shadowproof--2020-10-06--Shadowproof Recognized For Exceptional Coverage Of Julian Assange’s Extradition Trial

Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola woke up every morning for four weeks in September to report on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange ’ s extradition trial at the Old Bailey Criminal Courthouse in London .
Kevin shared live updates during court , produced end-of-day video reports , and he wrote articles each day for The Dissenter newsletter ( and Shadowproof ) .
He was interviewed by BBC Radio , Sky News Australia , Jacobin Magazine , The Katie Halper Show , The Scott Horton Show , the Real News , and Consortium News , as well as featured on several podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blumenthal and Ben Norton , “ Media Roots ” with Abby Martin and Robbie Martin , “ Around the Empire ” with Joanne Leon , and The Intercept ’ s “ Deconstructed ” with Ryan Grim .
We received numerous donations and an outpouring of support for Kevin ’ s commitment to covering the Assange trial each day court was in session .
Glenn Greenwald , journalist for the Intercept , described Kevin as “ one of the few U.S. journalists to do the vital job of covering the Assange extradition hearing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellsberg , who Kevin interviewed , shared , “ I ’ ve been following this trial , which you ’ ve helped me do so much , Kevin .
I appreciate it .
You ’ re doing a great job there.
” Rebecca Vincent , the director of international campaigns for Reporters Without Borders , referred to Kevin as “ one of the journalists most diligently and consistently covering the Assange hearing.
” Journalist Richard Medhurst , who also did exceptional work following the trial , said , “ Kevin did such brilliant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea Manning ’ s court martial in 2013.
” Kevin ’ s co-host for the “ Unauthorized Disclosure ” podcast declared , “ Your reporting has been vital as most of the rest of the media either ignores it or is too busy parroting government talking points to properly inform people about this attempt to criminalize journalism.
” Here is some more feedback Kevin and Shadowproof received from our readers : “ Journalism isn ’ t dead as long as we have outlets like yours reporting the stories that really matter .
Thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my heroes.
” —Cameron “ I wish all journalists had your professionalism , your diligence , and your principles .
You are lifeline to us wanting to push the needle of justice in the right direction .
If—no WHEN—Julian Assange is freed , you will be among those we thank.
” —Jill “ Impressed by your coverage of the Assange extradition hearing .
This is a very important event to be covering and reporting on…Keep it up !
” —Stephen “ I relied heavily on Kevin ’ s daily tweets and analysis to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing.
” —Ross “ I really liked your trial reporting—I felt like I was there.
” —Mary “ Thank you for reporting on the Assange trial .
Part of the reason for the lack of ‘ coverage ’ is because of the sustained , relentless , vicious smearing of him as an individual .
But it ’ s all part of the hybrid war against him .
Thank you for seeing past that.
” —Susan “ Thank you more than I can ever express for the work you do .
I wish I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the First Amendment need you.
” —Grace “ I follow Kevin ’ s live-tweets every day .
I ’ m trying to spread awareness in my small bubble , and your reporting makes that possible .
# FreeAssange ” —Will “ If it wasn ’ t for your work Kevin and Brian , myself and other Australians would be kept in the dark not only by our Government but our own media .
A big thank you to everyone at Shadowproof.
” —Gary “ Brilliant work covering Julian Assange Extradition Trial .
Genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to .
# FreeAssange ” —Belinda “ Your journalism on Assange and # PressFreedom is much appreciated !
” —Brandon “ Kevin , your diligence and commitment to reporting this very important trial that is unfolding at the Old Bailey Court in London is a tremendous public service .
As always , thank you for your efforts.
” —Adwoa We thank our readers for their generous support .
Kevin ’ s work covering the case is not over simply because the trial wrapped .
Shadowproof will publish more reporting and analysis between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the court ’ s decision on extradition will be announced .
To help Kevin continue his coverage of the Assange case , as well as the war on whistleblowers in general , donate at http : //shadowproof.com/donate

Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola woke up every morning for four weeks in September to report on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition trial at the Old Bailey Criminal Courthouse in London.
Kevin shared live updates during court, produced end-of-day video reports, and he wrote articles each day for The Dissenter newsletter (and Shadowproof).
He was interviewed by BBC Radio, Sky News Australia, Jacobin Magazine, The Katie Halper Show, The Scott Horton Show, the Real News, and Consortium News, as well as featured on several podcasts: “Moderate Rebels” with Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton, “Media Roots” with Abby Martin and Robbie Martin, “Around the Empire” with Joanne Leon, and The Intercept’s “Deconstructed” with Ryan Grim.
We received numerous donations and an outpouring of support for Kevin’s commitment to covering the Assange trial each day court was in session.
Glenn Greenwald, journalist for the Intercept, described Kevin as “one of the few U.S. journalists to do the vital job of covering the Assange extradition hearing from the start.”
Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, who Kevin interviewed, shared, “I’ve been following this trial, which you’ve helped me do so much, Kevin. I appreciate it. You’re doing a great job there.”
Rebecca Vincent, the director of international campaigns for Reporters Without Borders, referred to Kevin as “one of the journalists most diligently and consistently covering the Assange hearing.”
Journalist Richard Medhurst, who also did exceptional work following the trial, said, “Kevin did such brilliant coverage on this hearing and also covered Chelsea Manning’s court martial in 2013.”
Rania Khalek, Kevin’s co-host for the “Unauthorized Disclosure” podcast, declared, “Your reporting has been vital as most of the rest of the media either ignores it or is too busy parroting government talking points to properly inform people about this attempt to criminalize journalism.”
Here is some more feedback Kevin and Shadowproof received from our readers:
“Journalism isn’t dead as long as we have outlets like yours reporting the stories that really matter. Thanks again for looking out for one of my heroes.”
—Cameron
“I wish all journalists had your professionalism, your diligence, and your principles. You are lifeline to us wanting to push the needle of justice in the right direction. If—no WHEN—Julian Assange is freed, you will be among those we thank.”
—Jill
“Impressed by your coverage of the Assange extradition hearing. This is a very important event to be covering and reporting on…Keep it up!”
—Stephen
“I relied heavily on Kevin’s daily tweets and analysis to understand what was going on at the hearing.”
—Ross
“I really liked your trial reporting—I felt like I was there.”
—Mary
“Thank you for reporting on the Assange trial. Part of the reason for the lack of ‘coverage’ is because of the sustained, relentless, vicious smearing of him as an individual. But it’s all part of the hybrid war against him. Thank you for seeing past that.”
—Susan
“Thank you more than I can ever express for the work you do. I wish I could give more. The public and the First Amendment need you.”
—Grace
“I follow Kevin’s live-tweets every day. I’m trying to spread awareness in my small bubble, and your reporting makes that possible. #FreeAssange”
—Will
“If it wasn’t for your work Kevin and Brian, myself and other Australians would be kept in the dark not only by our Government but our own media. A big thank you to everyone at Shadowproof.”
—Gary
“Brilliant work covering Julian Assange Extradition Trial. Genuine independent media that goes where others appear not to. #FreeAssange”
—Belinda
“Your journalism on Assange and #PressFreedom is much appreciated!”
—Brandon
“Kevin, your diligence and commitment to reporting this very important trial that is unfolding at the Old Bailey Court in London is a tremendous public service. As always, thank you for your efforts.”
—Adwoa
***
We thank our readers for their generous support. Kevin’s work covering the case is not over simply because the trial wrapped. Shadowproof will publish more reporting and analysis between now and January 4, 2021—the date when the court’s decision on extradition will be announced.
To help Kevin continue his coverage of the Assange case, as well as the war on whistleblowers in general, donate at http://shadowproof.com/donate


shadowproof--2020-09-29--Beyond Prisons Podcast: Challenging E-Carceration Feat. James Kilgore

Kim Wilson and Brian Sonenstein sit down with James Kilgore , a formerly incarcerated activist , researcher , and author based in Urbana , Illinois .
Our conversation addressed a number of issues relating to e-carceration .
We pushed back against the idea that electronic monitoring is better than prison and discussed the ways that e-carceration deprives people of liberty .
We also talk about e-carceration and COVID-19 , the ways that technology is being used by ICE and in pre-trial and post-prison , and the ways that geofencing impacts communities .
James Kilgore is the director of the Challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # NoDigitalPrisons campaign .
He is also the co-director of the First Followers Reentry Program and the author of five books , including Understanding Mass Incarceration : A People ’ s Guide to the Key Civil Rights Struggle of Our Time ( The New Press , 2015 ) .
Find more of James ’ work on his website ChallengingECarceration.org “ Electronic Monitoring Is Not The Answer : Critical Reflections on False Solutions ” by James Kilgore “ The End of the Ankle ‘ Bracelet ?
’ ” by James Kilgore National Council for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We Are All Zimbabweans Now ( Ohio University Press , 2011 ) Created and hosted by Kim Wilson and Brian Sonenstein Support our show and join us on Patreon .
Check out our other donation options as well .
Please listen , subscribe , and rate/review our podcast on Apple Podcast , Spotify , and Google Play Join our mailing list for updates on new episodes , events , and more Kim Wilson is available for speaking engagements and to facilitate workshops .
Please contact beyondprisonspodcast @ gmail.com for more information

Kim Wilson and Brian Sonenstein sit down with James Kilgore, a formerly incarcerated activist, researcher, and author based in Urbana, Illinois. Our conversation addressed a number of issues relating to e-carceration. We pushed back against the idea that electronic monitoring is better than prison and discussed the ways that e-carceration deprives people of liberty. We also talk about e-carceration and COVID-19, the ways that technology is being used by ICE and in pre-trial and post-prison, and the ways that geofencing impacts communities.
James Kilgore is the director of the Challenging E-Carceration project of Media Justice’s #NoDigitalPrisons campaign. He is also the co-director of the First Followers Reentry Program and the author of five books, including Understanding Mass Incarceration: A People’s Guide to the Key Civil Rights Struggle of Our Time (The New Press, 2015).
Find more of James’ work on his website ChallengingECarceration.org
Follow him on Twitter @waazn1
Episode Resources & Notes
“Electronic Monitoring Is Not The Answer: Critical Reflections on False Solutions” by James Kilgore
“The End of the Ankle ‘Bracelet?’” by James Kilgore
Chicago Community Bond Fund
National Council for Incarcerated & Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls
Other Books by James:
Sister Mercy’s Revenge (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016)
Prudence Couldn’t Swim (Switchblade) (PM Press, 2012)
Freedom Never Rests (Jacana Media, 2012)
We Are All Zimbabweans Now (Ohio University Press, 2011)
Credits
Created and hosted by Kim Wilson and Brian Sonenstein
Edited by Ellis Maxwell
Website & volunteers managed by Victoria Nam
Theme music by Jared Ware
Support Beyond Prisons
Visit our website at beyond-prisons.com
Support our show and join us on Patreon. Check out our other donation options as well.
Please listen, subscribe, and rate/review our podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Play
Join our mailing list for updates on new episodes, events, and more
Send tips, comments, and questions to beyondprisonspodcast@gmail.com
Kim Wilson is available for speaking engagements and to facilitate workshops. Please contact beyondprisonspodcast@gmail.com for more information
Twitter: @Beyond_Prison
Facebook: @beyondprisonspodcast
Instagram: @beyondprisons


shadowproof--2020-10-09--Dissenter Weekly: Reforming The Espionage Act, Latest In OPCW Whistleblower Scandal

On this edition of the “ Dissenter Weekly , ” host and Shadowproof editor Kevin Gosztola breaks down a proposal to reform the Espionage Act that would create a public interest defense for whistleblowers .
He also highlights the latest in the OPCW whistleblower scandal , particularly how Western countries shut down testimony before the UN Security Council .
Later in the show , Gosztola discusses a settlement against Bechtel and Aecom , who are contracted to operate the Hanford nuclear waste plant .
He also covers a court decision against NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden , which says he owes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his book , Permanent Record .
Proposed US Espionage Act Reform Would Create Public Interest Defense Bechtel To Pay $ 58 Million To Settle Whistleblower Claims Over Hanford Nuclear Waste Plant Western Countries Shut Down Testimony From Former OPCW Director On Alleged Chemical Attack In Syria Six Officials for US State Media Agency File Whistleblower Complaint Court : Snowden Must Pay $ 5 Million To US Government For Book , Speeches This show is brought to you by Shadowproof.com , a 100 % reader-funded press organization .
If you enjoy our work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donation or by subscribing for $ 5/month or more : https : //shadowproof.com/donate

On this edition of the “Dissenter Weekly,” host and Shadowproof editor Kevin Gosztola breaks down a proposal to reform the Espionage Act that would create a public interest defense for whistleblowers. He also highlights the latest in the OPCW whistleblower scandal, particularly how Western countries shut down testimony before the UN Security Council.
Later in the show, Gosztola discusses a settlement against Bechtel and Aecom, who are contracted to operate the Hanford nuclear waste plant. He also covers a court decision against NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, which says he owes $5 million to the U.S. government from his book, Permanent Record.
This week’s stories:
Proposed US Espionage Act Reform Would Create Public Interest Defense
Bechtel To Pay $58 Million To Settle Whistleblower Claims Over Hanford Nuclear Waste Plant
Western Countries Shut Down Testimony From Former OPCW Director On Alleged Chemical Attack In Syria
Six Officials for US State Media Agency File Whistleblower Complaint
Court: Snowden Must Pay $5 Million To US Government For Book, Speeches
***
Send tips and feedback to editor@shadowproof.com
This show is brought to you by Shadowproof.com, a 100% reader-funded press organization. If you enjoy our work, you can support us with a donation or by subscribing for $5/month or more: https://shadowproof.com/donate


shadowproof--2020-10-13--Whistleblower Hired To Screen Workers For COVID-19 Exposes Meatpacking Corporation’s Oppressive Cond

Whistleblower Hired To Screen Workers For COVID-19 Exposes Meatpacking Corporation’s Oppressive Conduct

A whistleblower hired to screen employees for COVID-19 at a JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley , Colorado , says she quit after a manager told her she was wrong to send a sick employee home .
The employee coughed “ so much she could not even talk.
” The company stopped paying for COVID-19 tests .
A manager indicated even if the sick employee declined a test because they could not pay for it they should be cleared for work .
“ I am not going to sign anything approving someone to go into work when they are clearly sick—that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that so I quit , ” Sarah-Jean Buck declared in an affidavit [ PDF ] signed on July 29 , 2020 and published by Denver7 , an ABC News affiliate .
JBS is one of the largest meatpacking corporations in the world and based in Brazil .
It has a record of corrupt business activity and workplace oppression , especially during the COVID-19 pandemic .
In July , for the “ fifth time in a year , ” allegations linked JBS to “ indirect suppliers ” engaged in illegal deforestation , environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon .
JBS was forced to pay $ 3.2 billion in 2017 after it admitted to bribing over 1,000 politicians , according to The Bureau of Investigative Journalism .
WBUR noted , “ Their misconduct — brought to light by Brazilian investigation “ Operation Weak Flesh “ —resulted in the [ United States ] and European Union banning the import of Brazilian beef , although in February , the Trump administration cleared the way for Brazilian beef imports to start up again.
” The corporation ’ s subsidiary , JBS USA , oversees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred .
At least six workers died .
JBS was forced to shut down the plant in Greeley for two weeks in April , but safety for workers did not improve .
After the outbreak , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ( CDPHE ) advised JBS to screen all employees when they arrived for work .
JBS hired Buck as a temporary worker around May 10 to take temperatures of employees when they arrived at the JBS plant .
Her job was to take temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant .
It was a “ tarp on metal stands ” that did not control air flow and did not allow for social distancing among workers .
One of the metal poles nearly fell on an employee .
It was also filthy , and there were mosquitos .
“ I do not believe JBS had any interest in ensuring accurate screening .
We raised issues all the time and none of it mattered to JBS , ” Buck contended .
“ JBS would try to convince people they were fine to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came through screening and reported having a cough , Cecilia [ head of health services ] would ask if they slept with their window open .
If the employee said yes , then Cecilia would say that was causing the cough , and they were fine to go to work.
” Buck recalled , “ One day , I received a text [ that ] JBS was not going to pay for COVID-19 tests anymore .
The employees needed to pay with insurance or the cash price of $ 100.
” “ JBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees the tests would not be paid any longer .
These are employees who are saying they do not feel well – and then they change their mind once they hear they need to pay , saying some excuse like it is just my sinuses acting up , ” Buck added .
“ We were told to threaten them with no pay , ” Buck told Denver7 .
She said , “ I even had one guy one time try to tell me he was sick , and I called for an interpreter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just send him to work .
We don ’ t have time to interpret right now.
’ ” There are around 6,000 workers employed at the Greeley plant .
Many of them are immigrants from Latin America or refugees from countries like Somalia and Myanmar .
“ More than one-half ( 51.5 percent ) of frontline meatpacking workers are immigrants , ” according to the Center for Economic Policy and Research ( CEPR ) .
The Food and Environment Reporting Network added , “ Roughly half of those immigrants are undocumented .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant alone there are roughly 30 languages spoken at any one time—they find themselves relegated to one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.
” But all the signs about COVID-19 safety measures , as well as the screenings , at the Greeley plant are in English .
Joking About The Failure To Screen Workers For COVID-19 According to Buck , “ large groups of employees would enter the plant without being tested .
One time , the computer for the thermal scanner was not working .
JBS was aware but said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent people in.
” “ They even joked about it later , saying casually ‘ no one this morning got [ their ] temperature tested.
’ Another time , Donald [ head of safety ] told me I could begin my shift at 4 , and no one was tested who arrived before then.
” JBS management did not care if the temperature gun or thermal scanner was working .
When the gun would register the same temperature for “ many people in a row , ” Buck would tell the head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of safety would brush it off , “ Oh you ’ re on a streak .
It ’ s fine.
” This consistently happened during the two months she worked at the plant .
“ My final week at JBS , around mid July , the first digit on the temperature gun would not display .
I accidentally broke the gun when I dropped it on the ground .
It had lines on the screen , but should not show you the full number.
” As Buck described , “ You might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know if the temperature was 100.3 or 97.3 .
JBS would not replace it because Cecilia thought it was sufficient that you could kind of see the temperature reading .
But it was broken .
I know it was broken because I broke it.
” ‘ If We Do It For One , We Have To Do It For All ’ A second whistleblower , Erica Villegas , was hired as a temporary worker and observed similar examples of abuse and negligence by JBS management .
“ There was one woman who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to Villegas .
“ I asked her if anyone at her home could help but she said no .
Cecilia was nearby so I asked her and she said , ‘ No , because if we do it for one , we have to do it for all.
’ ” “ The employee was told to go home and asked if she was going to get paid for the day .
Cecilia said only if you get a positive test result.
” It is the responsibility of the Occupational Safety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workplace safety regulations when corporations like JBS routinely ignore or disregard them .
However , OSHA has systematically failed to investigate whistleblower complaints like the complaints from Buck and Villegas .
OSHA issued a measly and insulting $ 15,615 fine against JBS after they allowed a COVID-19 outbreak to occur at the Greeley plant .
Six other plants have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks : Souderton , Pennsylvania , Plainwell , Michigan , Green Bay , Wisconsin , Cactus , Texas , Worthington , Minnesota , and Grand Island Nebraska .
As reported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benjamin , 70 , a union steward from northeast Philadelphia , worked at JBS ’ s Souderton slaughterhouse , and died on April 3 from respiratory failure brought on by the pandemic virus , according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner ’ s Office.
” Lawyers for the deceased union steward filed a lawsuit contending “ JBS failed to protect workers with masks and other safety measures at the 1,400-employee meat-processing complex , and instead tacked onto the production schedule a ‘ Saturday kill ’ program in March to satisfy demand in the ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ By choosing profits over safety , JBS demonstrated a reckless disregard to the rights and safety of others , ” the suit claimed .
Seventy-eight year-old Saul Sanchez “ left home only to work on the fabrication line , where cattle carcasses are sliced into cuts of beef , ” at the Greeley plant .
Sanchez also attended “ his church , with its five-person congregation , said his daughter , Betty Rangel .
She said no one else became infected in the family or at Bible Missionary Church , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanchez was one of the six employees to die from COVID-19 .
Reuters reported that JBS denied his “ family ’ s application for workers ’ compensation benefits , along with those filed by the families of two other Greeley workers who died of COVID-19 .
”

A whistleblower hired to screen employees for COVID-19 at a JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, says she quit after a manager told her she was wrong to send a sick employee home. The employee coughed “so much she could not even talk.”
The company stopped paying for COVID-19 tests. A manager indicated even if the sick employee declined a test because they could not pay for it they should be cleared for work.
“I am not going to sign anything approving someone to go into work when they are clearly sick—that is not right and I will not do that so I quit,” Sarah-Jean Buck declared in an affidavit [PDF] signed on July 29, 2020 and published by Denver7, an ABC News affiliate.
JBS is one of the largest meatpacking corporations in the world and based in Brazil. It has a record of corrupt business activity and workplace oppression, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In July, for the “fifth time in a year,” allegations linked JBS to “indirect suppliers” engaged in illegal deforestation, environmental offenses, and other crimes in the Amazon.
JBS was forced to pay $3.2 billion in 2017 after it admitted to bribing over 1,000 politicians, according to The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
WBUR noted, “Their misconduct — brought to light by Brazilian investigation “Operation Weak Flesh“—resulted in the [United States] and European Union banning the import of Brazilian beef, although in February, the Trump administration cleared the way for Brazilian beef imports to start up again.”
The corporation’s subsidiary, JBS USA, oversees 40 plants in the U.S., including plants where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred. At least six workers died. JBS was forced to shut down the plant in Greeley for two weeks in April, but safety for workers did not improve.
After the outbreak, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) advised JBS to screen all employees when they arrived for work. JBS hired Buck as a temporary worker around May 10 to take temperatures of employees when they arrived at the JBS plant.
Her job was to take temperatures under a “tent” outside the plant. It was a “tarp on metal stands” that did not control air flow and did not allow for social distancing among workers. One of the metal poles nearly fell on an employee. It was also filthy, and there were mosquitos.
“I do not believe JBS had any interest in ensuring accurate screening. We raised issues all the time and none of it mattered to JBS,” Buck contended.
“JBS would try to convince people they were fine to go to work. For example, if someone came through screening and reported having a cough, Cecilia [head of health services] would ask if they slept with their window open. If the employee said yes, then Cecilia would say that was causing the cough, and they were fine to go to work.”
JBS Stops Paying For COVID-19 Tests
Buck recalled, “One day, I received a text [that] JBS was not going to pay for COVID-19 tests anymore. The employees needed to pay with insurance or the cash price of $100.”
“JBS put it on us to explain to employees the tests would not be paid any longer. These are employees who are saying they do not feel well – and then they change their mind once they hear they need to pay, saying some excuse like it is just my sinuses acting up,” Buck added.
“We were told to threaten them with no pay,” Buck told Denver7. She said, “I even had one guy one time try to tell me he was sick, and I called for an interpreter, and they said, ‘no, just send him to work. We don’t have time to interpret right now.’”
There are around 6,000 workers employed at the Greeley plant. Many of them are immigrants from Latin America or refugees from countries like Somalia and Myanmar. “More than one-half (51.5 percent) of frontline meatpacking workers are immigrants,” according to the Center for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR).
The Food and Environment Reporting Network added, “Roughly half of those immigrants are undocumented. Often with limited English skills—at the Greeley plant alone there are roughly 30 languages spoken at any one time—they find themselves relegated to one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.”
But all the signs about COVID-19 safety measures, as well as the screenings, at the Greeley plant are in English.
Joking About The Failure To Screen Workers For COVID-19
According to Buck, “large groups of employees would enter the plant without being tested. One time, the computer for the thermal scanner was not working. JBS was aware but said there was nothing they could do and sent people in.”
“They even joked about it later, saying casually ‘no one this morning got [their] temperature tested.’ Another time, Donald [head of safety] told me I could begin my shift at 4, and no one was tested who arrived before then.”
JBS management did not care if the temperature gun or thermal scanner was working. When the gun would register the same temperature for “many people in a row,” Buck would tell the head of safety it was not working.” The head of safety would brush it off, “Oh you’re on a streak. It’s fine.” This consistently happened during the two months she worked at the plant.
“My final week at JBS, around mid July, the first digit on the temperature gun would not display. I accidentally broke the gun when I dropped it on the ground. It had lines on the screen, but should not show you the full number.”
As Buck described, “You might see .3, but you wouldn’t know if the temperature was 100.3 or 97.3. JBS would not replace it because Cecilia thought it was sufficient that you could kind of see the temperature reading. But it was broken. I know it was broken because I broke it.”
‘If We Do It For One, We Have To Do It For All’
A second whistleblower, Erica Villegas, was hired as a temporary worker and observed similar examples of abuse and negligence by JBS management.
“There was one woman who told me she did not understand,” according to Villegas. “I asked her if anyone at her home could help but she said no. Cecilia was nearby so I asked her and she said, ‘No, because if we do it for one, we have to do it for all.’”
“The employee was told to go home and asked if she was going to get paid for the day. Cecilia said only if you get a positive test result.”
It is the responsibility of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enforce workplace safety regulations when corporations like JBS routinely ignore or disregard them. However, OSHA has systematically failed to investigate whistleblower complaints like the complaints from Buck and Villegas.
OSHA issued a measly and insulting $15,615 fine against JBS after they allowed a COVID-19 outbreak to occur at the Greeley plant.
Six other plants have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks: Souderton, Pennsylvania, Plainwell, Michigan, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Cactus, Texas, Worthington, Minnesota, and Grand Island Nebraska.
As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer in May, “Enock Benjamin, 70, a union steward from northeast Philadelphia, worked at JBS’s Souderton slaughterhouse, and died on April 3 from respiratory failure brought on by the pandemic virus, according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office.”
Lawyers for the deceased union steward filed a lawsuit contending “JBS failed to protect workers with masks and other safety measures at the 1,400-employee meat-processing complex, and instead tacked onto the production schedule a ‘Saturday kill’ program in March to satisfy demand in the ‘public panic purchases of ground meat.’”
“By choosing profits over safety, JBS demonstrated a reckless disregard to the rights and safety of others,” the suit claimed.
Seventy-eight year-old Saul Sanchez “left home only to work on the fabrication line, where cattle carcasses are sliced into cuts of beef,” at the Greeley plant. Sanchez also attended “his church, with its five-person congregation, said his daughter, Betty Rangel. She said no one else became infected in the family or at Bible Missionary Church, which could not be reached for comment.”
Sanchez was one of the six employees to die from COVID-19. Reuters reported that JBS denied his “family’s application for workers’ compensation benefits, along with those filed by the families of two other Greeley workers who died of COVID-19.”


shadowproof--2020-10-14--Protest Song Of The Week: ‘America The Merciful’ By Zealot Featuring Uno

Protest Song Of The Week : ‘ America The Merciful ’ By Zealot Featuring Uno Over a pensive rhythm , Zealot reflects on his incarceration and the way in which some prisoners are afforded second chances for their mistakes and others like him are seemingly denied forgiveness .
“ America the Merciful ” came out of a four-day recording session with Die Jim Crow producers Fury Young and dr. Israel at the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility .
Die Jim Crow is the first nonprofit record label for current and formerly incarcerated musicians , and on Juneteenth , the label released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by BL Shirelle , which receivedquite a bitof positivepress .
The session at Colorado Territorial was initially for a Die Jim Crow concept album , but it evolved into a forthcoming project entirely written by incarcerated individuals with contributions from all ages , races , ethnicities , religions , and musical backgrounds .
Like Grammy.com described it , “ As a hybrid of musical genre and perspective , it is the collective story of universal struggle and search for meaning amid the personal recollections of its contributors.
” Zealot , or Dane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robbery ” and sentenced to 36 years in prison .
He has been incarcerated since 2007 , and as Die Jim Crow ’ s Bandcamp recalls “ America the Merciful ” was recorded in April 2018 over a short window—two hours out of the “ 90,000 that Zealot had spent incarcerated during his ten plus years thus far.
” “ I don ’ t wan na feel lost today .
I don ’ t wan na die chasing the wind , ” Zealot sings after wondering if his actions are “ unforgetful ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgiveness.
” In a second verse , Zealot says he “ can fall no further ” and “ lose nothing more.
” Zealot came up with the lyrics during the winter .
He felt depressed and dug deep and suppressed any fear he had confronting certain personal things on his mind .
With one sheet of paper , he wrote the song , and when it was finished , he put it away for two summers before he finally had the opportunity to record it for Die Jim Crow .
According to Zealot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how redemption might work ” in his life moving forward and how people view prisoners like him in a particular way , even though he wants to do better .
It deals with that harsh emotion of “ no matter how hard you try ” it will never be good enough .
“ I was sentenced to 24 and 12 consecutive [ years ] for aggravated robbery and [ I was ] thinking about some of the guys I ’ ve met while I ’ ve been in prison that have less time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared .
“ So you want to extend a level of mercy and forgiveness to someone who murdered someone , and I ’ m in here for an aggravated robbery.
” “ You take the very best years of my life— it ’ s like how do you reconcile that concept on a personal level with your own life and your own actions ?
” Zealot wanted a “ rap part ” in between the “ first hook and verse two.
” But it was not until nearly a year later that Die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introverted young rapper ” at the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution , a high security state prison in Columbia , South Carolina .
Uno was sentenced to life without parole when she was 19 years-old .
The rap she laid down complements what Zealot wrote by offering an assessment on the world beyond the prison walls .
“ I ’ m looking at the world nowadays , how it ’ s so unjust , ” Uno raps .
“ Sitting on my bunk in a haze .
Look for words to sum it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything .
Some people can not make it enough .
Society is blind in every way .
Guess it ’ s time to come and get up.
” A bass line supports Zealot , especially on the second verse as he is given time to vocally improvise a little .
The instruments are sparsely arranged in a manner that never overpowers their reflection .
Uno ’ s indignation paired with the intensely personal lyrics from Zealot create a contrast .
Outside of prison there is a world that seems upside down , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is it Uno , who has to be behind bars until she dies , or why is it Zealot , who must be in prison until after the prime of his life ?
Apparently , both prisons have restrictions so Zealot and Uno have only listened to the track through a telephone .
But hopefully someday they will be able hear the dynamic created over six minutes of two incarcerated individuals dealing with whether society will ever see them as human beings and forgive .
Listen to “ America The Merciful ” by @ @ @ @

Over a pensive rhythm, Zealot reflects on his incarceration and the way in which some prisoners are afforded second chances for their mistakes and others like him are seemingly denied forgiveness.
“America the Merciful” came out of a four-day recording session with Die Jim Crow producers Fury Young and dr. Israel at the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility.
Die Jim Crow is the first nonprofit record label for current and formerly incarcerated musicians, and on Juneteenth, the label released their first album, “Assata Troi” by BL Shirelle, which receivedquite a bitof positivepress.
The session at Colorado Territorial was initially for a Die Jim Crow concept album, but it evolved into a forthcoming project entirely written by incarcerated individuals with contributions from all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, and musical backgrounds.
Like Grammy.com described it, “As a hybrid of musical genre and perspective, it is the collective story of universal struggle and search for meaning amid the personal recollections of its contributors.”
Zealot, or Dane Newton, was convicted of “aggravated robbery” and sentenced to 36 years in prison. He has been incarcerated since 2007, and as Die Jim Crow’s Bandcamp recalls “America the Merciful” was recorded in April 2018 over a short window—two hours out of the “90,000 that Zealot had spent incarcerated during his ten plus years thus far.”
“I don’t wanna feel lost today. I don’t wanna die chasing the wind,” Zealot sings after wondering if his actions are “unforgetful” and if his crimes are “beyond forgiveness.”
In a second verse, Zealot says he “can fall no further” and “lose nothing more.”
Zealot came up with the lyrics during the winter. He felt depressed and dug deep and suppressed any fear he had confronting certain personal things on his mind.
With one sheet of paper, he wrote the song, and when it was finished, he put it away for two summers before he finally had the opportunity to record it for Die Jim Crow.
According to Zealot, this is a contemplation of “how redemption might work” in his life moving forward and how people view prisoners like him in a particular way, even though he wants to do better. It deals with that harsh emotion of “no matter how hard you try” it will never be good enough.
“I was sentenced to 24 and 12 consecutive [years] for aggravated robbery and [I was] thinking about some of the guys I’ve met while I’ve been in prison that have less time than that for murder,” Zealot shared. “So you want to extend a level of mercy and forgiveness to someone who murdered someone, and I’m in here for an aggravated robbery.”
“You take the very best years of my life— it’s like how do you reconcile that concept on a personal level with your own life and your own actions?”
Zealot wanted a “rap part” in between the “first hook and verse two.” But it was not until nearly a year later that Die Jim Crow met Uno, an “introverted young rapper” at the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution, a high security state prison in Columbia, South Carolina.
Uno was sentenced to life without parole when she was 19 years-old. The rap she laid down complements what Zealot wrote by offering an assessment on the world beyond the prison walls.
“I’m looking at the world nowadays, how it’s so unjust,” Uno raps. “Sitting on my bunk in a haze. Look for words to sum it up. Money is the root of everything. Some people cannot make it enough. Society is blind in every way. Guess it’s time to come and get up.”
A bass line supports Zealot, especially on the second verse as he is given time to vocally improvise a little. The instruments are sparsely arranged in a manner that never overpowers their reflection.
Uno’s indignation paired with the intensely personal lyrics from Zealot create a contrast. Outside of prison there is a world that seems upside down, where lawlessness and immorality permeates. So why is it Uno, who has to be behind bars until she dies, or why is it Zealot, who must be in prison until after the prime of his life?
Apparently, both prisons have restrictions so Zealot and Uno have only listened to the track through a telephone. But hopefully someday they will be able hear the dynamic created over six minutes of two incarcerated individuals dealing with whether society will ever see them as human beings and forgive.
Listen to “America The Merciful” by Zealot featuring Uno:


shadowproof--2020-10-15--Canadian TV Network Sued After ‘Falsely Accusing’ Independent News Site Of Being Part Of Russian Cyb

Canadian TV Network Sued After ‘Falsely Accusing’ Independent News Site Of Being Part Of Russian Cyber  Operation

Canadian TV Network Sued After ‘ Falsely Accusing ’ Independent News Site Of Being Part Of Russian Cyber Operation Consortium News , which frequently covers WikiLeaks and various whistleblower stories , has sued Global News for “ falsely accusing ” the media organization of “ being part of a cyber-influence campaign directed by Russia.
” As the lawsuit [ PDF ] filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia indicates , on December 10 , 2019 , Global News allegedly spread “ false , unfair , and inaccurate statements ” that held Consortium News “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contempt in the industry.
” The statements suggested Consortium News was responsible for “ grossly unethical behavior , dishonesty , lack of integrity , conspiracy , ” and the organization was unfit to publish in the news media .
During January , libel notices were sent to Global News and the Communications Security Establishment ( CSE ) .
The notices demanded a retraction of any mention of Consortium News as well as an apology .
Consortium News editor-in-chief Joe Lauria said at the time , “ We ’ ve been targeted before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a named powerful Five Eyes intelligence agency and a major television station.
” Global News reported on “ secret intelligence records ” they obtained and claimed the files showed Russia as a “ hostile foreign state ” that targeted Canada with “ cyber influence ” campaigns .
One file from the CSE said “ the first attack was a February 2017 report in the ‘ online Consortium News ’ followed ‘ in quick succession ’ by pro-Russian English language and Russian-language online media.
” In other words , the mere fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a report by Consortium News was considered an indication that the independent outlet was “ involved ” in a campaign directed by a foreign power .
The file referred to a report Consortium News published on February 27 , 2017 , titled , “ A Nazi Skeleton in the Family Closet , ” about Chrystia Freeland , who is currently the finance minister in Canada .
According to the lawsuit , “ The article revealed that Freeland lied about her grandfather ’ s past as an editor of a Nazi newspaper in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CN truthfully reported that Freeland concealed the dark family secret that her grandfather , Mykhailo Chomiak , faithfully served Nazi Germany right up to its surrender , and Chomiak ’ s family only moved to Canada after the Third Reich was defeated by the Soviet Union ’ s Red Army and its allies – the U.S. and Great Britain.
” “ CN truthfully reported that Freeland ’ s grandfather was not a victim of the war .
To the contrary , he was on the side of the German aggressors who collaborated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews , Poles and other minorities .
A former journalist herself , Freeland chose to whitewash her family history to leave out her grandfather ’ s service to Adolf Hitler.
” One week later , as the Globe and Mail , which is Canada ’ s largest newspaper , covered reporting on her grandfather , Freeland cast the stories as a part of a Russian disinformation operation .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s a secret [ that ] American officials have publicly said , and even [ German Chancellor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there were efforts on the Russian side to destabilize Western democracies , and I think it shouldn ’ t come as a surprise if these same efforts were used against Canada , ” Freeland declared .
But the following day , the Globe and Mail reported , “ Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland knew for more than two decades that her maternal Ukrainian grandfather was the chief editor of a Nazi newspaper in occupied Poland that vilified Jews during the Second World War.
” Embarrassed , Freeland continued to craft the perception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian plot against her .
“ People should be questioning where this information comes from , and the motivations behind it.
” By March 2017 , in Canadian news media , it was clear there was no Russian disinformation .
Consortium News published an accurate report on her past , and the Ottawa Citizen noted Ukraine archival records held by the Province of Alberta had a file on her grandfather that corroborated claims .
“ Freeland harbored a grudge , ” Consortium News contends .
“ In 2019 , ahead of the Canadian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ CSE ” ) manufactured a narrative that linked [ the media organization ] to Russia.
” “ CSE prepared a SECRET CEO ( “ Canadian Eyes Only ” ) intelligence report that was given exclusively to Global in furtherance of the scheme to defame [ Consortium News ] and deflect attention from Freeland ’ s misconduct and her grandfather ’ s sordid past.
” To Consortium News , the intent was to undermine the organization ’ s record as a news publisher with credibility and integrity .
And it was “ prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October 2019 to help Freeland .
“ After winning re-election in her downtown Toronto constituency , ” the lawsuit notes , “ Freeland was named deputy prime minister a month later .
A month after that , she was tabbed to head a powerful cabinet post , that in the words of one analyst , ” meant she was “ functionally the prime minister.
” “ Global [ News ] received the storyline from CSE and then consciously regurgitated the preconceived narrative that it knew to be false.
” It never contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were allegedly committed to painting the media organization as a “ Russian collaborator.
” The Canadian news conglomerate refused to retract their story and apologize .
A Pattern All Too Common In The West Robert Parry , the late founder of Consortium News , wrote on March 9 , 2017 , “ As often happens these days , Freeland chose not to tell the truth but rather portrayed the article as part of a Russian propaganda and disinformation campaign .
Yet , instead of fessing up and acknowledging these facts , Freeland chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing their job .
And the smears didn ’ t entirely stop.
” “ This pattern has become all too common in the West , to insult and discredit anyone who doesn ’ t accept the ‘ group thinks ’ about the New Cold War .
Just as the major news media marched in lockstep over the Iraq-WMD falsehoods , so it has been toeing the line on the hysteria over supposed ‘ Russian propaganda ’ and ‘ fake news . '
” WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has experienced an intense campaign against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially their publication of emails from Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign in 2016 .
The residual effect is that—four years later—anything and everything critical of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Democrats is quickly suspected of being the product of some “ fake news ” effort backed by Russian intelligence to help President Donald Trump ’ s re-election .
Such aspersions have not stopped with Assange and WikiLeaks .
It now happens to all news media that diverge from the political establishment ’ s approved narratives .
Grayzone founder Max Blumenthal and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Russian ” narratives as they cover the destabilizing actions of the U.S. government in the Middle East and Global South .
Like Lauria said back in January , “ When we give a point of view that ’ s not liked by leaders , they want to shut it down , marginalize us by smearing us as being directed by Russia.
” One file from the CSE said “ the first attack was a February 2017 report in the ‘ online Consortium News ’ followed ‘ in quick succession ’ by pro-Russian English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other words , the mere fact that certain Russian media organizations took an interest in a report by Consortium News was considered an indication that the independent outlet was “ involved ” in a campaign directed by a foreign power .
The file referred to a report Consortium News published on February 27 , 2017 , titled , “ A Nazi Skeleton in the Family Closet , ” about Chrystia Freeland , who is currently the finance minister in Canada .
According to the lawsuit , “ The article revealed that Freeland lied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an editor of a Nazi newspaper in occupied Poland during the Second World War .
CN truthfully reported that Freeland concealed the dark family secret that her grandfather , Mykhailo Chomiak , faithfully served Nazi Germany right up to its surrender , and Chomiak ’ s family only moved to Canada after the Third Reich was defeated by the Soviet Union ’ s Red Army and its allies – the U.S. and Great Britain.
” “ CN truthfully reported that Freeland ’ s grandfather was not a victim of the war .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of the German aggressors who collaborated with Ukrainian nationalists in killing Russians , Jews , Poles and other minorities .
A former journalist herself , Freeland chose to whitewash her family history to leave out her grandfather ’ s service to Adolf Hitler.
” One week later , as the Globe and Mail , which is Canada ’ s largest newspaper , covered reporting on her grandfather , Freeland cast the stories as a part of a Russian disinformation operation .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s a secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , and even [ German Chancellor ] Angela Merkel has publicly said , that there were efforts on the Russian side to destabilize Western democracies , and I think it shouldn ’ t come as a surprise if these same efforts were used against Canada , ” Freeland declared .
But the following day , the Globe and Mail reported , “ Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland knew for more than two decades that her maternal Ukrainian grandfather was the chief editor of a Nazi newspaper in occupied Poland that vilified Jews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Freeland continued to craft the perception that this was all part of some Russian plot against her .
“ People should be questioning where this information comes from , and the motivations behind it.
” By March 2017 , in Canadian news media , it was clear there was no Russian disinformation .
Consortium News published an accurate report on her past , and the Ottawa Citizen noted Ukraine archival records held by the Province of Alberta had a file on her grandfather that corroborated claims .
“ Freeland harbored a grudge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2019 , ahead of the Canadian elections , the Communications Security Establishment ( “ CSE ” ) manufactured a narrative that linked [ the media organization ] to Russia.
” “ CSE prepared a SECRET CEO ( “ Canadian Eyes Only ” ) intelligence report that was given exclusively to Global in furtherance of the scheme to defame [ Consortium News ] and deflect attention from Freeland ’ s misconduct and her grandfather ’ s sordid past.
” To Consortium News , the intent was to undermine the organization ’ s record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity .
And it was “ prepared ahead ” of the Canadian federal election in October 2019 to help Freeland .
“ After winning re-election in her downtown Toronto constituency , ” the lawsuit notes , “ Freeland was named deputy prime minister a month later .
A month after that , she was tabbed to head a powerful cabinet post , that in the words of one analyst , ” meant she was “ functionally the prime minister.
” “ Global [ News ] received the storyline from CSE and then consciously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be false.
” It never contacted Consortium News for comment , as they were allegedly committed to painting the media organization as a “ Russian collaborator.
” The Canadian news conglomerate refused to retract their story and apologize .
A Pattern All Too Common In The West Robert Parry , the late founder of Consortium News , wrote on March 9 , 2017 , “ As often happens these days , Freeland chose not to tell the truth but rather portrayed the article as part of a Russian propaganda and disinformation campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and acknowledging these facts , Freeland chose to dissemble and slander journalists who were doing their job .
And the smears didn ’ t entirely stop.
” “ This pattern has become all too common in the West , to insult and discredit anyone who doesn ’ t accept the ‘ group thinks ’ about the New Cold War .
Just as the major news media marched in lockstep over the Iraq-WMD falsehoods , so it has been toeing the line on the hysteria over supposed ‘ Russian propaganda ’ and ‘ fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assange has experienced an intense campaign against the work of his media organization , especially their publication of emails from Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign in 2016 .
The residual effect is that—four years later—anything and everything critical of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Democrats is quickly suspected of being the product of some “ fake news ” effort backed by Russian intelligence to help President Donald Trump ’ s re-election .
Such aspersions have not stopped with Assange and WikiLeaks .
It now happens to all news media that diverge from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Grayzone founder Max Blumenthal and many of the site ’ s contributors are constantly accused of promoting “ pro-Russian ” narratives as they cover the destabilizing actions of the U.S. government in the Middle East and Global South .
Like Lauria said back in January , “ When we give a point of view that ’ s not liked by leaders , they want to shut it down , marginalize us by smearing us as being directed by Russia.
” “ It ’ s a complete outrage and that ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against this .
”

Consortium News, which frequently covers WikiLeaks and various whistleblower stories, has sued Global News for “falsely accusing” the media organization of “being part of a cyber-influence campaign directed by Russia.”
As the lawsuit [PDF] filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia indicates, on December 10, 2019, Global News allegedly spread “false, unfair, and inaccurate statements” that held Consortium News “up to scorn, ridicule, and contempt in the industry.”
The statements suggested Consortium News was responsible for “grossly unethical behavior, dishonesty, lack of integrity, conspiracy,” and the organization was unfit to publish in the news media.
During January, libel notices were sent to Global News and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE). The notices demanded a retraction of any mention of Consortium News as well as an apology.
Consortium News editor-in-chief Joe Lauria said at the time, “We’ve been targeted before, but never in this most overt way by a named powerful Five Eyes intelligence agency and a major television station.”
Global News reported on “secret intelligence records” they obtained and claimed the files showed Russia as a “hostile foreign state” that targeted Canada with “cyber influence” campaigns.
One file from the CSE said “the first attack was a February 2017 report in the ‘online Consortium News’ followed ‘in quick succession’ by pro-Russian English language and Russian-language online media.”
In other words, the mere fact that certain Russian media organizations took an interest in a report by Consortium News was considered an indication that the independent outlet was “involved” in a campaign directed by a foreign power.
Consortium News Exposed A Powerful Elite’s ‘Dark Family Secret’
The file referred to a report Consortium News published on February 27, 2017, titled, “A Nazi Skeleton in the Family Closet,” about Chrystia Freeland, who is currently the finance minister in Canada.
According to the lawsuit, “The article revealed that Freeland lied about her grandfather’s past as an editor of a Nazi newspaper in occupied Poland during the Second World War. CN truthfully reported that Freeland concealed the dark family secret that her grandfather, Mykhailo Chomiak, faithfully served Nazi Germany right up to its surrender, and Chomiak’s family only moved to Canada after the Third Reich was defeated by the Soviet Union’s Red Army and its allies – the U.S. and Great Britain.”
“CN truthfully reported that Freeland’s grandfather was not a victim of the war. To the contrary, he was on the side of the German aggressors who collaborated with Ukrainian nationalists in killing Russians, Jews, Poles and other minorities. A former journalist herself, Freeland chose to whitewash her family history to leave out her grandfather’s service to Adolf Hitler.”
One week later, as the Globe and Mail, which is Canada’s largest newspaper, covered reporting on her grandfather, Freeland cast the stories as a part of a Russian disinformation operation.
“I don’t think it’s a secret [that] American officials have publicly said, and even [German Chancellor] Angela Merkel has publicly said, that there were efforts on the Russian side to destabilize Western democracies, and I think it shouldn’t come as a surprise if these same efforts were used against Canada,” Freeland declared.
But the following day, the Globe and Mail reported, “Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland knew for more than two decades that her maternal Ukrainian grandfather was the chief editor of a Nazi newspaper in occupied Poland that vilified Jews during the Second World War.”
Embarrassed, Freeland continued to craft the perception that this was all part of some Russian plot against her. “People should be questioning where this information comes from, and the motivations behind it.”
By March 2017, in Canadian news media, it was clear there was no Russian disinformation. Consortium News published an accurate report on her past, and the Ottawa Citizen noted Ukraine archival records held by the Province of Alberta had a file on her grandfather that corroborated claims.
Harboring A Grudge
“Freeland harbored a grudge,” Consortium News contends. “In 2019, ahead of the Canadian elections, the Communications Security Establishment (“CSE”) manufactured a narrative that linked [the media organization] to Russia.”
“CSE prepared a SECRET CEO (“Canadian Eyes Only”) intelligence report that was given exclusively to Global in furtherance of the scheme to defame [Consortium News] and deflect attention from Freeland’s misconduct and her grandfather’s sordid past.”
To Consortium News, the intent was to undermine the organization’s record as a news publisher with credibility and integrity. And it was “prepared ahead” of the Canadian federal election in October 2019 to help Freeland.
“After winning re-election in her downtown Toronto constituency,” the lawsuit notes, “Freeland was named deputy prime minister a month later. A month after that, she was tabbed to head a powerful cabinet post, that in the words of one analyst,” meant she was “functionally the prime minister.”
“Global [News] received the storyline from CSE and then consciously regurgitated the preconceived narrative that it knew to be false.” It never contacted Consortium News for comment, as they were allegedly committed to painting the media organization as a “Russian collaborator.”
The Canadian news conglomerate refused to retract their story and apologize.
A Pattern All Too Common In The West
Robert Parry, the late founder of Consortium News, wrote on March 9, 2017, “As often happens these days, Freeland chose not to tell the truth but rather portrayed the article as part of a Russian propaganda and disinformation campaign. Yet, instead of fessing up and acknowledging these facts, Freeland chose to dissemble and slander journalists who were doing their job. And the smears didn’t entirely stop.”
“This pattern has become all too common in the West, to insult and discredit anyone who doesn’t accept the ‘group thinks’ about the New Cold War. Just as the major news media marched in lockstep over the Iraq-WMD falsehoods, so it has been toeing the line on the hysteria over supposed ‘Russian propaganda’ and ‘fake news.'”
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has experienced an intense campaign against the work of his media organization, especially their publication of emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016.
The residual effect is that—four years later—anything and everything critical of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Democrats is quickly suspected of being the product of some “fake news” effort backed by Russian intelligence to help President Donald Trump’s re-election.
Such aspersions have not stopped with Assange and WikiLeaks. It now happens to all news media that diverge from the political establishment’s approved narratives.
Grayzone founder Max Blumenthal and its contributors are constantly accused of promoting “pro-Russian” narratives as they cover the destabilizing actions of the U.S. government in the Middle East and Global South.
Like Lauria said back in January, “When we give a point of view that’s not liked by leaders, they want to shut it down, marginalize us by smearing us as being directed by Russia.”
One file from the CSE said “the first attack was a February 2017 report in the ‘online Consortium News’ followed ‘in quick succession’ by pro-Russian English language and Russian-language online media.”
In other words, the mere fact that certain Russian media organizations took an interest in a report by Consortium News was considered an indication that the independent outlet was “involved” in a campaign directed by a foreign power.


shadowproof--2020-10-17--Dissenter Weekly: Expanded DHS ‘Insider Threat’ Program Flouts Privacy Law

On this edition of the “ Dissenter Weekly , ” host and Shadowproof editor Kevin Gosztola responds to censorship by @ @ @ @ @ policy adopted after pressure to crack down on WikiLeaks .
He also highlights whistleblowing against @ @ @ @ @ Later in the show , Gosztola outlines how the Homeland Security Department has expanded its @ @ @ @ @ in ways that flout Privacy Act provisions .
He ends with coverage of Reporters Without @ @ @ @ @ to access at WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange ’ s extradition trial .
Whistleblower Hired To @ @ @ @ @ Meatpacking Corporation ’ s Oppressive Conduct OSHA Dismissed More Than Half Of Pandemic-Related Whistleblower Retaliation @ @ @ @ @ Program , Claims Authority To Disregard Privacy Law Reporters Without Borders Details Barriers To Access @ @ @ @ @ show is brought to you by Shadowproof.com , a 100 % reader-funded press organization .
@ @ @ @ @ , you can support us with a donation or by subscribing for $ 5/month or @ @ @ @ @

On this edition of the “Dissenter Weekly,” host and Shadowproof editor Kevin Gosztola responds to censorship by Twitter, which invoked a policy adopted after pressure to crack down on WikiLeaks. He also highlights whistleblowing against the JBS meatpacking corporation.
Later in the show, Gosztola outlines how the Homeland Security Department has expanded its “insider threat” program in ways that flout Privacy Act provisions. He ends with coverage of Reporters Without Borders’ report on barriers to access at WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition trial.
This week’s stories:
Twitter Invokes Anti-WikiLeaks Policy To Censor Hunter Biden Story
Whistleblower Hired To Screen Workers For COVID-19 Exposes Meatpacking Corporation’s Oppressive Conduct
OSHA Dismissed More Than Half Of Pandemic-Related Whistleblower Retaliation Complaints
DHS Expands Insider Threat Program, Claims Authority To Disregard Privacy Law
Reporters Without Borders Details Barriers To Access At Assange Extradition Trial
***
Send tips and feedback to editor@shadowproof.com
This show is brought to you by Shadowproof.com, a 100% reader-funded press organization. If you enjoy our work, you can support us with a donation or by subscribing for $5/month or more: https://shadowproof.com/donate


shadowproof--2020-10-19--Philadelphia Protest Encampment Ends As City Agrees To Plan For Unhoused People

Philadelphia Protest Encampment Ends As City Agrees To Plan For Unhoused People After months of organizing that included the establishment of two protest encampments , Philadelphia ’ s unhoused people successfully pushed the city to agree to provide housing on a community land trust on October 14 .
Camp James Talib-Dean , or Camp JTD , closed last week , and organizers and encampment participants will eventually control a community land trust through a non-profit organization in coordination with the city .
They will manage 50 properties provided by the city and PHA , and the city will build two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ready until mid-2021 , according to the Inquirer .
“ We know that it ’ s the start of really targeting what we see as [ the Philadelphia Housing Authority ( PHA ) ] allowing private developers to come in and target neighborhoods , ” Sterling Johnson , an organizer with the Black and Brown Workers Collective , told Shadowproof .
Johnson ’ s cousin was James Talib-Dean , for whom the encampment was named , after the 34-year-old organizer died by overdose in June following the encampment ’ s launch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ focuses on liberation and racial justice , ” Johnson said .
Organizers recognize the deal does not go far enough to meet the needs of all people who are unhoused in Philadelphia , and they vow to continue the fight on the heels of these tremendous victories .
Since June of 2020 , two homeless encampments with radical and anti-racist politics have sustained into the fall in Philadelphia .
During the summer ’ s uprisings over the police killings of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and countless others , organizers nationwide sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fight for housing justice .
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness , Black Americans make up 40 percent of the homeless population , despite only making up 13 percent of the general population .
Philadelphia Housing Action—an organizing coalition including the Black and Brown Workers Collective , Occupy PHA , Philly for REAL Justice , and others—announced a tentative commitment from the city on September 26 , consisting of housing for 50 mothers and children from the encampments in 15 city-owned units , which would be placed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to over a hundred people , successfully resisting multiple eviction attempts from the city and the constant threat of police .
Wealthy local residents complained that “ they no longer feel safe going to Whole Foods ” to the media .
A sister encampment , Camp Teddy , launched shortly after Camp JTD outside the headquarters of the Philadelphia Housing Authority in North Philadelphia , on a plot of heavily contested land set to host the neighborhood ’ s only grocery store , in a food desert .
These encampments were run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the support of housed allies .
“ We ’ ve seen the people of this camp be able to handle three different final notices , ” said Johnson .
This effort is deeply personal to Johnson and their community and they hope to provide a space for those often left out of public housing provisions .
“ The only reason that we ’ re here is because we know that people have been hurt , and we ’ re not going to let it go anymore .
For all the poor people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black sex workers , all the others : we ’ re not going to let that happen anymore , ” they said .
Johnson ’ s conviction , and the perseverance of the encampment , is already paying off , despite the significant opposition .
On October 6 , Camp Teddy secured a win of their own after weeks of expecting police violence .
“ [ The city ] told the media the eviction is ongoing , and they won ’ t tell the public when they ’ re coming , so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a week where every day we were just waiting for the cops to come and crack our heads open , and clear the camps out , ” said Jennifer Bennetch , founder of Occupy PHA , the day after the agreement .
On the evening of October 5 , in a rush to preserve the $ 52 million business deal for the grocery store development ( which also included mixed-income housing ) , the city and PHA stated that they were willing to work with Camp Teddy .
Organizers secured nine vacant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood , currently in unlivable conditions ; PHA committed to providing job training and resources to restore the properties .
Throughout the spring , and during the encampments , Occupy PHA helped move unhoused people into 10 unoccupied PHA-owned properties and restored them to code .
“ They did a masterful job , and we have to give them credit , ” PHA president and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah told the Philadelphia Inquirer .
“ Remember , our ultimate goal was no different than theirs : promoting the urgency of getting affordable housing.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Housing Authority to position themselves as heroes , as opposed to gatekeepers for existing housing options .
Nonetheless , the residents of Camp Teddy are excited for the housing and possible job training .
These victories come during a year of coordinated rent strikes and other efforts to combat mass evictions , as 60 million people filed for unemployment within the last six months .
Protest encampments in Seattle and Minneapolis have produced mixed results ; but there is hope the victories in Philadelphia may be instructive .
Philadelphia is a city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing crisis on top of all the other difficulties brought by neoliberal policies .
It is the poorest big city in the country , which , due to the city ’ s intense gentrification , may only worsen .
The waiting list for public housing in Philadelphia has been closed for seven years , with 40,000 people on the list .
Johnson pointed out that none of the housing given to encampment members was ever going to be considered for those on the waitlist .
“ [ This deal ] is not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everybody .
We would like to get there , and we think that there ’ s enough housing in the city , and vacant housing , to reach those goals , ” said Johnson .
“ We ’ re going to have to keep fighting for that.
” Organizers are hopeful that their recent successes are indicative of rising people power nationwide on issues of housing justice .
“ I really want to connect with groups in other states and other cities where some of the same things are going on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together and try to do a national push to stop housing authorities from selling land to developers , ” said Bennetch , when looking to the future .
“ [ We could ] try to get a federal policy where housing authorities will have to offer land that they ’ re going to get rid of to community groups to stay low income housing , stay looking the way it looks , and preserve the culture and affordability of the neighborhood .
”

After months of organizing that included the establishment of two protest encampments, Philadelphia’s unhoused people successfully pushed the city to agree to provide housing on a community land trust on October 14.
Camp James Talib-Dean, or Camp JTD, closed last week, and organizers and encampment participants will eventually control a community land trust through a non-profit organization in coordination with the city. They will manage 50 properties provided by the city and PHA, and the city will build two tiny-house villages, which won’t be ready until mid-2021, according to the Inquirer.
“We know that it’s the start of really targeting what we see as [the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)] allowing private developers to come in and target neighborhoods,” Sterling Johnson, an organizer with the Black and Brown Workers Collective, told Shadowproof.
Johnson’s cousin was James Talib-Dean, for whom the encampment was named, after the 34-year-old organizer died by overdose in June following the encampment’s launch.
“This is a real intervention that focuses on liberation and racial justice,” Johnson said.
Organizers recognize the deal does not go far enough to meet the needs of all people who are unhoused in Philadelphia, and they vow to continue the fight on the heels of these tremendous victories.
Since June of 2020, two homeless encampments with radical and anti-racist politics have sustained into the fall in Philadelphia. During the summer’s uprisings over the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, organizers nationwide sought to tie the fight for racial justice to the fight for housing justice.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Black Americans make up 40 percent of the homeless population, despite only making up 13 percent of the general population.
Philadelphia Housing Action—an organizing coalition including the Black and Brown Workers Collective, Occupy PHA, Philly for REAL Justice, and others—announced a tentative commitment from the city on September 26, consisting of housing for 50 mothers and children from the encampments in 15 city-owned units, which would be placed in a community land trust.
Camp JTD was home to over a hundred people, successfully resisting multiple eviction attempts from the city and the constant threat of police. Wealthy local residents complained that “they no longer feel safe going to Whole Foods” to the media.
A sister encampment, Camp Teddy, launched shortly after Camp JTD outside the headquarters of the Philadelphia Housing Authority in North Philadelphia, on a plot of heavily contested land set to host the neighborhood’s only grocery store, in a food desert. These encampments were run and maintained by unhoused people, with the support of housed allies.
“We’ve seen the people of this camp be able to handle three different final notices,” said Johnson.
This effort is deeply personal to Johnson and their community and they hope to provide a space for those often left out of public housing provisions.
“The only reason that we’re here is because we know that people have been hurt, and we’re not going to let it go anymore. For all the poor people, all the drug users, all the black sex workers, all the others: we’re not going to let that happen anymore,” they said.
Johnson’s conviction, and the perseverance of the encampment, is already paying off, despite the significant opposition.
On October 6, Camp Teddy secured a win of their own after weeks of expecting police violence.
“[The city] told the media the eviction is ongoing, and they won’t tell the public when they’re coming, so we were kind of in this place for over a week where every day we were just waiting for the cops to come and crack our heads open, and clear the camps out,” said Jennifer Bennetch, founder of Occupy PHA, the day after the agreement.
On the evening of October 5, in a rush to preserve the $52 million business deal for the grocery store development (which also included mixed-income housing), the city and PHA stated that they were willing to work with Camp Teddy.
Organizers secured nine vacant units in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, currently in unlivable conditions; PHA committed to providing job training and resources to restore the properties.
Throughout the spring, and during the encampments, Occupy PHA helped move unhoused people into 10 unoccupied PHA-owned properties and restored them to code.
“They did a masterful job, and we have to give them credit,” PHA president and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Remember, our ultimate goal was no different than theirs: promoting the urgency of getting affordable housing.”
Bennetch observed that the agreement allows for the Housing Authority to position themselves as heroes, as opposed to gatekeepers for existing housing options. Nonetheless, the residents of Camp Teddy are excited for the housing and possible job training.
These victories come during a year of coordinated rent strikes and other efforts to combat mass evictions, as 60 million people filed for unemployment within the last six months.
Protest encampments in Seattle and Minneapolis have produced mixed results; but there is hope the victories in Philadelphia may be instructive.
Philadelphia is a city struggling under the weight of the national housing crisis on top of all the other difficulties brought by neoliberal policies. It is the poorest big city in the country, which, due to the city’s intense gentrification, may only worsen.
The waiting list for public housing in Philadelphia has been closed for seven years, with 40,000 people on the list. Johnson pointed out that none of the housing given to encampment members was ever going to be considered for those on the waitlist.
“[This deal] is not enough housing to think of a permanent solution for everybody. We would like to get there, and we think that there’s enough housing in the city, and vacant housing, to reach those goals,” said Johnson. “We’re going to have to keep fighting for that.”
Organizers are hopeful that their recent successes are indicative of rising people power nationwide on issues of housing justice.
“I really want to connect with groups in other states and other cities where some of the same things are going on, and I want to get a coalition together and try to do a national push to stop housing authorities from selling land to developers,” said Bennetch, when looking to the future.
“[We could] try to get a federal policy where housing authorities will have to offer land that they’re going to get rid of to community groups to stay low income housing, stay looking the way it looks, and preserve the culture and affordability of the neighborhood.”


shadowproof--2020-10-21--Protest Song Of The Week: ‘All You Fascists Bound To Lose’ By Resistance Revival Chorus with Rhianno

Protest Song Of The Week: ‘All You Fascists Bound To Lose’ By Resistance Revival Chorus with Rhiannon Giddens

Protest Song Of The Week : ‘ All You Fascists Bound To Lose ’ By Resistance Revival Chorus with Rhiannon Giddens The following was originally published by Ongoing History of Protest Songs .
“ This machine kills fascists ” was emblazoned on folk singer Woody Guthrie ’ s guitar , and he used his weapon of choice to compose timely songs of protest , which still remain relevant .
One of those tunes is “ All You Fascists Bound To Lose ” which Guthrie wrote in 1942 .
The song was recently reworked by the Resistance Revival Chorus and Rhiannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revival Chorus ’ debut album “ This Joy.
” The Resistance Revival Chorus features more than 70 women and non-binary singers .
They formed in the wake of the 2017 Women ’ s March .
Since then , the group has been involved in numerous activist causes , following Guthrie ’ s example of using music as a tool for social change .
Giddens , a talented multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter is also no stranger to using her art to speak out on important issues .
She has played a role as a musical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories that tend to get whitewashed into her work .
She has helped to reclaim music traditions and genres in which black musicians were influential in developing but rarely get credit for .
This galvanizing collaboration is a powerful reminder of the history of anti-fascist music .
The weapon of choice could be a guitar , banjo , a voice , or any other instrument , and it ’ s refreshing to see that we have an army of musicians playing their part in helping to defeat fascists .
Listen to “ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resistance Revival Chorus with Rhiannon Giddens :

The following was originally published by Ongoing History of Protest Songs.
“This machine kills fascists” was emblazoned on folk singer Woody Guthrie’s guitar, and he used his weapon of choice to compose timely songs of protest, which still remain relevant.
One of those tunes is “All You Fascists Bound To Lose” which Guthrie wrote in 1942.
The song was recently reworked by the Resistance Revival Chorus and Rhiannon Giddens. It appears on the Resistance Revival Chorus’ debut album “This Joy.”
The Resistance Revival Chorus features more than 70 women and non-binary singers. They formed in the wake of the 2017 Women’s March. Since then, the group has been involved in numerous activist causes, following Guthrie’s example of using music as a tool for social change.
Giddens, a talented multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter is also no stranger to using her art to speak out on important issues. She has played a role as a musical archivist and historian and often incorporates overlooked stories that tend to get whitewashed into her work.
She has helped to reclaim music traditions and genres in which black musicians were influential in developing but rarely get credit for.
This galvanizing collaboration is a powerful reminder of the history of anti-fascist music.
The weapon of choice could be a guitar, banjo, a voice, or any other instrument, and it’s refreshing to see that we have an army of musicians playing their part in helping to defeat fascists.
Listen to “All You Fascists Bound To Lose” by Resistance Revival Chorus with Rhiannon Giddens:


shadowproof--2020-10-22--Ten Years Since WikiLeaks Published Iraq War Logs And Revealed ‘Small Change Of War’

Ten Years Since WikiLeaks Published Iraq War Logs And Revealed ‘ Small Change Of War ’ The Iraq War Logs published by WikiLeaks revealed 15,000 civilian deaths that were previously unknown .
They also exposed torture that the United States military instructed officers to ignore .
“ In our release of these 400,000 documents about the Iraq War , the intimate detail of that war from the U.S. perspective , ” WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange hoped to correct some of the attacks on the truth that occurred “ before the war , during the war , and which [ had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded.
” “ The stated aims for going into that war , of improving the human rights situation , improving the rule of law , did not eventuate , ” Assange added .
“ In terms of raw numbers of people arbitrarily killed , [ that ] worsened the situation in Iraq.
” Ten years after their release , Assange is in Belmarsh prison in London and faces an extradition request from the U.S. government on charges that he violated the Espionage Act when he engaged in journalism .
John Sloboda , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with WikiLeaks and analyzed the 400,000-plus U.S. military incident reports disclosed to them by U.S. Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning .
In September and during Assange ’ s extradition trial , Sloboda testified that a decade later , “ The War Logs remain the only source of information regarding many thousands of violent civilian deaths in Iraq between 2004 and 2009.
” Iraq Body Count estimated the reports described 23,000 violent incidents in which Iraqi civilians were killed or bodies were found that were previously unknown .
“ The majority of these new deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three deaths ” —the very kinds of incidents that attract that least amount of media coverage .
“ If there are other sources of information or analyses being held within the U.S. government regarding the deaths of civilians in Iraq that were revealed in the Iraq War Logs , they are certainly still being withheld from the public.
” Sloboda acknowledged the U.S. government is likely still keeping data on Iraqi civilian deaths secret .
“ By making this information public , ” Sloboda suggested , “ Manning and Assange were carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the public that the U.S. government was failing to carry out.
” Over 300 Incidents Of Torture And Abuse Exposed Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers in the United Kingdom broke the revelations into three categories : —unlawful killings of civilians —indiscriminate attacks or the unjustified use of lethal force against civilians —horrendous abuse and torture of Iraqis by the Iraqi National Guard or the Iraqi Police Service , torture of Iraqis whilst in UK custody ( presumably , whilst in the custody of US and other coalition forces custody as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm represented Iraqis , who were alleged victims of war crimes . ]
An order called Frago 242 , which the U.S. and the U.K. apparently adopted , excused officers from taking responsibility for torture by Iraqi military or security forces .
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism ( TBIJ ) found “ “ over 300 classified reports in the Iraq War Logs alleging abuse by coalition forces on Iraqi prisoners after the Abu Ghraib scandal.
” In the time span covered by the logs , “ some 180,000 Iraqis were imprisoned.
” Approximately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imprisoned .
“ More than 1,300 individual cases of torture and abuse carried out by Iraqis on Iraqi prisoners at police stations and army bases ” were tallied , implicating coalition forces that likely witnessed or reported on the incidents .
One war log on alleged detainee abuse from September 27 , 2006 , indicates no further investigation was necessary because coalition forces were not involved .
It details abuse by Iraqi Police .
Another war log from August 10 , 2006 , contains allegations of detainee abuse by Iraqi Police in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A war log on October 31 , 2006 , contains allegations shared by a soldier against a platoon ’ s handling of detainees .
It indicates the driver of a vehicle carrying detainees would “ call back to warn the soldiers he was about to stop abruptly .
The soldiers would hold on and watch as the detainees [ were ] propelled forward.
” Soldiers in the back would then “ take turns punching the detainees , ” the war log further states .
Interrogators threatened to hand detainees over to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Battalion.
” “ …DURING THE INTERROGATION PROCESS THE ___ THREATENED THE SUBJECT DETAINEE THAT HE WOULD NEVER SEE HIS FAMILY AGAIN AND WOULD BE SENT TO THE WOLF BATTALION WHERE HE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ALL THE PAIN AND AGONY THAT THE WOLF BATTALION IS KNOWN TO EXACT UPON ITS DETAINEES.
” [ December 14 , 2005 ] According to The Guardian , the Wolf Brigade was “ created and supported by the U.S. in an attempt to re-employ elements of Saddam Hussein ’ s Republican Guard , this time to terrorize insurgents.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sunglasses and balaclavas , and drove out on raids in convoys of Toyota Landcruisers .
They were accused by Iraqis of beating prisoners , torturing them with electric drills , and sometimes executing suspects.
” The Iraq War Logs were a shining example of what media organizations may accomplish when collaborating .
The Guardian , Der Spiegel ( Germany ) , Sveriges Television ( Sweden ) , Le Monde ( France ) , Al Jazeera , Channel 4 , and BBC Radio all reported on the material .
Patrick Cockburn , Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony in Assange ’ s extradition case that addressed the impact of the Iraq War Logs , including how it aided his efforts to document the carnage .
“ Rereading these documents now , I ’ m struck again by the constipated military-bureaucratic prose , with its sinister dehumanizing acronyms , ” Cockburn declared .
“ Killing people is referred to as an EOF ( “ Escalation of Force ” ) , something that happened frequently at U.S. military checkpoints when nervous U.S. soldiers directed Iraqi drivers to stop or go with complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlighted an example that occurred on the outskirts of Fallujah when a woman in a car was killed and her three daughters and husband were wounded .
“ The U.S. marine on duty opened fire because he was ‘ unable to determine the occupants of the vehicle due to the reflection of the sun coming off the windshield , ' ” according to the log .
“ Another report marks the moment when U.S. soldiers shot dead a man who was ‘ creeping up behind their sniper position , ’ only to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interpreter , ” Cockburn noted .
“ These reports are the small change of war , but collectively they convey its reality far better than even the most well-informed journalistic accounts , ” Cockburn concluded .
“ Those two shootings were a thousand times repeated , though the reports were rare in admitting that the victims were civilians .
More usually , the dead were automatically identified as ‘ terrorists ’ caught in the act , regardless of evidence to the contrary.
” While presenting evidence that the U.S. government is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Rodgers , professor emeritus at Bradford University in England , highlighted a speech Assange delivered at a Stop the War Coalition Rally in Trafalgar Square on August 8 , 2011 .
Assange referred to the “ information [ WikiLeaks ] revealed showing the everyday squalor and barbarity of war , information such as the individual deaths of over 130,000 people in Iraq , individual deaths that were kept secret by the U.S. military , who denied that they have counted the deaths of civilians.
” “ I want to tell you what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to be and that wars can come undone , ” Assange proclaimed .
“ If wars can be started by lies , peace can be started by truth .
”

The Iraq War Logs published by WikiLeaks revealed 15,000 civilian deaths that were previously unknown. They also exposed torture that the United States military instructed officers to ignore.
“In our release of these 400,000 documents about the Iraq War, the intimate detail of that war from the U.S. perspective,” WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange hoped to correct some of the attacks on the truth that occurred “before the war, during the war, and which [had] continued on since the war officially concluded.”
“The stated aims for going into that war, of improving the human rights situation, improving the rule of law, did not eventuate,” Assange added. “In terms of raw numbers of people arbitrarily killed, [that] worsened the situation in Iraq.”
Ten years after their release, Assange is in Belmarsh prison in London and faces an extradition request from the U.S. government on charges that he violated the Espionage Act when he engaged in journalism.
John Sloboda, the co-founder of Iraq Body Count, collaborated with WikiLeaks and analyzed the 400,000-plus U.S. military incident reports disclosed to them by U.S. Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
In September and during Assange’s extradition trial, Sloboda testified that a decade later, “The War Logs remain the only source of information regarding many thousands of violent civilian deaths in Iraq between 2004 and 2009.”
Iraq Body Count estimated the reports described 23,000 violent incidents in which Iraqi civilians were killed or bodies were found that were previously unknown. “The majority of these new deaths came from small incidents of one to three deaths”—the very kinds of incidents that attract that least amount of media coverage.
“If there are other sources of information or analyses being held within the U.S. government regarding the deaths of civilians in Iraq that were revealed in the Iraq War Logs, they are certainly still being withheld from the public.”
Sloboda acknowledged the U.S. government is likely still keeping data on Iraqi civilian deaths secret.
“By making this information public,” Sloboda suggested, “Manning and Assange were carrying out a duty on behalf of the victims and the public that the U.S. government was failing to carry out.”
Over 300 Incidents Of Torture And Abuse Exposed
Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers in the United Kingdom broke the revelations into three categories:
—unlawful killings of civilians
—indiscriminate attacks or the unjustified use of lethal force against civilians
—horrendous abuse and torture of Iraqis by the Iraqi National Guard or the Iraqi Police Service, torture of Iraqis whilst in UK custody (presumably, whilst in the custody of US and other coalition forces custody as well)
[Note: Shiner’s firm represented Iraqis, who were alleged victims of war crimes.]
An order called Frago 242, which the U.S. and the U.K. apparently adopted, excused officers from taking responsibility for torture by Iraqi military or security forces.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) found ““over 300 classified reports in the Iraq War Logs alleging abuse by coalition forces on Iraqi prisoners after the Abu Ghraib scandal.”
In the time span covered by the logs, “some 180,000 Iraqis were imprisoned.” Approximately one out of 50 Iraqi males were imprisoned.
“More than 1,300 individual cases of torture and abuse carried out by Iraqis on Iraqi prisoners at police stations and army bases” were tallied, implicating coalition forces that likely witnessed or reported on the incidents.
One war log on alleged detainee abuse from September 27, 2006, indicates no further investigation was necessary because coalition forces were not involved. It details abuse by Iraqi Police.
Another war log from August 10, 2006, contains allegations of detainee abuse by Iraqi Police in the form of a “victim summary“:
A war log on October 31, 2006, contains allegations shared by a soldier against a platoon’s handling of detainees. It indicates the driver of a vehicle carrying detainees would “call back to warn the soldiers he was about to stop abruptly. The soldiers would hold on and watch as the detainees [were] propelled forward.”
Soldiers in the back would then “take turns punching the detainees,” the war log further states.
Interrogators threatened to hand detainees over to the “Wolf Brigade” or “Wolf Battalion.”
“…DURING THE INTERROGATION PROCESS THE ___ THREATENED THE SUBJECT DETAINEE THAT HE WOULD NEVER SEE HIS FAMILY AGAIN AND WOULD BE SENT TO THE WOLF BATTALION WHERE HE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ALL THE PAIN AND AGONY THAT THE WOLF BATTALION IS KNOWN TO EXACT UPON ITS DETAINEES.” [December 14, 2005]
According to The Guardian, the Wolf Brigade was “created and supported by the U.S. in an attempt to re-employ elements of Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard, this time to terrorize insurgents.”
“Members typically wore red berets, sunglasses and balaclavas, and drove out on raids in convoys of Toyota Landcruisers. They were accused by Iraqis of beating prisoners, torturing them with electric drills, and sometimes executing suspects.”
‘The Small Change Of War’
The Iraq War Logs were a shining example of what media organizations may accomplish when collaborating. The Guardian, Der Spiegel (Germany), Sveriges Television (Sweden), Le Monde (France), Al Jazeera, Channel 4, and BBC Radio all reported on the material.
Patrick Cockburn, Middle East correspondent for The Independent, submitted testimony in Assange’s extradition case that addressed the impact of the Iraq War Logs, including how it aided his efforts to document the carnage.
“Rereading these documents now, I’m struck again by the constipated military-bureaucratic prose, with its sinister dehumanizing acronyms,” Cockburn declared. “Killing people is referred to as an EOF (“Escalation of Force”), something that happened frequently at U.S. military checkpoints when nervous U.S. soldiers directed Iraqi drivers to stop or go with complex hand signals that nobody understood.”
Cockburn highlighted an example that occurred on the outskirts of Fallujah when a woman in a car was killed and her three daughters and husband were wounded.
“The U.S. marine on duty opened fire because he was ‘unable to determine the occupants of the vehicle due to the reflection of the sun coming off the windshield,'” according to the log.
“Another report marks the moment when U.S. soldiers shot dead a man who was ‘creeping up behind their sniper position,’ only to learn later that he was their own unit’s interpreter,” Cockburn noted.
“These reports are the small change of war, but collectively they convey its reality far better than even the most well-informed journalistic accounts,” Cockburn concluded. “Those two shootings were a thousand times repeated, though the reports were rare in admitting that the victims were civilians. More usually, the dead were automatically identified as ‘terrorists’ caught in the act, regardless of evidence to the contrary.”
While presenting evidence that the U.S. government is targeting Assange for his political opinions, Paul Rodgers, professor emeritus at Bradford University in England, highlighted a speech Assange delivered at a Stop the War Coalition Rally in Trafalgar Square on August 8, 2011.
Assange referred to the “information [WikiLeaks] revealed showing the everyday squalor and barbarity of war, information such as the individual deaths of over 130,000 people in Iraq, individual deaths that were kept secret by the U.S. military, who denied that they have counted the deaths of civilians.”
“I want to tell you what I think is the way that wars come to be and that wars can come undone,” Assange proclaimed. “If wars can be started by
lies, peace can be started by truth.”
*
Marjorie Cohn, professor of law at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and former president of the National Lawyers Guild, joined me for a conversation on the Iraq War Logs anniversary.