(2019-07-18). Will Any Disgusted Republicans Challenge Trump in the Primaries? dissidentvoice.org In 1956, then Senator John F. Kennedy authored a best-selling book titled Profiles in Courage, in which he told the stories of Senators in American history who, on principle, bucked the tides of power. Today, some Republican writer or conservative syndicated columnist — George Will or Max Boot — should write a book called Profiles in Cowardliness. It …
(2019-07-18). The BS about Medicare-for-All Has to Stop! dissidentvoice.org 
It is increasingly clear that the wagons have circled both in the Democratic National Committee and in the news media to shut down any possibility of a national health plan as proposed by Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) or Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. The media for their part, keep touting — almost …
(2019-07-18). Nearly 100,000 in Puerto Rico Protest Demanding Gov. Rosselló Resign over Lewd Texts & Corruption. democracynow.org 
Close to 100,000 Puerto Ricans took to the streets Wednesday chanting "Ricky Renuncia!" as they called for the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló, following the leak by Puerto Rico's Center for Investigative Journalism of hundreds of misogynistic, homophobic and violent text messages between Rosselló and members of his Cabinet. On Monday, Denis Márquez of the Puerto Rican Independence Party introduced formal complaints against the governor and called for his impeachment. All of this comes as former Education Secretary Julia Keleher and five others have been arrested on charges of steering federal money to u…
(2019-07-18). Head of NEA, country's biggest union, says Trump is a danger to democracy. peoplesworld.org 
HOUSTON (PAI)—Republican President Donald Trump is a danger to democracy and that automatically disqualified him from even being considered for an endorsement from the nation's largest union. That explanation came from Lily Eskelsen-Garcia, president of the 3.2-million-member National Education Association (NEA), in her keynote address to the union's recent convention in Houston, held over the …
(2019-07-18). "It Is Not Just War. It Is Life": Acclaimed Doc "For Sama" Offers Rare Glimpse into War-Torn Syria. democracynow.org 
We look at the award-winning documentary feature titled "For Sama," a devastating account of war-torn Syria told through the eyes of director Waad al-Kateab. She filmed hundreds of hours of footage in her native Aleppo to create a stunning depiction of life during wartime. Amid airstrikes and attacks on hospitals, Waad falls in love with one of the last remaining doctors in Aleppo, gets married and has a baby girl, Sama, to whom the film is dedicated. When protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad first began in 2011, Waad al-Kateab was a young economics student who began filming on a cellphone. Fo…
(2019-07-18). Will Even One Disgusted Republican Mount a Serious Primary Challenge to Trump? commondreams.org Republicans must think "crooked Donald" is invincible. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gop.jpeg …
(2019-07-18). Trump's Anti-Immigrant Policies Are a Voter Suppression Strategy. truthout.org | | Republicans lose when the vote expands. We saw this with the record turnout in the 2018 midterms, and we've seen it in the drop in Republican Party affiliation over time. This is why Republicans are tirelessly devoted to voter ID laws, disenfranchising people caught in the criminal punishment…
(2019-07-18). Elections in Greece: What happened and what's next. workers.org 
New Democracy, which the big business press calls a center-right party, won the July 7 election in Greece with 39.8 percent of the vote. It has 158 seats in parliament — a comfortable majority that let it form a majority government. The leader of ND, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, took over as . . . | Continue reading Elections in Greece: What happened and what's next at Workers.org
(2019-07-18). Headlines for July 18, 2019. democracynow.org House Lawmakers Vote to Table Trump Impeachment Resolution, Trump Renews Racist Attacks on Four Progressive Congresswomen, Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces Bill Affirming the Right to Boycott, House Votes to Bar Trump's Planned Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE, U.S. to Deploy 500 Troops to Saudi Air Base, Sudan's Military Rulers Agree to Share Power with Civilian Protesters, United Nations Declares Global Health Emergency as Ebola Spreads, Puerto Ricans Demand Resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló over Hateful Messages, AG Barr & Commerce Secretary Ross Held in Contempt of Congress, Sen. Rand Paul Blocks Vote on S…
(2019-07-18). Five 2020 Democrats Rise to the Top Amid Second Quarter Fundraising. truthout.org | | The five Democratic candidates who top the polls in recent months are also pulling away from the rest of the pack when it comes to fundraising. | South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg led all candidates with nearly $25 million raised,…
(2019-07-18). At Last, Legislation to Stop Private Equity Abuses. commondreams.org Workers have been abused by many facets of today's American capitalism. (Photo: Reuters) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/warren_10.jpeg …
(2019-07-18). Chuck Schumer, in Meeting With Progressive Caucus, Said He Was Surprised House Democrats Waved Through the Senate Border Bill. theintercept.com The Senate minority leader said he had expected the House to pass a stronger bill, after which the two chambers would negotiate a compromise.
(2019-07-18). 4 Sentenced For Murder of Bolivian Government Minister. telesurenglish.net 4 cooperative miners have been handed jail sentences for their involvement in the murder of Bolivian government minister Rodolfo Illanes in 2016. The 4 were part of anti-government protests against a mining law which they say benefited union miners over 'cooperative' ones. | RELATED: | Evo Gives Free Modern Farming Equipment to Bolivian Campesinos | On Thursday, Rene Cochi Trujillo, Silvestre Flores Ruiz, Carlos Castro Manuel y Julián Pinto Condori were each handed 5 y…
(2019-07-18). Henry Giroux: Will Trump's Deliberate Racist Rhetoric Lead Us to Fascism? truthout.org | | Henry Giroux dissects how the potential path to fascism is laid bare in Trump's rhetoric and policies and how the voices of four new progressive Democratic congresswomen in the U.S. House of Representatives speak to another American future. | TRANSCRIPT: | MARC STEINER Welcome to "The Real News Network." Good to have you with us. I'm Marc Steiner. We're about first to watch some clips from two press conferences that were held yesterday. One by Donald Trump, and the other by the four congressio…
(2019-07-18). How a trojan horse project to rewrite our constitution could actually happen if Trump wins in 2020. nationofchange.org It's often said that if Trump is reelected, it'll be the end of democracy in America. But how could Trump get reelected, and how could democracy get wiped out in the USA? Turns out, there's an actual project to rewrite our Constitution, turning America into a corporate-run oligarchy. They'd end the income tax, eliminate federal …
(2019-07-18). Donald Trump, the Democrat Squad and Failed Impeachment. dissidentvoice.org Twitter has become policy. It is platform, direction and determination. It has served one particular person well, a hazy mechanism to fog up the lenses of law makers. When President Donald Trump needs an air-wave filling distraction, a bilious splurge of interest in the blogosphere, he is always happy to lob a grenade of 280 …
(2019-07-18). Democratic Leaders Rake in Corporate Cash as "Squad" Sticks With Small Donors. truthout.org | | This article was produced by Sludge, an independent, ad-free investigative news site covering money in politics. Click here to support Sludge.In late June, 95 House Democrats voted against a bipartisan bill, supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to fund President Donald Trump's border enforcement operation wi…
(2019-07-18). National Polls Don't Mean Much. Here's Why. counterpunch.org "Here we go with the Fake Polls," President Donald Trump tweeted on July 15. "Just like what happened with the Election against Crooked Hillary Clinton." He's complaining about several polls that show him losing the national popular vote to various Democratic presidential aspirants, in some cases by double digits. He has a point. In 2016, More
(2019-07-18). Donald Trump, "the Democrat Squad" and Failed Impeachment. globalresearch.ca Twitter has become policy. It is platform, direction and determination. It has served one particular person well, a hazy mechanism to fog up the lenses of law makers. When President Donald Trump needs an air-wave filling distraction, a bilious splurge …
(2019-07-18). Trump praises Democratic Party on impeachment, denounces congresswomen as a crowd howls, "Send her back!" wsws.org Continuing his fascistic campaign against socialism, Trump denounced "left-wing extremists who reject everything our nation stands for."
(2019-07-18). Santa Cruz Residents Protest the Recall at Petition Signing Locations. indybay.org Santa Cruz residents are resisting what they are calling an "anti-democratic" effort to recall Progressive City Counclimembers Drew Glover and Chris Krohn by protesting at signature gathering sites. On July 15, a signature gathering location operated on Pacific Avenue by Take Back Santa Cruz member Jane Becker was protested.
(2019-07-18). Houston African Forum Pre-Event to Sister Cities International Conference. indybay.org Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University, Houston…
(2019-07-18). With Support of Just 3 Republicans, House Democrats Pass 'Historic' Raise the Wage Act to Guarantee Workers $15 Minimum Wage. commondreams.org Progressives in Congress were joined by workers, business owners, and labor rights advocates in celebrating the "historic" passage on Thursday of the Raise the Wage Act, aimed at guaranteeing all American workers a minimum wage of $15. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/fight-for-15_2_1.jpg …
(2019-07-18). 'Crisis in Queens': Immigrant from Jamaica announces Republican challenge to AOC in 2020. rt.com 
A new contender has entered the ring for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's House seat in New York, vowing to take the young congresswoman's spot in 2020 and condemning her for seeking self-promotion over public service.
(2019-07-18). '4 horsewomen' of Dem 'squad' poll low amid Trump tweetfest, but their party is doing even worse. rt.com 
The four Democratic congresswomen feuding with US President Donald Trump are not polling well nationwide, suggesting the president is right that "a lot of people love" his criticism of the women as anti-American "whack jobs."
(2019-07-18). After House Passes $15 Minimum Wage Bill, Bernie Sanders Demands McConnell Let Senate Vote. commondreams.org "If Senator McConnell wants to vote against that bill and explain to the people of Kentucky why he believes a $7.25 minimum wage is acceptable to him that is his prerogative," said the 2020 presidential candidate | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/sanders_mcconnell_mitch_mcconnell.jpg …
(2019-07-18). Schumer, DNC up in arms over face manipulation app created by 'the Russians'. rt.com 
Accusations about FaceApp, a service for manipulating portraits, have graduated from racism and transphobia to a bona fide national security threat, with Chuck Schumer calling for a formal FBI probe. Because Russia is behind it!
(2019-07-18). Riot police attack Athens protest against Airbnb as housing costs soar. wsws.org The attack by riot police came one day after Draconian law-and-order plans were unveiled by the newly elected conservative New Democracy government.
(2019-07-18). The Immigrant Crisis and the Democratic Party. indybay.org Redstone Building (room TBA) 2940 16th St., San Francisco…
(2019-07-18). Ilhan Omar brands Trump 'FASCIST' after 'send her back' chants at his rally. rt.com 
Rep. Ilhan Omar has accused the US president of being "racist" and of "spewing fascist ideology" after Donald Trump's supporters were heard chanting "send her back" during a rally as he was lambasting the Democratic congresswoman.
(2019-07-18). Rand Paul stalls 9/11 victim compensation bill, angering Democrats. rt.com 
Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) has blocked the passage of a measure extending compensation for the victims of the 9/11 attacks, citing cost concerns. The measure had broad bipartisan support.
(2019-07-18). Bernie Sanders, Anti-Imperialism and Venezuela. counterpunch.org 
Drawing by Nathaniel St. Clair | Throughout the last century, socialists have faced an uphill battle within the United States. Unlike other similarly high-income countries, the U.S. has largely remained a bastion of deeply individualist attitudes and unregulated capitalist policies. | Yet, over the span of the past decade, socialism has transformed from a demonized ideology to a publicly discussed economic model that many Americans are now seriously considering. Indeed, the Pew Research Center just last month published data showing that 42 percent of the country has a positive view of socialism, including 65 perc…
(2019-07-17). Maureen Dowd Asked Rahm Emanuel to Weigh In on an Immigration Debate. His Record Is Abysmal. theintercept.com 
When it comes to immigration, both the politics and the policy, perhaps no Democrat has been more destructive over the past 25 years than Rahm Emanuel.
(2019-07-17). Happiest Place on Earth? Meet the Disney Heiress Speaking Out Against Disneyland's Abuse of Workers. democracynow.org 
Abigail Disney, the heiress of the Disney fortune, is once again speaking out against the company's unfair labor and wage practices. She recently spoke to Disneyland employees in California, where they shared their experiences with the theme park's work environment. In the past, Abigail Disney has criticized Disney CEO Bob Iger's obscene salary and the drastic pay gap between Iger and other Disney employees. Abigail Disney also testified in May at the House Committee on Financial Services during a hearing on strengthening the rights and protections of workers. We speak with Abigail Disney, filmmaker and granddaug…
(2019-07-17). House to vote on impeaching Trump, again. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—Al Green is again trying to get his U.S. House colleagues to impeach Donald Trump. The Democratic congressman from Houston tried twice before, in GOP-run Congresses, to get the House to impeach the Republican president for his racism, xenophobia, sexism, and incitement of hatred nationwide. Green failed, getting around 60 votes each time, out of …
(2019-07-17). "They Didn't Do Their Job": Eric Garner Family Outraged DOJ Won't Prosecute His Death by Police. democracynow.org 
It's been five years since Eric Garner, an African-American father of six, was killed when a white New York City police officer wrestled him to the ground and applied a fatal chokehold, while Garner, who was unarmed, said "I can't breathe" 11 times. On Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced they will not bring civil rights charges against Daniel Pantaleo, the police officer implicated in Garner's death. The move reportedly came after Attorney General William Barr ordered that the case be dropped. Earlier this year, a medical examiner testified that it was a chokehold that triggered an asthma attack that led to Ga…
(2019-07-17). Is Tulsi Gabbard Qualified? dissidentvoice.org 
I want Tulsi Gabbard in the Democratic Presidential debates because she speaks out against wars. She raises the topic unasked. She wants various wars ended or not launched. She wants impeachment made automatic for presidents who launch wars. What's not to love? I also want Mike Gravel included for the same reason. If anything, he's …
(2019-07-17). Amazon Workers Demand Fair Pay & Conditions as Company Continues Undercutting Rivals. democracynow.org 
While online shoppers around the world flocked to Amazon's mega-sale "Prime Day" this week, the retail giant faced growing outrage from protesters, workers and lawmakers for its unsafe working conditions and collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Demonstrators in Seattle delivered a petition with over 270,000 signatures to Amazon headquarters demanding it stop exploiting workers and cooperating with ICE. Lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Ilhan Omar, co-signed a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration demanding a full investigation into Amazon's wor…
(2019-07-17). To Media, No Democrat Can Possibly Be Right-Wing. fair.org 
by Alan MacLeod The 2020 presidential candidacy race is in full (absurdly early) swing, and there is a clear and obvious internal battle currently raging for the soul of the Democratic Party. One faction is attempting to pull the party in a more populist, social-democratic direction, while another favors maintaining a neoliberal, pro-business course. | We all know the most prominent members of the first group: The likes of presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders and freshmen representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley are constantly referred to (accurately) as represen…
(2019-07-17). Headlines for July 17, 2019. democracynow.org House Votes to Condemn Trump's Racist Tweets, Rep. Al Green Introduces Impeachment Articles, Kellyanne Conway to Reporter Asking About Trump's Racism: "What's Your Ethnicity?", Rights Groups File Lawsuits to Stop Trump's Draconian New Asylum Rule, White Police Officer Who Killed Eric Garner Will Not Face Federal Charges, Ex-Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo Arrested in California over Corruption Scandal, Press Freedom Advocates Call for Release of Yemeni Journalist Yahya al-Sawari, Planned Parenthood Removes President Dr. Leana Wen over Disagreements on Direction of Org., Organizations Say They Will Not Comply…
(2019-07-17). 'Emulate his example' urges UN chief as world celebrates Nelson Mandela: a 'global advocate for dignity and equality'. un.org Nelson Mandela was an "extraordinary global advocate for dignity and equality" who anyone in public service should seek to emulate, Secretary-General António‚ÄØGuterres said in his message marking the International Day that honours the iconic anti-apartheid campaigner, and South Africa's first democratically-elected President.
(2019-07-17). DR Congo Ebola outbreak now an international Public Health Emergency, UN health agency declares. un.org The second worst Ebola outbreak of all time, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was officially declared an international Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Wednesday, with the head of the World Health Organization calling for countries to 'take notice and redouble our efforts".
(2019-07-17). A Fearless and Free Press is Essential to Our Democracy. counterpunch.org "Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." —Thomas Jefferson Make no mistake about it, the individual sitting in the highest office of our nation is trying to destroy the foundational institution upon which our democracy was founded — a fearless and free press. And why More
(2019-07-17). Not yet: Vote on Trump impeachment fails in Democrat-controlled House. rt.com 
The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted against a resolution to impeach President Donald Trump, sponsored by those hoping to capitalize on the backlash to Trump's attacks on four progressive congresswomen.
(2019-07-17). National strike against Ecuadorian government demands Assange's freedom. wsws.org The protests in defense of Assange and the recent five-day strike in Ecuador demonstrate that the only social basis for his liberation and the defense democratic rights is the international working class.
(2019-07-17). 'C'mon Donald!' Joe Biden challenges Trump to PUSH UP competition. rt.com 
Former vice president Joe Biden has a novel challenge for Donald Trump: a pushup competition. Not to be left out of the senior athletics contest, Bernie Sanders also challenged the president to a mile-long run.
(2019-07-17). Reading Buttigieg Told Me Everything I Need to Know About the 2020 Presidential Race. thenation.com Reading Buttigieg Told Me Everything I Need to Know About the 2020 Presidential Race…
(2019-07-17). The Republican Party Is Aggressively Repositioning Itself as the Party of Trump's Racism. thenation.com The Republican Party Is Aggressively Repositioning Itself as the Party of Trump's Racism…
(2019-07-17). Pentagon to send 2,100 additional troops to Mexican border. rt.com 
The US Department of Defense will send 2,100 troops to the Mexican border, to bolster the 4,500 military personnel already there. The move comes amid Democratic Party criticism of President Trump's immigration policies. |
(2019-07-17). '4 horsewomen of the apocalypse': Trump renews attack on 'Dem Squad'. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has tweeted out comments made by a Republican senator who branded the 'squad' of four freshman Democratic congresswomen who accused him of racism as "the four horsewomen of the apocalypse."
(2019-07-17). Election-meddling & 'good censorship': Google 'pushes the boundaries till its hand gets slapped'. rt.com 
Senate Republicans tore into Google during a hearing, demanding accountability for its biased, election-skewing algorithms, while Democrats ran interference, denying the company was censoring anyone — and suggesting it should.
(2019-07-16). "Our Squad Is Big": Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Tlaib and Pressley Condemn Trump's Racist Attack. democracynow.org 
Congressmembers Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar condemned President Trump's spate of racist attacks against them in a news conference Monday. Their public rebuke followed Trump tweeting Sunday telling them to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came." The comments have been widely condemned as racist and xenophobic. We hear from the progressive congresswomen in their own words.
(2019-07-16). ACTION ALERT: CNN Should Treat Left and Right Alike in Presidential Debates. fair.org CNN is hosting the next Democratic primary debates on July 30 and 31. Three people have been selected to ask questions: CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Don Lemon, and CNN correspondent Dana Bash. | In the last presidential elections, the first Republican primary debate CNN hos…
(2019-07-16). Julián Castro Is Running for President & Supporting Striking Amazon & McDonald's Workers. democracynow.org 
Amid labor strikes against poor working conditions and low wages for Amazon and McDonald's workers, we speak with 2020 presidential candidate Julián Castro about workers' rights, fair pay and where he stands on foreign policy, from China to Israel.
(2019-07-16). 2020 Hopeful Julián Castro Vows to Break Up ICE & Calls Trump's New Asylum Rule Unconstitutional. democracynow.org 
As Trump faced national rebuke for his racist comments against four progressive congresswomen, his administration announced a new rule essentially banning most immigrants from seeking refuge in the United States. The rule, which the ACLU has already vowed to challenge in court, would deny asylum to any migrant who failed to apply for protection in another country they passed through on the way to the U.S. border—including children traveling alone. If enacted, the law would effectively block people from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, as well as Haitians, Cubans and many people from African countries, who…
(2019-07-16). The Case for a New Third Party in America. dissidentvoice.org In the late 1850s, the United States experienced a political realignment when the Whig Party disbanded and many of its members including Abraham Lincoln joined the nascent Republican Party because of the betrayal of the Whig leadership over the issue of slavery and its extension. American politics may be poised for a similar realignment today …
(2019-07-16). Headlines for July 16, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Announces Radical Plan to Bar Almost All Migrants from Seeking Asylum at U.S. Border, Squad Rejects Trump's Racist Attacks & Calls for Impeachment as House Plans Resolution to Condemn, Protesters Call for Exit of Puerto Rican Gov. Rosselló After Leaked Text Messages, El Salvador Rape Survivor Being Retried for Homicide for Having Stillbirth, U.N. Report Accuses Venezuela's Special Forces of 1000s of Extrajudicial Killings, Workers and Activists Protest Amazon, Calling for an End to Labor Abuses, Collaboration with ICE, Washington Activist Protesting Immigrant Detention Shot Dead, Historian and Civil Rights…
(2019-07-16). Ebola emergency meeting to go ahead as UNICEF warns of higher risk to very youngest children. un.org Ahead of a key expert meeting convened by the United Nations to decide whether to declare the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) an international health emergency, the UN Children's Fund UNICEF warned that the epidemic "is infecting more children" than earlier outbreaks.
(2019-07-16). As Republicans Push Pro-Life Agenda, Maternal and Infant Death Rates Rise. therealnews.com 
Not only has maternal and infant health mortality rates increased in the U.S. but these rates are double for black women compared to their white counterparts—no matter what their education or income level. Community Doulas and midwives think they have part of the solution…
(2019-07-16). Ruthless Philippine President's High Popularity Is the Result of Failed Democracy. therealnews.com 
As the death toll in President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs keeps climbing, so does his popularity. How can this be? Walden Bello says it is the result of a failed liberal democracy in the Philippines…
(2019-07-16). Pelosi's Feud Won't Stop the Squad. thenation.com Pelosi's Feud Won't Stop the Squad…
(2019-07-16). Trump's Racist Tweets Fan Hatred, Defining the Coming Election. therealnews.com 
Professors Gerald Horne and Kimberly Moffit examine how Trump's targeted tweet storm against progressive women of color who serve in Congress works to further divide the Democratic party, while dredging up America's racist settler-colonial past…
(2019-07-15). "We Are in Fear": Undocumented Immigrant in Sanctuary Responds to Raids from Colorado Church. democracynow.org 
As immigrant communities face ongoing raids across the country, we speak with Rosa Sabido, one of dozens of undocumented immigrants living in churches across the United States. She entered sanctuary in May 2017 in the fellowship hall at United Methodist Church in Mancos, Colorado, after being told that her latest request of stay of deportation had been denied by ICE. She first came to the U.S. on a visitor visa in 1987 to see her mother and stepfather, who are both naturalized U.S. citizens. "We are in fear. We are on guard," says Sabido. "We are on constant panic, and we don't know what's going to happen in our…
(2019-07-15). Cruelty Is the Point: Communities Fight Back as Threat of ICE Raids Terrorize Immigrant Families. democracynow.org 
This weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents launched a handful of raids across the country as part of President Trump's push to detain and deport thousands of undocumented migrants in 10 major cities. Agents in Chicago reportedly arrested a mother and her children only to quickly release them. Arrests were also attempted in New York City, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Harlem, where immigrants reportedly refused to open their doors to ICE agents because they did not have warrants. Authorities say more raids are planned this week, prompting fear but also generating mass protests on the ground. We speak…
(2019-07-15). How Some Florida Prosecutors Are Pushing Back Against GOP Voter Suppression Efforts. theintercept.com 
The GOP legislature is trying to take the vote away from people with past legal woes — and some prosecutors are looking for ways around a new restriction.
(2019-07-15). "Fossil Fuel Stooges" Pence & Trump Deny Climate Crisis as Deadly Rains Slam Louisiana & South Asia. democracynow.org 
Ongoing heavy rain has killed at least 67 people in Nepal, 25 in India and 14 in Bangladesh as flooding from monsoons has displaced 1 million people in South Asia. This year's flooding in the region has been worse than ever before and is likely fueled by rising global temperatures, which have led to more extreme weather. Scientists warn that the risk of deadly floods is not over. In the United States, New Orleans residents managed to avoid the worst of Tropical Storm Barry, but 11 million people continued to be on flash flood warning as the storm slowly made its way through Louisiana over the weekend. President T…
(2019-07-14). Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden Condemn Israeli Occupation, as Young American Jews Urge Democrats to Press Israel. theintercept.com Young American Jews got two more presidential candidates, Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden, to denounce Israel's military rule over millions of Palestinians.
(2019-07-14). Activists in Oshkosh, WI call for closure of Trump's concentration camps. fightbacknews.org Oshkosh, WI – On the evening of July 12, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Students for a Democratic Society (UWO SDS) hosted a Lights for Liberty rally, demanding an end to the Trump administration's detention policy and the closure of the concentration camps, where tens of thousands of immigrants are being held in clear breach of international law. The call to action drew roughly 30 people from Oshkosh and the surrounding Fox Valley area. | The event started with a silent candlelight vigil to help bring awareness to the disastrous conditions in the camps. The action featured 12 different people speaking…
(2019-07-13). Why Does WaPo See Black as an 'Identity'—but Not Multi-Millionaire? fair.org The Washington Post's "identity politics" writer put out a piece this week ( 7/9/19) devoted to what Robert Johnson, the ultra-rich founder of Black Entertainment Television, thinks about the Democratic primary race. The piece leads off: Few demographic groups are more faithful to the Democratic Party than black Am…
(2019-07-13). Socialism 2019 in 'Red Chicago'. greenleft.org.au 
Chicago has a proud working-class history and this year elected six socialists to its city council. At a time when social movements are on the rise and interest in socialist ideas in the United States is at an all time high, the Windy City was the perfect venue for the annual Socialism conference over July 4—7. | Socialism 2019 was profoundly shaped by three particular and interrelated developments. | First, the dramatic growth of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) following Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential primaries campaign, secondly, the polarisati…
(2019-07-12). Ousted Honduran President Zelaya: The 2009 U.S.-Backed Coup Helped Cause Today's Migrant Crisis. democracynow.org 
Since the 2009 U.S.-backed military coup in Honduras, extreme poverty and violence has skyrocketed in the country, forcing tens of thousands of Hondurans to flee to the U.S. with the hope of receiving political asylum. We speak with ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya in the capital of Tegucigalpa about the 10th anniversary of the coup in Honduras, U.S. intervention in Central America and its link to today's migration crisis.
(2019-07-12). The Glaring Holes in Michelle Bachelet's Venezuela Human Rights Report. mintpressnews.com 
UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Michelle Bachelet's report on Venezuela echoes the US government's talking points, which are designed to terminate the two-decade-old Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. The report fails to acknowledge Venezuela's manifest accomplishments or even recognize victims of US-backed right-wing violence in Venezuela. The US economic war against Venezuela, US threats of a "military option," and opposition violence are treated in the Bachelet report as figments of the imagination, "alleged internal and external threats." | Mean…
(2019-07-12). Know Your Rights: How Immigrant Rights Activists Are Preparing for Looming ICE Deportation Raids. democracynow.org 
Immigrant communities across the country and their allies are preparing for nationwide raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement planned to begin Sunday that will target undocumented members of immigrant families in at least nine major cities. The cities where raids will take place are said to be Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco. New Orleans had been on the list, but the city announced this weekend that ICE was temporarily postponing the raids due to Tropical Storm Barry. We speak with a roundtable of immigrants' rights activists: Adelina Nicholls, th…
(2019-07-12). 'This Is Designed to Shape the Electorate to Retain Political Power' – CounterSpin interview with Steven Rosenfeld on gerrymandering. fair.org 
Janine Jackson interviewed Steven Rosenfeld on the Supreme Court's gerrymandering decision for the July 5, 2019, episode of CounterSpin. This is a lightly edited transcript. | Media…
(2019-07-12). Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost Was a Member of Secret Facebook Group. theintercept.com 
When news broke that thousands of current and former Border Patrol agents were members of a secret Facebook group filled with racist, vulgar, and sexist content, Carla Provost, chief of the agency, was quick to respond. "These posts are completely inappropriate and contrary to the honor and integrity I see — and expect — from our agents day in and day out," Provost said in a statement. "Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable." | For Provost, a veteran of the Border Patrol who was named head of the agency in August 2018, the group's existence and content…
(2019-07-12). House Says Trump Can't Go to War With Iran Unless Congress Approves. theintercept.com Democrats in the House of Representatives on Friday passed an amendment that would sharply restrict President Donald Trump's ability to attack Iran without congressional authorization, attaching the language to an annual must-pass defense bill. | The measure, which was sponsored by California Democrat Ro Khanna and Florida Republican Matthew Gaetz, would prohibit the Pentagon from spending money on any military action against Iran unless Congress has declared war or passed a resolution authorizing the administration to use force. The bill contains an exception for emergency situations in which U.S. armed forces a…
(2019-07-12). Weekend Read: Jim Crow's fingerprints are on Florida's new voting law. splcenter.org Voting is not a privilege but a right that is essential for a healthy, well-functioning democracy.
(2019-07-11). The U.S. Women's Soccer World Cup Win Was a Victory for Title IX & the Fight for Equal Pay. democracynow.org 
Thousands gathered in Manhattan Wednesday to celebrate the U.S. women's national soccer team's fourth World Cup championship at a ticker tape parade that stretched up Broadway and past Wall Street. Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle and their teammates rode floats through New York City's Canyon of Heroes, ending their celebrations at a ceremony at City Hall. Supporters chanted "U.S.A.!" and "Equal pay!" The U.S women's World Cup victory came just months after members of the 2015 women's team sued the U.S. Soccer Federation over gender discrimination. Their high-profile fight for pay equity is focusing the s…
(2019-07-11). "Unconscionable & Unacceptable": Rep. Barragán Decries Detention of Migrant Children in Prison Cells. democracynow.org 
Yazmin Juárez, the Guatemalan mother whose child died from a lung infection after being held in an ICE detention center, testified before members of a congressional panel Wednesday. She shared the story of her daughter, 19-month-old Mariee, who died last year shortly after being released from the South Texas Family Detention Center in Dilley, Texas. Juárez filed a $60 million lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Patrol and the Department of Health and Human Services. The House subcommittee convened to examine the treatment of refugees in U.S.
(2019-07-11). As 2020 Primary Nears, Candidates Struggle with Positions on Charter Schools. progressive.org After years of avoidance, Democrats are being forced to take a stand charter schools—and most are straddling both sides.
(2019-07-10). How the Climate Crisis Is Pushing Central Americans Out of Their Homes Toward the U.S. democracynow.org 
As the U.S. continues to crack down on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, we look at one of the underreported driving factors leading people to flee their home countries: the climate crisis. John Carlos Frey, author of "Sand and Blood: America's Stealth War on the Mexico Border," spent time with Central American climate refugees traveling in a caravan toward the United States. He says, "If this drought continues, we're looking at all-out famine from Central America. …That's one of the major reasons why they're coming. … The government doesn't even acknowledge the fact that there is a climate c…
(2019-07-10). John Carlos Frey: America's Deadly Stealth War on the Mexico Border Is Approaching Genocide. democracynow.org 
John Carlos Frey's new book, "Sand and Blood: America's Stealth War on the Mexico Border," chronicles how the U.S.-Mexico border became a war zone through decades of deadly bipartisan immigration policy. But it also examines the border through the personal history of his family. Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Frey moved to the U.S. with his family when he was a toddler in 1965. He grew up in southern San Diego, California, where he witnessed the effects of American immigration policy on the borderlands every day. His father was an American citizen. His mother was a Mexican immigrant. Frey's book is dedicated "To my mot…
(2019-07-10). The Inhumane Treatment of Migrants Is Not New. It's a Key Part of a Decades-Old Bipartisan Policy. democracynow.org 
More than a week after lawmakers flocked to the U.S.-Mexico border to observe the horrible treatment of refugee children and families in immigration jails, reports of unsafe and unsanitary conditions for asylum seekers are continuing. In Clint, Texas, the Border Patrol station that garnered international attention for jailing hundreds of migrant children without access to sufficient food, water, beds or medical care now has a spreading outbreak of scabies, shingles and chickenpox, according to border agents. In Yuma, Arizona, NBC reports that jailed migrant children have been subjected to mistreatment and sexual…
(2019-07-08). As prosecutors vow retrial of Scott Warren, community vows to continue aiding migrants. liberationnews.org 
The further persecution of Warren is not having the cooling effect on border-activism that U.S. authorities intended it to have.
(2019-07-03). Buttigieg Goes for Big Bucks as NYT Oversells His Small-Donor Support. fair.org On June 25, the day before the first Democratic presidential debates, Pete Buttigieg's average in polls of the race stood at 7.0 percent. Today, after the attention and considerable positive media reaction that he got after the debates, he's surged—to 5.2 percent. | Despite the fact that more people seeing him seems to have resulted in less people liking him, the media narrative about Buttigieg is that his is a campaign on the move—based almost entirely on his fundraising succes…
(2019-07-03). Thousands of Voices Are Telling the Supreme Court: Don't Roll Back LGBTQ Rights. aclu.org Businesses, women CEOs, civil rights organizations, Republicans tell the Supreme Court to protect LGBTQ employees like Aimee Stephens and Don Zarda. | President Trump has told the Supreme Court it should be legal to fire someone just because they're LGBTQ. The President may be a bully, but he's just one voice. Today, more than 2,000 voices from across the country joined together to tell the Supreme Court: Don't roll back our rights. | The message came in the form of friend-of-the-court briefs—nearly 50 in all—filed in a…
