Workers in Thailand found not guilty! Miriam Karmali, Freedom United.

Dear David, We have some good news to share! Last week, a Bangkok court found the 14 Myanmar workers not guilty as charged by the chicken farm where they were exploited. This is a landmark ruling for labor and human rights in Thailand and it is with great relief that we welcome the verdict issued in favor of the workers. These charges of criminal defamation were brought against the workers by the chicken farm after the workers submitted a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. Their complaint details conditions of being forced to work for up to 20 hours a day, having their documents and passports withheld, and restrictions to their freedom of movement. Whilst at the farm, the workers report being forced to sleep amongst the chickens. Having taken into account all evidence submitted by the workers, the Court ruled that it was confident the workers had suffered human rights abuses during the time they worked at the farm. The past two years have been difficult for the workers, who have bravely taken on big business to secure their rights whilst still not receiving a cent of compensation, thanks to the support of the Migrant Workers Rights Network. But we are hopeful that this verdict is a sign of yet more change to come. Sign to add your support for the 14 workers. The chicken farm is still pursuing two of the workers on theft charges for taking their own time cards to prove the long hours they were forced to work and compensation they are owed. This is part of a systematic attempt to harass the workers and those supporting them. Both MWRN and Andy Hall also continue to face spurious charges of defamation and ‘computer crimes’ for sharing information on social media about their case. The UN Human Rights Council heard the case of these 14 workers just a few weeks ago in Geneva, when Human Rights Now expressed their deep concern about the labor rights violations and slavery-like conditions in the Thai chicken industry. We are encouraged to see international attention brought to the workers’ case but we still need to grow our voice and keep up the pressure to stop this judicial harassment.   Whilst the workers are still waiting to receive their owed compensation, we are hopeful that the Court’s ruling will send a clear message to big business that spiteful retaliations to legitimate worker complaints of exploitation and modern slavery will no longer be an easy way out. In solidarity, Miriam, Joanna and the Freedom United team

BACKBONE. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KEN HARBAUGH.

Yesterday, our President met with Vladimir Putin.

Some of us thought he went to Helsinki to stand up for our nation and defend American interests around the world.

He did not.

Instead, in an act of cowardice, our President stood on the national stage and sided with Putin over America.

As a Navy pilot, I flew missions off the coast of Russia. Putin is not our friend.

Senator John McCain called our President’s remarks “disgraceful.” “He should have defended us,” said Trish Regan of Fox Business. Here in Ohio, a GOP county leader resigned in protest.

And what did Bob Gibbs have to say? What did he do in the face of this disgraceful behavior?

Nothing.

He released no statement. He did not respond to voters who phoned again and again.

Military men and women train for years to handle missions against Russia. We know that a single misstep could result in catastrophe. We take this seriously. Because lives are on the line.

John McCain is right. American ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice are worth defending here at home and around the world. Our President should take the defense of those values seriously.

So should our Congressman.

In service,

Ken

TRUMP SIDES WITH PUTIN OVER AMERICA. U.S. SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse — US Senator for Rhode Island

 

The president just stood next to the authoritarian ruler of a hostile power and blamed the state of our bilateral relationship on American ‘foolishness.’

He refused to hold Russia accountable for interference in the 2016 election, and refused to credit the analysis of the U.S. intelligence community over the empty word of Vladimir Putin. His statements today are deeply unnerving, as is his abandonment of many of our closest allies in recent days.

WHITEHOUSE.SENATE.GOV

Whitehouse Statement on Trump Helsinki Summit Comments | U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island

The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island

See you at the State House tomorrow? Kim Kargman, Organizing Manager, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts.

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts Searchingforreason.N-- President Trump’s attacks on the national Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. Skyrocketing STI rates. The #MeToo movement. The time for a law that protects teens from abstinence-only sex education in Massachusetts is now. Tomorrow, we will make the final push for the Healthy Youth Act at the Massachusetts State House – and we need your help. Most state reps support the bill, but they need to hear your voice to be convinced to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Join teens, parents, and advocates from across the Commonwealth to lobby our state representatives one last time before the legislative session ends on July 31st.  Last Chance Lobby Day for the Healthy Youth Act Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 12 PM to 2:00 PM Room 437 Massachusetts State House 24 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts RSVP here. Facebook event here. We know that 85 percent of 2018 likely voters in Massachusetts oppose abstinence-only programs. And we know that if we don’t act, anti-science, anti-LGBTQ sex ed programs will continue to be taught across the state. Young people have a right to an education free from shame and stigma. Join me at the State House to make this vision a reality. Sincerely, Kim Kargman Organizing Manager Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts P.S. Can’t make it tomorrow? Join the call for the Healthy Youth Act on social media. Use this form to tweet at your state rep urging them to bring the bill to the floor for a vote!