(2020-10-19). Large San Francisco Counter-Protest Overwhelms Tiny Ultra-Right Rally. indybay.org On Saturday, October 17, 2020, labor union members, anti-police brutality campaigners, advocates for release of prisoners affected by COVID-19, and leftists from Oakland and San Francisco came together to form a counter-demonstration against a rally of far-right demonstrators.
(2020-10-19). Democrats urge Egypt's Sisi to free dissidents before jail terms 'become death sentences'. middleeasteye.net 
Democrats urge Egypt's Sisi to free dissidents before jail terms 'become death sentences' | More than 50 lawmakers issued a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi urging him to release prisoners of conscience during the coronavirus pandemic | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 17: 02 | An Egyptian police officer at the entrance of the Tora prison in the Egyptian capital Cairo on 11 February (AFP/File photo) | More t…
(2020-10-19). Eye on Civil Liberties: Where You Can Have an Impact in Elections Closer to Home. aclu.org The intense focus on the presidential race can easily obscure policies that could have more of a direct impact on communities in both red and blue states, but they are no less important. Many voters don't engage with the electoral process because they don't think their votes make a difference or count for much. Down-ballot races are where voters can make a real impact in shaping policies and spark a broader public debate. , , The ACLU is nonpartisan, so our goal with down-ballot campaigns is to ensure that voters are educated about the potential consequences of an election, not to support specific candidates.
(2020-10-19). People Need to Reclaim the Internet. globalresearch.ca No matter how much you dislike Trump, only a fool can fail to see the implications for public access to information of the massive suppression on the internet of the Hunter Biden leaks. | This blog has been suffering a ratcheting …
(2020-10-19). The Long Tail of Voter Suppression. zcomm.org As the growing number of Black and Latinx voters threaten the GOP's stranglehold on power, attempts to limit safe voting options during the pandemic reveal a deeper sickness in Texas politics…
(2020-10-19). Embracing The Gifts Of Conflict For Social Change. popularresistance.org As a collective, we are living in unprecedented times. The triple pandemic of COVID-19, white supremacy, and capitalist-driven climate crisis has intensified survival fears and made the structural oppression we are living under more palpable and unbearable. We are coming face to face with the fact of our interdependence, and the stakes are high. Either we as a species learn to live well with each other and the earth now, or die trying. | As so many wise souls are reminding us, our liberation is bound together, and we need each other, now, more than ever.
(2020-10-19). Thursday 10/22: Immigration, Equal Protection, and the Promise of Racial Justice (Day 1). indybay.org Virtual conference (FREE)…
(2020-10-19). Friday 10/23: Immigration, Equal Protection, and the Promise of Racial Justice (Day 2). indybay.org Virtual conference (FREE)…
(2020-10-19). At least 56 US lawmakers urge Egypt's Sisi to release prisoners. yenisafak.com In a letter being sent to the Egyptian leader on Monday, the 55 Democrats and one Independent — Senator Bernie Sanders — said al-Sisi should free detained lawyers, activists, journalists and other prisoners of conscience amid a COVID outbreak in Egypt's prison system.Led by Democratic lawmakers Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern and Sherrod Brown, the bicameral letter urges Sisi "to immediately and unconditionally release those prisoners whose cases we have cited, and all other prisoners of conscience unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental human rights.""These are people who should never have been im…
(2020-10-19). Sydney Black Lives Matter rally called for October 26. greenleft.org.au First Nations advocates and families of people who have died in custody are planning a Black Lives Matter protest in Sydney on October 26, reports Jim McIlroy.
(2020-10-18). Large San Francisco Counter-Protest Overwhelms Tiny Proud Boys Rally. indybay.org On Saturday, October 17, 2020, labor union members, anti-police brutality campaigners, advocates for release of prisoners affected by COVID-19, and leftists from Oakland and San Francisco came together to form a counter-demonstration against a rally by the far-right Proud Boys.
(2020-10-18). COVID Hit Alabama Hard. State Officials Funneled CARES Act Relief to Donors. truthout.org Now in its seventh month, Covid-19 still snakes across America. It first attacked densely packed, blighted areas like New York City and Chicago, along with prisons, immigrant jails, meat slaughterhouses, and nursing homes. It then swerved south and west — again to heavily populated areas in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. In all these areas, frontline "essential" workers and those living with them were the hardest hit. | In the second month, the virus stormed into insulated American towns we…
(2020-10-18). Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid. middleeasteye.net 
Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid | Cairo's Criminal Court orders release of Abu Zaid with probationary measures after more than two years in detention | Sun, 10/18/2020 – 12: 18 | Abu Zaid's release was met with jubilation and scepticism as thousands continue to languish in Egypt's jails (Screengrab/Facebook) | A Giza criminal court ordered the release of satirist and video blogge…
(2020-10-18). Former Los Angeles Angels employee could face LIFE in prison after being INDICTED over giving drug to pitcher who DIED of overdose. rt.com 
A former communications director at MLB team the Los Angeles Angels has been indicted on charges of giving a coctail of opioids to pitcher Tyler Skaggs, whose body was found to contain high levels of the controlled substance. | Eric Prescott Kay, whose attorney confirmed the accuracy of a story reporting that he had spent years supplying oxycodone to Skaggs, faces a count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily harm. | The charge could see troubled Kay sentenced to life in prison, while he is also suspected of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled…
(2020-10-17). Minneapolis protest demands legalization for immigrants. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – Around 100 people marched through downtown Minneapolis, October 14, from Senator Amy Klobuchar's office to the Hennepin County Jail. The march was part of an ongoing campaign by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) demanding legalization for all immigrants including those eligible for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS (Temporary Protected Status), and DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) status. More than a million immigrants that hold these statuses are in increasing danger of deportation because of recent court rulings that open the door to the Trump administra…
(2020-10-17). Black Civil Rights Leaders Fear Barrett "Invites a Return to a Racist Past" truthout.org After four days of confirmation hearings, Black leaders of five major civil rights organizations are lining up in opposition to the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme court and the "deeply flawed" process Senate Republicans are using to secure her confirmation just weeks ahead of a contentious presidential election. | Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Kristen Clarke, president of the National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, said Barrett…
(2020-10-17). Thai students continue protests in face of government repression. wsws.org The demonstrators have three core demands: the prime minister's resignation, a new constitution, and an end to the suppression of government critics; as well as the reform of the monarchy.
(2020-10-17). Former correctional officer sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. nationofchange.org "As a correctional officer, Lakesia Harden knew what she was doing when she engaged in drug trafficking and associated with Tremayne Linder, a convicted felon."
(2020-10-17). HHS Must Release Billion Dollar Coronavirus Vaccine Contracts, Public Citizen Lawsuit Says. globalresearch.ca Public Citizen today The suit, filed in the U.S. …
(2020-10-17). Bolivian security forces detain Argentine deputy Federico Fagioli. peoplesdispatch.org The deputy from Frente de Todos coalition in Argentina was detained at the airport in El Alto by immigration officials, police and unidentified individuals and taken to a detention center in the airport…
(2020-10-17). Dying Inside: The Hidden Crisis in America's Jails. zcomm.org Why 4,998 died in U.S. jails without getting their day in court…
(2020-10-17). Jail Uber/Lyft CEO's: Workers & Unions In Rally in SF at Uber World HQ. indybay.org Hundreds of workers and trade unionists rallied at the world HQ of UBER in San Francisco to oppose their $200 million ballot initiative to undercut AB5. | UBER, Lyft and other gig workers spoke out about their conditions.
(2020-10-17). East Africa: Social service penalties replacing prison terms. yenisafak.com Two years ago, award-winning Tanzanian actress Elizabeth Michael was seen cleaning hospitals, picking up rubbish, and taking care of shrubs in public gardens.The rich actress was not doing it as a hobby but was serving a prison sentence after being convicted of a homicide that killed her fellow actor. Though the court had gave her a two-year prison sentence, afterwards she got engaged in community service, with her sentence reduced to just six months.In 2013 the actress, 25, won the Zanzibar International Film Festival award for Best Actress for Woman of Principles.Over the past many years, many East African coun…
(2020-10-16). Dark Money & Barrett Nomination: The Link Between Big Polluters & the War on ACA, Roe & LGBT Rights. democracynow.org 
During confirmation hearings this week for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island opted not to ask the judge any questions. Instead, he gave a 30-minute presentation on how right-wing groups, including the Federalist Society and Judicial Crisis Network, use dark money to shape the nation's judiciary. We air excerpts from his presentation and get reaction from Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
(2020-10-16). Deeply Troubling: Kristen Clarke on How Rush to Confirm Barrett Endangers Voting & Civil Rights. democracynow.org 
The Senate confirmation hearing for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ended Thursday with Republicans on the Judiciary Committee scheduling a vote on her nomination for October 22, with a full Senate vote to follow shortly thereafter — less than two weeks before the presidential election, in which the Supreme Court could play a decisive role. The right-wing judge's confirmation looks all but assured, after four rushed days of questioning in which Barrett refused to state her position on abortion rights, gay marriage, the Affordable Care Act, voting rights, climate change, and even if…
(2020-10-16). Israel bans Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf from entering Jerusalem, Gaza. middleeasteye.net 
Israel bans Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf from entering Jerusalem, Gaza | Israel has imposed a travel ban on Assaf, revoking his entry permit, which he earned as an UNRWA ambassador | Fri, 10/16/2020 – 12: 12 | Palestinian "Arab Idol" winner Mohammed Assaf described the Israeli travel ban as "a continuation of the policies of oppression" (AFP/file photo) | Israel has imposed an entry ban on Mohammed Assaf,…
(2020-10-16). Photographer Josué Rivas on Indigenous Representation. aclu.org This week and in recent years, a growing number of states and cities across the country celebrated Indigenous Peoples' Day. It comes as an important corrective after decades of celebrating the "discovery" of the Americas by Christopher Columbus each year. We know, of course, that no such discovery happened — what did happen was colonization, and centuries of subjugation, murder, disenfranchisement, and displacement of Native Americans. As we reflect on our history and on the stories that have been too often excluded, we consider the importance of not just what stories get told, but of who gets to tell th…
(2020-10-16). ICE is Trying to Deport My Husband While I Treat COVID Patients. aclu.org 
I work as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit in Southern California. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I've been working alongside my colleagues as we try to save the lives of the sickest patients and comfort their families. The hours have been long, and we have all seen more than our share of sorrow., , Fortunately, for most of the pandemic I had my husband to lean on. It was comforting to know that while I was in the unit, he was at home caring for our two young children and that when I came home he would be there to support me., , That changed in July, when ICE detained him during a routine check…
(2020-10-16). Bullets are not the seeds of life. mronline.org 
Bullets, as Mahjoub sang in prison, are not the seeds of life. The answers to our misery are so obvious, but they would cost the minority who control power, privilege, and property; they have a lot to lose, which is why they hold on so desperately.
(2020-10-16). The arrest of a cop watcher shows injustice is the American way. therealnews.com 
Disabled free speech activist Blind Justice has been held in solitary confinement for a failure to appear charge, while George Floyd's alleged murderer Derek Chauvin was released from prison.
(2020-10-16). Federal judge certifies class-action suit against US Treasury for not providing prisoners stimulus checks. therealnews.com 
The Trump administration was ordered to stop denying billions in pandemic relief to 1.4 million prisoners.
(2020-10-16). Amnesty urges participants at W20 Saudi summit to speak out for human rights. middleeasteye.net 
Amnesty urges participants at W20 Saudi summit to speak out for human rights | Rights groups says G20 women's summit is chance to hold Riyadh accountable for its treatment of women's rights activists | Fri, 10/16/2020 – 18: 17 | Loujain al-Hathloul, Nobel prize-nominated activist, has allegedly been tortured while in prison (AFP/File photo) | Amnesty International has urged participants at this year's Women 20…
(2020-10-16). Chester County, PA activists hold "Skate for Black Lives" event. liberationnews.org 
Dozens came out to Skate for Black Lives on October 10 at the skatepark in Downingtown, Penn. The event was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Chester County Stands Up. Attendees brought handmade Black Lives Matter signs to show support for the national uprising against racism. The event was planned after skateboarder …
(2020-10-16). Joe Biden says young children who decide they 'want to be transgender' should face 'zero discrimination'. rt.com 
Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden suggested that children as young as eight-years-old should be allowed to change their gender identity if they decide they "want to be transgender." | The comment came on Thursday night at an election town hall hosted by ABC News, where a woman who said one of her two daughters is transgender asked Biden what he would do to protect LGBTQ rights. The former vice president said, "I will flat out just change the law." He then told a story about seeing two gay men kissing each other and being told by his father, "Joey, it's simple, they love each other." | Biden next turned…
(2020-10-16). 'Most brazen media suppression in US history': Republicans go after Twitter over censorship of NYPost's Biden bombshell. rt.com 
Suppressing several stories critical of Democrat candidate Joe Biden amounted to election interference and an illegal political contribution, the Republican National Committee said in a complaint to the election watchdog FEC. | The party filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission on Friday, accusing Twitter of illegally interfering with the 2020 US presidential election through its muscular censorship of a handful of articles that appeared to expose Biden's son Hunter's dodgy business dealings with Ukrainian and Chinese entities. | Twitter's unprecedented blackout, which blocked all sharing of link…
(2020-10-16). Seattle police officers LEAVING department at 'unprecedented' rate amid budget calls and ongoing protests. rt.com 
At least 118 officers have left the Seattle Police Department (SPD) following mass Black Lives Matter protests and city budget cuts. It currently has around 1,200 officers on its force — the lowest number in a decade. | According to
(2020-10-16). Yemen — Prisoner Swap and What May be Behind it. globalresearch.ca Background | The fourth batch of Yemeni detainees has arrived the in Sana'a as part of the largest prisoner swap between the country's warring sides. The residents in the capital received 112 prisoners after their plane landed in the Sana'a international …
(2020-10-16). Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed Hadi government begin prisoner swap deal in Yemen. peoplesdispatch.org The two sides had agreed to a prisoner swap deal in Switzerland last month, involving 1,081 prisoners, including 15 Saudi nationals. The deal is being implemented over Thursday and Friday…
(2020-10-16). Palestinian administrative detainee on 'verge of death' as his hunger strike nears 90 days. peoplesdispatch.org Israeli human rights group B'Tselem says more than 350 Palestinians are currently being held under the illegal colonial-era policy of administrative detention adopted by the state of Israel…
(2020-10-16). Make an Informed Decision: Where the Presidential Candidates Land. aclu.org Everything we've fought for is at stake in this election. Our right to protest a broken system, our right to equal treatment at work, and even our right to vote. It's up to us to decide what comes next. The ACLU does not endorse or oppose candidates, but we do want to give you the information you need to make informed decisions. It is crucial that you study where the candidates land on the issues. See below for the presidential candidates' positions on key civil liberties issues. | IssueJoe BidenDonald Trump | Police Reform: Pledged to help hold police accountable for shooting unarmed people and other miscondu…
(2020-10-16). Texas Is Limiting Ballot Drop-Off Locations. Activists Are Pushing Back. zcomm.org "Education has been key to part of the success of our campaign. We're trying to educate people on every single thing that we possibly can that could happen that falls under the guise of voter suppression"
(2020-10-16). Priest Sentenced To 33 Months For Protesting Nuclear Weapons. popularresistance.org Fifteen supporters in a carefully Covid masked and distanced courtroom witnessed Father Steve Kelly receive a sentence of 33 months today. After a 20 minute delay to get the telephone conference line working and properly muted 160 people listened in to the proceedings on the audio link. | Fr. Steve's sentence falls in the middle of the proposed guidelines and will likely allow his release from the Glynn County Detention Center where he is presently being detained 30 months after the action.
(2020-10-16). Activists Mobilize To Help Incarcerated People Get Stimulus Checks. popularresistance.org For months incarcerated people and their families heard conflicting messages about whether they were eligible to receive the pandemic stimulus payments provided by Congress as the Trump administration attempted to block prisoners from receiving their checks. Last week a federal judge slammed the administration with an order to provide the stimulus relief, and now advocates across the country are working to ensure low-income people caged in state and federal prisons can apply for the much-needed federal aid as deadlines loom.
(2020-10-16). Kings Bay Plowshares 7 Activists Sentenced for 2018 Anti-Nuclear Protest at Georgia Naval Base. commondreams.org Father Stephen Kelly and Patrick O'Neill were sentenced to nearly three years and 14 months in prison, respectively. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/kings-bay-plowshares-955px.jpg …
(2020-10-16). U.S. Pirg, Environment America, and Other Advocacy Groups File Federal Lawsuit Over New Process to Determine the Stringency of Energy Efficiency Standards. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-10-16). Why America Still Needs to Abolish ICE. commondreams.org A silent protest in New York's World Trade Center on Jan. 6, 2020 in support of children who have died in ICE custody. (Photo: Erik McGregor / LightRocket via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/201014-think-ice-detention-center-protest-se-438p_93b98671d80bfef8c91310c978532281.fit-2000w.jpg …
(2020-10-16). Texas and the Long Tail of Voter Suppression. thenation.com Texas and the Long Tail of Voter Suppression…
(2020-10-15). People's World Podcast: Trump's Depression economy, organizing at Amazon, and voter suppression. peoplesworld.org 
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Beyond the Page: A People's World Podcast! Beyond the Page is a companion podcast to the award-winning publication People's World. With every episode, we'll take you deeper into the topics covered at PeoplesWorld.org. Our program brings you in-depth interviews with journalists and activists on the most pressing stories in …
(2020-10-15). Memories of Voter Suppression. zcomm.org I wonder how Republican leaders can live with themselves when they betray the most basic principle of democracy. Of all the things they have done during their time in power, this is surely one of the most despicable.
(2020-10-15). Kurdish-led forces release hundreds of prisoners in northeast Syria. middleeasteye.net 
Kurdish-led forces release hundreds of prisoners in northeast Syria | Those released were Syrian citizens who had served at least half of their sentences, says co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council | Thu, 10/15/2020 – 18: 27 | Earlier this month, Kurdish authorities said they planned to release all Syrians from al-Hol camp and relinquish any responsibility for foreign nationals held there (AFP) | Kurdish-l…