Monthly Archives: October 2020

2020-10-29: News Headlines

Workers World Philadelphia bureau (2020-10-29). Free Ant Smith! Drop the charges now! Defend the Philly rebellion! workers.org Ant Smith leading chants in Philadelphia at the Oct. 3rd "Fists Up! Fight Back! Rally & Teach In" in honor of Breonna Taylor and in solidarity with Louisville and all communities mobilizing in defense of Black lives. Workers World Party strongly condemns the outrageous arrest of Anthony "Ant" Smith, a . . . |

Steve Champion (2020-10-29). My San Quentin Death Row Coronavirus Experience. counterpunch.org In late January 2020, President Donald Trump was fully aware of the potential danger and present threat of Coronavirus, even as it would take the WHO until March 11 to declare a pandemic. In that same month, San Quentin prisoners received an administrative notification that one of the guards tested positive. At the time, I was not overly concerned because I was healthy and in good shape, but of course viruses, pathogens with the sole aim of wreaking havoc on healthy cells, don't care about that.

Alicia Garza (2020-10-29). Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Alicia Garza on GOP's Supreme Court Power Grab. zcomm.org The rushed confirmation shows that the Supreme Court "is not a neutral body — it is incredibly political."

_____ (2020-10-29). FBI Raids Home Of Activist, Teacher Anthony Smith, Arrests Him. popularresistance.org An activist and West Philadelphia teacher is facing federal charges related to rioting surrounding the George Floyd protests in Philadelphia this past June. Eyewitness News has learned that Anthony Smith, of West Philadelphia, has been arrested and faces multiple federal charges related to the civil unrest. | Law enforcement sources confirmed Smith's arrest, along with the community group he represents, Philly for Real Justice. | "Early Wednesday morning Federal agents raided the West Philadelphia home of Anthony Smith, an outspoken community activist and a leader in the movement for Black lives in Philadelphia..

Sit. Walk. Listen (2020-10-29). Sunday 11/1: Sit. Walk. Listen. Because Black Lives Matter. indybay.org Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-29). Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul relaunches hunger strike. peoplesdispatch.org Loujain al-Hathloul, who has been in prison since may 2018, launched a hunger strike against prison officials' decision to deny her regular contact with her family. She had undertaken a similar strike in September…

John Bachtell (2020-10-28). Texas voter turnout hotter than any Texas BBQ. peoplesworld.org Across the country, neither the resurgent COVID 19 pandemic nor GOP voter suppression is deterring millions of voters from casting their ballots. Early voter turnout is shattering records (as of this writing, 71 million, or over half of total turnout in 2016, have already voted), and at this pace, the U.S. will experience the highest …

A Guest Author (2020-10-28). Ableism and voter suppression: struggles are intertwined. workers.org Kristin Turgeon By Kristin Turgeon This is a lightly edited version of a talk given on the Oct. 22 Workers World Party webinar, "Voter suppression and COVID and their impact on disabled people." Voting has always been a hot topic, and in the 2020 election many people see it as . . . |

Mohammad Ayesh (2020-10-28). Arabic press review: Hundreds of Kuwaiti companies face bankruptcy amid coronavirus. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Hundreds of Kuwaiti companies face bankruptcy amid coronavirus | Meanwhile, Moroccan politician says Macron waging war on Islam, Egypt jails activist over tweet and IMF warns of 'challenging' times for poorer nations | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 17: 09 | Kuwaiti man stops at a currency exchange shop in Kuwait City (AFP) | Kuwaiti companies threatened with bankruptcy: | Hundre…

WSWS (2020-10-28). The WSWS and the fight to free political prisoners. wsws.org The remarks below were given by Oscar Grenfell, a member of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) national committee.

John Stanton (2020-10-28). Liquid Capitalism: Everyone Drinks It, Swims in It, Drowns in It. globalresearch.ca The most radical socialists, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters (Black, White, Latino or Asian), liberal and conservative zealots, diversity and equity gurus, pacifists, denizens of corporates and non-profits, rappers, rockers and country western musicians, Bernie Sanders, racists and White guilt …

CFJPIME (2020-10-28). "Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)" against Israel: Resolution of Defamation Lawsuit by CJPME. globalresearch.ca Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is pleased to announce that its defamation lawsuit with Ezra Levant and Rebel Media News Network Ltd. has been settled. Launched in 2016, CJPME's suit was based on a series …

commondreams (2020-10-28). Lawsuit Aims to Save Leopards From Import to U.S. as Hunting Trophies. commondreams.org ______________________________…

_____ (2020-10-28). The Last Smash And Grab At The Federal Communications Commission. popularresistance.org When the Department of Justice successfully broke up the AT&T monopoly into regional companies, it needed Congress to pass a law to open up the regional companies (known as Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers or ILECs) to competition. To do that, the Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that established bedrock competition law and reaffirmed non-discrimination policies that net neutrality is based on. The law Congress created a new industry that would interoperate with the ILECs.

Greg Wilkinson (2020-10-28). Between Chaos and Commonwealth. commondreams.org We may call this state of affairs Capitalism, but the rot goes back deep into the history of Civilization, a history of conquest, colonization, and oppression of the many by the few. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gettyimages-1802162571_1.jpg

Lucia Tian (2020-10-28). Racial Justice Demands That Every Vote Is Counted. aclu.org This year, ensuring every mail-in ballot is counted is more important than ever. While the share of voters casting ballots by mail has

ACLU (2020-10-28). At the Polls, Episode 7: Why Do We Take Voting Rights Away in America? aclu.org Across the country,

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-28). Evo Morales will return to Bolivia on November 9. peoplesdispatch.org On Monday, a Bolivian judge annulled the arrest warrant that had been issued against former president Evo Morales for alleged crimes of sedition and terrorism, clearing the way for him to return to his country without facing the risk of detention…

_____ (2020-10-28). Whistleblower Sues EPA Over Retaliation. popularresistance.org An Environmental Protection Agency whistleblower, whose disclosures ultimately led to former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt's resignation, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging his free speech and due process rights were violated. | The lawsuit [PDF] says Kevin Chmielewski was a political appointee and worked as Pruitt's deputy chief of staff for operations. He faced a retaliatory investigation from the EPA's Office of the Inspector General that "falsely accused" him of "not having a security clearance and covering up a past arrest."

Khaled Iskef (2020-10-28). Syrians Talk About Their Suffering Inside Turkish Prisons. globalresearch.ca The Turkish authorities arbitrary arrests are no longer limited to Turkish opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inside and outside the country, but also reached Syrians within Turkish territory, whether they are displaced, opponents to the Syrian state or …

Ralph Nader (2020-10-27). Don't Rush to Declare Victory: Implementing a Two-Week Grace Period After November 3rd So All Voters Can Be Counted. commondreams.org With such large stakes for our fragile democracy, we cannot afford to bypass such a course of action that will assure a peaceful transition in accord with the rule of law. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/early.jpg

Christian Noakes (2020-10-27). On prison hunger strike, Maher al-Akhras fights for all Palestinians. workers.org Maher al-Akhras, a 49-year-old Palestinian political prisoner and father of six from the Occupied West Bank, has been on hunger strike since his July 27 arrest by Israeli forces. He is under administrative detention — a practice both British and Israeli colonizers have long used to hold Palestinians captive indefinitely . . . |

John Winstead (2020-10-27). Barrett confirmation likely to supercharge voter suppression efforts. liberationnews.org Barrett's confirmation just one week ahead of what could be the most hotly-contested presidential election in recent U.S. history is sure to intensify efforts to disenfranchise working class and oppressed people…

Nadda Osman (2020-10-27). Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul begins new hunger strike. middleeasteye.net Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul begins new hunger strike | Jailed women's rights campaigner protesting against restrictions on contact with her family, her sisters say | Tue, 10/27/2020 – 11: 57 | Al-Hathloul's family have expressed concern for her as she starts a hunger strike for a second time (Reuters) | Jailed Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has gone on hunger strike, her family…

_____ (2020-10-27). IADL Demands Immediate Release Of Palestinian Maher al-Akhras. popularresistance.org IADL calls for the immediate release of Maher al-Akhras, a Palestinian man and father of six, jailed by Israel without charge or trial. As IADL convenes its Council, al-Akhras has been on hunger strike for 91 days to protest his arbitrary detention and demand his freedom. His health condition is increasingly critical and his life is at grave risk. | Al-Akhras is jailed under Israel's policy of administrative detention, used routinely against Palestinians. These detention orders may be issued for up to six months at a time, and they are indefinitely renewable.

Sarah Brannon (2020-10-27). We're Ready for the Election. aclu.org With less than a week to go, the only thing we can be sure of is that this Election Day will most likely look, feel, and be different than previous years. We are, after all, living through a pandemic, economic crisis, fight for racial justice, and an election season. , , If you haven't planned how you are going to cast your vote or already voted this election, there's still time. You can find more information

commondreams (2020-10-27). ICE Doubles Down on Detention to Deter and Punish Families for Seeking Safety. commondreams.org ______________________________…

commondreams (2020-10-27). ACLU Files Class Action Lawsuit to Protect Incarcerated People at the Deadliest Federal Prison. commondreams.org ______________________________…

_____ (2020-10-27). Inmate Sues Prison Over Lack Of COVID19 Precautions. popularresistance.org Union, NJ – An inmate at the state's only prison for women has filed a lawsuit alleging the state Department of Corrections is failing to take proper precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. | Jennie Cullum filed the lawsuit in state Superior Court in Hunterdon County against the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women claiming she was not allowed to take precautions against the virus as cases began to increase, and, in one instance, guards did not allow her to wear a face mask she had fashioned out of her own bra.

Cara Ng, Khelsilem (2020-10-27). 'Check your privilege' is corrosive to our politics. zcomm.org We do not begrudge those who have lived their lives free from discrimination. We just hope that they are fighting alongside us for a world where human dignity is secured for all…

Mumia Abu Jamal (2020-10-27). You Cannot Decarcerate by Using the Tools of Incarceration, Says Mumia Abu-Jamal. zcomm.org We must move for what we want, not for what we think the system can produce, because the system is the problem, not the solution to the problem…

LGBTQ, homelessness, family, prison at 2020 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (2020-10-26). LGBTQ, homelessness, family, prison at 2020 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. peoplesworld.org In what is likely my final report from this year's Festival, here are more capsule reviews of short films from Hawaii being screened at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, which is taking place through Oct. 31. The topics include LGBTQ, homelessness, family, and prison. Gimme shelter: Strangers in their own homeland Writer/director Kimi …

Staff (2020-10-26). Prisons are COVID-19 cluster sites, but this federal law denies recourse for the incarcerated. therealnews.com The Litigation Reform Act makes it harder for prisoners to file lawsuits—Including over unsafe conditions that could put them at risk of COVID-19.

Gabriel Arkles (2020-10-26). Don't Let the Supreme Court Open the Door to More Discrimination Against LGBTQ People. aclu.org The Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in

Kenny Stancil, staff writer (2020-10-26). 'Let This Echo Around the World': Nearly 50 Years After US-Backed Coup, Chile Votes to Rewrite Pinochet Era Constitution. commondreams.org "This historic day belongs to those who have struggled for decades, to those who have given their lives, to the tortured, to the mutilated, and especially to those who remain imprisoned." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/chile_referendum.jpg

WSWS (2020-10-26). ICE uses torture to pressure African asylum seekers to agree to deportation. wsws.org In a blatant violation of international law and the US constitution, ICE officials in the privately run detention center in Mississippi have been forcing asylum seekers from Cameroon to sign their own deportation forms and quickly shipping them back on secret flights.

2020-10-28: News Headlines

John Stanton (2020-10-28). Liquid Capitalism: Everyone Drinks It, Swims in It, Drowns in It. globalresearch.ca The most radical socialists, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters (Black, White, Latino or Asian), liberal and conservative zealots, diversity and equity gurus, pacifists, denizens of corporates and non-profits, rappers, rockers and country western musicians, Bernie Sanders, racists and White guilt …

CFJPIME (2020-10-28). "Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)" against Israel: Resolution of Defamation Lawsuit by CJPME. globalresearch.ca Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is pleased to announce that its defamation lawsuit with Ezra Levant and Rebel Media News Network Ltd. has been settled. Launched in 2016, CJPME's suit was based on a series …

Sit. Walk. Listen (2020-10-28). Sunday 11/1: Sit. Walk. Listen. Because Black Lives Matter. indybay.org Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-28). Evo Morales will return to Bolivia on November 9. peoplesdispatch.org On Monday, a Bolivian judge annulled the arrest warrant that had been issued against former president Evo Morales for alleged crimes of sedition and terrorism, clearing the way for him to return to his country without facing the risk of detention…

Khaled Iskef (2020-10-28). Syrians Talk About Their Suffering Inside Turkish Prisons. globalresearch.ca The Turkish authorities arbitrary arrests are no longer limited to Turkish opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inside and outside the country, but also reached Syrians within Turkish territory, whether they are displaced, opponents to the Syrian state or …

_____ (2020-10-28). The Last Smash And Grab At The Federal Communications Commission. popularresistance.org When the Department of Justice successfully broke up the AT&T monopoly into regional companies, it needed Congress to pass a law to open up the regional companies (known as Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers or ILECs) to competition. To do that, the Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that established bedrock competition law and reaffirmed non-discrimination policies that net neutrality is based on. The law Congress created a new industry that would interoperate with the ILECs.

_____ (2020-10-28). Whistleblower Sues EPA Over Retaliation. popularresistance.org An Environmental Protection Agency whistleblower, whose disclosures ultimately led to former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt's resignation, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging his free speech and due process rights were violated. | The lawsuit [PDF] says Kevin Chmielewski was a political appointee and worked as Pruitt's deputy chief of staff for operations. He faced a retaliatory investigation from the EPA's Office of the Inspector General that "falsely accused" him of "not having a security clearance and covering up a past arrest."

Christian Noakes (2020-10-27). On prison hunger strike, Maher al-Akhras fights for all Palestinians. workers.org Maher al-Akhras, a 49-year-old Palestinian political prisoner and father of six from the Occupied West Bank, has been on hunger strike since his July 27 arrest by Israeli forces. He is under administrative detention — a practice both British and Israeli colonizers have long used to hold Palestinians captive indefinitely . . . |

Nadda Osman (2020-10-27). Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul begins new hunger strike. middleeasteye.net Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul begins new hunger strike | Jailed women's rights campaigner protesting against restrictions on contact with her family, her sisters say | Tue, 10/27/2020 – 11: 57 | Al-Hathloul's family have expressed concern for her as she starts a hunger strike for a second time (Reuters) | Jailed Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has gone on hunger strike, her family…

John Winstead (2020-10-27). Barrett confirmation likely to supercharge voter suppression efforts. liberationnews.org Barrett's confirmation just one week ahead of what could be the most hotly-contested presidential election in recent U.S. history is sure to intensify efforts to disenfranchise working class and oppressed people…

Staff (2020-10-27). "Movements Are Not Just About Protests": BLM Co-Founder Alicia Garza on How to Build & Wield Power. democracynow.org In her new book, "The Purpose of Power," Black Lives Matter co-creator Alicia Garza lays out how people can build power and effect change. "Movements are not just about protests," she says. "Movements are absolutely about how we get more power into the hands of more people."

commondreams (2020-10-27). ACLU Files Class Action Lawsuit to Protect Incarcerated People at the Deadliest Federal Prison. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Mumia Abu Jamal (2020-10-27). You Cannot Decarcerate by Using the Tools of Incarceration, Says Mumia Abu-Jamal. zcomm.org We must move for what we want, not for what we think the system can produce, because the system is the problem, not the solution to the problem…

Sarah Brannon (2020-10-27). We're Ready for the Election. aclu.org With less than a week to go, the only thing we can be sure of is that this Election Day will most likely look, feel, and be different than previous years. We are, after all, living through a pandemic, economic crisis, fight for racial justice, and an election season. , , If you haven't planned how you are going to cast your vote or already voted this election, there's still time. You can find more information

_____ (2020-10-27). Inmate Sues Prison Over Lack Of COVID19 Precautions. popularresistance.org Union, NJ – An inmate at the state's only prison for women has filed a lawsuit alleging the state Department of Corrections is failing to take proper precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. | Jennie Cullum filed the lawsuit in state Superior Court in Hunterdon County against the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women claiming she was not allowed to take precautions against the virus as cases began to increase, and, in one instance, guards did not allow her to wear a face mask she had fashioned out of her own bra.

commondreams (2020-10-27). ICE Doubles Down on Detention to Deter and Punish Families for Seeking Safety. commondreams.org ______________________________…

_____ (2020-10-27). IADL Demands Immediate Release Of Palestinian Maher al-Akhras. popularresistance.org IADL calls for the immediate release of Maher al-Akhras, a Palestinian man and father of six, jailed by Israel without charge or trial. As IADL convenes its Council, al-Akhras has been on hunger strike for 91 days to protest his arbitrary detention and demand his freedom. His health condition is increasingly critical and his life is at grave risk. | Al-Akhras is jailed under Israel's policy of administrative detention, used routinely against Palestinians. These detention orders may be issued for up to six months at a time, and they are indefinitely renewable.

Cara Ng, Khelsilem (2020-10-27). 'Check your privilege' is corrosive to our politics. zcomm.org We do not begrudge those who have lived their lives free from discrimination. We just hope that they are fighting alongside us for a world where human dignity is secured for all…

Gabriel Arkles (2020-10-26). Don't Let the Supreme Court Open the Door to More Discrimination Against LGBTQ People. aclu.org The Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in

Staff (2020-10-26). "They Wanted to Take My Womb Out": Survivor of Medical Abuse in ICE Jail Deported After Speaking Out. democracynow.org An independent medical review team has submitted a report to Congress on a lack of informed consent and "disturbing pattern" of questionable gynecological surgical procedures at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia, after an account from a nurse whistleblower in September prompted congressional and federal investigations. At least 19 women, most of whom are Black and Latina, have come forward to allege they were pressured into "unnecessary" gynecological treatment and surgeries — including procedures that left them sterile — while they were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We s…

Staff (2020-10-26). Prisons are COVID-19 cluster sites, but this federal law denies recourse for the incarcerated. therealnews.com The Litigation Reform Act makes it harder for prisoners to file lawsuits—Including over unsafe conditions that could put them at risk of COVID-19.

Staff (2020-10-26). Survivor Deported After Speaking Out About Medical Abuse in ICE Jails. truthout.org An independent medical review team has submitted a report to Congress on a lack of informed consent and "disturbing pattern" of questionable gynecological surgical procedures at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia, after an account from a nurse whistleblower in September prompted congressional and federal investigations. At least 19 women, most of whom are Black and Latina, have come forward to allege they were pressured into "unnecessary" gynecological treatment and surgeries — includin…

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2020-10-26). "I'm Gonna Die in Here": Investigation Shows How Jails' Privatized Healthcare Places Profit Over Prisoners, With Deadly Results. commondreams.org A Reuters report found that inmates in jails with contracted medical services were more likely to die and suffer substandard care than those in facilities with publicly managed care. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-5660331311_0.jpg

Pip Hinman (2020-10-26). Black Lives Matter rally as NSW parliamentary inquiry begins. greenleft.org.au About 200 people rallied in rain at the Sydney Domain on October 26, just before the NSW Parliamentary inquiry into Aboriginal deaths in custody began, reports Peter Boyle.

Tamar Sarai Davis (2020-10-26). Jailed Voters Can Swing Elections if they Know and Can Exercise their Rights. zcomm.org Unlike many people incarcerated in state and federal prisons legally ineligible to vote, moat in local jails — detained pretrial or held on misdemeanor charges — are legally eligible to vote, but are unable to do so…

WSWS (2020-10-26). ICE uses torture to pressure African asylum seekers to agree to deportation. wsws.org In a blatant violation of international law and the US constitution, ICE officials in the privately run detention center in Mississippi have been forcing asylum seekers from Cameroon to sign their own deportation forms and quickly shipping them back on secret flights.

Kenny Stancil, staff writer (2020-10-26). 'Let This Echo Around the World': Nearly 50 Years After US-Backed Coup, Chile Votes to Rewrite Pinochet Era Constitution. commondreams.org "This historic day belongs to those who have struggled for decades, to those who have given their lives, to the tortured, to the mutilated, and especially to those who remain imprisoned." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/chile_referendum.jpg

Kameron Hurt (2020-10-25). Free Ruchell "Cinque" Magee! liberationnews.org Ruchell Magee is the longest-held political prisoner in the United States and the world.

_____ (2020-10-25). Life Of Palestinian Hunger Striker In Immediate Danger. popularresistance.org Maher al-Akhras, who has been on a hunger strike since his administrative detention on July 27, is waging a battle against the mighty Israeli occupation apparatus. Every day brings him closer to death, as Israel seems to be trying to prove through his case that the life of Palestinians, like their freedom and human rights, are worth nothing. But the formidable insistence of his hunger strike against the principle of administrative detention, and his determination that the strike will end only once he is free or becomes a martyr, is mobilizing more and more people to his support.

RT (2020-10-24). Vostochny spaceport scandals continue: CEO of company operating new Far Eastern Russian cosmodrome arrested on corruption charges. rt.com A high-ranking official at the helm of the new state-of-the-art Vostochny spaceport, in Russia's Far East, has been arrested on charges of fraud in a high-profile scandal. The scheme reportedly cost the state over $6.5 million. | Roman Bobkov, the head of the state entity operating the cosmodrome, has been placed in pre-trial detention for two months by a local