(2020-12-28). The Mythology of Fire Suppression. counterpunch.org 
The recent piece published in the December 22 Guardian titled: Heat, wind, and a cruel twist of Nature: inside Oregon's nightmarish wildfire season was, on the whole, a very good overview of events. The article's general thrust was how climate/weather conspired to create the perfect conditions for large-scale wildfire in Oregon's Cascade Range. Despite making
(2020-12-28). "I Just Felt Like I Had No Control Over My Body": Survivors of Alleged ICE Medical Abuse Speak Out. democracynow.org 
Dozens of immigrant women detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia have joined a class-action lawsuit against ICE over allegations they were subjected to nonconsensual and invasive gynecological procedures and surgeries that were later found to be unnecessary, and in some cases left them unable to have children. The lawsuit cites sworn testimony from at least 35 women about their treatment by Mahendra Amin, a physician in Ocilla, Georgia, and describes retaliation and threats of deportation for speaking out. "We have more than 40 women who filed sworn testimo…
(2020-12-28). Saudi rights activist launches hunger strike over conditions at al-Hair prison. middleeasteye.net 
Saudi rights activist launches hunger strike over conditions at al-Hair prison | Former economics professor Mohammed Fahad al-Qahtani becomes latest political detainee to challenge conditions at notorious Saudi facility | Mon, 12/28/2020 – 13: 28 | Mohammed Fahad al-Qahtani, a Saudi professor and human rights activist, has been detained since 2012 (Screengrab/Twitter) | Jailed Saudi human rights activ…
(2020-12-28). Bolivia: Cochabamba Farmers Request a Lawsuit Against Añez. telesurenglish.net The Six Federations of the Cochabamba Tropics (CTF) held an assembly to demand justice for the victims of the Sacaba and Senkata massacres, which were committed by the coup-born government led by Jeanine Añez in 2019. | RELATED: | Chaired by the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) leader Evo Morales, the CTF requested the activation of a lawsuit against Añez and other officials for crimes against humanity, including…
(2020-12-28). Tuesday 12/29: COVID-19 Vaccine & the Black Community: Safety, Efficacy & Dispelling Fear. indybay.org Online via Zoom…
(2020-12-28). Corporate Dictatorship, Mass Incarceration, and Imperialism. dissidentvoice.org Settle your quarrels, come together, understand the reality of our situation, understand that fascism is already here, that people are already dying who could be saved, that generations more will live poor butchered half-lives if you fail to act. Do what must be done, discover your humanity and your love in revolution. — George Jackson, …
(2020-12-28). China court confirms prison sentence to human rights lawyer. laprensalatina.com Beijing, Dec 28 (efe-epa)- A court in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu has confirmed a 4-year prison sentence to well-known human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng for inciting subversion against state power, his wife Xu Yan informed EFE on Monday. According to Xu, the defense attorneys she hired to appeal the sentence, Lin Qilei and …
(2020-12-27). Israeli minister orders jails not to vaccinate Palestinian security prisoners. middleeasteye.net 
Israeli minister orders jails not to vaccinate Palestinian security prisoners | Order defies health ministry guidelines that prisoners should be part of second group of Israelis to be vaccinated | Sun, 12/27/2020 – 15: 26 | Public Security Minister Amir Ohana's statement did not single out Palestinian inmates, but there are no non-Palestinian security prisoners in Israel (AFP) | Israel's P…
(2020-12-27). What prisons are like during COVID lockdown: interview with a Pennsylvania incarcerated worker. workers.org 
Philadelphia Since the start of November 2020, more than 3,000 incarcerated workers and at least 1,200 guards and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC). Since last March, at least 58 people behind DOC bars have died from the pandemic, the majority of . . . |
(2020-12-27). A new chance to challenge murder conviction: court rejects 'evidence-free' effort to block Mumia appeal. workers.org 
By Dave Lindorff The following slightly edited article first appeared in ThisCantBEHappening.net on Dec. 22. Mumia Abu-Jamal, the prison journalist long known as the "voice of the voiceless" for his compelling writings and short audio tapes, moved a step closer to getting a chance for a reconsideration of his earliest . . . |
(2020-12-27). Relatives, Activists, and Attorneys Demand Justice for Andre' Hill, Unarmed Black Man Killed by Columbus Police. commondreams.org "Until we get justice for Andre' Hill, there won't be no peace in Columbus, there won't be no peace in Ohio, there won't be no peace in America," vowed civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump at a Saturday vigil. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/hill_1.jpg …
(2020-12-25). Demonstrators besiege California prison HQ: 'Mass releases now!'. workers.org 
Sacramento, Calif. Dec. 17 — Under the banner "From Balloons to Bullhorns," an angry group of protesters converged on the steps of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to demand mass releases of incarcerated people due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The vigil and rally organized by Sistas With Voices . . . |
(2020-12-25). Mumia Gets a New Chance to Challenge His Murder Conviction. counterpunch.org 
State Supreme Court rejects Faulkner Widow's 'Evidence-Free' Effort to Block Mumia Appeal Mumia Abu-Jamal, the prison journalist long known as the "voice of the voiceless" for his compelling writings and short audio tapes about life behind bars, moved a step closer to getting a chance for a reconsideration of his earliest appeal of his conviction
(2020-12-25). Infamous St Petersburg historian who shot & dismembered young lover gets over 12 years in jail. rt.com 
Distinguished Napoleonic-era scholar-turned-grisly-murderer Oleg Sokolov got twelve and a half years behind bars after a guilty verdict in St Petersburg court, for killing his much younger lover during a jealousy-infused quarrel. | The chilling murder story, which made headlines in Russia last November, began with rescuers getting a call about an elderly man falling into the Moyka River in the historic center of St Petersburg. | The person was retrieved from the freezing waters and rushed to hospital suffering from shock and hypothermia. But the emergency workers were then stunned to discover two severed femal…
(2020-12-25). Demonstrators Besiege California Prison Headquarters. popularresistance.org Sacramento, CA – Under the banner "From Balloons to Bullhorns," an angry group of protesters converged on the steps of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to demand mass releases of incarcerated people due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The vigil and rally organized by Sistas With Voices began with 104 seconds of silence to symbolize the 104 prisoners who have already died inside California state prisons from COVID-19. | According to the latest reports from the CDCR, there are 8,800 reported cases of COVID-19 among a prison population of 91,000. More than 3,000 guards and other prison staff [md…
(2020-12-25). Fatal Shore, the Sequel: the Fate of Australia's Refugees. counterpunch.org Dark irony There is a pitch-black irony about Australians imprisoning refugees on a foreign island. It makes you wonder what happened to the collective memories of the Fatal Shore. Yet island prisons, granted the Orwellian-bland name 'offshore processing' by successive Canberra governments, have been operating on and off for years. Of course, there are differences
(2020-12-25). Georgia's County Superior Court Rejects GOP Suit Seeking to Lock Ballot Boxes After Business Hours. sputniknews.com The lawsuit was supposed to ease GOP fears that local authorities would once again change the rules of voting just weeks before the election, which is to determine which party will control the Senate for the next two years.
(2020-12-24). Rights groups join Facebook in lawsuit against Israeli NSO Group. middleeasteye.net 
Rights groups join Facebook in lawsuit against Israeli NSO Group | In amicus brief filed in US Court of Appeals, rights groups say NSO prioritises profit over human rights | Thu, 12/24/2020 – 16: 21 | Israeli NSO Group is well known for selling hacking software to government clients (AFP/File photo) | A coalition of human rights groups has joined Facebook's legal fight against Israeli spyware vendor NSO, alleg…
(2020-12-24). The Covid-19 Numbers Game: The "Second Wave" is Based on Fake Statistics. globalresearch.ca "Red zones", travel bans, quarantines, "red lists". A "Second Wave". Millions of people are lining up for Covid-19 testing. The "Numbers Game". How statistics and "estimates" are used by politicians to justify the closure of the national economy and the derogation of fundamental civil rights.
(2020-12-24). Incarcerated People Should Get Priority Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine. It's the Smart and Human Thing to Do. aclu.org Governor Jared Polis of Colorado — otherwise a trailblazer when it comes to criminal legal reform — recently
(2020-12-24). Wearing a Cross But Violating Basic Christian Values. counterpunch.org Everything that comes out of the White House today — the lies, the false claims of election fraud, the absurd lawsuits — makes me retreat and recoil. But I feel a particular sense of dread whenever I am watching the TV news and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany steps up to the podium in the White
(2020-12-24). Civil Rights Groups Denounce Georgia Officials For Closing Early Voting Sites Ahead of Senate Runoffs. commondreams.org Voting rights groups on Wednesday accused officials in at least two Georgia counties of voter suppression, pointing to the closures of several early voting locations in majority-Black and Latino communities ahead of two key runoff Senate elections. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1230129827_1.jpg …
(2020-12-24). Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Decision to Gut Tongass National Forest Protections. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-12-23). Remembering William Winter: Mississippi governor championed public education and civil rights. splcenter.org  …