Democratic Rights in the US
020 Chelsea Manning speaks via video in Sydney
5 September 2018
040 Five Eyes meeting in Australia
5 September 2018
050 Bounty offered by NYPD union
5 September 2018
200 Internet censorship campaign and suppression of social opposition
5 September 2018
US report on Chinese “United Front Work” seeks to whip-up hostility towards China
By Gabriel Black, 4 September 2018
The report contains justifications for mass spying on Chinese nationals and warns against cultural exchange programs that leave Americans with positive views of China
Nashville’s shuttering of women’s health clinic leaves only one abortion facility in the city
By Warren Duzak and Keisha Gibbs, 3 September 2018
Despite the billions invested in healthcare, and dozens of Nashville area hospitals, poor and working class women are limited to one small clinic for elective abortions.
Is the Mueller investigation preparing to indict WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange?
By James Cogan, 1 September 2018
The claim that Assange was part of a conspiracy to manipulate the 2016 US presidential election is based on amalgams, distortions and outright lies.
Accused by Trump of rigging search results, Google denies political bias
By Andre Damon, 29 August 2018
The internet monopoly, which has worked to bury left-wing political viewpoints in search results for over a year, said, “We never rank search results to manipulate political sentiment.”
Behind the coordinated social media censorship by Facebook, Twitter and Google
What is FireEye?
By Kevin Reed, 29 August 2018
The cyber-security firm FireEye has high-level connections with military intelligence and Wall Street and is working with social media companies to promote censorship.
NSA leaker Reality Winner sentenced to more than five years in prison
By Kevin Martinez, 27 August 2018
Winner is the first person to be tried by the Trump Administration under the Espionage Act, receiving the longest ever sentence for revealing classified documents.
Google shuts down YouTube channels in expansion of state-directed online censorship
By Kevin Reed, 25 August 2018
Google announced on Thursday that it had shut down 58 social media accounts that the company claimed were part of an Iranian government-sponsored “influence campaign.”
Trump, Republicans exploit murder of Molly Tibbetts to stoke anti-immigrant racism
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 24 August 2018
The killing of a young Iowa woman has become a pretext for the Trump administration and its supporters to intensify attacks on immigrants.
One year after WSWS open letter to Google
Facebook escalates censorship of left-wing, anti-war organizations
By Andre Damon, 23 August 2018
On Tuesday, Facebook announced the removal of hundreds of user accounts and pages, many of them opposing the crimes of the American, Saudi and Israeli governments in the Middle East.
Chicago teen dead after police chase, family disputes official report of suicide
By Matthew Verhoven, 22 August 2018
More than 120 people marched to Mount Sinai Hospital, and to the Chicago Police Department 10th District, to demand the release of the boy’s body and footage of the events.
Private prison corporation CoreCivic facing multiple lawsuits for endangering Tennessee inmates
By Keisha Gibbs, 17 August 2018
Nashville-based private prison company CoreCivic continues to reap profits despite numerous lawsuits.
Cables document CIA Director Haspel’s direct role in torture at black site in Thailand
By E.P. Milligan, 15 August 2018
The 16 cables from Haspel published by the National Security Archive document scenes fit for a medieval dungeon.
US: The “public charge” rule’s effects on legal immigrant families
By Jill Lux, 13 August 2018
Every legal immigrant using a social program is in danger of being labeled a “public charge,” and therefore ineligible for citizenship.
NFL players national anthem protests resume at first preseason games
By Alan Gilman, 13 August 2018
Despite attempts by the League, various owners, and Trump to stop player protests, several continued to protest for social justice, equality and against police violence.
America’s unending reign of police terror
By Niles Niemuth, 11 August 2018
Four years after the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri by police officer Darren Wilson sparked popular outrage over police violence, the daily onslaught of police killings in the US continues.
Tennessee carries out first execution in nearly a decade
Inmate “gulped for an extended period of time” and was “choking,” “gasping”
By Kate Randall, 11 August 2018
Irick’s attorneys had argued that their client suffered from severe mental illness and that one of the drugs to be used in his lethal injection could cause severe pain.
Off-duty Cincinnati police officer uses taser on 11-year old child
By Jacob Crosse, 11 August 2018
Eleven year old Donesha Gowdy was suspected of “petty shoplifting”.
Federal judge blocks Trump administration attempt to deport mother and child during court hearing
By Eric London, 10 August 2018
The government sought to remove the immigrants from the US while their lawyers were preoccupied arguing the case in court.
Arrest of Republican congressman on corruption charges heightens political conflict in Washington
By Barry Grey, 10 August 2018
The prosecution of Chris Collins is a political shot by the US intelligence agencies across Trump’s bow.
Teamsters for a Democratic Union-linked Facebook page censors Amazon worker’s video calling for a united struggle with UPS workers
By Will Morrow, 10 August 2018
The Teamsters for a Democratic Union, a dissident faction of the union apparatus, is terrified of Amazon and UPS workers linking up in a common struggle.
Extensive police spying on activists in Memphis, Tennessee, exposed
By Jimmy Smith and Naomi Spencer, 7 August 2018
The purpose of extensive surveillance is to monitor, chill, and ultimately crack down on opposition in the working class to the actions of the government and the police.
Florida judge rules in favor of early voting on campus
By Matthew Taylor, 6 August 2018
The ruling invalidates recent attempts to suppress the student vote in Florida.
US immigration nightmare continues amid media blackout
By Eric London, 4 August 2018
Since the beginning of August, the New York Times opinion page has published eight opinion pieces or editorial board statements relating to allegations of Trump’s ties to Russia or the #MeToo hysteria, but none about the conditions facing immigrants.
TSA tracks unsuspecting passengers under “Quiet Skies” program
By Kevin Martinez, 1 August 2018
The program allows federal air marshals to follow and report on American citizens not suspected of a crime, not under investigation, and not on any terrorist watch list.
Florida’s “stand your ground” law under heavy scrutiny following shooting
By Matthew MacEgan, 1 August 2018
Two weeks ago, a white man shot an unarmed black man over a parking spot at a convenience store but was not arrested.
Ronan Farrow’s latest #MeToo “bombshell,” directed against Leslie Moonves of CBS
By David Walsh, 1 August 2018
The New Yorker magazine has posted Farrow’s new article, detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against Leslie Moonves, the chairman, president and CEO of CBS Corporation.
Trump administration deported up to 463 immigrant parents without their children
By Tom Hall, 25 July 2018
The admission by government lawyers raises the prospect that hundreds of parents separated under Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy might never see their children again.
Mounting outrage in US over conditions facing detained immigrants
By Patrick Martin, 24 July 2018
Hunger strikes and lawsuits have exposed the barbaric treatment of refugees and immigrants at detention facilities in the US.
American justice: New York City cop who killed Eric Garner may lose vacation days
By Daniel de Vries, 24 July 2018
Daniel Pantaleo has remained on the job pending an internal investigation into the 2014 strangling death of Garner.
Christine Assange, mother of WikiLeaks editor: “I’ve not been able to speak to my son for four months”
By Richard Phillips, 24 July 2018
“I say defend Julian, not just because I’m his mother, but as a citizen and someone who believes in democracy and freedom.”
Imminent threat to Julian Assange underscores need for global defence movement
By Mike Head, 23 July 2018
Plans are afoot to subject the WikiLeaks editor to lengthy imprisonment by the British authorities, pending extradition to the US.
Only 57 of 3,000 immigrant children have been reunited with parents
By Trévon Austin, 14 July 2018
Children and parents were scattered nationwide including Maryland, Texas, New York, Georgia, Louisiana, Arizona and Illinois.
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh backed US militarism in his appeals court rulings
By John Burton, 14 July 2018
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has a long record expanding US war powers during his 12 years as a DC Circuit judge.
Hearing on FBI role in 2016 election erupts in vicious conflict between right-wing politicians
By Patrick Martin, 13 July 2018
While Republicans sought to cross-examine former FBI official Peter Strzok about text messages expressing hostility to Trump, Democrats denounced the hearing as a “favor to Putin.”
Brett Kavanaugh: A reliably reactionary jurist
By Ed Hightower, 13 July 2018
Trump’s Supreme Court nominee boasts a record of reaction both as an attorney and as a judge
Trump chooses second ultra-right Supreme Court justice
By Patrick Martin, 10 July 2018
Brett Kavanaugh is a reactionary in the mold of Trump’s first high court nominee, Neil Gorsuch.
Federal judge denies Trump administration request for extension to reunite migrant families
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 9 July 2018
The corporate media has effectively dropped coverage of the 3,000 children languishing in immigration detention facilities across the country.
US prosecutors dismiss charges for all remaining J20 defendants
By E.P. Milligan, 9 July 2018
The decision to drop charges against those arrested for opposing Trump's inauguration, exposes the fraud of the trials themselves.
Democrats fast-track Trump’s Supreme Court pick
By Eric London, 3 July 2018
The announcement by the Democrats that they will not seek to block Trump’s Supreme Court appointee reveals certain truths about the two-party system.
Killing of 45-year-old postal worker by Portland State University police draws protests
By Kayla Costa, 3 July 2018
The tragic murder of Jason Washington is a direct result of the militarization of campuses across the country.
Hundreds of thousands march against Trump’s persecution of immigrants
By Patrick Martin, 2 July 2018
There were protests in more than 700 locations, with the largest in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington and New York City.
“This is like the 1930s. We have to come together and oppose it”
Protesting workers and youth defend immigrants
By our reporters, 2 July 2018
Demonstrators in many cities gave their views to the World Socialist Web Site. Below we publish interviews from Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and New York City.
“I want a political organization that acknowledges that capitalism is not working”
SEP, IYSSE campaign for congressional candidate Niles Niemuth at pro-immigrant protest in Ann Arbor, Michigan
By our reporters, 2 July 2018
A team of SEP and IYSSE members intervened in Saturday’s “Families Belong Together” rally, collecting over 500 signatures to put Niles on the ballot in November.
Who are Trump’s 25 candidates for the Supreme Court?
By Ed Hightower, 30 June 2018
Trump’s possible nominees span the ideological spectrum, from the far right to the arch-reactionary.
Mobilize the working class against the bipartisan attack on immigrants!
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party
29 June 2018
Growing opposition to the attack on immigrants and democratic rights requires a clear political focus and policy.
Supreme Court rules against unions in Janus case
By Jerry White, 28 June 2018
Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling in the Janus v. AFSCME case is a defeat for the union bureaucracy, not the workers.
Justice Anthony Kennedy announces retirement from Supreme Court
By Ed Hightower and Eric London, 28 June 2018
The retirement of the “swing vote” justice gives Trump the opportunity to shift the court to the far-right.
US assault on immigrants continues as Democrats denounce protests against Trump officials
By Alec Andersen, 28 June 2018
While Trump is escalating his fascistic attacks on immigrants, the Democrats are seeking to contain public opposition to his immigration policies.
Murder charges filed against East Pittsburgh police officer in shooting death of teenager
By Samuel Davidson, 28 June 2018
Michael Rosfeld shot and killed a 17-year-old Antwon Rose, Jr. last week as he ran from a car after it was pulled over by police.
US Democratic senators demand eviction of Julian Assange from Ecuador’s London embassy
By James Cogan, 28 June 2018
Leading Democratic senators, including Diane Feinstein and Mark Warner, have declared they are “extremely concerned about Ecuador providing asylum for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.”
Technology giants hold censorship meeting with US intelligence agencies
By Will Morrow, 27 June 2018
The Washington Post described the meeting as a “new overture by the technology industry to develop closer ties to law enforcement.”
US Supreme Court sides with anti-abortion fanatics who operate fake health centers
By Tom Carter, 27 June 2018
Yesterday’s decision is yet another victory for Christian fundamentalists and the campaign to use “freedom of religion” to undermine the separation of church and state, legalize discrimination and obstruct access to health care.
The new Dred Scott: Supreme Court upholds Trump travel ban
By Eric London, 27 June 2018
By upholding Trump’s power to seal the country’s borders, the court has granted the president limitless authority to enact his fascistic policies against immigrants and political opponents.
In defense of the Red Hen
By Andre Damon, 26 June 2018
The Washington Post and leading Democrats have lined up with Donald Trump in condemning protests against Trump administration officials over human rights violations on the Mexican border.
Leaked manual reveals ICE informants posing as attorneys, clergy
By Meenakshi Jagadeesen, 26 June 2018
A newly leaked ICE handbook reveals the organization’s policies for illegal undercover operations against immigrants.
Hundreds protest after Minneapolis police fatally shoot 31-year-old man
By Anthony Bertolt, 26 June 2018
Thurman Blevins Jr. was shot down by police in an alleyway in a hail of bullets Saturday evening, sparking almost immediate protests from neighborhood residents.
Supreme Court narrowly protects privacy of cellphone location data
By Ed Hightower, 26 June 2018
The high court came within a single vote of authorizing virtually unlimited police utilization of cellphone location data.
Social studies teachers denounce anti-democratic changes to Michigan education curriculum
By Debra Watson and Ed Bergonzi, 26 June 2018
Teachers are opposing proposed changes to the state’s social studies curriculum that would block students from learning about struggles for democratic and civil rights.
Dominican-American author Junot Díaz: the latest artist victimized by the #MeToo campaign
By Sandy English, 26 June 2018
Following a controversy that erupted in May, MIT recently completed an investigation into the conduct of Díaz, who teaches at the university, and cleared him of any sexual misconduct.
Concentration camps in America
By Eric London, 25 June 2018
The social force that can and must halt the drive toward dictatorship is the working class, the central target of the assault on democratic rights.
“Nobody knows what is going to happen next”
Residents of Salem, Ohio, remain in shock after immigration raid
By Zac Corrigan and Shannon Jones, 25 June 2018
The raid last week by federal agents has traumatized the immigrant community, ripping families apart and making others afraid to leave their homes.
As public anger grows over childhood detention centers
Thousands participate in San Diego protest against treatment of immigrants
By Meenakshi Jagadeesen, 25 June 2018
The protest was led by groups with ties to the Democratic Party, which has facilitated and prepared the way for Trump’s fascistic attack on immigrants.
Open letter by Amazon workers opposes contracts with immigration and police agencies
By Kayla Costa, 25 June 2018
The Amazon workers wrote that they were “deeply concerned” that the company was implicated in Trump’s immoral immigration policy and was “providing infrastructure and services that enable ICE and DHS.”
Protests continue in Pittsburgh over police killing of unarmed teen
By Samuel Davidson, 25 June 2018
Hundreds of people continue to hold daily demonstrations to express their outrage over the murder of unarmed 17-year-old Antwon Rose, Jr. last week.
The American gulag
US Navy planning to build military camps to jail 120,000 immigrants
By Alec Andersen, 23 June 2018
The government is preparing massive military detention camps where immigrants—and ultimately opponents of the government—will be kept in “austere” conditions.
ICE agents raid Ohio meatpacking plants, arrest 146 immigrants
By Jerry White, 21 June 2018
The storming of the Fresh Mark plants, the second major Ohio workplace raid this month, is aimed at instilling fear so that employers can exploit both immigrant and native-born workers with impunity.
Trump executive order: Indefinite detention of immigrant families, 2,300 children to remain separated from parents
By Kayla Costa, 21 June 2018
Wednesday’s order does not revoke the “zero tolerance” policy, does not apply to children already separated from family and will drastically expand the number of people detained in immigration internment camps.
East Pittsburgh police fatally shoot unarmed 17-year-old
By Trévon Austin, 21 June 2018
Antwon Rose, Jr. was shot without any warning as he attempted to flee a traffic stop Tuesday night.
Trump administration restricts visas for Chinese students
By Will Morrow, 20 June 2018
Statements by intelligence officials and the media have argued that over 2 million Chinese nationals residing in the US are a potential fifth column.
Trump administration planning massive expansion of jails for immigrant children
By Eric London, 19 June 2018
The administration is building new facilities to house tens of thousands of immigrant children while refusing to process asylum applicants at the US-Mexico border.
“Something must be done quickly”
Child psychology expert warns of life-changing damage from child-parent separation of immigrants
By Eric London, 19 June 2018
Fulbright Scholar Chris Fradkin told the WSWS: “These children, if they are not reunited with their parents in the next week, will suffer because of this for the rest of their lives.”
Phoenix police shootings on track to double in 2018
By Trévon Austin, 18 June 2018
Phoenix police have shot 23 people so far in 2018, 11 fatally.
Abolish Washington’s immigration Gestapo! Stop the persecution of immigrants!
By Eric London, 16 June 2018
The abolition of the agencies responsible for mass deportations, workplace raids and the separation of families is a life or death question for the working class.
Political cartoonist fired by right-wing Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editors over anti-Trump cartoons
By Kayla Costa, 16 June 2018
After rejecting nineteen of his cartoons since March, the newspaper’s editors fired Rob Rogers for not complying with their efforts to shift content to the right.
US prosecutors drop charges against additional eight J20 defendants
By E.P. Milligan, 15 June 2018
The motion to dismiss charges, far from signifying a change of heart, is a temporary strategic retreat by the prosecution.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services unveils new initiative targeting naturalized citizens
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 14 June 2018
The goal of the new office is to remove the citizenship rights of naturalized immigrants who “cheated” on their applications in civil court proceedings, while also prosecuting them on the charge of criminal fraud.
New report reveals Assange under 24/7 surveillance in Ecuadoran embassy
By Eric London, 13 June 2018
The Spanish El Diario writes: “The government of Ecuador spied on every movement of Julian Assange in its embassy in London.”
Committee For Public Education urges participation in June 17 Assange rally
13 June 2018
The governments attempting to silence Assange are attacking the right of students and educators to a fully-resourced public education.
The end of net neutrality: The US ruling elite escalates campaign of internet censorship
By Andre Damon, 12 June 2018
The move marks a major milestone in the efforts of the US intelligence agencies, technology monopolies, and both political parties to undermine free speech.
Trump administration rescinds right to asylum for victims of gangs and domestic violence
By Eric London, 12 June 2018
The decision is a legal travesty and will result in the rejection of thousands of asylum applications.
Supreme Court upholds Ohio purge of registered voters
By Patrick Martin, 12 June 2018
The Court’s 5-4 decision is the latest in a series rubber-stamping efforts by Republican-controlled state governments to reduce turnout among minority and low-income voters.
US Justice Department seizes New York Times reporter’s records in leak investigation
By Alec Andersen, 12 June 2018
The DOJ seized telephone and electronic communications records belonging to journalist Ali Watkins during an investigation into suspected leaks of classified information emanating from the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Two refugee suicides follow Trump’s “zero-tolerance” order
By Patrick Martin, 11 June 2018
The deaths are a direct consequence of the attack on refugees and immigrants ordered by the White House.
Undocumented worker in ICE custody after delivering food to Army base in New York City
By Mark Ferretti and Philip Guelpa, 11 June 2018
While Pablo Villavicencio was granted an emergency stay of deportation by a judge over the weekend he still faces the prospect of being deported in less than six weeks.
Videos show recent beatings committed by Mesa, Arizona, police officers
By Matthew Verhoven, 11 June 2018
In a press conference Friday, Police Chief Ramon Batista claimed that incidents such as these “would not be tolerated.” But another whitewash is being prepared.
Australian government has obligation to protect Julian Assange
By Richard Hoffman, 11 June 2018
The Turnbull government must exercise its discretion to request from Britain the safe passage of Julian Assange to Australia.
Trump administration to send 1,600 ICE detainees to federal prisons
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 9 June 2018
The government is carrying out the first large scale transfer of immigrants to federal detention facilities under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy.
Illinois Governor calls for reinstatement of the death penalty
By Michael Walters, 9 June 2018
Republican Governor Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto to gun control legislation which would, if approved, make the killing of two or more people or police officers capital crimes.
“I saw officers with assault rifles, dogs and helicopters everywhere”
Mass immigration raids shatter Ohio communities
By Eric London and Will Morrow, 7 June 2018
Tuesday’s Gestapo-style raid is a warning to the entire working class.
Judge in Stanford sexual assault case recalled from office following law-and-order campaign
By Patrick Martin, 7 June 2018
There is nothing remotely progressive in the campaign to recall judge Aaron Persky, which was centered on demands for harsher sentencing of those convicted of sexual assault.
Notes on police violence
Cop who punched woman on New Jersey beach will not face charges
By Trévon Austin, 7 June 2018
In a video viewed over 7,000,000 times, an officer can be seen punching the woman twice.
US activist Kevin Zeese calls for demonstrations against the persecution of Julian Assange
6 June 2018
“Freedom of speech and freedom of the press is being defined by the treatment of Julian Assange.”
Video of Chelsea Manning “wellness check” highlights threat posed by police to mentally ill in US
By Matthew Verhoven, 6 June 2018
In a comment given to the Intercept, Manning said of the video, “This is what a police state looks like. Guns drawn during a ‘wellness’ check.”
Free Julian Assange! Support the June 19 vigil in London
By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 6 June 2018
Workers and young people must demand that the Conservative government of Theresa May end its persecution of Assange, drop the bail-related issues against him and allow him to leave the embassy and, if he chooses, the UK, without fear of arrest.
Journalist Antony Loewenstein: “Heavy pressure” needed to win freedom and justice for Assange
6 June 2018
The following statement was sent by journalist and filmmaker Antony Loewenstein, a consistent defender of WikiLeaks.
A day of reaction at the US Supreme Court
By Eric London, 5 June 2018
In two separate decisions, the US Supreme Court set back rights for immigrants, the right to abortion, and protections for gay and lesbian couples.
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