SPLC statement on Trump's threat to call up troops and close the southern border
Melissa Crow, Senior Supervising Attorney | splcenter.org | 2018-10-18
Today's announcement that President Trump might call up federal troops and "close our southern border" to stop immigrants from countries like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador from entering the U.S. is racist and illegal.
splcenter.org/news/2018/10/18/splc-statement-trumps-threat-call-troops-and-close-southern-border
Illinois Prisons Sued for Unconstitutional Ban on LGBTQ Literature
Shared by Merula Furtado | truthout.org | 2018-10-18
The Uptown People's Law Center and the MacArthur Justice Center filed a lawsuit on October 17 that alleges Illinois prisons are censoring correspondence and publications that have been mailed to prisoners by Black and Pink, a prisoners' rights organization focused on supporting incarcerated LGBTQ and HIV-positive people. | Jason Lydon founded Black and Pink in 2005 after his own incarceration and was the national director of the…
truthout.org/articles/illinois-prisons-sued-for-unconstitutional-ban-on-lgbtq-literature/
Pro-Trump Congressman Self Destructs With Racist Conspiracy Theory About George Soros Paying Honduran Migrants
Matthew Chapman, AlterNet | alternet.org | 2018-10-18
Rep. Matt Gaetz suggested a caravan of Honduran refugees was paid by George Soros to disrupt the U. S. election. And he only went further off the rails when challenged. | President Donald Trump is waiting in trepidation as a caravan of some 4,000 Honduran migrants and refugees, many of them children, approach the U. S. /Mexico border whil. . .
alternet.org/news-amp-politics/matt-gaetz-honduran-migrant-caravan-george-soros
One of the Suspected Khashoggi Killers Reportedly Died in a 'Suspicious' Car Crash
David Badash, The New Civil Rights Movement | alternet.org | 2018-10-18
"Claims are circulating that Albostani, who is a lieutenant of the Saudi Royal Air Forces, could have been silenced. " | Rich text editor, edit-body-und-0-value, press ALT 0 for help. | A man identified by the Turkish government as a suspect in what is believed to be the gruesome torture and murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi has reportedly died in what is bein. . .
alternet.org/one-suspected-khashoggi-killers-reportedly-died-suspicious-car-crash
Migrant Families Face Month in Detention, Despite Trump Administration Promises
Staff | truthdig.com | 2018-10-18
The Justice Department has promised new interviews for asylum seekers, but lawyers say the government is backing off its pledge. | The post Migrant Families Face Month in Detention, Despite Trump Administration Promises appeared first on Truthdig: Expert Reporting, Current News, Provocative Columnists.
truthdig.com/articles/migrant-families-face-month-in-detention-despite-trump-administration-promises/
Guilty until proven innocent: Teen girls made boy's life 'unbearable' with false assault allegations
RT | rt.com | 2018-10-18
A Pennsylvania school district is facing a lawsuit taken by the family of a former student after he was charged with sexual assault and forced out of the school when a group of girls made false allegations against him.
rt.com/usa/441658-false-accusation-sexual-assault/
'Look at this f**king white guy': Man brutally sliced in New York pizza parlor attack
RT | rt.com | 2018-10-18
Bronx native Chris Bilcik usually goes to Ray's to sit down and tuck into a delicious slice of pizza, but his visit last week ended with violence, as he was brutally sliced and punched by an apparently racist attacker.
rt.com/usa/441635-pizza-restaurant-racist-attack/
Louisiana's Infamous Angola Prison Goes on Trial
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-18
Angola prison is home to horrific constitutional violations that threaten the health and welfare of people incarcerated in the facility. | In November 2012, Shannon Hurd, who was serving a life sentence for stealing $14, began losing weight and experiencing flu-like symptoms. His symptoms worsened, and he developed a pain in his side. But doctors at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as "Angola," repeatedly dismissed his medical complaints. | He did not receive medical care in the weeks that followed. He did not receive medical care in the months that followed. And as he waited for basic medical care, a…
aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rights/cruel-inhuman-and-degrading-conditions/louisianas-infamous-angola-prison-goes
The Inner Dimensions of Socialist Revolution
Manuel García, Jr. | counterpunch.org | 2018-10-18
The social revolution has to precede the political revolution. Personal self-realization has to precede the social revolution. Achieving social change in America through political change — legislatively — as for example with the Civil Rights legislation of 1964 to 1968, is too slow a process today for overturning American capitalism to American socialism in time…
counterpunch.org/2018/10/18/the-inner-dimensions-of-socialist-revolution/
In a Case that Rocked Alabama, a Man With Intellectual Disability Is Spared Death
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-18
Almost a decade after his death sentence, the state agreed Lam Luong could not be executed and joined the defense in asking to change the sentence. | This week, in one of the highest profile cases in Alabama history, longtime ACLU client Lam Luong was resentenced to life in imprisonment without parole, nine years after he was sentenced to death. Luong's life was spared because experts hired by both the state of Alabama and the defense agreed that he met the criteria for intellectual disability. | Luong, born during the Vietnam War to a Vietnamese woman and a Black American serviceman, was convicted and sentenced…
aclu.org/blog/capital-punishment/case-rocked-alabama-man-intellectual-disability-spared-death
As FBI Whistleblower Terry Albury Faces Sentencing, His Lawyers Say He Was Motivated by Racism and Abuses at the Bureau
Alice Speri | theintercept.com | 2018-10-18
Terry Albury could get up to 52 months in prison for leaking FBI documents. He'd come to believe the bureau harassed and intimidated minority communities. | The post As FBI Whistleblower Terry Albury Faces Sentencing, His Lawyers Say He Was Motivated by Racism and Abuses at the Bureau appeared first on The Intercept.
theintercept.com/2018/10/18/terry-albury-sentencing-fbi/
'Normalizing Neo-Nazis Again': Internet Rains Hell on New York Times for Fawning Profile of Far-Right 'Proud Boys' Founder
David Badash, The New Civil Rights Movement | alternet.org | 2018-10-18
The New York Times described Gavin McInnes as "a former Brooklyn hipster turned far-right provocateur. " | TheNew York Times once again is under fire from social media users, some of whom are even demanding the paper of record "stop normalizing Nazis," after running an alarmingly positive and whitewashed profile of right wing extremist Gavin McInnes, calling him a mere "pr. . .
alternet.org/normalizing-neo-nazis-again-internet-rains-hell-new-york-times-fawning-profile-far-right-proud-boys
Indicted Congressman's Father Goes on Unhinged Rant Calling Son's Opponent a Terrorist Sympathizer
Matthew Chapman, AlterNet | alternet.org | 2018-10-18
Duncan Hunter Sr. is all in on the racist smear campaign against Democratic candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar. | California's 50th Congressional District, in suburban San Diego, is one of the most conservative districts in the state, and was never supposed to be competitive. But following GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr. 's indictment for stealing campaign funds, wire fraud,. . .
alternet.org/election-03918/duncan-hunter-sr-ammar-campa-najjar-terrorism
Meet Edward Blum, the Man Who Wants to Kill Affirmation Action in Higher Education
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-18
Activist Edward Blum has been trying to destroy race-conscious college admissions for a long time. | In a federal lawsuit that went to trial this week, the organization Students for Fair Admissions is challenging Harvard University's admissions practices, arguing that the consideration of race in the process violates the Equal Protection Clause. | So what's at stake in this case? A lot. | Just two years ago, in Fisher v. the University of Texas, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the consideration of race as part of a holistic admissions pr…
aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/affirmative-action/meet-edward-blum-man-who-wants-kill-affirmation-action-higher
Secret Government Report Shows Gaping Holes in Privacy Protections From U.S. Surveillance
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-18
The Trump administration released a report from federal privacy watchdog after the ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act request. | On Tuesday, in response to Freedom of Information Act requests, a federal privacy watchdog released an important report about how the U.S. government handles people's personal information that it sweeps up in its surveillance. Despite requests from Senator Ron Wyden and the European Union, the Trump administration had refused to make the report public [m…
aclu.org/blog/national-security/privacy-and-surveillance/secret-government-report-shows-gaping-holes-privacy
Keiko Let Go, Peruvian Minister Resigns as Corrupt Judge Flees
teleSUR | telesurtv.net | 2018-10-18
Implicated in US$1.2 million Odebrecht scandal, Keiko Fujimori was set free after 10 days preventative detention.
www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Keiko-Let-Go-Peruvian-Minister-Resigns-as-Corrupt-Judge-Flees-20181018-0009.html
SPLC sues for records detailing Trump administration plan to arm teachers with guns using federal funds
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2018-10-17
The Trump administration is withholding records detailing how it has unlawfully permitted the use of federal funds to arm teachers with guns in classrooms across America, according to a lawsuit the SPLC filed today.
splcenter.org/news/2018/10/17/splc-sues-records-detailing-trump-administration-plan-arm-teachers-guns-using-federal-funds
A Confederate Portrait, Racial Bias, and the Death Penalty in Virginia
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-17
A portrait of Robert E. Lee on display in a Virginia court where a Black man faces the death penalty reveals an abhorrent racial injustice. | In Louisa County, Virginia, a Black man stands trial for his life. When he looks around to see who is presiding over his trial he will see the picture of another man besides the judge staring down at him from above– Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. | This isn't the post-war South of the late 19th century or even the first six decades or so of the 20th century. This is Virginia in 2018. And this is the court where the defendant, Darcel Murphy, is expected to receive ju…
aclu.org/blog/capital-punishment/confederate-portrait-racial-bias-and-death-penalty-virginia
In Pennsylvania, We'll Turn Our Anger into Votes
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-10-17
In Pennsylvania, a state which shocked the nation in the 2016 Presidential elections, all roads lead to the ballot box on November 6. For Pennsylvanians across the state, this will be an election of the conscience. Many will reckon with the ballots they cast two years ago, while others, spurred by the current state of […] | The post In Pennsylvania, We'll Turn Our Anger into Votes appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/pennsylvania-well-turn-anger-votes/
NAACP to Host National Town Hall on Thursday, October 18
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-10-17
Tele Townhall to Discuss Education and Economy Concerns Going into Elections FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Vanessa Mbonu/ vmbonu@naacpnet.org BALTIMORE (October 17, 2018) — NAACP will host a national tele townhall on Thursday, October 18th at 9 pm as it rallies to turnout Black voters for the midterm elections. With less than three weeks until election day, this townhall — the […] | The post NAACP to Host National Town Hall on Thursday, October 18 appeared first on
naacp.org/latest/naacp-host-national-town-hall-thursday-october-18/
Why Trump's Stormy Daniels Tweet Wasn't Defamation
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-17
Defamation is hard to prove in the United States — and that's a good thing for political debate. | On Monday, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Stephanie Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels, against Donald Trump alleging that he defamed her on Twitter. While Trump's bullying and name-calling, particularly targeting women, are abhorrent and vulgar, it's not surprising that Clifford's suit was unsuccessful. Defamation is rela…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/internet-speech/why-trumps-stormy-daniels-tweet-wasnt-defamation
Ôªø'Let's just ghost him': Alt-right leaders were leery of Jason Kessler before 'Unite the Right.' Text messages show they wanted him out of the movement
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2018-10-17
The speakers were lined up and the promotions had started for "Unite the Right," the large gathering of racists, white supremacists and alt-righters in Charlottesville, Virginia.
splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/10/17/alt-right-leaders-were-leery-jason-kessler
The Arabian Game Of Thrones Heats Up
Wayne Madsen | iranian.com | 2018-10-17
The reported torture, murder, and dismemberment of Washington-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate-general in Istanbul reminded the world that an intense power play is now taking place within the monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula and between them. In November 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) ordered the arrest and detention […] | The post The Arabian Game Of Thrones Heats Up appeared first on The Iranian.
iranian.com/2018/10/16/the-arabian-game-of-thrones-heats-up/
Facebook is sued for 'inflating' ad watch times by up to 900% to lure in advertisers
RT | rt.com | 2018-10-17
Facebook hid a flaw in its video-advertising metrics that overestimated viewer engagement for more than a year in an effort to entice and keep advertisers on its platform, according to a lawsuit filed by a group of advertisers.
rt.com/usa/441569-facebook-inflated-video-numbers/
George Orwell's Message in a Bottle
David N. Smith | counterpunch.org | 2018-10-17
In June the United States became the first and only nation to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, which a Trump administration official called a "cesspool of political bias." Just the day before, the U.N. Human Rights office had called Trump's detention of children separated from their parents at the U.S./Mexico border "unconscionable."
counterpunch.org/2018/10/17/george-orwells-message-in-a-bottle/
With 19 Days to Midterms, Georgia Is Rejecting Ballots Over Handwriting
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-17
Georgia's signature-match laws deprive voters of due process. We're suing. | Early voting in Georgia for the 2018 general election just kicked off on Monday, but already the state has rejected close to 600 absentee ballots or applications for an absentee ballot. | One culprit? | State laws that require election officials to reject all absentee ballots and absentee ballot applications if they believe that signatures within the voter's paperwork do not match each other. | The elections' officials making these determ…
aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/19-days-midterms-georgia-rejecting-ballots-over
Corporate lawyer lands top spot in DOJ's Civil Rights Division
Al Neal | peoplesworld.org | 2018-10-17
A corporate lawyer with a questionable track record on discrimination lawsuits as head of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division…what could be wrong with that? Apparently nothing. Well, at least for the U.S. Senate who confirmed Eric Dreiband 50-47 Thursday, October 12, split down party lines. Drei…
peoplesworld.org/article/corporate-lawyer-lands-top-spot-in-dojs-civil-rights-division/
Trump insults 'horseface' Stormy Daniels after judge throws out lawsuit
RT | rt.com | 2018-10-16
After a federal judge tossed porn star Stormy Daniels' defamation lawsuit against President Trump, the president took to Twitter to gloat, calling Daniels "horseface" and her case against him "a total con."
rt.com/usa/441449-trump-stormy-daniels-horseface/
WATCH NOW: Bishop TD Jakes Sends a Special Message to Voters
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-10-16
NAACP and Bishop TD Jakes agree on one thing: African Americans need to VOTE! Our lives depend on it. Watch his special message.
naacp.org/latest/watch-now-bishop-td-jakes-sends-special-message-voters/
The Spirit of 1968 Lives on Today in Athletes like Colin Kaepernick
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-16
Tommie Smith and John Carlos staged a stunning protest at the '68 Summer Olympics. Fifty years later, rampant racial discrimination remains. | In 1968, rage over the United States' treatment of Black America was boiling over. It culminated that year in a protest at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City that shocked the world. But perhaps the lid blowing off the kettle shouldn't have been so surprising. | In May of 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. admitted that his "dream" of 1963 had "turned into a nightmare." The
aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-economic-justice/spirit-1968-lives-today-athletes-colin-kaepernick
Trapped in information bubbles? Consequences of the media's polarized Trump coverage (VIDEO)
RT | rt.com | 2018-10-16
Shrill media reports about Donald Trump's alleged praise of Confederate General Robert E. Lee underscore the president's deep-rooted racism, or America's fake news epidemic — depending on where you get your news from.
rt.com/usa/441380-polarized-trump-americans-lee-media/
Police Reform Is Coming to New York City, but Will the NYPD Follow the Law?
aclu | aclu.org | 2018-10-16
Police reform legislation will go into effect this week in New York City, but the law depends on the NYPD acting in good faith. | In December 2017, the New York City Council passed two police reform measures, collectively known as the Right to Know Act, which aimed to improve communication and transparency during police stops and searches. On Friday, both bills will take full effect, and the New York Police Department will be tasked with implementing the council's mandate to become more transparent and accountable. But there are good reasons to be skeptical that the NYPD will implement the law faithfully. | The…
aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform/reforming-police-practices/police-reform-coming-new-york-city-will-nypd
Trump Admin Hints It May Resume Family Separation at Border; ACLU Says "Public Outcry Is Critical"
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-10-15
The Trump administration is reportedly considering plans to resume its policy of forcibly separating migrant children from their families along the U.S.-Mexico border, even as the full number of people torn apart the last time it carried out the widely condemned practice remains unclear. A new report by Amnesty International suggests immigration officials separated some 6,000 families between April and August, a far higher number of children and parents torn apart than previously thought. Trump administration officials are now considering plans to detain asylum-seeking families together for up to 20 days and then…
www.democracynow.org/2018/10/15/trump_admin_hints_it_may_resume
The GOP's Racist Election Strategy
David A. Love | progressive.org | 2018-10-15
As the 2018 midterm election approaches, the party is no longer making efforts to disguise its appeals to racism.
progressive.org/dispatches/the-gops-racist-election-strategy-181015/
As Far Right Marches in London, UK Teachers Organize Against Racism
Shared by therealnews | therealnews.com | 2018-10-15
Educators gathered in Leeds to share strategies on how to combat growing racism, xenophobia and and Islamophobia across the UK | The post As Far Right Marches in London, UK Teachers Organize Against Racism appeared first on The Real News Network.
therealnews.com/stories/as-far-right-marches-in-london-uk-teachers-organize-against-racism
SPLC lawsuit challenges Trump administration's turnback policy against asylum seekers
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2018-10-15
The Trump administration has illegally and deliberately restricted the number of individuals who can access the asylum process at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to an updated class action lawsuit filing from the SPLC.
splcenter.org/news/2018/10/15/splc-lawsuit-challenges-trump-administration%25E2%2580%2599s-turnback-policy-against-asylum-seekers
NAACP Monitoring Possible Voter Suppression Tactics in Georgia Governor Race
Rachel Johnson | naacp.org | 2018-10-12
Over 53,000 Voter Registration Applications on Hold in Secretary of State Kemp's Office BALTIMORE–The nation's foremost civil rights organization is closely monitoring possible voter suppression in the state of Georgia stemming from Secretary of State Brian Kemp's ongoing failure to process over 53,000 voter registration applications. "It's a stain on our system of democracy when less than a month before an […] | The post NAACP Monitoring Possible Voter Suppression Tactics in Ge…
naacp.org/latest/naacp-monitoring-possible-voter-suppression-tactics-georgia-governor-race/
"Voting needs to become ubiquitous to the Black community as quickly as possible," says NAACP President
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-10-10
NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, penned an opinion piece for Essence magazine, a leading magazine publication for African-American women. In it, he emphasizes the need to mobilize the Black vote for the 2018 midterm elections, the organization's plan to support this effort, and the Black individual's role in relational organizing: "Voting needs to become […] | The post "Voting needs to become ubiquitous to the Black community as quickly as possible," says NAACP Pre…
naacp.org/latest/voting-needs-become-ubiquitous-black-community-quickly-possible-says-naacp-president/
Brazil's Eroding Democracy: Rise of Far-Right Demagogue Follows Ouster of Dilma & Jailing of Lula
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-10-09
In a stunning upset that may radically alter the political landscape of Latin America, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro won 46 percent of the vote in Sunday's presidential election in Brazil in a far more decisive victory than expected. The former Army officer has a long history of making racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments and has openly praised Brazil's military dictatorship. He will now face Fernando Haddad of the leftist Workers' Party in a runoff on October 28. Haddad won 29 percent of the vote Sunday. Many are warning that the future of democracy in Brazil hangs in the balance. We speak with Maria L…
www.democracynow.org/2018/10/9/brazil_s_eroding_democracy_rise_of
NAACP Leaders Advance Education and Employment Initiative with LDS Church
Aba Blankson | naacp.org | 2018-10-07
Senior leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) met with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6, 2018 — another indication of the growing friendship between the two groups. At a series of meetings and presentations held with members of […] | The post NAACP Leaders Advance Education and Employment Initiative with LDS Church appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/ldschurch/
Brett Kavanaugh confirmed to the US Supreme Court
Adam Lee | naacp.org | 2018-10-06
On Saturday, October 6, 2018, NAACP-opposed Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed by the full U.S. Senate to serve a lifetime appointment. He was sworn in later that evening. The final vote was 50 yeas to 48 nays. For a complete listing of how each Senator voted, please see the attached Action Update. […] | The post Brett Kavanaugh confirmed to the US Supreme Court appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/brett-kavanaugh-confirmed-us-supreme-court/
Could Brazil Return to a Dictatorship? Glenn Greenwald on Possible Election of Far-Right Demagogue
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-10-05
Voters in Brazil head to the polls on Sunday in an election that could reshape the political landscape of South America. Polls show the current front-runner is the far-right Jair Bolsonaro, a former Army officer who has openly praised Brazil's military dictatorship, which lasted from 1964 to 1985. Bolsonaro has a long history of making racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments, and has risen in the polls since September 8, when he was stabbed while campaigning. His campaign directly benefited from the jailing of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in April, who had been leading in all presidential polls…
www.democracynow.org/2018/10/5/could_brazil_return_to_a_dictatorship
The U.S. Detention of Children Is Only Getting Worse
Michael Garcia Bochenek | progressive.org | 2018-10-03
No longer forcibly separating families at the border, the Trump Administration has merely changed the way children are harmed.
progressive.org/dispatches/the-u-s-detention-of-children-is-only-getting-worse-181003/