United States
White supremacist congressman Steve King defeated in Republican primary
By Patrick Martin, 4 June 2020
Steve King fell out of favor with his party by saying too blatantly what Trump and his cronies really think.
Anger grows over refusal to bring charges in killing at Omaha protest
By Kristina Betinis, 4 June 2020
The Douglas County attorney reversed himself Wednesday to call for a grand jury investigation into the murder of James Scurlock by a bar owner during a demonstration this weekend.
Georgia police officers charged after brutal assault on college students returning from protest
By Dan Conway, 4 June 2020
The students were viciously assaulted returning from protests against the murder of George Floyd on Saturday night despite doing nothing to provoke the officers or arouse suspicion.
US Federal Bureau of Prisons implements full lockdown amid mass protests across the country
By Sam Dalton, 4 June 2020
Amidst a worsening COVID-19 outbreak and protests over police violence, fears of brewing rebellions lead to the rapid lockdown of federal prisons this week.
Disgraced former UAW President Gary Jones pleads guilty to corruption charges
By Tom Hall, 4 June 2020
Jones’ guilty plea brings the UAW corruption scandal to a new stage.
US nurses speak on dangers of COVID-19 exposure at their workplaces
By Katy Kinner, 4 June 2020
WSWS reporters spoke to nurses across the US who shared their anger and frustration over governmental and employer neglect throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
As protests grow, corporate CEOs hypocritically declare opposition to “racism and injustice”
By Jerry White, 4 June 2020
Tech billionaires, Wall Street bankers and auto executives all issued statements this week in hopes of shoring up the battered image of American capitalism.
Protesters defy Trump’s threats, expand nationwide movement against police killings
By Jacob Crosse, 3 June 2020
Curfews, mass arrests and police terror have not quelled the powerful movement of youth and workers of all races and ethnicities in response to the police murder of George Floyd.
Democratic Governor Whitmer lifts major COVID-19 restrictions in Michigan
By Kevin Reed, 3 June 2020
The announcement rescinds the stay-at-home order, along with a series of other restrictions even though most of the state remains in the “flattening” phase of the pandemic.
Microsoft to replace MSN news production workers with artificial intelligence
By Mike Ingram, 3 June 2020
Dozens of workers will be replaced with artificial intelligence software that will automatically select content and manage news production.
Democrats cover for Trump’s coup d’état
By Andre Damon, 3 June 2020
In contrast to the heroism of the demonstrators, the Democrats have responded to Trump’s dictatorial measures with their typical display of fecklessness, cowardice and complicity.
999 CDC report on nurses impacted by the pandemic
3 June 2020
999 US worker repsonse to corporate hypocrisy over police protests
3 June 2020
Trump administration deploys military to the capital as nationwide protests continue
By Jacob Crosse, 2 June 2020
Trump’s dictatorial moves to quash protests against the police murder of George Floyd signal an escalation of state violence.
Nurses at HCA Healthcare across the US protest job cuts and lack of PPE
By Alex Johnson, 2 June 2020
Nurses protests are erupting under conditions where hospitals across the country are denying access to personal protective equipment in the pandemic and have already laid off thousands of health care workers.
COVID-19 outbreaks continue surge in meatpacking plants following forced reopenings
By Christopher Davion, 2 June 2020
Meatpacking plants continue to be a major source of COVID-19 transmission in US Midwestern states.
Nearly half of all teachers in Brookline, Massachusetts receive pink slips
By Will McCalliss, 2 June 2020
With a maximum $6.3 million deficit looming, Brookline lays off $20 million’s worth of teachers in the name of “flexibility.”
Flooding in central Michigan exposes decades of Dow Chemical’s environmental crimes
By Luke Galvin and Lily Zhao, 2 June 2020
A major health crisis threatens residents of central Michigan after last week’s flooding that displaced more than 10,000 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Washington, DC area begins reopening as coronavirus infections top 100,000
By Nick Barrickman, 2 June 2020
Public officials throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area are rushing to reopen the region’s businesses, even as medical experts warn of the dangers of resuming normal economic activity.
Tennessee government to stop sharing information on known COVID-19 infections
By Warren Duzak, 2 June 2020
The Republican governor Bill Lee’s decision will place first responders such as paramedics, police and social workers at risk of catching the deadly infection.
Coup d’état in Washington: Trump declares war on the Constitution
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (US), 2 June 2020
In a series of politically criminal acts, Trump is establishing a presidential dictatorship based on the military and police.
SpaceX launch of astronauts marks new stage of the privatization of space exploration
By Bryan Dyne, 2 June 2020
The fact that the event was so heavily promoted by SpaceX founder and billionaire Elon Musk, the American media and President Donald Trump should give the excitement around the launch pause.
Thousands of retail jobs eliminated in Sprint and T-Mobile telecom merger
By Kevin Reed, 2 June 2020
The merger of the wireless carriers Sprint and T-Mobile has already resulted in the loss of 6,000 retail jobs as the combined firm is moving aggressively to close down as many as 2,000 Metro prepaid phone stores across the country.
Protests in Louisville continue day after local restaurant owner killed
By Jerry White, 2 June 2020
Claims that David McAtee was killed after police and National Guard troops “returned fire” from protesters fell apart after the Louisville mayor declared there was no body camera footage of the incident.
Video: Police on nationwide rampage
1 June 2020
Throughout the country, police attacked nonviolent protestors and journalists with batons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and even vehicles.
Nationwide protests continue over police murder as state violence mounts
By Jacob Crosse, 1 June 2020
In scenes repeated across the country, youth and workers were clubbed, gassed and attacked with rubber bullets by police.
“They are willing to trade lives for auto parts”
As full operations resume, North American auto companies keep silent on spreading COVID-19 cases
By Shannon Jones, 1 June 2020
Full production resumed Monday at many auto plants even as major companies seek to suppress information on the spread of COVID-19 in the plants.
“The system is suffocating the life out of the working class”
Autoworkers denounce police murder of George Floyd, express support for protesters
By our reporters, 1 June 2020
Autoworkers rejected efforts to brand the protesters as “violent” and said the real violence was being perpetrated by police and National Guard troops.
US universities and colleges appeal for legal immunity from coronavirus lawsuits as campuses plan to reopen in fall
By Anthony del Olmo, 1 June 2020
The American Council on Education appealed to Congress to grant colleges and universities immunity from lawsuits from students and faculty that may contract COVID-19.
Workers sickened after Amazon sprays industrial strength chemicals to disinfect warehouse
By Samuel Davidson, 1 June 2020
At least three Amazon workers in Ohio fell sick after management sprayed industrial strength chemicals while workers were still inside.
US telecoms see opportunity to cut jobs, boost profits in pandemic
By Mark Witkowski, 1 June 2020
Telecoms are directing employees to work from home during the pandemic as they seek ways to impose job cuts and cost savings.
Major League Baseball plans to open season in midst of pandemic
By Alan Gilman, 1 June 2020
As baseball finalizes its reopening plan, the monetary interests of the owners continue to supersede the health and welfare of the players, their families and their communities.
Trump incites violent police rampage against protesters
By Statement of the Political Committee of the Socialist Equality Party (US), 1 June 2020
Trump’s calls for police violence and repression have been a common theme throughout his administration. Trump views the police as a potential power base for a dictatorial and fascistic regime.
The History Channel’s Grant
By Tom Mackaman, 1 June 2020
Grant was motivated, in the Civil War and the period of Reconstruction that followed, by his belief in the democratic ideal of human equality proclaimed by the American Revolution.
999 JK statement on protests
1 June 2020
999 Sunkara backs Biden in NYT op-ed
1 June 2020
999 Tennessee giving away useless masks
1 June 2020
Mass protests voice outrage over police murder of George Floyd
By Patrick Martin, 30 May 2020
Thousands defied a curfew in the Twin Cities while large protests took place in New York City, Atlanta, Washington, Los Angeles and dozens of other US cities.
Protests against police killing of frontline worker Breonna Taylor escalate in Louisville, Kentucky
By Dominic Gustavo, 30 May 2020
Hundreds protested in Louisville on Thursday demanding the arrest and prosecution of police who killed Breonna Taylor during a “no knock” raid on her residence in March.
Trump escalates anti-China campaign
By Peter Symonds, 30 May 2020
US President Trump dramatically escalated his reckless anti-China campaign yesterday, making clear that a dangerous confrontation between the two countries is all but inevitable.
Coronavirus cases surpass six million globally
By Bryan Dyne, 30 May 2020
New epicenters in Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent are rapidly causing massive public health crises.
Detroit autoworkers report unexplained illness at Jefferson North Assembly as COVID cases mount
By Shannon Jones, 30 May 2020
Several B Crew workers at Fiat Chrysler Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit fell ill from unknown causes during work on Thursday.
US Justice Department drops insider trading investigation of three senators
By Jacob Crosse, 30 May 2020
The three senators, along with a fourth who remains under investigation, dumped large stock holdings based on classified briefings in January about the impending coronavirus disaster.
“When push comes to shove to make cuts, education is on the cut list.”
Massachusetts school district gets rid of art, music and PE teachers for coming school year
By Will McCalliss, 30 May 2020
The drastic cuts at Randolph and Brookline schools are a foretaste of what will befall many districts, teachers and students across the US.
Trinity Health to terminate psychiatric beds in Massachusetts in midst of pandemic
By Ben Oliver, 30 May 2020
If approved by the state, the closure will eliminate 74 beds for adults, the elderly, and children, along with 202 jobs.
Hundreds of thousands stage multiracial demonstrations against police violence in a powerful show of working-class unity
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (US), 30 May 2020
Mass demonstrations of workers and youth of all races, triggered by the brutal murder of George Floyd, are an expression of tremendous social solidarity. It is not a question of black against white, but the working class against the rich.
Mass anger erupts throughout the US in protests against police murder of George Floyd
By Anthony Bertolt, 29 May 2020
The police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis has set off a wave of social anger, sparking demonstrations in Kentucky, Colorado, California, Ohio and other states throughout the country.
Mass anger erupts throughout the US in protests against police murder of George Floyd
By Anthony Bertolt, 29 May 2020
The police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis has set off a wave of social anger, sparking demonstrations in Kentucky, Colorado, California, Ohio and other states throughout the country.
Cop who killed George Floyd in Minneapolis had record of brutality
By Kristina Betinis, 29 May 2020
Local station KARE 11 reports 13 complaints since 2003 were closed without discipline. Chauvin was awarded a departmental medal of valor in 2009.
Police attack on unarmed woman in Ypsilanti, Michigan sparks three days of protests
By James Brookfield, 29 May 2020
Workers and youth gathered in Washtenaw County, Michigan for a third consecutive day on Thursday to protest the brutal police attack on Sha’Teina Grady El that occurred in the early morning hours Tuesday.
Attorney Lee Merritt speaks on conspiracy to cover-up Ahmaud Arbery’s murder
By Matthew MacEgan, 29 May 2020
Merritt spoke to the WSWS Wednesday about developments in the Arbery case and what has been exposed about the efforts of the police and prosecutors to whitewash the killing.
White House considers expelling Chinese graduate students and researchers
By Shuvu Batta, 29 May 2020
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to expel some three to five thousand Chinese graduate students and researchers.
Local television stations broadcast fake news stories scripted by Amazon
By Douglas Lyons and Nick Barrickman, 29 May 2020
Reporters at nearly a dozen local news stations in the US dutifully read from scripts prepared by Amazon while broadcasting public relations videos prepared and edited by the company.
California Governor Gavin Newsom ramps up reopening despite serious public health threats
By Norissa Santa Cruz and Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 29 May 2020
The Democratic governor is accelerating the re-opening of the state, allowing resumption of business for shopping malls, dine-in restaurants, and large gatherings, despite the enormous dangers of COVID-19.
New York governor exempts nursing home operators from criminal liability after taking millions from the industry
By Philip Guelpa, 29 May 2020
Governor Andrew Cuomo took millions in donations from hospital and nursing home executives and then protected them from responsibility for deadly criminal actions regarding COVID-19.
Nursing union NYSNA provides cover for Cuomo’s push to reopen the economy
By Ali Elhassan, 29 May 2020
The New York State Nurses Association is promoting the illusion that the political establishment responsible for jeopardizing the health of the population and frontline health care workers can be pressured into adopting socially responsible policies.
Child poverty and hunger set to spike in Puerto Rico
By Alberto Escalera, 29 May 2020
Even before the pandemic, the island was reeling from a decade-long economic recession, chronically low labor force participation rates and a public debt crisis that served as a pretext for years of severe austerity policies.
With support from the teacher unions, Trump demands the unsafe reopening of schools “ASAP”
By Nancy Hanover, 29 May 2020
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in 24 states, Trump is recklessly demanding the immediate reopening of schools, while the American Federation of Teachers has pledged its full support.
Letter from an American teacher: “In a pandemic, no one is safe unless we are all safe.”
29 May 2020
The WSWS Teacher Newsletter has received this letter from a high school AP Biology teacher in the Bay Area, California for publication.
City University of New York to lay off thousands of adjunct faculty amid financial crisis
By Elliott Murtagh, 29 May 2020
The City University of New York system is beginning to implement sweeping budget cuts triggered by New York state’s estimated $13.3 billion loss in tax revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Howie Hawkins and the Green Party: Capitalist politics in the guise of “ecosocialism”
By Evan Blake, 29 May 2020
Following Bernie Sanders’s endorsement of Biden, the Green Party and its presumptive presidential nominee Hawkins are presenting themselves as the continuation of Sanders’s “political revolution.”
Over 62,300 US health workers infected and 291 dead from COVID-19
By Katy Kinner, 28 May 2020
Widespread employer and governmental neglect of basic safety protections are to blame for the massive increase in infection rates and deaths among health care workers.
Thousands continue to protest in Minneapolis over the brutal police murder of George Floyd
By Anthony Bertolt, 28 May 2020
Surveillance video footage shows that Floyd was being compliant moments before he was pinned to the ground and choked to death by a Minneapolis police officer.
Trump threatens to close social media platforms after Twitter puts fact-check warnings on his tweets
By Kevin Reed, 28 May 2020
President Trump issued a threat to shut down social media companies on Wednesday after Twitter placed a fact-checking label on two of his tweets making unsubstantiated claims about mail-in ballots.
US sets stage for anti-China sanctions over Hong Kong
By Peter Symonds, 28 May 2020
The determination by the US secretary of state that Hong Kong is not autonomous from Beijing is a further step in the Trump administration’s accelerating anti-China campaign.
With US states facing a $230 billion loss in education funding, Betsy DeVos channels public assets to private schools
By Evan Blake, 28 May 2020
Facing an unprecedented budget crisis in every state, the ruling class is working to impose the full burden of the pandemic on the working class through massive austerity, including an evisceration of K-12 public education.
Governor Whitmer calls for whitewash investigation into central Michigan dam failures
By JT Asher, 28 May 2020
Whitmer’s call for an investigation is an effort by to save face while covering up the deliberate negligence of the owner of the private dams as well as all the state and federal government agencies that issued numerous safety violations over decades.
The murder of George Floyd and the fight against police violence in the US
By Joseph Kishore—Socialist Equality Party candidate for US president, 28 May 2020
The murder of Floyd by Minneapolis police officers is the latest in a long string of killings and abuse which have their roots in the capitalist system.
Angling for VP nomination, Warren holds fundraiser for Biden, drops “Medicare for All”
By Jacob Crosse, 28 May 2020
Within the last two weeks, the self-styled progressive has backtracked on two core campaign pledges
Trump bizarrely accuses television talk show host Joe Scarborough of 2001 murder
By David Walsh, 28 May 2020
The unhinged tweets concern the July 2001 death of Lori Klausutis, 28, a Scarborough staffer, who fainted due to an undiagnosed heart condition and struck her head, according to the coroner.
Dow Jones hits 25,000 as pandemic death toll reaches 100,000
By David North, 27 May 2020
The Wall Street surge anticipates the shutdown of all restraints on corporate operations and capitalist profiteerring.
Police in the US fire tear gas at protest against brutal Memorial Day murder
By Kevin Reed, 27 May 2020
Video shared on social media shows that George Floyd was killed by a police officer who kneeled on his neck while he was subdued on the ground.
FBI investigating Georgia officials who failed to arrest Ahmaud Arbery’s killers
By Matthew MacEgan, 27 May 2020
Federal investigators are reportedly looking into potential criminal and civil violations on the part of the district attorneys who initially handled the Arbery case.
Reports question undercounting of COVID-19 deaths in US and globally
By Bryan Dyne, 27 May 2020
There is increasing evidence that the actual fatalities caused by the pandemic are up to three times the numbers officially reported.
US corporations, government cover up workplace infections and deaths
By Jerry White, 27 May 2020
Recent reports on the meatpacking, logistics and other industries document a systematic effort to conceal the number of COVID-19 cases in workplaces.
With his poll numbers falling, Trump denounces November election as “rigged”
By Patrick Martin, 27 May 2020
The president and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are laying the basis for declaring an election defeat in November to be illegitimate.
UAW official seeks to defuse worker anger as more infections reported at US auto plants
By Shannon Jones, 27 May 2020
A token grievance by a low-level UAW official at the Ford Dearborn Truck Plant is being heavily played up by the media.
Thomson Reuters actively helping Trump administration target immigrants
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 27 May 2020
The parent company of the Reuters news agency has been aiding Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the targeting of immigrants for arrest, detention and deportation.
US state and local budget crisis looms
By Jessica Goldstein, 27 May 2020
The full cost of the massive corporate bailout and the collapse in state and local tax revenues will be borne by the working class.
Unemployment skyrockets among youth
By Genevieve Leigh, 27 May 2020
A large body of research shows that young people, especially those without a college degree, are particularly vulnerable during economic downturns.
Pennsylvania reopens despite gross mishandling of COVID-19 data
By Ben Collyer, 27 May 2020
Figures released this week paint a horrific picture of the suffering and despair caused by the pandemic among the elderly and infirm.
Tech giants discuss restructuring amid mass layoffs and pay cuts
By Mike Ingram, 27 May 2020
Close to 60,000 workers at more than 450 startups worldwide have been laid off since March 11.
Cultural resources wiped out by COVID-19 crisis: 13 percent of museums worldwide may never reopen
By Clare Hurley, 27 May 2020
Some 95 percent of the world’s museums are currently closed, and more than 11,000 institutions may remain closed after the pandemic recedes.
Coronavirus spreads into rural America
Trump cheers on mass gatherings as US pandemic death toll hits 100,000
By Barry Grey, 26 May 2020
Despite certain tactical differences, the entire political establishment, including the Democratic Party, accepts the basic framework of an unsafe return to work that is articulated most brutally and crudely by Trump.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans face homelessness during pandemic as states begin lifting restrictions on evictions
By Trévon Austin, 26 May 2020
Across the US, moratoriums on eviction proceedings and home foreclosures, set in place during the onset of the pandemic, have either been lifted or are set to expire early next month.
Washington state farmworkers fight unsafe conditions as unions move to shut down strikes
By Kayla Costa, 26 May 2020
The conditions in which agricultural workers are forced to live and work have heightened their risk of transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19.
Washington’s criminal deportations to Haiti threaten to ignite pandemic
By Alberto Escalera, 26 May 2020
In addition to slating coronavirus-positive detainees for deportation, Washington is seeking to ship back infamous death squad leader and CIA “asset” Emmanuel “Toto” Constant.
US threatens to “disconnect” Australia if it strays from conflict with China
By Mike Head, 26 May 2020
Pompeo’s bullying intervention is part of an intensifying campaign by Washington to confront China economically and militarily.
220 Warren takes back support for Medicare for all
26 May 2020
COVID-19 spreads, deaths rise in US following return to work
By Marcus Day, 25 May 2020
Tens of thousands of workers have been infected with the coronavirus at grocery stores, meatpacking plants, Amazon warehouses, and in other industries.
White House coronavirus task force labels Washington, D.C. area a hot spot as region begins reopening
By Nick Barrickman, 25 May 2020
On Friday, Dr. Deborah Birx noted the “ongoing cases” throughout the region even as state and local officials have begun reopening their economies.
Minnesota buys a warehouse to store bodies of expected COVID-19 victims
By Gary Joad, 25 May 2020
The 75,000-square foot refrigerated produce warehouse has the capacity to store 5,100 bodies of persons expected to succumb to the COVID-19 surge in the coming weeks.
Central Michigan flooding exposes criminal neglect of dam safety
By Lily Zhao, 25 May 2020
While the Democratic and Republican parties and the media point to Boyce Hydro's long history of safety violations, why was nothing done to stop the dam’s decay?
Global rental car giant Hertz added to growing list of US corporations filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
By Jessica Goldstein, 25 May 2020
The restructuring has already begun with Hertz laying off or furloughing about one fourth of its workforce, or 16,000 workers, since March.
US aviation workers face massive job cuts amid talk of airline bankruptcies
By Steve Filips, 25 May 2020
Airline workers face likely mass job cuts after September when the federal ban on layoffs tied to bailout money expires.
Minnesota nurses oppose retaliation over demands for protective equipment
By Anthony Bertolt, 25 May 2020
The determined demands by nurses and health care workers for the necessary protections, equipment and staffing levels has thrust them into a political struggle.
US juvenile detention centers record 474 COVID-19 cases
By Sam Dalton, 25 May 2020
As more information about COVID-19’s effects on minors emerges, the virus’s unchecked spread in the juvenile prison population is leading to deadly consequences.
More US grocery workers die from COVID-19
By Bill Frost, 25 May 2020
An employee of Kings Soopers in Denver, Colorado, one of hundreds of supermarket workers who have been infected across the country, died last week.
Dozens of Nashville, Tennessee, construction workers test positive for COVID-19
By Warren Duzak, 25 May 2020
Last week it was confirmed that 74 construction workers at an exclusive Tennessee prep school building site had tested positive for coronavirus.
Democratic governor extends Michigan stay-at-home order to June 12 while relaxing social distancing restrictions
By Stephen Fuller, 25 May 2020
With COVID-19 still spreading throughout the state, Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order even as automotive production ramps up and businesses are allowed to reopen.
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