On Monday September 2, the U.S. government seized the official presidential plane of Venezuela, often used by President Nicolas Maduro. The Biden administration had Dominican authorities do their dirty work, stealing the plane while it was on the island for maintenance. It was then flown to Miami, where stolen goods and illegal shipments often enter the United States.
This theft is a pathetic attempt to wrestle some control over the independent nation that recently re-elected the former union bus driver as its president. It is a direct violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty, using U.S. economic sanctions as cover.
The government of India has declared January 22 as a holiday in several states on the manufactured occasion of “Pran Prathistha Diwas” or consecration day of the Ram Temple. This is relevant because the ones in power in India – the Bhartiya Janata Party – has an ideological strain of an extremist right-wing Hinduism, otherwise known as Hindutva. This ideological strain has proven be a bane for India in its entirety, for poor people, for the working class, for farmers, for journalists, for students, for Muslims, for the so-called lower castes, for the tribals, for women and everyone in opposition to this extremist government.
Tucson, AZ – In November of 2016, president of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega was elected for a third term with 72% approval. Despite what the U.S. government says about Nicaraguan elections, the Carter Center’s election observer teams routinely praise Nicaragua’s fair and free elections. It is clear the U.S. government is unhappy with the results, so U.S. interference with deadly consequences is the order of the day.
Report shows rising income inequality while maintaining myth of the middle class – Commentary by Masao Suzuki
San José, CA – In December of 2015 the Pew Research Center released a report on the decline in middle-income Americans, who now make up a minority of the population, down from 60% in the 1970s. Their share of income has fallen even more, from more than 60% in the 1970s to only 43% in 2014, as upper-income households share has risen from 30% to 49% over the same period of time. The Pew report also has other important information on wealth, debt, occupation and education, which were generally not reported in the mainstream corporate media.
He was “unarmed, brutally assaulted and murdered, kicked and beaten on the ground while he was handcuffed, tasered, placed in a body bag but not zipped up…”
El caso de Omar Pilgrim en el Condado Union en New Jersey es un ejemplo flagrante de los abusos racistas del sistema de “justicia” penal de los Estados Unidos. En marzo de este año, el juez John Triarsi condenó a Omar, un afroamericano, con una sentencia en el cárcel de ocho años por una primera ofensa en un asunto que tiene que ver con $6.75. Tiene que cumplir seis años antes de ser elegible por la libertad condicional (parole).
Chicago, IL – Cuando a Phillip Cline, Superintendente actual de la Policía de Chicago le preguntaron sobre el plan policial del Alcalde Daley para el área africana-americana del Distrito de Harrison, este dijo: “Hace más fácil nuestro trabajo, es como dispararle a peces en un barril.”
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has had an important victory! On May 17, Massachusetts performed the first legal civil marriages of same-sex couples in the country. In November 2003, the Massachusetts State Supreme Court ruled that the state’s ban on same sex marriages was illegal. It ordered that such marriages be legalized within six months. As queers and allies celebrate the victory in Massachusetts, it is important to reflect on where the movement has been and where it should go.
Los Ángeles Este, CA – La campana para derrotar la propuesta 21, una ley que permitirá que jóvenes menores de edad puedan ser enjuciados como adultos, llegó as su etapa mas avanzada. Miles de jóvenes a través del estado de California protestaron en el Este de los Angeles exigiendo “escuelas no prisiones.”
El libro nuevo, Crusade for Justice, Chicano Militancy (La Crusada por Justicia: Militancia Chicana), por Ernesto B. Vigil es una contribución muy grande a la historia Chicana y Estadounidense. La edición de la Prensa de la Universidad de Wisconsin que apareció en mayo de 1999 habla sobre la historia de Crusade for Justice (Crusada por Justicia) o CFJ y las luchas de sus militantes por la Liberación Chicana en el fin de los años 60 y los años 70.
Los Angles, CA – Aug. 29 marks the 32nd anniversary of the historic Chicano Moratorium. A little more than three decades ago, the largest Chicano/a mobilization ever took place to protest the Vietnam War. Large numbers of Chicanos were sent to fight the people of Vietnam. The people's movement challenged U.S. foreign policy, the high casualty rate of Chicanos in Vietnam and the negative effects that the war had on our community at home.
An important blow against racism and reaction was struck in Georgia, July 20. Cynthia McKinney's victory in Georgia’s 4th congressional district in the Democratic primaries means it is almost certain that her courageous voice will be heard again inside the halls of Congress.
Chicago, IL – Philip Cline, Acting Superintendent of the Chicago Police, was asked about Mayor Daley’s policing plan in the African-American Harrison District. “It makes our job easier,” he said, “like shooting fish in a barrel.”
!["Cynthia McKinney"](https://i.snap.as/QxXatkOd.jpg "\\"Cynthia McKinney\\" Cynthia McKinney in line to see the movie Fahrenheit 911. \(Fight Back! News/www.cynthiaforcongress.com\)")