2020-06-07: News Headlines

Lucas Koerner (2020-06-07). WOLA: Media's 'Left' Source for Pro-Coup Propaganda in Venezuela. zcomm.org The US blockade is a naked expression of imperial might, which WOLA and other Western propaganda amplifiers hide behind empty rhetoric about "democracy" and "human rights."

Joe Emersberger (2020-06-06). When did Venezuela's Economic Crisis begin? zcomm.org The starting point for Venezuela's current depression has been the subject of some debate. It can get a bit technical, so I'll weigh in on it here. Looking at Real GDP Inflation adjusted (i.e. real) Gross Domestic Product (GDP ) is essentially a country's aggregate income. I say "essentially" because there is an adjustment that

Fight Back (2020-06-06). Police brutality protesters gather in Lansing and Grand Rapids. fightbacknews.org Grand Rapids, MI – Protesters gathered in several major Michigan cities last weekend, including Grand Rapids and Lansing, demanding justice for the Minneapolis Police Department's killing of George Floyd and for all victims of police brutality. | On Saturday, May 30, protesters in Grand Rapids gathered at Rosa Parks Circle for what was planned to be a silent march through the city. Instead, protesters crowded around the Grand Rapids Police Department shouting, "I can't breathe!" "No justice, no peace!" "Hands up! Don't shoot!" and "Say his name: George Floyd!" Thousands of people surrounded the building containin…

Monica Moorehead (2020-06-05). In response to George Floyd lynching, sports figures in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. workers.org "When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction. The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance. We have the right to fight back! Rest in Power George Floyd." Colin Kaepernick on . . . |

Staff (2020-06-05). Police Brutality Protesters Met With More Brutality: Is Martial Law Next? therealnews.com Police across the US have met protesters with violence, tear gas, and rubber bullets. We speak with Otto the Watchdog, injured by police in Denver, and Tawanda Jones, who has led peaceful anti-brutality protests since her brother's death in custody.

W. T. Whitney Jr. (2020-06-05). New U.S. military intervention subverts peace in Colombia and Venezuela. peoplesworld.org The United States Embassy in Bogotá announced on May 28 that the U.S. is sending 50 or so soldiers of the Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) to Colombia. They would be carrying out consultations with Colombian Army commanders and providing them with technical assistance, both in order to fight narco-trafficking. The collaboration will …

Eds. (2020-06-05). What is the Bougaloo Movement? mronline.org There has been persistent speculation that peaceful protests against racism and police brutality may have been infiltrated by white provocateurs.

Vijay Prashad (2020-06-05). Goliath is not invincible. mronline.org Last year, I walked with Mariela Machado in her housing complex known as Kaikachi in the neighbourhood of La Vega (Caracas, Venezuela). After Hugo Chávez was inaugurated president in 1999, a group of working-class residents of the city saw an empty piece of land and occupied it. Mariela and others went to the government and …

pip.hinman (2020-06-07). After peaceful protests, NSW Police take their violent revenge. greenleft.org.au

Staff (2020-06-05). Trump Threatens Protests with Troops, But Police Have Already Been Militarized — With Deadly Results. democracynow.org The American Civil Liberties Union and Black Lives Matter announced Thursday they are suing President Trump and Attorney General William Barr for authorizing an "unprovoked and frankly criminal attack" on protesters at Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., where the National Guard and officers dressed in riot gear fired tear gas, rubber bullets and flashbangs to disperse peaceful protesters on Monday so Trump could have a photo op with a Bible in front of St. John's Episcopal Church. We look at the increasing militarization of the police with Stuart Schrader, author of "Badges Without Borders: How Global Counterins…

Staff (2020-06-05). Watch: Police Pepper-Spray Black Filmmaker in Face at Peaceful Protest & Medics Help Him Survive. democracynow.org As the nationwide uprising in defense of Black lives continues, demonstrators are recording videos of police brutality on the streets. We speak with Chris Frierson, an African American documentary filmmaker and cameraman who was filming a Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday in Brooklyn, New York, when police moved in on demonstrators. As Frierson filmed, police pepper-sprayed him directly in the face. Chris kept on filming as he struggled to the sidewalk crying in agony from the pain. Within seconds, someone took his arm and guided him to volunteer medics who came to his aid. We air his footage and speak about…

Silence is Violence (2020-06-07). Saturday 6/6: Peaceful Protest and March: King Plaza Palo Alto. indybay.org In front of Palo Alto City Hall in MLK Jr. Plaza | 250 Hamilton Ave. | Palo Alto 94301…

Community (2020-06-07). Friday 6/5: Say No to Racism – Peaceful Solidarity Protest (Palo Alto). indybay.org Greer Park | 1127 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto…

JH (2020-06-06). Friday 6/5: Fire Jared Yuen – One Week After Peaceful Protest (San José). indybay.org San José City Hall | 200 E Santa Clara St.

The Canary (2020-06-06). Horse bolts through crowd as police harass demonstrators at peaceful Black Lives Matter rally. thecanary.co A horse bolted through a crowd of people in central London during a Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday 6 June. The incident took place after police mounted on horses clashed with protesters at a peaceful rally outside Downing Street.The London protest was carried out peacefully for much of Saturday afternoon, but scuffles began at around 6pm when police tried to harass protesters. Videos circulating on social media showed mounted police charging through protesters to try and disperse them. One officer appeared to fall off their horse, which then bolted — sending crowds of people scattering.The trouble fl…

RT (2020-06-06). Judge BLOCKS Denver police from using tear gas & plastic bullets on 'peaceful' protesters. rt.com A federal judge in Denver has barred police from using tear gas, plastic bullets, and any projectiles against demonstrators, saying the threat to protesters' physical safety and free speech outweighs the threat to property. | R. Brooke Jackson, a US district court judge in Colorado, has

RT (2020-06-06). Texas CHAINSAW counter-protester: Man arrested after confronting demonstrators with infamous 'massacre' weapon (VIDEO). rt.com A chainsaw-wielding Texan has been detained after threatening a group of demonstrators with his lumber-cutting mechanical tool. Thankfully, the altercation did not devolve into Hollywood-inspired violence. | A small group of seemingly peaceful protesters in McAllen, Texas briefly found themselves in a real-life slasher film, after a man with a chainsaw rushed at them while shouting profanities. | Footage of the bizarre incident shows a man pointing the deadly tool at protesters as he shouts at them. | "Move! Go home!" he yells above his roaring chainsaw. | He then uses a racial slur while warning against prote…

RT (2020-06-06). George Floyd protest is 'for the benefit' of 'democratic struggles' abroad — US group NED, known for promoting regime change. rt.com The National Endowment for Democracy, a soft-power group mostly known for splashing government dollars on pro-US influence campaigns overseas to enforce regime change, has endorsed protests against police brutality at home. | Also on rt.com | | In a statement on Friday, the NED came out in support of the protests against the police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd, which, while originally peaceful, spiralled into violence, wreck…

RT (2020-06-06). George Floyd protest is 'for the benefit' of 'democratic struggles' abroad, says US group known for promoting regime change. rt.com The National Endowment for Democracy, a soft-power group mostly known for splashing government dollars on pro-US influence campaigns overseas to enforce regime change, has endorsed protests against police brutality at home. | Also on rt.com | | In a statement on Friday, the NED came out in support of the protests against the police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd, which, while originally peaceful, spiralled into violence, wreck…

RT (2020-06-05). 'They don't do that': Governor Cuomo denies NYPD brutalized peaceful protesters despite video evidence. rt.com New York Governor Andrew Cuomo denied accusations that New York City police officers have used batons against people peacefully protesting against the death of George Floyd, even though multiple videos show them doing so. | During a press briefing on Thursday, Cuomo called the allegations "incendiary rhetoric," asking the reporter who brought them up: "Do you think there's any sensible police officer who believes their job is bludgeoning a peaceful person with a baton?" | "It's not a fact! It's not even an opinion! That is a hyper-partisan rhetorical attack!" he continued, adding that NYPD officers "don't do t…

RT (2020-06-05). US military launches airstrikes against Taliban as Afghanistan ceasefire ends. rt.com The US conducted its first airstrikes against the Taliban since a rare ceasefire between the insurgents and Afghan forces ended more than a week ago. The two assaults took place on Thursday and Friday, in Farah province in the west and in Kandahar in the south, spokesman Sonny Leggett tweeted on Friday. | "These were the 1st US airstrikes against (the Taliban) since the start of the Eid ceasefire," he wrote. "We reiterate: All sides must reduce violence to allow the peace process to take hold," he added. | The airstrikes were intended to foil the militant group's plan to launch attacks on Afghan security force…

RT (2020-06-05). ENTIRE emergency response team of Buffalo Police Department resigns over suspension of cops who pushed elderly protester. rt.com All 57 members of the Buffalo Police Department's Emergency Response Team have quit their unit in protest after two officers were suspended without pay over their unprovoked attack on an elderly peaceful protester. | The officers resigned from their positions en masse on Friday after their colleagues were suspended without pay the previous night as a "show of support and disgust," local media The Erie County District Attorney is investigati…

sputniknews (2020-06-06). American Oil Company Chevron's Crude Cargo Gets Embroiled In US Anti-Venezuela Sanctions. sputniknews.com The day before, Reuters reported, citing unnamed US officials that the US Department of the Treasury was considering sanctioning more than 40 foreign oil tankers over their alleged involvement in the oil trade with Venezuela, which has been sanctioned by the US in its efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

sputniknews (2020-06-06). Egyptian President Announces Cairo's New Peace Initiative for Libya Including Ceasefire. sputniknews.com CAIRO (Sputnik) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi announced on Saturday Cairo's peace initiative for Libya that envisages ceasefire and conditions for a political settlement of the conflict.

yenisafak (2020-06-07). With new life, Afghan peace push a race against time. yenisafak.com A continuing cessation of hostilities and an uptick in exchange of Taliban and government prisoners has given the Afghan peace process, often fragile and near collapse at times, a new lease on life.Analysts believe the three main sides in the decades-long conflict — Kabul, the Taliban, and the US — have covered a lot of ground in the march towards a sustainable peace deal.However, it is also a shared view that they are pressed for time and on a path that remains tricky, as each side's strategy oscillates between diplomatic bargaining, tactical maneuvers, and all-out use of muscle."The Taliban should c…

yenisafak (2020-06-07). London police chief says 14 officers injured during anti-racism protests. yenisafak.com Fourteen police officers were injured in "shocking and completely unacceptable" assaults during anti-racism protests in central London on Saturday, London police chief Cressida Dick said on Sunday.After a largely peaceful day, small numbers of protesters briefly clashed with mounted police on Saturday after thousands gathered to voice their anger at police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis."I am deeply saddened and depressed that a minority of protesters became violent towards officers in central London yesterday evening. This led to 14 officers being injured," Dick, who is Commissioner o…

WSWS (2020-06-06). Protester explains how he was brutally assaulted by Secret Service officials in Washington, D.C. wsws.org The demonstrator explained how federal officials provoked and then assaulted peaceful demonstrators outside the White House last weekend as protests against police brutality swept the country.

_____ (2020-06-06). Venezuelan Embassy Protection Collective Wins Legal Victory. popularresistance.org On the morning of June 3, four U.S. citizens from the Venezuelan Embassy Protection Collective (EPC) who engaged in a two-week-long standoff with right-wing Venezuelan exile hooligans and members of Juan Guaidó's coup administration entered a plea agreement with the U.S. government. | The chief Judge for the U.S. District Court District of Columbia, Beryl Howell, sentenced David Paul, Margaret Flowers, Kevin Zeese, and Adrienne Pine to six months of probation and fines totaling $750 each. Additionally, Judge Howell ordered the four defendants to stay away from the building which formally served as Venezuela's emb…

Elijah Magnier (2020-06-06). Syria: Will the Great Middle Eastern War Begin in the Levant? thealtworld.com The world is in turmoil. 2020 has already brought major multiple crises, with the Iranian-American clash in Iraq which followed the US assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani, and the COVID-19 health pandemic and economic disaster that struck all continents and stole the lives of over 400 thousand people around the world, costing tens of millions of jobs. None of this, however, prevented America from imposing even more sanctions on Iran, Syria and Venezuela. Iran — already under maximum sanctions since 1979 — sent five tankers to Venezuela to break the embargo on components and spare parts muc…

Elizabeth Woodworth (2020-06-06). JFK, MLK, RFK, 50 Years of Suppressed History: New Evidence on Assassination of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy. globalresearch.ca Fifty years of research shows that three humane visions of global peace were thwarted by three covert assassinations. In each case eyewitness accounts were written out of history. In each case the "lone gunman" fiction denied society a true understanding of the deep politics of history…

RT (2020-06-05). Venezuelan FM says Guaido is holed up in French Embassy in Caracas, calls on Paris to 'hand over the fugitive'. rt.com Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has taken refuge at the French Embassy in the country's capital, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said. Guaido previously sought to shoot down the rumors, insisting he is "with the people." | "We cannot enter the premises of any country's embassy whatsoever, in this case Spain or France," Arreaza said on Thursday, referring to both Guaido and fellow opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who fled to a Spanish diplomatic compound soon after a failed attempt to spark an insurrection in April 2019. Arreaza said this means that any arrest of the two men "is not possible." | We hop…

RT (2020-06-05). Paris denies that Guaido is hiding in French Embassy in Caracas as Venezuela demands he be handed over. rt.com France has rejected allegations that Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has been holed up inside the nation's diplomatic mission in Caracas. Venezuelan authorities earlier labeled Guaido a "fugitive from justice." | "Juan Guaido is not at the French residence in Caracas. We have repeatedly confirmed this to the Venezuelan authorities," French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Agnes von der Muhll said. | Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza earlier claimed that Guaido, who was named 'interim president' by the opposition-controlled parliament last year, has been hiding inside the French Embassy, and deman…

sputniknews (2020-06-05). US Carries Out First Airstrikes Against Taliban Since End of Afghan Ceasefire – Official. sputniknews.com A ceasefire, which was part of the peace deal negotiated between the Afghan government and the Taliban with the mediation of the United States earlier this year, expired on 26 May.

Workers World staff (2020-06-05). WW statement in solidarity with rebellion. workers.org The following Workers World Party public statement was issued on June 4. In SOLIDARITY we demand: Withdraw the Police & National Guard! End Mass Arrests & Curfews! Drop All Charges! Hands Off Antifa! Stop Attacks on Anti-Racist Protesters! Smash White Supremacy! No Justice! No Peace! Black Lives Matter! Minneapolis protest . . . |

Paul Cantor (2020-06-05). Thank You, Peaceful Protesters! counterpunch.org Protest! No Justice No Peace. Sunday May 31st. Location: Stop & Shop. That was the message I received in my email Saturday. So Sunday I set out on a two mile walk to join the protest. And as I did so my mind took me on another trip entirely. First stop 2009. I am sitting

news.un (2020-06-05). Terrorist groups exploiting COVID-19 in Sahel, UN peacekeeping chief tells Security Council. news.un.org COVID-19 is complicating an already complex security situation in the Sahel, with terrorist groups exploiting the pandemic as they step up attacks on national and international forces, the UN's peacekeeping chief said on Friday.

One Richmond (2020-06-05). Thursday 6/4: We Demand Justice Caravan – Peaceful Protest. indybay.org Meet at JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park.

Brenda Norrell (2020-06-05). Lakota and Navajo respond as police blind and beat reporters and peaceful protesters. indybay.org Lakota and Navajo respond, as news reporters and peaceful protesters are shot, blinded and beaten during Black Lives Matter protests. In Albuquerque, The Red Nation group was stalked and confronted by white vigilantes working with Albuquerque Police officers.

Staff (2020-06-05). Pandemic and Digital Divide Threaten Accurate Census Count of Native Populations. truthout.org Every 10 years, the U.S. government undertakes the largest peace-time mobilization effort to count the nation: the U.S. census. People from marginalized communities are…

en.mehrnews (2020-06-05). Russia backs Iran's peaceful satellite launch. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 05 (MNA) — Russia has defended Iran's right to launch a satellite, dismissing US claims that Tehran was defying the UN resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers by sending it into space.

news.un (2020-06-05). First Person: Countering COVID-19 misinformation in Venezuela. news.un.org The virus of false information and fake news which has proliferated globally as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, has not spared the crisis-wracked South American country, Venezuela. But the United Nations there is countering the misinformation by making sure that Venezuelans receive trustworthy and reliable information about the deadly virus.

_____ (2020-06-05). Push Back: US Police State Faces Revolt. popularresistance.org Dr. Gerald Horne on the George Floyd protests, the black freedom struggle, and Trump's expansion of the US police state at home and around the world. | Historian and author Gerald Horne discusses the US uprisings against police brutality and systemic racism sparked by George Floyd's killing; the devastating impact of the US government's decades-old war on the black freedom struggle; the ongoing "Russia-baiting" of the protests; and how, amidst the suffering and repression at home, the U.S. government, in bipartisan fashion, continues to attempt to impose its will on countries abroad, from China to Venezuela. | Gu…