Torture exposed in Cobb County Detention Center
| workers.org | 2019-12-18
By Arielle Robinson Marietta, Ga. Formerly incarcerated people from the Cobb County Adult Detention Center and loved ones of those currently incarcerated spoke out about the horrid conditions at a town hall meeting at Life Church here on Dec. 9. Seven people have died in the jail since last December. . . . | Continue reading Torture exposed in Cobb County Detention Center at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/12/44958/

US rural county jails see a rapid rise in incarceration rates
wsws.org | 2019-12-18
There are an estimated 758,400 people incarcerated in local jails throughout the US, an increase of 1.8 percent from mid-year 2017.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/18/jail-d18.html

How America Broke Up With the Democratic Party
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-18
Many grassroots Democrats separated from their party in the 1990s, and the 2020 election may be the last chance to save the marriage. | While the GOP has been trying to establish a semi-permanent ruling majority through bigotry, gerrymandering and voter suppression, Democrats had long-term majority control of American politics pretty much continuously for more than a half-century. | Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency and brought with him a Democratic Party sweep so complete that, with the exception of two brief two-year periods, Democrats controlled the House of Representatives from 19…
truthdig.com/articles/how-america-broke-up-with-the-democratic-party/

Berkeley City Council Passes Resolution Supporting Factory Farm Whistleblowers
DXE | indybay.org | 2019-12-18
Six Berkeley residents potentially face years in prison after rescuing dying animals from Sonoma county factory farms…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/15/18828911.php

Chelsea Manning must not be forgotten!
wsws.org | 2019-12-18
Yesterday, the whistleblower celebrated her 32nd birthday in a prison cell.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/18/pers-d18.html

All is not Lost
Badri Raina | zcomm.org | 2019-12-18
(December, 2019) All is not lost. The young still feel the sting Of oppression. Setting aside the quiescent Counsel of terrified time, They rise, singing a defiant rhyme. Women, dragged by the hair, Lead the march of assertion Against the strategy of fear. While the batons of state Sought the men for correction, Read…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/all-is-not-lost/

In the Midst of Trump's Attacks, Offshoots of Progress in Congress for Immigrants' Rights
Madhuri Grewal | aclu.org | 2019-12-17
From the continued separation of families, to attacks on asylum-seekers, to the largest immigration raid ever in a state, to an unprecedented number of immigrants jailed by ICE, this year was filled with new lows for the…
aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/in-the-midst-of-trumps-attacks-offshoots-of-progress-in-congress-for-immigrants-rights

US Venezuelan embassy protectors denied right to fair trial
The Grayzone | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-17
Four US activists protecting Venezuela's embassy in Washington, DC face prison time after the Trump administration illegally arrested them. And now…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/16/venezuelan-embassy-defenders-denied-right-fair-trial/

Democratic 2020 Candidates Focus on Public Education at Historic Forum
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-17
Ahead of the last Democratic presidential debate of the year this Thursday, seven candidates appeared Saturday at the historic Democratic Presidential Forum on Public Education in Pittsburgh, an event organized by public education organizations, unions, civil rights organizations and community groups. We play highlights from the forum and get response from Keron Blair, director of the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools in Atlanta; Jitu Brown, national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance; and Car…
truthout.org/video/democratic-2020-candidates-focus-on-public-education-at-historic-forum/

It's Clear: In Oklahoma Cash Bail is Being Used as Ransom to Keep People Who Are Poor Behind Bars
Twyla Carter | aclu.org | 2019-12-17
Imagine you are one of the 4,000 people arrested every year in Canadian County, Oklahoma, a county with less than 200,000 people. Maybe the police find marijuana in your car during a traffic stop, maybe the police have mistaken you for someone else, or perhaps you can't afford the $40 per month you owe the court from a different charge. | After you're arrested, things will go one of two ways. You may | spend an hour or two in the jail for booking and then go home until your court | date. Or, you might sit in jail for weeks or months until your court date, | eating substandard food and sleeping on a linoleum fl…
aclu.org/news/smart-justice/its-clear-in-oklahoma-cash-bail-is-being-used-as-ransom-to-keep-people-who-are-poor-behind-bars

Activists demand release of Sahrawi human rights defender
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-17
Human rights defenders and activists in Western Sahara and internationally are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mahfouda Bamba Lefkir, a prominent Sahrawi human rights activist who was arrested and sentenced by Moroccan authorities last month. Lefkir's detention and imprisonment is believed to be politically motivated as she has been politically targeted and physically assaulted by the Moroccan authorities in the past for standing up against its occupation and illegal detention of activists. | According to reports, Lefkir tried to object to the sentencing of fellow activists, Mohammed Lamine S…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/17/activists-demand-release-of-sahrawi-human-rights-defender/

Wisconsin: Medicaid to cover gender-confirming medical procedures
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-12-17
Kenosha, WI – As of December 10, Wisconsin is now one of the 20 states that cover medically necessary gender-confirming surgeries. People in need of these procedures will receive coverage under the state's Medicaid healthcare plan. This development comes after state officials allowed the time frame to lapse for an appeal of the 2018 lawsuit that initiated the whole process. | This is undoubtedly a big win for transgender and non-binary people across the state and a huge rebuke to traditional thinking when it comes to transgender and non-binary individuals seeking surgery to help with gender dysphoria. Gender Dysp…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/12/17/wisconsin-medicaid-cover-gender-confirming-medical-procedures

Chile: Piñera May Face 20 Years for Crimes Against Humanity
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-17
The 7th Court of Guarantees of Santiago Tuesday admitted a complaint about crimes against humanity presented by the Upper House's Human Rights Commission president Alejandro Navarro against Chile's President Sebastian Piñera. | RELATED: | Chilean NGO Detects Caustic Soda in Water Used by Riot Police | "He will be punished with imprisonment in any of its g…
telesurenglish.net/news/Chile-Pinera-May-Face-20-Years-for-Crimes-Against-Humanity-20191217-0007.html

Manafort's deputy sentenced to 45 days in jail & 3yrs' probation for lying to FBI and stashing Ukraine lobbying cash
rt.com | 2019-12-17
Former Donald Trump deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates has been sentenced to 45 days in jail for lying to the FBI and conspiracy against the US, his sentence reduced after cooperating in the case against his boss Paul Manafort. | Gates, 47, pleaded guilty to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's charges in February 2018. He was also sentenced to three years of probation, 300 hours of community service, and a $20,000 fine. | "I wish to express to this court that I accept complete responsibility for my actions that have led me here," Gates said before the sentencing, adding that he "greatly regrets the mistakes" he…
rt.com/usa/476126-manaforts-deputy-rick-gates-sentenced/

Bernie smashes GOP & Dems for supporting 'massive, unpaid for' military spending hike in withering op-ed
rt.com | 2019-12-17
Democratic 2020 hopeful Bernie Sanders took no prisoners in a scathing op-ed aimed at America's extravagant military spending, arguing a new budget proposal only proves the "hypocrisy" of Congress and its "corporate enablers." | Insisting on a government that represents all American citizens and not merely a wealthy "elite," the independent Vermont senator took to the pages of the Washington Post on Monday with an assault on the latest National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a comprehensive military spending bill set for a vote in the Senate later this week. | "Instead of massive spending on a bloated milit…
rt.com/usa/476057-bernie-smashes-military-budget/

Democratic Candidates Focus on Public Education at Historic Forum with Civil Rights & Labor Groups
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-17
Ahead of the last Democratic presidential debate of the year this Thursday, seven candidates appeared Saturday at the historic Democratic Presidential Forum on Public Education in Pittsburgh, an event organized by public education organizations, unions, civil rights organizations and community groups. We play highlights from the forum and get response from Keron Blair, director of the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools in Atlanta; Jitu Brown, national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance; and Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Education Action. She recently authored a report titled "S…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/17/democratic_presidential_forum_on_public_education

After UK government silence, over 100 medical doctors urge Australia to defend Assange
John McEvoy | thecanary.co | 2019-12-16
On 22 November, over 60 medical doctors signed an open letter to the UK government concerning WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The letter, addressed to the UK home secretary Priti Patel and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, expressed concerns that Assange "could die in prison". Despite wide media coverag…
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2019/12/16/after-uk-government-silence-over-100-medical-doctors-urge-australia-to-defend-assange/

2019 was a Watershed Year in the Movement to Stop Solitary Confinement
Amy Fettig | aclu.org | 2019-12-16
Back in 2016, then President of the United States, Barack Obama, called | solitary confinement " an | affront to our common humanity" and ordered the Justice Department to | implement reforms to the practice in U.S. prisons. Although just three short | years ago, in too many ways it seems a different age: We have seen a resurgence | of the "tough on crime" rhetoric that favors harsh policies and approaches that | we know don't work. Despite these…
aclu.org/news/prisoners-rights/2019-was-a-watershed-year-in-the-movement-to-stop-solitary-confinement

EXPLAINED: What Really Happened in Jamia?
Newsclick | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-16
In the afternoon of December 15, news broke about violent clashes between youths and students protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the police in Delhi's Jamia area. What followed was a series of violent attacks and detentions through the evening and night to early Monday morning. As these developments took place, social media started getting flooded with different reports about the events, some true, and some unverified. But what really happened? NewsClick brings to you a timeline of events, as they took place yesterday.
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/16/explained-what-really-happened-in-jamia/

The Freedom of the Cuban Five Will Never be Reversed
Alicia Jrapko and Bill Hackwell | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-16
Celebration upon the release of the Cuban Five in Washington DC (Photo by Bill Hackwell) Five years ago tomorrow, in near disbelief, we watched on television as the Cuban Five were released from US prisons and flown home after a 16 year struggle. Leading up there had been some signs that their freedom was being …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/the-freedom-of-the-cuban-five-will-never-be-reversed/

He spent 36 years in prison because he stole $100 in cash and $4 in food stamps. Now Willie Parker is free
Will Tucker | splcenter.org | 2019-12-16
It was pouring rain the day Willie Parker left William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility after 36 years in prison.
splcenter.org/news/2019/12/17/he-spent-36-years-prison-because-he-stole-100-cash-and-4-food-stamps-now-willie-parker-free

Brexiteer who harassed Anna Soubry jailed
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-12-16
A Brexiteer who repeatedly harassed Anna Soubry before standing against her in the general election has been jailed for 28 days.Amy Dalla Mura targeted Soubry between January and March this year, turning up at events and calling her a "traitor" on live television, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.Former MP Soubry, a Remainer who lost her Broxtowe seat while standing for the Independent Group for Change, said she was left "frightened" following the incidents.Dalla Mura, from Hove, claimed that her behaviour was politically motivated debate and did not accept it was frightening, despite standing in the general…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2019/12/16/brexiteer-who-harassed-anna-soubry-jailed/

'Where's my apology, Jim?' Trump taunts Comey after former FBI chief says sorry for 'sloppy' Russia investigation
rt.com | 2019-12-15
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to demand a personal apology from former FBI Director James Comey, after Comey apologized on TV for his (mis)handling of the 'Russiagate' probe. | "So now Comey's admitting he was wrong," Trump tweeted on Sunday. "Wow, but he's only doing so because he got caught red handed. He was actually caught a long time ago. So what are the consequences for his unlawful conduct. Could it be years in jail? Where are the apologies to me and others, Jim?" | So now Comey's admitting he was wrong. Wow, but he's only doing so because he got caught red handed. He was actually caught a long…
rt.com/usa/475966-trump-comey-apology-russiagate/

Cop Charged with Making Multiple False Arrests
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-14
Baltimore Police Sgt Ethan Newberg is facing 32 counts of false imprisonment and assault for using illegal arrests to intimidate the community, prosecutors allege.
therealnews.com/stories/cop_charged_with_making_multiple_false_arrests

The Inside Story of an Elite Law Enforcement Unit Which Ran a Criminal Gang Inside a US Jail
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-13
The police accountability report talks to a first-hand witness to the alleged crimes of a group of corrections officers charged with brutalizing inmates as part of a larger criminal scheme.
therealnews.com/stories/inside-story-elite-law-enforcement-unit-which-ran-criminal-gang-inside-us-jail

Eddie Conway Tells It Like It Is
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-13
Please donate and help Eddie–Real News Executive Producer and former Black Panther–continue to expose issues relating to the prison-industrial complex.
therealnews.com/stories/eddie-conway-tells-it-like-it-is

Weekend Read: Amid Alabama's prison crisis, the voices of the people living through it should be heard
splcenter.org | 2019-12-13
For years, Alabama's prison system has been under a microscope. Harsh sentencing laws coupled with chronic underfunding have led to horrific conditions for people behind bars.
splcenter.org/news/2019/12/13/weekend-read-amid-alabamas-prison-crisis-voices-people-living-through-it-should-be-heard

The 2020 Election Promises Record Turnout
Bobby Hoffman | aclu.org | 2019-12-12
Due to high levels of enthusiasm and interest, election experts are predicting record-setting turnout rates in the upcoming 2020 election. In anticipation of this historic election, the ACLU, volunteers, and supporters of voting rights across the country have been advocating for state legislatures to adopt policies that improve registration, the voting process, and ensure that more citizens are eligible to participate. | This year, no state made greater improvements to the registrati…
aclu.org/news/voting-rights/the-2020-election-promises-record-turnout

Support the Workers of Iran, but Oppose US Sanctions
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-12
How is it possible to oppose the violent suppression of Iranian protest while still condemning U.S. sanctions on Iran?
therealnews.com/stories/support-iran-oppose-us-sanctions

The Battle for Abortion Access Is In the States
Jessica Arons | aclu.org | 2019-12-11
This past year has been a critical one in | the fight for reproductive freedom. For decades, politicians who want to | interfere with people's personal decisions about pregnancy have worked to push | abortion care out of reach. They've quietly passed 483 state abortion | restrictions since 2011 — including 59 new restrictions passed in 2019 alone. | And after Trump was able to put two new justices who are hostile to abortion | rights on the Supreme Court, politicians decided to go for broke. | Since Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation, | seven states have passed laws banning abortion from the earliest day…
aclu.org/news/reproductive-freedom/the-battle-for-abortion-access-is-in-the-states

Devin Nunes' Cow Has a First Amendment Right to Call Rep. Nunes a 'Treasonous Cowpoke'
Brian Hauss | aclu.org | 2019-12-11
You might think that Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the | Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, would be too busy to file baseless | defamation lawsuits against anonymous Twitter accounts. But you'd be wrong. | Last year, Rep. Nunes sued a number of people who were | mean to him online, including the Twitter parody accounts Devin Nunes' Mom and | Devin Nunes' Cow. Now, he's trying to unmask the Cow by subpoenaing the | author's identity from a local law firm. The ACLU and Public Citizen have filed…
aclu.org/news/free-speech/devin-nunes-cow-has-a-first-amendment-right-to-call-rep-nunes-a-treasonous-cowpoke

Arizona educators, progressives confront ALEC summit and Betsy DeVos
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-12-09
Tucson, AZ – On December 4, a coalition of union educators, immigrant rights, police crimes, and climate change activists confronted the agenda of corporations like UPS and energy industry giants and billionaires like Charles Koch and Sheldon Achelson. At its height the crowd numbered around 200 with signs reading: "ALEC: Oligarchy in progress" and "Privatization, criminalization, incarceration, climate change, imperialism: #ALECisBehindIt." | The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a notorious organization of hardcore conservatives, was holding its States and Nation Policy Summit in Arizona. ALEC hoste…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/12/8/arizona-educators-progressives-confront-alec-summit-and-betsy-devos

Historic Radical Organization Relaunches to Fight Police Oppression
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-09
Jacqueline Luqman talks to Max Rameau about the relaunch of the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, and the start of a national effort to advocate for community control over the police.
therealnews.com/stories/historic-radical-organization-relaunches-fight-police-oppression

SPLC lawsuit seeks to restore Mississippi citizens' right to vote
splcenter.org | 2019-12-04
When they were children, Herman Parker and his three sisters went to their grandparents' house every election day.
splcenter.org/news/2019/12/04/splc-lawsuit-seeks-restore-mississippi-citizens-right-vote

Prison By Any Other Name: A Report on South Florida Detention Facilities
splcenter.org | 2019-12-02
splcenter.org/20191209/prison-any-other-name-report-south-florida-detention-facilities

Civil Rights Are on the Chopping Block in New Supreme Court Term
Marjorie Cohn | zcomm.org | 2019-12-02
Hello, A very small proportion of ZNet content is available only to Sustainers. You can become a sustainer for a small repeating donation – monthly or yearly via the links for Sustaining, or Donating, available on the top page of ZNet.
zcomm.org/zmagazine/civil-rights-are-on-the-chopping-block-in-new-supreme-court-term/

Just Trying to Get It
Gerry Mohan | zcomm.org | 2019-11-24
Front page of the Guardian Review I'm trying to get it: a US president who waged war against 7 Muslim countries; droned, murdered and terrorized thousands of civilians in some of the poorest countries on earth; just by the way got rid of habeas corpus; spent a trillion dollars on "modernizing" the US military and Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/just-trying-to-get-it/

After parole, Alabama man gets life back on track, helps others
Kathryn Casteel | splcenter.org | 2019-11-21
Chris "Champ" Napier started speaking to students and at-risk youth about his experience in prison before he knew he would ever regain his freedom.
splcenter.org/news/2019/12/03/after-parole-alabama-man-gets-life-back-track-helps-others

A brief memory of Angela Davis
fernando_santamaria | zcomm.org | 2019-11-21
I just finished reading Angela Davis' autobiography, published in 1978, shortly after the conclusion of her trial, when she was 28 years old. The Spanish edition is extended very briefly by another political prisoner, the Basque Arnaldo Otegi. I found attractive the simplicity and the clarity Davis uses to expose the institutional racism and police Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/a-brief-memory-of-angela-davis/