2021-05-04: News Headlines

Chris Wright (2021-05-04). Organizing for Revolution in East Harlem. dissidentvoice.org Johanna Fernández's The Young Lords: A Radical History could hardly have been published at a more auspicious time. The fateful year 2020 saw not only the outbreak of a global pandemic but also, in the U.S., a rejuvenation of Black Lives Matter and renewed national attention to issues of racial and economic justice. The pandemic …

Mumia Abu-Jamal (2021-05-04). 'Indomitable spirit that refuses to be broken': Albert Woodfox and Mumia Abu-Jamal. workers.org The following exchange between political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, wrongly incarcerated since Dec. 9, 1981, and Albert Woodfox, of the Angola Three, released in February 2016 after nearly 45 years of incarceration, most in solitary confinement, was recorded by Prison Radio. It aired as part of an evening of solidarity with . . . |

Lee Dlugin (2021-05-04). Republicans' Jim Crow 2.0 voter suppression laws spark fight for democracy. peoplesworld.org The country is today faced with a fundamental crisis with the proliferation of voter suppression laws, nullification of votes cast, and the determination of the Republican Party and pro-fascist forces to prevent people—particularly African Americans, Latinx, youth, and seniors—from voting. The so-called excuse for this proliferation is the myth of voter fraud, the same false …

Staff (2021-05-04). If Biden Wants to Truly End War on Terror, He Must Release Guantánamo Prisoners. truthout.org The Guantánamo conundrum never seems to end. | Twelve years ago, I had other expectations. I envisioned a writing project that I had no doubt would be part of my future: an account of Guantánamo's last 100 days. I expected to narrate in reverse, the episodes in a book I had just published,

James Esseks (2021-05-04). A Federal Appeals Court Will Decide if Trans Students Can Continue to Play School Sports. aclu.org This year, more than 30 states introduced laws banning trans students from participating in school sports. This is part of an ongoing assault on trans youth — particularly transgender girls — that has been brewing for years. In 2020, Idaho became the first state to pass such a law and the ACLU quickly filed suit along with Legal Voice and Cooley LLP. Yesterday, my colleague Chase Strangio argued in the first case about a law banning trans women and girls from sports to reach an appeals court. The decision in this case will be pivotal as other states adopt similarly discriminatory laws. | Shortly af…

sputniknews (2021-05-04). The 7 Year Anniversary of Odessa Massacre. sputniknews.com On today's episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan and co-host John Kiriakou discussed current events, including a recruitment ad for the Central Intelligence Agency has been mocked on social media, Australia has imposed a blanket ban on arrivals from India, with those daring to violate it to face jail time and heavy fines.

Jennifer Bellamy (2021-05-04). To Address Systemic Racism, We Must Dismantle Housing Discrimination and Segregation. aclu.org Equal access to housing is a civil right, but systemic racism within our housing institutions has long kept communities of color from accessing fair housing opportunities. The

news.un (2021-05-04). Release jailed dissident on medical grounds, UN experts urge Iran. news.un.org United Nations independent human rights experts, on Tuesday, called on Iranian authorities to immediately release a political activist, said to be at risk of severe health complications and even death, if not provided with appropriate medical care.

sputniknews (2021-05-04). Virginia GOP Candidate Sues to Find Origin of 'Gay Democrat' Mass Text Attacking Him. sputniknews.com A Republican candidate for state office in Virginia has launched a lawsuit to get to the bottom of a homophobic text message sent to Republican convention delegates last week. His chief rival has denied responsibility, but it seems likely the message came from inside one of the campaigns in a hotly contested GOP race.

sputniknews (2021-05-04). Construction of Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline May Resume at End of May, German Regulator Says. sputniknews.com BERLIN (Sputnik) – The lawsuit filed by the German environmental charity Nabu against the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline halted the issuance of the work permit by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), the press service of the regulator told Sputnik on Tuesday, adding that construction could be resumed in May.

_____ (2021-05-04). Why Have Media Gone To Such Lengths To Silence Mumia Abu-Jamal? popularresistance.org Philadelphia public broadcaster WHYY (4/24/21) was one of the few outlets to report on an April 24 rally seeking the release from prison of Mumia Abu-Jamal. The story included important information on Abu-Jamal, who is serving a life sentence for the 1981 killing of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. | It noted that the case has "drawn scrutiny" over claims of police, prosecutorial and judicial bias and misconduct. It cited new evidence released as part of the appeal process, including a note from a key prosecution witness asking the prosecuting attorney for money—the sort of evidence that Johanna…

Tom Engelhardt (2021-05-04). Tomgram: Karen Greenberg, The Guantánamo Conundrum. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. It seemed obvious enough to me in 2006. When you included the CIA's "black sites" around the globe (where prisoners from the war on terror were being kept and regularly tortured), American military prisons like the shocking Abu …

Andy Kroll (2021-05-04). Can Guantánamo Ever Be Shut Down? tomdispatch.com The Guantánamo conundrum never seems to end. Twelve years ago, I had other expectations. I envisioned a writing project that I had no doubt would be part of my future: an account of Guantánamo's last 100 days. I expected to narrate in reverse, the episodes in a book I had just published, The Least Worst Place: Guantánamo's First 100 Days, about — well, the title makes it all too obvious — the initial days at that grim offshore prison. They began on January 11, 2002, as the first hooded prisoners of the American war on terror were ushered off a plane at that American military base on the island of Cuba…

sputniknews (2021-05-04). Derek Chauvin's Attorney Files Motion For New Trial on Multiple Grounds. sputniknews.com Derek Chauvin, a white former Minnesota police officer who killed African-American George Floyd during a brutal arrest, was earlier convicted by jurors and now awaits final sentencing. The ex-officer could face up to 40 years in prison.

Karen Greenberg (2021-05-04). Will America's Forever Offshore Prison Ever Be Closed? commondreams.org "The closing of Guant√°namo would finally signal an end to the otherwise endless proliferation of exceptions to the laws of war as well as to U.S. domestic and military legal codes." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gitmo_4.jpg

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2021-05-03). With Just a Few Migrant Families to Reunite, ACLU Calls for Citizenship and No Future Separations. commondreams.org "Every separated family must be reunited with resources and care to address the harms they've endured," says the ACLU. "They also deserve citizenship and a commitment that such an atrocity will never happen again." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-12298828541.jpg

_____ (2021-05-03). World Celebrates Press Freedom Day, Julian Assange Remains In Belmarsh Prison. popularresistance.org As people worldwide celebrate the UN's World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, WikiLeaks publisher and journalist Julian Assange remains incarcerated. | The US continues to demand Assange's extradition for his role in obtaining and publishing national defence documents from 2009 to 2011. The leaks, provided by US Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning, are known as the Guantanamo Files, the Iraq War Logs, the Afghan War Diary, and the US diplomatic cables (aka Cablegate). | There are noteworthy parallels which can be drawn between Assange's case and that of famed US Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. Ellsberg w…

Steve Early (2021-05-03). The Biggest Bust Ever: Direct Action Lessons From Three Days in May of 1971. counterpunch.org Fifty years ago this May, when the U.S. Capitol police were better at arresting large numbers of white trespassers, I watched 1,200 of my fellow anti-war demonstrators carted off to jail for just sitting on the back steps of the Capitol and listening to speeches from two House members. That bust was the last gasp

sputniknews (2021-05-03). Allies of Julian Assange Demand His Liberty on Press Freedom Day. sputniknews.com Supporters of the whistle-blowing website's founder highlighted the hypocrisy of US, British and European Union leaders' pious words on World Press Freedom Day, when they have contributed to Julian Assange's ongoing imprisonment.

Laurel Krause (2021-05-03). Kent State, April 4, 1970: Was It about Civil Rights or 
Murdering Student Protesters? globalresearch.ca When Ohio National Guardsmen fired sixty-seven gun shots in thirteen seconds at Kent State University (KSU) on May 4, 1970, they murdered four unarmed, protesting college students and wounded nine others.

sputniknews (2021-05-03). Blinken Says Biden Administration to Focus on Guantanamo in 'Months Ahead'. sputniknews.com Earlier, the Biden administration announced its plans to review the policy on the future of the notorious prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and said that it plans to shutter the detention center by the end of its tenure.

Unitarian Universalist Society of S.F. (2021-05-03). Wednesday 5/5: Vigil for Refugee Rights Stop Child Detention Recognize Asylum. indybay.org 1187 Franklin Street @ Geary…

Pip Hinman (2021-05-03). Unionists help newly abandoned refugees. greenleft.org.au Chris Slee reports on community support for the Medevac refugees who have recently been released from hotel detention.

sputniknews (2021-05-03). Australian PM Defends Decision to Jail, Impose Fines on India Returnees Amid Racism Allegations. sputniknews.com Australia's decision to ban arrivals from India comes on the back of similar travel bans by other nations, including the US and the United Kingdom. However, Australia's threat to jail passengers travelling from India during the ban has prompted criticism from the Australian Human Rights Commission, the nation's federal watchdog.

sputniknews (2021-05-03). British PM Says Iran Arms Deal Dispute Not Linked to Jailed Zaghari-Ratcliffe. sputniknews.com Reports that British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe would be released from prison in Iran in return for the British government repaying hundreds of millions owed for a never-honoured arms deal were dismissed by both governments on Sunday.

Tasnim News Agency (2021-05-03). Iran Denies It's In Legal Talks With UK On Zaghari's Case. eurasiareview.com The Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson rejected reports that Tehran and London are engaged in legal negotiations about the release of Nazanin Zaghari, a dual Iranian-British citizen jailed for espionage. | Asked by reporters about comments from British officials about the continuation of legal talks on the release of Zaghari, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said at a press conference on Monday, "Legal negotiations are not going on between the two countries." | He emphasized that the Iranian Judiciary is the one that can comment on the issue. | "What is being discussed relates to issues abo…

Steve Early (2021-05-03). The Biggest Bust Ever: Direct Action Lessons From Three Days in May of 1971. counterpunch.org Fifty years ago this May, when the U.S. Capitol police were better at arresting large numbers of white trespassers, I watched 1,200 of my fellow anti-war demonstrators carted off to jail for just sitting on the back steps of the Capitol and listening to speeches from two House members. That bust was the last gasp

Esther Schrader (2021-05-03). Women Watch Afrika: Georgia nonprofit helps naturalized citizens cast their ballots and fights voter suppression as plaintiff in SPLC lawsuit. splcenter.org &nbsp…

sputniknews (2021-05-03). 'Provably False': Marilyn Manson's Lawyer Brushes Off Game of Thrones Star's Sexual Abuse Claims. sputniknews.com Esme Bianco, a British actress best known for her role as the prostitute Ros in Game of Thrones, filed a lawsuit against her former boyfriend, the rock star Marilyn Manson, accusing him of a variety of offences, including sexual and physical abuse. The suit has added to a heap of similar accusations against Manson made by other women.

Sanaa Khalil (2021-05-03). Oppression in the Form of Israeli Dates. commondreams.org Today, labor abuse, exploitation of natural resources, and theft of Palestinian land comes in the form of Israeli dates," writes Sanaa Khalil. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/dates-boycott.jpg

sputniknews (2021-05-03). Iran Rejects Reports About Prisoner Swap Deal With US. sputniknews.com TEHRAN (Sputnik) – Iranian Foreign Minister Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh on Monday rejected media reports about an alleged prisoner exchange agreement between Tehran and Washington.

Cyrus Yaqubi (2021-05-03). Widespread Protests By Workers And Retirees On International Workers' Day Reflection Of Dissatisfaction Of Iranian People With Khamenei's Regime — OpEd. eurasiareview.com On Saturday, May 1, 2021, coinciding with International Workers' Day in Iran, there were large gatherings of workers and retirees in 20 cities, including the capital Tehran; It was held in protest of their dire living conditions. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Government of looters, enemy of workers", "Shout of so much injustice." | "Our enemy is here, they are lying that it is America " – "Political prisoners must be freed" – "Workers awaken they are fed-up with the dictatorship" – Death to the oppressor; hail upon the worker! | They protested the current situation. These protest rallies have been hel…

Staff (2021-05-03). Diplomat dismisses reports of prisoner swap with US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 03 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht-Ravanchi has rejected recent reports which claimed that Iran and the US have agreed to a prisoner swap.

David A. Love (2021-05-03). GOP Seeks to Shut Down Protests. progressive.org Mirroring voter suppression efforts throughout the country, GOP lawmakers in 34 states have introduced 81 bills to criminalize peaceful protest.

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