I'm in Prison, and I Need More Than a Vote to Participate in Democracy
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-08-11
| I am well aware that, for years, activists have engaged in political and ideological disagreements about how far the new suffrage movement should go in fighting for the voting rights of people with felony convictions. I've been in prison for 25 years, following all the ups and downs. However, it is time to bring some hard-headed realism to bear on this longstanding contradiction in U.S. democracy. | Let's take a mental leap: Even if politicians eventually conclude that no one of voting age in…
truthout.org/articles/im-in-prison-and-i…
CODEPINK Monthly Golden Gate Bridge WALK for PEACE
Martha Hubert | indybay.org | 2019-08-11
11: 45 am: Gather at the SF end of the eastern walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge. | Noon: Walk on the easter walkway from the SF side to the middle of the bridge. There we will hold a "burma shave" style presence | with each of us holding a sign with adequate space between us so that motorists can easily read all of our signs. Some signs provided, or bring your own. We'll return to the SF side of the bridge for a rally with Photo ops and flyer distribution. | Parking is available, though often very crowded. It's best to use public transit. See http: //tripplanner.transit.511 for transit options. The SF Muni Bus 28…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/08/11/1882539…
CODEPINK Monthly Golden Gate Bridge Walk for Peace
Toby Blome | indybay.org | 2019-08-11
11: 45 am: Gather at the SF or Marin end of the eastern walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge. Parking available on all 4 "corners", just remember to take the last exit on hwy 101 as you approach the bridge, or the first exit after you leave the bridge. Arrive early for best parking. | Noon: Walk on the eastern walkway from the north or south ends, to converge in the middle. Short, silent vigil in the middle. | 1: 00 pm: Rally on SF side after the bridge walk. | FMI & carpooling: Toby, 510-215-5974 | ratherbenyckeling@comcast.net | See http: //tripplanner.transit.511.org for public transit options. | Golden Gate Transit…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/08/10/1882533…
Presidential Candidates in Guatemala's Election Oppose LGBTIQ+ Rights
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-08-11
| On July 20th, a still-unidentified person released pepper spray in the men's bathrooms at a historical trade union hall in Guatemala City. The venue was hosting an anniversary party for a group of transgender rights activists after the city's 19th annual LGBTIQ+ Pride parade. Two activists, who were in the bathroom at the time, were directly hit by the gas. A number of other people abandoned the party amidst irritation to their eyes and throats. | Three hours later, at 1: 15 am, eight armed poli…
truthout.org/articles/presidential-candi…
Kashmir: 'The Pakistan left and Indian left are united in condemning this bill.'
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-11
Farooq Tariq, spokeperson for the Awami Workers' Party, Pakistan spoke to Green Left Weekly on August 6 about the situation in Kashmir: | "Yesterday was the darkest day for Kashmir's history, as the bifurcation of Kashmir was made a constitutional step by the Modi government, without any basis, just to promote Hindu chauvinism and the dua. This is an act against the Muslim minority. This was done without any consultation. | "There was no discussion at Kashmir Assembly. There has been a curfew imposed. Most of the activists are in jail. Schools are closed, universities are closed, Section 144 is imposed where…
greenleft.org.au/content/kashmir-pakistan-left-and-indian-left-are-united-condemning-bill
Milwaukee: Victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remembered
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-08-10
Milwaukee, WI – On the evening of August 9, over 50 anti-war activists, peace advocates and community members gathered at the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park on Milwaukee's north side to remember the victims of the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9) in 1945. Additionally, victims of recent and prior mass shootings across the U.S. were honored. | The program began with an opportunity for attendees to create their own Japanese lanterns, including drawing or writing messages or images on the wrappings. Many custom designs feature messages such as "No more war!" and "Denu…
fightbacknews.org/2019/8/10/milwaukee-vi…
A Trump-Bolsonaro Free Trade Deal Is an Apocalyptically Bad Idea
Andrew E. Miller | commondreams.org | 2019-08-10
Greenpeace activists hang a large banner on the ramparts of the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel with a message to the visiting Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro on April 1, 2019. (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg / AFP / Israel Out) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/views/2019/08/10/trump-…
Five years after Ferguson uprising, still seeking justice and healing
Lornet Turnbull | nationofchange.org | 2019-08-10
Michael Brown Sr. lies stock-still on his back on the floor of an art studio in St. Louis as an artist layers papier-mache on his arms, chest, and torso. | Brown Sr. is a stand-in, the model for a life-size replica that St. Louis artist Dail Chambers is creating to represent Michael Brown Jr.–his deceased son. | In the days and weeks that followed, other artists added their own interpretations to the cast, and community leaders, family, friends, and activists affixed messages of remembrance, of hope, as well as photos and tributes to Brown Jr. | "Although everybody else has left since your death, we are…
nationofchange.org/2019/08/10/five-years…
Police crimes protesters storm MN governor's office
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-08-10
St. Paul, MN – Activists and relatives of victims of police killings held a press conference in front of the state capitol, August 8. They marched into the capitol chanting, "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" and seized the governor's office, chanting, giving speeches and demanding the governor follow through on his broken promise to meet with community members about police violence and take action. | Governor Tim Walz had previously scheduled meetings with members of Racial Justice Network (RJN) and Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB), but then he bowed out of the meetings, send…
fightbacknews.org/2019/8/10/police-crime…
Documents reveal Monsanto surveilled journalists, activists & even musician Neil Young
Amy Goodman | nationofchange.org | 2019-08-10
Explosive new documents reveal the U.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto ran a "fusion center" to surveil and discredit journalists and activists who criticized or wrote damning reports about Monsanto, as well as legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young, who released an album in 2015 called "The Monsanto Years." Monsanto monitored Young's Twitter activity and even analyzed the lyrics of his album. The fusion center also surveilled journalist Carey Gillam, who has done extensive research and writing about Monsanto and its popular pesticide Roundup, which has been linked to cancer. The corporation also targeted the non…
nationofchange.org/2019/08/10/documents-…
Documents Reveal Monsanto Surveilled Journalists, Activists & Even Musician Neil Young
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-09
Explosive new documents reveal the U.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto ran a "fusion center" to surveil and discredit journalists and activists who criticized or wrote damning reports about Monsanto, as well as legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young, who released an album in 2015 called "The Monsanto Years." Monsanto monitored Young's Twitter activity and even analyzed the lyrics of his album. The fusion center also surveilled journalist Carey Gillam, who has done extensive research and writing about Monsanto and its popular pesticide Roundup, which has been linked to cancer. The corporation also targeted the nonpro…
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/9/monsanto_f…
Democracy activists begin three-day protest at Hong Kong airport
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-08-09
Pro-democracy activists are demonstrating at Hong Kong airport even as the city sought to reassure visitors of their welcome despite increasing levels of violence surrounding the two-month-old protest movement.The government concedes road blockages and confrontations between police and protesters have caused inconvenience, but says they were limited to specific areas.The protests, however, are not abating and more are planned for this weekend, including at the airport, where protesters holding signs staged a sit-in at the arrival and departure halls.Police said they had not received a formal application for the a…
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2019/08/09/democracy-activists-begin-three-day-protest-at-hong-kong-airport/
US Empire: The Reality of the "Greater United States"
Makia Freeman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-09
The US Empire is not a term you will commonly hear when people refer to the United States of America. Nor is the Greater United States, American Empire or even just Empire. There is something of a taboo quality …
globalresearch.ca/us-empire-reality-greater-united-states/5686035
Peace for Colombia
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-09
Latin American solidarity activists rallied for peace and justice in Colombia, in Sydney on August 3. | Speakers called for an end to the killings of social leaders. More than 600 social leaders, including indigenous land rights activists and human rights advocates, have been killed since 2016. | Photos and stories of many of the activists were displayed in Sydney's iconic Circular Quay. | The action was organised by United for Colombia and included a cultural festival of music, dance, theatre and poetry. | international solidarity…
greenleft.org.au/content/peace-colombia
Widespread militant actions against ICE
Arielle Robinson | workers.org | 2019-08-08
Activists around the country continue to participate in militant actions to shut down U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement and those complicit with that agency. St. Paul. Minn., July 30. On July 30, around 200 protesters in St. Paul, Minn., gathered at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building to call for . . . | Continue reading Widespread militant actions against ICE at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/08/08/widespread-milita…
Should socialists support a Green New Deal?
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-08
What are the strengths of the "Green New Deal" campaign launched by progressives in the United States and now being taken up by environmental and labour activists in Britain, Australia and other countries? Is it something socialists should support? | These were among the key questions debated at a forum, featuring high school climate activist David Deex and labour historian Dr David Faber, organised by the Socialist Alliance on August 4. The gathering also served as a "house-warming" for the Socialist Alliance's new Activist Centre in Hindley Street, in the heart of the city. | The idea of a Green New Deal has be…
greenleft.org.au/content/should-socialists-support-green-new-deal
California Legislature Climate Watchdog Committee Has Little Bite
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-07
The California Legislature's Joint Committee on Climate Change Policies was formed in 2016 as a watchdog on state climate policy. But activists say that, so far, it has failed to live up to its potential.
therealnews.com/columns/california-legis…
Sacramento activists demand recognition of Black August
Jamier Sale | liberationnews.org | 2019-08-06
On Aug. 1, the Black August Organizing Committee led a coalition of community groups to Sacramento City Hall to deliver a resolution recognizing the month as Black August.
liberationnews.org/sacramento-activists-…
Linda Sarsour Explains How "Fire Pantaleo!" Spontaneously Erupted at the Dem Debate
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-06
While activists say they will work to stop Trump, as organizers they must continue the fight for justice & keep Democratic candidates honest…
therealnews.com/stories/linda-sarsour-ex…
Milwaukee: Jews against ICE say "Never again is now"
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-08-06
Milwaukee, WI – On August 1, Wisconsin Jews Against ICE, #neveragainisnow, held a protest outside the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. Starting at 8 a.m., about 200 Jews and allies from across Wisconsin rallied in front of the building. By 10 a.m., the agency had closed its doors, turning away people who had appointments scheduled with either ICE or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. | Activists stationed someone at the door to explain what was going on to the mostly foreign-born clientele turning up there. Many were sympathetic; others expressed frustration. Two left and returned an hour…
fightbacknews.org/2019/8/6/milwaukee-jew…
Dolores Huerta Accuses Biden of "Speaking Just Like a Republican" on Immigration
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-01
Immigration rights activists abruptly interrupted Joe Biden during last night's debate, chanting "3 million deportations!"–referring to the Obama administration's deportation of at least 3 million undocumented people. During the debate, Julián Castro repeatedly challenged Biden's record on immigration. "It looks like one of us has learned the lessons of the past and one of us hasn't," Castro said. We speak to Dolores Huerta and Cornel West.
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/1/dolores_hu…
Boycott Pop-Kultur Berlin Festival 2019
SAMIR | bdsmovement.net | 2019-07-30
Boycott Pop-Kultur Berlin Festival 2019: PACBI StatementPalestinians call for the boycott of Pop-Kultur Berlin festival, until it ends its partnership with Israel | Cultural BoycottJuly 30, 2019 | By: | | Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) …
bdsmovement.net/news/boycott-pop-kultur-…
Progressive Democrats vote against BDS, Palestinian rights
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-07-29
House Democrats, including key progressives, have passed a measure condemning the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS). Why are Reps….
thegrayzone.com/2019/07/29/progressive-d…
Sao Paulo Forum Voices Solidarity with Venezuela, Rejects US Warmongering
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-07-29
The host of delegates from around the world likewise expressed support for leftist movements in Latin America.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14606
With the Right to Boycott Under Attack, Some Members of Congress Are Pushing Back
aclu.org | 2019-07-23
In a sea of anti-BDS legislation, a resolution championing the right to political boycotts emerges. | More than 250 million Americans, some 78 percent of the population, live in states with anti-boycott laws or policies. With the right to boycott under attack across the United States, some members of Congress are pushing back against these dangerous and unrelenting attacks., , Last week, Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), along with Representatives John Lewis (D-GA) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), introduced a…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/right-boycott-…
BDS Movement welcomes U.S. Congress resolution affirming right to boycott
patrick | bdsmovement.net | 2019-07-19
BDS Movement welcomes U.S. Congress resolution affirming right to boycott: UpdateIn a historic move, Congress members Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and US civil rights veteran John Lewis introduce resolution affirming the right to boycott. | Right To BoycottJuly 19, 2019 | By: | | Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) …
bdsmovement.net/news/bds-movement-welcom…
A round-up of the #BoycottHP Global Week of Action, July 10-15
patrick | bdsmovement.net | 2019-07-19
A round-up of the #BoycottHP Global Week of Action, July 10-15: UpdateGroups worldwide participated in the #BoycottHP Global Week of Action, creatively asserting the demand that HP Inc and HPE end their complicity in Israel's apartheid, military occupation and settler-colonialism against the Palestinian people | Economic Boycott Boycott HP Global BDS Week of Action Against HP …
bdsmovement.net/news/round-boycotthp-glo…