Creating a Crucial Path Forward After Prison
Robert Scheer | truthdig.com | 2019-04-13
Susan Burton, the co-author of " Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women," says she never stood a chance in today's America. Her childhood was marked with abuse and racism, and the inexplicable fatal shooting of her 5-year-old son by a cop in South Los Angeles drove her to alcoholism, which ultimately led to her incarceration. | Her tragic story reflects certain realities for those with similar backgrounds. As Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer recounts in a conversation…
truthdig.com/articles/creating-a-crucial-path-forward-after-prison/

What Wikileaks and Assange have revealed to the world
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-04-13
UWI reviews Wikileaks most important revelations On April 11, 2019, Wikileaks co-founder and editor Julian Assange was imprisoned. After his Ecuadorian citizenship being annulled, he was arrested inside the South American country's embassy in London where he had lived for 7 years. His next court date is set to take place on May 2. While …
uwidata.com/3068-what-wikileaks-and-assange-have-revealed-to-the-world/

Hero's Camp Plaintiffs Demand City Provide Indoor Shelter for Entire Homeless Population in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz News | indybay.org | 2019-04-13
Today, homeless residents of the Hero's Camp, who are suing the City of Santa Cruz to prevent their eviction, held a press conference to officially announce the lawsuit. Following the press conference, representative Alicia Kuhl announced that the group is demanding the city provide indoor shelter space for for the "entire" homeless population in Santa Cruz before the encampment, which is located next to Ross Dress for Less and the Gateway Plaza, be vacated.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/04/12/18822715.php

Sri Lankan writer imprisoned at instigation of Buddhist extremists
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-04-13
The SEP and the IYSSE condemn the arrest of award-winning Sri Lankan author Shakthika Sathkumara and demand his immediate release.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/04/13/writ-a13.html

Trump officials discussed using troops to run migrant detention camps
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-04-13
Trump has been able to carry through his anti-immigrant program, despite popular opposition, because the Democrats have done nothing to seriously oppose it.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/04/13/immi-a13.html

ACLU Letter to Santa Cruz City Council Opposes Ross Camp Closure
Santa Cruz News | indybay.org | 2019-04-13
On April 8, the ACLU of Northern California and the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty sent a joint letter to the Santa Cruz City Council opposing the closure of the Ross homeless encampment. "[W]e are concerned about any plan to criminalize the living behaviors of residents of the Ross Camp, either directly or indirectly. Due to the lack of available shelter bed, Martin bars the City from carrying out such a plan," the letter states.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/04/10/18822673.php

Historic Lawsuit Filed by Homeless People in Santa Cruz to Block Eviction of Survival Camp
reposted | indybay.org | 2019-04-13
Hero's Camp (behind Ross at the Gateway Plaza), River Street, Santa Cruz…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/04/11/18822707.php

Supporters to rally in defence of Assange outside Belmarsh Prison, London
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-04-13
The protests organised by the Julian Assange Defence Committee and supported by the Socialist Equality Party (UK) and the WSWS will be held from 4pm today.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/04/13/ints-a13.html

Civil Rights Groups and Pro-war Republicans–An unholy Alliance in the Soft War Against China
Julia Kassem | counterpunch.org | 2019-04-12
Last month, Mike Pompeo, amidst his soft war campaign to undermine the governments of Venezuela, Iran, and Lebanon, expressed concern for the 'abhorrent' allegations of Chinese Muslim internment. Pompeo, currently working to destabilize a number of Global South nations and groups, did not suddenly develop a moral consciousness for the plight of Muslims. Rather, his…
counterpunch.org/2019/04/12/civil-rights-groups-and-pro-war-republicans-an-unholy-alliance-in-the-soft-war-against-china/

What Ivanka Told Us About Trump's Meeting With el-Sisi
Robert Fisk | counterpunch.org | 2019-04-12
Ivanka Trump, daughter of the US president and wife of Middle East "expert" Jared Kushner — he who has supposedly produced a Middle East "peace plan" to be revealed after Benjamin Netanyahu wins the Israeli elections — has just given her support to a regime which has locked up women political prisoners, "disappeared" others, and whose army forcibly carried out virginity tests…
counterpunch.org/2019/04/12/what-ivanka-told-us-about-trumps-meeting-with-el-sisi/

The Unfinished Gaza War: What Netanyahu Hopes to Gain from Attacking Palestinian Prisoners
Ramzy Baroud | counterpunch.org | 2019-04-12
The current violence targeting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails dates back to January 2. It was then that Israel's Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan declared that the "party is over." "Every so often, infuriating pictures appear of cooking in the terrorist wings. This party is coming to an end," Erdan was quoted in the Jerusalem…
counterpunch.org/2019/04/12/the-unfinished-gaza-war-what-netanyahu-hopes-to-gain-from-attacking-palestinian-prisoners/

Democratic Candidates Say They Support Reparations. Do They Mean It?
STAFF | truthout.org | 2019-04-12
The 2020 presidential primary season is just beginning, but it's clear already that the Democratic contenders are mapping a route to the White House that runs smack dab through Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) told reporters in February that she supports reparations for African Americans. | "We must confront the dark history of slavery and government-sanctioned discrimination in this country that has had many consequences incl…
truthout.org/articles/democratic-candidates-say-they-support-reparations-do-they-mean-it/

Bernie Sanders Wants Incarcerated People to Vote. Here's Why He's Right
Chandra Bozelko | commondreams.org | 2019-04-12
A Puerto Rican prison inmate casts his ballot, as prisoners voted two days early in the Democratic primary, at Correctional Institute 501, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on May 30, 2008. (Photo: Brennan Linsley / AP file) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/prison_0.jpeg…
commondreams.org/views/2019/04/12/bernie-sanders-wants-incarcerated-people-vote-heres-why-hes-right?cd-origin=rss

Shredding Asylum: the Arrest of Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2019-04-12
The man seemed like a bearded emissary, a holy figure nabbed in his sleep. He looked similarly pale as to how he did in 2013, but he cut a more shocking figure. Most prisoners would have had room to move in a compound. The Ecuadorean embassy in London only offered modest space and access to…
counterpunch.org/2019/04/12/shredding-asylum-the-arrest-of-julian-assange/

Shredding Asylum: The Arrest of Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-04-12
The man seemed like a bearded emissary, a holy figure nabbed in his sleep. He looked similarly pale as to how he did in 2013, but he cut a more shocking figure. Most prisoners would have had room to move in a compound. The Ecuadorean embassy in London only offered modest space and access to …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/04/shredding-asylum-the-arrest-of-julian-assange/

Rise in suicide attempts in Texas prisons alarms advocates
Jake Bleiberg | peoplesworld.org | 2019-04-12
peoplesworld.org/article/rise-in-suicide-attempts-in-texas-prisons-alarms-advocates/

Senators Take Step Forward on Voting Rights Restoration
STAFF | truthout.org | 2019-04-12
Maryland Senator Ben Cardin introduced on Tuesday the Democracy Restoration Act (or DRA), which would restore federal voting rights to Americans who are not in prison but are nevertheless denied the right to vote because of prior criminal convictions. The Senate bill follows the historic passage of the For the People Act in the House of Representatives last month, which included a similar provision to restore voting rights. | "We are in a moment where Americans are demanding free, fair, and accessible elections," the B…
truthout.org/articles/senators-take-step-forward-on-voting-rights-restoration/

Shredding Asylum: The Arrest of Julian Assange
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2019-04-12
The man seemed like a bearded emissary, a holy figure nabbed in his sleep. He looked similarly pale as to how he did in 2013, but he cut a more shocking figure. Most prisoners would have had room to move …
globalresearch.ca/arrest-julian-assange/5674217

Assange's 'Conspiracy' to Expose War Crimes Has Already Been Punished
Joe Emersberger | fair.org | 2019-04-12
by Joe Emersberger | WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should never have been punished for working with a whistleblower to expose war crimes. Chelsea Manning, the whistleblower, has done more time in prison, under harsher conditions, than William Calley, a key perpetrator of the My Lai massacre. Remarkably, Manning is in jail again, failed by organizations that should unreservedly defend he…
fair.org/home/assanges-conspiracy-to-expose-war-crimes-has-already-been-punished/

Rapper Stormzy just made an epic stand against racism
Fréa Lockley | thecanary.co | 2019-04-12
Rapper and activist Stormzy just took an epic stand against racism. He cancelled a headline gig at an Austrian festival. And his reasons for … | Read more Rapper Stormzy just made an epic stand against racism | By Fréa Lockley…
thecanary.co/trending/2019/04/12/rapper-stormzy-just-made-an-epic-stand-against-racism/

Why the Highlander Attack Matters
Robin D.G. Kelley, Makani Themba | thenation.com | 2019-04-12
Why the Highlander Attack Matters…
thenation.com/article/highlander-attack-arson-racism/

No longer anonymous: MSU student breaks silence on campus sexual assault
Al Neal | peoplesworld.org | 2019-04-12
Last year a courageous victim of sexual assault at Michigan State University, known only to the public as "Jane Doe," filed a lawsuit against her three attackers, and shined a light on MSU's culture of silence when allegations of sexual assault arise. On April 11, exactly one year after filing the legal complaint and four years …
peoplesworld.org/article/no-longer-anonymous-msu-student-breaks-silence-on-campus-sexual-assault/

'A More Just and Equitable Future': Advocates Welcome Markey's Privacy Bill of Rights
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-04-12
Advocates for strengthening personal data protections welcomed Sen. Ed Markey's Privacy Bill of Rights Act, introduced Friday, as "necessary to ensuring that fairness, privacy, and civil rights flourish in the internet age." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-109661575211.jpg…
commondreams.org/news/2019/04/12/more-just-and-equitable-future-advocates-welcome-markeys-privacy-bill-rights?cd-origin=rss

Toe the line or go to jail: Tulsi Gabbard says Assange arrest is a message to Americans
RT | rt.com | 2019-04-12
2020 candidate Tulsi Gabbard has spoken out against the US government's plans to extradite and punish WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, calling it a "blow to transparency and a blow to a free press." | …
rt.com/usa/456343-tulsi-gabbard-assange-arrest/

How You Can Be Certain the US Charge Against Assange is Fraudulent
Caitlin Johnstone | theantimedia.com | 2019-04-12
(CJ Opinion) — Julian Assange sits in a jail cell today after being betrayed by the Ecuadorian government and his home country of Australia. A British judge named Michael Snow has found the WikiLeaks founder guilty of violating bail conditions, inserting himself into the annals of history by labeling Assange "a narcissist who cannot get beyond his own …
theantimedia.com/us-charge-against-assange-fraudulent/

Protesters Call on UK to #FreeAssange Outside British Embassy in Washington DC
Alexander Rubinstein | theantimedia.com | 2019-04-12
(MPN) — Demonstrators gathered on Thursday — just hours after the arrest of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange by UK authorities — outside of the British Embassy in Washington D.C. to denounce the unprecedented affront to freedom of the press. Protesters also took the opportunity to highlight the injustice of the jailing of Chelsea Manning over her refusal to …
theantimedia.com/protesters-free-assange-british-embassy/

The US Government is Still Fighting to Keep the Truth About CIA Torture Secret
Derrick Broze | theantimedia.com | 2019-04-12
The U.S. government is still afraid to reveal the full extent of torture used on terror suspects in the years following the 9/11 attacks, but do the American people even care anymore? (TMU) — A recent report by The New York Times explores the case of Majid Khan, a prisoner of the United States who plead …
theantimedia.com/government-fighting-truth-cia-torture-secret/

Worldwide outrage over arrest of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-04-12
After nearly seven years of confinement to the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Assange now faces the possibility of a year in a UK prison and extradition to the United States.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/04/12/wiki-a12.html

Indian elections: the challenges of unseating a racist
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-04-12
Elections in India will take place from April 11 to May 23. Green Left Weekly's Susan Price spoke to Kavita Krishnan, a member of the politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation (CPI-ML) about their campaign to challenge Narendra Modi's far-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. | In which seats is the CPI-ML fielding candidates? Are there opportunities for the left to coordinate efforts to defeat the BJP? | The CPI-ML is contesting 22 seats [across 10 states]: 4 in Bihar; 3 each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab; 2 each in West Bengal, Jharkand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu…
greenleft.org.au/content/indian-elections-challenges-unseating-racist

Single mother takes action against ParentsNext 'mission impossible'
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-04-12
Single mother of three Juanita McLaren lodged a complaint in the United Nations in March against the Australian government over its discrimination against single mothers. | McLaren is being supported by the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children which wants the parenting payments' scheme and the newly-introduced ParentsNext program to be held up to greater scrutiny. | Since 2012, single parents have been moved from the single parenting payment (now $384.25 a week) to the News…
greenleft.org.au/content/single-mother-takes-action-against-parentsnext-mission-impossible

The American Public Deserves to See the Mueller Report With as Few Redactions as Possible
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-04-11
Considering the "extraordinary public interest" in the Mueller report, any redactions made by Attorney General Barr must be limited and defensible. | Few matters are of greater public interest than the contents of the report produced by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his recently completed investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, alleged collusion with the Trump administration, and any interference with the Mueller investigation. Attorney General William Barr has conceded that there is extraordinary public interest in the report. Yet there remain grave concerns that he will r…
aclu.org/blog/executive-branch/american-public-deserves-see-mueller-report-few-redactions-possible

The Unfinished Gaza War: What Netanyahu Hopes to Gain from Attacking Palestinian Prisoners
Ramzy Baroud | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-04-11
The current violence targeting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails dates back to January 2. It was then that Israel's Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan declared that the "party is over." "Every so often, infuriating pictures appear of cooking in the terrorist wings. This party is coming to an end," Erdan was quoted in the Jerusalem …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/04/the-unfinished-gaza-war-what-netanyahu-hopes-to-gain-from-attacking-palestinian-prisoners/

Beyond Prisons: Message From Liberation Through Reading
Beyond Prisons | shadowproof.com | 2019-04-11
The following is a quick message delivered on behalf of our friends at Liberation Through Reading. | They have an event coming up in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, April 13th at the A-Space (4722 Baltimore Avenue) from 12PM-4PM, gifting Black children with free Black books. Details are below. | Contact Erica Caines at ericacaines@gmail.com | | In almost 2 years, #LiberationThroughReading has gifted well over 1000 BRAND NEW representative books to Black children of all reading levels. Each book gifted features Black characters and written by Black authors. | After hosting several events in Anne Arundel County,…
shadowproof.com/2019/04/11/beyond-prisons-message-from-liberation-through-reading/

'Love After Lockup' and Its Subtle Message of Prison Abolition
Malcolm Harris | thenation.com | 2019-04-11
'Love After Lockup' and Its Subtle Message of Prison Abolition…
thenation.com/article/love-after-lockup-tv-show-reality-review/

As Brazil descends into fascism, UK MPs call for the 'world's most prominent political prisoner' to be freed
John McEvoy | thecanary.co | 2019-04-11
Former presidential frontrunner Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — known as Lula — was jailed in April 2018. One year later, his prosecutors are … | Read more As Brazil descends into fascism, UK MPs call for the 'world's most prominent political prisoner' to be freed | By John McEvoy…
thecanary.co/discovery/analysis-discovery/2019/04/11/as-brazil-descends-into-fascism-uk-mps-call-for-the-worlds-most-prominent-political-prisoner-to-be-freed/

Ahmed Abu Artema on the Palestinian Great March of Return
Esty Dinur | progressive.org | 2019-04-11
"The only possible option for them is to continue knocking on the walls of their prison with the hope that the world will hear them."
progressive.org/dispatches/ahmed-abu-artema-palestinian-great-march-of-return-dinur-190411/

Betsy DeVos Uses a Racist Research Study to Defend Rescinding Obama-Era Discipline Guidance
Rann Miller | progressive.org | 2019-04-11
The researchers argued that disparities in disciplining of black and white students are due to "prior problem behavior."
progressive.org/public-school-shakedown/betsy-devos-uses-racist-research-study-miller-190411/

Sacked Tory bigot generates as much media controversy as you'd expect
John Shafthauer | thecanary.co | 2019-04-11
The Tory adviser Roger Scruton indulged in some choice racism the other day — a move which saw him lose his position: On Roger … | Read more Sacked Tory bigot generates as much media controversy as you'd expect | By John Shafthauer…
thecanary.co/off-the-perch/2019/04/11/sacked-tory-bigot-generates-as-much-media-controversy-as-youd-expect/

NAACP'S RESPONSE TO THE ARREST OF SUSPECT IN THE LOUISIANA CHURCH BURNINGS
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2019-04-11
BALTIMORE — The NAACP issued the following statement regarding the arrest of Holden Matthews in connection to fires at three historically Black churches in Louisiana: "The arrest of Holden Matthews for the horrific burnings of Black churches in Louisiana is just another example of the hate-fueled times that we live in. In African-American communities in …
naacp.org/latest/naacps-response-arrest-suspect-louisiana-church-burnings/

Unsealed Assange indictment proves Chelsea Manning's imprisonment is 'purely punitive' — legal team
RT | rt.com | 2019-04-11
Chelsea Manning's team has demanded her release in light of the revelation that US charges against Julian Assange were filed over a year before her arrest on contempt charges — proving her prosecution has been "purely punitive." | …
rt.com/usa/456293-manning-demands-release-punitive-assange/

Parkland victims file 22 lawsuits claiming negligence led to bloodshed
RT | rt.com | 2019-04-11
A barrage of lawsuits filed by Parkland victims and survivors blame Broward County Sheriff's Office and the school district for their failure to prevent the massacre, alleging gross negligence by officials. | …
rt.com/usa/456183-parkland-shooting-lawsuits-negligence/

Assange's prosecution would be 'unconstitutional' & may backfire on US journalists — ACLU
RT | rt.com | 2019-04-11
In response to the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in London, the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU) Ben Wizner released a statement highlighting the serious danger his prosecution would pose for all journalists. | …
rt.com/usa/456258-assange-prosecution-dangers-aclu/

No fair trial awaits Assange at US 'Espionage Court,' only more charges — CIA whistleblower Kiriakou
RT | rt.com | 2019-04-11
WikiLeaks' Julian Assange is facing extradition and a trial at a US court infamous for sending whistleblowers to jail. CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, whose case was tried there says there won't be a fair trial for Assange. | …
rt.com/usa/456274-kiriakou-assange-arrest-trial/

The American People Support LGBTQ Equality. Congress Should Too
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-04-10
Opponents of equality are spewing myths about transgender people and nondiscrimination protections on Capitol Hill. | In the past seven days, the House of Representatives has held two historic hearings on the Equality Act, HR 5, a bipartisan bill that would add explicit protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to our civil rights laws, and update the laws to provide increased protection for all women and people of color. What was most notable from…
aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/lgbt-nondiscrimination-protections/american-people-support-lgbtq-equality-congress

The BE HEARD Act Will Overhaul Workplace Harassment Laws
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-04-10
The groundbreaking, comprehensive bill takes on workplace harassment and discrimination. | For more than a decade, Tarana Burke and survivors across the country have used #MeToo to share their experiences of sexual violence, raise women's voices, and respond to the needs of survivors. In its current incarnation, #MeToo has sparked an unprecedented examination of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, in our workplaces, and illuminated the multiple manifestations of workplace discrimination. | In the midst of this historic reckoning, the ACLU and coalition partners drafted and shared with members of Congress…
aclu.org/blog/womens-rights/womens-rights-workplace/be-heard-act-will-overhaul-workplace-harassment-laws

Congressional Action to End the Bans–Now and Into the Future
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-04-10
Trump thought he won, but Members of Congress are pushing back. | For the first time since President Trump issued his Muslim ban, Congress proposed a legislative solution today to protect immigrant communities from discriminatory bans, immediately and permanently. | The long-awaited NO Ban Act, introduced by Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.), would immediately rescind the Muslim ban as well as President Trump's asylum ban and refugee ban, definitively ending these discriminatory abus…
aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/congressional-action-end-bans-now-and-future

Cuban men thrown into Louisiana prisons despite legal asylum requests
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2019-04-10
Suicide. Self-harm. Medical neglect. Isolated in segregation. Quarantined and left without legal counsel.
splcenter.org/news/2019/04/10/cuban-men-thrown-louisiana-prisons-despite-legal-asylum-requests

Freed MOVE 9 revolutionaries wed
Betsey Piette | workers.org | 2019-04-10
Mike and Debbie Africa, MOVE 9 members unjustly imprisoned in 1978, were finally released in 2018. The MOVE 9 were falsely convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the killing of a white cop during a brutal police assault on their house. On April 6 Debbie and Mike were . . . | Continue reading Freed MOVE 9 revolutionaries wed at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/04/09/freed-move-9-revolutionaries-tie-the-knot/

Kirstjen Nielsen's Cruel Legacy: Outgoing DHS Secretary Proudly Separated Families & Caged Children
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-04-09
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has been forced out of her role at the helm of President Trump's immigration policy after reportedly resisting a move by the president to revive his family separation policy at the U.S. border. We look at Nielsen's legacy with Renée Feltz, a Democracy Now! correspondent and producer who has long reported on the criminalization of immigrants, family detention and the business of detention. Nielsen oversaw Trump's "zero tolerance" family separation policy last year and came under fire by Democrats for lying to Congress about the policy, as well as for withh…
www.democracynow.org/2019/4/9/kirstjen_nielsens_cruel_legacy_outgoing_dhs

Utah Passed a Law to Protect Noncitizens From Automatic Deportation
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-04-09
By reducing the maximum penalty for a misdemeanor by one day, lawmakers reduced the harm of an unfair federal immigration law | Utah is known for its red rock canyons, steep ski slopes, and a mega-majority Republican legislature. And now it can be recognized as one of just a handful of states to pass legislation that helps noncitizens avoid deportation if they are convicted of a misdemeanor. | The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Gary Herbert on March 25, clarifies that misdemeanor convictions in Utah can no longer be interpreted as aggravate…
aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/deportation-and-due-process/utah-passed-law-protect-noncitizens-automatic