mintpressnews--2020-05-27--As Chief Prosecutor, Klobuchar Declined to Bring Charges Against Cop that Killed George Floyd

The latest example of America ’ s racist police brutality problem was caught on camera in Minneapolis Monday , as Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on 46-year-old African-American George Floyd ’ s neck for over seven minutes until he passed out and died .
In its headline on its website , Minneapolis police described the event as “ man dies after medical incident during police interaction , ” laundering themselves of any responsibility .
Chauvin continued his assault even as Floyd desperately pleaded that he could not breathe , while bystanders protested his brutality .
“ You ’ re fucking stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned one concerned passer-by .
Even after passing out , Chauvin did not release pressure on his neck .
Chauvin has killed multiple times before while in uniform , has shot and wounded others and is well-known to local activist groups .
A history of racist policing , thanks to Klobuchar Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar , who Joe Biden recently asked to undergo vetting to be his running mate for November , issued a very tepid statement about the incident , describing the police killing of an unarmed black man over an alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved shooting , ” – a copaganda word often used by police as a euphemism for “ murder.
” Klobuchar also called for a “ complete and thorough outside investigation into what occurred , and those involved in this incident must be held accountable.
” However , this is unlikely to occur , in no small part because of Klobuchar herself and the precedent she set while serving as the state ’ s chief prosecutor between 1999 and 2007 .
In that time , she declined to bring charges against more than two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on duty – including against Chauvin himself , who shot and killed Wayne Reyes in 2006 and would later go on to shoot more civilians while in uniform .
At the same time , however , Klobuchar was ramping up the number of arrests as part of her tough-on-crime agenda , something which inordinately affected people of color .
In her first year in office alone , the prison sentences for first-degree drug crimes doubled .
Activists allege her embracing of the broken window-style policing was a deliberate strategy to win support in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the detriment of the city ’ s non-white communities , bolstering her successful run for senate in 2006 .
A case in point is Elsayed Salim , who was convicted of failing to declare a secondary income that put him above the threshold for welfare and food stamps .
A judge sentenced Salim to 364 days in jail – deliberately attempting to protect him from deportation by keeping his sentencing under a year which downgraded the case from a felony to a gross misdemeanor .
An outraged Klobuchar appealed the decision , lobbying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s judges for “ letting offenders off the hook too easily.
” Mr. Salim was subsequently deported .
While it may not be the first city that comes to mind , data shows that Minneapolis is among the most racist cities in the United States for racial profiling and police stops .
The police force ’ s own data shows that , while black people make up only 18 percent of the population , they were involved in nearly half of all police stops .
Conversely , whites make up 60 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 21 percent of the stops .
62 percent of body searches and 63 percent of people whose cars were searched were also black .
Thus , Floyd ’ s killing is merely a viral example of a wider phenomenon , a spark that ignited a powder keg of resentment that had been building for some time .
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic , massive protests have erupted across Minneapolis in response to Floyd ’ s killing , with thousands of people marching through the city .
Police attempted to suppress the demonstration last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas and stun grenades , even though there were many children present .
“ This is a disgusting display , ” said City Councilman Jeremiah Ellison , “ I ’ m here on the southside , helping people as I can with milk , water , and towels .
So far , I have been unable to prevent the police from firing indiscriminately into the crowd .
Moments ago , I held a towel to a teenage girl ’ s head as blood poured from it.
” Thus , it appears that Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping with those she represents , and even the public more generally , judging by replies left below it , which included , “ This was murder , plain and simple , ” “ Those cops need to be arrested today , ” and “ What is there even to investigate ?
!
This cop is a murderer and the other cop is an accessory to murder.
” The incident was also the top story on Reddit and Twitter on Tuesday and Wednesday morning .
Other public officials denounced the killing far more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Paul , said that the video was “ one of the most vile and heartbreaking images I ’ ve ever seen , ” adding that “ The officer who stood guard is just as responsible as his partner ; both must be held fully accountable.
” Ilhan Omar , an African-American congresswoman representing the city claimed that watching a black man helplessly begging for his life sickened her .
“ Black lives matter isn ’ t just a chant , it ’ s a call for justice .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said , “ There needs to be an immediate DOJ investigation into this.
” Feature photo | Protesters gather near the Minnesota Police 3rd Precinct during a gathering , May 26 , 2020 , in response to the police murder of George Floyd .
Richard Tsong-Taatarii | Star Tribune via AP Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News .
After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books : Bad News From Venezuela : Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting , The Guardian , Salon , The Grayzone , Jacobin Magazine , Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary .

The latest example of America’s racist police brutality problem was caught on camera in Minneapolis Monday, as Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on 46-year-old African-American George Floyd’s neck for over seven minutes until he passed out and died. In its headline on its website, Minneapolis police described the event as “man dies after medical incident during police interaction,” laundering themselves of any responsibility. Chauvin continued his assault even as Floyd desperately pleaded that he could not breathe, while bystanders protested his brutality. “You’re fucking stopping his breathing there, bro,” warned one concerned passer-by. Even after passing out, Chauvin did not release pressure on his neck. Chauvin has killed multiple times before while in uniform, has shot and wounded others and is well-known to local activist groups.
DEVELOPING: Thousands join protest in Minneapolis after in-custody police death of George Floyd – https://t.co/8oCjwOm4Xw pic.twitter.com/3UZdUYehKY — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 27, 2020
A history of racist policing, thanks to Klobuchar
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who Joe Biden recently asked to undergo vetting to be his running mate for November, issued a very tepid statement about the incident, describing the police killing of an unarmed black man over an alleged forged check as merely an “officer involved death,” – a copaganda word often used by police as a euphemism for “murder.”
Klobuchar also called for a “complete and thorough outside investigation into what occurred, and those involved in this incident must be held accountable.” However, this is unlikely to occur, in no small part because of Klobuchar herself and the precedent she set while serving as the state’s chief prosecutor between 1999 and 2007. In that time, she did not bring charges against more than two dozen officers who had killed citizens while on duty – including against Chauvin himself.
Chauvin was involved in a fatal accident in 2005, killed Wayne Reyes in 2006, shot another man while in uniform in 2008, and had a litany of complaints against him. To be fair to Klobuchar, the Reyes shooting happened in October 2006, as her time as state prosecutor was coming to an end and she was campaigning for the senate. By the time Chauvin’s case finally made it to a grand jury, she had relinquished her role.
At the same time, however, Klobuchar was ramping up the number of arrests as part of her tough-on-crime agenda, something which inordinately affected people of color. In her first year in office alone, the prison sentences for first-degree drug crimes doubled. Activists allege her embracing of the broken window-style policing was a deliberate strategy to win support in the white suburbs of Minneapolis, to the detriment of the city’s non-white communities, bolstering her successful run for senate in 2006. A case in point is Elsayed Salim, who was convicted of failing to declare a secondary income that put him above the threshold for welfare and food stamps. A judge sentenced Salim to 364 days in jail – deliberately attempting to protect him from deportation by keeping his sentencing under a year which downgraded the case from a felony to a gross misdemeanor. An outraged Klobuchar appealed the decision, lobbying for an upgrade and condemning the state’s judges for “letting offenders off the hook too easily.” Mr. Salim was subsequently deported.
While it may not be the first city that comes to mind, data shows that Minneapolis is among the most racist cities in the United States for racial profiling and police stops. The police force’s own data shows that, while black people make up only 18 percent of the population, they were involved in nearly half of all police stops. Conversely, whites make up 60 percent of the population but figured in less than 21 percent of the stops. 62 percent of body searches and 63 percent of people whose cars were searched were also black. Thus, Floyd’s killing is merely a viral example of a wider phenomenon, a spark that ignited a powder keg of resentment that had been building for some time.
Thousands of protesters in Minneapolis fill 38th Street and Chicago Avenue where George Floyd was detained by four police officers and killed. #JusticeForFloyd Earlier, the mayor said that all four killer cops had been fired. This is how the community responded. Video: KSTP-TV pic.twitter.com/ht9m3SY6YH — Camila (@camilateleSUR) May 27, 2020
Outrage at an unlawful killing
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, massive protests have erupted across Minneapolis in response to Floyd’s killing, with thousands of people marching through the city. Police attempted to suppress the demonstration last night, firing rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades, even though there were many children present.
“This is a disgusting display,” said City Councilman Jeremiah Ellison, “I’m here on the southside, helping people as I can with milk, water, and towels. So far, I have been unable to prevent the police from firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Moments ago, I held a towel to a teenage girl’s head as blood poured from it.”
Thus, it appears that Klobuchar’s milquetoast response was out of keeping with those she represents, and even the public more generally, judging by replies left below it, which included, “This was murder, plain and simple,” “Those cops need to be arrested today,” and “What is there even to investigate?! This cop is a murderer and the other cop is an accessory to murder.” The incident was also the top story on Reddit and Twitter on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Other public officials denounced the killing far more forcefully. Melvin Carter, Mayor of St. Paul, said that the video was “one of the most vile and heartbreaking images I’ve ever seen,” adding that “The officer who stood guard is just as responsible as his partner; both must be held fully accountable.” Ilhan Omar, an African-American congresswoman representing the city claimed that watching a black man helplessly begging for his life sickened her. “Black lives matter isn’t just a chant, it’s a call for justice. It’s a call for our humanity to be recognized,” she said, “There needs to be an immediate DOJ investigation into this.”
Feature photo | Protesters gather near the Minnesota Police 3rd Precinct during a gathering, May 26, 2020, in response to the police murder of George Floyd. Richard Tsong-Taatarii | Star Tribune via AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.


mintpressnews--2020-05-27--COVID-19 is Laying Bare How Big Ag is Taking America’s Small Farmers to Slaughter

There is a bottleneck in the nation ’ s food supply chain .
Specifically in the meatpacking operations of the country ’ s “ big four ” : Tyson Foods , National Beef , Cargill , and Brazilian giant JBS – the world ’ s largest processor of beef and pork products .
The logjam has been exacerbated by a slew of coronavirus outbreaks in Iowa meatpacking plants and several other plants across the United States , but the real problem seems to lie with big ag ’ s penchant for unfair antitrust practices and monopolistic designs .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates back a hundred years , the latest salvo emerged out of Kentucky last week when that state ’ s Commissioner of Agriculture , Ryan Quarles and Attorney General Daniel Cameron called for the Justice Department to “ undertake and investigation into the potentially illegal anticompetitive practices by some meatpackers in the cattle industry.
” Their jointly issued letter to the DOJ was motivated by grievances from Kentucky cattle farmers who claim the price they are being paid for their animals has dropped between 30 and 40 percent as the pandemic-induced shortfalls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economists , like Kansas State University ’ s Ted Schroeder , believe the current problem is the logical result of supply and demand forces , saying that there is “ plenty of cattle ” to go around and that challenges lie in getting them “ through the system.
” This position is , of course , shared by the companies that are under fire , like Tyson Foods , which published an open letter in the Washington Post and the New York Times back in April , warning that the shuttering of production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability of farmers to sell their livestock .
The reality though is that these economic causalities are inextricably tied to the stranglehold of these enormous corporations , which control over 85 percent of U.S. beef production , resulting in a growing chorus calling for the break-up of these massive corporations .
In early May , a bipartisan group of eleven state ’ s attorney generals ( AGs ) authored a letter addressed to the Department of Justice warning of the threat of “ increasing consolidation ” in the beef industry and warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cargill , and JBS are able to “ artificially ” lower the prices they pay suppliers , while simultaneously gouging consumers .
The AGs stopped short of actually calling for a formal investigation ut did recommend reviewing “ regulatory strategies ” that would “ promote competition.
” It is unclear , nevertheless , how committed legislators really are to changing the status quo and despite an executive order issued by President Trump the day after John Tyson ’ s open letter to keep beef processing plants open via the Defense Protection Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big four continues to be largely unchallenged .
Only in states like Iowa , Wisconsin , and Missouri , where a significant portion of the voter base works in farms , does there seem to be any kind of political will to address the issue .
Following Trump ’ s order , Senators Josh Hawley ( R-Mo . )
and Tammy Baldwin ( D-Wis. ) asked the Federal Trade Commission to open an antitrust investigation “ into the meatpacking industry and its potential to cause significant disruptions in the food supply chain.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be in the end remain to be seen .
Considering the long-drawn-out history of the problem , the sudden concern by politicians might just be election-year lip service .
Out to the slaughterhouse A lawsuit filed by the Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America ( R-CALF ) and others in April of 2019 accused Tyson , Cargill , National Beef Packing Co. , and JBS of conspiring to fix beef prices and manipulate the futures market since 2015 .
The class-action suit accused the beef processors of “ collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cattle… manipulating the cash cattle trade ” among other egregious forms of market manipulation and sabotage.
” The plaintiffs claim that the big four colluded to make selling cattle “ an unmanageable nightmare ” thereby increasing their “ collective leverage over producers.
” In addition , the claimants accused the large companies of purposely blocking market access to domestic ranchers by flooding the U.S. with foreign cattle from Mexico and Canada and using loopholes in the law to label foreign beef a “ Product of the USA , ” a move which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
American ranchers and farmers have lost patience with the legislative and executive branches of government , who they see as not heeding their requests to curtail the big corporations ’ monopolistic practices , which also extend to other sectors , such as the packaged seafood industry .
They hope to take their fight to the third branch of government in hopes that the judiciary will help shift the balance of power .
But , as the COVID-19-driven shutdowns continue to open the door for greater consolidation across industries , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been led to the slaughterhouse by well-entrenched transnational interests .
Feature photo | Workers leave the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Logansport , Ind.
, May 7 , 2020 .
Michael Conroy | AP

There is a bottleneck in the nation’s food supply chain. Specifically in the meatpacking operations of the country’s “big four”: Tyson Foods, National Beef, Cargill, and Brazilian giant JBS – the world’s largest processor of beef and pork products. The logjam has been exacerbated by a slew of coronavirus outbreaks in Iowa meatpacking plants and several other plants across the United States, but the real problem seems to lie with big ag’s penchant for unfair antitrust practices and monopolistic designs.
In a protracted battle against the powerful industry that dates back a hundred years, the latest salvo emerged out of Kentucky last week when that state’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Ryan Quarles and Attorney General Daniel Cameron called for the Justice Department to “undertake and investigation into the potentially illegal anticompetitive practices by some meatpackers in the cattle industry.” Their jointly issued letter to the DOJ was motivated by grievances from Kentucky cattle farmers who claim the price they are being paid for their animals has dropped between 30 and 40 percent as the pandemic-induced shortfalls in production send beef prices sky-high.
Some economists, like Kansas State University’s Ted Schroeder, believe the current problem is the logical result of supply and demand forces, saying that there is “plenty of cattle” to go around and that challenges lie in getting them “through the system.” This position is, of course, shared by the companies that are under fire, like Tyson Foods, which published an open letter in the Washington Post and the New York Times back in April, warning that the shuttering of production facilities due to COVID-19 would severely impair the ability of farmers to sell their livestock.
The reality though is that these economic causalities are inextricably tied to the stranglehold of these enormous corporations, which control over 85 percent of U.S. beef production, resulting in a growing chorus calling for the break-up of these massive corporations.
Election-year lip service
In early May, a bipartisan group of eleven state’s attorney generals (AGs) authored a letter addressed to the Department of Justice warning of the threat of “increasing consolidation” in the beef industry and warned that the main players like Tyson, Cargill, and JBS are able to “artificially” lower the prices they pay suppliers, while simultaneously gouging consumers.
The AGs stopped short of actually calling for a formal investigation, but did recommend reviewing “regulatory strategies” that would “promote competition.” It is unclear, nevertheless, how committed legislators really are to changing the status quo and despite an executive order issued by President Trump the day after John Tyson’s open letter to keep beef processing plants open via the Defense Protection Act, the virtual monopoly currently enjoyed by the big four continues to be largely unchallenged.
Only in states like Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri, where a significant portion of the voter base works in farms, does there seem to be any kind of political will to address the issue. Following Trump’s order, Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) asked the Federal Trade Commission to open an antitrust investigation “into the meatpacking industry and its potential to cause significant disruptions in the food supply chain.” But, just how consequential such actions will be in the end remain to be seen. Considering the long-drawn-out history of the problem, the sudden concern by politicians might just be election-year lip service.
Out to the slaughterhouse
A lawsuit filed by the Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF) and others in April of 2019 accused Tyson, Cargill, National Beef Packing Co., and JBS of conspiring to fix beef prices and manipulate the futures market since 2015. The class-action suit accused the beef processors of “collectively reducing their slaughter volumes and purchases of cattle… manipulating the cash cattle trade” among other egregious forms of market manipulation and sabotage.
The plaintiffs claim that the big four colluded to make selling cattle “an unmanageable nightmare” thereby increasing their “collective leverage over producers.” In addition, the claimants accused the large companies of purposely blocking market access to domestic ranchers by flooding the U.S. with foreign cattle from Mexico and Canada and using loopholes in the law to label foreign beef a “Product of the USA,” a move which has seriously affected the grass-fed cattle industry in the country.
American ranchers and farmers have lost patience with the legislative and executive branches of government, who they see as not heeding their requests to curtail the big corporations’ monopolistic practices, which also extend to other sectors, such as the packaged seafood industry. They hope to take their fight to the third branch of government in hopes that the judiciary will help shift the balance of power. But, as the COVID-19-driven shutdowns continue to open the door for greater consolidation across industries, it is a battle that may have already been led to the slaughterhouse by well-entrenched transnational interests.
Feature photo | Workers leave the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Logansport, Ind., May 7, 2020. Michael Conroy | AP
Raul Diego is a MintPress News Staff Writer, independent photojournalist, researcher, writer and documentary filmmaker.


mintpressnews--2020-05-27--Extortion, Entitlement and Mafia-Style Tactics Mark Israel’s Current State of Affairs

Anyone who is not yet alarmed may not be aware of the underhanded mafia-style tactics , political extortion , and patronizing sense of entitlement currently on display in Israel .
The following developments demonstrate how the county operates both internally and in the international arena .
As Israel prepares to formally annex large tracts of the West Bank , Tomas Petricek , the Czech Republic ’ s Foreign Minister , was quoted as saying that “ annexation is forbidden by international law and also raises serious questions about Israel ’ s future as a democracy.
” By any normal diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view that is outrageous or radical in any way , nor is it out of the ordinary or untruthful in any way .
In fact , it is such a reasonable statement that it is hardly deserving of a headline .
The annexation of occupied lands is a breach of international law and the democratic nature of the state of Israel is already questionable .
However , the government in Prague reacted to this statement in a way that is puzzling at best , and at worst , should be of great concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz , “ the Czech prime minister and the president are reportedly weighing firing Petricek after he co-authored an editorial saying that West Bank annexation raises serious questions about Israel ’ s future as a democracy.
” According to a report from Radio Prague International , the article was co-written by Petricek and two of his predecessors , Lubomír Zaoralek and Karel Schwarzenberg .
The report says that “ In a piece in the newspaper Právo on Saturday the three said that Israel ’ s proposal would contravene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milos Zeman is a staunch supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and even promised to move his country ’ s embassy to Jerusalem .
Zeman said that the article undermined relations between the Czech Republic and Israel .
For his part , Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis criticized Petricek and Zaoralek , who is now serving as the Czech Minister of Arts , saying , “ it was unacceptable for individual cabinet members to make statements on such an important foreign policy issue.
” The editorial co-written by the three ministers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Americans have as yet clarified what is to happen , in the long run , to the Palestinians , ” and it further posed the question , “ what about Israeli democracy if the state comprises of first and second-class citizens ?
” The affair has prompted the Czech parliament to hold a debate on a motion “ Reaffirming our [ Czech ] friendship with Israel.
” This friendship , which has a long history , includes selling arms to Zionist militias and then the Israeli army in the early years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later be used in a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against Palestinians .
It has been widely publicized that Israel ’ s international spy agency has been tasked by the prime minister to find much-needed medical equipment to combat COVID-19 .
There are even quotes from national security observers saying that “ the Mossad ’ s speed , spycraft , and international networks would make it good at identifying and securing medical supplies.
” Now , a story in the Israeli paper Ynet reveals the full extent of the Mossad ’ s massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence agency ’ s internal report obtained by Ynet counts over 80 million face masks , nearly 30 tons of disinfectants and over 10,000 ventilators ” obtained in the effort .
The report further says that Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen utilized his “ personal connections with various nations around the world , including countries that have no diplomatic ties with Israel.
” Mossad is known for its murderous tactics and underhanded methods used in spying operations and assassinations .
Seeing this report , one dreads to imagine what methods were used to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ According to the report , the amount of medical gear and equipment obtained since the start of the outbreak includes 2.5 million protective goggles , with a further 5.5 million still to arrive ; some 80 million surgical face masks , with a further 142 million still to arrive ; 1.3 million of N-95 type face masks , with a further 14 million still to arrive ; 180 million elastic gloves ; over 30 tons of disinfectants and at least 1,300 ventilators , with another 4,700 expected to arrive between June and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its agencies ’ capacity to lie , cheat , bribe , and even kill if need be to achieve its objectives .
No agency personifies these traits better than Mossad and one may safely assume that it utilized its full capacity in accomplishing this mission as well .
As Israel announced it would move ahead with plans to annex parts of the West Bank on July 1 , 2020 , the Palestinian Authority ( PA ) announced that it will end all security cooperation with Israel in response to the annexation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its security cooperation with Israel were never meant to help Palestinians .
They were created for the sole purpose of allowing Israel to strengthen its grip on Palestinian land , resources , and even the population .
The Hebrew daily Maariv featured an interview with Israeli military correspondent Tal Lev-Ram who predicted that Israel ’ s implementation of the annexation combined with the economic difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic is a sure recipe for an escalation of hostilities .
Lev-Ram goes on to say that security cooperation between Israel and the PA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Be that as it may , the truth of the matter is that the so-called security cooperation was more of a collaboration and only benefited Israel .
Israeli forces operated freely in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority and the agreement offered no security or protection for Palestinians who were targeted by Israel .
Not only were Palestinians not protected by the agreement , Israel , in fact , never stopped the killing , detentions , and home demolitions which have become a part of the daily life of Palestinians .
Furthermore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permits from the Israeli military even for travel of short distances while Israelis roam around the West Bank freely .
The entire Zionist enterprise is based on deceit and violence and anyone paying attention will notice the duplicity and violence that are on display every day .
Feature photo | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , wearing a face mask due to the coronavirus pandemic , looks at his lawyer inside the courtroom as his corruption trial opens at the Jerusalem District Court , May 24 , 2020 .
Ronen Zvulun Pool Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and human rights activist born in Jerusalem .
He is the author of “ The General ’ s Son .
Journey of an Israeli in Palestine , ” and “ Injustice , the Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five .
”

Anyone who is not yet alarmed may not be aware of the underhanded mafia-style tactics, political extortion, and patronizing sense of entitlement currently on display in Israel. The following developments demonstrate how the county operates both internally and in the international arena.
Czech Foreign Minister slammed!
As Israel prepares to formally annex large tracts of the West Bank, Tomas Petricek, the Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister, was quoted as saying that “annexation is forbidden by international law and also raises serious questions about Israel’s future as a democracy.” By any normal diplomatic standard this statement does not represent a view that is outrageous or radical in any way, nor is it out of the ordinary or untruthful in any way. In fact, it is such a reasonable statement that it is hardly deserving of a headline. The annexation of occupied lands is a breach of international law and the democratic nature of the state of Israel is already questionable.
However, the government in Prague reacted to this statement in a way that is puzzling at best, and at worst, should be of great concern to our friends in the Czech Republic. According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, “the Czech prime minister and the president are reportedly weighing firing Petricek after he co-authored an editorial saying that West Bank annexation raises serious questions about Israel’s future as a democracy.”
According to a report from Radio Prague International, the article was co-written by Petricek and two of his predecessors, Lubomír Zaoralek and Karel Schwarzenberg. The report says that “In a piece in the newspaper Právo on Saturday the three said that Israel’s proposal would contravene international law.”
However, Czech President Milos Zeman is a staunch supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and even promised to move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem. Zeman said that the article undermined relations between the Czech Republic and Israel.
For his part, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis criticized Petricek and Zaoralek, who is now serving as the Czech Minister of Arts, saying, “it was unacceptable for individual cabinet members to make statements on such an important foreign policy issue.”
The editorial co-written by the three ministers also stated that “Neither the Israelis nor the Americans have as yet clarified what is to happen, in the long run, to the Palestinians,” and it further posed the question, “what about Israeli democracy if the state comprises of first and second-class citizens?”
The affair has prompted the Czech parliament to hold a debate on a motion “Reaffirming our [Czech] friendship with Israel.” This friendship, which has a long history, includes selling arms to Zionist militias and then the Israeli army in the early years of the Israeli state. Those arms would later be used in a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against Palestinians.
The great looting
It has been widely publicized that Israel’s international spy agency has been tasked by the prime minister to find much-needed medical equipment to combat COVID-19. There are even quotes from national security observers saying that “the Mossad’s speed, spycraft, and international networks would make it good at identifying and securing medical supplies.”
Now, a story in the Israeli paper Ynet reveals the full extent of the Mossad’s massive coronavirus protective gear haul.
“The intelligence agency’s internal report obtained by Ynet counts over 80 million face masks, nearly 30 tons of disinfectants and over 10,000 ventilators” obtained in the effort. The report further says that Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen utilized his “personal connections with various nations around the world, including countries that have no diplomatic ties with Israel.”
Mossad is known for its murderous tactics and underhanded methods used in spying operations and assassinations. Seeing this report, one dreads to imagine what methods were used to secure such enormous amounts of medical equipment.
“According to the report, the amount of medical gear and equipment obtained since the start of the outbreak includes 2.5 million protective goggles, with a further 5.5 million still to arrive; some 80 million surgical face masks, with a further 142 million still to arrive; 1.3 million of N-95 type face masks, with a further 14 million still to arrive; 180 million elastic gloves; over 30 tons of disinfectants and at least 1,300 ventilators, with another 4,700 expected to arrive between June and October.”
Israel has always prided itself in its agencies’ capacity to lie, cheat, bribe, and even kill if need be to achieve its objectives. No agency personifies these traits better than Mossad and one may safely assume that it utilized its full capacity in accomplishing this mission as well.
Security cooperation
As Israel announced it would move ahead with plans to annex parts of the West Bank on July 1, 2020, the Palestinian Authority (PA) announced that it will end all security cooperation with Israel in response to the annexation.
The establishment of the Palestinian Authority and its security cooperation with Israel were never meant to help Palestinians. They were created for the sole purpose of allowing Israel to strengthen its grip on Palestinian land, resources, and even the population. The Hebrew daily Maariv featured an interview with Israeli military correspondent Tal Lev-Ram who predicted that Israel’s implementation of the annexation combined with the economic difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic is a sure recipe for an escalation of hostilities. Lev-Ram goes on to say that security cooperation between Israel and the PA does not currently exist on any level.
Be that as it may, the truth of the matter is that the so-called security cooperation was more of a collaboration and only benefited Israel. Israeli forces operated freely in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority and the agreement offered no security or protection for Palestinians who were targeted by Israel.
Not only were Palestinians not protected by the agreement, Israel, in fact, never stopped the killing, detentions, and home demolitions which have become a part of the daily life of Palestinians. Furthermore, Palestinian officials are required to request permits from the Israeli military even for travel of short distances while Israelis roam around the West Bank freely.
The entire Zionist enterprise is based on deceit and violence and anyone paying attention will notice the duplicity and violence that are on display every day.
Feature photo | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a face mask due to the coronavirus pandemic, looks at his lawyer inside the courtroom as his corruption trial opens at the Jerusalem District Court, May 24, 2020. Ronen Zvulun Pool Photo via AP
Miko Peled is an author and human rights activist born in Jerusalem. He is the author of “The General’s Son. Journey of an Israeli in Palestine,” and “Injustice, the Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five.”


mintpressnews--2020-05-27--From 9/11 to COVID-19: The United State[s] of Emergency

CHARLOTTESVILLE ( Rutherford ) –– Don ’ t pity this year ’ s crop of graduates because this COVID-19 pandemic caused them to miss out on the antics of their senior year and the pomp and circumstance of graduation .
Pity them because they have spent their entire lives in a state of emergency .
They were born in the wake of the 9/11 attacks ; raised without any expectation of privacy in a technologically-driven , mass surveillance state ; educated in schools that teach conformity and compliance ; saddled with a debt-ridden economy on the brink of implosion ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military empire constantly waging war against shadowy enemies ; policed by government agents armed to the teeth ready and able to lock down the country at a moment ’ s notice , and forced to march in lockstep with a government that no longer exists to serve the people but which demands they be obedient slaves or suffer the consequences .
Unfortunately , we who should have known better failed to maintain our freedoms or provide our young people with the tools necessary to survive , let alone succeed , in the impersonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought them into homes fractured by divorce , distracted by mindless entertainment , and obsessed with the pursuit of materialism .
We institutionalized them in daycares and afterschool programs , substituting time with teachers and childcare workers for parental involvement .
We turned them into test-takers instead of thinkers and automatons instead of activists .
We allowed them to languish in schools that not only look like prisons but function like prisons , as well—where conformity is the rule and freedom is the exception .
We made them easy prey for our corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a celebrity-obsessed , technology-driven culture devoid of any true spirituality .
And we taught them to believe that the pursuit of their own personal happiness trumped all other virtues , including any empathy whatsoever for their fellow human beings No , we haven ’ t done this generation any favors .
Given the current political climate and nationwide lockdown , things could only get worse .
For those coming of age today ( and for the rest of us who are muddling along through this dystopian nightmare ) , here are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help as we navigate the perils ahead .
Be an individual .
For all of its claims to champion the individual , American culture advocates a stark conformity which , as John F. Kennedy warned , is “ the jailer of freedom , and the enemy of growth.
” Worry less about fitting in with the rest of the world and instead , as Henry David Thoreau urged , become “ a Columbus to whole new continents and worlds within you , opening new channels , not of trade , but of thought.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ re losing our freedoms for one simple reason : most of us don ’ t know anything about our freedoms .
At a minimum , anyone who has graduated from high school , let alone college , should know the Bill of Rights backward and forwards .
However , the average young person , let alone citizen , has very little knowledge of their rights for the simple reason that the schools no longer teach them .
So grab a copy of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights , and study them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes , stand up for your rights before it ’ s too late .
Speak truth to power .
Don ’ t be naive about those in positions of authority .
As James Madison , who wrote our Bill of Rights , observed , “ All men having power ought to be distrusted.
” We must learn the lessons of history .
People in power , more often than not , abuse that power .
To maintain our freedoms , this will mean challenging government officials whenever they exceed the bounds of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
Don ’ t measure your worth by what you own or earn .
Likewise , don ’ t become mindless consumers unaware of the world around you .
Resist all things that numb you , put you to sleep or help you “ cope ” with so-called reality .
Those who establish the rules and laws that govern society ’ s actions desire compliant subjects .
However , as George Orwell warned , “ Until they become conscious , they will never rebel , and until after they rebelled , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these conscious individuals who change the world for the better .
Don ’ t let technology turn you into zombies .
Technology anesthetizes us to the all-too-real tragedies that surround us .
Techno-gadgets are merely distractions from what ’ s really going on in America and around the world .
As a result , we ’ ve begun mimicking the inhuman technology that surrounds us and have lost our humanity .
We ’ ve become sleepwalkers .
If you ’ re going to make a difference in the world , you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , turn off the cell phones and spend much less time viewing screens .
Help others .
We all have a calling in life .
And I believe it boils down to one thing : You are here on this planet to help other people .
In fact , none of us can exist very long without help from others .
If we ’ re going to see any positive change for freedom , then we must change our view of what it means to be human and regain a sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one another .
That will mean gaining the courage to stand up for the oppressed .
Refuse to remain silent in the face of evil .
Throughout history , individuals or groups of individuals have risen up to challenge the injustices of their age .
Nazi Germany had its Dietrich Bonhoeffer .
The gulags of the Soviet Union were challenged by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn .
America had its color-coded system of racial segregation and warmongering called out for what it was , blatant discrimination and profiteering , by Martin Luther King Jr. And then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preacher and revolutionary activist , who not only died challenging the police state of his day—namely , the Roman Empire—but provided a blueprint for civil disobedience that would be followed by those , religious and otherwise , who came after him .
What we lack today and so desperately need are those with moral courage who will risk their freedoms and lives in order to speak out against evil in its many forms .
Cultivate spirituality , reject materialism and put people first .
When the things that matter most have been subordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral compass .
We must change our values to reflect something more meaningful than technology , materialism and politics .
Standing at the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City in April 1967 , Martin Luther King Jr. urged his listeners : Pitch in and do your part to make the world a better place .
Don ’ t rely on someone else to do the heavy lifting for you .
Don ’ t wait around for someone else to fix what ails you , your community or nation .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change you wish to see in the world.
” Stop waiting for political saviors to fix what is wrong with this country .
Stop waiting for some political savior to swoop in and fix all that ’ s wrong with this country .
Stop allowing yourselves to be drawn into divisive party politics .
Stop thinking of yourselves as members of a particular political party , as opposed to citizens of the United States .
Most of all , stop looking away from the injustices and cruelties and endless acts of tyranny that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Be vigilant and do your part to recalibrate the balance of power in favor of “ we the people.
” Say no to war .
Addressing the graduates at Binghampton Central High School in 1968 , at a time when the country was waging war “ on different fields , on different levels , and with different weapons , ” Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling declared : Finally , prepare yourselves for what lies ahead .
The demons of our age—some of whom disguise themselves as politicians—delight in fomenting violence , sowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public to support tyranny disguised as patriotism .
Overcoming the evils of our age will require more than intellect and activism .
It will require decency , morality , goodness , truth and toughness .
As Serling concluded in his remarks to the graduating class of 1968 : “ Toughness is the singular quality most required of you… we have left you a world far more botched than the one that was left to us… Part of your challenge is to seek out truth , to come up with a point of view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be he a congressman , even a minister… Are you tough enough to take the divisiveness of this land of ours , the fact that everything is polarized , black and white , this or that , absolutely right or absolutely wrong .
This is one of the challenges .
Be prepared to seek out the middle ground … that wondrous and very difficult-to-find Valhalla where man can look to both sides and see the errant truths that exist on both sides .
If you must swing left or you must swing right—respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that come from the other side .
Argue , debate , rebut—but don ’ t close those wondrous minds of yours to opposition .
In their eyes , you ’ re the opposition .
And ultimately … ultimately—you end divisiveness by compromise .
And so long as men walk and breathe—there must be compromise… Are you tough enough to face one of the uglier stains upon the fabric of our democracy—prejudice ?
It ’ s the basic root of most evil .
It ’ s a part of the sickness of man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ man ’ s admission , his constant sick admission , that to exist he must find a scapegoat .
To explain away his own deficiencies—he must try to find someone who he believes more deficient… Make your judgment of your fellow-man on what he says and what he believes and the way he acts .
Be tough enough , please , to live with prejudice and give battle to it .
It warps , it poisons , it distorts and it is self-destructive .
It has fallout worse than a bomb … and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone who permits himself the luxury of hating.
” The only way we ’ ll ever achieve change in this country is for people to finally say “ enough is enough ” and fight for the things that truly matter .
It doesn ’ t matter how old you are or what your political ideology is : wake up , stand up , speak up , and make your citizenship count for something more than just voting .
Pandemic or not , don ’ t allow your freedoms to be curtailed and your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s our civic duty to make the government hear us—and heed us—using every nonviolent means available to us : picket , protest , march , boycott , speak up , sound off and reclaim control over the narrative about what is really going on in this country .
Mind you , the government doesn ’ t want to hear us .
It doesn ’ t even want us to speak .
In fact , as I make clear in my book Battlefield America : The War on the American People , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishing roadblocks to prevent us from exercising our First Amendment right to speech and assembly and protest .
Still we must persist .
So get active , get outraged , and get going : there ’ s work to be done .
Feature photo | Minneapolis police launch tear gas and flash-bang grenades at protesters gathered for George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 26 , 2020 .
Richard Tsong-Taatarii | Star Tribune via AP John W. Whitehead is a constitutional attorney , author and founder and president of The Rutherford Institute .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the American People ( SelectBooks , 2015 ) is available online at www.amazon.com .
Whitehead can be contacted at johnw @ rutherford.org .

CHARLOTTESVILLE (Rutherford) –– Don’t pity this year’s crop of graduates because this COVID-19 pandemic caused them to miss out on the antics of their senior year and the pomp and circumstance of graduation.
Pity them because they have spent their entire lives in a state of emergency.
They were born in the wake of the 9/11 attacks; raised without any expectation of privacy in a technologically-driven, mass surveillance state; educated in schools that teach conformity and compliance; saddled with a debt-ridden economy on the brink of implosion; made vulnerable by the blowback from a military empire constantly waging war against shadowy enemies; policed by government agents armed to the teeth ready and able to lock down the country at a moment’s notice, and forced to march in lockstep with a government that no longer exists to serve the people but which demands they be obedient slaves or suffer the consequences.
It’s a dismal start to life, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, we who should have known better failed to maintain our freedoms or provide our young people with the tools necessary to survive, let alone succeed, in the impersonal jungle that is modern America.
We brought them into homes fractured by divorce, distracted by mindless entertainment, and obsessed with the pursuit of materialism. We institutionalized them in daycares and afterschool programs, substituting time with teachers and childcare workers for parental involvement. We turned them into test-takers instead of thinkers and automatons instead of activists.
We allowed them to languish in schools that not only look like prisons but function like prisons, as well—where conformity is the rule and freedom is the exception. We made them easy prey for our corporate overlords while instilling in them the values of a celebrity-obsessed, technology-driven culture devoid of any true spirituality. And we taught them to believe that the pursuit of their own personal happiness trumped all other virtues, including any empathy whatsoever for their fellow human beings
No, we haven’t done this generation any favors.
Given the current political climate and nationwide lockdown, things could only get worse.
For those coming of age today (and for the rest of us who are muddling along through this dystopian nightmare), here are a few bits of advice that will hopefully help as we navigate the perils ahead.
Be an individual. For all of its claims to champion the individual, American culture advocates a stark conformity which, as John F. Kennedy warned, is “the jailer of freedom, and the enemy of growth.” Worry less about fitting in with the rest of the world and instead, as Henry David Thoreau urged, become “a Columbus to whole new continents and worlds within you, opening new channels, not of trade, but of thought.”
Learn your rights. We’re losing our freedoms for one simple reason: most of us don’t know anything about our freedoms. At a minimum, anyone who has graduated from high school, let alone college, should know the Bill of Rights backward and forwards. However, the average young person, let alone citizen, has very little knowledge of their rights for the simple reason that the schools no longer teach them. So grab a copy of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and study them at home. And when the time comes, stand up for your rights before it’s too late.
Speak truth to power. Don’t be naive about those in positions of authority. As James Madison, who wrote our Bill of Rights, observed, “All men having power ought to be distrusted.” We must learn the lessons of history. People in power, more often than not, abuse that power. To maintain our freedoms, this will mean challenging government officials whenever they exceed the bounds of their office.
Resist all things that numb you. Don’t measure your worth by what you own or earn. Likewise, don’t become mindless consumers unaware of the world around you. Resist all things that numb you, put you to sleep or help you “cope” with so-called reality. Those who establish the rules and laws that govern society’s actions desire compliant subjects. However, as George Orwell warned, “Until they become conscious, they will never rebel, and until after they rebelled, they cannot become conscious.” It is these conscious individuals who change the world for the better.
Don’t let technology turn you into zombies. Technology anesthetizes us to the all-too-real tragedies that surround us. Techno-gadgets are merely distractions from what’s really going on in America and around the world. As a result, we’ve begun mimicking the inhuman technology that surrounds us and have lost our humanity. We’ve become sleepwalkers. If you’re going to make a difference in the world, you’re going to have to pull the earbuds out, turn off the cell phones and spend much less time viewing screens.
Help others. We all have a calling in life. And I believe it boils down to one thing: You are here on this planet to help other people. In fact, none of us can exist very long without help from others. If we’re going to see any positive change for freedom, then we must change our view of what it means to be human and regain a sense of what it means to love and help one another. That will mean gaining the courage to stand up for the oppressed.
Refuse to remain silent in the face of evil. Throughout history, individuals or groups of individuals have risen up to challenge the injustices of their age. Nazi Germany had its Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The gulags of the Soviet Union were challenged by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. America had its color-coded system of racial segregation and warmongering called out for what it was, blatant discrimination and profiteering, by Martin Luther King Jr. And then there was Jesus Christ, an itinerant preacher and revolutionary activist, who not only died challenging the police state of his day—namely, the Roman Empire—but provided a blueprint for civil disobedience that would be followed by those, religious and otherwise, who came after him. What we lack today and so desperately need are those with moral courage who will risk their freedoms and lives in order to speak out against evil in its many forms.
Cultivate spirituality, reject materialism and put people first. When the things that matter most have been subordinated to materialism, we have lost our moral compass. We must change our values to reflect something more meaningful than technology, materialism and politics. Standing at the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City in April 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. urged his listeners:
[W]e as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing-oriented” society to a “person-oriented” society. When machines and computers, profit motive and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.
Pitch in and do your part to make the world a better place. Don’t rely on someone else to do the heavy lifting for you. Don’t wait around for someone else to fix what ails you, your community or nation. As Mahatma Gandhi urged: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Stop waiting for political saviors to fix what is wrong with this country. Stop waiting for some political savior to swoop in and fix all that’s wrong with this country. Stop allowing yourselves to be drawn into divisive party politics. Stop thinking of yourselves as members of a particular political party, as opposed to citizens of the United States. Most of all, stop looking away from the injustices and cruelties and endless acts of tyranny that have become hallmarks of American police state. Be vigilant and do your part to recalibrate the balance of power in favor of “we the people.”
Say no to war. Addressing the graduates at Binghampton Central High School in 1968, at a time when the country was waging war “on different fields, on different levels, and with different weapons,” Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling declared:
Too many wars are fought almost as if by rote. Too many wars are fought out of sloganry, out of battle hymns, out of aged, musty appeals to patriotism that went out with knighthood and moats. Love your country because it is eminently worthy of your affection. Respect it because it deserves your respect. Be loyal to it because it cannot survive without your loyalty. But do not accept the shedding of blood as a natural function or a prescribed way of history—even if history points this up by its repetition. That men die for causes does not necessarily sanctify that cause. And that men are maimed and torn to pieces every fifteen and twenty years does not immortalize or deify the act of war… find another means that does not come with the killing of your fellow-man.
Finally, prepare yourselves for what lies ahead. The demons of our age—some of whom disguise themselves as politicians—delight in fomenting violence, sowing distrust and prejudice, and persuading the public to support tyranny disguised as patriotism. Overcoming the evils of our age will require more than intellect and activism. It will require decency, morality, goodness, truth and toughness. As Serling concluded in his remarks to the graduating class of 1968:
“Toughness is the singular quality most required of you… we have left you a world far more botched than the one that was left to us… Part of your challenge is to seek out truth, to come up with a point of view not dictated to you by anyone, be he a congressman, even a minister… Are you tough enough to take the divisiveness of this land of ours, the fact that everything is polarized, black and white, this or that, absolutely right or absolutely wrong. This is one of the challenges. Be prepared to seek out the middle ground … that wondrous and very difficult-to-find Valhalla where man can look to both sides and see the errant truths that exist on both sides. If you must swing left or you must swing right—respect the other side. Honor the motives that come from the other side. Argue, debate, rebut—but don’t close those wondrous minds of yours to opposition. In their eyes, you’re the opposition. And ultimately … ultimately—you end divisiveness by compromise. And so long as men walk and breathe—there must be compromise… Are you tough enough to face one of the uglier stains upon the fabric of our democracy—prejudice? It’s the basic root of most evil. It’s a part of the sickness of man. And it’s a part of man’s admission, his constant sick admission, that to exist he must find a scapegoat. To explain away his own deficiencies—he must try to find someone who he believes more deficient… Make your judgment of your fellow-man on what he says and what he believes and the way he acts. Be tough enough, please, to live with prejudice and give battle to it. It warps, it poisons, it distorts and it is self-destructive. It has fallout worse than a bomb … and worst of all it cheapens and demeans anyone who permits himself the luxury of hating.”
The only way we’ll ever achieve change in this country is for people to finally say “enough is enough” and fight for the things that truly matter.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your political ideology is: wake up, stand up, speak up, and make your citizenship count for something more than just voting.
Pandemic or not, don’t allow your freedoms to be curtailed and your voice to be muzzled.
It’s our civic duty to make the government hear us—and heed us—using every nonviolent means available to us: picket, protest, march, boycott, speak up, sound off and reclaim control over the narrative about what is really going on in this country.
Mind you, the government doesn’t want to hear us. It doesn’t even want us to speak. In fact, as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the government has done a diabolically good job of establishing roadblocks to prevent us from exercising our First Amendment right to speech and assembly and protest.
Still we must persist.
So get active, get outraged, and get going: there’s work to be done.
Feature photo | Minneapolis police launch tear gas and flash-bang grenades at protesters gathered for George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 26, 2020. Richard Tsong-Taatarii | Star Tribune via AP
John W. Whitehead is a constitutional attorney, author and founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His new book Battlefield America: The War on the American People (SelectBooks, 2015) is available online at www.amazon.com. Whitehead can be contacted at [email protected].


mintpressnews--2020-05-29--Media Elite Denounce Looting Even as Billionaires Reap Record Profits from Taxpayer-Funded Bailouts

The extrajudicial killing of African-American man George Floyd by Police Officer Derek Chauvin sparked a storm of protests both in Minneapolis and across the country .
These have included large peaceful demonstrations , but also arson , destruction of property and looting .
Police have abandoned multiple precincts in the face of overwhelming popular rage .
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. consistently argued that looting is the language of the unheard and oppressed , a physical manifestation of their marginalization .
However , many in the establishment , particularly on the right , have not interpreted the events as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson condemned the uprising as “ a form of tyranny ” and “ oppression.
” Referring to the suffocation of George Floyd , Carlson said police brutality was “ bad ; ” “ But none of it was nearly as bad as what you just saw .
The indiscriminate use of violence by mobs is a threat to every American , ” he said , calling for something to be done .
President Trump was even more forthright , suggesting that the National Guard be sent in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ looters.
” “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts , ” he tweeted from both his personal and White House accounts .
Yet a new and updated report from the Institute for Policy Studies ( IPS ) reveals that the looting in Minneapolis pales into insignificance compared with the enormous wealth American ’ s billionaire class has managed to accrue during the pandemic .
In the ten weeks since the nationwide lockdown first began , the group calculates that billionaires have increased their wealth by $ 485 billion – equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for Chuck Collins , Director of the IPS ’ Program on Inequality and the Common Good , is something close to looting the whole economy .
“ The wealthy are economically distancing from the rest of society .
Worse , some are pandemic profiteering , looting government stimulus programs and taking advantage of market monopolies , ” he told MintPress News .
The enormous explosion in wealth , even amidst a pandemic that has caused the economy to collapse , businesses to close , and demand to dwindle , is down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act , one of the greatest upwards transfers in wealth in history .
While the bill , passed in late March , includes a check of up to $ 1,200 for most Americans , the vast majority of the benefits go to the ultra wealthy .
A report from the Joint Committee on Taxation ( JCT ) , a nonpartisan congressional body , found that almost 82 percent of the tax breaks and other financial benefits go to those already earning over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast , less than three percent will go to the great majority who earn under $ 100,000 annually .
The loopholes around capital gains tax will especially benefit the richest few hundred Americans .
The JCT also projects that the tax cut will add almost $ 170 billion to the deficit over the next ten years .
Some of the biggest winners in the last few weeks , according to the IPS , include Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos ( up over $ 34 billion in two months ) , Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Microsoft ’ s Bill Gates , who increased his already enormous fortune by $ 8 billion .
Meanwhile , Elon Musk , whose California Tesla car plant was closed for months , has seen his net worth increase by almost 50 percent , to over $ 36 billion .
Even in the last week , America ’ s billionaires ’ fortunes have increased by $ 50 billion .
At the same time , unemployment has surged to over 40 million , and food banks across the country are inundated with customers desperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one third of renters in the United States failed to pay their rent in April and May .
“ When the wealth of billionaires surges at the same time that tens of millions lose their lives and livelihoods , it undermines the solidarity required for us to pull together and help one another during a pandemic , ” Collins added .
While many among the elite may be aghast at the scenes of low level looting in Minneapolis , the enormous siphoning off of public funds to further enrich billionaires has gone largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on wealth inequality have shown that it has a corrosive effect on social cohesion , with the more unequal a society gets , the less likely people are to see themselves as participants in a community , viewing others as threats .
More unequal societies also commonly favor more repressive policing tactics like the ones seen in Minneapolis this week .
Although many might not realize it , the enormous looting by billionaires and the petty looting by protestors in Minneapolis might have more in common than first meets the eye .
Feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a burned out Auto Zone store near the Minneapolis Police Third Precinct , May 28 , 2020 , after a night of rioting and looting as protests continue over the death of George Floyd .
Jim Mone | AP Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News .
After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books : Bad News From Venezuela : Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age : Still Manufacturing Consent .
He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grayzone , Jacobin Magazine , Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary .

The extrajudicial killing of African-American man George Floyd by Police Officer Derek Chauvin sparked a storm of protests both in Minneapolis and across the country. These have included large peaceful demonstrations, but also arson, destruction of property and looting. Police have abandoned multiple precincts in the face of overwhelming popular rage.
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. consistently argued that looting is the language of the unheard and oppressed, a physical manifestation of their marginalization. However, many in the establishment, particularly on the right, have not interpreted the events as such, and appear scandalized by them.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson condemned the uprising as “a form of tyranny” and “oppression.” Referring to the suffocation of George Floyd, Carlson said police brutality was “bad;” “But none of it was nearly as bad as what you just saw. The indiscriminate use of violence by mobs is a threat to every American,” he said, calling for something to be done. President Trump was even more forthright, suggesting that the National Guard be sent in to open fire on “thugs” and “looters.” “When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” he tweeted from both his personal and White House accounts.
the president has just tweeted his support for using live fire on protesters in minneapolis pic.twitter.com/wkUv77MFka — molly conger (@socialistdogmom) May 29, 2020
Yet a new and updated report from the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) reveals that the looting in Minneapolis pales into insignificance compared with the enormous wealth American’s billionaire class has managed to accrue during the pandemic. In the ten weeks since the nationwide lockdown first began, the group calculates that billionaires have increased their wealth by $485 billion – equal to 16.5 percent. This half-trillion-dollar rise, for Chuck Collins, Director of the IPS’ Program on Inequality and the Common Good, is something close to looting the whole economy.
“The wealthy are economically distancing from the rest of society. Worse, some are pandemic profiteering, looting government stimulus programs and taking advantage of market monopolies,” he told MintPress News.
The enormous explosion in wealth, even amidst a pandemic that has caused the economy to collapse, businesses to close, and demand to dwindle, is down in no small part to the passing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, one of the greatest upwards transfers in wealth in history. While the bill, passed in late March, includes a check of up to $1,200 for most Americans, the vast majority of the benefits go to the ultra wealthy.
A report from the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), a nonpartisan congressional body, found that almost 82 percent of the tax breaks and other financial benefits go to those already earning over $1 million per year. In contrast, less than three percent will go to the great majority who earn under $100,000 annually. The loopholes around capital gains tax will especially benefit the richest few hundred Americans. The JCT also projects that the tax cut will add almost $170 billion to the deficit over the next ten years.
Some of the biggest winners in the last few weeks, according to the IPS, include Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos (up over $34 billion in two months), Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg (up over $25 billion) and Microsoft’s Bill Gates, who increased his already enormous fortune by $8 billion. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, whose California Tesla car plant was closed for months, has seen his net worth increase by almost 50 percent, to over $36 billion. Even in the last week, America’s billionaires’ fortunes have increased by $50 billion.
At the same time, unemployment has surged to over 40 million, and food banks across the country are inundated with customers desperate for anything they can get. Around one third of renters in the United States failed to pay their rent in April and May.
“When the wealth of billionaires surges at the same time that tens of millions lose their lives and livelihoods, it undermines the solidarity required for us to pull together and help one another during a pandemic,” Collins added.
NO MORE LOOTING I heard there was looting and I'm furious. Republicans and Democrats stealing from the poor to bail out the rich in a #pandemic. That kind of theft is unacceptable. — Peter Daou (@peterdaou) May 28, 2020
While many among the elite may be aghast at the scenes of low level looting in Minneapolis, the enormous siphoning off of public funds to further enrich billionaires has gone largely unnoticed. A mountain of sociological studies on wealth inequality have shown that it has a corrosive effect on social cohesion, with the more unequal a society gets, the less likely people are to see themselves as participants in a community, viewing others as threats. More unequal societies also commonly favor more repressive policing tactics like the ones seen in Minneapolis this week. Although many might not realize it, the enormous looting by billionaires and the petty looting by protestors in Minneapolis might have more in common than first meets the eye.
Feature photo | A man carries items past a burned out Auto Zone store near the Minneapolis Police Third Precinct, May 28, 2020, after a night of rioting and looting as protests continue over the death of George Floyd. Jim Mone | AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.


mintpressnews--2020-05-29--Police Deny Any Connection to Mysterious Minneapolis “Umbrella Man” Saboteur

The mysterious “ umbrella man ” caught on video vandalizing an Autozone store in Minneapolis is alleged in social media postings to be officer Jacob Pederson of the Minneapolis Police Department .
An official statement issued by the Twin Cities ’ police department denied that the person in the video was the individual claimed , stating that officer Pederson was “ working hard , serving his community , keeping people and property safe , and protecting the right to peacefully assemble.
” The allegations come from still unconfirmed screenshots of text messages ascribed to his ex-wife in which Jacob “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same man who smashed the windows of the national auto parts chain store and who has since been spotted in at least two other videos .
A different video taken soon after the original shows him walking side by side with the same African American man who had appeared to confront him in the first video .
The second video , however , displays a starkly different demeanor from the man with the pizza box , which also appears to be empty .
In a third video taken at night , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; this time apparently setting fires in another location .
As events unfold in Minneapolis after the coldblooded murder of yet another innocent black man at the hands of police , the information wars have erupted and propagated online just as quickly .
Multiple narratives are being brought forth and widely disseminated resulting in a fog of confusion for both the people consuming the news , as well as those directly engaged in the mass protests .
The fact that we have a clear precedent for infiltration of law enforcement with the intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organize to perform acts of civil disobedience , makes the accusations being levied against a member of the Minneapolis Police Department entirely credible .
Just four years ago , during the NoDAPL protests at Standing Rock , saboteurs employed by a security firm hired to protect the oil interests were discovered .
So it is perfectly plausible that such tactics are once again being used in Minneapolis right now .
But , it is also important to take other factors into consideration , given the circumstances and the current state of social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the free exchange of information .
President Trump ’ s recent executive order , spurred by a manufactured battle with his favorite social media platform , Twitter , should give us some pause and make us take a closer look at the stories that are coming out about the situation in Minnesota and other parts of the country as a result of the continued behavior of police departments across the nation .
A few red flags stand out about the Jacob Pederson narrative that should be taken into account .
The first is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ; not only how he is dressed – which seems over-the-top – but also by how he draws even more attention to himself by wielding the large , open umbrella we see him using to cover his face in two of the videos .
Second , and perhaps more importantly , is his peculiar mask .
He is wearing a $ 200-dollar full face respirator mask made by prominent defense contractor Honeywell .
The North 54001 mask on his face isn ’ t exactly available at Home Depot or other vendors that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; much less to the mass of improvised demonstrators on the streets of Minneapolis or St. Paul .
The specific filters on the mask seem to not be the stock version that comes with the respirator and are also not cheap .
A reference to the mask is also made in the supposed text messages by the “ ex-wife , ” who claims the mask is actually hers and alternate claims that the mask is police-issue have also spread on social media sites like Reddit .
This detail is significant in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it would be a ‘ big clue ’ about the real identity of the enigmatic figure who is now the center of a whodunit saga , and has the ultimate effect of diverting attention from the single most important story .
Regardless of who “ started ” the fires and the looting , the core of the matter does not change .
The very real rage felt by the people of Minneapolis and elsewhere is the result of a deep and profound problem in this country , which far from receding into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be gaining momentum thanks to – among other things – the provocateur-in-chief Tweeting from the oval office to a polarized nation increasingly in the clutches of a metastasizing surveillance state .
In the first video , after the man with the pizza box seems to confront Umbrella Man by asking if he was “ a cop , ” some have speculated from his largely unintelligible response that he says : “ It doesn ’ t matter.
” If there ’ s any truth to this story at all , this could very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A series of screenshot from video showing the mysterious “ umbrella man ” after he was confronted by protesters in Minneapolis

The mysterious “umbrella man” caught on video vandalizing an Autozone store in Minneapolis is alleged in social media postings to be officer Jacob Pederson of the Minneapolis Police Department. An official statement issued by the Twin Cities’ police department denied that the person in the video was the individual claimed, stating that officer Pederson was “working hard, serving his community, keeping people and property safe, and protecting the right to peacefully assemble.”
convince me this guy that started shit at autozone windows is not a COP pic.twitter.com/zmirgedQkD — molly (@molllygurl) May 28, 2020
The allegations come from still unconfirmed screenshots of text messages ascribed to his ex-wife in which Jacob “Jake” Pederson is purportedly identified as the same man who smashed the windows of the national auto parts chain store and who has since been spotted in at least two other videos.
https://twitter.com/GypsyEyedBeauty/status/1266164431584714753
A different video taken soon after the original shows him walking side by side with the same African American man who had appeared to confront him in the first video. The second video, however, displays a starkly different demeanor from the man with the pizza box, which also appears to be empty.
In a third video taken at night, the same dark-dressed man was spotted once again; this time apparently setting fires in another location.
An umbrella of confusion
As events unfold in Minneapolis after the coldblooded murder of yet another innocent black man at the hands of police, the information wars have erupted and propagated online just as quickly. Multiple narratives are being brought forth and widely disseminated resulting in a fog of confusion for both the people consuming the news, as well as those directly engaged in the mass protests.
The fact that we have a clear precedent for infiltration of law enforcement with the intent to sabotage and incriminate marginalized groups who organize to perform acts of civil disobedience, makes the accusations being levied against a member of the Minneapolis Police Department entirely credible. Just four years ago, during the NoDAPL protests at Standing Rock, saboteurs employed by a security firm hired to protect the oil interests were discovered.
So it is perfectly plausible that such tactics are once again being used in Minneapolis right now. But, it is also important to take other factors into consideration, given the circumstances and the current state of social media and the already advanced efforts to curtail the free exchange of information.
President Trump’s recent executive order, spurred by a manufactured battle with his favorite social media platform, Twitter, should give us some pause and make us take a closer look at the stories that are coming out about the situation in Minnesota and other parts of the country as a result of the continued behavior of police departments across the nation.
Behind the mask
A few red flags stand out about the Jacob Pederson narrative that should be taken into account. The first is how conspicuous the man’s presence is; not only how he is dressed – which seems over-the-top – but also by how he draws even more attention to himself by wielding the large, open umbrella we see him using to cover his face in two of the videos.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, is his peculiar mask. He is wearing a $200-dollar full face respirator mask made by prominent defense contractor Honeywell. The North 54001 mask on his face isn’t exactly available at Home Depot or other vendors that are readily accessible to the general public; much less to the mass of improvised demonstrators on the streets of Minneapolis or St. Paul. The specific filters on the mask seem to not be the stock version that comes with the respirator and are also not cheap.
A reference to the mask is also made in the supposed text messages by the “ex-wife,” who claims the mask is actually hers and alternate claims that the mask is police-issue have also spread on social media sites like Reddit. This detail is significant in terms of informational warfare because the mask itself looks like it would be a ‘big clue’ about the real identity of the enigmatic figure who is now the center of a whodunit saga, and has the ultimate effect of diverting attention from the single most important story.
End of the police state
Regardless of who “started” the fires and the looting, the core of the matter does not change. The very real rage felt by the people of Minneapolis and elsewhere is the result of a deep and profound problem in this country, which far from receding into history, remains scandalously present and appears to be gaining momentum thanks to – among other things – the provocateur-in-chief Tweeting from the oval office to a polarized nation increasingly in the clutches of a metastasizing surveillance state.
In the first video, after the man with the pizza box seems to confront Umbrella Man by asking if he was “a cop,” some have speculated from his largely unintelligible response that he says: “It doesn’t matter.” If there’s any truth to this story at all, this could very well be it.
Feature photo | A series of screenshot from video showing the mysterious “umbrella man”after he was confronted by protesters in Minneapolis
Raul Diego is a MintPress News Staff Writer, independent photojournalist, researcher, writer and documentary filmmaker.


mintpressnews--2020-05-29--As Establishment Condemns China for Hong Kong Repression, Trump Tweets About “Shooting Looters”

Republicans and Democrats alike have come together to condemn a new law proposed by the Chinese government that would likely stifle the year-long protests in Hong Kong .
The State Department , headed by former CIA Director Mike Pompeo , published a press release yesterday presenting the city as a “ bastion of freedom ” amidst a repressive state , claiming Beijing was undermining the one country , two systems framework established at the end of British colonial rule in 1997 .
The framework has allowed Hong Kong a host of special economic and political privileges that the mainland lacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi was similarly forthright in her denunciation of China .
“ This excessive law brazenly accelerates Beijing ’ s years-long assault on Hong Kong ’ s political and economic freedoms… All freedom-loving people must come together to condemn this law , ” she wrote , adding , “ If America does not speak out for human rights in China because of commercial interests , ” then it would “ lose all moral authority to speak out elsewhere.
” President Trump has been similarly condemnatory and is scheduled to speak about China at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he attempted to shift attention away from Minneapolis by simply tweeting “ CHINA !
” Yet even as Trump was denouncing oppression abroad , he hinted that the military should move into Minneapolis and fire on protestors .
“ When the looting starts , the shooting starts .
Thank You !
” he said , adding that he would not stand back and watch a “ great city ” be overrun by “ thugs ” and looters .
The tweet was quickly hidden by Twitter moderators for breaking their terms of service with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House ’ s official account , therefore , repeated Trump ’ s incitement .
Earlier today , a team of CNN journalists , led by presenter Omar Jimenez , were arrested by state police live on air for supposedly not following law enforcement instructions .
Both terms – “ thugs ” and “ looters ” – have become deeply racialized codewords in American society , referring chiefly to lower class African-Americans .
The former is overwhelmingly reserved for black people , even when it is barely applicable .
Meanwhile , after being abandoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor black Louisiana residents desperately trying to find enough food to eat amid the flooding were presented as “ looters ” and were treated as such by the authorities and racist vigilante groups alike , who shot them with impunity .
The protests in Minneapolis erupted earlier this week after images of police officer Derek Chauvin killing unarmed black man George Floyd went viral .
In videos posted on social media , Chauvin can be seen kneeling on Floyd ’ s throat for over seven minutes , as onlookers and Floyd himself pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota police department described the incident on their website with the headline “ man dies after medical incident during police interaction.
” Chauvin , a police officer of 19 years , has a long history of shooting and killing civilians while in uniform .
Anger turned to rage throughout the week , and much of the city is currently still burning as demonstrations turned violent .
This afternoon Chauvin was finally taken into custody , although it is not clear whether it is for his own safety as much as for his actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flared up in March last year over a proposed extradition treaty between the island city , the mainland , and Taiwan , after a Hong Kong resident murdered his pregnant girlfriend while on vacation in Taiwan , fled back home , and authorities were unable to prosecute him due to no agreement between the nations .
Many in Hong Kong felt that Beijing would use the new treaty to arrest or persecute opponents of the Chinese state currently residing there .
The United States has offered its full support to the protesters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notable representatives , including student leader Joshua Wong .
While the conflict has been raging for over a year , authorities have not been responsible for any deaths .
China ’ s new law would ban sedition , secession , and other methods of subversion .
The Chinese government argues that it is a necessary step for national security , given that much of the protests appear to be funded and supported from abroad .
However , critics say it is aimed at stifling legitimate dissent and would effectively be the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governance .
While the United States establishment is united in condemning Beijing for its overreach , with Trump encouraging the National Guard to open fire on any “ thugs ” or “ looters ” they might find , it may be time to turn the gaze closer to home to find examples of state repression .
Feature photo | A protester confronts National Guard soldiers deployed against protesters in Minneapolis , May 29 , 2020 .
Carlos Barria | Reuters Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News .
After completing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Bad News From Venezuela : Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age : Still Manufacturing Consent .
He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting , The Guardian , Salon , The Grayzone , Jacobin Magazine , Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary .

Republicans and Democrats alike have come together to condemn a new law proposed by the Chinese government that would likely stifle the year-long protests in Hong Kong. The State Department, headed by former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, published a press release yesterday presenting the city as a “bastion of freedom” amidst a repressive state, claiming Beijing was undermining the one country, two systems framework established at the end of British colonial rule in 1997. The framework has allowed Hong Kong a host of special economic and political privileges that the mainland lacks.
Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was similarly forthright in her denunciation of China. “This excessive law brazenly accelerates Beijing’s years-long assault on Hong Kong’s political and economic freedoms… All freedom-loving people must come together to condemn this law,” she wrote, adding, “If America does not speak out for human rights in China because of commercial interests,” then it would “lose all moral authority to speak out elsewhere.”
President Trump has been similarly condemnatory and is scheduled to speak about China at a press conference later today. This morning he attempted to shift attention away from Minneapolis by simply tweeting “CHINA!”
CHINA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
Yet even as Trump was denouncing oppression abroad, he hinted that the military should move into Minneapolis and fire on protestors. “When the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank You!” he said, adding that he would not stand back and watch a “great city” be overrun by “thugs” and looters. The tweet was quickly hidden by Twitter moderators for breaking their terms of service with regards to encouraging violence. The White House’s official account, therefore, repeated Trump’s incitement. Earlier today, a team of CNN journalists, led by presenter Omar Jimenez, were arrested by state police live on air for supposedly not following law enforcement instructions.
the president has just tweeted his support for using live fire on protesters in minneapolis pic.twitter.com/wkUv77MFka — molly conger (@socialistdogmom) May 29, 2020
Both terms – “thugs” and “looters” – have become deeply racialized codewords in American society, referring chiefly to lower class African-Americans. The former is overwhelmingly reserved for black people, even when it is barely applicable. Meanwhile, after being abandoned by the state after Hurricane Katrina, poor black Louisiana residents desperately trying to find enough food to eat amid the flooding were presented as “looters” and were treated as such by the authorities and racist vigilante groups alike, who shot them with impunity.
The protests in Minneapolis erupted earlier this week after images of police officer Derek Chauvin killing unarmed black man George Floyd went viral. In videos posted on social media, Chauvin can be seen kneeling on Floyd’s throat for over seven minutes, as onlookers and Floyd himself pleaded that he was being suffocated. The Minnesota police department described the incident on their website with the headline “man dies after medical incident during police interaction.” Chauvin, a police officer of 19 years, has a long history of shooting and killing civilians while in uniform. Anger turned to rage throughout the week, and much of the city is currently still burning as demonstrations turned violent. This afternoon Chauvin was finally taken into custody, although it is not clear whether it is for his own safety as much as for his actions.
Morning after the protests and riots in Minneapolis of the police killing George Floyd. It’s eerie pic.twitter.com/UVF2ltmL7E — Max Nesterak (@maxnesterak) May 28, 2020
As for Hong Kong, tensions flared up in March last year over a proposed extradition treaty between the island city, the mainland, and Taiwan, after a Hong Kong resident murdered his pregnant girlfriend while on vacation in Taiwan, fled back home, and authorities were unable to prosecute him due to no agreement between the nations. Many in Hong Kong felt that Beijing would use the new treaty to arrest or persecute opponents of the Chinese state currently residing there. The United States has offered its full support to the protesters, meeting and promoting many of their most notable representatives, including student leader Joshua Wong. While the conflict has been raging for over a year, authorities have not been responsible for any deaths.
China’s new law would ban sedition, secession, and other methods of subversion. The Chinese government argues that it is a necessary step for national security, given that much of the protests appear to be funded and supported from abroad. However, critics say it is aimed at stifling legitimate dissent and would effectively be the end of the one country two systems framework of governance.
While the United States establishment is united in condemning Beijing for its overreach, with Trump encouraging the National Guard to open fire on any “thugs” or “looters” they might find, it may be time to turn the gaze closer to home to find examples of state repression.
Feature photo | A protester confronts National Guard soldiers deployed against protesters in Minneapolis, May 29, 2020. Carlos Barria | Reuters
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.