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Articles Featured on indymedia.us for January 2009
February 2009 >> << December 2008
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Jan 02 2009
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City Manager Announces City Council Meetings to Go On-Line |
The City Manager has announced that City Council meetings will now be available on-line, greatly increasing citizen participation and government accountability. "I am pleased to inform you that the City will now offer a live stream on its website of all meetings and events that are currently broadcast 0n the Government Channel. In addition, archived videos of these meetings and events will be available for viewing 24/7 on the website. The live feed will begin at the Tuesday, January 6, 2009 City Council meeting and all archived meetings will be available for viewing beginning with the City Council meeting of November 18, 2008." Full Announcement (pdf) | Earlier: Worcester Indymedia & WCCA TV 13 Mark One Year Anniversary
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Jan 03 2009
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No LNG in Oregon, Yes to Clean Energy! |
Several coastal locations in Oregon are proposed sites for highly explosive liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals, to be brought in to port via large tankers from overseas locations. In addition to legitimate concerns about dredging being destructive to the riparian estuary ecosystems, the highly explosive properties of supercooled natural gas present risks in known seismic areas of the Cascadian subduction zone. Read More | Related: Start a new year for Climate ACTION with Rising Tide
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Jan 04 2009
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Anti-war Protests Escalate as Israel Launches Ground War |
Thousands of US residents were in the streets and at the doors of the politicians and ambassadors, imploring for intervention, as Israel was preparing to dispatch troops into Gaza. In Washington, DC, between one and two thousand people descended on the Israeli and Egyptian embassies to protest the atrocities. (Egypt, and other Arab leaders, are seen as complicit in the attacks due to their support of the blockade of goods.) In Portland, around 200 people called on Senator Ron Wyden to change his position from unquestioning support for Israel to a position that supports equal rights for the Palestinian people. And in Philadelphia, "Bubbies & Zaydes (Grandparents) for Peace in the Middle East" continued its 8-year weekly vigil outside the Israeli consulate. Despite these actions, Israel launched a ground assault on Gaza on Saturday. Over 500 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 2,300 wounded, contrasted to four Israelis killed by rocket fire. President-elect Barak Obama remains silent on the issue, the US has blocked even a basic UN statement condemning civilian deaths, and US politicians like NY mayor Bloomberg and Democratic Congressman Gary Ackerman have flown to Israel to show their support for Israel's actions. A national demonstration has been called for Saturday, January 10.
RELATED from Boston-IMC: Semantics of a Massacre | | | More Solidarity Reports: Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Houston, TX | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY: Report and Photos [1] & [2] | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR: 1 and 2 | Rochester & Western NY | Seattle, WA: Report & Photos, Slideshow and Video | Twin Cities, MN | Washington, DC | Worchester, MA
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Jan 06 2009
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BART Police Shoot and Kill Man at Fruitvale BART Station |
UPDATE: January 7th, 2009: Rally and Rage Over BART Police Murder of Oscar GrantIn the early hours of January 1st, BART police shot and killed a 22 year old man, Oscar Grant, on the platform of the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland. Witnesses report that Grant was "lying on his stomach with his hands out in a non-threatening position when he was shot". Police have confirmed Grant was unarmed and have suggested the shooting was an accident. Grant lived in Hayward and leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter.
BART officials have not released the name of the officer who shot Grant. After the shooting, BART police seized several cell phones from people on the platform who said they had used the phones' cameras to record what happened. For the first two days BART officials told the mainstream media that surveillance cameras at the station do not record, but then corrected themselves Friday night saying the cameras did record but didn't show the incident.
There will be a rally to protest the shooting from 3pm till 8pm on Wednesday January 7th at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland.
Full Video and interview with Karina Vargas | More Coverage
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Jan 07 2009
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Political Prisoner Hugo Pinell To Have Parole Hearing on January 17 |
In a new interview, San Francisco journalist and former Black Panther Kiilu Nyasha writes that San Quentin Six prisoner "Hugo L. A. Pinell, nicknamed 'Yogi Bear,' will go to Board again on January 17, 2009. His last Board appearance was November 14, 2006 when he was denied two years, despite having no rule infractions for 24 years. Make that nearly 27 years clean time now. One of George Jackson's closest comrades, Yogi has now been incarcerated in California prisons for almost 45 years, nearly 39 in solitary confinement, the last 19 in the Pelican Bay SHU (Security Housing Unit, or 24/7 lockup). The fact that he is still in great physical shape and hasn't lost his mind under such prolonged, tortuous conditions is testimony to his amazing spiritual and physical strength. Please write a letter to the Parole Board in support of Yogi's release -- at least to a mainline facility near San Francisco so his mother, 85, and other family/friends can have contact visits, and he can see the sun again." RELATED: Kiilu Nyasha's newly released 2008 audio interview and 2004 essay about Hugo Pinell II 2006 KBOO Radio Show II Yogi's Time by Mumia Abu-Jamal. II Featured video: Interview with Philadelphia activist/author Dan Berger II HugoPinell.org
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Jan 08 2009
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Rally and Rage Over BART Police Murder of Oscar Grant |
On January 7th, a rally was held to protest the police murder of Oscar Grant. Protesters gathered at the Fruitvale BART station at 3pm. After dozens of speakers addressed the crowd for about 2 hours, a march began. Hundreds of protesters marched up International Blvd towards downtown Oakland. As the crowd passed the Lake Merritt BART area, there was a brief confrontation where a police car was attacked and a dumpster lit on fire. Within minutes, riot police arrived and shot tear gas into the crowd. The protest continued into the night as dozens of protesters massed and split up repeatedly, smashing windows, lighting fires in dumpsters, and torching at least two cars as police struggled to keep up. Oakland police are reporting that they arrested 105 people for a variety of offenses. Support for arrestees still being detained has been called for Friday, January 9th. Read More, with Photos and Video | Previous Indybay Feature on Murder of Oscar Grant
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Jan 11 2009
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Workers Understand Democracy, Want To Join Unions |
Almost eight in 10 Americans support legislation that would make it easier for workers to join or organize labor unions, according to a new national survey from Peter D. Hart and Associates released this week. Here in Southern Oregon people have been signing cards of support for the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). There is a growing groundswell of ordinary workers who are lining up to say they want to better their employment status by gaining a voice at work. Sign the online petition here We CAN turn this economy around! Support EFCA for a better future! -- Wes Brain, Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice [Read More]
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Jan 16 2009
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Community Acupuncture Network Votes "No" on New Doctorate Degree for Acupuncture |
On January 11th, the board of directors for the Community Acupuncture Network (CAN) has voted unanimously to oppose a new doctorate degree for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) on the grounds that such a move would be detrimental to practitioners, patients and the profession. Due to its large membership, the vote represents a significant hurdle for professional consensus for the ACAOM to renew its review and finalization of standards for a first-professional doctorate in acupuncture and in Oriental medicine. Read More | CAN website
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Jan 17 2009
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Eagle Pt. Teachers/Staff Standup for FAIRNESS |
1/14/08--HUGE RALLY IN EAGLE POINT, OREGON A disrespectful school board gets an ear full of solidarity
The room was packed, in fact over-packed. The Fire Department showed up with fire code concerns, however by that time the meeting was nearly over. It was not the Fire Dept. but the School Board who called the meeting short. Looking at his watch (see very last photo) Board Chair Jonathan Bilden denied the request of 5 more minutes for the teacher/staff presentations and he kicked the teachers and staff out of the room.
In the Eagle Point School District the teachers and staff are all in one union, the Oregon Education Association, and they all speak with one voice. Read More & Pics | Second set of pics
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Jan 19 2009
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VIDEO: Impeachment Vigil "The Last One" 1.15.09 |
This is the last protest for "Impeachment of dick n george" outside of Earl Blumenauer's (House District 3 Rep) office on 1.15.09 in Portland, Oregon[...] This video protest is the last after doing this every Thursday for 2 hours for about 1.5 years[.] We even had a jailbird (fake) Bush join us for "the last one"[.] The rubber chickens were there (Reed & Pelosi) and quite a few "shoes to toss around"[.] The dozen citizens who were there you will recognize from previous videos... Thanks to Portland Indy Media for helping spread the word of this weekly vigil for justice[.] Thanks to the Lone Vet for inspiring us and being willing to face off with Earl to get this vigil going... Read More & Pics | Video
RELATED: Some Thoughts on Obama and the US Empire | 'These Boots Were Made For Launching': Hundreds Show Bush Their Shoes in Grand Send-Off
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Jan 20 2009
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Canada Orders US War Resister (and New Mother) Deported |
The Canadian government has ordered the deportation of Kimberly Rivera, the first US woman Iraq war veteran resister to go to Canada, and four other US war resisters. Rivera, her husband and three children, including a newborn daughter, must depart Canada by January 27 or be deported. Rivera now lives in Toronto with her husband Mario, son Christian (six years), daughter Rebecca (four years), and newborn Canadian daughter Katie (six weeks). Read More by Ann WrightUPDATE Jan22: The Conservative government of Canada moving swiftly to deport five U.S. war resisters and their families by the end of next week! Urgent! Call Canada today to let U.S. war resisters stay
Resources: Project Safe Haven | "Please Don't deport the War Resisters" | | | Related: "Harper Orders War Resister Chris Teske deported on inauguration day" | http://www.indypendent.org/2008/06/25/resisters-face-limbo/ | "National/Canada day of action in support of Cory Glass"
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Jan 22 2009
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Police Seize UK Indymedia Server (Again) |
On January 22, an Indymedia server was seized by police in Manchester, England. UK Indymedia believes the search and seizure was connected to postings about the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) trial, in which seven activists from SHAC were found guilty of "conspiracy to blackmail" and on January 21 were sentenced to a total of fifty years in prison. Kent Police had e-mailed UK Indymedia earlier in the day in regards to two comments containing the address of a judge that had been posted to the site. The search warrant specifically targeted a server named "Strummer" which functions as a mirror of the UK site and does not actually receive submissions from users. Read More from Indybay | Report from UK Indymedia
Past Server Seizures: October 2004 | June 2005
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Jan 23 2009
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FRIDAY: All "Wall 7" charges dismissed! |
Friday morning, on the fourth day of trial, Ramsey County District Court Judge Michael Fetsch dismissed all charges against the "Wall 7," some of the first activists to go to trial in connection with the RNC. The seven activists from the Northeast were facing 4 trumped-up misdemeanor charges after being penned in with about 30 others by a Mobile Field Force and SPPD bicycle unit at 6th and Wall Streets on September 1, 2008. Read More | Wall 7 Statement | | | Related: RNC Aftermath Roundup: Reports and Courts
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Jan 27 2009
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Inauguration Week Coverage Roundup |
On January 20th, 2009, George W Bush left the White House and Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. Despite efforts to transform the inauguration into a coronation, the people kept it real and independent media makers were on hand to document it.From DC-IMC: In freezing weather, over one million, but maybe not 2 mil mostly 20 and 30 something year olds, were packed into the National Mall around the jumbotron screens to watch Obama get inaugurated (There was one big empty space behind the Washington Monument where there was no TV.) When the 43rd Pres, Bush, was introduced to the crowd, there was a very loud boo. And thumping gloved hands for the Obama. Read More | List of Events.
Some groups were welcomed with front row passes, while others that presented more of a challenge to the new regime's message were shuffled to the margins, snubbed or forcibly "migrated". And according to some Israeli officials, the ceasefire with Hamas was declared in part in order to prevent "distracting news stories" from interrupting the day's mood.
Still, activists were out before and after the inauguration, determined to make the most of the coming of this historic era. The day before the ceremony, on Martin Luther King Day, demonstrators called for peace in Gaza in of the slain civil rights leader: [1] [2] [3] [4] And the day afterward, clergy gathered to vigil and pray for immigration reform and anti-war activists assembled to demand that Obama stop the spread of the "war on terror".
More Reporting from DC: 100 Days working to close Guantanamo and end torture | | | 'These Boots Were Made For Launching': Hundreds Show Bush Their Shoes in Grand Send-Off | | | Muslim Inaugural Celebration Speeches and Interviews | | | UC-IMC Dispatches: Day1 | Day2 | Day3 (MLK Day) | Day4 (Inauguration Day) & some thoughts
Reporting from Other Cities: Los Angeles, CA | Northern CA | Portland, OR: Portland, OR | Rogue Valley, OR | Santa Cruz, CA
Commentary: Some Thoughts on Obama and the US Empire
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Jan 28 2009
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Citizens Applaud LUBA Decision Denying Bradwood LNG Terminal |
Astoria, OR - Columbia Riverkeeper and partners won their appeal today when the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) overturned Clatsop County's decision to approve the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and pipeline. "This decision is a victory for healthy communities and clean energy," said Columbia Riverkeeper executive director Brett VandenHeuvel. Read More | columbiariverkeeper.org
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Jan 30 2009
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Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles releases policy change for changing gender markers |
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has amended its policy regarding changing gender markers on state issued identification such as driver's licenses or Massachusetts ID. The new policy requires a person who wishes to change the gender marker on their state issued identification to submit an updated application together with a Gender Designation Change Form, signed by him or her and a medical provider attesting to the gender that the individual considers himself or herself to be. The policy no longer requires a person to submit medical proof of sex reassignment surgery or an amended birth certificate. The next edition of the Registry of Motor Vehicles Driver's Manual will reflect the agency's policy amendments.
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Jan 31 2009
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Bail For BART Officer Who Shot Oscar Grant Set At $3 Million |
On January 30th, bail for BART police officer Johannes Mehserle was set at $3 million. Oakland mayor Ron Dellums had released a statement to the media late Friday afternoon saying bail was posted but the Alameda County Sheriff's Office claims he was mistaken. Mehserle claimed he was reaching for a taser when he accidentally grabbed his gun (which was loaded and with safety off) and shot to death Oscar Grant, who was lying face down on the ground. Protesters gathered outside the courthouse for a demonstration planned to coincide with the bail hearing. After bail was granted, demonstrators marched toward 14th and Broadway and then to the Oakland Police Department headquarters. BART closed the 12th Street station. Oakland police fired tear gas and projectiles at protesters and later blocked off several roads. At least nine people were tackled and arrested for "failure to disperse." Read more with photos and video
translation: German