Tag: Democratic rights

Reinstate Professor Tom Alter! Defend Free Speech!

By on • ( Leave a comment )

On September 10, 2025, Dr. Tom Alter, a tenured professor of history at Texas State University (TSU) in San Marcos, Texas, was fired for remarks made at an online socialist conference, speaking in his capacity as a private citizen. Alter was terminated by TSU President Kelly Damphousse without even a hearing. This denial of due process was a clear violation of both Texas State University policy and Texas state law. In addition to providing the facts of the case, this article explains what can be done to support the campaign to reinstate Alter and defend free speech.

In the Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Murder: Defend Free Speech

By on • ( 9 Comments )

The September 10 assassination of right-wing “influencer” Charlie Kirk was an attack on free speech of the most serious and dangerous kind. It should be unequivocally condemned. Kirk’s murder served up an excuse on a silver platter for the Trump administration and its allies to accelerate their assault on democratic rights. The White House is now using the horrendous killing to propel Trump’s drive toward autocratic rule.

Political Persecution: U.S. Gov’t Arrests Pro-Palestinian Student at Columbia University

By on • ( 2 Comments )

This article reports on the arrest on March 8 of Mahmoud Khalil by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents. Khalil just graduated from Columbia University in New York City. He is among the thousands of students who have protested the U.S.-backed Israeli war on the Palestinian people and have denounced the disciplinary measures — including suspensions and expulsions — university authorities have carried out against such students to clamp down on pro-Palestinian advocacy. Khalil is an Algerian citizen of Palestinian origin and a legal immigrant to the United States. DHS agents reportedly told Khalil the government “had revoked his student visa,” even though he does not have a visa but a green card that gives him permanent resident status in the United States. Public protests and a letter writing campaign demanding Khalil’s immediate release are already underway.

In Defense of Free Speech

By on • ( 3 Comments )

In the wake of the October 7 Hamas-led attack and Israel’s brutal retaliatory invasion of Gaza, new challenges have been raised to the right to free speech. Across the United States, restrictions on the democratic right to express one’s views on the conflict in the Middle East center today on college campuses. But precedents set there will be extended, with dangerous consequences for free speech, if they are not answered and opposed.

Third Trump Indictment: What Is at Stake? (II)

By on • ( 9 Comments )

On August 1, special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by the U.S. Justice Department, indicted former U.S. president Donald Trump on federal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Two days later Trump pled “not guilty” to all four counts in federal court in Washington, D.C.It is indisputable that Trump and his allies engaged in a concerted campaign to overturn the election results. To this day Trump peddles the bold-faced lie that the election was “stolen” from him. The new indictment, however, sets a dangerous precedent that the government can criminalize some political advocacy. If it prevails in this case, who will future administrations — liberal, conservative or extreme rightist — target in years to come? We stand with defense of democratic rights, not defense of Trump. This is the second of a two-part series.

Third Trump Indictment: What Is at Stake? (I)

By on • ( 4 Comments )

On August 1, special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by the U.S. Justice Department, indicted former U.S. president Donald Trump on federal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Two days later Trump pled “not guilty” to all four counts in federal court in Washington, D.C.It is indisputable that Trump and his allies engaged in a concerted campaign to overturn the election results. To this day Trump peddles the bold-faced lie that the election was “stolen” from him. The new indictment, however, sets a dangerous precedent that the government can criminalize some political advocacy. If it prevails in this case, who will future administrations — liberal, conservative or extreme rightist — target in years to come? We stand with defense of democratic rights, not defense of Trump. This is the first of a two-part series.

Trump Indictment: What Are the Issues?

By on • ( 6 Comments )

The April 5 grand jury indictment of Donald Trump announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg marks the first time a former U.S. president has been charged with a felony. The decision, prosecutors claimed, reinforces the “rule of law.” Many who oppose Trump welcomed the charges, arguing Trump would finally be “held accountable” for some of his actions. Many hope it might derail Trump’s campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination for which he is the front runner. Yet for the moment it appears the indictment has put wind in the sails of the right wing in U.S. politics. In fact, Trump’s indictment threatens to undermine established constitutional protections. These include those related to statutes of limitations, the separation of powers between federal and state governments, and provisions of the Sixth Amendment.