Monthly Archives: September 2020

2020-09-26: News Headlines

Dr. T. P. Wilkinson (2020-09-26). Inferno and the "Fourth Circle". The American Empire and the 2020 Pandemic. globalresearch.ca In 1973, the world economy was brought almost to a halt by a supposed shortage of oil. The ostensible trigger for this alleged shortage was the so-called Yom Kippur War in which the armed forces of the Anglo-American Empire's settler-colonial …

teleSUR (2020-09-25). Far-Right Group Performs New Attack Against Bolivian Socialists. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's white supremacist, far-right group Santa Cruz Youth Union (UJC) attacked supporters of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) in Montero city. | RELATED: | Videos posted on social networks show how these pro-coup activists shouted "Indigenous people, we're going to kill you!" to the MAS militants as they threw stones at them. | "We condemn these violent acts and demand guarantees to express ourselves peacefully," the MAS P…

Simon Keleta (2020-09-25). Thousands in Brooklyn march hours after Breonna Taylor grand jury decision. liberationnews.org Thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets on Sep. 23 in response to the outrageous news that a grand jury had determined that none of Breonna Taylor's killers would face any murder charges. Gathering in front of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, activists gave impassioned speeches before marching into Manhattan. Similar actions took place …

Joe Piette (2020-09-25). Anti-fascists say 'Proud Boys, out of Philly!'. workers.org Phiadelphia anti-fascists banner, Sept. 20. The fascist Proud Boys group posted notices on social media "calling all patriots" to Philadelphia's Clark Park at 1: 00 pm Sept. 19. By 2: 00 pm, none of them were visible. Over 500 progressive activists did show up, who would have told the missing brownshirts in . . . |

MEE staff (2020-09-25). US cuts $20m in funding for group helping pro-democracy efforts in Iran. middleeasteye.net US cuts $20m in funding for group helping pro-democracy efforts in Iran | Open Technology Fund supports activists operating in Iran, Belarus and Hong Kong, helping them bypass internet censorship and state surveillance | Fri, 09/25/2020 – 16: 33 | Iranian protesters run for cover from riot police (unseen) during an anti-government demonstration in Tehran in 2011 (AFP/File photo) | The Trump administration bloc…

A Guest Author (2020-09-25). Surviving a pandemic under siege. workers.org During a Sept. 18 "Free Palestine" webinar, Palestinian writers and activists Susan Abulhawa and Khaled Barakat were asked to comment on the spread of COVID-19 in occupied Palestine, and what it means to have access to healthcare under foreign occupation. The following is an edited version of their replies. Susan . . . |

RT (2020-09-25). 'It will always be us against them': Breonna Taylor family slam grand jury decision, says black people 'never safe'. rt.com Breonna Taylor's family has spoken out to address the decision of a Kentucky grand jury not to charge any officers involved in her killing with murder. The family slammed authorities, saying black people are "never safe." | At a Friday news conference in Louisville, Taylor's family made it clear they were not happy with Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron or his recent announcement that a former cop involved in Taylor's March shooting would face charges of "wanton endangerment" rather than murder charges, which activists have been calling for. | Taylor's aunt, Bianca Austin, read a statement from the dece…

_____ (2020-09-25). Denver: Anti-Racist Organizers Released After A Week In Jail. popularresistance.org Three organizers from the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) — Lillian House, Eliza Lucero and Joel Northam — who were arrested on trumped up charges in connection with anti-racist protests in the US State of Colorado were released on Thursday, September 24. They were arrested last Thursday in Denver and spent a week in jail in unsafe and inhumane conditions and were denied their right to due process. One of their fellow organizers, Russel Ruch, was released earlier. | On Thursday, the judiciary in Colorado set the bonds of the three activists which once paid means that they can no longer be hel…

sputniknews (2020-09-25). If Biden Wins, What Will His Administration's Inner Circle Look Like? sputniknews.com On this edition of The Critical Hour, co-hosts Dr. Wilmer Leon and Garland Nixon talk to Caleb Maupin about Michele Flournoy and whether she will be the "angel of death for the American empire," a question raised by a Wednesday article at Antiwar.com.

Eliza Egret (2020-09-25). Protesters dump horse sh*t on Serco's doorstep. thecanary.co Protesters have dumped horse manure on the doorstep of Serco's headquarters in Hampshire. The action has sent a clear message to the company, which is responsible for the UK's test and trace system. | The activists are part of the campaign group Protect Our NHS. They also unfurled a banner saying: "Serco Test & Trace Stinks! — Corrupt & Deadly Incompetent — Give LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH TEAMS the Cash". The action was timed to coincide with other protests against Serco in the UK, including in London. | 'Deadly incompetence': | Mike Campbell of Protect Our NHS Bristol said in a press release: We're tak…

commondreams (2020-09-24). CODEPINK Commends Mayor de Blasio's Decision to Skip the G20 Summit Hosted by Saudi Arabia. commondreams.org ______________________________…

teleSUR (2020-09-24). El Salvador: Activists Decry Bukele's Silence Over El Mozote. telesurenglish.net Human rights advocates, judges, and attorneys of El Mozote victims have condemned President Nayib Bukele's silence after the army prevented a judge from accessing "El Mozote massacre" documents. | RELATED: | On September 21, law enforcement prevented Judge Jorge Guzman from examining documents filed in the records of the General State of the Armed Forces regarding the massacre of about 1000 farmers from El Mozote i…

Fight Back (2020-09-24). Minneapolis calls for an end to aid to Israel, remembers Sabra and Shatila. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On September 17, over 30 activists in Minneapolis bannered across Interstate 94 during rush hour to remember the Sabra and Shatila massacre and highlight the destructive role the U.S. plays in Lebanon. They waved Palestinian flags and dropped banners across eight lanes of traffic demanding an end to aid in Israel, demanding an end to apartheid, and expressing solidarity against state violence. The response from people passing by was overwhelmingly positive with a constant stream of honks from cars. | From September 16 to 18, 1982, pro-Israel militiamen murdered more than 1000 Palestinian and Leb…

Fight Back (2020-09-24). Tallahassee rallies for community control of the police – CPAC now! fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL – Community activists gathered in front of city hall September 19 for a protest calling for the formation of an elected Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC), and demanding that State Attorney Jack Campbell drop the charges against the #Tally19 – arrested for participating in a protest on September 5 to condemn a grand jury decision that condoned three recent police murders of civilians. | Saturday's action was organized locally by the Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC) with the support of Tallahassee Dream Defenders, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, More Than A Name, and Fl…

Fight Back (2020-09-24). Minnesotans demand climate justice now! fightbacknews.org St. Paul, MN – On September 22, activists from the newly formed Climate Justice Committee (CJC) hung banners over the side of the Snelling Avenue bridge and the pedestrian bridge that spans Interstate-94 connecting downtown Minneapolis with downtown Saint Paul. The banners read, "Capitalism kills the planet," "The U.S. military: The #1 polluter," "Push Biden left on climate change" and "2050 is too late, climate justice now." The last slogan references Democratic nominee Joe Biden's climate plan, which positions its goal as 100% clean energy by 2050. | Alongside Biden's climate plan, in August, a section of the D…

55 Progressive Activists and Writers (2020-09-24). Open Letter: Dump Trump, Then Battle Biden. indybay.org Priority is dumping Trump…

Staff (2020-09-24). Trump's Vaccine Czar Refuses to Divest From Company Developing COVID Vaccine. truthout.org The former pharmaceutical executive tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the administration's race to a COVID-19 vaccine is refusing to give up investments that stand to benefit from his work — at least during his lifetime. | The executive, Moncef Slaoui, is the top scientist on Operation Warp Speed, the administration's effort to develop a coronavirus vaccine in record time. Federal law requires government officials to disclose their personal finances and divest any holdings relat…

MEE staff (2020-09-23). Saudi dissidents launch new party calling for democracy in kingdom. middleeasteye.net Saudi dissidents launch new party calling for democracy in kingdom | New group calls for independent judiciary, elected parliament and equality under law | Wed, 09/23/2020 – 23: 01 | NAAS aims to 'establish a path to democracy as a governing system' in Saudi Arabia (Twitter) | Exiled Saudi activists have formed a political party calling for democracy and respect for human rights in the kingdom, a move that bri…

Madi B (2020-09-23). Activists in Idaho say: Defund the Police. liberationnews.org Boise City Council voted to increase police spending by $1.1 million. Local organizers, activist groups, and community members have been demonstrating with a variety of tactics to oppose Boise's new budget ever since it was first proposed.

2020-09-25: News Headlines

A Guest Author (2020-09-25). Surviving a pandemic under siege. workers.org During a Sept. 18 "Free Palestine" webinar, Palestinian writers and activists Susan Abulhawa and Khaled Barakat were asked to comment on the spread of COVID-19 in occupied Palestine, and what it means to have access to healthcare under foreign occupation. The following is an edited version of their replies. Susan . . . |

Eliza Egret (2020-09-25). Protesters dump horse sh*t on Serco's doorstep. thecanary.co Protesters have dumped horse manure on the doorstep of Serco's headquarters in Hampshire. The action has sent a clear message to the company, which is responsible for the UK's test and trace system. | The activists are part of the campaign group Protect Our NHS. They also unfurled a banner saying: "Serco Test & Trace Stinks! — Corrupt & Deadly Incompetent — Give LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH TEAMS the Cash". The action was timed to coincide with other protests against Serco in the UK, including in London. | 'Deadly incompetence': | Mike Campbell of Protect Our NHS Bristol said in a press release: We're tak…

commondreams (2020-09-24). CODEPINK Commends Mayor de Blasio's Decision to Skip the G20 Summit Hosted by Saudi Arabia. commondreams.org ______________________________…

teleSUR (2020-09-24). El Salvador: Activists Decry Bukele's Silence Over El Mozote. telesurenglish.net Human rights advocates, judges, and attorneys of El Mozote victims have condemned President Nayib Bukele's silence after the army prevented a judge from accessing "El Mozote massacre" documents. | RELATED: | On September 21, law enforcement prevented Judge Jorge Guzman from examining documents filed in the records of the General State of the Armed Forces regarding the massacre of about 1000 farmers from El Mozote i…

Fight Back (2020-09-24). Minneapolis calls for an end to aid to Israel, remembers Sabra and Shatila. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On September 17, over 30 activists in Minneapolis bannered across Interstate 94 during rush hour to remember the Sabra and Shatila massacre and highlight the destructive role the U.S. plays in Lebanon. They waved Palestinian flags and dropped banners across eight lanes of traffic demanding an end to aid in Israel, demanding an end to apartheid, and expressing solidarity against state violence. The response from people passing by was overwhelmingly positive with a constant stream of honks from cars. | From September 16 to 18, 1982, pro-Israel militiamen murdered more than 1000 Palestinian and Leb…

Fight Back (2020-09-24). Tallahassee rallies for community control of the police – CPAC now! fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL – Community activists gathered in front of city hall September 19 for a protest calling for the formation of an elected Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC), and demanding that State Attorney Jack Campbell drop the charges against the #Tally19 – arrested for participating in a protest on September 5 to condemn a grand jury decision that condoned three recent police murders of civilians. | Saturday's action was organized locally by the Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC) with the support of Tallahassee Dream Defenders, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, More Than A Name, and Fl…

Fight Back (2020-09-24). Minnesotans demand climate justice now! fightbacknews.org St. Paul, MN – On September 22, activists from the newly formed Climate Justice Committee (CJC) hung banners over the side of the Snelling Avenue bridge and the pedestrian bridge that spans Interstate-94 connecting downtown Minneapolis with downtown Saint Paul. The banners read, "Capitalism kills the planet," "The U.S. military: The #1 polluter," "Push Biden left on climate change" and "2050 is too late, climate justice now." The last slogan references Democratic nominee Joe Biden's climate plan, which positions its goal as 100% clean energy by 2050. | Alongside Biden's climate plan, in August, a section of the D…

55 Progressive Activists and Writers (2020-09-24). Open Letter: Dump Trump, Then Battle Biden. indybay.org Priority is dumping Trump…

Staff (2020-09-24). Trump's Vaccine Czar Refuses to Divest From Company Developing COVID Vaccine. truthout.org The former pharmaceutical executive tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the administration's race to a COVID-19 vaccine is refusing to give up investments that stand to benefit from his work — at least during his lifetime. | The executive, Moncef Slaoui, is the top scientist on Operation Warp Speed, the administration's effort to develop a coronavirus vaccine in record time. Federal law requires government officials to disclose their personal finances and divest any holdings relat…

Staff (2020-09-23). 50+ Progressive Writers and Activists Pen Open Letter Urging Vote for Biden. truthout.org More than 50 progressive writers and activists — including prominent left-wing voices such as Noam Chomsky, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Cornel West — unveiled an Citing…

Madi B (2020-09-23). Activists in Idaho say: Defund the Police. liberationnews.org Boise City Council voted to increase police spending by $1.1 million. Local organizers, activist groups, and community members have been demonstrating with a variety of tactics to oppose Boise's new budget ever since it was first proposed.

MEE staff (2020-09-23). Saudi dissidents launch new party calling for democracy in kingdom. middleeasteye.net Saudi dissidents launch new party calling for democracy in kingdom | New group calls for independent judiciary, elected parliament and equality under law | Wed, 09/23/2020 – 23: 01 | NAAS aims to 'establish a path to democracy as a governing system' in Saudi Arabia (Twitter) | Exiled Saudi activists have formed a political party calling for democracy and respect for human rights in the kingdom, a move that bri…

Fight Back (2020-09-23). Car caravan rally held in Arlington to protest UAE-Israel relations. fightbacknews.org Arlington, Texas – On September 20, over 50 people gathered at Masjid Dar El Eman, an Islamic center, for a car protest against the United Arab Emirates' and Bahrain's normalization of relations with Israel. The car caravan was organized by the Dallas Palestine Coalition; Palestinian Youth Movement-Dallas, Muslim Democratic Caucus-Texas; American Muslims for Palestine-Texas; Code Pink-Greater Dallas, and Veterans for Peace-Dallas. | After a short prayer, a car caravan drove around South Arlington. Many of the protesters attached Palestinian and American flags to their cars to call for an end to U.S. support…

sputniknews (2020-09-23). 'A War Machine With a Country Attached': US Pandemic Relief Revealed as Diverted to Defense Firms. sputniknews.com A Tuesday Washington Post article revealed the US Congress gave the Pentagon $1 billion in March to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that money has mostly been paid to defense contractors, further growing the US war machine, according to medical doctor Dr. Yolandra Hancock and investigative journalist Daniel Lazare.

Genevieve Lechat (2020-09-22). Permanent residency for TPS holders won't come from the courts. workers.org Lechat is active with Boston FIRE, Harvard TPS Coalition and AFSCME Local 3650. Coordinated, coast-to-coast press conferences were staged by Temporary Protected Status activists on Sept. 15 after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Trump's 2018 termination of TPS. In several cities, im/migrant families with decades of legal residency . . . |

San Jose Peace & Justice Center (2020-09-22). Monday 9/21: International Peace Day: "We Are Many" Virtual Film Premiere & Q&A w/ Director & Activists. indybay.org Online via streaming anytime for 24 hours…

commondreams (2020-09-22). May Boeve Joins Mayors of 12 Major Cities Committed to Divest From Fossil Fuel Companies and Invest in a Green and Just Recovery from COVID-19 Crisis. commondreams.org ______________________________…