Democratic rights
Israeli human rights organization declares Israel an apartheid state
By Jean Shaoul, 18 December 2021
B’Tselem's statement that Israel is an apartheid regime confirms not only what critics of Israel’s brutal suppression of the Palestinians have long been saying, but also the historic bankruptcy and reactionary culmination of the Zionist project and all such nationalist programs.
999 Censorship of Jenin Jenin (Palestinian film)
23 January 2021
999 ADL reprimands Chi teacher, CTU apologizes for Niemoller poem reference
23 January 2021
International filmmakers demand end to Israeli ban on Mohammed Bakri’s Jenin, Jenin
By Jean Shaoul, 23 January 2021
Among those supporting Bakri are British film directors Ken Loach and Asif Kapadia, Finnish screenwriter and director Aki Kaurismaki, Palestinian filmmakers Michel Khleifi and Annemarie Jacir and Israeli director Eyal Sivan.
US Army covered up role of Flynn’s brother, a general, in January 6 coup response
By Patrick Martin, 22 January 2021
Lt. Gen. Charles A. Flynn took part in the meeting where Army leaders initially refused requests to send the National Guard to the US Capitol.
Ferdinand von Schirach’s Enemies: German public television puts police torture up for consideration
By Justus Leicht, 22 January 2021
The German public television network ARD began the new year with a controversial programme examining the value of police using torture to compel suspects to confess.
New York City workers demand action to defend Hunts Point strikers
By Daniel de Vries, 21 January 2021
Teachers, transit and other workers in New York City denounced Tuesday’s police attack on striking warehouse workers and are calling for unified action to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and poverty wages.
Philippine military breaks longstanding agreement, returns forces to campuses
By John Malvar, 21 January 2021
The return of the Philippine military to the University of the Philippines campuses is both a salvo in the ongoing struggle between rival factions of the elite and another step towards authoritarian rule.
Court documents detail fascist groups’ advanced planning for seizure of US Capitol
By Alex Findijs, 20 January 2021
FBI charging documents against leading members of the Oath Keepers paramilitary group include text messages and other communications showing a high level of coordination and the intention to kidnap and kill elected officials.
Inauguration 2021: On the edge of an abyss
By Joseph Kishore and David North, 20 January 2021
The Biden administration is taking office in the midst of an existential crisis of the entire American political, social and economic system.
New York City police attack striking Hunts Point warehouse workers
By Daniel de Vries, 20 January 2021
The NYPD arrested five workers as the warehouse workers' strike extended to day 3.
Lockerbie bombing: Megrahi's posthumous appeal rejected by Scottish judges
By Steve James, 20 January 2021
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi is the only person to be convicted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 270 people
Corbyn seeks readmittance to Labour Party as antisemitism witch-hunt escalates
By Thomas Scripps, 20 January 2021
The sum total of Corbyn’s position—of the man built up by the pseudo-left for years as a socialist messiah—is “Please Sir Keir! Throw me a bone!”
999 Trump pardons
20 January 2021
Ugandan President Museveni arrests opposition rival Bobbi Wine
By Jean Shaoul, 20 January 2021
Museveni’s regime depends on extensive backing from the US, which provides over $970 million a year in development and security assistance, including military training for the army.
School worker deaths mount in Florida as virus spreads without restraint
By Alex Johnson, 20 January 2021
Two public school workers from Florida died earlier this month after contracting COVID-19 under conditions of an unmitigated spread of the virus in school districts statewide.
DHS nominee Mayorkas testifies before Congress as Biden unveils immigration plan
By Kevin Reed, 20 January 2021
The right-wing politics of the incoming Biden administration were revealed at the congressional hearing for Homeland Security secretary nominee Alejandro Mayorkas and in an announcement that immigration legislation would be moved on the first day of the new administration.
Tunisian regime deploys army as protests spread 10 years after Arab Spring
By Alex Lantier, 19 January 2021
Ten years after revolutionary uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, explosive anger is building in working-class districts across North Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andre Damon speaks to Rolling Stone on internet censorship and Trump’s coup attempt
19 January 2021
Matt Taibbi and Katie Halper interviewed WSWS reporter Andre Damon on the most recent episode of Rolling Stone’s Useful Idiots podcast.
Educators and workers across the US denounce arrest of whistleblower Rebekah Jones
By Matthew MacEgan, 19 January 2021
Jones, who faces persecution in response to her efforts to expose the spread of the pandemic in Florida and in K-12 schools across the US, was released on bond after turning herself in to Florida police.
State of emergency imposed in Malaysia, granting government sweeping powers
By Peter Symonds, 18 January 2021
While the spread of COVID-19 was the stated reason, the anti-democratic powers invoked are above all directed against the working class.
Indiana lawmakers propose new law shielding businesses from COVID-19 liabilities
By Jack Temple, 18 January 2021
The proposed law seeks to remove legal rights from workers if they get sick or die from contracting COVID-19 at work.
Free COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones!
By Bryan Dyne, 18 January 2021
Jones is being prosecuted by the state of Florida for exposing its effort to cover up cases of COVID-19 and opposing the state’s policy of prematurely reopening schools.
As proof of high-level conspiracy mounts
Justice Department proposes internal investigation to cover up state involvement in January 6 coup attempt
By Eric London, 16 January 2021
Although the January 6 attempt failed at seizing power, the entire political establishment is now lurching further to the right.
Trump administration executes two more death row prisoners in pre-Inauguration Day killing spree
By Kate Randall, 16 January 2021
The US government executed two prisoners Thursday night and early Saturday as the Trump administration continued its killing spree in advance of the inauguration of Joe Biden as president on January 20. The US Supreme Court allowed both executions to proceed.
Killeen, Texas police officer shot and killed unarmed man during mental health call
By Chase Lawrence, 16 January 2021
Patrick Warren, Sr. was shot multiple times in the front yard of his home as his family watched in horror.
Lightfoot administration blocked release of video showing Chicago police crushing woman’s leg with SUV
By George Gallanis, 16 January 2021
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her Democratic administration, aware of the growing social tensions in Chicago’s working class, are concerned that the quick release of incriminating police violence videos can lead to massive social upheavals.
Mentally ill woman executed as Trump continues federal killing spree
By Chase Lawrence, 15 January 2021
The US Supreme Court cleared the way for the execution of Lisa Montgomery at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, despite clear evidence of her mental incompetency.
Fascist coup in Washington accelerates Spanish army’s coup plotting
By Alejandro López, 15 January 2021
Spain’s conservative Popular Party, the main parliamentary opposition to the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government, is debating whether to endorse the campaign waged by army officers and the fascist Vox party for a coup d’état.
999 Detroit countersuing Black Lives Matter protest org over protests
15 January 2021
Detainees on Australia’s Christmas Island continue protests against appalling conditions
By Max Boddy, 15 January 2021
The Australian Border Force has responded to the protests with violence and punitive segregation measures.
999 Australian workers and youth speak out for Julian Assange
15 January 2021
999 Chicago mayor lied about suppressing yet another police violence video
15 January 2021
FBI reveals “dozens” of neo-Nazis and white supremacists on Terror Watch List traveled to D.C. for January 6 coup
By Jacob Crosse, 15 January 2021
In addition to active Republican politicians and off-duty military and police, many militiamen and fascists claiming membership in the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and III Percenters marched on the Capitol
999 Federal execution of Lisa Montgomery
14 January 2021
Growing threats of fascist violence as Democrats appeal for “unity” and “healing”
By Eric London, 13 January 2021
The Democratic Party’s appeals for compromise with Republican conspirators amid the ongoing coup threat makes clear the need for an independent working class intervention to stop the growth of fascism in America.
999 How the working class can intervene to stop Trump's coup plotting
13 January 2021
Video shows Modesto, California police officer gunned down unarmed man with hands up
By Shawn Velia and John Andrews, 13 January 2021
A body camera recording released by the Modesto Police Department in California shows an unarmed man gunned down, and then shot a second time while trying to surrender with his hands raised.
999 Execution of female federal prisoner stayed
13 January 2021
Detainees protest inhuman conditions on Australia’s Christmas Island
By Max Boddy, 9 January 2021
After being denied the right to peacefully demonstrate, detainees set fire to mattresses and buildings in the immigration prison.
Amid fascist coup in Washington, Spanish officers intensify far-right plotting
By Alejandro López, 9 January 2021
As Trump attempted a coup in Washington, Spanish officers wrote to Defence Minister Margarita Robles, demanding she “change the course” of the elected government.
Details emerge of high-level state involvement in Wednesday’s coup attempt
By Eric London, 9 January 2021
New revelations show the fascist putsch was prepared with the involvement of sections of the military, police and Republican Party and that the danger has not passed.
Chicago police crushed woman’s leg with SUV in 2019
By George Gallanis, 9 January 2021
The footage of Martina Standley’s terrifying ordeal exposes yet another drop in the bucket of the bloody record of the Chicago Police Department, overseen by the Democratic Party for nearly a hundred years.
Growing questions about police stand-down in January 6 coup attempt
By Jacob Crosse, 8 January 2021
Despite weeks of advance notice that thousands of people would be descending on DC and Congress on the orders of Trump, Capitol police made little effort to prevent their entry.
999 Chicago police crushed womans leg with car
8 January 2021
Hong Kong police carry out largest arrests since imposition of national security law
By Ben McGrath, 8 January 2021
Beijing’s primary fear is that the working class will start to fight for its own class interests in Hong Kong and opposition will spread throughout the rest of China.
For a full, public investigation of Trump’s January 6 coup!
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 8 January 2021
The Democratic Party is joining with the Republicans and the Trump administration to cover up for those politically responsible for fascist violence at the US Capitol.
Republican state senators in Pennsylvania refuse to seat reelected Democrat
By Our reporter, 7 January 2021
Democratic state senators, after scattered protests, allowed the anti-democratic farce to proceed.
Assange denied bail after extradition blocked, will appeal to UK High Court
By Thomas Scripps, 7 January 2021
Judge Baraitser said in her decision Wednesday, “As far as Mr Assange is concerned, this case has not yet been won.”
999 Anti-Russia campaign escalating in leadup to Biden inauguration
7 January 2021
Nebraska governor says undocumented meatpacking workers will not receive vaccine
By Alex Findijs, 7 January 2021
Governor Ricketts said during a press conference that undocumented immigrants in the meat processing industry will not receive the COVID-19 vaccine and his spokesman said its distribution will be prioritized by citizenship status.
999 Philippines: Stalinist CPP initiating urban guerrilla squads
7 January 2021
The fascist coup of January 6
By David North, 7 January 2021
The fascist insurrection in Washington DC is a turning point in the political history of the United States.
After British extradition verdict, Australian government still refuses to defend Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 January 2021
In line with his government’s support for US-led wars and the accompanying assault on democratic rights, Prime Minister Scott Morrison immediately ruled out any attempt to secure Assange’s freedom.
Macron government advisor meets with neofascist Marion Marechal Le Pen
By Jacques Valentin, 6 January 2021
The French daily Le Monde revealed that Bruno Roger-Petit, an advisor to President Emmanuel Macron, met for lunch with Marion Maréchal on October 14.
No charges filed against officer who shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin
By Chase Lawrence, 6 January 2021
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, announced Monday the mobilization of 500 National Guard soldiers ahead of the decision to aid the police in the suppression of expected protests.
Democrats claim victory in Georgia Senate races
By Jacob Crosse, 6 January 2021
In two razor-thin races in the state of Georgia, Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeated incumbent Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.
Trump intensifies coup plot as Congress meets to certify election results
By Andre Damon, 6 January 2021
The events of this week have made clear that US President Donald Trump is actively engaged in a conspiracy to reject the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, overthrow the Constitution, and establish a dictatorship in the United States.
999 Georgia election
6 January 2021
Medical doctors respond to Assange extradition ruling: “He must be released without delay”
By our reporters, 6 January 2021
“We demand that all legal proceedings be dropped and that he be released from prison, and only then will his psychological torture finally end.”
In Georgia speech, Trump pledges to overturn election result
By Patrick Martin, 5 January 2021
US President Donald Trump doubled down on his efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in a speech in Georgia Tuesday, pledging, “They are not taking this White House, we are going to fight like hell.”
UK judge rules against US extradition: Release Julian Assange now!
By Thomas Scripps, 4 January 2021
A political decision has been reached that upholds the threat to democratic rights represented by the prosecution’s case, leaves Assange in danger of continued persecution, and demands the intensification of the campaign to secure his freedom.
Spanish officers plot fascist coup to impose “herd immunity” COVID-19 policy
By Alejandro López and Alex Lantier, 31 December 2020
The “left populist” Podemos party and its ruling social-democratic allies are hushing up active plotting for a coup that has taken place throughout virtually the entire year.
Assange extradition decision due January 4: Mobilise the working class to secure his freedom!
By Thomas Scripps, 31 December 2020
Building the necessary campaign in the working class requires a political reckoning with the forces that have worked to isolate Assange—the media and civil rights organisations of the petty-bourgeois “liberal” fraternity, the pseudo-left and the trade union and Labour bureaucracy.
Hands off COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones!
By Health Workers Action Committee of Sri Lanka, 30 December 2020
Sri Lankan health workers denounce the persecution of data scientist Rebekah Jones and hail her determination to protect lives by exposing the real extent of the coronavirus pandemic in the US.
Second fatal policing shooting in Columbus, Ohio in less than a month sparks outrage
By Alex Findijs, 24 December 2020
Andre Hill was reportedly visiting a friend to deliver money for Christmas presents when the police arrived in response to a reported disturbance. Hill had barely stepped out of the garage when he was shot multiple times by an officer.
Australian educators call for the defence of COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones
By Sue Phillips, 23 December 2020
Teachers and support staff at Footscray High in Melbourne met in the final days of the school year to show their support for Jones.
The Indian farmers’ agitation and the socialist strategy of the working class
Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 22 December 2020
Indian workers must intervene as an independent political force in the crisis precipitated by the farmers’ agitation and rally the rural masses under their leadership to fight the Modi government and bourgeois rule.
Crisis mounts in Chicago as Lightfoot admits lying and an official resigns following brutal police raid
By Alexander Fangmann, 22 December 2020
The resignation of Corporation Counsel Mark Flessner is part of a campaign to deflect attention away from the deeply entrenched lawlessness and violence that has been cultivated in the police through nearly a century of Democratic Party rule.
Trump held White House meeting on martial law plan to overturn election
By Patrick Martin, 21 December 2020
The president and his aides discussed the possibility of declaring martial law and rerunning the presidential election in key states during a meeting Friday in the Oval Office.
Sri Lankan government detains young Muslim poet on bogus charges
By S. Jayanth, 21 December 2020
Ahnaf Jazeem is the latest victim of the Rajapakse government’s anti-Muslim witch hunt and its escalating attacks on the democratic rights of writers, artists and intellectuals.
US Postal Service, starved for funds, approaches gridlock with 14,000 workers quarantined
By Tom Carter, 19 December 2020
In the midst of the holiday season, traditionally the busiest of the year, USPS workers are exhausted, thousands are sick or in quarantine, and packages are piling up.
Room 2806: The Accusation—Digging up the discredited sexual assault case against French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn
By Joanne Laurier, 19 December 2020
The case fell apart in August 2011 after prosecutors found, in their own words, that the alleged victim had been “persistently, and at times inexplicably, untruthful in describing matters of both great and small significance.”
As ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn urges military intervention
Trump Defense Secretary Christopher Miller cancels meetings with Biden transition team
By Kevin Reed, 19 December 2020
The acting defense secretary, Christopher Miller, cancelled meetings with the Biden transition team late Thursday as President Trump and his fascistic supporters continued their efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Report details widespread illegal extraction of smartphone data by US law enforcement
By Kevin Reed, 17 December 2020
An extensive report from Upturn, a nonprofit civil rights organization, shows that law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels are each day routinely extracting smartphone data in violation of the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Republican state senators call on Trump to declare martial law to overturn Biden election victory
By Jacob Crosse, 17 December 2020
Despite Monday’s electoral college certification of Joe Biden’s victory, Trump continues to push forward with his efforts to subvert the election results, claiming his loss was fraudulent and inciting his supporters against those who claim otherwise.
Australian intelligence review paves way for expanded political surveillance
By Mike Head, 16 December 2020
Buried away in the mammoth report, and barely mentioned in the corporate media, is an array of further anti-democratic powers.
Police arrested more than 117 journalists in the US in 2020
By Alex Findijs, 16 December 2020
The mass multiracial anti-police violence protests that erupted over the summer were met by brutal repression, with police forces across the country taking particular aim at intimidating and silencing journalists.
“I stand with Ms. Jones, and I call on others to stand in solidarity with Ms. Jones.”
Statements of support for COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones from across the US
By Chase Lawrence, 15 December 2020
In response to this clear assault on democratic rights, there has been an outpouring of support by educators, scientists, and other workers in defense of Jones and the rights of whistleblowers.
UN rapporteur Nils Melzer demands Assange’s immediate release after ten years’ arbitrary detention
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 December 2020
Melzer’s statement was issued amid a major coronavirus outbreak in Belmarsh Prison, that threatens the WikiLeaks publisher’s life, and in the lead-up to a ruling on his extradition to the United States.
NLRB says Google illegally spied on and fired workers in 2019
By Kevin Reed, 14 December 2020
A complaint filed by the San Francisco office of the NLRB has charged Google with violating the National Labor Relations Act by interfering with, disciplining and firing employees who were engaged in legally protected organizing activities.
Macron government authorizes police documentation of political views of French population
By Will Morrow, 14 December 2020
At the beginning of the month, the Macron government quietly released far-reaching changes to its police intelligence guidelines.
New York Times smears COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones
By Genevieve Leigh, 14 December 2020
The Times is attempting to dig up completely irrelevant episodes from Jones’ past in order to discredit her work in exposing the state cover-up of COVID-19 cases.
Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government uses deadly force against wages protests
By Jean Shaoul, 12 December 2020
Security forces fired on demonstrators protesting over unpaid wages, killing eight people and injuring 65 more.
999 NYT and Rebekah Jones
12 December 2020
999 Google spying on employees
12 December 2020
Supreme Court rejects Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn US presidential election
By Jacob Crosse, 12 December 2020
The court ruled that Texas had no standing to object to the election procedures in another state.
Amazon Web Services offers companies new tools for spying on workers
By Erik Schreiber, 12 December 2020
New services from AWS allow companies to add specially trained computer vision technology to existing camera systems to spot “unusual” activity.
“We need more people in society to stand against these ‘leaders’ and speak the truth.”
Workers across the US speak out in defense of COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones
By Renae Cassimeda, 12 December 2020
The WSWS received widespread support for Rebekah Jones from educators and other workers in Florida, California, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Hawaii.
999 Jacobin ignores pandemic, Trump coup
12 December 2020
Trump administration’s state-sponsored killing spree continues with two more federal executions
By Kate Randall, 12 December 2020
Trump’s Justice Department is proceeding with a blood-thirsty disregard for life that is in keeping with the administration’s homicidal “herd immunity” policy, which is taking the lives of thousands of people a day as millions are forced into COVID-ridden workplaces and dangerously unsafe schools.
Eighteen state governments urge Supreme Court to overturn Biden victory
By Patrick Martin, 11 December 2020
While Texas and 17 other states are challenging the results of the election, four battleground states and 20 others are defending the legitimacy of the vote won by Democrat Joe Biden.
999 DELETE
11 December 2020
Spain’s ruling PSOE, Podemos use “anti-disinformation” tool for internet spying
By Alice Summers, 11 December 2020
The ELISA tool aims to detect “disinformation seeking to generate polarisation” amid mounting social anger at austerity and official handling of the pandemic.
999 Pompeo attack on Chinese students
11 December 2020
US Army punishes 14 senior officers at Fort Hood citing “leadership failures”
By Chase Lawrence, 11 December 2020
The disciplinary actions were one of the single largest taken by the Army in history, indicating that the Pentagon is well aware of deep disillusionment and anger within the ranks.
Private school permitting students to wear Islamic clothing closed in Paris
By Samuel Tissot, 11 December 2020
The school’s closure is only the latest provocation in a series of attacks launched by the Macron government against institutions that serve France’s six million Muslims.
999 Morenoites silent on Spain coup threats
11 December 2020
999 Google spied on employees
10 December 2020
Stop government attack on COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones!
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 10 December 2020
The SEP condemns the fascistic police raid on Jones’ home, meant to suppress her work exposing the spread of COVID-19 in Florida and in schools across the US.
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