Democratic Rights in the US
YouTube censors video opposing far-right Alternative for Germany
By Johannes Stern, 10 February 2018
The video by the left-wing, socialist channel “Political Analysis” was evidently censored following appeals by far-right circles to YouTube.
Trump’s parade and the threat of military dictatorship
By Bill Van Auken, 8 February 2018
The US president’s bid to roll tanks down Pennsylvania Avenue is no mere personal whim. It is bound up with deep-going changes in US society and the capitalist state apparatus.
UK High Court rejects Lauri Love’s extradition to US
By Margot Miller, 8 February 2018
The High Court judges agreed with Love’s legal team that, on medical grounds, he should be tried in the UK, not the US.
A conversation with film historian Max Alvarez: How the #MeToo campaign echoes the McCarthyite witch hunt of the 1940s and 1950s
“The climate is chillingly similar in terms of the massive capitulation and conformity”
By David Walsh, 8 February 2018
It is “Scoundrel Time” again in Hollywood, complete with denunciations, anonymous informants, humiliating “confessions,” trial by media and the banning of prominent performers.
Julian Assange loses initial bid to overturn British arrest warrant
By Mike Head, 7 February 2018
Even if the judge withdraws the warrant next week, Assange still faces extradition to the US to be tried on trumped-up charges of espionage and treason.
Chelsea Manning to run as a Democrat in Maryland Senate race
By Nick Barrickman, 6 February 2018
Like so many others before her, Manning is engaged in a misguided and futile effort to seek reforms through the US capitalist two-party system.
Facebook announces latest step in censorship campaign, prioritizing “local news”
By Will Morrow, 6 February 2018
CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the new measure would help “turn down the temperature” on “divisive national issues.”
Democrats defend FBI as Republican memo shows anti-Russia campaign built on illegal spying
By Eric London, 5 February 2018
In the factional conflict within the ruling class, the Democrats have emerged as the principal defenders of the military-intelligence apparatus.
Release of Nunes memo throws anti-Russia campaign into disarray
By Andre Damon, 3 February 2018
In a further intensification of the factional conflict gripping the US ruling elite, the White House published a congressional memo Friday alleging the FBI used false pretenses to spy on the Trump campaign.
National Guard, federal agents and police mobilize for Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis
By Anthony Bertolt, 3 February 2018
Minnesota is seeing the largest military-police operation in the state’s history under the guise of providing security for the NFL’s championship game.
Deliberate neglect leads to inmate death at New York’s Rikers Island
By Leslie Murtagh and Philip Guelpa, 3 February 2018
The planned closure of Rikers Island will do nothing to stem police brutality and abuse of prisoners in New York City.
From Facebook to Policebook
By Andre Damon, 2 February 2018
Facebook is being transformed into an instrument of censorship and surveillance, monitoring the actions and thoughts of its users.
US Border Patrol vilify DACA recipients, linking them to human smuggling
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 2 February 2018
The US Border Patrol emphasized the DACA status of two young men arrested over recent incidents in the San Diego area.
US Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg endorses #MeToo
By Ed Hightower and Tom Carter, 1 February 2018
As a sitting Supreme Court justice, Ginsburg's comments granted a quasi-official sanction to the lynch mob atmosphere surrounding the campaign.
Marshall and #MeToo: A 77-year-old civil rights fight exposes the reactionary character of the sexual misconduct witch-hunt
By Fred Mazelis, 1 February 2018
The 1941 case, in which a black man was acquitted of rape charges, poses awkward questions for those who dismiss due process in their campaign against sexual harassment, both real and alleged.
In letter to Congress, social media companies outline plans for mass censorship
By Will Morrow, 31 January 2018
The technology giants are hiring thousands more human reviewers and developing artificial intelligence algorithms to monitor and censor political speech on the internet.
210 Ginsburg and #MeToo
30 January 2018
2018 begins with US police reign of terror
By Niles Niemuth, 29 January 2018
In the years since the murder of Michael Brown in August 2014, popular anger against police violence has been channeled behind the Democratic Party by groups such as Black Lives Matter.
Fifty-nine defendants await trial for protesting against Trump’s inauguration
By E.P. Milligan, 24 January 2018
The Trump administration is determined to win some convictions to set a legal precedent for the criminalization of constitutionally protected political speech and protest.
For an international coalition to fight Internet censorship
An open letter from the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site to socialist, anti-war, left-wing and progressive websites, organizations and activists
23 January 2018
An open letter from the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site to socialist, antiwar, left-wing and progressive websites, organizations and activists
Twitter warns users: We’re watching you
By Andre Damon, 22 January 2018
In an overt act of political intimidation, Twitter emailed hundreds of thousands of users informing them that they had shared or followed “Russian propaganda.”
“The water is milky white and smells like bleach”
Kentucky residents told it may take a decade to get clean, safe water
By Jerry White, 22 January 2018
Working class residents of the former coal mining area have had no water or only intermittent service for weeks.
Ohio police kill 16-year-old in courthouse
By Trévon Austin, 22 January 2018
There has been no indication that charges will be brought against the deputy.
Facebook and Google outline unprecedented mass censorship at US Senate hearing
By Andre Damon, 18 January 2018
Facebook is planning to double its army of censors to nearly 20,000 people by the end of this year, a company official told lawmakers Thursday.
Twelve arrested outside San Diego for feeding the homeless
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 18 January 2018
On January 14, 12 members of the activist group “Break the Ban” were arrested in the city of El Cajon, a suburb of San Diego, California, for providing food to a homeless community.
Statement to the World Socialist Web Site webinar
Julian Assange calls effort of corporations to control Internet discourse “an existential threat to humanity”
18 January 2018
This statement was sent by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the January 16 webinar, “Organizing Resistance to Internet Censorship.”
World Socialist Web Site calls for international coalition of socialist and anti-war websites to counter Internet censorship
By Niles Niemuth, 18 January 2018
The WSWS hosted a livestreamed discussion between David North and Chris Hedges that reviewed the political context of the efforts to censor the Internet and the necessary steps for an effective fight-back.
“The state trooper choked me because I was telling the truth”
Former coal miner in Eastern Kentucky speaks about police assault at public meeting
By Sheila Brehm, 17 January 2018
Gary Michael Hunt, a former coal miner who was assaulted by a state trooper for criticizing local authorities about the lack of safe water for area residents, spoke with the WSWS.
Deportation of 30-year US resident from Detroit sparks outrage
By Kathleen Martin, 17 January 2018
Jorge Garcia, a resident of metro Detroit for three decades, was deported to Mexico by ICE agents on Martin Luther King Day on the orders of federal immigration officials.
Trump administration escalates attack on data encryption
By Will Morrow, 17 January 2018
In a sign that the White House is moving to criminalize encryption, deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein argued that “warrant-proof” files are unconstitutional.
Statement by Julian Assange opposing Internet censorship will be read at WSWS “Organizing Resistance” Webinar
16 January 2018
The webinar featuring David North and Chris Hedges will be broadcast live on January 16 at 7:00 pm EST.
#MeToo allegations against 95-year-old Marvel comics legend Stan Lee backfire
By Laura Tiernan, 16 January 2018
Allegations of sexual harassment against the creator of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four have met with widespread public derision.
Kentucky water crisis outrage: Another US worker arrested for criticizing government officials
By Sheila Brehm, 15 January 2018
A former coal miner was stopped from complaining about the persistent shutoff of drinking water to families in Martin County.
Facebook blocks sharing of WSWS anti-censorship video
By Eric London, 15 January 2018
The social media giant has blocked users from sharing a video promoting the January 16 online meeting “Organizing resistance to Internet censorship.”
Facebook announces major plan to censor news content
By Andre Damon, 13 January 2018
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the world’s largest social network will deprioritize news content, part of a coordinated effort to block access to information online.
House Democrats supply votes to block limits on NSA spying
By Niles Niemuth, 13 January 2018
The Democratic Party’s support ensures the illegal surveillance program that began under George W. Bush and was expanded by Obama will pass unscathed into the hands of Donald Trump.
Teacher’s arrest in Louisiana: Another day, another outrage
By Jerry White, 12 January 2018
There is something “American” about the treatment of Deyshia Hargrave, who had the temerity to protest pay raises for school officials while teachers and students are starved of resources.
Democrats bray for immigration deal with Trump as judge halts DACA rescission
By Niles Niemuth, 11 January 2018
The first year of the Trump administration starkly illustrates the fact that neither the courts nor the Democratic Party can be trusted to protect immigrants.
El Salvador’s government bows to Washington over threat to deport 262,000
By Andrea Lobo, 11 January 2018
In response to the threat of mass deportations, the Salvadoran FMLN government has sought to curry favor with the Trump administration.
US Supreme Court refuses to hear challenge to Mississippi’s discriminatory “religious freedom” law
By Matthew Taylor and Ed Hightower, 11 January 2018
The effect of the Supreme Court’s inaction is to encourage blatant discrimination against LGBT persons and all except Biblical literalists.
Freedom for Julian Assange!
By Bill Van Auken, 11 January 2018
The “untenable” conditions under which the WikiLeaks founder remains confined are the product of an unrelenting drive by the US and British governments to punish him for exposing the crimes of imperialism.
France’s Socialist Party attacks Catherine Deneuve for opposing #MeToo witch-hunt
By Alex Lantier, 11 January 2018
The courageous column published by 100 women in Le Monde criticizing the #MeToo campaign has provoked a venomous response from the French state machine.
“Sexual misconduct” witch-hunt targets conductor Charles Dutoit, director Max Stafford-Clarke and actor Ed Westwick
By Paul Bond, 11 January 2018
Just before Christmas, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra announced that it had cancelled appearances by its artistic director, 81-year-old conductor Charles Dutoit.
Louisiana teacher jailed for speaking out at school board meeting
By Nancy Hanover, 10 January 2018
Deyshia Hargrave was removed from a meeting, handcuffed and taken to jail for opposing a large pay hike for the school superintendent while employees have had no raise in a decade.
French artists rebuff #MeToo witch-hunt
By Linda Tenenbaum, 10 January 2018
An open letter signed by actress Catherine Deneuve and other prominent women emphasizes the anti-democratic nature of the #MeToo movement and its repudiation of due process.
A crime against humanity
US to deport 262,000 Salvadoran immigrants
By Patrick Martin, 9 January 2018
This barbaric action will split up tens of thousands of families and threaten countless deaths among those forced to return to the killing fields of Central America.
Ten-year-old child among the victims
American Civil Liberties Union sues DC police for attacking inauguration protests
By Harvey Simpkins and Nick Barrickman, 9 January 2018
A civil lawsuit filed by the ACLU alleges protesters were assaulted and deprived of their constitutional rights.
Notes on police violence
US police kill 29 during first week of 2018
By George Gallanis, 9 January 2018
Almost all of the killings follow a general logic: police kill anyone they suspect to be a threat, regardless of how severe or even real the threat.
Trump “defends” the right to protest in Iran, criminalizes protest in Washington
By E.P. Milligan, 8 January 2018
Even as Trump was bloviating about the right to protest in Iran, his Justice Department was carrying out a political trial against peaceful protesters in a brazen attack on the freedom of speech and assembly guaranteed by the US Constitution.
Governments and corporations escalate Internet censorship and attacks on free speech
By Andre Damon, 6 January 2018
Technology companies and governments all over the world have kicked off the New Year with a massive assault on freedom of expression on the Internet.
UC Berkeley student arrested by border patrol
By David Brown, 5 January 2018
Luis Mora, a junior transfer to the UC, was arrested Saturday night at an internal checkpoint for overstaying his visa.
Facebook deleted accounts at the behest of US, Israeli and German governments
By Niles Niemuth, 4 January 2018
The social media company has deleted the accounts of Palestinian activists. journalists and the former leader of Chechnya in a campaign of international political censorship.
Seattle councilperson Kshama Sawant targeted by defamation lawsuit for calling police “murderers”
By Eric London, 3 January 2018
The Socialist Equality Party’s long-documented differences with Socialist Alternative do not lessen our opposition to attempts by the political establishment to silence criticism of the police.
New York prepares military-style occupation for New Year’s celebration in Times Square
By Philip Guelpa, 30 December 2017
Thousands of heavily armed, uniformed personnel, including police snipers, are being deployed to impose a military-style occupation of Times Square in connection with the annual New Year’s Eve celebration.
Drexel University professor resigns amid death threats from right-wing forces
By Trévon Austin, 30 December 2017
Ciccariello-Maher, a professor of politics and global studies, was harassed and threatened after several tweets he made were criticized on various right-wing outlets.
The petition against Matt Damon and the “erasing” of Kevin Spacey: The fiercely antidemocratic character of the sexual misconduct campaign
By David Walsh, 28 December 2017
The New York Times is at the forefront of the reactionary witch-hunt, defending various efforts at censorship and repression.
Democratic Party witch-hunters target Green Party candidate Jill Stein
By Statement of the Political Committee of the Socialist Equality Party (US), 23 December 2017
The Socialist Equality Party condemns the targeting of Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate in the 2016 election, by Democrats in the Senate Intelligence Committee.
US Congress targets Green Party candidate Jill Stein over allegations of collusion with Russia
By Trévon Austin, 21 December 2017
The targeting of Stein demonstrates that the anti-Russia witch-hunt is aimed ultimately at domestic political opposition.
Polls shows mass opposition to net neutrality repeal
By Kevin Reed, 21 December 2017
In the week since the FCC vote to end net neutrality, the nature of the attack on the public and the democratic right to a free and open internet is becoming clearer.
Actor Matt Damon comes under attack for his criticisms of the sexual misconduct campaign
By David Walsh, 20 December 2017
The actor suggested there was a continuum of inappropriate behavior, and that the punishments meted out to Sen. Al Franken and comic Louis C.K. were perhaps too harsh.
Pentagon faces outrage for declaring Guantanamo art will burn
By E.B. Cohen, 20 December 2017
The Pentagon is directing its military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to confiscate detainees’ finished art and has threatened to destroy it.
Trump unveils “America First” national security strategy
By Bill Van Auken, 19 December 2017
Behind the hackneyed campaign-style speech delivered by Trump Monday, the US military and intelligence apparatus is preparing for world war.
Verdict looms in first round of trials for 194 charged in anti-Trump inauguration day protests
By E.P. Milligan, 19 December 2017
The first of a round of trials surrounding the defendants involved in the January 20 protests against the inauguration of President Donald Trump came to a close on Friday.
The end of net neutrality and the fight to defend the free internet
By Andre Damon, 15 December 2017
Thursday’s move by the US government to end net neutrality seeks to usher in an age when corporations and the government decide what people can and cannot access online.
PBS cancels “Tavis Smiley” show as sex witch-hunt expands
By Barry Grey, 15 December 2017
As has become typical in the growing campaign over alleged sexual offenses, the public broadcaster did not name the accusers or provide any details of their allegations.
US Supreme Court rejects appeal by gay woman in employment discrimination case
By Ed Hightower, 14 December 2017
The high court’s inaction means that employers in most states can openly discriminate against homosexuals without consequences under federal law.
Why has Time magazine endorsed the #MeToo “revolution”?
By David Walsh, 12 December 2017
Given the ongoing frenzy, the magazine’s decision was entirely predictable. Had its editors made any other choice there would have been a media-organized uproar.
Nevada and Nebraska move to use powerful opioid in state executions
By Nick Barrickman, 11 December 2017
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic painkiller that has been linked to a substantial number of drug overdoses throughout the US.
Democrats force resignation of US Senator Al Franken
By Patrick Martin, 8 December 2017
The witch-hunt over sexual misconduct has claimed its highest-level victim among elected officials.
Google hiring 10,000 reviewers to censor YouTube content
By Zaida Green, 8 December 2017
The video-sharing platform has already removed over 150,000 videos, with 50 percent of videos removed within two hours of upload.
US Supreme Court hears oral argument on cake shop anti-gay discrimination case
By Ed Hightower, 7 December 2017
A ruling in favor of Masterpiece Cakeshop would mean an open season for segregation and discrimination of all sorts.
John Conyers forced to resign from Congress as sex witch-hunt escalates
By a reporter, 6 December 2017
The Detroit Democrat is the most prominent congressional victim of the media campaign over charges of sexual misconduct.
US Supreme Court puts Trump travel ban into effect
By Eric London and Norisa Diaz, 5 December 2017
The decision, supported by half the justices nominated by Democrats, will have devastating consequences for those seeking to escape war-torn regions of the Middle East.
The public humiliation and destruction of Metropolitan Opera conductor James Levine
By David North and David Walsh, 5 December 2017
The decision by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to suspend James Levine, its longtime musical director (1976-2016), from any further conducting engagements is the latest victory for the New York Times and the champions of the new repression.
Capitol Hill journalists revoke RT America’s news credentials
By Trévon Austin, 5 December 2017
The decision prevents the Russian-based television network from accessing members of Congress as news reporters
Behind the FCC plan to abolish net neutrality
Broadband monopolies to censor Internet content
By Kevin Reed, 5 December 2017
The FCC plan to repeal previous net neutrality standards enables the ISP monopolies to further their business interests while enabling censorship at a fundamental level of Internet infrastructure.
US federal prosecutors rely on ultra-right propagandist group’s recordings in trial of inauguration day protesters
By Nick Barrickman, 2 December 2017
The federal government’s use of material from Project Veritas in its case against anti-Trump demonstrators further signifies the Trump administration’s reliance on far-right forces.
IYSSE mounts campaign against university police censorship at University of California, Berkeley
By Evan Blake, 2 December 2017
Students registered opposition to the suppression of free speech and militarization of police by signing a petition and joining the International Youth and Students for Social Equality.
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi demands Representative John Conyers resign over harassment claims
By Andre Damon, 1 December 2017
Conyers, the longest serving member of the House of Representatives, has been targeted in an expanding purge of Congress carried out on the pretext of fighting "sexual misconduct."
Brooklyn College students oppose NYPD spying on campus
By Josh Varlin, 1 December 2017
The showing of Watched, a film about police infiltration of Muslim student groups, sparked widespread discussion about the presence of the New York police on campus.
US sexual witch-hunt
NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Matt Lauer and “Prairie Home Companion” creator Garrison Keillor latest to be purged
By David Walsh, 30 November 2017
The spinelessness and contempt for democracy within the media and political establishment seems almost universal and unlimited.
Tennessee punishes workers who default on student loans, ignores politicians’ fines
By Warren Duzak, 28 November 2017
Tennessee is the nation’s most aggressive state in penalizing those who default on student loans.
Net neutrality and the drive to censor the internet
By Andre Damon, 25 November 2017
The move by the Trump administration to end net neutrality marks a milestone in the offensive by the US government and major corporations to put an end to the free and open internet.
Amazon announces new cloud to host “Secret” government data
By Evan Blake, 24 November 2017
The creation of the AWS Secret Cloud places Amazon at the center of the global surveillance operations of American imperialism.
FCC plan to repeal “net neutrality” gives telecom giants control of public access to Internet
By Kevin Reed, 23 November 2017
The anti-democratic plan to deregulate the US Internet infrastructure will enable privately-owned US broadband providers to control public access to online content.
Google’s Eric Schmidt admits political censorship of search results
By Niles Niemuth, 22 November 2017
Remarks by the executive chairman of Google’s parent company about efforts to “de-rank” news sites critical of the US government expose the corporate-government conspiracy to block oppositional voices on the Internet.
CBS fires Charlie Rose, Oliver Stone accused
Latest in sexual misconduct purge: Ultra-rightist “tips off” media about Rep. John Conyers
By David Walsh, 22 November 2017
In the latest chapter of the ongoing sex scandal, the media reported on Monday that Democratic Congressman John Conyers of Michigan settled a wrongful dismissal complaint in 2015 with a former employee.
“Sexual harassment” witch-hunt claims Jeffrey Tambor, Charlie Rose as latest victims
By Barry Grey, 21 November 2017
Allegations are followed by immediate dismissal and removal from shows.
Political hysteria over alleged sexual abuse ensnares congressional Democrats
By Patrick Martin, 17 November 2017
Charges of sexual misconduct, in some cases dating back decades, are now embroiling the political establishment as well as Hollywood.
Ohio sets new execution date for 69-year-old inmate
By Kate Randall, 17 November 2017
Alva Campbell’s execution-gone-wrong casts a grim light on all that is repugnant about capital punishment and how it is practiced in 21st century America.
Warrantless spying on US citizens sanctioned by Pentagon, training documents indicate
By Zaida Green, 15 November 2017
US citizens and legal residents with zero connections to terrorists can be designated as “homegrown violent extremists” and subjected to warrantless surveillance.
US brands RT a “foreign agent:” A chilling move against free speech
By Andre Damon, 11 November 2017
The Justice Department’s demand that RT register as a “foreign agent” is aimed at delegitimizing it as a news source, intimidating its contributors and guests, and setting a precedent for branding news outlets as treasonous.
US Justice Department forces RT America to register as “foreign agent”
By Trévon Austin, 10 November 2017
The move is a product of the ongoing anti-Russia witch hunt led by the Democratic Party, together with the US intelligence agencies, aimed at delegitimizing and outlawing domestic political opposition.
Texas executes Mexican national in disregard of international law
By Trévon Austin, 9 November 2017
Ruben Ramirez Cárdenas was executed late Wednesday night via lethal injection after a last-minute appeal by his attorneys to the US Supreme Court was rejected.
Northern Virginia woman fired from job after giving Trump motorcade the middle finger
By Nick Barrickman, 9 November 2017
Juli Briskman was fired from her government contracting job last week after a photo of her giving the president’s motorcade “the finger” went viral.
LAPD arrests after Trump election exposed as political repression
By John Burton, 7 November 2017
Los Angeles police arrested hundreds in the post-election protests, but presented only a handful of cases to prosecutors.
Guantanamo Bay military judge arrests military defense lawyer
By Alan Gilman, 6 November 2017
The al-Nashiri case underscores the mockery being made of the Bill of Rights through the Military Commissions hearings at Guantanamo Bay.
Bowe Bergdahl sentenced to dishonorable discharge, avoids prison in court-martial for desertion
By Shelley Connor, 4 November 2017
U.S. army soldier Bowe Bergdahl had been held by the Taliban for five years in brutal conditions, gaining his freedom as part of a prisoner swap in 2014.
“The sad thing is that there are so many people like me in that system”
Davino Watson, US citizen falsely imprisoned by ICE agents, speaks out
By Nick Barrickman, 4 November 2017
Watson has been denied the right to sue for damages incurred while he was illegally imprisoned by ICE for over three years.
Billionaire CEO Joe Ricketts shuts down DNAinfo and Gothamist after unionization vote
By Michael Walters and Alexander Fangmann, 4 November 2017
The sudden shutdown of the popular local news websites illustrates the dangers posed by the financial aristocracy’s control over the media and the internet.
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