2020-04-21: News Headlines

Ajamu Baraka (2020-04-21). Coronavirus and the crisis of African American human rights. mronline.org With the overwhelming evidence that the capitalist system is fundamentally antithetical to the realization of human rights, including what should be an elementary right—access to healthcare—the presidency of Donald J. Trump has been a godsend for the capitalist rulers.

Staff (2020-04-20). Handcuffed: Black Miami Doctor Who Works with Homeless Says He Was Racially Profiled by Police. democracynow.org We continue our conversation with Dr. Armen Henderson, an African-American doctor in Miami who was handcuffed outside his home while preparing for a volunteer shift to help protect homeless people from the spread of COVID-19. The encounter has sparked widespread outrage, and Miami's police chief has now tested positive for COVID-19 and is in self-isolation. Dr Henderson has taken a test himself and is waiting for results — and accountability.

Staff (2020-04-20). The US's Failed Response to the Pandemic Is Rooted in Anti-Blackness. truthout.org With the speed of lightning, the coronavirus crisis is waking all of the U.S. up to a reality most Black people have known for decades — our country fails the most marginalized. Our systems were ill-prepared to help everyday people sans pandemic. Now in the midst of one, the sun is shining down on their cavernous cracks created by deep-seated anti-Blackness. The reality is we are a country built on a racist house of cards, and the pandemic is showing us how racism — specifically anti-Black…

Jamal Rich (2020-04-20). Black youth stage Emancipation Day protest for D.C. inmates amid COVID-19 crisis. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON—Emancipation Day, a day recognizing the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862, which freed 3,000 slaves in the District of Columbia—remains a symbolic date, given that many Black people in the United States are still locked in cages. And on Emancipation Day this year, organizers from the No …

Fight Back (2020-04-20). LA May Day car caravan protest set. fightbacknews.org Los Angeles, CA – Luis Sifuentes, of the community group Cento CSO states, "Due to the pandemic and Stay At Home order in Los Angeles, Centro CSO is organizing this year's May Day as a car caravan through Boyle Heights with our demands: Jail killer cops, defend public education, and legalization for all – along with demands for hazard pay, better protections for workers in the front lines during this pandemic and expand COVID-19 testing in Black and brown communities." | The car protest will take place May 1, assembling before 4 p.m. on Chavez/Lorena at 5 Puntos, in Boyle Heights. | Event information here:…

Staff (2020-04-15). "I Want an Apology": Black Doctor Who Tests Homeless for Coronavirus Handcuffed by Miami Police. democracynow.org We speak with Dr. Armen Henderson, an African-American doctor who was handcuffed and detained outside his home Friday as he was wearing a mask and preparing for a volunteer shift to test homeless people for COVID-19. "I want the officer held accountable. There's no way that you racially profile me and then you arrest me, detain me, during a pandemic, when you have no mask on, where hundreds of police officers throughout Miami-Dade County have tested positive," says Dr. Henderson, who is an internal medicine physician, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Miami and an organizer with Dream Defenders…

splcenter (2020-04-15). CROWN Act movement seeks to protect Black people from racial discrimination based on hairstyles. splcenter.org Jordan Winder did not apply to the high school of his choice, because the dreadlocks he's been growing nearly half his life are not allowed there.

Staff (2020-04-13). Wash Your Hands? Despite Pandemic, Thousands Still Have No Water in Detroit, a Coronavirus Hot Spot. democracynow.org Water shutoffs continue amid the coronavirus pandemic in Detroit, despite a moratorium and a program to help thousands of residents restore service last month. The lack of water access comes as nearly 1,500 people in Michigan have died from COVID-19, and 40% of those who have died are African-American, despite making up just 14% of the state's population. We speak with community pastor and activist Rev. Roslyn Bouier, who has been working with residents to restore their water.

ReNika Moore (2020-04-08). If COVID-19 Doesn't Discriminate, Then Why Are Black People Dying at Higher Rates? aclu.org COVID-19 is ravaging many parts of the United States, but nowhere more than in Black communities. Early data from the

Mirinda Crissman (2020-04-17). Why we need a WW Prisoners Page. workers.org Houston This article is based on remarks given by Crissman during a Workers World Party webinar on April 9: "Free Them All! COVID-19 and Racist Mass Incarceration." Workers World Party provides nearly 1,000 free newspaper subscriptions to incarcerated people. Readers interested in supporting this can donate at patreon.com/wwp. We're particularly . . . |

RT (2020-04-21). Trying to beat the queues? Man arrested for breaking into Disneyland during coronavirus lockdown. rt.com With lockdown taking its toll on people the world over, one man sought refuge in the so-called 'happiest place on Earth', breaking into Disneyland in California to get away from it all. | While he didn't have to deal with the usual hordes that normally crowd the amusement park, the intruder soon ran into law enforcement officers as he hung out near a Guardians of the Galaxy drop tower ride, local news outlet ABC7 in Los Angeles Unfortunately for the opportunistic theme park enthusiast, he was arrested and cited for…

Rachel Janik (2020-04-21). Augustus Invictus Arrested in Florida for Stalking, Violating Bond. splcenter.org Invictus' father, John Gillespie, was arrested days earlier and charged with human trafficking of children under 18 years old.

The Canary (2020-04-20). Shooting rampage in Nova Scotia leaves 16 dead. thecanary.co At least 16 people have been killed after a 51-year-old man went on a shooting rampage across the northern part of Nova Scotia over the weekend, Canadian police said.It is the deadliest such attack in Canadian history.The man was identified as Gabriel Wortman and authorities said he disguised himself as a police officer in uniform at one point and mocked up a car to make it seem like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) vehicle.He was arrested by the RCMP in a petrol station in Enfield, north west of capital Halifax. Police later announced that he had died."In excess of 10 people have been killed," RCMP Chief S…

Suzanne O'Keeffe (2019-07-24). MPP National Director Nick Brana arrested with XR. peoplesparty.org with Extinction Rebellion climate activists | MPP National Director Nick Brana arrested with Extinction Rebellion climate activists after supergluing themselves to Congress in mass civil disobedience: | Washington, D.C. — Movement for a People's Party National Director Nick Brana was arrested during a protest to block Congress and demand that they join the countries of the UK and Canada and declare a climate emergency. | Brana and 15 people affiliated with the climate action group Extinction Rebellion (XR) glued themselves to three underground tunnel entrances leading to the Capitol, blocking access…

yenisafak (2020-04-21). Queen Elizabeth sends condolences to Canada after Nova Scotia shooting. yenisafak.com Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday sent her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the after the "appalling" mass shooting in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.A gunman who at one point masqueraded as a policeman went on the rampage on Sunday, leaving 19 people dead in Canada's worst mass shooting."Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened by the appalling events in Nova Scotia, and we send our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives," said Elizabeth, who is Queen of Canada and its head of state."My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nov…