Actually Tommy, we talk about different forms of human trafficking and slavery in the US sometimes. If you want to go there, you should look at all the American and European companies that spend money trafficking children, and the colonial powers that instituted these horrible practices. I worked for an NGO that does work in Burkina Faso helping educate children and provide water and agriculture infrastructure and teaching skills like welding and plumbing. In the 1980's France ran a coup of Thomas Sankara to maintain economic power over the region. Gold is the main export of the country and mostly traded to France. Today we see many Nigerian, Somali, and Sudanese refugees in the region being trafficked to mine gold taking children out of school at the age of 13. The dig and send the 13, 14 year old boys down these tight holes held by a rope and 3 people and they dig as far as 100 feet down. These holes often collapse and its dangerous work considering these refugees only got paid the value of the gold they mined split 4 ways. A month of work produces about a gram. Mothers with children often handling mercury to turn it from dust to nuggets. For like $30 a month split 4 ways. Its absolutely a tragedy. But this tragedy doesn't silence the struggle of BIPOC internationally caused by western imperialism and capitalism. Idealism that you seem to promote. There are struggling folks who are taken advantage of by more economically privileged people. It wasn't too long ago that Hershey, Mars, and other chocolate companies were using child labor in Africa. These are white owned companies. But none if this silences the demands of critics of 1 country 2 systems like us.

We accidentally sent a video from an alt right channel. Apologies for that mistake. The criticism on the BLM organization is still there but we should not have used this as a source.

This (the original post that claimed that BLM doesn't care about black lives because slavery is still a thing in some areas of the world) is honestly the equivalent of rich people telling poor people in their countries to shut up about their economic condition because there are always people that are even poorer in the world. It's not a gotcha, it just shows the complete sociopathic detachment that these people (the ones doing the preaching) have in regards to the suffering of other human beings.

It's all a game of pointing to a worse problem and pretending that the other person trying to care is hypocritical. It's empty whataboutism. Bad in itself, but now done in regards to racism and slavery. Because the truth is that the guy doesn't give a shit about the slaves. They're just a pawn in his political game of advancing genocidal agendas.

President Donald Trump says he has tested positive for coronavirus
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/02/president-donald-trump-says-he-has-tested-positive-for-coronavirus.html

Family of Miguel Vega, man killed by Chicago police in Pilsen, question officers' actions after shooting | abc7chicago.com
https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-police-shooting-miguel-vega-pilsen-shootout-copa/6701581/

Police shot live rounds again tonight in Phoenix. 2 nights in a row.

https://www.azfamily.com/news/no-officers-hurt-in-shooting-in-phoenix-neighborhood/article_50efe85e-046e-11eb-9c3a-1f3f35a4eac4.html

#Raleigh https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/north-carolina-police-release-video-man-who-died-their-custody-n1241735

Man in Charlotte died in police custody. There is evidence that they knew he needed medical attention and was not provided it.

Forwarded from @RaleighRUST

These two shootings in phoenix follow this violent and unjustified use of force on unarmed Angel Benitez. This murder of Angel Benitez is just like the one of George Floyd. A man complied with police orders murdered in cold blood. Where a dozen shots where fired at a man being ordered to exit his vehicle that happened last week in Mesa because they couldn't see his hands when he was opening the door.

https://ktar.com/story/3602621/body-cam-footage-released-in-shooting-of-unarmed-man-by-mesa-officers/

Do you run a local channel/chat or want to start one? We'd love to talk! @BLMProtestsBot

US Justice Department cracks down on Portland protesters with law from civil rights era - OPB
https://www.opb.org/article/2020/10/01/us-justice-department-cracks-down-on-portland-protesters-with-law-from-civil-rights-era/

Breonna Taylor grand jury audio recordings released Friday - CNN
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/10/02/us/breonna-taylor-grand-jury-recordings/index.html

#Asheville There is a new Asheville Resistance channel. Give them a follow! https://t.me/avlresistance

Forwarded from @AshevilleRUST

"The document, obtained by NBC News, told DHS officials to describe Rittenhouse’s actions in terms that emphasized legal presumption of innocence. One of the talking points, for example, suggested that Rittenhouse “took his rifle to the scene of the rioting to help defend small business owners.”"

"Officials were also instructed to describe the teenager’s actions as a matter of self-defense, and that he had traveled across state lines to promote “law and order” — a phrase that is frequently used by President Trump in his reelection campaign rhetoric."

https://truthout.org/articles/dhs-officials-were-told-to-portray-kyle-rittenhouse-in-a-positive-light/

#Chicago https://abc7chicago.com/no-charges-against-midlothian-officer-in-jemel-robersons-deadly-shooting/6716669/

Forwarded from @ChicagoRUST

Some rough guidelines for speaking to one another in an
organizing space with no hierarchy:

[Forwarded from SOS]

• Always ask. Instead of saying “do this,” or “I need this,” ask “can you do this?” or “does anyone have this?”
• Welcome newcomers openly, and treat them as equals immediately. It’s helpful for a group to have a protocol (that is subject to change) for getting new folks caught up on the basics
o This can be hard when trusted bonds have formed. Work to shut down your own in-group/out-group dynamic within the group. Work to shut down any and all egoism within yourself. Lean on people who are honest with you
o At the same time, the new person shouldn’t join your affinity group necessarily. Trust there is sacred. But welcome them into the larger collective with open arms, and help catch them up.
• Assume the best. If someone is admitted into a trusted space, assume the folks admitting them (who you trust) are making a reasonable decision. The state wants us scared and not trustful. Trusting our friends and comrades, while still taking necessary precautions, is vital to victory.
• Have a transformative justice procedure if trust is violated, or even if disrespect crops up too much. Don’t look to punish, but instead to help one another grow. We’re all we got in this struggle.

#organization #communication #discussion