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Dissent Newswire

November 21, 2023

Defending Rights & Dissent Applauds Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional Call for Julian Assange’s Freedom

On November 8, 2023, 16 members of Congress went on record for Assange: they sent a letter to President Joe Biden to withdraw the extradition request against Australian publisher Julian Assange and end the prosecutorial proceedings against him. Members of
November 7, 2023

Announcing: Protest Under Fire!

Protest is the voice of the people.  It’s a powerful tool to force confrontation and shake up the status quo. From writing letters to protesting in the streets, from occupations to boycotts, our democracy demands that people have the freedom
October 12, 2023

Israel-Gaza War Has Dissent Under Fire At Home

Reactions in the US to the Israel-Gaza war have created an inhospitality to dissent that has many recalling the aftermath of September 11, 2001 attacks.  Both supporters of Palestine and Israel are entitled to the same First Amendment protections. However,
October 2, 2023

DRAD Sues FBI to Force Release of Crucial Historical Documents Related to Fred Hampton Assassination

Breaking News: Moments ago we filed a lawsuit against the FBI that will compel the release of William O’Neal’s FBI file, O’Neal was an FBI informant who provided the FBI with a blueprint of Fred Hampton’s apartment. Below is the
September 28, 2023

93 Organizations Tell AG Carr: Drop Cop City RICO Charges!

On September 5, 2023, the Georgia Attorney General’s office handed down an indictment of 61 Stop Cop City protesters, organizers, and 2020 racial justice advocates. The indictment alleges a conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
September 28, 2023

The Cop City Shuffle: FOIA and Protester Surveillance

The Stop Cop City movement is a lightning rod for political surveillance. Judging from police presence at protests and internal documents showing an extensive social media monitoring apparatus, agencies across Georgia are spying on Stop Cop City. But understanding the
September 28, 2023

Civil Liberties Advocates’ Statement on PCLOB Section 702 Report

Today, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) issued its long-awaited report on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The report, endorsed by a majority of the Board’s members, sheds new light on abuses over the past
September 26, 2023

Woody Kaplan: Troublemaker with a Heart of Gold

Defending Rights & Dissent has lost a champion. Woody Kaplan, who died at his home surrounded by loved ones, in Boston on August 3, 2023. Over the decades, Woody’s impact on DRAD has been  immeasurable. He loved our mission, and
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