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Dissent NewsWire
DRAD Defends Human Rights Defenders
Free expression, free assembly, and free association aren’t just fundamental rights. They are the tools that human rights defenders rely on to fight back against the abuses.
Lame Duck Congress to Attack Right to Boycott
For two years now, we’ve fought to stop the unconstitutional Israel Anti-Boycott Act. And thanks to an outpouring of opposition from individuals like you, this First Amendment violating bill has been stalled. But now the bill’s sponsor, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), is working behind the scenes to sneak the Israel Anti-Boycott Act into the must-pass end of the year spending bill.
Free Speech Rights Under Fire on Campus: From Marc Lamont Hill to the Department of Education
Academic freedom for supporters of Palestinian human rights is under fire.As a civil liberties organization, Defending Rights & Dissent takes no position on Palestine-Israel. However, we recognize there is a concerted, unconstitutional effort to silence supporters of Palestinian human rights. As an organization founded by victims of McCarthyism, we are obligated to speak out against such affronts to political expression and organizing
New Guidelines for Public Employees May Chill Dissent
Defending Rights & Dissent expresses deep concern about the Office of Special Counsel’s new Hatch Act guidelines. The new guidelines are overly broad and will having a chilling impact on speech.
Time to End Censorship at Florida Dept. of Corrections
Without explanation, the Florida Dept. of Corrections has impounded two dozen issues of The Militant in the past two years.
Defending Rights & Dissent Condemns Use of Tear Gas Against Refugees
Defending Rights & Dissent joins people around the world in expressing our outrage, disgust, and horror that US border agents attacked refugees, including children, with tear gas. The images of children, already refugees from violence and poverty, fleeing from tear gas is gut wrenching.
Historic Vote in Senate on Yemen War Powers Resolution
Moments ago the United States Senate voted to discharge the bipartisan Yemen War Powers Resolution. This mean the Senate will debate and vote on the ongoing illegal, unconstitutional military action in Yemen. The resolution brought by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) is an important step for Congress to reclaim its constitutional war powers While today was only a procedural vote, it is historic in nature.
On #GivingTuesday, Remember That Protest is Priceless
Supporters tell us that Defending Rights & Dissent helps them speak truth to power. They feel empowered to join with others — in the streets, at community meetings, to send an email, or call elected officials. That is what democracy looks like.
This is What Democracy Looks Like!
In 2018 DRAD and our grassroots supporters and activists worked hard to to defend the right to protest, challenge FBI abuses, oppose the Countering Violent Extremism program. We also defended whistleblowers, fought surveillance and censorship, championed internet freedom, and continued to rally against Guantanamo and torture.
Statement on the Potential Prosecution of Julian Assange
The Trump Administration has demonstrated an unrestrained contempt for journalists, whistleblowers, and truth tellers. Charging an individual with publishing information–even classified information–would be an unprecedented act of aggression against press freedom. Defending Rights & Dissent has long opposed the use of the Espionage Act against whistleblowers or journalists and called for it to be amended or repealed.