(2019-03-08). NAACP Commends House Passage of For the People Act — H.R. 1 Election Reform Bill. naacp.org Contact: Malik Russell /mrussell@naacpnet.org BALTIMORE (March 8, 2019)—The nation's leading civil rights organization issued the following statement regarding today's passage of groundbreaking election reform bill For the People Act/H.R. 1 by the U.S. House of Representatives. "The For the People Act represents a powerful effort to reinforce the truest principles of our democracy and pushes …
(2019-03-08). Immigrant Advocates Just Got JPMorgan Chase to Stop Financing Private Prisons. thenation.com Javier H. Valdés, Ana María Archila Immigrant Advocates Just Got JPMorgan Chase to Stop Financing Private Prisons…
(2019-03-08). International Women's Day 2019: We have had enough of Trump and the war on women. fightbacknews.org Enough is enough. Trump, his administration, and his backers are waging war on women, and millions of women are making it clear that we are not going to be pushed backwards. From the massive Women's Marches, to the midterm elections, to the constant, everyday resistance, women are standing up against Trump's reactionary agenda. | Trump and his supporters in the Senate want to pack the Supreme Court and roll back reproductive rights, and they have gotten a start by appointing the drunken misogynist Brett Kavanaugh. Accompanying the administrations outrageous policy of placing immigrants in detention, Trump's Justi…
(2019-03-08). International Women's Day—Made in the U.S.A. peoplesworld.org 
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (1890-1964), known as "The Rebel Girl," was one of the premier labor activists and leaders of the struggle for women's equality in the 20th century. She was an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World, a founding member of the ACLU, and later in life the Chairperson of the Communist Party …
(2019-03-08). Champion U.S. women's soccer team sues soccer federation for sexual discrimination. peoplesworld.org 
LOS ANGELES—The medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team may be repeat champions on the field, but they've been treated like chumps by the U.S. Soccer Federation. And now they've gone to court to prove it and to stop it. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on March 8—International Women's Day—all 28 …
(2019-03-08). Refusing to "Snitch," Whistleblower Chelsea Manning Becomes Two-Time Political Prisoner. mintpressnews.com 
"I will not participate in a secret process that I morally object to, particularly one that has been historically used to entrap and persecute activists for protected political speech." — Chelsea Manning…
(2019-03-08). Debate over Ilhan Omar Highlights New Willingness in U.S. to Question Power of Pro-Israeli Lobby. democracynow.org 
Following a week of debate surrounding Democratic Congressmember Ilhan Omar's comments about U.S. foreign policy in Israel, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution Thursday condemning anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim discrimination, white supremacy and other forms of hate. We host a discussion with Gideon Levy, Haaretz columnist and member of the newspaper's editorial board; Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies who serves on the national board of Jewish Voice for Peace; and Remi Kanazi, a Palestinian-American poet, writer and organizer based in New York City.
(2019-03-08). It's Time to Tell the Truth: Israeli Journalist Gideon Levy Supports Ilhan Omar's Critique of Israel. democracynow.org 
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution Thursday condemning anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim discrimination, white supremacy and other forms of hate, following a week of debate among congressional Democrats. The controversy began after some lawmakers accused Democratic Congressmember Ilhan Omar of invoking anti-Semitic tropes while questioning U.S. foreign policy on Israel. The House leadership initially drafted a resolution condemning anti-Semitism in what was seen as a direct rebuke of Omar. But many progressive Democrats said Omar, one of the first two Muslim Congresswoman in U.S. history, wa…
(2019-03-08). Ilhan Omar in Her Own Words: I Know What Hate Feels Like. democracynow.org 
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution Thursday condemning anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim discrimination, white supremacy and other forms of hate. The vote was 407 to 23, with nearly two dozen Republicans voting against it. The vote capped a week of intense debate among congressional Democrats that began after some lawmakers accused Democratic Congressmember Ilhan Omar of invoking anti-Semitic tropes while questioning U.S. foreign policy on Israel at an event last week. Omar said, "I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegianc…
(2019-03-08). Sparked by Ilhan Omar's 'Valid Criticism' of Israel, House Passes 'Anti-Hate' Resolution. mintpressnews.com 
"We're happy to see a resolution that condemns real bigotry, rather than going after Rep. Ilhan Omar and her vision of a world free of racism and oppression."
(2019-03-08). NAACP'S RESPONDS TO GEORGIA STATE SENATE'S DECISION TO PROTECT CONFEDERATE STATUES. naacp.org BALTIMORE — President and CEO of the NAACP Derrick Johnson issued the following statement regarding the Georgia State Senate's passage a bill this week that will further protect Confederate monuments, increase penalties for vandalism and prevent local governments from removing them: "The NAACP stands with its Georgia State Conference and branches in condemning the Georgia Senate's …
(2019-03-08). Trump's Former Campaign Boss Manafort Sentenced to 47 Months. truthdig.com ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced Thursday to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. | Manafort, sitting in a wheelchair as he deals with complications from gout, showed no visible reaction as he heard the 47-month sentence. | The sentence caps the only jury trial following indictments stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. It was not related to Manafort's role in Donald Trump's presidential campa…
(2019-03-08). Chelsea Manning Jailed for Refusing to Testify on WikiLeaks. truthdig.com ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning has been sent to jail for refusing to testify to a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. | U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton ordered Manning to jail for contempt of court on Friday after a brief hearing in which Manning confirmed she has no intention of testifying. She told the judge she "will accept whatever you bring upon me." | Manning has said she objects to the secrecy of the grand jury process, and that she already revealed everything she knows at her court martial. | The judge said she will remain jailed until she testifies or until the…
(2019-03-08). Headlines for March 8, 2019. democracynow.org Former Trump Campaign Chair Paul Manafort Sentenced to 47-Month Term, House Condemns Anti-Semitism and Bigotry Amid Debate over Ilhan Omar, Venezuelan President Maduro Blames U.S. Sabotage for Massive Blackout, Israel Bans Coalition of Arab Parties from April Election, France: Archbishop of Lyon Sentenced for Child Sexual Abuse Cover-Up, Greenland's Melt Is Accelerated by Rainfall, Even During Winter, Chelsea Manning Jailed for Contempt After Refusing to Testify on WikiLeaks, Sacramento, CA: Protests Continue over Killing of Stephon Clark, Florida: Ex-Cop Guilty in Shooting Death of Black Motorist, Boulder, CO: C…
(2019-03-08). Forced Blood Draws & Implied Consent Laws Make a Mockery of the Fourth Amendment. counterpunch.org "The Fourth Amendment was designed to stand between us and arbitrary governmental authority. For all practical purposes, that shield has been shattered, leaving our liberty and personal integrity subject to the whim of every cop on the beat, trooper on the highway and jail official." —Herman Schwartz, The Nation You think you've got rights? Think More
(2019-03-08). On Bernie, Trump, and Racism. zcomm.org Interview on Sanders' presidential chances and how he has progressed on race issues…
(2019-03-08). Labour's Fight Over Israel Long Time in Coming. consortiumnews.com The party is being dragged into the modern world by Corbyn's anti-racist leadership towards Palestinians, writes Jonathan Cook. By JonathanCook Jonathan-Cook.net An announcement this week by the Jewish Labour Movement that it is considering splitting from the British Labour Party… Read more →
(2019-03-08). Socialist Alliance candidate: 'Help us build a new society'. greenleft.org.au 
Lead Socialist Alliance candidate for the Legislative Council in the NSW election Rachel Evans gave this speech to a Justice Action election forum on February 25. | *** | Australia was once the "Lucky Country". Now it has become the "Lucky-If-You-Are-Rich Country". | Banks and big corporations are ripping us off. Their profits are soaring while wages are falling. The richest 1% now own more wealth than the bottom 70% combined. | Poverty has risen and has been criminalised. More people are being imprisoned, often for minor crimes committed while on remand and awaiting trial. | Prisons are being privatised and ther…
(2019-03-08). Whistleblower Chelsea Manning jailed for refusing to testify against Julian Assange. wsws.org A federal judge ordered Manning to prison Friday on contempt charges for refusing to provide testimony against WikiLeaks and its publisher Julian Assange.
(2019-03-08). 'Grand alliance' threatens Venezuela. greenleft.org.au 
Capitalist party politics in the United States remains in turmoil. There are investigations into President Donald Trump's alleged collusion with Russia to steal the 2016 elections, and into his corrupt business practices on one side, and Trump's mobilisation of his white racist base on the other. Republicans and Democrats are at each other's throats. Factionalism exists in both parties. | It may seem surprising, then, that almost all Democratic members of Congress are joining with the likes of Donald Trump, Mike Pence, John Bolton and Elliot Abrams in support of the Washington-organised attempt to overthrow the g…
(2019-03-08). Day Before Women's Day, SF City Workers Speak Out Against Discrimination & Racism. indybay.org One day before Women's Day, hundreds of San Francisco city workers protested against the attacks on public workers and public services in San Francisco. Many talked about systemic discrimination, racism and outsourcing and privatization by the Mayor and Micki Callahan, the Human Resources Director.
(2019-03-08). Russiagate won't die: Moscow will 'shank' Paul Manafort in prison, MSNBC analyst predicts. rt.com 
Paul Manafort's 4-year prison sentence will allow Moscow to more easily murder him, MSNBC's favorite Russia expert has declared — never mind that the presiding judge said the case had nothing to do with "Russian collusion."
(2019-03-08). Chelsea Manning Faces Contempt Charge After Refusal to Answer Grand Jury Questions. theantimedia.com (CD) — Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning expressed no regrets Thursday when she revealed that she faces a contempt hearing— and possible jail time—after declining to answer a grand jury's questions. Manning appeared before a grand jury Wednesday after being subpoenaed, apparently to discuss her 2010 disclosure of government and military documents about the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq …
(2019-03-08). John Pilger: The prisoner says no to Big Brother. greenleft.org.au 
Whenever I visit Julian Assange, we meet in a room he knows too well. There is a bare table and pictures of Ecuador on the walls. There is a bookcase where the books never change. The curtains are always drawn and there is no natural light. The air is still and fetid. | This is Room 101. | Before I enter Room 101, I must surrender my passport and phone. My pockets and possessions are examined. The food I bring is inspected. | The man who guards Room 101 sits in what looks like an old-fashioned telephone box. He watches a screen, watching Julian. There are others unseen, agents of the state, watching and listening…
(2019-03-08). Chelsea Manning Sent Back to Prison. theantimedia.com (CD) — Chelsea Manning won't be bullied by the federal government, she told supporters on Friday. In a move her defenders called "an outrageous government overreach and absolutely inhumane," Manning was remanded to federal prison for contempt on Friday morning due to her refusal to testify in a secret grand jury hearing Wednesday. "I will not comply with this, or …
(2019-03-08). 'I Will Not Comply': Chelsea Manning Sent Back to Prison Over Grand Jury Refusal. commondreams.org Chelsea Manning was remanded to federal prison on Friday morning, sparking outrage from supporters. "For making the American people aware of crimes committed by their government in their name the US government has repeatedly persecuted her. " | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/chelsea.manning.remand_0.jpg…
(2019-03-08). Ilhan Omar in Her Own Words: I Know What Hate Feels Like. truthout.org The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution Thursday condemning anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim discrimination, white supremacy and other forms of hate. The vote was 407 to 23, with nearly two dozen Republicans voting against it. The vote capped a week of intense debate among congressional Democrats that began after some lawmakers accused Democratic Congressmember Ilhan Omar of invoking anti-Semitic tropes while questioning U.S. foreign policy on Israel at an event last week. Omar said, "I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegi…
(2019-03-08). Chelsea Manning jailed for refusing to testify on WikiLeaks. rt.com 
US army whistleblower Chelsea Manning has been taken into custody for contempt of court after refusing to testify in front of a grand jury in what's believed to be the case against WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange.
(2019-03-08). Chelsea Manning Is Jailed After Refusal to Answer Questions. truthout.org Editor's Note: Manning has since been taken into police custody.Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning expressed no regrets Thursday when she revealed that she faces a contempt hearing — and possible jail time — after declining to answer a grand jury's questions. | Manning appeared before a grand jury Wednesday after being subpoenaed, apparently to discuss her 2010 disclosure of government and military documents about the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to Wikileaks.
(2019-03-08). 'We Deserved to Be Paid Equally': Reigning Women's World Cup Champions Sue US Soccer Over Gender Discrimination. commondreams.org As the global community celebrated International Women's Day on Friday, all 28 members of the World Cup-winning U.S. women's national soccer team filed a federal class-action lawsuit accusing the United States Soccer Federation of "institutionalized gender discrimination." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/world_cup_2015_gettyimages-479601018.jpg…
(2019-03-08). Parents, Civil Rights Groups Sue Maryland For Underfunding Public Schools. therealnews.com 
The State of Maryland is facing fresh allegations of failing to adequately fund majority black schools, according to a brief jointly filed by parents, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and NAACP Legal Defense fund on Thursday, March 7.
(2019-03-07). NAACP Joins NABJ in Criticism of CNN's Lack of Diversity in Leadership Positions. naacp.org Civil Rights Group Voices Concerns over Diversity Failure to CNN BALTIMORE — The nation's foremost civil rights organization issued the following response to CNN President Jeff Zucker's refusal to address the lack of diversity in leadership positions: "It is vital that news organizations reflect the diversity of our country, which includes people of color in …
(2019-03-07). SPLC joins civil rights groups in friend-of-the-court brief urging Supreme Court to uphold fair, non-partisan redistricting principles. splcenter.org The U.S. Supreme Court this month will hear oral arguments in two cases that will test the court's readiness to tackle the issue of partisan gerrymandering.
(2019-03-07). Following sustained campaign, JP Morgan Chase and Co divests from private prison operators. peoplesdispatch.org More than 85 civil rights groups in the country had formed a coalition and urged the bank to stop lending to firms which run private prisons for profit. Firms such as GEO Group and CoreCivic have reportedly spent USD 25 million on lobbying over the past three decades to push for harsher criminal justice and immigration laws…
(2019-03-07). The Government Is Detaining and Interrogating Journalists and Advocates at the US-Mexico Border. aclu.org DHS created a list of people who were reporting on or working with the migrant caravan to flag for lengthy questioning at the U.S. border. | In what looks like a coordinated attack on constitutional rights, the U.S. government has reportedly been targeting journalists, activists, and lawyers working to raise awareness of issues facing migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. | On Wednesday, the NBC affiliate in San Diego revealed leaked docu…
(2019-03-07). Dear Young Doris Ann… naacp.org 
It's Women's History Month! The NAACP will be sharing letters written by our regional Women In the NAACP (WIN) Coordinators to their younger self. Our first highlight comes from Doris Ann Cabaniss Shipman of Region 5. Dear Ann, Knowing you as a strong-willed young girl, with unending potential, I am giving you this message, to …
(2019-03-07). Andrew Bacevich: The U.S.-Saudi Relationship Is a Principal Source of Instability in the Middle East. democracynow.org 
We look at a number of recent developments in U.S.-Saudi relations, a day after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a confirmation hearing for retired four-star general John Abizaid to become U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. On Monday, the Trump administration gave a private briefing to senators on the investigation into the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October. Senators slammed the briefing for providing no new information. Meanwhile, The New York Times has revealed new details about the jailing and torture of a doctor with…
(2019-03-07). Chelsea Manning Jailed for Not Testifying Against WikiLeaks. telesurenglish.net Wikileaks whistleblower, Chelsea Manning, was jailed Friday after refusing to testify to a secret grand jury two days earlier in an on-going investigation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. | RELATED: | Chelsea Manning Challenges Subpoena to Testify Against Assange | On Friday Manning returned to a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia for a closed contempt hearing where U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton told Manning that she would remain in federal custody "until she pu…
(2019-03-07). Anti-Semitism vs. Anti-Zionism in France. consortiumnews.com Lawrence Davidson dismantles Macron's equation of apples and oranges. By Lawrence Davidson TothePointAnalysis.com We are at a new stage of the fight to realize Palestinian rights and free both Palestinians and Jews from the consequences of Zionist racism. There was… Read more →
(2019-03-07). Cornel West on Bernie, Trump, and Racism. theintercept.com Taking a lesson from his 2016 loss to Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders is dedicating more time in his speeches to discussing systemic racism and discrimination. Will it be enough to win over black voters?
(2019-03-07). Manafort gets 4 years in prison for financial crimes unrelated to Russia. rt.com 
Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison for fraud and other financial crimes entirely unrelated to Russia, in the only trial so far to emerge from Robert Mueller's 'Russiagate' probe.
(2019-03-06). South Florida students rally on anniversary of Trayvon Martin's murder. fightbacknews.org Tampa, FL – On February 28, the Tampa Bay chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a Black Lives Matter rally at the University of South Florida for the seventh anniversary of Trayvon Martin's death. In 2012, Trayvon Martin, 17, was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, after returning from a nearby gas station. The trial of Zimmerman became a national phenomenon with him walking free due to Florida's 'stand your ground' law. The shooting is still fresh on Florida's mind, with many questioning the judicial system that let a man off with murder. | The protest was aimed at the jud…
(2019-03-06). As National Socialist Movement Falls Into Disarray, League of the South, Neo-Nazi Billy Roper Seek To Pick Off Members. splcenter.org After a black civil rights advocate took over the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement (NSM), Kynan Dutton had enough.
(2019-03-06). Kirstjen Nielsen Continues to Insist That There Is No Family Separation Policy. aclu.org During her congressional testimony, Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen dodged questions about her department's vicious border policies. | Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen testified on Wednesday before the House Committee on Homeland Security, just days after the House passed a resolution to overturn President Trump's emergency declaration on the border wall. | Nielsen has helped Trump push lies and fabrications about the supposed security crisis at the border, when in fact the only crisis…
(2019-03-06). Headlines for March 6, 2019. democracynow.org NY Regulators Probe Trump Org. Insurance Company, BLM Occupies Sacramento Police Dept. After Police Get Off for Killing Stephon Clark, Whistleblower: Chicago PD Tried to Falsify Report on Shooting of Unarmed Black Teen, House Updates Anti-Semitism Resolution to Include Islamophobia, Alabama Tornado Kills At Least 23, 8 Still Missing, U.K. Labour Leader Calls for End to Israeli Arms Sales, Egypt: Noted Photojournalist Shawkan Released After 5 Years in Jail, White House Rejects Dems' Request for Security Clearance Info, CNN: Trump Pressured Staff to Grant Security Clearance for Ivanka | , GOP Senators Confirm 37-Ye…
(2019-03-05). NAACP Calls for Justice in Stephon Clark Case. naacp.org Joins Sacramento Branch in Condemning DA's Failure to Charge Police Officers in Murder of Stephon Clark BALTIMORE (March 5, 2019)—The nation's foremost civil rights organization joins its NAACP Sacramento Branch in condemning Sacramento District Attorney Marie Schubert's decision to not charge Sacramento Police officers Terrence Mercadel and Jared Robinet with murder for the killing of …
(2019-03-05). Congress, Let's Fix the Problems in H.R. 1 So We Can Enact the Bill's Much-Needed Reforms. aclu.org As currently drafted, the For the People Act of 2019 violates the First Amendment rights of American citizens and public-interest organizations. | Members of Congress are expected to vote this week on H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019. There is a lot to like about the bill. , , To begin, its aim is to strengthen and expand participation in our democracy. We are at a crucial moment where our democratic institutions are not adequately protecting the will of the people, and we strongly support the goals of H.R. 1 to correct these infirmities. , , But, as we de…
(2019-03-05). Ending the NSA's Massive Phone Spying Program Would Be a Good Start — But There's a Lot More to Do. aclu.org The successor to the NSA's bulk surveillance program revealed by Snowden is reportedly being abandoned. Congress needs to make sure it stays dead. | We may be one step closer to putting the final nail in the coffin of the National Security Agency's massive phone records surveillance program, if a New York Times report bears out. Ending this program is a good first step, but as Congress debates expiring Patriot Act provisions this year, it needs to do much more to protect individual rights, including eliminating t…
(2019-03-05). Headlines for March 5, 2019. democracynow.org Judiciary Committee Launches Probe into 81 Trump Associates and Groups, New Yorker Report Details Trump's Deep Ties to Fox News, Groundwater in 39 States Contaminated by Coal Ash Waste, Dem Leaders Rebuke Alleged Anti-Semitic Remarks by Rep. Omar, U.S. Closes Jerusalem Consulate, Rights Groups Say Jailed Saudi Women Activists Tortured, Sexually Assaulted, Report: Khashoggi's Body Was Burned in Oven at Saudi Diplomat's Home, NYT: Detained U.S. Citizen Allegedly Tortured in Saudi Custody | , South Korea Calls for Resumption of Talks Between Trump and Kim, North Carolina Reschedules 9th District Election After Voter…
(2019-03-05). How Two Immigration Lawyers Created a Rapid-Response Team to Combat ICE. theintercept.com 
Sarah Gillman and Gregory Copeland were half way through a six-hour drive from Rochester to New York City last week when they got word that Baba Sillah, a father of five from the Bronx, was at John F. Kennedy International Airport, about to be deported to Gambia, a country he had left in the early 1990s. | It had been a long two days for the lawyers. On their way upstate, they had stopped by the Bergen County Jail, in New Jersey, to meet a Bangladeshi father facing imminent deportation. They had then driven to Buffalo, New York, where they trained a 21-year-old law student to argue the case of an Albany man, Kini…