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Dissent Newswire

March 6, 2023

69 Organizations Urge that Domestic Terrorism Charges Against Defend the Atlanta Forest Protesters Be Dropped

69 environmental, human rights, and civil liberties organizations sent a letter to Georgia prosecutors urging them to drop domestic terrorism charges against Stop Cop City/Defend the Atlanta Forest protesters. The charges represent a draconian escalation seemingly intended to chill First
February 24, 2023

The Supreme Court sleeps on defending boycotts and the right to political expression

In an absurd ruling, the Eighth Circuit denied that boycotts are political expression. Now, the Supreme Court has denied writ of certiorari, letting the Eighth Circuit’s ruling in Arkansas Times LP v. Waldrip stand. This is a missed opportunity for
February 15, 2023

The FBI, Anti-Globalization Protests, and FOIA Deception

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, international financial summits, like the IMF and the World Bank, attracted masses of protesters. In many cases, protesters engaged in civil disobedience. They were also met with brutal repression by police that included
February 15, 2023

The Cop City Domestic Terrorism Charges are an Intimidation Tactic

The past several months have seen a showdown between forest defenders and police in DeKalb County, Georgia. A contingent of climate activists calling themselves Defend the Atlanta Forest occupied forest land to block construction of what they have termed “Cop
January 24, 2023

We Mourn the Passing of Victor Navasky: Long-Time Board Member, Crusading Journalist, Historian of the McCarthy Era, Staunch Civil Libertarian

Defending Rights & Dissent mourns the passing of longtime board member Victor Navasky.  Victor was a pioneering journalist, editor, and publisher.   “Victor was a powerful voice on our Board of Directors for over 30 years. His deep knowledge and astute
January 23, 2023

The Killing of ‘Cop City’ Protester Tortuguita Terán is a Blow to Dissent

On January 18, state troopers shot and killed Tortuguita Terán, an environmental activist protesting forest destruction in DeKalb County, near Atlanta, GA. Defending Rights & Dissent is dismayed by this repression of dissent and condemns it in the strongest possible
January 19, 2023

Civil Society Groups Condemn the Prosecution of Haoyang Yu

Although the Biden Administration has put an end to the “China Initiative,” biased prosecutions against Chinese Americans haven’t stopped. Defending Rights & Dissent recently sent a letter expressing concern about the prosecution of Mr. Haoyang Yu to the US Attorney’s
January 11, 2023

Congressional Oversight Over Domestic Surveillance Is Needed, But It Must Be Serious, Not Partisan Score Settling

Yesterday, in a party-line vote, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for the creation of a committee to study the “weaponization of the federal government.” Although the select committee will be housed within the Judiciary Committee, non-Judiciary
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NEW: The Minneapolis City Council passed two ‘anti-protest’ measures & are asking state lawmakers to define “acceptable conduct” at open meetings & to introduce legislation that would “provide for the safety of public officials and employees.” [Video] https://unicornriot.ninja/2023/anti-protest-measure-passes-minneapolis-city-council/

Government is often criticized for failing to offer creative solutions. Not so when it comes getting around Sunshine laws #SunshineWeek: https://freedom.press/news/government-is-at-its-most-innovative-when-ducking-transparency/

The "domestic terrorism" charges against Cop City protesters are growing, and prosecutors say they'll be more announcing more prosecutions under RICO (the mob law).

Here's what you need to know about RICO & this escalating crackdown #StopCopCity (Thread🧵)

Art by @GadzooksB

Facial recognition has led to wrongful arrests, particularly of Black men, but federal agencies are using the tech anyway.

Members of Congress have now introduced a moratorium bill - tell your reps to support it today!
https://rightsanddissent.salsalabs.org/biometricmoratorium2023/index.html

Obstructionism, deliberate denial, and withholding: that's the American government's approach to disclose of key documents. @kgosztola writes about the numerous impediments to sunshine thrown up by our government.
https://thedissenter.org/a-presumption-of-secrecy-that-defies-openness-in-government/

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