(2021-04-03). Deprivation Is 'Driving' Covid-19 Ethnic Disparities. eurasiareview.com 
Deprivation among society at large is 'driving' Covid-19 disparities among minority ethnic groups – predominantly South Asian and Black African or Caribbean populations – and could be considered the main cause of disproportionate infection rates, hospitalization and deaths experienced by these populations, according to new analysis from the University of Leicester. | The study, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) comes a day after a government-commissioned review concluded race and racism have become less important factors in explaining soci…
(2021-04-03). Why Myanmar's Massacres Shame The World — OpEd. eurasiareview.com 
By Yossi Mekelberg* | When representatives of all UN member states met in 2005 for the World Summit, billed at the time as the "largest gathering of world leaders in history," and passed a resolution that set out the parameters for the Responsibility to Protect populations (R2P) from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, there was an air of togetherness and optimism that the journey toward eradicating these horrific phenomena had begun. | In the intervening years, this hope has been dented time and time again when such atrocities have been committed by some of the very countries t…
(2021-04-03). Austin rallies in solidarity with Palestine on Land Day. fightbacknews.org Austin, TX – On March 30, around 30 students and activists from all over Austin converged on the State Capitol building in solidarity with Palestine on Land Day. The action was organized by Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC), a local group dedicated to organizing in solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle against the Israeli occupation. | PSC was joined by many local groups including Austin Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Red Aid, and the United Neighborhood Defense Movement, among others. | As various speakers explained, Land Day is a commemoration of March 30, 1976 when – after the Israeli oc…
(2021-04-03). Report: UK School Textbooks Altered To Favour Israel. popularresistance.org The international publisher Pearson has paused further distribution of two textbooks used by UK high schools after a group of academics said in a report that they distorted the historical record and failed to offer pupils a balanced view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. | The report found that alterations had been made to text, timelines, maps and photographs, as well as to sample student essays and questions. | It concluded that "school children should not be supplied with propaganda under the guise of education" and called for their immediate withdrawal. | The textbook alterations were made last year after…
(2021-04-03). No Talks Needed For US Return To Iran Nuclear Deal. popularresistance.org Last month, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced that Tehran is in "no hurry" to return to its obligations under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and is prepared to wait until the US lifts its illegal sanctions against the Islamic Republic. | Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has stated that a possible US decision to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal, also known asthe Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), does not require any talks. | Speaking to the deal's remaining signatories during a virtual meeting on Friday, Araqchi added that "Iran will suspend its steps [scaling back compliance…
(2021-04-03). [Editorial] Racism in the USA: ensuring Asian American health equity. thelancet.com Racist anti-Asian incidents and rhetoric in the USA have been on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, by some accounts increasing as much as 150%. The horrific mass shooting on March 15, 2021, in which six of eight people killed in three spas in Atlanta, Georgia, were Asian women, has prompted urgent conversations about prejudice against Asian Americans. Organisations including the American Medical Association were swift to underscore that racism, in addition to gun violence, is a public health crisis.
(2021-04-03). [Perspectives] Joia Crear-Perry: collaborating for racial and reproductive justice. thelancet.com Joia Crear-Perry remembers being taught that there was a biological basis to race in medical school. "My professors said in embryology class in the late 1990s that there were three biological races: Mongoloid, Caucasoid, and Negroid", she recalls. Nowadays, Crear-Perry works on "reframing the conversation" about race to develop a "shared vocabulary and understanding of why health inequities exist" because "it's really racism that is causing the harm", she says.
(2021-04-03). Illinois: After 31 Years, Gerald Reed is Free! fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. | The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) greets the commutation of Gerald Reed's life sentence today by Governor J. B. Pritzker as a courageous act to set right a terrible crime against a Black man committed 31 years ago. Now we need to finish the job of freeing all survivors of police torture who were convicted by confessions coerced by police and dismantling the prison industrial complex as a whole. | Reed was convicted of a double murder in 1990 after…
(2021-04-03). Illinois: After 31 Years, Gerald Reed is Free! fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. | The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) greets the commutation of Gerald Reed's life sentence today by Governor J. B. Pritzker as a courageous act to set right a terrible crime against a Black man committed 31 years ago. Now we need to finish the job of freeing all survivors of police torture who were convicted by confessions coerced by police and dismantling the prison industrial complex as a whole. | Reed was convicted of a double murder in 1990 after…
(2021-04-03). US Church Membership Falls Under 50 Percent. zcomm.org Many Millennials who become unchurched cite discomfort with the prejudice and discrimination against LGBTQ persons in churches…
(2021-04-03). The Vaccine Must Be A Common Good For Humanity. popularresistance.org Nearly three million people have reportedly been killed by the novel coronavirus (SAR-CoV-2) and upwards of 128 million people have been infected by the virus, many with long-lasting health repercussions. Thus far, roughly 1.5% of the world's population of 7.7 billion have been vaccinated, but 80% of them are from only ten countries. In February, Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research warned about the 'medical apartheid' that has shaped the vaccine roll-out. | Since 1950, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has celebrated Global Health Day on 7 April. Each year, the WHO choses a different theme for the day…
(2021-04-03). Friday 4/9: Community Discussion: Anti-AAPI Racism and Solidarity. indybay.org online…
(2021-04-03). Stop Asian Hate! N. Cal Filipinos & Asians Speak-out Against Racist Violence and Murders. indybay.org Hundreds of Northern California Filipinos and Asian Americans spoke out against the racist violence and murders taking place in the Bay Are and nationally. The march and rally took place on March 26, 2021…
(2021-04-02). Charlottesville City to Remove Confederate Generals Statues. telesurenglish.net Virginia Supreme Court Justice Bernard Goodwyn on Thursday authorized Charlottesville City to take down statues of the Confederate Generals Robert Lee and Thomas Stonewall Jackson. | RELATED: | "The team in the City Attorney's office did an amazing job; this court decision will positively impact so many lives," said Charlottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker. | "We are forever indebte…
(2021-04-02). A Feminist Revolt. counterpunch.org 
With right-wing hysteria about the feminization of the military landing on our laptops recently, now is a good time to focus on issues dear to the hearts of actual feminists, namely, housing, health and education. These concerns were embraced, very strikingly, by feminists in apartheid South Africa. Toward the end of apartheid, many Black people
(2021-04-02). Saudi Foreign Minister Says Normalization Of Israel's Status Would Bring 'Tremendous Benefits' For Middle East. eurasiareview.com 
Any potential deal to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel would benefit the Middle East, but depends on the progress of the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, the Kingdom's foreign minister said on Thursday. | "The normalization of Israel's status within the region would bring tremendous benefits to the region as a whole," Prince Faisal bin Farhan said during an interview with CNN. "It would be extremely helpful economically, socially and from a security perspective." | The foreign minister added, however, that any potential deal would only be possible if progress towards peace be…
(2021-04-02). Sign our online birthday card to say: "Free Georges Abdallah!" on his 70th birthday! #MacronLibérezAbdallah. samidoun.net 
It's Georges Abdallah's 70th birthday. This Lebanese Arab communist struggler for Palestine is marking this birthday in Lannemezan Prison, after being jailed by France for over 36 years. Join us today to take action online to demand his immediate liberation. First, join the Twitterstorm! #MacronLibérezAbdallah Twitter Storm Friday, 2 April 2021 10 am Pacific — 1 pm Eastern — 7 pm central Europe — 8 pm Palestine Use the hashtag: #MacronLibérezAbdallah Sample Tweets: bit.ly/freeabdallah Tag: @EmmanuelMacron @GDarmanin to direct your demand to French officials. Sign our collective birthday…
(2021-04-02). Spain: Headquarters of Leftist Party Podemos Vandalized. telesurenglish.net The Podemos President Pablo Iglesias denounced an attack with explosives on this leftist party's headquarters in Cartagena city in Murcia province. | RELATED: | In May and September last year, the same building was vandalized and threatening graffiti with neo-Nazi symbology appeared on the walls. | "Far-right terrorism is not going to intimidate us… Democracy, freedom of expression, and social justice is the response to thes…
(2021-04-02). Far Right Cries Out for Foreign Intervention Due to Colombian Paramilitary Attacks in Apure. orinocotribune.com In the midst of the struggle by Venezuelan security and defense agencies to expel the threat of Colombian paramilitary gangs from the state of Apure, the spokespeople for Venezuela's extreme right are again launching requests for foreign intervention and military interference in Venezuela. | Since the first skirmishes against criminal organizations were recorded in the border area of La Victoria in Apure state, on March 21, calls for foreign interference proliferated on social media networks, in addition to censure of the work of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB). | One of the representatives of the opp…
(2021-04-02). Why Paul Robeson's Voice Still Rings True Today. progressive.org The words and music of the legendary activist and singer are more relevant than ever in the era of Black Lives Matter.
(2021-04-02). Woke—Except For My Beef Bowl. counterpunch.org It is amazing how many Woke people are not vegan. Their anti-racism, anti-white supremacy, anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia and anti-Asian discrimination credentials are impeccable…and then they reach for their Thai chicken or beef bowl. What? Doesn't speciesism—believing that humans rule over other species and have the right to use them however they wish—showcase the nexus of all
(2021-04-02). Living for the City: Considering a Reparations Of Joy. counterpunch.org "I didn't realize racism was still such a serious problem." My elder brother was quoting an old mutual friend, Sean, when he spoke to me last week. Then came Gary's own confession: he, too had been taken by surprise by the George Floyd murder and BLM protests. He was conveying his surprise at realizing that
(2021-04-02). New Domestic Terrorism Laws Won't End White Supremacy. aclu.org After the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, calls for new domestic terrorism laws grew louder. Proponents of the laws argue they'll provide law enforcement with more resources to go after white supremacists and stop the violence. Now, with the country reeling from a recent spike in mass shootings, the calls continue. | Not so fast, says Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU's National Security Project. New domestic terorrism laws will give the government even more power to surveil and criminalize communities of color. Existing counterrorism laws have already disproportionately affected these communities, an…
(2021-04-02). The Missing Lessons From Israel's Latest Elections. counterpunch.org A 'major setback' was the recurring term in many news headlines reporting on the outcome of Israel's general elections of March 23. While this depiction specifically referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to secure a decisive victory in the country's fourth elections in two years, this is only part of the narrative. Certainly,
(2021-04-02). Kafkaesque Politics: The Missing Lessons from Israel's Latest Elections. dissidentvoice.org 
A 'major setback' was the recurring term in many news headlines reporting on the outcome of Israel's general elections of March 23. While this depiction specifically referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to secure a decisive victory in the country's fourth elections in two years, this is only part of the narrative. Certainly, it …
(2021-04-02). Netanyahu vs King Abdullah: Israel and Jordan relationship hits low point. middleeasteye.net 
Netanyahu vs King Abdullah: Israel and Jordan relationship hits low point | The tense relations between the two leaders reflect two different security and political approaches in the Middle East | Fri, 04/02/2021 – 11: 23 | A composite showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Jordanian King Abdullah II (AFP) | Israeli and Jordanian ties hit another low point last week, after…
(2021-04-02). Report: Palestinian Authority President Refused Call With Blinken. news.antiwar.com Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas refused to accept a phone call from Secretary of State Antony Blinken in February, So far, an Abbas-Biden call has not happened. Meanwhile, President Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice since he was elected. The two leaders spoke in a congratulatory call after Biden's November victory and once…
(2021-04-02). The Derek Chauvin Trial Is One Battle in a Wider War. thenation.com The Derek Chauvin Trial Is One Battle in a Wider War…
(2021-04-02). Sources And Prospects Of Japanese Militarism. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | Submitted by FOF. Fear Of Fascism.: | Many fear Japan re-militarizing. | Ex-Prime Minister Abe's attempts to revise the "Peace Constitution", Japanese support for American activities in the South China Sea, military moves by the Japanese to "protect" the Diaoyu Islands off Taiwan—and many other things like these worry a lot of people. | Afte…
(2021-04-02). Will Georgia's Voting Law Be Repealed as Big Business Joins Critics Opposing "Jim Crow" Suppression? democracynow.org 
Activists are demanding accountability from Georgia-based companies in opposing a law that heavily restricts voting rights in the state, which many are calling the worst voter suppression legislation since the Jim Crow era. While some companies, including Coca-Cola and Delta, have weighed in on the Republican-backed crackdown on voting rights, Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter, says voicing opposition is not enough. "We're calling for a repeal of this voter suppression law, and we're asking these companies to divest future support that they've given," Albright says. "Stand b…
(2021-04-02). Butler University blocks Angela Davis event. zcomm.org "Time and again Palestine activists have faced false claims that they broke the rules followed by attempts to either blame them for their own censorship or drown their victories in red tape"
(2021-04-02). Saturday 4/3: Meetup: History of Anti-Asian Racism & How To Be Allies. indybay.org online…
(2021-04-02). Saudi foreign minister says normalisation with Israel would bring 'tremendous benefits'. middleeasteye.net 
Saudi foreign minister says normalisation with Israel would bring 'tremendous benefits' | But Faisal bin Farhan pours cold water on prospects of a detente any time soon, saying a Palestinian state must be established | Fri, 04/02/2021 – 15: 56 | Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan at a press conference in the capital, Riyadh, 21 March 2021 (AFP) | Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has said that a n…
(2021-04-02). US removes military assets from Saudi Arabia, Gulf: Report. middleeasteye.net 
US removes military assets from Saudi Arabia, Gulf: Report | Patriot anti-missile batteries, an aircraft carrier and surveillance systems are being diverted from the Middle East, US officials say | Fri, 04/02/2021 – 16: 20 | The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz transits Strait of Hormuz on 18 September (AFP photo/US Navy) | The US has begun to reconfigure its military capabilities in the Gulf and removed at least t…