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Omicron Must Be a Wakeup Call
In response to concerns over the spread of a new COVID-19 variant, Oxfam America's Robbie Silverman, Senior Manager of Private Sector Advocacy, made the following statement:
"The Omicron variant affirms what many of world's leading scientists, public health officials, doctors, nurses, and economists have been saying since the beginning of the pandemic: if we do not vaccinate the world as quickly as possible, COVID will continue to threaten us all.
WASHINGTON
In response to concerns over the spread of a new COVID-19 variant, Oxfam America's Robbie Silverman, Senior Manager of Private Sector Advocacy, made the following statement:
"The Omicron variant affirms what many of world's leading scientists, public health officials, doctors, nurses, and economists have been saying since the beginning of the pandemic: if we do not vaccinate the world as quickly as possible, COVID will continue to threaten us all.
"But instead of taking action to make sure everyone and our economy is protected, our political leaders have protected the private profits of a handful of Big Pharma billionaires. The litany of repeated failures, empty promises, blown deadlines, and misguided "charity" over the last 20 months would be farcical if the consequences weren't so deadly serious.
"Since the start of the pandemic, developing countries - led by South Africa - have pleaded for the ability to manufacture their own vaccines for their own citizens. Fueled by racism, neo colonialism, me-first hoarding, and plain old greed, rich countries have refused.
"Our leaders' failure to help bring the vaccines to everyone, everywhere will keep us on a cruel and never-ending cycle of illness, death, and economic suffering. Omicron must be the wakeup call. We need President Biden to lead in negotiating a comprehensive TRIPS waiver at the WTO and press for the sharing of all vaccine technologies immediately. No one is safe until everyone is safe."
Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty. We help people build better futures for themselves, hold the powerful accountable, and save lives in disasters.
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Bernie Sanders Says US Must Not Be 'Dragged Into Another Netanyahu War'
The independent U.S. senator condemned the "illegal unilateral attack on Iran" by Israel that "risks a full-blown regional war."
Jun 13, 2025
As Iranian missiles were being shot down over Israel on Friday following the IDF's unprovoked bombings of Iranian targets earlier in the day, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) condemned the government of "extremist" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayahu for his "ongoing deviance of international law" that has made the "world more dangerous and unstable" and trying to drag the United States into dangerous new war in the Middle East.
"First, he uses the starvation of children in Gaza as a tool of war, a barbaric violation of the Geneva Conventions," declared Sanders in a statement. "Now, his illegal unilateral attack on Iran risks a full-blown regional war."
Sanders said Israel's Friday bombings and assassination attacks against Iranian targets, including nuclear program facilities, "directly contravened the express wishes of the United States, which was seeking a diplomatic resolution to the long-standing tensions around Iran's nuclear program."
While a new round of diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran were slated to begin Sunday, said Sanders, "Netanyahu chose instead to launch an attack"—a move seen by critics as an overt effort to sabotage a negotiated agreement.
"The U.S. must make it clear that we will not be dragged into another Netanyahu war," said Sanders. "Along with the international community, we should do everything possible to prevent an escalation of this conflict and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table."
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'As We Protest, We Build Solidarity': Millions Expected at 2,000+ 'No Kings' Rallies Nationwide
"No Kings. No Raids. No War," wrote one of the leaders behind the protests.
Jun 13, 2025
Organizers expect millions of people to turn out for nationwide "No Kings" protests on Saturday in order to register their disapproval of the intensifying authoritarianism of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has planned a military parade in Washington, D.C. on the same day, also his 79th birthday.
Organizers behind the "No Kings" movement say that actions are planned in some 2,000 cities and towns throughout the country.
The actions are a counter to Trump's military parade, as well as his administration's "escalating use of military force in American cities" and GOP efforts to target health insurance coverage for millions, food assistance, and other anti-poverty programs for millions. Weather forecasters are warning of showers and thunderstorms for Saturday in Washington, D.C., which could disrupt the parade.
A broad coalition of groups are behind the "No Kings" day of mobilization. They include Indivisible, American Federation of Teachers, the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Citizen, MoveOn, 50501, Stand Up America, Common Defense, Human Rights Campaign, League of Conservation Voters, and over 100 others.
"No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like," according to the "No Kings" website. "The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We're not watching history happen. We're making it."
"No Kings. No Raids. No War," wrote Leah Greenberg, a co-founder and co-executive director of the grassroots progressive organization Indivisible on Friday.
The events are guided by a commitment to nonviolent protest, according to organizing materials. The group also said that organizers with "No Kings" are trained in de-escalation tactics and plan to work closely with local partners to ensure actions are peaceful.
In a Common Dreams op-ed Thursday, veteran organizer Paul Rogat Loeb, urged participants in "No Kings" to carry American flags.
"The 14th is also Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of the Army. The flag can't replace protest signs. But it complements and amplifies them," wrote Loeb.
"The flag represents the imperfect but essential mechanisms of democracy that Trump's regime so profoundly threatens, ones that allow us to keep working for justice," he added.
Multiple observers have drawn a link between "No Kings" rallies and early American history.
"Two hundred fifty years ago, on June 14, 1775, Americans created an army to defend ourselves from an alien force intent on suppressing our right to home rule and threatening personal security in our homes and workplaces," wrote economist and former labor secretary Robert Reich in a Friday post. "Tomorrow, on June 14, 2025, we will be demonstrating across this country against our wannabe king and his decision to destroy the constitutional rights that Americans fought long and hard to secure."
"As we protest, we build solidarity. From that solidarity, we feel less alone and build courage for the work ahead," Reich also wrote on X.
The protests will "allow people everywhere, from many different backgrounds, to join in what till now has always been the basic American message: No Kings. Not George, Not Elon, not Don," wrote author and climate organizer Bill McKibben on Friday in column that appeared in Common Dreams.
McKibben was referencing Elon Musk, the billionaire and Republican megadonor who played a leading and active role in decimating key government programs and agencies in the early months of the Trump administration.
In his piece, McKibben noted the manhandling of Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla by federal agents on Thursday when he was handcuffed on the ground after being forcibly removed from a news conference held by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles.
"Sen. Padilla has reminded us of how to play it: Firm, dignified, and peaceful," he added.
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IDF Says 'All of Israel Is Under Fire' as Iran Retaliates With Missile Barrage
Video footage appeared to show Iranian missiles striking Tel Aviv as residents were warned to take cover in bomb shelters.
Jun 13, 2025
This is a developing news story... Please check back for possible updates...
Iran on Friday reportedly fired hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel, and smoke was seen rising from the city of Tel Aviv as Tehran began its retaliation for the large-scale attack that Israel's military committed just hours earlier.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on social media that "all of Israel is under fire." Minutes later, the IDF said that the "Iranian attack is ongoing," noting that "dozens of additional missiles were launched toward Israel."
The Israeli military instructed residents across the country to "remain close to protected spaces" and minimize "movement in public areas" until an all-clear is given. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Unnamed U.S. officials told the Associated Press that American military assets were being used to help the Israelis intercept incoming missiles from Iran, though the sources, according to the AP, "did not say how the U.S. provided assistance."
Video footage posted to social media appeared to show Iranian missiles hitting Tel Aviv as Israel's military worked to intercept the attack:
Another angle: pic.twitter.com/JRgp0f0qjU
— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) June 13, 2025
The missile barrage came after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Israel to expect "harsh punishment" for its early Friday assault, which hit Iranian nuclear infrastructure and killed a top nuclear negotiator—an indication, according to expert observers and Iranian officials, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is bent on sabotaging any progress toward a U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who withdrew from a previous Iran nuclear accord during his first term in the White House, said Friday that Israel hit Iran "about as hard as you're going to get hit," adding: "There's more to come. A lot more."
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