Attacks On Press Freedom
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is outraged by China’s continued attacks on press freedom in Hong Kong under the guise of national security. The latest offense was the Dec. 29 raid and shutdown of Stand News, the most prominent pro-democracy media outlet in Hong Kong.
“SPJ stands with our brave colleagues in Hong Kong who continue to believe in the right of news organizations to be free from government control. We call on the Hong Kong government to abide by the 1997 treaty and end its persecution of journalists who do what free and independent journalists are supposed to do — hold public figures to account, ask questions and provide their consumers with truthful information”. Dan Kubiske, co-chair of the SPJ International Community.
SCOTUS Cons Take Huge Dump On Voting Rights
All six SCOTUS conservatives on the last day of the current session voted to allow Arizona Republicans, and by extension all state Republicans, restrict by any means necessary the ability of citizens of colour, poor citizens, citizens with physical disabilities, and by extension all Democrats, to cast a vote in any and all elections. Read here, here
The First Amendment, Democracy, Human Rights
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) signed a letter asking Biden administration about its plans for restoring transparency and accountability in the US government and reclaiming global leadership on democracy and human rights. Read
Stand with Justice for Greenwood!
Sign the Color of Change Petition
Tulsa’s government has repeatedly denied reparations to the descendants and survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Now, for the 100th anniversary, the mayor is co-opting their movement for justice by instead promoting the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Centennial Commission—a group that has excluded and refused to meet with survivor Mother Randle, yet claim to be working in honor of her. While the Centennial Commission received $30 million in funding for the celebration and stands to gain more in revenue from the upcoming Greenwood Rising Museum, Mother Randle still lives in poverty at age 106. This is simply theft—theft of her legacy, image, and pain. We cannot allow the city leaders to champion their revisionist history and continue to exploit the very people affected by it.
Fundamental Questions
More than 15 hours of testimony failed to answer fundamental questions about the Capitol attack. Among them: Why national security officials responded differently to BLM protesters than to Trump supporters at the insurrection. Read
Comply!
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) joined two letters about federal agencies compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. The first calls on the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold an oversight hearing on FOIA compliance. The second calls on Attorney General Merrick Garland to issue a memo on agency compliance with FOIA.
Demand Justice For Daniel Prude and the people in Rochester, NY
Add your name to the ColorofChange.org action campaign:
Last year, Rochester Police murdered Daniel in the street – and just a few weeks ago the same police force maced a 9 year old girl.
Call on the U.S. Dept of Justice to immediately investigate the entire Rochester Police Department for civil rights violations and racist violence.
It’s up to all of us to make sure President Biden keeps his promise to Black voters and uses the power of his administration to defend Black lives – in Rochester and across the country.
Never Forget
America, the whole world saw. George Floyd was murdered.
Stand With Cannon
Georgia State Representative Park Cannon is facing 8 years in prison for knocking on a door. She needs our help. Read more here
Enemy Of The People?
Yes, sometimes the media can be an enemy of the people, especially when it is their business model to be so.
Media Matters For America draws a perfectly straight line showing how one outlet did it.
Fox propaganda helped cause an insurrection. The network is doubling down.
Fox’s “news” and “opinion” side alike ran hundreds of segments casting doubt on the election results, and its most prominent figures cheered on Trump’s attempt to subvert them. You can draw a straight line from that reckless and cynical coverage to the January 6 insurrection, when the president incited an angry pro-Trump mob that then breached the Capitol in an attempt to stop the peaceful transition of power.
You Lose. You Leave.
Let him, like every good American citizen, be willing and prompt to bear his part in every useful work that will promote the welfare and happiness of his family, his town, his state and his country.
Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th U.S. President, on a president’s conduct when voted out of office.
Free Expression Lost
“… there’s growing concern over the power of private companies, which aren’t bound by the First Amendment, to control free expression in cyberspace. Is the Web so pervasive, so vital that those who operate it have taken on a kind of governmental status, private in ownership but public in impact? Are Internet providers quasi-public, like utility companies?”
First Amendment Center “How Much Should Site Owners Control Free Speech Online?” (2009)
Will Anyone Help?
They kill us on tape. They kill us in our cars. They kill us in our parking spaces, or just while walking down the streets. They kill us in our homes. And nobody will help. Elie Mystal; Investigation Of The Murder Of Joshua Brown Cannot Be Left To Dallas Police
Free Press – Open Elections
Reporters Committee For Freedom Of The Press Urges Pennsylvania Courts To Grant Journalists Access To Election Lawsuit Proceedings
America Turns A Page
Regardless of Who Wins This Election, America Is Lost. CommonDreams.org
This Is Serious Shit!
More Serious Shit!!
NEW: in paperwork filed minutes ago, USPS Board of Governors Chairman Robert M. Duncan is listed as Director of Mitch McConnell’s $130M super PAC, Senate Leadership Fund.
https://t.co/vYxNfIag9F pic.twitter.com/ILOzdXcCPb – Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) August 31, 2020
George Floyd: American Man
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” First Nations proverb.
