human rights
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‘Don’t Forget About Us’: Mariah Carey Performs in Saudi Arabia as Saudi Women Activists Urge Her to Boycott
Is Mariah Carey championing gender desegregation by performing in Saudi Arabia? Or is she becoming a pawn in the country’s PR campaign while ignoring its human rights abuses—particularly against women protesting its traditionally repressive policies? These are the questions many are asking as Carey makes her first concert appearance in the kingdom on Thursday—an appearance…
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Ahead of the Global Citizen Festival, Beyoncé Pays Tribute to Mandela
It’s been almost 15 years to the day since Beyoncé met Nelson Mandela while performing at his foundation’s “Give 1 Minute To AIDS” concert in late 2003. But on Tuesday, the megastar published a poignant letter to the late humanitarian icon, also fondly known as “Madiba,” recalling their time together and Mandela’s incredible and enduring…
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Colin Kaepernick Speaks Truth to Power, Refers to Police Killings of People of Color as ‘Lawful Lynchings’
Colin Kaepernick (you may have heard of him) recently received the 2018 Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International. The ceremony was held Saturday night in Amsterdam. During his speech, Kaepernick called it like we all see it, referring to the police killings of black and brown people as “lawful lynchings.” Kaepernick, who has been…
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Supreme Court Grants Stay of Execution of Alabama Inmate Who Suffers From Dementia
The U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of execution for an Alabama death row inmate whose dementia, his lawyers argue, renders him unable to remember the murder of which he was convicted. According to CNN, Vernon Madison, 67, was scheduled to be executed Thursday night. However, less than half an hour before the execution was…
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‘Underwear Bomber’ Files Lawsuit Claiming US Justice Department Denies Him Free Speech, Religious Rights
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who is currently serving multiple life sentences for attempting to set off a bomb in his underwear on a plane on Christmas Day in 2009, has now filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice claiming that the department is denying him his free speech and religious rights. According to Reuters,…
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#SafetyIs: Night Out for Safety and Liberation Happening Tonight
For working-class and poor black and brown communities in the United States of America, the concept of safety—particularly when it is dependent on hypermilitarized police forces—is a flimsy, dangerous illusion. One move, one word—or no moves and no words—standing, running, driving or breathing have all been charges leveled against black and brown people and deemed…