CovertAction Bulletin

Is Left Right Unity Possible in the Anti-War Movement?

Just before the one-year anniversary of the Russian Special Military Operation in Ukraine, President Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev over President’s Day weekend. According to the AP, the plan was approved just two days before, but discussion began a month prior. Air Force One flew to Germany, then turned its transponders off for a flight to Poland. Only two US journalists accompanied Biden - and they had to surrender their devices to the White House for the trip. The Russian government was notified hours before.

Biden’s trip also brought along surveillance planes - including E-3 Sentry airborne radar and an electronic RC-135W Rivet Joint - which reportedly monitored the situation from Poland, and another $500 million for military equipment on top of the $50 billion already given to the country.

Perhaps more notable were Biden’s comments, which push for more war and more destruction under the guise of defending so-called democracy in Ukraine. He signed the guest book in the Ukrainian Presidential Palace, ending with the phrase “Slava Ukraini.” Zelinsky said that he and Biden also discussed “long-range weapons.”

We'll talk about one-year anniversary of the invasion, the prospects for peace, and building a popular and mass anti-imperialist movement to achieve it. Joining us today is Jacquie Luqman, DC-based activist and co-host of By Any Means Necessary on Radio Sputnik.

On the Ground Report from East Palestine Train Derailment

On February 3rd, a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Days later, officials released some of these chemicals into the air, fearing a larger explosion. Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern railroad - the company responsible - has offered no more than a pittance of meaningful help to people from the area. We discuss how corporate greed is the underlying cause of this crash, and the potential long-term impacts.

We’re joined by John Russell, editor of the newsletter, The Holler to hear more about the situation. John also grew up in Columbiana County, where East Palestine is located.

Follow John's Substack at TheHoller.co, and on TikTok at @heyjohnrussell

NLRB Rules in Favor of Apple Whistleblower

The National Labor Relations Board has announced its findings that corporate rules and policies at tech giant Apple “tend to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees” from exercising their rights to collective action. In 2021, Apple CEO Tim Cook sent an email to staff that “people who leak confidential information do not belong here,” that Apple was “doing everything in our power to identify those who leaked” and that it didn’t “tolerate disclosures of confidential information, whether it’s product IP or the details of a confidential meeting.”

We are joined by the whistleblower who took this case to the NLRB, Ashley Gjøvik, who worked at Apple from 2015 to 2021.

Ashley's Petition: https://www.change.org/p/stop-us-dol-osha-corruption-now

Eyewitness: On the Ground in Memphis for Tyre Nichols

Over the weekend, protests across the country have taken place as the video of the brutal police murder of Tyre Nichols was released on January 27. The Memphis Police Department’s SCORPION unit has been disbanded, 5 officers have been charged, and in the few days since the release of the videos, at least two more officers have been removed from the police force. In the second half of our show we analyze the police actions on this case, and we hear eyewitness reports from the protests.

 

But first, The city of Atlanta is set to move forward with a $90 million training center, but the developments have been met with resistance. One protester has been killed by police and at least 7 have been charged with domestic terrorism for resisting the Cop City development.

 

We’re joined for this show by Monica Johnson, local police brutality activist and organizer who’s been involved with the Defend the Forest Campaign to stop cop city in Atlanta to discuss her work in Atlanta as well as her eyewitness report from Memphis

What’s Assange Charged With? Telling the Truth!

On Jan 20, the Belmarsh Tribunal packed a room at the National Press Club in Washington, DC as thousands also watched online. Co-host Chris Garaffa was there to cover this historic event for CovertAction. To discuss the legacy of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, the US government’s attacks on them and why everyone should be concerned about attacks on press freedom, we’re joined by Esther Iverem, an author, multidisciplinary artist and independent journalist. Esther produces and hosts ‘On the Ground: Voices of Resistance from the Nation’s Capital,” available as a podcast and on 25 stations on the Pacifica network. Throughout the episode, we revisit some of what put WikiLeaks on the map - including Vault 7, Collateral Murder, CableGate and more - and discuss why we need truthtellers today more than ever.

The entire Tribunal is available to watch on YouTube.

Who’s Behind the Far-Right Riots in Brazil?

On January 8th, right-wing Brazilians stormed the federal building and Supreme Court in the capital of Brasília. Inspired by baseless accusations by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that the October elections were stolen, the rioters broke windows, smashed art, destroyed paintings, stole computers and more.

The incident is reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Congress and Capitol building by supporters of Donald Trump: claims of stolen elections, far right violence aimed at intimidating democratic processes, and even the involvement of Steve Bannon, who called the Brazilians involved “freedom fighters.” But the new Brazilian government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is acting swiftly to hold those involved accountable, including Bolsonaro and allies who fled to Florida before Lula’s inauguration.

We discuss with Zoe Pepper Cunningham, Co-Editor of People’s Dispatch.

Protesters Massacred in Peru After Far-Right Legislative Coup

Peru has been in a period of crisis since December 7, when the Peruvian far right used their position in the country’s Parliament to illegally dismiss the government of President Pedro Castillo. Since then, tens of thousands of people from indigenous and peasant communities have taken to the streets to reject the new government of Dina Boluarte and demand the democratically elected Castillo be reinstated. 

On Monday, January 9, at least 17 protesters were killed by Peruvian security forces while they brutally repressed an anti-government protest in Juliaca, and at least 68 others were severely injured. The massacres have continued into Tuesday, January 10th, now reaching a total of 46 dead.

To discuss the growing violence and resistance in the streets we are joined by Tatiana Bejar of Peru Libre.

China’s COVID Outbreak and Protests: Myths and Facts

Western media described recent protests in China as “mark[ing] a new awakening” and a significant challenge to Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China. After years of leading the world in addressing COVID-19, the Chinese government is relaxing some of the lockdown regulations, but the situation is far more involved than the media would share.

To explore the reality and intricacies of the situation as well as US posturing against China, we’re joined by Carl Zha, host of Silk and Steel Podcast.

Eyewitness Report Iran Protests: Truth or Media Distortion?

In the last few months, the western media has been reporting on large scale protests sweeping Iran against the hijab in the wake of the death of Mahsa Amimi. The protests were described by some journalists as a revolution against the Islamic Republic, and have been highlighted as a movement led by young women. Is this true? Is there a revolution? How much of this is part of a major media disinformation campaign? 

We are joined by Mazda Majidi, Iranian author, journalist, and anti-war activist who has recently returned from Iran.

Pushback Against Empire

In this special episode, we bring you voices from CovertAction Magazine’s December 1st fundraiser event in New York City. Featuring guests like Eva Bartlett, Ben Norton, Katie Halper, Randy Credico  and many more, Pushback Against Empire brought together a wide perspective of voices to celebrate the 44th year of CovertAction and to help us build for the next 44 years. We want to thank everyone who joined us to speak, and everyone who came in-person or watched the video online in support of defending whistleblowers and exposing the covert action of the US government and plutocrats worldwide.

To watch the full event including many more speakers, visit our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9j6HyTnGCs