United States
Censored Planet: University of Michigan research finds worldwide increase in internet censorship
By Kevin Reed, 27 November 2020
Data collected by a group of UM researchers has revealed that online interference is growing internationally and that “the world’s freest countries are not safe from internet censorship.”
US CDC plans to reduce quarantine time after potential COVID-19 exposure
By Benjamin Mateus, 27 November 2020
The purpose of reducing the isolation period to as little as seven days is to ensure workers will be back on the job faster, even though the CDC admits this will increase the transmission of the virus.
Meet the Censored: Andre Damon
By Matt Taibbi, 26 November 2020
Increased content moderation has been sold as a tool to control the far right, but the World Socialist Web Site was among the first to sound the alarm.
What UAW President Rory Gamble is really thankful for this Thanksgiving
By Jerry White and Tom Hall, 26 November 2020
Few, if any, workers will read the trite and clichéd Thanksgiving message from United Auto Workers President Rory Gamble, published Wednesday on the UAW's web site. But it is worth mentioning for its sheer hypocrisy.
Hailing election security, New York Times drops its “Russian meddling” narrative
By Barry Grey and Jacob Crosse, 26 November 2020
The fact that it is absent from the Times’ November 22 editorial makes absolutely clear one basic fact: the entire anti-Russia narrative is a deliberate fabrication.
President Trump issues full pardon of former national security advisor Michael Flynn
By Kevin Reed, 26 November 2020
Trump’s action ends the case against the right-wing White House aide who lied to the FBI during the early days of the investigation into claims of “Russian interference” in the 2016 US elections.
Thousands of US college students return home for Thanksgiving amid surging pandemic
By Alex Findijs, 26 November 2020
After the disastrous reopening of campuses this fall led to hundreds of thousands of cases, countless college students are bringing the coronavirus home with them.
999 Warren Truck TPT death interviews
26 November 2020
Biden delivers pablum and pretense as he consolidates a right-wing administration
By Patrick Martin, 26 November 2020
In a Thanksgiving message and a television interview, the president-elect dismissed the ongoing threat to democratic rights from President Trump.
The Democratic Socialists of America pleads with Biden not to appoint Rahm Emanuel
By Kristina Betinis, 26 November 2020
A petition opposing the appointment of Emanuel to President-elect Biden’s administration simultaneously exposes the right-wing record of the Democratic Party and the utter bankruptcy of its DSA faction.
US jobless claims and hunger spike as Congress goes on vacation
By Jacob Crosse, 26 November 2020
Amid historic levels of unemployment, disorganized partial lockdowns without stimulus are leaving workers and small businesses without protection from the coronavirus or social support.
999 Education article, topic TBD (Chicago, TN, MI or AL)
26 November 2020
What the rich are thankful for
By Andre Damon, 26 November 2020
Amid mass unemployment, hunger and death, America’s financial oligarchy is celebrating a bumper year.
India’s ruling elite welcomes Biden-Harris victory in US presidential election
By Deepal Jayasekera, 26 November 2020
The warm welcome for the President-elect is based on the calculation that a Biden administration will be no less committed than Trump’s to expanding the anti-China Indo-US “global strategic partnership.”
Two Alabama teachers die from COVID-19 as governor vows to keep schools and businesses open
By Shelley Connor, 25 November 2020
Over the past two weeks, the rate of COVID-19 infections across Alabama has increased by over 50 percent, with educators representing a significant number of these cases.
Pennsylvania, Nevada certify Biden victories as Trump repeats his vows to overturn the election
By Barry Grey, 25 November 2020
Whether or not Biden’s right-wing administration-in-waiting comes to power, Trump’s election coup is a dire warning to the working class.
New York City teachers union pushes for fast return to in-person classes
By Alberto Escalera, 25 November 2020
Less than a week after New York City’s Democratic mayor Bill de Blasio was forced to close schools due to the spreading pandemic, the United Federation of Teachers is calling for them to be reopened.
Jacobin and Democratic Socialists of America promote illusions in a “progressive” Biden administration
By Gabriel Black, 25 November 2020
The central role of Jacobin is to prevent any political break with the Democratic Party as Biden constructs a reactionary administration based on Wall Street and the military.
Southwest Airlines gives ultimatum to workers: wage cuts or furloughs in 2021
By Steve Filips, 25 November 2020
Southwest Airlines is demanding a 10 percent pay cut as US air carriers that received a $25 billion bailout cut costs in order to boost profits.
Amazon announces the opening of its online pharmacy
By Patrick Smith, 25 November 2020
Amazon’s entry into the pharmaceutical industry underscores the conglomerate’s accelerating domination over sector after sector of the US and global economy.
Joe Biden’s cabinet: A rainbow coalition of imperialist reaction
By Eric London, 25 November 2020
The nomination of a series of right-wing women and minority representatives of the military-intelligence complex encapsulates and exposes the right-wing essence of identity politics.
US coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths explode during past two weeks
By Bryan Dyne, 25 November 2020
The number of active cases in the country has risen to more than five million and is on track to double every six to eight weeks.
As virus surges in North Dakota, Fargo food distribution workers strike over lack of COVID-19 protections
By Shannon Jones, 25 November 2020
Workers at the Cash-Wa food distribution operation in Fargo, North Dakota are on strike over health and safety in an area that is experiencing the highest COVID-19 death rate in the world.
Mass layoffs loom for Silicon Valley service workers
By Aditya Veeraiah, 25 November 2020
With many white-collar workers working from home, tech giants are threatening the jobs of thousands of cafeteria, janitorial, transportation and other service workers.
Jeff Riedel, photographer and fighter for socialism: 1968-2020
By Fred Mazelis and Kevin Reed, 24 November 2020
An immensely gifted artist, Jeff Riedel’s photographic work combined exceptional technical skill with social insight.
Chicago nursing home workers launch strike against poverty wages, lack of protection from COVID-19
By Alexander Fangmann, 24 November 2020
Nearly 700 certified nursing assistants and other workers walked out Monday morning for higher pay, more staffing and protections against COVID-19.
Workers have the right to information and free speech!
What’s behind the UAW’s attack on the World Socialist Web Site
The Sterling Heights Assembly Plant Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 24 November 2020
While it is telling workers to shut up and keep working, the UAW has pulled its own stewards from the plant floor, and Solidarity House is still working remotely.
999 SHAP statement on UAW and WSWS
24 November 2020
A month after being hired at suburban Detroit Fiat Chrysler plant, worker dies from COVID-19
By George Kirby, 24 November 2020
Stevie Brown, a temporary part-time worker at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant, is the latest victim of the murderous policy of keeping the factories open even as they have become a major vector in the spread of the deadly disease.
Zoom cancels meetings at several universities on Zoom censorship
By John Conrad, 24 November 2020
Zoom’s dramatic escalation of censorship has major implications as schools, academic institutions as well as political organizations have become increasingly dependent on the platform to conduct classes, conferences and meetings.
999 Amazon entry into online pharmacy market
24 November 2020
Why are millions of Americans traveling for Thanksgiving as the pandemic rages?
By Niles Niemuth, 24 November 2020
Even as travel this week is expected to decline from last year, with many citing concerns over COVID-19 as a reason to stay home, the movement of tens of millions across the country threatens to massively accelerate the spread of COVID-19.
999 Remote learning in the US
24 November 2020
650 bodies stored in freezer trucks for months in New York City disaster morgue
By Josh Varlin, 24 November 2020
Hundreds of people, mostly victims of the pandemic, have been stored in freezer trucks in Brooklyn for months as city authorities struggle to identify their next of kin and make funeral arrangements.
Federal agency lifts blockade on Biden transition, but Trump pledges to continue electoral coup
By Barry Grey, 24 November 2020
The erosion of support for Trump within the corporate-financial oligarchy is driven in part by a recognition that Biden is assembling a right-wing, militaristic administration that will aggressively defend the interests of big business.
Florida Sheriff’s Office intelligence-gathering program labels student youth as future criminals
By Alex Johnson, 24 November 2020
The police agency’s strategies for tracking youth shed light on the extraordinary lengths the department has gone to carry out repressive measures against underaged Pasco residents.
Deep budget cuts face mass transit systems throughout the United States
By Nick Barrickman, 24 November 2020
Transit systems nationwide have warned that without emergency funding many services will be cut.
North Carolina pastor who led peaceful march to polls charged with felony assault
By Jacob Crosse, 24 November 2020
Three weeks after police assaulted peaceful marchers on their way to register to vote, the county sheriff’s office announced felony and misdemeanor charges against organizer Reverend Greg Drumwright.
Biden names national security team of right-wing militarists
By Patrick Martin, 24 November 2020
The roll-out of Biden’s first cabinet nominees shows the top priority of the incoming Democratic administration: building a US-led imperialist front against China and Russia
999 US election crisis, vote certifications
24 November 2020
Trial 4: A shameless police frame-up in Boston
By Joanne Laurier, 24 November 2020
Trial 4 is an eight-episode documentary television series, currently streaming on Netflix that examines the case of Sean Ellis, a black teenager wrongly convicted of the 1993 murder of police officer John Mulligan.
999 Reply to Jacobin on Biden
24 November 2020
Alabama juvenile hall teacher speaks out on hazardous conditions
By Shelley Connor, 24 November 2020
An educator at one of Alabama’s juvenile detention facilities described the dangerous conditions she and her students are forced to confront daily.
Mass opposition among healthcare workers as estimated deaths exceed 20,000
By Katy Kinner, 23 November 2020
Over 800 St. Mary’s nurses in Pennsylvania returned to work on Sunday with no evidence of a contract deal, just one example of various unions strangling strikes as health care workers face death on a massive scale.
As demands for work stoppage grow, UAW officials tell Sterling Heights Assembly workers: “Don’t read the WSWS”
By Shannon Jones, 23 November 2020
In the face of growing demands by Fiat Chrysler workers to halt production at the Sterling Height Assembly Plant to stop the spread of COVID-19, local United Auto Workers officials are lashing out at the World Socialist Web Site and rank-and-file workers who have turned to the WSWS to expose the deadly conditions at the suburban Detroit auto factory.
Stanford academic senate condemns Scott Atlas
By Jonathan Burleigh, 23 November 2020
Most Stanford faculty voted to oppose the high-level Trump adviser’s actions that “promote a view of COVID-19 that contradicts medical science.”
Thanksgiving in America: Massive food lines and evictions as benefits expire
By Kate Randall, 23 November 2020
As the rise of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths continues unabated, working-class families across the US are facing hunger and poverty on a scale not seen since the Great Depression.
As court defeats multiply
Trump continues drive to nullify election
By Patrick Martin, 23 November 2020
The political conspiracy has suffered a string of legal setbacks in its efforts to overturn the 2020 election, but continues to demand the suppression of millions of votes.
Iowa hospitals overwhelmed, Wisconsin health care system on brink of collapse amid exponential rise in COVID-19 cases
By Jessica Goldstein, 23 November 2020
Nearly every intensive care unit bed and every medical-surgical bed is full in the majority of hospitals throughout the state, and over a third of all hospitals in Wisconsin are operating at peak capacity and are unable to admit new patients.
With COVID-19 spreading through auto plants, workers report death at FCA Warren Truck Assembly Plant
By George Kirby, 23 November 2020
The death, if confirmed, is the outcome of a massive outbreak in the plant, reported by several workers to the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter. According to one worker, eight teams with six to eight workers each have been sent home due to the virus since September 28.
This week in history: November 23-29
23 November 2020
On November 29, 1945, the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia was proclaimed following the successful repulsion of Nazi Germany’s attempt to subjugate the country, and Germany’s defeat in World War II in May. The establishment of the republic involved the deposing of King Peter II and the end of the Karađorđević dynasty that he headed. It was the outcome of a mass partisan struggle against fascism.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise at 100
By James McDonald, 23 November 2020
The 1920 novel rewards the contemporary reader with its psychological complexity, with Fitzgerald’s characteristically glittering lyrical sentences and with his equally characteristic trenchant insight into American class society.
Chaotic move to online learning designed to facilitate reopening of New York City schools
By Alberto Escalera, 21 November 2020
The withholding of resources necessary for remote learning is a calculated policy meant to pressure working class parents to acquiesce to the growing calls for a return to in-person classes.
21 November 2020
Explosion at Faurecia Gladstone auto parts plant in Indiana injures three
By Tim Rivers, 21 November 2020
A forklift driver injured in the blast was airlifted to a burn unit at a hospital in Indianapolis, 40 miles north.
21 November 2020
US hits record 200,000 new daily COVID-19 cases as hospitals fill to capacity
By Benjamin Mateus, 21 November 2020
To date, there have been 12.2 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the US and more than 260,000 deaths.
“All workers need to come together”
Montgomery, Alabama educators hold protest at State Capitol to demand school closures
By Emma Arceneaux, 21 November 2020
One of the worst-hit cities in Alabama, Montgomery has had 11,903 cases and 232 deaths since the pandemic began.
Federal prisoner Orlando Hall executed after US Supreme Court clears the way
By Kate Randall, 21 November 2020
The Trump administration aims to carry out at least three more executions before Inauguration Day, including that of the first federal woman prisoner in almost seven decades.
Former UAW VP Joe Ashton gets wrist-slap prison term as workers confront rampant COVID-19 in auto plants
By Shannon Jones, 21 November 2020
Ashton, who pocketed $250,000 in kickbacks, is being sent to a country club prison with a seven-month delay for COVID-19 while workers are forced to confront the exploding pandemic every day in the factories.
21 November 2020
21 November 2020
California ballot propositions: Voters reject identity politics, but app-based delivery giants buy protection
By David Levine, 21 November 2020
There were contradictory results on November 3: voters rejected an effort to revive affirmative action programs that discriminate based on race, but they also rejected efforts to protect “gig” workers from exploitation, after a $200 million campaign by corporate giants like Uber and Lyft.
Binghamton University closes after coronavirus outbreak, University at Buffalo defies guidelines to remain open
By Alex Findijs, 21 November 2020
Binghamton University has switched to remote learning for the second time after recording 100 cases in two weeks. The University at Buffalo, however, has decided to remain open despite reaching the threshold for closure.
As winter sets in Portland’s homeless face exposure to the cold, lack of beds and COVID-19
By David Fitzgerald, 21 November 2020
The city has resorted to urgently asking the general public for help in locating structures that can shelter the homeless from the cold while protecting them from COVID-19.
Trump holds White House meeting with Michigan Republicans in bid to overturn Biden victory
By Barry Grey, 21 November 2020
More than two weeks after the November 3 election, President Donald Trump and the Republican Party continue to refuse to accept the results of the presidential vote. Nor can it be assumed that they ultimately will.
Fascist Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse released after posting $2 million bail
By Jacob Crosse, 21 November 2020
The bail money was raised by defense attorneys and generously supported by Republican party donors.
San Diego schools continue to reopen as California surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases
By Renae Cassimeda, 21 November 2020
San Diego teachers are speaking out in opposition to school districts keeping schools open as cases skyrocket throughout the county.
Trump administration delays enforcement of TikTok ban
By Kevin Reed, 21 November 2020
The White House backed off from its threat to shut down the video-sharing app TikTok if its Chinese owner ByteDance did not divest itself of the popular social media platform to an American owner by November 12.
Mexican General Cienfuegos walks free after US drops drug charges
By Andrea Lobo and Don Knowland, 21 November 2020
The ex-defense secretary was airlifted to Mexico by the US government and allowed to walk out of the Toluca Airport as a free citizen, under no travel restraints.
Pentagon shakeup aimed at paving path to Trump coup
By Bill Van Auken, 21 November 2020
The extra-constitutional attempts to nullify the US elections and overturn basic democratic rights cannot be accomplished without massive state repression.
21 November 2020
New York region transportation agency prepares draconian cuts to service and transit jobs
By Alan Whyte and Daniel de Vries, 21 November 2020
The nation’s largest transit agency released its 2021 budget, proposing more than 9,000 layoffs and service cuts that would leave the transit network unrecognizable.
Biden, Pence both reject lockdowns to save lives as coronavirus pandemic explodes
By Patrick Martin, 20 November 2020
There is bipartisan agreement that workers must be forced to work and produce profits for big business, regardless of the danger from COVID-19.
Youth suicides and mental health disorders on the rise amid pandemic depression
By Genevieve Leigh, 20 November 2020
One of the impacts of the pandemic is a rising mental health crisis, particularly among youth, for which no faction of the ruling class proposes any solution.
999 California voters reject affirmative action proposition
20 November 2020
“They want to silence me for telling the truth.”
Montgomery, Alabama teachers report on hostile and unsafe working conditions
By Emma Arceneaux, 20 November 2020
The WSWS spoke to three Montgomery teachers about the conditions they face, the spread of the virus in the schools, and the role of the unions in enforcing school openings.
As COVID-19 surges, the New York Times demands that schools remain open
By Andre Damon, 20 November 2020
In a series of news articles, editorials, and op-eds, the Times has waged a campaign to oppose the closure of schools to stop the spread of the pandemic.
The gruesome outcome of “herd immunity”
Managers at Tyson pork plant took bets on how many workers would contract COVID-19
By Tom Hall, 20 November 2020
Nationwide, at least 50,000 meatpacking workers have been infected since the start of the pandemic and at least 253 have died, according to the Food & Environment Reporting Network.
Brevard County sheriff’s deputy kills two Florida teenagers
By Matthew Taylor, 20 November 2020
The deputy’s claim of self-defense in the shooting is refuted by dash camera footage which was released Wednesday.
“There has to be a complete shutdown, that is the only way to get things under control”
Support builds among autoworkers for emergency action as pandemic spreads throughout factories
By Shannon Jones, 20 November 2020
Autoworkers are speaking out with increasing outrage over the efforts of the auto companies and the United Auto Workers union to continue production at all costs.
US jobless claims surge
By Jacob Crosse, 20 November 2020
On Thursday, the US Department of Labor jobless claims report revealed another 742,000 people filed first time unemployment claims, an increase of over 30,000 from the previous week and the highest number in a month.
Pompeo escalates Iran war threats in trip to Israel
By Bill Van Auken, 20 November 2020
The US Secretary of State arrived in the wake of Israeli air strikes against Iranian forces in Syria, and announced yet another round of sanctions against Tehran.
FAA clears Boeing’s deadly 737 Max 8 aircraft to fly again
By Bryan Dyne, 20 November 2020
American Airlines was the first to schedule commercial flights using the aircraft that suffered two crashes, killing 346 passengers and crew.
Students criticize University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel over reckless reopening
By Jesse Thomas, 20 November 2020
A Q&A session Monday night resulted in a debacle for Schlissel as he faced widespread criticism from participating student representatives over the disastrous reopening he has overseen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
UPS worker dies of injuries at Louisville Worldport facility as holiday package crush begins
By Steve Filips, 20 November 2020
David Platt, 28, a mechanic working for UPS, was killed Wednesday at the Centennial hub sorting facility.
Twitter ends suspension of IYSSE account after widespread opposition
By our reporter, 20 November 2020
The effective ban on the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party was overturned after statements of opposition from prominent defenders of democratic rights, including Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters, along with workers and young people around the world.
999 Interactive map shows workplace outbreaks in Illinois
20 November 2020
Peaceful antiwar protesters sentenced to federal prison terms during pandemic
By Kevin Reed, 19 November 2020
Three antinuclear war protesters—members of the Kings Bay Plowshares Seven group—were sentenced to between 10-14 months in federal prison last week amid the raging coronavirus pandemic.
“The wolf is at the door”: Missouri hospital heads plead for state action to stem the pandemic
By Cole Michaels and Kristina Betinis, 19 November 2020
As the St. Louis area sees record hospitalizations, local mitigation measures have been partial and limited, and Republican leaders are scheming to prevent workers from suing their employers for COVID-19 exposure.
Vote breakdown shows class interests, not race, drove Trump’s defeat in Midwest “battleground” states
By Barry Grey, 19 November 2020
An analysis of the vote results in the three Midwestern “battleground” states that were key to Biden’s victory—Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—confirms that the critical factor was a turn by substantial sections of white workers to oppose Trump.
Former Sheriff David Clarke calls for Proud Boys chapter in Wisconsin
By Chase Lawrence, 19 November 2020
Clarke spoke at a Milwaukee County Republican event on Saturday, along with Republican State Senator Chris Kapenga.
999 San Diego educators
19 November 2020
Whitmer keeps Michigan K-8 schools and factories open despite record COVID-19 surge
By Zac Corrigan, 19 November 2020
New restrictions on public gatherings exclude K-8 in-person education as well as all factories and workplaces, all major vectors for the spread of COVID-19 in communities.
States certifying Biden victory despite Trump lawsuits, recount demands
By Patrick Martin, 19 November 2020
The effective cutoff date for Trump’s efforts to overturn the election through the courts is Dec. 8, when states submit their lists of presidential electors to the federal government.
Twelve million to lose unemployment benefits in December
By Jacob Crosse, 19 November 2020
Seeking to blackmail workers back into dangerous workplaces, Congress continues to ignore the plight of millions of unemployed people left without aid.
999 Portland homeless to be turned away from winter shelters due to covid
19 November 2020
New York City educators and parents must take control over online learning! Schools must stay closed until the pandemic is contained!
New York City Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 19 November 2020
Our committee warns that the closure of schools is a temporary maneuver and we call on educators, parents and students to demand no resumption of in-person learning until a proven vaccine has been verified and distributed free of charge.
Over 800 nurses strike Philadelphia area hospital for improved staffing
By Samuel Davidson, 19 November 2020
The strike by nurses at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania is the latest to demand safe staffing levels during the pandemic.
Louisville Metro Police Department and city officials implicated in cover-up of child sexual abuse ring
By Dominic Gustavo, 19 November 2020
The department concealed and then destroyed at least 738,000 records documenting the sexual abuse of minors in a youth program designed for children and teens who aspire to be police officers.
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