Shadowproof editor Kevin Gosztola is in London for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s week-long extradition hearing.Stay tuned to Shadowproof, as well as , for coverage. And if you support our work and are able to help fund Kevin’s reporting, .That is very much the same as breaking into the conversations, and as a consequence, Ellsberg’s trial was dismissed. By analogy, therefore, Assange should not come back to this country because his rights have been completely fouled up.In Assange’s case, when he broadcast his information—that is to say when he put it on the net—it went worldwide, and...…Shadowproof editor Kevin Gosztola is in London for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s week-long extradition hearing.Stay tuned to Shadowproof, as well as , for coverage. And if you support our work and are able to help fund Kevin’s reporting, .That is very much the same as breaking into the conversations, and as a consequence, Ellsberg’s trial was dismissed. By analogy, therefore, Assange should not come back to this country because his rights have been completely fouled up.In Assange’s case, when he broadcast his information—that is to say when he put it on the net—it went worldwide, and...WW…

She believes denying her release was wrong and “could have saved her” from the suffering she currently must endure.“Later, only after this appeal was filed, the government amended its position to state that her request was received but the government chose to treat it under a different statute, despite the fact that Reality cited the specific compassionate release statute in both requests she submitted and in every filing submitted to the district court.” “They have been deprived of all programs—recreation, fresh air and sunlight, and nutritional food. How long can the government keep them...…She believes denying her release was wrong and “could have saved her” from the suffering she currently must endure.“Later, only after this appeal was filed, the government amended its position to state that her request was received but the government chose to treat it under a different statute, despite the fact that Reality cited the specific compassionate release statute in both requests she submitted and in every filing submitted to the district court.” “They have been deprived of all programs—recreation, fresh air and sunlight, and nutritional food. How long can the government keep them...WW…

With the United States mourning the death of former President George Herbert Walker Bush, several Iraqis from families that were bombed during the Persian Gulf War expressed their condolences and paid tribute to him.“Bush knew how to raise the morale of U.S. military forces by unleashing tons of radioactive bombs, which would poison generations of my family,” said Sama. “Khalil was born with his kidney on his face, but we kept him alive as long as we could for the sake of the ‘New World Order.'”Nasim shared fond memories of the savage form of dysentery he contracted during the war. “I was...…With the United States mourning the death of former President George Herbert Walker Bush, several Iraqis from families that were bombed during the Persian Gulf War expressed their condolences and paid tribute to him.“Bush knew how to raise the morale of U.S. military forces by unleashing tons of radioactive bombs, which would poison generations of my family,” said Sama. “Khalil was born with his kidney on his face, but we kept him alive as long as we could for the sake of the ‘New World Order.'”Nasim shared fond memories of the savage form of dysentery he contracted during the war. “I was...WW…

***“People are doing the things that they need to do for change, however, I’m a little startled at how quickly we were able to flip the switch from the pandemic to this.”Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions give us the stability we need to make plans while ensuring our organization does not depend on grants or major funders. If you like what you read, support our writers with a donation...…***“People are doing the things that they need to do for change, however, I’m a little startled at how quickly we were able to flip the switch from the pandemic to this.”Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions give us the stability we need to make plans while ensuring our organization does not depend on grants or major funders. If you like what you read, support our writers with a donation...WW…

ALF is under investigation for 2008 arsons at UC Santa CruzA week ago, I wrote that ”the government has secured the cooperation of a reluctant witness in a grand jury investigation of two 2008 arsons targeting faculty members at UC Santa Cruz, according to IndyBay.org.”A new post on Indybay takes issue with the characterization of earlier reports of activist Ariana Tanabe’s conduct as “cooperation.” Written by “Ben Rosenfeld, Attorney,” the post says:I am not Ariana’s attorney, but I have knowledge that the characterization that she cooperated with a grand jury is misleading and...…ALF is under investigation for 2008 arsons at UC Santa CruzA week ago, I wrote that ”the government has secured the cooperation of a reluctant witness in a grand jury investigation of two 2008 arsons targeting faculty members at UC Santa Cruz, according to IndyBay.org.”A new post on Indybay takes issue with the characterization of earlier reports of activist Ariana Tanabe’s conduct as “cooperation.” Written by “Ben Rosenfeld, Attorney,” the post says:I am not Ariana’s attorney, but I have knowledge that the characterization that she cooperated with a grand jury is misleading and...WW…

Ecuador President Rafael Correa on August 14 | Flickr photo by Presidencia de la República del EcuadorThe government of Ecuador has officially granted asylum to WikiLeaks founder and editor-in-chief Julian Assange. Earlier this morning, Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino made , describing the process undertaken before a decision was made by the government and declared the government endorsed the “fears,” accepted that Assange could face political persecution and measures, such as asylum, are necessary to avoid this persecution.The decision did not hinge upon whether Assange could be granted...…Ecuador President Rafael Correa on August 14 | Flickr photo by Presidencia de la República del EcuadorThe government of Ecuador has officially granted asylum to WikiLeaks founder and editor-in-chief Julian Assange. Earlier this morning, Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino made , describing the process undertaken before a decision was made by the government and declared the government endorsed the “fears,” accepted that Assange could face political persecution and measures, such as asylum, are necessary to avoid this persecution.The decision did not hinge upon whether Assange could be granted...WW…

For years, according to residents, “North Carolina regulators shielded the identities of polluting farms, burying public complaints against them and leaving those who lived nearby with few avenues for redress.”A law like the one struck down is the kind of law that helps North Carolina coverup the impact of agribusiness on the environment in communities throughout the state.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly...…For years, according to residents, “North Carolina regulators shielded the identities of polluting farms, burying public complaints against them and leaving those who lived nearby with few avenues for redress.”A law like the one struck down is the kind of law that helps North Carolina coverup the impact of agribusiness on the environment in communities throughout the state.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly...WW…

Sketch by Clark StoeckleyAn “unlawful pretrial punishment” hearing in the case of Pfc. Bradley Manning, who is being prosecuted for allegedly providing classified information to WikiLeaks, resumes. The proceedings pick up where the prosecution left off on December 2, when they were calling government witnesses to testify on Manning’s confinement conditions.The first witness to be called will be Master Sergeant Brian Papatke. Following Papatke, CW5 Abel Galaviz, most senior corrections officers in the facility, will take the stand.The prosecution Manning had multiple avenues available to him...…Sketch by Clark StoeckleyAn “unlawful pretrial punishment” hearing in the case of Pfc. Bradley Manning, who is being prosecuted for allegedly providing classified information to WikiLeaks, resumes. The proceedings pick up where the prosecution left off on December 2, when they were calling government witnesses to testify on Manning’s confinement conditions.The first witness to be called will be Master Sergeant Brian Papatke. Following Papatke, CW5 Abel Galaviz, most senior corrections officers in the facility, will take the stand.The prosecution Manning had multiple avenues available to him...WW…

PFC Bradley ManningUPDATE – 10:00 PM EST Witnesses likely to be called —UPDATE – 9:55 PM EST When asked by the judge about the law enforcement investigation into the disclosures by agencies like the FBI, Major Ashden Fein said, “Frankly, the investigation is not necessarily concluded.” But the court martial has to move forward.UPDATE – 7:05 PM EST Public statements by former Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and President Barack Obama were admitted into the court record as “substantive evidence” for mitigation, not the merits portion of the...…PFC Bradley ManningUPDATE – 10:00 PM EST Witnesses likely to be called —UPDATE – 9:55 PM EST When asked by the judge about the law enforcement investigation into the disclosures by agencies like the FBI, Major Ashden Fein said, “Frankly, the investigation is not necessarily concluded.” But the court martial has to move forward.UPDATE – 7:05 PM EST Public statements by former Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and President Barack Obama were admitted into the court record as “substantive evidence” for mitigation, not the merits portion of the...WW…

A commonly recited criticism of whistleblowers is that they need to go through proper channels or else they are not whistleblowers deserving protection. If they don’t go through proper channels, they are arrogant self-serving leakers who appointed themselves as decision-makers for what information should and should not be secret.This was the criticism levied against former NSA contractor Edward Snowden after it was revealed that he was the one who blew the whistle on secret surveillance programs. Jeffrey Toobin for The New Yorker  that America’s system “offers legal options to disgruntled...…A commonly recited criticism of whistleblowers is that they need to go through proper channels or else they are not whistleblowers deserving protection. If they don’t go through proper channels, they are arrogant self-serving leakers who appointed themselves as decision-makers for what information should and should not be secret.This was the criticism levied against former NSA contractor Edward Snowden after it was revealed that he was the one who blew the whistle on secret surveillance programs. Jeffrey Toobin for The New Yorker  that America’s system “offers legal options to disgruntled...WW…

The second day of Julian Assange’s extradition hearing showed how crucial Chelsea Manning’s grand jury resistance is to the defense.The Justice Department transferred imprisoned hacktivist Jeremy Hammond to Virginia to force him to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks.A federal judge denied Chelsea Manning’s motion to reconsider fines imposed against her for refusing to testify before the grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. He also undermined due process and refused to hold a hearingWhen Judge Anthony Trenga sent Chelsea Manning back to jail, he urged her to reflect on her...…The second day of Julian Assange’s extradition hearing showed how crucial Chelsea Manning’s grand jury resistance is to the defense.The Justice Department transferred imprisoned hacktivist Jeremy Hammond to Virginia to force him to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks.A federal judge denied Chelsea Manning’s motion to reconsider fines imposed against her for refusing to testify before the grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. He also undermined due process and refused to hold a hearingWhen Judge Anthony Trenga sent Chelsea Manning back to jail, he urged her to reflect on her...WW…

The Washington Post editorial board held a meeting with Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein on August 25. For a Republican or Democratic presidential nominee, this is standard. For a third-party candidate like Stein, the fact that the Post met with her is quite an accomplishment. However, the editorial board crassly attacked her immediately after the meeting.Like the broadcast on CNN, the meeting offered Stein an all-too-rare opportunity to reach Americans, who may not know she is running for president.Stein has consistently emphasized the fact that lack of “free primetime media”...…The Washington Post editorial board held a meeting with Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein on August 25. For a Republican or Democratic presidential nominee, this is standard. For a third-party candidate like Stein, the fact that the Post met with her is quite an accomplishment. However, the editorial board crassly attacked her immediately after the meeting.Like the broadcast on CNN, the meeting offered Stein an all-too-rare opportunity to reach Americans, who may not know she is running for president.Stein has consistently emphasized the fact that lack of “free primetime media”...WW…

The United States will never forget the September 11th attacks. It is interwoven into the fabric of the nation. Its identity is partially defined by remembering the horror that unfolded that day, but that is part of why a provocative question must be asked: What if America happened to forget the attacks?For fifteen years, politicians, military leaders, celebrities, corporate executives, as well as the families of those killed on 9/11, have deployed the words “Never Forget” when speaking about the attacks. The words function as a kind of pledge, a loyalty oath to show one’s allegiance to the...…The United States will never forget the September 11th attacks. It is interwoven into the fabric of the nation. Its identity is partially defined by remembering the horror that unfolded that day, but that is part of why a provocative question must be asked: What if America happened to forget the attacks?For fifteen years, politicians, military leaders, celebrities, corporate executives, as well as the families of those killed on 9/11, have deployed the words “Never Forget” when speaking about the attacks. The words function as a kind of pledge, a loyalty oath to show one’s allegiance to the...WW…

From misleading voters about what Bernie Sanders would do to their healthcare to creating the perception that Sanders is dishonest about his involvement in the civil rights movement, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign has developed a significant record of entirely disingenuous attacks.It is not as if presidential candidates should not attack each others’ records or their positions on key issues. One expects such attacks in races for the presidency. However, when a candidate attacks their opponent in a presidential race, there should be some truth to what is claimed.Why does this matter...…From misleading voters about what Bernie Sanders would do to their healthcare to creating the perception that Sanders is dishonest about his involvement in the civil rights movement, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign has developed a significant record of entirely disingenuous attacks.It is not as if presidential candidates should not attack each others’ records or their positions on key issues. One expects such attacks in races for the presidency. However, when a candidate attacks their opponent in a presidential race, there should be some truth to what is claimed.Why does this matter...WW…

Center for Constitutional Rights LogoThe Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a legal organization based in New York which represents WikiLeaks and its editor-in chief Julian Assange, has submitted a report to help United Nations Special Rapporteur David Kaye complete his review on the global issue of whistleblowers and the protection of sources.Kaye serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The review how human rights law should protect journalists from having to disclose their sources and how whistleblowers...…Center for Constitutional Rights LogoThe Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a legal organization based in New York which represents WikiLeaks and its editor-in chief Julian Assange, has submitted a report to help United Nations Special Rapporteur David Kaye complete his review on the global issue of whistleblowers and the protection of sources.Kaye serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The review how human rights law should protect journalists from having to disclose their sources and how whistleblowers...WW…

In the latest installment of “Islam In America,” Roqayah Chamseddine is joined by Sarah Anastasia, a 27-year-old Muslim makeup artist and skin care consultant based in Massachusetts. Sarah discusses her service work and the exploitation and abuse that workers often face. She also talks about her sexual assault, how sexual assault survivors, specificallyIn the latest installment of “Islam In America,” Arnessa Buljusmic-Kustura, a Bosnian-American analyst, community organizer, and single mother, is profiled.In the aftermath of the attack at the Pulse nightclub, Eman Abdelhadi, a queer Muslim,...…In the latest installment of “Islam In America,” Roqayah Chamseddine is joined by Sarah Anastasia, a 27-year-old Muslim makeup artist and skin care consultant based in Massachusetts. Sarah discusses her service work and the exploitation and abuse that workers often face. She also talks about her sexual assault, how sexual assault survivors, specificallyIn the latest installment of “Islam In America,” Arnessa Buljusmic-Kustura, a Bosnian-American analyst, community organizer, and single mother, is profiled.In the aftermath of the attack at the Pulse nightclub, Eman Abdelhadi, a queer Muslim,...WW…

Professor Yochai Benkler. Image by C. Stoeckley.The defense in Pfc. Bradley Manning’s trial was able to successfully qualify Professor Yochai Benkler of Harvard University as an expert on the “networked Fourth Estate,” who could discuss research he had done on WikiLeaks and how it fit into the “networked Fourth Estate.”What this meant was the defense could present testimony on how WikiLeaks is, in fact, a legitimate journalistic organization and not some kind of criminal enterprise worthy of the wide government investigation, which the United States Justice Department launched into the...…Professor Yochai Benkler. Image by C. Stoeckley.The defense in Pfc. Bradley Manning’s trial was able to successfully qualify Professor Yochai Benkler of Harvard University as an expert on the “networked Fourth Estate,” who could discuss research he had done on WikiLeaks and how it fit into the “networked Fourth Estate.”What this meant was the defense could present testimony on how WikiLeaks is, in fact, a legitimate journalistic organization and not some kind of criminal enterprise worthy of the wide government investigation, which the United States Justice Department launched into the...WW…

Federal Bureau of Investigation SealManufacturing a “Black Separatist” Threat and Other Dubious Claims: Bias in Newly Released FBI Terrorism Training MaterialsIn a throwback to the J. Edgar Hoover-era investigations targeting civil rights and anti-war activists, the FBI is now training its agents to be on the lookout for “Black Separatist” terrorists, according to FBI training materials released today by the ACLU. These new disclosures, obtained through Freedom of Information Act litigation, are the latest in a growing flood of FBI training materials that include factually flawed and biased...…Federal Bureau of Investigation SealManufacturing a “Black Separatist” Threat and Other Dubious Claims: Bias in Newly Released FBI Terrorism Training MaterialsIn a throwback to the J. Edgar Hoover-era investigations targeting civil rights and anti-war activists, the FBI is now training its agents to be on the lookout for “Black Separatist” terrorists, according to FBI training materials released today by the ACLU. These new disclosures, obtained through Freedom of Information Act litigation, are the latest in a growing flood of FBI training materials that include factually flawed and biased...WW…

Tom Malinowski, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & LaborA United States delegation came before the United Nations Committee Against Torture, as part of the committee’s periodic review of compliance with a treaty prohibiting torture. The delegation indicated publicly that, unlike under President George W. Bush, the government had decided the ban applies to the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But the delegation still left unresolved the question of whether the US believes the torture ban absolutely prohibits and applies to US officials anywhere...…Tom Malinowski, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & LaborA United States delegation came before the United Nations Committee Against Torture, as part of the committee’s periodic review of compliance with a treaty prohibiting torture. The delegation indicated publicly that, unlike under President George W. Bush, the government had decided the ban applies to the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But the delegation still left unresolved the question of whether the US believes the torture ban absolutely prohibits and applies to US officials anywhere...WW…

Hate crimes against Muslim Americans have skyrocketed in the past couple of years. Moreover, an alarming number of Americans do not know a single Muslim at all.It is critical to Shadowproof that we humanize Muslim Americans instead of caricaturing them in the ways in which they are all too often depicted in the news and entertainment.Using video, audio, and written word, Roqayah Chamseddine, who regularly publishes the “Sharp Edges” column for Shadowproof, will profile a Muslim American every week for the next couple of months as part of an “Islam In America” project.We’ve set a goal of...…Hate crimes against Muslim Americans have skyrocketed in the past couple of years. Moreover, an alarming number of Americans do not know a single Muslim at all.It is critical to Shadowproof that we humanize Muslim Americans instead of caricaturing them in the ways in which they are all too often depicted in the news and entertainment.Using video, audio, and written word, Roqayah Chamseddine, who regularly publishes the “Sharp Edges” column for Shadowproof, will profile a Muslim American every week for the next couple of months as part of an “Islam In America” project.We’ve set a goal of...WW…

Homeland Security Acting Inspector General Charles K. Edwards has been placed on “administrative leave” by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.The person within the Department of Homeland Security, who whistleblowers are supposed to be comfortable with contacting to report waste, fraud, abuse or other examples of corruption, failed to maintain independence as the Department’s Inspector General. He has been placed on “administrative leave” by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.The subcommittee reviewed hundreds of pages of documents from whistleblowers, in addition to emails, memoranda, and records that were...…Homeland Security Acting Inspector General Charles K. Edwards has been placed on “administrative leave” by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.The person within the Department of Homeland Security, who whistleblowers are supposed to be comfortable with contacting to report waste, fraud, abuse or other examples of corruption, failed to maintain independence as the Department’s Inspector General. He has been placed on “administrative leave” by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.The subcommittee reviewed hundreds of pages of documents from whistleblowers, in addition to emails, memoranda, and records that were...WW…

The acclaimed cinematographer and humanitarian, Haskell Wexler, died at the age of 93 on December 27. Right up until his death, he worked on films which stood for peace and justice and championed marginalized voices.Wexler, a Chicagoan, was well-known for his work on the counterculture classic, “Medium Cool,” but his impressive career, which spanned seven decades, contains other remarkable films. He was also outspoken and challenged the imperial actions of the U.S. government, even as he maintained his celebrity status in Hollywood.After journalist James Foley was executed by ISIS militants...…The acclaimed cinematographer and humanitarian, Haskell Wexler, died at the age of 93 on December 27. Right up until his death, he worked on films which stood for peace and justice and championed marginalized voices.Wexler, a Chicagoan, was well-known for his work on the counterculture classic, “Medium Cool,” but his impressive career, which spanned seven decades, contains other remarkable films. He was also outspoken and challenged the imperial actions of the U.S. government, even as he maintained his celebrity status in Hollywood.After journalist James Foley was executed by ISIS militants...WW…

Findings from a survey of over a thousand journalists by two Indiana University professors were recently released. One finding involving the publishing of leaked documents is rather stunningAccording to the by David Weaver and Lars Willnat, “The percentage of US journalists endorsing the occasional use of ‘confidential business or government documents without authorization’ dropped significantly from 81.8 percent in 1992 to 57.7 percent in 2013.”The survey was conducted online between August and December. That, perhaps, makes the findings even more remarkable: journalists Glenn Greenwald...…Findings from a survey of over a thousand journalists by two Indiana University professors were recently released. One finding involving the publishing of leaked documents is rather stunningAccording to the by David Weaver and Lars Willnat, “The percentage of US journalists endorsing the occasional use of ‘confidential business or government documents without authorization’ dropped significantly from 81.8 percent in 1992 to 57.7 percent in 2013.”The survey was conducted online between August and December. That, perhaps, makes the findings even more remarkable: journalists Glenn Greenwald...WW…

Former President Jimmy Carter (Flickr Photo by {sic!}ut.atFormer US president Jimmy Carter  a column for the New York Times that was published today. He condemns the United States’ widespread violations of human rights in the past decade. He cites the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed in 1948 as something the US adopted, but it now violates “at least 10 of the declaration’s 30 articles including the prohibition against ‘ cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” He calls on the US to return to its role as “global champion of human rights.”The framing for the...…Former President Jimmy Carter (Flickr Photo by {sic!}ut.atFormer US president Jimmy Carter  a column for the New York Times that was published today. He condemns the United States’ widespread violations of human rights in the past decade. He cites the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed in 1948 as something the US adopted, but it now violates “at least 10 of the declaration’s 30 articles including the prohibition against ‘ cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” He calls on the US to return to its role as “global champion of human rights.”The framing for the...WW…

US government photoDays after President Barack Obama’s inauguration, he  to have his administration create an “unprecedented level of openness in government.” Then-chief of staff, Jack Lew, later  the administration was the “most transparent administration ever.” At a rally in 2010, Obama  the public, “We have put in place the toughest ethics laws and toughest transparency rules of any administration in history.” But this slogan suggesting the Obama administration is the “most transparent” ever has been nothing but a marketing ploy, the product of an administration that Advertising Age  as...…US government photoDays after President Barack Obama’s inauguration, he  to have his administration create an “unprecedented level of openness in government.” Then-chief of staff, Jack Lew, later  the administration was the “most transparent administration ever.” At a rally in 2010, Obama  the public, “We have put in place the toughest ethics laws and toughest transparency rules of any administration in history.” But this slogan suggesting the Obama administration is the “most transparent” ever has been nothing but a marketing ploy, the product of an administration that Advertising Age  as...WW…