Democratic rights
Petition against UK “drill” music ban defends freedom of speech
By Paul Bond, 29 June 2019
Rap artists Krept and Konan’s petition points to the moral bankruptcy of state attempts to blame drill music for violence and crime.
House Democrats give $4.6 billion for Trump’s concentration camps
Ocasio-Cortez plays critical role in ensuring passage
By Eric London, 28 June 2019
House Democrats voted for a Senate bill that exposes the critical role of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other “progressive” Democrats in facilitating Trump’s crackdown on immigrants.
Lübcke’s murderer was part of vast underground German neo-Nazi terrorist network
By Johannes Stern, 28 June 2019
Stephen Ernst, the assassin of CDU politician Walter Lübcke, acted as part of a neo-Nazi network with close ties to the right-wing terrorist National Socialist Underground.
US Supreme Court halts Trump plan for citizenship question in 2020 census
By Fred Mazelis, 28 June 2019
The delay may only be temporary, as the high court remanded the issue to a lower court, giving the administration a further opportunity to revive its effort to lower the official count of immigrants residing in the United States.
Royal Marines from anti-Russia exercise daubed swastikas on chest
By Thomas Scripps, 28 June 2019
The marines were part of the Future Commando Force (FCF) taking part in Exercise Baltic Protector, described in the UK media as designed “to strike fear” into Putin.
More than 300 asylum seekers in Glasgow, Scotland to be evicted
By Steve James, 28 June 2019
Services giant Serco is targeting tenants who have fled war and poverty in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Two German fighter jets collide in midair during practice flight
By Marianne Arens, 28 June 2019
Following the collision of two fighter planes, which resulted in the death of one pilot, German media outlets expressed their outrage at the lack of patriotism in the response of the population.
Watch the Sydney rally to free Assange live!
28 June 2019
The SEP rally is among the first events to be held since the WSWS International Editorial Board called for the formation of a Global Defence Committee to demand freedom for Assange and Manning.
Terry Hicks, father of former Guantánamo Bay prisoner David Hicks, demands freedom for Assange and Manning
28 June 2019
“There’s only one word to describe the victimisation and persecution of Assange and Manning, and that word is barbaric.”
San Francisco School Board votes to destroy left-wing murals they claim are “racist” and “white supremacist”
By Toby Reese, 28 June 2019
On Tuesday evening, the San Francisco Unified School Board voted unanimously to destroy or cover over the historic 1936 “Life of George Washington Murals” at a district high school. The vote is a reactionary decision that marks a new stage in the censorship drive that began last December.
”We can’t erase history to suit people’s feelings”
San Francisco residents voice opposition to censorship of George Washington High School murals
By Evan Blake and Alex Gonzalez, 28 June 2019
Numerous residents spoke out against the destruction of art and the need to contextualize the murals for a younger audience.
As Democrats give Trump billions more for border war
Image of drowned father and daughter sparks global outrage against US anti-immigrant rampage
By Barry Grey, 27 June 2019
The Democratic Party has voted overwhelmingly to grant another $4.5 billion dollars for Trump’s Gestapo-like anti-immigrant agencies.
Socialist Equality Party (UK) public meeting
For a global campaign to prevent Julian Assange’s rendition to the US!
27 June 2019
On June 20 the WSWS issued a call for the formation of a Global Defence Committee to secure freedom for Wikileaks founder and class-war prisoner Julian Assange.
Join the Sydney rally this Saturday demanding freedom for Julian Assange!
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 June 2019
The demonstration will insist that the Australian government take immediate action to prevent the WikiLeaks founder’s extradition to the US, where he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Watch: Chris Marsden’s speech to Paris meeting to demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By Chris Marsden, 27 June 2019
The speech was delivered by Socialist Equality Party (UK) National Secretary Chris Marsden to a meeting hosted by the Parti de l’égalité socialiste on June 23.
US House votes down amendment to block NSA collection of the personal communications of American citizens
By Kevin Reed, 26 June 2019
The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to reject a bipartisan proposal to halt warrantless collection of the personal communications of citizens under provisions of Section 702 of the FISA Act.
Australian filmmaker James Ricketson to speak at SEP rally in defence of Assange
26 June 2019
“We must do all in our power to prevent Assange’s extradition to the US. Signing petitions is not enough. We must make our presence felt in the streets at vigils and demonstrations.”
No to concentration camps in America!
By Eric London, 26 June 2019
Hundreds of millions of people around the world are sickened by Trump’s sadistic crimes against immigrants, which have exposed the rot at the core of American capitalism.
US schools erecting a massive digital surveillance infrastructure, choking dissent and free speech
By Doug Martin, 25 June 2019
Millions of young people across the US are facing intrusive surveillance of their social media use, emails and online searches from their schools, increasingly trampling upon their civil liberties, freedom of speech and rights to privacy.
Assange legal advisor: Pentagon spearheaded pursuit of WikiLeaks founder
By Oscar Grenfell, 25 June 2019
Geoffrey Robertson’s statement is another demonstration that Assange would not receive anything resembling a fair trial if he were extradited to the US.
Parti de l’égalité socialiste meeting in Paris demands freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 25 June 2019
The meeting came three days after the World Socialist Web Site issued a call to build a Global Defense Committee fighting for Assange’s freedom.
Why is the US government using social media to monitor the public?
By Kevin Reed, 24 June 2019
The lawsuit filed by New Sanctuary Coalition and other groups, says that ICE specifically targeted individuals for deportation, to suppress their political speech.
Punitive fines threaten whistleblower Chelsea Manning with bankruptcy
By Oscar Grenfell, 24 June 2019
Manning is being held in contempt and fined $500 a day for her refusal to testify before a grand jury aimed at concocting charges against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.
Who was behind the murder of German politician Walter Lübcke?
By Peter Schwarz, 22 June 2019
Following the arrest of neo-Nazi Stephan Ernst, who has a lengthy criminal record, as the prime suspect in the case, witnesses have suggested that additional individuals participated in the crime.
Facebook blocks ad for PES meeting in Paris to defend Assange
By Alex Lantier, 22 June 2019
The Parti de l’égalité socialiste calls on its supporters to share its material and support the freeing of journalist Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
EU powers build joint “Future Combat Air System”
European Union rearms for World War III
By Johannes Stern, 21 June 2019
At the Le Bourget air show the defence ministers of Germany, France and Spain signed major agreements to develop a joint European air combat system.
Conservative Party leadership contest
Boris Johnson poised to replace May as UK prime minister
By Robert Stevens, 21 June 2019
The contest between Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will now be decided by the Tories’ 160,000 members, who will vote in a postal ballot, with the winner to be announced the week of July 22.
Australian Labor Party leader determined to expel building union official
By Mike Head, 21 June 2019
Corporate outlets have declared that John Setka’s removal is the first “test” of Anthony Albanese’s leadership in turning Labor further to the right.
The war on journalism is a war on the humanities
By Monika Eisenhauer, 21 June 2019
The World Socialist Web Site received this statement opposing the persecution of Julian Assange from Monika Eisenhauer, an independent historian and medievalist living in Germany.
London: Julian Assange Defence Committee lobbies Jeremy Corbyn’s Constituency Labour Party
“This is not a time for fence-sitting”
By our reporters, 21 June 2019
The Julian Assange Defence Committee urged rank-and-file Labour Party members in leader Jeremy Corbyn’s constituency to oppose US extradition proceedings against WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange.
Italy: Captain in court for saving people in distress at sea
By Marianne Arens, 20 June 2019
Pia Klemp, who has rescued about 5,000 people in distress in a total of six missions, faces up to 20 years imprisonment and heavy fines.
Punk band files lawsuit against surveillance by German intelligence agency
By Martin Nowak, 20 June 2019
The injunction seeks to ensure that the 2018 intelligence agency report, which lists the band in the category “left-wing extremist music scene,” should no longer be published.
Professor Stuart Rees to speak at SEP rally to defend Julian Assange
20 June 2019
“The rally must increase public awareness of the outrageous injustice if Julian is extradited to the US to face a possible 170 years in prison.”
Trump announces operation to deport “millions” of immigrants from the US
By Niles Niemuth, 19 June 2019
The arrest of millions would require effective martial law in every major city, in a military-style mobilization without precedent in American history.
John Pilger urges participation in SEP (Australia) rallies to defend Assange
19 June 2019
“In my career, there has never been a more important case. If we lose Julian and Chelsea Manning to the dungeons of a rogue America, once-liberal societies will never be the same again; democracies will be in name only.”
The murder of Walter Lübcke and the right-wing terror networks in the German state apparatus
By Johannes Stern and Peter Schwarz, 18 June 2019
The murder of Lübcke, who became a target of the extreme right after he defended refugees in 2015, is the outcome of the systematic rehabilitation of fascist politics by the ruling class.
Prominent Australian journalist Mary Kostakidis calls for campaign to free Assange
18 June 2019
“We must not wait till it is too late to recognise the broader significance of the persecution of Julian Assange and fail to defend his human rights.”
Grenfell fire anniversary used by pseudo-left to boost Labour and Corbyn
By Robert Stevens, 17 June 2019
All the saccharine words and carefully orchestrated scenes on the part of the government cannot conceal the contempt it has for the Grenfell survivors.
“Everyone is fighting for justice, not only for the people for Grenfell Tower, but all the people around the world”
Family members and supporters of Grenfell fire victims speak to the WSWS
By our reporters, 17 June 2019
Hamid expressed the frustration of all the bereaved Grenfell families that they have still not been given answers as to why their loved ones perished and who is responsible.
Spain’s Supreme Court endorses 1936 fascist coup
By Alejandro López, 17 June 2019
If Franco is rehabilitated, it is because powerful factions of the ruling class are considering another break with legality and democratic forms of rule, in order to defend their wealth.
Left Party to enter state government in West Germany for the first time
By Peter Schwarz, 17 June 2019
Following the recent defeat of the SPD and Greens in Bremen, the Left Party is securing both parties a majority and joining the state government to continue their despised policies.
German police threaten climate change protesters
By Harold Hambacher, 17 June 2019
Police are treating youth concerned about climate change like criminals.
Two protesters arrested at Melbourne rally in defence of Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 June 2019
The arrests were aimed at intimidating supporters of WikiLeaks and preventing broader layers from joining the campaign to defend Assange and all democratic rights.
Australia: Another Sydney apartment block evacuated over major structural cracks
By John Wilson, 17 June 2019
The event underlines the escalating crisis in housing and apartment building and the cost-cutting methods used during the past two decades.
WikiLeaks publisher Assange faces US extradition trial next February
By Robert Stevens, 15 June 2019
The UK government has made clear that it will do everything possible to expedite Washington’s vindictive attempt to render the courageous journalist to face imprisonment, torture, and execution in the US.
Police murder in Memphis
By Barry Grey, 15 June 2019
The conditions in Memphis exemplify the economic and social conditions behind the reign of police violence in working class communities.
Activist Lauri Love and others speak out in defence of Assange
By our reporters, 15 June 2019
Members of the Julian Assange Defence Committee and the SEP were joined by people from across London and further afield, including two “Yellow Vest” protestors from France.
NYPD disciplinary trial of cop who killed Eric Garner concludes
By Sandy English, 15 June 2019
Final briefs were submitted in the NYPD’s trial of Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who choked Eric Garner to death in Staten Island in 2014.
UK home secretary signs US extradition request for Julian Assange
By Mike Head, 14 June 2019
The move, coming just one day before Assange’s first extradition hearing, makes clear the British government’s intent to hand the journalist over to his persecutors in Washington.
US Supreme Court refuses to hear Guantanamo detainee’s habeas corpus appeal
By Trévon Austin, 14 June 2019
The court’s refusal to hear the case of a man who has been imprisoned and tortured for nearly two decades without ever being convicted of a crime corresponds to the inexorable lurch by the entire political establishment towards dictatorship and barbarism.
UK police seek to prosecute 1,130 Extinction Rebellion climate change protestors
By Alice Summers, 13 June 2019
The moves against peaceful climate protesters are aimed at criminalizing political dissent.
Alabama governor signs chemical castration bill into law
By Jessica Goldstein, 12 June 2019
The mandate, ostensibly to protect children from rape, follows the recent enactment of an Alabama law that prohibits abortion in the vast majority of sexual assault and incest cases.
Australian Labor Party’s hypocrisy on police media raids exposed
By Mike Head, 12 June 2019
The opposition Labor Party has joined hands with the ruling Coalition to pass legislation handing unprecedented powers to the police and intelligence agencies.
Australian journalist calls on colleagues to defend Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 12 June 2019
Andrew Fowler warned: “If Assange is left to swing in the breeze, it will be an open invitation for any journalist, anywhere in the world, to be extradited to the US.”
US issues formal request for Assange’s extradition
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 June 2019
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with its attempt to prosecute the WikiLeaks founder over his role in the exposure of US war crimes and diplomatic conspiracies.
German Interior Ministry attacks press freedom
By Gregor Link, 11 June 2019
Under the guise of the new secret service law, the uncovering of state crimes and preparations for dictatorship in Germany is now to be criminalized.
Trump expands network of immigrant concentration camps
By Eric London, 11 June 2019
The Democratic Party is facilitating Trump’s escalation of attacks on immigrant workers as well as his moves toward unchecked presidential power.
SEP (Australia) calls rallies demanding freedom for Julian Assange
11 June 2019
The protests will demand that the Australian government take immediate action to prevent the WikiLeaks founder's extradition to the US and secure his complete freedom.
Australian police chief links media raids to US-led “Five Eyes” spy network
By Mike Head, 8 June 2019
Gaughan’s statement points to the targeting of journalists in order to cover up Washington’s preparations for wars and mass political surveillance.
“Is there going to be a future for journalism?”
Australian media workers denounce police raids
By our correspondents, 8 June 2019
ABC workers spoke of their shock and alarm at the arrival of federal police in their building.
Free Reis Morris! Grenfell Tower campaigner imprisoned while those guilty of social murder walk free
the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 8 June 2019
Morris’s jailing is a vicious act of class justice aimed at suppressing opposition and protecting those responsible for 72 deaths in the Grenfell Tower inferno two years ago.
WikiLeaks warns US Justice Department preparing more charges against Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 7 June 2019
The threat of new charges against the persecuted journalist, already facing 170 years in prison, comes amid fresh fears about his health after his father reported a “short notice” medical appointment.
Three immigrants die in US custody in three days
By Niles Niemuth, 6 June 2019
Immigrants are being subjected to inhumane treatment all along the line, guaranteeing that there will be more deaths in federal detention centers across the US.
Lutheran student pastor Betty Rendón deported back to Colombia less than a month after being detained by ICE
By Jacob Crosse, 6 June 2019
Pleas from community members and family fell on deaf ears as the Trump administration escalates its war on immigrants.
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture warns Julian Assange could die in prison
By Kevin Reed, 6 June 2019
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture said in an Australian radio interview on June 1 that Julian Assange could die in jail if his persecution is not ended here and now.
The global war on journalism
By Mike Head, 6 June 2019
The arrest of Julian Assange has set a precedent for the state persecution of journalists, triggering police raids in Australia and France against reporters documenting government crimes and corruption.
Australian Federal Police raid journalists over exposures of government spying, war crimes
By Oscar Grenfell, 5 June 2019
The raids, targeting a News Corp journalist and the Sydney offices of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, are part of an expanding assault on democratic rights and press freedom.
New Hampshire legislature abolishes death penalty, overriding governor’s veto
By Kate Randall, 5 June 2019
Half of all US states, plus the District of Columbia, have now abolished the death penalty or imposed a moratorium on executions.
US requiring visa applicants to reveal social media information
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 5 June 2019
The implementation of the new “extreme vetting” policy is another step in the Trump administration’s war against immigrants.
Australian government forces refugees back to face repression in Sri Lanka
By Max Newman, 5 June 2019
At least 20 more asylum seekers have been detained by the Australian navy and deported to Sri Lanka to face possible torture and imprisonment.
SEP Australia meetings on Labor’s election debacle and the defence of Assange
4 June 2019
The leftward movement of workers and youth can find no means of expression within the present political framework. It must be developed into a conscious political movement, based on a socialist perspective.
Britain and Australia dismiss UN report that Assange has been tortured
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 June 2019
The brazen responses demonstrate the criminality of the US-led vendetta against Assange, which is proceeding in violation of due process and the fundamental tenets of international law.
Protests in London and Edinburgh demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 3 June 2019
A protest in Trafalgar Square on Saturday was organised via social media and endorsed by the Julian Assange Defence Committee.
Sydney Peace Prize recipients demand Australian government defend Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 June 2019
The statement was a powerful indictment of the Australian political and media establishment, which has abandoned the WikiLeaks founder or openly participated in his persecution.
Democratic governor signs Louisiana fetal “heartbeat” abortion ban
By Kate Randall, 31 May 2019
Louisiana is the fifth state to pass bans on abortions based on detection of a fetal heartbeat, following Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio.
Australia: Children detained in adult watch houses in Queensland
By John Harris, 31 May 2019
Children as young as ten have been held in maximum security facilities, where they have been subjected to horrific abuses.
On the spot report: Protest outside Westminster Magistrates Court demands freedom for gravely ill Julian Assange
By our reporters, 31 May 2019
Around 100 people demonstrated outside Westminster Magistrates Court Thursday morning to oppose US extradition proceedings targeting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Despite Assange’s ill health, Swedish court rejects delay to hearing
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 May 2019
The ruling is the latest example of the international legal vendetta being perpetrated against the WikiLeaks founder.
Why is the Democratic Socialists of America silent on the persecution of Julian Assange?
By Andre Damon, 29 May 2019
The DSA and its affiliated publication Jacobin have maintained a complicit silence on Assange’s indictment under the Espionage Act.
Chicago police kill bipolar man inside his home
By Andy Thompson, 28 May 2019
Myles Frazier was shot and killed after he barricaded himself in his home in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the city’s south side.
Australian government, Labor opposition silent on espionage charges against Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 28 May 2019
Labor and the Coalition are signalling their support for the US-led persecution of Assange, for his exposure of war crimes and diplomatic conspiracies.
Actor Geoffrey Rush awarded record payout in defamation damages
By Linda Tenenbaum, 25 May 2019
The Oscar-winning actor was granted a total of nearly $2.9 million, in general and special damages, due to the Murdoch media’s defamatory articles.
German Social Democrats and “The Left” strengthen domestic security agency
By Markus Salzmann, 25 May 2019
In addition to an increase in domestic secret service staff, the state government wants to strengthen the use of police informers and limit parliamentary control.
New charges against Julian Assange under the Espionage Act criminalize journalism
By Andre Damon, 24 May 2019
The Trump administration’s persecution of Assange is a historic attack on the First Amendment of the US constitution, for which the media and the Democratic Party share responsibility.
An appeal to young people
Defend the right to tell the truth! Defend Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning!
the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 24 May 2019
The following statement is being distributed today at climate change protests across the UK.
Swedish hearing to extradite Julian Assange delayed until June 3
By Mike Head, 22 May 2019
The Swedish allegations, first issued in 2010, are aimed at blackening the WikiLeaks founder’s name and devising a mechanism to have him dragged off to the US.
Thousands rally across the US to defend abortion rights
By our reporters, 22 May 2019
The number of demonstrations reflect the broad popular support for the right of women to choose and in defense of democratic rights more generally.
Protests erupt across US over barbaric anti-abortion ban in Alabama
By Valery Tsekov, 21 May 2019
The most significant of theses protests took place in Alabama and in Kansas City, Missouri, where a similar bill has been passed.
Trump administration shipping immigrants to sanctuary cities as fifth child dies in ICE custody
By Norisa Diaz, 21 May 2019
Trump is seeking to further inundate processing centers and jails to justify the border wall as the fifth Guatemalan child has died in ICE custody since December.
On the spot report: Ecuador’s government colludes with Washington to seize Julian Assange’s possessions
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 21 May 2019
Supporters of Assange began gathering by 8 a.m. yesterday outside the embassy to witness and denounce the search and seizure.
Mobilize the working class in defense of abortion rights
the WSWS editorial board, 21 May 2019
The Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality are distributing this statement at demonstrations across the US on Tuesday to defend the right to an abortion.
Missouri becomes the latest state to pass punitive anti-abortion legislation
By Kate Randall, 20 May 2019
Trump's appointment of two anti-abortion justices to the high court has emboldened anti-abortion zealots, who hope this action will shift the court in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade.
Supreme Court justices battle over execution delays
By John Burton, 20 May 2019
In opinions last week, the three most extreme right-wing Supreme Court justices lashed out at two fellow members of the five-vote right-wing bloc.
The assault on the Venezuelan embassy
By Bill Van Auken, 18 May 2019
The violent police seizure of the Venezuelan embassy in Washington expressed in microcosm the criminality of US imperialism the world over.
“I would rather starve to death than change my opinion”
Chelsea Manning jailed again after refusing to testify against WikiLeaks
By Niles Niemuth, 17 May 2019
Manning has courageously insisted on principle that she will never testify before any grand jury about her possible contacts with Assange and WikiLeaks or anything else.
Students for Justice in Palestine at New York University smeared as anti-Semitic
By Isaac Finn, 17 May 2019
The attack on the Students for Justice in Palestine is part of an international campaign to slander left-wing organizations that criticize the Israeli state.
George Galloway tried to become Brexit Party candidate—and failed
By Robert Stevens, 17 May 2019
Galloway’s failed attempt to represent Nigel Farage’s party is indicative of how an entire layer of ex-Stalinists and the pseudo-left have become part of a new right.
Speech by Oscar Grenfell
Millions in Australia “view Assange as a hero who is being attacked for revealing the truth.”
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 May 2019
We are publishing here the speech of Oscar Grenfell, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) and national convenor of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, at the May 12 meeting in London in defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Clara Campos of the Julian Assange Defence Committee:
“We must act now in mobilising to free him. He is one of us.”
By Clara Campos, 17 May 2019
We are publishing here the remarks of Clara Campos, a representative of the Julian Assange Defence Committee, who spoke at the May 12 meeting in London in defense of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Torture report reveals German authorities’ brutal methods during deportations
By Marianne Arens, 16 May 2019
The Committee for the Prevention of Torture detailed methods that are both brutal and shocking.
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