall sustainable development vision of leaving no one behind.

Matt Sedlar (2020-05-29). An Impending Crisis: COVID-19 in Haiti, Ongoing Instability, and the Dangers of Continued U.S. Deportations. cepr.net Prepared remarks by Jake Johnston to Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson's forum on COVID-19 and ICE's deportation of detainees to Haiti First, I want to thank Congresswoman Wilson for convening this forum and for her leadership on this issue. The introduction of legislation mandating a halt to these deportations is a concrete and necessary step. I'd …

news.un (2020-05-28). US must take 'serious action' to halt police killings of unarmed African Americans. news.un.org The UN human rights chief on Thursday condemned the killing of 46-year-old George Floyd while in police custody in the city of Minneapolis, calling it the latest in "a long line of killings of unarmed African Americans by US police officers and members of the public".

PCHR (2020-05-28). PCHR: Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21 — 27 May 2020). imemc.org Summary of Israeli Violations of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21 — 27 May 2020) Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. …

Dale Ho (2020-05-28). We're Working to Safeguard Our Democracy and Our Health. aclu.org No one should have to choose between their health and their vote, but during the Wisconsin primary, an estimated

Bill Willers (2020-05-28). Collaborators and Resisters. dissidentvoice.org Question: In a society grown dictatorial and oppressive would your good friend X collaborate or resist? If you were to resist, would X support your rights or side with the apparent source of power? If asked by authorities to scrutinize neighbors, would X do so? Would X yield naturally to arbitrary requests or invasive questioning, …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-05-28). US announces end of sanction waivers under nuclear deal to Iran. peoplesdispatch.org US secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced the end of exemptions provided under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to some foreign companies to work on certain Iranian nuclear sites. The waiver was renewed every 60 days despite the unilateral US withdrawal from the deal in 2018…

Tyler Durden (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.

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2020-05-29). Honduran Family Sues US Govt for Separation Lawyers Say Was Deliberately Meant to 'Torment and Traumatize'. commondreams.org "These federal agents made a choice, a cruel and heinous choice, to deliberately inflict pain and trauma upon a family seeking refuge." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Julia Conley, staff writer (2020-05-29). In Show of Solidarity, Public Transit Workers Refuse to Transport Police Units or Those Arrested at #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd Protests. commondreams.org Unionized public bus drivers in Minneapolis are refusing to aid police in transporting arrested protesters to jail, in a show of solidarity that one supporter on social media called "a game-changer" as civil rights advocates demand justice for George Floyd. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Tanya Wadhwa (2020-05-29). Argentinians hold a virtual mobilization to demand abortion rights. peoplesdispatch.org On May 28, on the International Day of Action for Women's Health, the National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortion in Argentina celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. On the occasion, the movement that has been at the forefront of the struggle for abortion rights in the country, called on the citizens to mobilize virtually, demanding legalization of this integral human right. | Tens of thousands of women, queer and non-binary people took part in the virtual pañuelazo or a march with green scarves, which represents the feminist struggle for legal abortion. They shared their messages and photos w…

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-30). U.S. Lectures World on Human Rights as Cops Kill Blacks With Impunity. strategic-culture.org "Being black in America should not be a death sentence" — so said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey following the shocking, gruesome killing of George Floyd by a police officer on the streets of Saint Paul. | Floyd (46) was

Center for Constitutional Rights & others (2020-05-30). Saturday 5/30: Justice Beats Virtual Festival and Fundraiser for COVID-19 Crisis Relief. indybay.org Online via livestream: www.justicebeats.com/

Center for Constitutional Rights & others (2020-05-30). Justice Beats Virtual Festival and Fundraiser for COVID-19 Crisis Relief. indybay.org Online via livestream: www.justicebeats.com/

APTP (2020-05-30). Virtual Altar for Those Impacted by State-Sanctioned Violence. indybay.org Online event…

APTP (2020-05-30). Saturday 5/30: Virtual Altar for Those Impacted by State-Sanctioned Violence. indybay.org Online event…

RT (2020-05-30). Justice center housing Portland sheriff's office SET ON FIRE by rioters (VIDEO). rt.com Rioters in Portland, Oregon have started fires inside a building that holds the county's sheriff's office. Police have arrived at the scene and have begun to disperse the protesters. | A vigil for George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, descended into violence on Friday night in Portland, Oregon. Rioters targeted the Multnomah County Justice Center, which houses the sheriff's office and detention center. In videos posted to social media, protesters are seen breaking windows and setting fires inside the building. One clip shows a group of rioters smashing computers and overturning desks and fur…

en.mehrnews (2020-05-30). Tehran, Caracas prove US sanctions' demise. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 30 (MNA) — Referring to the arrival of Iranian oil tankers to Venezuela this week, in a report on Saturday, an American newspaper admitted that US sanctions on the two countries have so far had little impact on their policies.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-30). US act to end sanctions waiver against Iran violates NPT: Ulyanov. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 30 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said that the US act to end sanctions waiver against Iran means further violations of UN Charter, UNSC Resolution 2231 and NPT.

_____ (2020-05-30). Update From General Strike 2020 — Upcoming Actions. popularresistance.org With the unconscionable murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis this past week, we're reminded of the importance that the fight against racism plays in our struggle. We've seen admirable solidarity in those who have taken to the streets to protest police brutality against African Americans in this country. If you're able, please consider making a donation towards legal aid for those Minnesota protesters working to advance civil rights and police reform: www.gofundme.com/f/g2xas-gs2020-legal-ai…

_____ (2020-05-30). BAP Calls On United Nations To Address U.S. Human Rights Crisis. popularresistance.org The extrajudicial murders of African/Black people, such as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, by agents of the U.S. government and armed civilians have sparked urban rebellions in cities across the United States. Yet these murders cannot be understood outside of the context of the U.S. state's ongoing assault on the human rights of African/Black people. | U.S. President Donald Trump's tweet demanding lethal violence—"…when the looting starts, the shooting starts…"—requires the United Nations to intervene. | Trump's threat comes as the U.S. state has tragically failed during the COVID-…

_____ (2020-05-30). Justice For George Floyd Requires Power To The People. popularresistance.org Black America is heartbroken and angered by the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. Floyd's murder occurred in the third month of a pandemic that has taken over 100,000 lives overall and a disproportionate number of Black Americans. The Black masses in Minnesota have taken to the streets to not only call for justice for Floyd and his family but also to stand up to centuries of state sanctioned white supremacist violence. If George Floyd teaches us anything, it is that COVID-19 is not the only contagion in the U.S. that needs to be eradicated. Floyd's close friend and former NBA p…

2020-05-29: News Headlines

MBNJSD (2020-05-29). Who Are the Secret Puppet-Masters Behind Trump's War on Iran? dissidentvoice.org On May 6th, President Trump vetoed a war powers bill specifying that he must ask Congress for authorization to use military force against Iran. Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign of deadly sanctions and threats of war against Iran has seen no let-up, even as the U.S., Iran and the whole world desperately need to set aside …

Dale Ho (2020-05-28). We're Working to Safeguard Our Democracy and Our Health. aclu.org No one should have to choose between their health and their vote, but during the Wisconsin primary, an estimated

teleSUR (2020-05-28). Far-Right's Fake News Network Under Investigation in Brazil. telesurenglish.net Brazil's Federal Supreme Court (STF) judge Alexandre De Moraes Wednesday issued 29 search warrants against RELATED: | The criminal association investigation is dir…

teleSUR (2020-05-28). Haiti: HR Groups Warn of Prisoner Vulnerability to COVID. telesurenglish.net Haiti's social justice organizations warned on May 27 about the health situation due to the COVID-19 outbreak in penitentiary centers. | RELATED: | "In practically all of the prisons, there are dozens of prisoners suffering from a fever, but we can't say for certain it's COVID-19," Haiti's National Human Rights Institution's Director, Renan Hédouville, stated. | According to the human rights advocators, "the figure is…

PCHR (2020-05-28). PCHR: Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21 — 27 May 2020). imemc.org Summary of Israeli Violations of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21 — 27 May 2020) Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. …

news.un (2020-05-28). US must take 'serious action' to halt police killings of unarmed African Americans. news.un.org The UN human rights chief on Thursday condemned the killing of 46-year-old George Floyd while in police custody in the city of Minneapolis, calling it the latest in "a long line of killings of unarmed African Americans by US police officers and members of the public".

Nathan Freed Wessler (2020-05-28). We're Taking Clearview AI to Court to End its Privacy-Destroying Face Surveillance Activities. commondreams.org "If allowed, Clearview will destroy our rights to anonymity and privacy — and the safety and security that both bring. People can change their names and addresses to shield their whereabouts and identities from individuals who seek to harm them, but they can't change their faces." (Photo: Fight for the Future) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Bill Willers (2020-05-28). Collaborators and Resisters. dissidentvoice.org Question: In a society grown dictatorial and oppressive would your good friend X collaborate or resist? If you were to resist, would X support your rights or side with the apparent source of power? If asked by authorities to scrutinize neighbors, would X do so? Would X yield naturally to arbitrary requests or invasive questioning, …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-05-28). US announces end of sanction waivers under nuclear deal to Iran. peoplesdispatch.org US secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced the end of exemptions provided under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to some foreign companies to work on certain Iranian nuclear sites. The waiver was renewed every 60 days despite the unilateral US withdrawal from the deal in 2018…

teleSUR (2020-05-28). China Approves Hong Kong Security Law Despite Trump's Threats. telesurenglish.net Despite U.S. threats and international criticism, China's National People's Congress approved Thursday a proposed new national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. | RELATED: | The legislation, which aims to prevent, deter and punish acts in Hong Kong that threaten the country's security, was approved by 2,878 votes to 1, with 6 abstentions. | The proposal seeks to sanction secessionist and…

Monica Moorehead (2020-05-27). Want justice for George Floyd? Jail & convict killer cops! — a WW commentary. workers.org Protesters at the Minneapolis police department before being assaulted by cops, May 26. May 27 — It was déjà vu, all over again. Another Black man captured on videotape, first, being tortured and, then, being choked to death by a white police officer. It was almost six years ago when, . . . |

teleSUR (2020-05-27). Argentina: Pro-Legal Abortion Demonstration Amidst Covid-19. telesurenglish.net Moved by the search for guaranteed rights to lead independent and full lives, the National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortion activists called for a virtual demonstration demanding the approval of the " Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Bill" in Argentina, as announced on Wednesday. | RELATED: | The Campaign stated its intention to develop conferences, gatherings, and artistic performances in their s…

news.un (2020-05-27). US states 'manipulating' COVID-19 pandemic to restrict abortion access, rights experts charge. news.un.org Independent UN human rights experts fear that some authorities in the United States are using the COVID-19 pandemic to restrict access to abortion, with at least eight states suspending procedures deemed medically unnecessary.

Pavan Kulkarni (2020-05-27). ILO must intervene to stop abrogation of labor rights in India, demand 10 trade unions. peoplesdispatch.org The 10 trade unions wrote to the ILO, providing more details on a complaint they had filed on May 14 against the suspension of labor laws by several State governments in India…

Alexia Ramirez (2020-05-27). ICE Records Confirm that Immigration Enforcement Agencies are Using Invasive Cell Phone Surveillance Devices. aclu.org For years, immigration enforcement agencies have been using invasive cell phone surveillance technology known as Stingrays in near-total secrecy. To find out more, the ACLU and New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act, and now we've forced the agencies to turn over documents revealing new details about the agencies' practices. Today, we are publishing

Tyler Durden (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.

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2020-05-29). Honduran Family Sues US Govt for Separation Lawyers Say Was Deliberately Meant to 'Torment and Traumatize'. commondreams.org "These federal agents made a choice, a cruel and heinous choice, to deliberately inflict pain and trauma upon a family seeking refuge." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Morgan Artyukhina (2020-05-27). Far right Hungarian government launches new assault on trans rights. liberationnews.org Hungary's racist, homophobic, transphobic right-wing government has continued its efforts to divide the Hungarian working class by depriving trans and intersex people of their right to legally change their gender.

Tanya Wadhwa (2020-05-29). Argentinians hold a virtual mobilization to demand abortion rights. peoplesdispatch.org On May 28, on the International Day of Action for Women's Health, the National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortion in Argentina celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. On the occasion, the movement that has been at the forefront of the struggle for abortion rights in the country, called on the citizens to mobilize virtually, demanding legalization of this integral human right. | Tens of thousands of women, queer and non-binary people took part in the virtual pañuelazo or a march with green scarves, which represents the feminist struggle for legal abortion. They shared their messages and photos w…

RT (2020-05-28). IKEA values vs Polish traditions: Manager faces up to TWO YEARS behind bars after firing employee opposing pro-LGBT event. rt.com An IKEA HR manager has been charged in Poland with violating the religious rights of a Bible-citing employee, who was fired after refusing to endorse a pro-LGBT event. Now, the manager could end up behind bars. | The Warsaw-Praga District Prosecutor's Office has decided to press charges against the manager, whose identity has not been revealed, arguing that this person has infringed upon an employee's rights on the basis of religion. The decision to sack the employee was based on "arbitrary assessment and prejudice" toward a man expressing "Christian" views, it added. Now, this person could face anything betwe…

Staff (2020-05-27). "Horrifying Neglect": COVID-19 Deaths in ICE Custody Spark New Calls for Mass Release of Prisoners. democracynow.org Calls are growing for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release people from detention during the pandemic, as two people have died from COVID-19 while in custody. We speak with The Intercept's Ryan Devereaux, who reported on how Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia, held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, suffered horrifying neglect before he passed away. We are also joined by Erika Andiola with RAICES Action. "None of those folks — especially people who migrated seeking asylum — they did not do anything to deserve a life sentence in a detention center," Andiola notes.

Fed Up Facebook User (2020-05-29). Fed-up Facebook Users Urge Shareholders To "Wake The Zuck Up" : Protesters Projected Messa. indybay.org Don't Let Facebook ZUCK Up our Democracy, a coalition of media advocacy organizations, human rights groups, pro-democracy activists, and fed-up Facebook users projected messages to Facebook shareholders on the evening before the annual Facebook shareholders meeting. The messages were projected onto Facebook's San Francisco offices at 181 Fremont Street.

Center for Constitutional Rights & others (2020-05-29). Friday 5/29: Justice Beats Virtual Festival and Fundraiser for COVID-19 Crisis Relief. indybay.org Online via livestream: www.justicebeats.com/

Staff (2020-05-28). Civil Rights Attorney: Minneapolis Police Have a Long Pattern of Racist Violence. truthout.org Image Credit: Sigal Photos | Parts of Minneapolis erupted into flames Wednesday night as residents again took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by white police officer Derek Chauvin on Monday. A viral video shows Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck for a number of minutes as Floyd repeatedly says "I cannot breathe." Three other officers stood by as George Floyd suffocated. They have been identified as Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng. All…

RT (2020-05-29). Hero Moscow taxi driver saves woman from capture & torture after she orders a ride. rt.com A Russian taxi driver is being hailed as a hero for helping to save a woman from captivity. While en route to pick her up, the hostage relayed her story to the driver through a taxi app, he subsequently called the cops.

RT (2020-05-29). Russian officials clash over proposals to reduce funding of abortion clinics and restricting drugs. rt.com The debate over abortion has once again reared its head in Russia, after an official proposed restricting the sale of abortion drugs in pharmacies and reducing the funding of clinics. Many politicians disagree. | On Friday, Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Anna Kuznetsova proposed restricting pharmacies from selling abortion drugs, and suggested reducing the funding of clinics so that the amount of allocated funds is inversely proportional to the quantity of abortions. | Her report states that "the clinic should be interested in preserving the child, and not in providing services for artificial…

_____ (2020-05-29). Ankara may begin oil exploration in E. Mediterranean under Libya deal in 3-4 months — minister. rt.com Turkey may begin oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean within three or four months under a deal it signed with Libya, Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said on Friday. The agreement has been condemned by others in the region. | Libya's internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) signed the maritime delimitation deal last year with Ankara. Turkey says it creates an exclusive economic zone from its southern coast to Libya's northeast coast, and protects rights to resources. | Greece, Cyprus and others oppose the accord and call it illegal, an accusation Ankara has rejected. The EU also oppos…

_____ (2020-05-29). 'Sanctions can't solve problems': EU rules out punishing China over Hong Kong. rt.com While the US has vowed "powerful action" against Beijing over its handling of the unrest in Hong Kong, the EU has made it clear that sanctions are not the way to resolve tensions over the national security legislation. | "I don't think that sanctions are the way to solve problems in China," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said during a press briefing on Friday. All members of the bloc bar one have brushed aside the prospect of sanctions being imposed on Beijing, he said. | Likewise, Brussels won't put its dealings with Beijing on hold, and the 2020 EU-China summit — which has been postponed due to t…