Daily Archives: February 8, 2021

2021-02-08: News Headlines

R.R. (2021-02-08). Newsom, Stop The Executions! Rally & Caravan to End the COVID Deaths in Prisons. indybay.org Activists in Oakland caravanned across the Bay Bridge to San Francisco on January 31, calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to grant the mass release of incarcerated individuals. They said that Gov. Newsom and the California Department of Corrections (CDC) are responsible for the deaths of at least 180 people in prisons since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Joe Murphy (2021-02-08). Brits Told to Expect to Take a Third Vaccine Jab in the Autumn. anti-empire.com A health minister today signalled that millions of Britons can expect to get a third injection of Covid-19 vaccine this year to halt the South African mutation and other new variants. | Ed Argar said an autumn booster was being developed to "outwit" a virus that is constantly evolving to beat human defences. | The development came as South Africa suspended its mass roll-out of the AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccine following a small-scale study of younger volunteers that suggested it did not prevent transmission of the new variant or mild-to-moderate illness. Experts warned that the South African strain could prolong s…

teleSUR Desk (2021-02-08). People back the streets against the military coup. mronline.org Activists reported that demonstrators donated water, food, and face shields to the police as they ask them to be on their side, otherwise future generations will suffer. Myanmarese in Norway and Netherlands also protested against the coup carried on February 1, 2021.

Christopher Woody (2021-02-08). The US Is Sending Bomber Crews and Destroyer Captains North to Learn How to Fight in the Arctic. anti-empire.com The US military is getting more active in the Arctic, working with allies amid tensions with Russia. | US Air Force bombers and Navy surface ships have been an increasingly visible presence there. | The region remains one of low tension, but Russia and NATO are both wary of the other's activity. | The US military's renewed focus on the Arctic means more operations in a uniquely challenging environment, and its personnel a…

Joanna Williams (2021-02-08). Lockdown Has Destroyed the Private Sphere. anti-empire.com 'You must stay at home.' With this directive, issued by Boris Johnson on 23 March last year, our homes became more central to our lives than ever before. One of the first revelations of

The Babylon Bee (2021-02-08). $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Bill Expected to Stimulate National Debt. anti-empire.com Congress is looking to pass a 1.9 trillion-dollar stimulus package, which experts say will have a highly stimulating effect on the national debt. | "We will pass this stimulus bill without Republican support," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Doing so will help hard-working Americans and breathe fresh new life into our national debt!" | Financial experts from The New York Times' opinion page have long feared that America's national debt is not growing fast enough to sustain their brilliant economic theories, and hope this bill will serve to boost the national debt to more comfortable levels. | There are some detractor…

Stephen Andrew (2021-02-08). Tom Brady Isn't a Face Diaper Underhuman and It's Driving the Bugs Crazy. anti-empire.com Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback

alexander (2021-02-08). "Send in the Army": Oppression and the Hunger for Authority. dsausa.org The following is an excerpt from Empire's Endgame: Racism and the British State, an upcoming book co-authored by British academics Gargi Bhattacharyya, Adam Elliott-Cooper, Sita Balani, Kerem Nisancioglu, Kojo Koram, Dalia Gebral, Nadine El-Enany, and Luke de Noronha. Published by Pluto Press, Empire's Endgame engages with recent political movements such as Brexit and Black Lives Matter in order to provide a new and much-needed analysis of the confluence of race, government, and the media during these turbulent times. | Although Empire's Endgame is primarily a study of events in the United Kingdom, this chapt…

Fight Back (2021-02-08). Protest to drop charges against Amina McCaskill and all of the MN-646. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 protesters rallied out in the blistering cold in downtown Minneapolis on Friday, February 5 to demand that the trumped-up charges against Amina McCaskill be dropped immediately. The Friday action served as a prelude to McCaskill's Monday, February 8 court date. Activists are encouraging everyone to attend the February 8 Zoom court hearing: TCC4J members said of Friday's sub-zero windchill, "Even if they're snow boots, they'll still be on the ground!" | This past November 4, 2020, community organizations, unions and…

CMSPHFC (2021-02-08). Three-Part Protest in Mountain View. indybay.org In a California statewide day of action, health care professionals and activists rallied to enact a single-payer health care plan for the state–California Guaranteed Health Care for All, known as CalCare.

Jake Tucker (2021-02-07). San Antonio activists save historic public housing as disgraced CEO resigns. liberationnews.org What the long struggle against public housing privatization has shown above all else is that with the people united and organized to fight back, we can win.

Liberation staff (2021-02-07). Chicago activists demand city shelter homeless during polar vortex. liberationnews.org The banner's message was driven home by periodic blasts of arctic wind: "1750 vacancies = DEATH."

Joe Gould (2021-02-07). Biden to Stop Selling Smart Bombs to Saudi Arabia, Will Keep Supplying It With Everything Else. anti-empire.com Editor's note: If Saudis run out of smart bombs and go to dumb ones, how is that any better? |
| The Biden administration has paused indefinitely two precision guided munition sales to Saudi Arabia, worth as much as $760 million, as part of a new policy aimed at curtailing violence in Yemen, Defense News has learned. | However, that policy, announced Thursday by President Joe Biden, left open the possibility for future sales that are considered vital for Saudi Arabia's national defense, a fine line that would mean some munitions sales will continue. | "We are ending all American support for offensive operati…

Ajit Singh (2021-02-07). China Detaining Millions of Uyghurs? Serious Problems With Claims by US-Backed NGO and Researcher 'LED by God' Against Beijing. anti-empire.com Text is from December 2019. | The US House of Representatives passed the To drum up support for the sanctions bill, Western governments and media outlets have portrayed the People's Republic as a human rights violator on par with Nazi Germany. Republican Rep. Chris S…

Thomas Knapp (2021-02-07). Biden's Iran Dilemma: Serve Obama's Third Term — or Trump's Second? anti-empire.com Even before winning the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden began hedging his bets on US policy toward Iran. While correctly blaming Donald Trump for violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aka the Iran nuclear deal, he tried to fob responsibility for restoring that deal off on the Iranians rather than accepting the job himself. | "If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal," he

Field Empty (2021-02-07). Russia Expels Diplomats From Germany, Sweden and Poland for Attending Protests in Russia. anti-empire.com Moscow has revoked the credentials of three officials from EU nations, over claims they took part in unauthorized rallies in support of jailed opposition figure Alexey Navalny, local media reported on Friday. | In a statement issued on Friday, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had made formal protests to the embassies of Germany, Poland and Sweden. Representatives of these countries are said to have participated in mass-demonstrations that saw thousands take to the streets in cities across Russia over the past two weeks. According to officials, they have now been made "personae non grata" and "ordered…

Ashlie D. Stevens (2021-02-07). Garum, the funky and fishy condiment that rose and fell with the Roman Empire. salon.com This fermented sauce has been described as "the ketchup of the gods" and the great-grandfather of Worcestershire…

Pip Hinman (2021-02-07). Anti-tollway activists call on Greens not give up the fight. greenleft.org.au Anti-tollway activists are disappointed that the Greens councillors seem to have accepted the North East Link is a fait accompli, writes Mary Merkenich.

DXE (2021-02-07). Saturday 2/20: Meetup: Supporting Activists Around the World. indybay.org online event…

Robert Hughes (2021-02-06). There Are Still 14 Million Americans on Federal Unemployment, Down Just 2 Million From Shutdown High. anti-empire.com Initial claims for regular state unemployment insurance totaled 847,000 for the week ending January 23, down 67,000 from the previous week's upwardly revised tally of 914,000 (see first chart). Claims have been above 800,000 for three consecutive weeks, in the 700,000 to 1 million range for 22 consecutive weeks, and well above the pre-pandemic level of 212,000 in early 2020 for 45 weeks. | The four-week average rose again, up 16,250 to 868,000. The four-week average has drifted higher since hitting a low of 740,500 for the week of November 28, rising in eight of the last ten weeks. Persistent initial claims at su…

Medea Benjamin and Nicholas J.S. Davies (2021-02-06). America's Global Empire is now Costing us our own Well-Being. juancole.com ( Code Pink) — In 2004, journalist Ron Susskind quoted a Bush White House advisor, reportedly Karl Rove, as boasting, "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality." He dismissed Susskind's assumption that public policy must be rooted in "the reality-based community." "We're history's actors," the advisor told him, "…and …

Caitlin Johnstone (2021-02-06). The Empire Must Die: Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix. thealtworld.com Q: What is a liberal? | A: A liberal is a violent white supremacist extremist who supports and participates in the mass slaughter of brown-skinned human beings overseas while tweeting that white supremacist extremists are bad. | ‚ùñ | Q: What is capitalism? | A: Capitalism is a wonderful economic and political system which has given us powerful technology, a wide assortment of breakfast cereals, and near term human extinction. | ‚ùñ | Q: What is China? | A: China is a large Asiatic nation which westerners use as an emotional punching bag for their capitalism-induced rage, p…

Levada (2021-02-06). Just 15 Percent of Russians Believe Navalny's Account of 'Poisoning'. anti-empire.com Machine translated from Russian. | The majority of Russians (78%) are aware of the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, although they closely follow the development of events for less than a fifth of the population. The respondents name three main versions of what happened: 30% consider the incident to be a staging of the politician himself, 19% see this as a provocation of the Western special services, 15% speak of an attempt by the authorities to eliminate a political opponent. | Most Russians are aware of Navalny's poisoning today: 17% are watching closely, 61% have at least heard something about it. At the same time,…

The Local (2021-02-06). Denmark to Roll Out a 'Digital' Vaccine Passport in 3-4 Months. anti-empire.com The exact practical applications of the digital documentation are still under consideration, but its primary purpose is to facilitate a reopening of society. | "We are taking the first steps so that, before the end of February, you will be able to see your vaccination on (online health services platform) Sundhed.dk," acting finance minister Morten Bà∏dskov said. | "In three to four months, the digital corona passport will be ready for use for things like business trips," Bà∏dskov added. | The government and business representatives will decide on the exact applications of the vaccination 'passport' once…

_____ (2021-02-06). Biden Says He's Ending The Yemen War. popularresistance.org The February 4 announcement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan that President Biden would end U.S. support for "offensive operations" in Yemen was understandably met with celebration by those opposed to the war. Almost six years of the U.S.-Saudi‚ÄëU.A.E. war on Yemen have left the country devastated by humanitarian disaster and famine. Anti-war activists have spent these years‚Äâ—‚Äâfirst during the Obama-Biden administration, then the Trump-Pence administration, and now the Biden-Harris administration‚Äâ—…

WSWS (2021-02-05). Police arrest twelve activists demanding housing for the homeless in Olympia, Washington. wsws.org The housing crisis is more critical than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their negative impact on public health, evictions across the country continue to add to the growing numbers of homeless people in the population.

Vera Eidelman (2021-02-05). The Streets Belong to the People — Always Have, Always Will. aclu.org "Take to the streets." These words have always held a special significance when it comes to exercising our right to protest. Throughout our history, generation after generation of activists, people, and communities have taken to our nation's public streets to make their voices heard and to protest for their rights. | But, too often, the government still tries to shut down public protests and silence our voices through violence and oppression. | Indigenous-led protests have been frequent and special targets of these suppression tactics. In 2016 and 2017, those protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipel…

Ralph Nader (2021-02-05). The Struggle Inside Senator Mitch McConnell's Brain. counterpunch.org Since 2015, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell has ruled the Senate with an iron hand, describing himself as "the Guardian of Gridlock." He was Senator "NO," except for confirming over 200 mostly corporatist federal judges. Now comes a new challenge for Mitch McConnell as he leads 49 other Republican Senators, twenty of whom are up

Phelan Acheson (2021-02-05). Why A Minimum Acceptable Compromise Matters. realprogressives.org "Designed to leave the world's economic destiny at the mercy of bankers and multinational corporations, Globalization is a logical extension of imperialism, a victory of empire over republic, international finance capital over democracy." Michael Parenti, Against Empire | I want to start by defining a term. I know it is fully possible others have thought of this concept, but as of yet, I haven't seen the concept enter progressive, leftist, or mainstream discourse. The term is 'minimum acceptable compromise.' The definition I am coining is inherently tied to politics and the idea of progress. | Minim…

MEE staff (2021-02-05). UK urged to follow US in ending support for Saudi-led bombing of Yemen. middleeasteye.net UK urged to follow US in ending support for Saudi-led bombing of Yemen | Activists and MPs call upon government to end backing that has 'armed, supported and enabled the brutal bombardment' | Fri, 02/05/2021 – 14: 00 | The UK's biggest arms company, BAE Systems, is reported to have made £15bn ($20.5) in revenue from services and sales to Saudi Arabia since 2015 (AFP) | The UK government is coming under i…

RT (2021-02-05). Turkey Scolded as 'Irresponsible NATO Ally' After Interior Minister Blames Us for 2016 Coup Attempt. anti-empire.com Turkey's interior minister has accused the United States of orchestrating a coup attempt that rocked the country in 2016, prompting a denial from Washington, which blasted the claim as unbefitting of a NATO partner. | Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu alleged the US government played an unspecified role in the July 15, 2016 coup d'etat attempt, Turkish daily Hurriyet "Was it only FETO behind the July 15…

Paddy Hannam (2021-02-05). Breaking Point: Europe Is in Revolt Against Lockdown. anti-empire.com Across But something is starting to stir among the people of Europe. There has been a wave of protests — and, in some cases, riots — across the continent. | In the

RT (2021-02-05). Biden Vows to Confront Russia, Enemy of Democracy, and China, Enemy of 'Global Governance'. anti-empire.com In his first major foreign policy address, President Joe Biden vowed to confront the enemies of 'democracy' globally, while seeking to reclaim America's 'moral credibility' and leadership in LGBT and climate change issues. | Speaking at the State Department headquarters in the nation's capital on Thursday, Biden outlined his foreign policy vision in a 20-minute address, laying out a sprawling list of priorities for his administration, among them countering supposed US "adversaries." | "American leadership must meet this new moment of advancing authoritarianism, including the growing ambitions of China to rival th…

RT (2021-02-05). Russia slams 'immoral' claims from oligarchs over collapsed Yukos oil empire as final showdown around $50bn legal case begins. rt.com A long-running battle over the world's largest legal bill could soon be settled as a court in the Netherlands begins hearing arguments in the case of defunct energy giant Yukos, once among Russia's largest resource companies. | Hearings as part of the $50 billion case began at the Supreme Court in The Hague on Friday, with lawyers for the Russian government seeking to overturn a Dutch tribunal's previous decision to hand damages to the business' ex-shareholders. Yukos' former owners say the company's assets were confiscated in what amounted to state "appropriation." Moscow insists that they are not 'bona fide'

The Canary (2021-02-05). Anti-HS2 protesters come face-to-face with bailiffs in Euston tunnels. thecanary.co Anti-HS2 protesters have come face-to-face with bailiffs in tunnels dug near Euston station in London, as efforts to evict them continue. | Dr Larch Maxey, who is among the group of activists who have spent more than a week beneath Euston Square Gardens, said bailiffs had begun "drilling" to remove another environmental campaigner from a "lock on" at the bottom of a down shaft. | Resistance continues: | During an interview between a protester and the PA news agency on Thursday night, a bailiff could be heard informing another demonstrator called "Lazer" that they would attempt to get him out of the device…

_____ (2021-02-05). Joe Biden Is A White Supremacist War Hawk, Too. popularresistance.org The white hooligans who invaded Capitol Hill on January 6th set the stage for the U.S. ruling class to reinvigorate its most prized political narrative: American exceptionalism. Trump committed the most egregious crime of all in the eyes of the empire by encouraging his most loyal supporters to desecrate what one police officer on the scene called "the most sacredest place." His closing act paved an even smoother road for the incoming Biden administration to quickly militarize Washington D.C. and normalize a period of sustained crisis vis-à -vis cosmetic changes to the leadership of the empire. But as neoliberal…

Susan Price (2021-02-05). 'Wild Things': Frontline activism to save the planet. greenleft.org.au Jim McIlroy and Laurie MacSween review a new documentary on Australia's frontline environmental activists.

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-05). Anti-war activists welcome US decision to end support for offensive operations in war on Yemen. peoplesdispatch.org Joe Biden has however emphasized that his administration will continue its support to Saudi Arabia's defense and protect its sovereignty. Several activists have expressed apprehensions that this may become a justification for future aggression…

Andrei Martyanov (2021-02-04). Russia's Zircon Missile Relegates Carriers to Bombing Small Poor Countries. anti-empire.com Judging by the stream of the news re: latest launch by Admiral Gorshkov of 3M22 Zircon, tests are very successful