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Syndicated Articles From Local Imc's for January 2008
February 2008 >> << December 2007
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Jan 01 2008
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Urgent Action Alert!! Sacred Yucca Mtn in Imminent Danger! |
Yucca Mountain is sacred to the Shoshone as an herb gathering site, for rituals, and as a part of their stories. Yucca Mountain is known in Shoshone language as Snake Mountain. Indeed it looks like a snake. It is said that the snake was headed north when it froze where it is. Further more it is said that it will move again and "flip around". Geologists say that there are thirteen different fault lines running through it.
Public hearings have not been well attended, statements mostly in favor of the plan to put all of the nuclear waste in the country in this one sacred place. Local papers & media spin have recently stated that opposition to the nuke dump had dropped off since the passing of Corbin Harney. The nuclear reps are confident to the point of acting like it's a done deal. LETS PROVE THEM WRONG! MAKE YOUR COMMENT NOW & TAKE ACTION!!
Citizens can make an oral statement at the scheduled public hearings or fill out a form and mail it in to EIS Office U.S. Department of Energy Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Mgmt, 1551 Hillshire Dr. Las Vegas, NV, 89195-7308 or by e-mail.
HERE ARE TALKING POINTS
"The eyes of the elders are on us. The fate of the unborn is rolling toward the cliff, the voice of Corbin Harney is ringing in my ears, "It's on your shoulders now...". ~ Bear Dyken
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Jan 01 2008
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Inspirational DNC/RNC piece from WSQT Guerrilla Radio in DC |
The turning of the seasons brings the turning of the tide. No matter what happens, in one year, Bush, the greatest evil the world has known in 60 years will be gone.
Audio: 1 min 19 sec There are those who would replace Bush and Cheney with more of the same-but this is not their year! There are those who would mislead us with the false promises of the Democrats-but this is not their year! read more
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Jan 01 2008
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Happy New Year From Recreate 68 |
A NEW YEAR’S SONG FROM R68
(sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne”)
Should we the people be forgot
For a big fat corporate fee
Should we the people be forgot
Must be time for the DNC
CHORUS:
The DNC, my friends
The DNC
They’ll lock us out and lock us up
At the DNC
CHORUS
The Dems will have a big party
With corporations by the score
But there’ll be no invitation
For the homeless or the poor
CHORUS
The city says ‘twill be easy
For folks to demonstrate
As long as they’re ten miles away
read more
(sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne”)
Should we the people be forgot
For a big fat corporate fee
Should we the people be forgot
Must be time for the DNC
CHORUS:
The DNC, my friends
The DNC
They’ll lock us out and lock us up
At the DNC
CHORUS
The Dems will have a big party
With corporations by the score
But there’ll be no invitation
For the homeless or the poor
CHORUS
The city says ‘twill be easy
For folks to demonstrate
As long as they’re ten miles away
read more
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Jan 01 2008
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Homeless Men Talk About the Housing Crisis, Public Housing, and Post-Katrina New Orleans |
Homeless Men Talk About the Housing Crisis, Public Housing, and Post-Katrina New Orleans
Additional commentary on the homeless situation along Claiborne Ave. under I-10: At the Intersection of Homelessness, Homeownership, and Public Housing
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Jan 01 2008
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Protests continue of Borderwatch in Spring |
For the past three months, we’ve been working with day laborers, local residents, and other activists to end US Border Watch’s harassment and intimidation at the day laborer site at 16324-16350 Stuebner Airline in Spring.
Last Saturday, December 22, we had a pretty good morning. We outnumbered the racists and had a whole lot more energy. A local minister joined the protest for the first time and played Christmas music on a boom box. Several of us sang along with the music, danced, and maintained a festive atmosphere...Constable’s and sheriff’s deputies responded to the call with eight squad cars and said they were responding to claims of a public disturbance. They detained both Border Watch members and protesters for a brief period. No one on either side was arrested, but at least two Border Watch members were found to be carrying hand guns. They may have had concealed handgun licenses, but they also have a whole lot of hate—and this is a dangerous combination. However, we must not be intimidated by racists with arms.
Our response must be to redouble our efforts to drive Border Watch off the streets. We hope you will join us for the next demonstration in solidarity with the day laborers and against the racists on Saturday, January 5th, at 8 am, in front of 16324-16350 Stuebner Airline in Spring.
Last Saturday, December 22, we had a pretty good morning. We outnumbered the racists and had a whole lot more energy. A local minister joined the protest for the first time and played Christmas music on a boom box. Several of us sang along with the music, danced, and maintained a festive atmosphere...Constable’s and sheriff’s deputies responded to the call with eight squad cars and said they were responding to claims of a public disturbance. They detained both Border Watch members and protesters for a brief period. No one on either side was arrested, but at least two Border Watch members were found to be carrying hand guns. They may have had concealed handgun licenses, but they also have a whole lot of hate—and this is a dangerous combination. However, we must not be intimidated by racists with arms.
Our response must be to redouble our efforts to drive Border Watch off the streets. We hope you will join us for the next demonstration in solidarity with the day laborers and against the racists on Saturday, January 5th, at 8 am, in front of 16324-16350 Stuebner Airline in Spring.
Protest against U.S. Border Watch in Spring on Saturday, December 29(plus report on the 22nd) | Report on Protest in Spring/ The Next Protest is Saturday, January 5 with photos | Audio Reports: A Local Professor Talks About the Day Labor Site Face Off in Spring, TX | Algunos jornaleros reaccionan a las manifestaciones en Spring, TX.
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Jan 02 2008
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Massive condo project planned for Randall shelter site |
Monument Realty(yes, that's the folks behind the "Nightmare on Half Street-2nd pic, north of the stadium) and Shalom Baranes Architects, have finally announced their intentions for the abandoned Randall School site(65 I Street SW), once Randall shelter, now in the hands of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
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Jan 02 2008
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January 19th Roe v. Wade Anniversary March in San Francisco |
On January 19th, the United States will observe the 35th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade court decision in favor of a woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. For the first time in many years, pro-choice marchers have been granted a permit for a rally in San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza (at Market and Embarcadero) at 11am on Saturday, January 19th, 2008. The "Walk for Life - West Coast" would normally bus some 10,000 anti-choice marchers in for its annual march through Fisherman's Wharf. It is unclear where the Walk for Life (2008 WFLWC flyer) will take place this year, as it is usually held in Justin Herman Plaza... read more>>
Related: 1/10: Radical Women Meeting About January 19th | Analysis | Indybay's Past coverage of Roe v. Wade anniversary marches | Bay Area Coalition for Our Reproductive Rights
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Jan 02 2008
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Support Activist Attacked by Denver Police: Arraignment for Larry Hales Thursday Jan 3rd |
To everyone that came to the press conference regarding the raid on Melissa's and my home and the attack and arrest of me, the arraignment for the charge of Interference will be on Thursday, January 3rd 8:15 am at Denver County Court on 1515 Cleveland Place, 4th Floor, Denver 80202.
It is difficult to know what will happen. We are demanding the charges be dropped as the cops had no right to invade our home, and the parole officer never submitted us with any documentation as to what rights we were entitled by opening our home to a parolee.
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Jan 02 2008
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Commemorate Our Leaders: Fight Racism From the Mexican Border, to New Orleans, to Palestine and to Iraq |
Come to a public meeting to discuss the organizing to
reclaim the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr.
and to build a fight against racism in all its forms
and to build unity of the oppressed Monday January 7th, 2008 6pm-830pm Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center and Cafe
2836 Welton Street, Denver 80205
Refreshments will be served.
With Speakers:
Dahlia Wasfi
Larry Hales
Ric Urrutia
Maiysha Smith
Mano Cockrum
Daniel Salcido
Shareef Aleem
Moderated by: Day Acoli
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Jan 03 2008
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Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project perform at 24th Annual Marketplace Festival |
Founded by activist and drummer Kristen Arant, the 'all girl' Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project recently performed at the 24th Annual Marketplace Festival & Health Fair at the Reeves Center in NW WDC.
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Jan 03 2008
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The Sea Lions Need You: Time Is Short |
In short, NW officials are scapegoating sea lions for the decline of the salmon populations on the Columbia. But it is not sea lions who are causing the salmon to go extinct, it is humans. Killing sea lions will not help salmon. It will only hurt sea lions.
You need to go out to the Columbia and see these animals to really understand. They are our neighbors. They clearly love each other. They sing to each other. They caress each other. They are intelligent beings, smarter than your dog. And they love their lives.
The best place to see them right now is along the pier in Astoria, just behind the safeway store. But soon, they will be making their semi-annual journey upstream, following the runs, as they have done for thousands of years. Then, you will be able to see and hear them all along the Columbia, sometimes even in the Willamette. They are part of our heritage as Cascadians. They, as much as the salmon, are part of who we are.
Please do something to save them. Take this one small action. If you act, it will make a difference. Please make a few phone calls.
Call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife here: Director's Office
(503) 947-6044 (for other ODFW contact info, see
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/directory/index.asp).
You need to go out to the Columbia and see these animals to really understand. They are our neighbors. They clearly love each other. They sing to each other. They caress each other. They are intelligent beings, smarter than your dog. And they love their lives.
The best place to see them right now is along the pier in Astoria, just behind the safeway store. But soon, they will be making their semi-annual journey upstream, following the runs, as they have done for thousands of years. Then, you will be able to see and hear them all along the Columbia, sometimes even in the Willamette. They are part of our heritage as Cascadians. They, as much as the salmon, are part of who we are.
Please do something to save them. Take this one small action. If you act, it will make a difference. Please make a few phone calls.
Call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife here: Director's Office
(503) 947-6044 (for other ODFW contact info, see
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/directory/index.asp).
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Jan 03 2008
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PRESCOTT FOOD NOT BOMBS DECLARES VICTORY! |
County Apologizes, Backs Down on Community Foodsharing
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Jan 03 2008
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Shell Oil/Broadwater in Long Island Sound Shot Down |
Still awaiting the final version of a key federal report, the Broadwater Energy project has been told that its application with state-level environmental regulators is lacking in several key areas and that the project could have “significant adverse impacts” on Long Island Sound's fish and lobsters.
Broadwater, a partnership of Shell US Gas and Power and TransCanada Corp., applied in early 2006 to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to locate a floating liquefied natural gas processing, storage and supply barge in New York state waters in the middle of Long Island Sound.
Broadwater, a partnership of Shell US Gas and Power and TransCanada Corp., applied in early 2006 to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to locate a floating liquefied natural gas processing, storage and supply barge in New York state waters in the middle of Long Island Sound.
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Jan 03 2008
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Activism at the 2008 Rose Parade |
January 1, 2008, Pasadena: At approximately 7:15am four of us began our walk along the Rose Parade route in advance of the parade. We held banners and signs calling for impeachment and urged people to text 30644 to support the impeachment of Dick Cheney.
(A block or so behind us was a contingent of people with signs protesting China’s human rights atrocities and its hosting the upcoming Olympics. A float celebrating the Beijing Olympics would be in the parade. This group had an impressive presence with many people and signs visible.)
The members of our group agreed that there was significant positive response to our message as well as considerable negative reactions and blank stares. However, some of us were rather positive in our final analyses, while I tilted toward the negative. Full Report from the Newswire: ATTACK OF THE ARCHIE BUNKER CLONES! (activism at the 2008 Rose Parade) by Self-Hating Caucasian
More Reports: 9:00 AM - Scattered Rose Parade Demonstrations Now Under Way | TV screen grabs of Rose Parade Banners
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Jan 03 2008
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Update from Kenyan Post-Election Crisis: Ten Things You Can Do |
Five days ago, on the 27th of December, I stood in a queue for six hours - from 5.30 AM to 11.30 AM, waiting for my turn to cast a vote in my country Kenya’s presidential, parliamentary and civic elections. When the votes were counted later that night, Raila Odinga, the opposition leader, began taking a near-unassailable lead. At one point, he led with almost one million votes. But somehow, Mwai Kibaki the incumbent president squeezed through a disputed victory. I can live with that. What I can’t live with, is that in the last three days, more than 200 Kenyans have lost their lives because of this disputed election results.
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Jan 03 2008
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Anti-War Activists Occupy fron of Hillary Clinton's HQ on eve of Iowa Caucus |
In conjunction with the actions organized by Voices for Creative Nonviolence, a group of local peace activists visited Hillary's national headquarters in Arlington... The nonviolent protest, featuring a mock coffin and the reading of Iraqi and American names killed in the more than five years of war and military occupation in Iraq.While our protest was going on, we learned that several of our brothers and sisters with Season of Discontent: A Presidential Occupation Project, were arrested in the Des Moines, Iowa offices of Republican candidate Mitt Romney and Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Read More>>
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Jan 04 2008
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Support War Resister Prisoner Brendan Walsh |
23 year old Brendan Walsh has spent over three years in Federal Prison for his role in a militant action that targeted a military recruitment center in Vestal, New York in April 2003. As tanks were entering Baghdad, Brendan took action against the military machinery in the town he was living in. Brendan is slated to be released from prison to a halfway house on February 8th. He's in need of support from our movement more than ever as he faces his release.
During a visit with Brendan last week, he communicated a desire for Kansas Mutual Aid to collect monetary donations to help aid Brendan in buying clothes and other needed items once released. Brendan's halfway house confirmation has been repeatedly delayed, so he has been under a lot of stress as he fights to ensure his release in February. He's in need of as much love and support as we can send. Please consider sending Brendan some words of love and support during his last several weeks in prison.
Brendan Walsh 12473-052
FCI/FSL Elkton
PO Box 10
Lisbon, OH 44432
During a visit with Brendan last week, he communicated a desire for Kansas Mutual Aid to collect monetary donations to help aid Brendan in buying clothes and other needed items once released. Brendan's halfway house confirmation has been repeatedly delayed, so he has been under a lot of stress as he fights to ensure his release in February. He's in need of as much love and support as we can send. Please consider sending Brendan some words of love and support during his last several weeks in prison.
Brendan Walsh 12473-052
FCI/FSL Elkton
PO Box 10
Lisbon, OH 44432
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Jan 04 2008
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Tasers deadly, should be banned |
A Taser, also known as a stun gun, is a hand-held device that fires two jumper-cable-type probes that attach to a person up to 35 feet away. It sends a charge of 50,000 volts to the body and demobilizes its subject....According to Amnesty International, 291 people have been killed by police Tasers in the United States since 2001, though the manufacturer denies there is a direct link. Amnesty is concerned that Tasers are being used as a routine tool of law enforcement rather than as a weapon of last resort. It says the vast majority of people killed by Tasers were unarmed and posed no danger to police.
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Jan 04 2008
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The Case for Socialized Medicine in the United States, and the Struggle to Achieve It |
Republican candidate Mitt Romney has declared of Hillary Clinton’s promised health care plan, “It’s a European-style socialized medicine plan, that’s where it leads–and that’s the wrong direction for America” (Shulte). Yet, unfortunately, Clinton’s plan has nothing in common with socialized medicine, neither of the European variety, nor the Canadian single payer. Her plan is to keep the broken and expensive capitalist system of health care, a system that keeps the insurance industry in charge of life and death questions of whether or not we receive health care when we need it.
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Jan 04 2008
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Re-Declaration of Independence by the Lakota Nation and a Red Pill interview with Duane Martin Sr. (Canupa Gluha Mani) |
Many people are familiar with the indigenous struggles of The Six Nations in Canada and the Zapatistas of Chiapas, but now that indigenous people’s struggle for the freedom of self-determination has fired a shot into the capital of imperialism, Washington D.C. On December 19th, a delegation from the Lakota Nation went to the State Department and formally withdrew from all the treaties that had been signed with the U.S. Government over the last 150 years, essentially seceding from the Union. The Red Pill was honored to speak with Duane Martin Sr. read more
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Jan 05 2008
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CIGNA and the death of Nataline Sarkisyan |
California nurses group says insurer CIGNA has 'blood on their hands'. The family of a 17-year-old woman who died after being initially denied payment for a liver transplant is suing the teen's insurance company. Nataline Sarkisyan died on December 20th after her family removed her from life support. She had been in a vegetative state for weeks due to complications following a bone marrow transplant. Insurer CIGNA HealthCare had first denied a doctor-recommended liver transplant for Nataline, who suffered from leukemia, but had reversed course a day before her death in the face of mounting public pressure.
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Jan 05 2008
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New Year San Jose Protest Against Jeppesen Dataplan |
On January 1st, activists slated, sang, and demonstrated at the downtown San Jose Ice Rink where Jeppesen Dataplan displays a corporate banner. The company handles the logistics for the CIA's torture flights and continues to be a sponsor of the city's ice rink, despite the fact that the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently went on record as supporting the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act and mentioning Jeppesen by name as implicated in the outsourcing of torture.
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Jan 05 2008
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Gold Star fathers to lead anti-war demonstration at bipartisan political forum - Monday 1/7 on OU campus |
Background: OU President (and former OK Democratic Senator) David Boren is hosting a political forum on Monday, 1/7 in Norman which will include Michael Bloomberg, (former Democrat, former Republican, now Independent) mayor of New York City, former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn and other retired politicians. The stated purpose is to promote a centrist, bipartisan political movement. The suspected purpose is to stroke the presidential ambitions of billionaire Bloomberg.
What: Demonstration to End The War and Bring The Troops Home.
Where: OU Campus, Norman, OK - Outside of Catlett Music Center - at Elm & Boyd.
When: Demonstration begins at 10A - 11A
(Bloomberg event 11A - Noon)
Demonstration continues Noon - 1P (depending on how long the event actually goes)
Who: Led by Gold Star Fathers: Warren Henthorn and John Scripsick
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Jan 05 2008
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The Indypendent Goes to New Hampshire! |
We’re sending Steve Wishnia to New Hampshire for five days to do some election coverage. He’s blogging for The Indypendent website and is writing the cover story for the next issue, which hits the streets in a week. While this is a departure from our usual reporting style, Steve can spin a good tale with his caustic wit, seasoned reporting skills and skeptical eye. He’ll be looking at larger issues of what’s motivating the electorate and what this election is really about, rather than doing the usual horse race coverage endemic to the corporate media.
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Jan 05 2008
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Judge Issues Final Order to Protect Smelt as Delta Fish Populations Plummet |
A federal judge's written order on Friday, December 14 to protect delta smelt was welcome news for the California Delta and those who are battling to protect it, in light of the continuing collapse of the Bay-Delta ecosystem revealed by the latest Dept. of Fish and Game surveys. Judge Oliver Wanger of the U.S. District Court in Fresno issued his final written order to put in place a decision he initially made on August 31. Environmental groups say this ruling will protect the smelt and the Bay-Delta Estuary ecosystem from "being further degraded by fresh water diversions."
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Jan 05 2008
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Santa Cruz Trash Orchestra |
Santa Cruz Trash Orchestra writes, "Invite us to wade through teargas with you, or break through police lines, to create a distraction while you rob a bank to redistribute the wealth in the name of the Cause. Invite us to help tear down the walls of oppression -- understand that it is totally okay if you mean this literally."
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Jan 05 2008
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Musings From Within the Triple Fun Zone |
Rico writes, "This year, the third year of the Last Night DIY celebration, did you notice the trend of the city starting to claim the party as it's own? It's awesome to feel accepted of course, but it's a double-edged sword. After the first couple years of getting nothing but grief from the cautious city administrators, conservative local media, and uniformed fascists, this year the Senile and the Good Times claimed that the celebration was "quickly becoming a Santa Cruz tradition," and "was a uniquely Santa Cruz event." Hahaha. That cracks me up. This year, Ed Porter himself "acknowledged the positive contribution Last Night DIY has made on the community." Two years ago, he characterized us in City Council and in the press as common lawbreakers. Oh well. So goes politicians. You watch, within a few years, you'll hear Ryan Coonerty and Mike Rotkin telling the media how they support the celebration and always have. If you don't budge, the system eventually redraws it's circle of acceptability around you. So if you live under empire and you have dreams of living free, you have to keep stepping outside of that circle." Read More | Photos: Parade | Street Party
Previous Years: 2006 Announcement | SCPD Violated Civil Rights Of Parade Organizers | Police Infiltrate Peaceful Parade Organizers | 2005 Celebration
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Jan 05 2008
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Looking Back at 2007 with Houston IMC |
The Houston Independent Media Center would like to thank the dozens of the reporters, photographers, video and sound recorders, organizers and activists for their contributions to the coverage we've produced in 2007. We are always looking for volunteer reporters to be the media and publish their coverage to Houston IMC. Our all volunteer collective was able to produce more than 150 features this year relevant to social movements in Houston and across the world. We encourage folks to look back at this summary of our coverage. In addition to the website, it has been a great year for our other projects:
The Radio Show: Every Friday at 7:30pm Houston Indymedia produced a half hour radio show for broadcast on KPFT 90.1fm [Listen to A Look Back at 2007 from the December 28th edition]. You can get involved by coming by the station at 419 Lovett around 7pm or by joining the radio working group email list
The Film Series: In 2007 Houston Indymedia continued its monthly(ish) film series with 12 screenings at Rice Cinema of independent documentary films on social and economic justice issues. The next year promises more quality independent documentary films, starting January 16th with Films Beyond Borders the Video Workgroup is seeking new volunteers to plan and promote our screenings. Interested folks should join the email list.
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Jan 06 2008
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DNC Medics Update |
It's convention time again and the Colorado Street Medics have been planning coverage for the Democratic National Convention here in Denver August 24th through the 28th. Since it is now officially 2008, here is our update.
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Jan 06 2008
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LA-IMC Top 10 for the year 2007 |
The LA-IMC Collective has compiled a list of the top 10 local stories for the year 2007. The list is based on traffic, number of hits and the ongoing importance of the story to local activists. The list is not ranked. Stories are listed in chronological order of their first appearance on the newswire.
1. Peace Activists and Youth Harassed by Police at MLK Parade Peace Activists at MLK Parade
2. Combating Police Terrorism in Maywood Maywood Residents Confront Police Brutality & Coalition of Groups Blast Maywood's Criminal Cops
3. Anti-War Action: UCSB Students Rise Up, Strike Against War & Block Freeway
4. USC Administrators Harsh Response to Student Activists USC Students Stage Anti-sweatshop Sit-in
5. Police Attack May Day Demonstration Police Attack May Day Demonstration | | Police Terror in the Park | | Bratton’s “Agitators” Story Untrue.
6. Countering Racism. Black Americans Choose: Minutemen Go Home
7. The War on Immigrants: ICE Raids Intensify: Families Torn Apart
8. The Criminal In-justice System: Manny Gonzales, the kid everyone forgot in the CA prison system
9. Exposing US Government Torture: CIA Expelled from UCSB Campus
10. The New Internationale: No Borders Camp
All content on the newswire is user provided so the Los Angeles Indymedia Collective would like to thank all those reporters, photographers, video and sound recorders, organizers and activists for their contribution. Keep up the good work.
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Jan 06 2008
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Critical Mass presents Resolution Revolution, 1st ride of the New Year Jan 12th |
Join Critical Mass Miami in Resolution Revolution as we celebrate the first ride of the New Year. Have Fun with People in the Community! Costumes & Props encouraged!
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Jan 06 2008
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This year's Miami King Mango Strut was the best ever.......... (with photos) |
The King Mango Strut is an annual parade held in Coconut Grove, Florida on the last Sunday of each year. The motto of the parade is "Putting the NUT in CocoNUT Grove." The parade was started in 1982 by Glenn Terry and the late Bill Dobson as a parody of the annual King Orange Jamboree parade for the Orange Bowl. After a group of Grove residents, known as the "Mango Marching Band" were denied entry into the Orange Bowl parade due to "unsuitable instruments" such as kazoos and conch shells, they decided to create their own parade.
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Jan 06 2008
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Friar Louis Cappio must live! |
The Brazilian semi-arid is immense: 912 thousand square km. It is populous: 22 million people in rural areas. It is the most rainy of the planet: 750 mm / year, on average, which corresponds to 760 billion cubic meters of rainfall per year. It is not true, therefore, that there is no water there. The nature provides it, but it is wasted: the waters evaporate quickly, under the strong sun, or go soon away, running on the crystalline waterproof ground.....
I look for a book on the bookshelf at home. In the face sheet I read: "To Cesar, who also walks on the same side of the same river. Gentio do Ouro, October 2001. "From inside the book falls a card that was already forgotten:" Cesar, grateful for your unexpected softness, for your lucid and firm presence. Thank you for you there. I hug you. Adriano. "I can't contain my emotion.
Between 1992 and 1993, for a year, Adriano and three more people held a walk of 2,700 km, from the springs to the mouth of San Francisco river. The book, which they gave me when I visited them in the desert-From the mouth to the source, the message of the river, Nancy Mangabeira Unger-poetically tells the works of this group of heroes whose lives are confused with the struggle for life of the river and of populations that depend on it.
The leader of the pilgrims was a Franciscan friar, the most Franciscan of all Franciscans I knew, Luís Cappio. I don't remember where I met him the first time - I think it was at "Pintada" - but I never forgot him. He is a rare man. He lives deeply to Christianity, his mission. Today, he is the bishop of "Barra". Continued the same simple pilgrim, a brother of humanity, a poor living among the poor. He is on hunger strike for more than 30 days and may die. Adriano remains at his side.
From Brasilia, President Lula criticizes brother Louis and his companions, contrary to the transposition of the waters of San Francisco river, saying they do not care about the thirst of the people of northeastern. To those who know the two characters, it is pathetic. A moral abyss separates them. From this abyss are born the two different proposals.
I look for a book on the bookshelf at home. In the face sheet I read: "To Cesar, who also walks on the same side of the same river. Gentio do Ouro, October 2001. "From inside the book falls a card that was already forgotten:" Cesar, grateful for your unexpected softness, for your lucid and firm presence. Thank you for you there. I hug you. Adriano. "I can't contain my emotion.
Between 1992 and 1993, for a year, Adriano and three more people held a walk of 2,700 km, from the springs to the mouth of San Francisco river. The book, which they gave me when I visited them in the desert-From the mouth to the source, the message of the river, Nancy Mangabeira Unger-poetically tells the works of this group of heroes whose lives are confused with the struggle for life of the river and of populations that depend on it.
The leader of the pilgrims was a Franciscan friar, the most Franciscan of all Franciscans I knew, Luís Cappio. I don't remember where I met him the first time - I think it was at "Pintada" - but I never forgot him. He is a rare man. He lives deeply to Christianity, his mission. Today, he is the bishop of "Barra". Continued the same simple pilgrim, a brother of humanity, a poor living among the poor. He is on hunger strike for more than 30 days and may die. Adriano remains at his side.
From Brasilia, President Lula criticizes brother Louis and his companions, contrary to the transposition of the waters of San Francisco river, saying they do not care about the thirst of the people of northeastern. To those who know the two characters, it is pathetic. A moral abyss separates them. From this abyss are born the two different proposals.
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Jan 06 2008
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Chilean police shoot and kill a Mupache supporter |
Chile - Police shot and killed Matias Catrileo Quezada, a 22-year-old university student, and Mapuche supporter during a land re-occupation near the southern city of Vilcun. The indigenous Mapuche peoples of of southern Chile regularly clash with authorities over control of their ancestral lands but this is the first fatality that has resulted from the conflict since 2003.
The incident took place at Dawn on Thursday when a group of about 25 Mapuche Indians and their supporters raided a farm and burned the livestock feed. Police who had been charged with protecting the farm after a number of similar incursions, gave chase and fired on the group who retreated to a nearby school. Catrileo was shot in the stomach and died at the scene. Catrileo's comrades took his body and refused to hand it over to police but after negotiations organized by Villarica Bishop Sixto Parzinger worked out a deal in which they were willing to turn over the body. The human rights group Amnesty International has demanded a full investigation into the incident.
Activists rallied outside the La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago and died at least one of the Palace's fountains blood red to protest the murder. Riot police clashed with demonstrators and made a number of arrests.
The incident took place at Dawn on Thursday when a group of about 25 Mapuche Indians and their supporters raided a farm and burned the livestock feed. Police who had been charged with protecting the farm after a number of similar incursions, gave chase and fired on the group who retreated to a nearby school. Catrileo was shot in the stomach and died at the scene. Catrileo's comrades took his body and refused to hand it over to police but after negotiations organized by Villarica Bishop Sixto Parzinger worked out a deal in which they were willing to turn over the body. The human rights group Amnesty International has demanded a full investigation into the incident.
Activists rallied outside the La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago and died at least one of the Palace's fountains blood red to protest the murder. Riot police clashed with demonstrators and made a number of arrests.
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Jan 06 2008
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March on Joe Sestak's office |
On Saturday, 5 January, Delaware County Wage Peace & Justice conducted a march to Congressman Joe Sestak's (D-PA) office in Media PA.
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Jan 06 2008
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Indypendent Election Coverage: Roundup |
Recent coverage of the 2008 Presidential Election, courtesy of the Indypendent.
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Jan 06 2008
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The Ron Paul "Revolution", an Extreme Rightwing Threat |
Steven Argue writes, "For the most part the Iowa caucuses were business as usual for the Democrat and Republican Parties. Among the Democrats, 'anti-war' and 'pro-single payer health care' Democrat Dennis Kucinich put his support behind pro-war, anti-single payer health care Barack Obama. Yet on the far right, anti-war Libertarian and Republican Ron Paul gained a stunning 10% of the vote."
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Jan 07 2008
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Will S.1959 be used to restrict U.S. Citizens traveling in their own Country? |
Government officials have called lawful protesters potential terrorists and a threat to national security. Will protestors be able to fly after the Senate passes S.1959, “The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act"? S.1959 will create a powerful “new government commission” that will investigate and report to the U.S. Government which Americans and organizations are “idealistically based toward Violence”, might or do support "Violent Radicalization; or Homegrown Terrorism.
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Jan 07 2008
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The 2007 Chicago Indymedia Year In Review |
Chicago Indymedia has once again proved itself as a news and organizing resource for Chicagoans concerned about social justice and the efforts for a better Chicago. The past year 2007 is no different; Chicago Indymedia has covered unserved and underserved stories, and has also broken stories that make a difference.
Chicago Indymedia is proud to present the 2007 Chicago Indymedia Year in Review.
Chicago Indymedia is proud to present the 2007 Chicago Indymedia Year in Review.
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Jan 07 2008
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Columbia Landslide, a Month Later: Get set for more |
Last month, a landslide crashed down from the mountains, swallowing up homes and cars, and closing down Highway 30 for days on end. People could very likely have died, had it not been for the heroic efforts of workers who realized the slide was imminent, and quickly evacuated the area. It is now beyond dispute that the slide was caused by logging. Even the corporate media has finally acknowledged this indisputable fact. (Ironically, the slide began on land that was being "managed" by the OSU forestry program.) One tract of land above the slide had been logged in 2004, another had been logged more than a decade ago. The state of erosion and instability in both tracts contributed to the slide. It was, in fact, caused by logging.
Today, I traveled out that way to see how the clean-up is going, and to assess the situation along the highway through the coast range. What I saw was a disaster in the making. I saw peoples' homes and all their worldly possessions, still buried in mud and debris. I saw steep mountains denuded of their protective trees, from Ranier all the way out to the ocean. And I saw many more slides in the making. It is only a matter of time.
Today, I traveled out that way to see how the clean-up is going, and to assess the situation along the highway through the coast range. What I saw was a disaster in the making. I saw peoples' homes and all their worldly possessions, still buried in mud and debris. I saw steep mountains denuded of their protective trees, from Ranier all the way out to the ocean. And I saw many more slides in the making. It is only a matter of time.
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Jan 07 2008
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Conspiracy Charge Dropped Against Five of the SF8 |
On Friday, January 4th, prosecutors in the San Francisco 8 case announced that they are, in effect, dropping the conspiracy count against 5 of the men because the statute of limitations on conspiracy charges has expired. Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank Jones and Harold Taylor now only face one count, the alleged murder of a San Francisco Police Officer in 1971. The case against Richard O'Neal must now be dismissed since he was originally charged only in the conspiracy count. On January 10th, their lawyers will ask that the conspiracy count be dropped against the other 3 men.
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Jan 07 2008
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Will S.1959 be used to restrict U.S. Citizens traveling in their own Country? |
Government officials have called lawful protesters potential terrorists and a threat to national security. Will protestors be able to fly after the Senate passes S.1959? “The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act."
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Jan 07 2008
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NH Primary Debates |
Sunday's Presidential Primary debates not much more than extended press conference. I approached the Media Center at St. Anselm's College yesterday afternoon with some amount of trepidation. I was going to the NH Presidential Debates without receiving advance press credentials, essential for admission to the inner circle of the Fourth Estate. I had tried several times to get the goods by emailing WMUR and ABC, co-sponsors of the debates. However, the layer of obfuscation is so thick that it’s quite difficult, at best, to penetrate.
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Jan 07 2008
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FBI/ DOJ caught lying in case of Briana Waters, falsely accused of "ecoterrorism" |
FBI/ DOJ caught lying in case of Briana Waters, falsely accused of "ecoterrorism"
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Jan 07 2008
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A VISIT TO THE HOLEY LAND |
Fifteen residents of Cambridge, Massachusetts, formed a people-to-people delegation to Bethlehem, that "little town" of legend and current West Bank REALITY for five days in late November 2007, with a day in Jerusalem before and after. What follows is my impressions of this trip. Those who care about Palestinian rights may find some useful observations. I hope that those who care mainly about Israel will read on and perhaps come to agree that present policies are no better, in the long run, for Israel than they are for Palestine, and that a resolution that is good for Palestine will also benefit Israel.
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Jan 08 2008
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UPRISING RADIO: Guinness World Records Rewrites History |
In a new interview with Uprising Radio (KPFK Los Angeles), Ramona Africa gives an update on The MOVE organization's efforts challenging The Guinness World Records 2008 book's labeling of the May 13, 1985 police bombing of MOVE's home (resulting in the deaths of 6 adults and 5 children), as a "mass suicide." Ramona explains that Guinness now says that the section on MOVE will be deleted from the next printing. MOVE wants Guinness to go further and make a public statement that they were wrong about both the "mass suicide," and the description of MOVE as a "cult."
The debut issue of Two-One-Five Magazine, features a new essay on May 13, by Hans Bennett, which spotlights a new interview with journalist Linn Washington, Jr. (then working for The Daily News), who witnessed MOVE member Jerry Africa (not inside 6221 Osage) attempting to negotiate with Mayor Goode during the afternoon of the May 13 standoff, before the bomb was dropped. He wanted to tell Goode that MOVE would disengage from the confrontation if Goode would agree to an investigation of the Aug. 8, 1978-related MOVE convictions. Jerry Africa was supported by civil rights activist Randolph Means and former Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Williams. The three of them repeatedly tried to call Goode on the telephone, but he would not take their call. Washington immediately called the story into The Daily News, but it was never published. Read the full essay (pgs. 80-85) online.
LISTEN TO SHOW! For more, see MOVE's website, past Philly IMC coverage, a radio-essay by Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the recent MOVE documentary narrated by Howard Zinn.
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Jan 08 2008
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Fur Trapping Increases In Oregon |
The number of licensed fur trappers in Oregon has more than doubled for the 2007 - 08 trapping season. According to the ODFW, 1500 new licenses were issued above the roughly 1,000 already outstanding. The revived popularity of furs in fashion, reversing the decline of the past decade, has caused a marked increase in the price of pelts, especially bobcat.
Population growth in rural areas has led to more conflicts between newcomers and trappers, often caused when pets, especially dogs, are caught and sometimes killed. Most new residents in the rural West are unpleasantly surprised to find traps along their hiking and skiing trails, fishing streams, creek bottoms, anywhere in fact where furbearers can be found. Oregon has very few restrictions on where traps can be set. They can be set anywhere along public roads and trails, anywhere on public lands unless specifically forbidden. There are no required setbacks, no indications where traps are set. Traps designed to kill are mingled with leg-hold traps.
Newspaper stories and letters to editors about trapped pets have brought unwanted attention to the trapping industry. Dogs trapped and killed in Montana, Nevada and Oregon during the 2006 -07 trapping season have inspired the formation of citizen groups intent on restricting or eliminating this abusive practice. TrapFree Oregon, FootLoose Montana and TrailSafe (Nevada) have all begun to educate the public about the indiscriminate and cruel nature of trapping, whether it be for fur or wildlife management.
http://trapfreeoregon.org
Population growth in rural areas has led to more conflicts between newcomers and trappers, often caused when pets, especially dogs, are caught and sometimes killed. Most new residents in the rural West are unpleasantly surprised to find traps along their hiking and skiing trails, fishing streams, creek bottoms, anywhere in fact where furbearers can be found. Oregon has very few restrictions on where traps can be set. They can be set anywhere along public roads and trails, anywhere on public lands unless specifically forbidden. There are no required setbacks, no indications where traps are set. Traps designed to kill are mingled with leg-hold traps.
Newspaper stories and letters to editors about trapped pets have brought unwanted attention to the trapping industry. Dogs trapped and killed in Montana, Nevada and Oregon during the 2006 -07 trapping season have inspired the formation of citizen groups intent on restricting or eliminating this abusive practice. TrapFree Oregon, FootLoose Montana and TrailSafe (Nevada) have all begun to educate the public about the indiscriminate and cruel nature of trapping, whether it be for fur or wildlife management.
http://trapfreeoregon.org
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Jan 08 2008
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Neighbors Unite Against the BLM’s “WOPR” |
Cave Junction, Oregon - Friends and neighbors with homes and businesses near Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property will rally at BLM headquarters, 3040 Biddle Road in Medford, on Tuesday January 8th at 11:00AM, come rain, snow or shine! The peaceful rally will address numerous issues and concerns that directly affect the economy, environmental health and quality of residents’ lives through-out the region. A bus load of residents from the Illinois Valley will arrive just before 11:00 am. Opposition to the BLM’s Western Oregon Planning Revision (WOPR) process for 2.5 million acres of public forestland statewide has galvanized a huge and diverse alliance. Rally organizer and Illinois Valley resident Dorothea Hover-Kramer said, “At countless meetings, when we ask how many people live adjacent to or near BLM lands, all the hands in the room go up!” Hover-Kramer adds, “There are many new faces: vineyard owners, farmers, river and back-country outfitters, horse enthusiasts, restaurant owners, teachers, scientists and retirees, to name a few.”
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Jan 08 2008
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R68 Call for Community Meeting to organize for DNC, January 19, 10 am, Four Winds |
CALL FOR COMMUNITY MEETING TO ORGANIZE FOR THE DNC
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 10 am
FOUR WINDS SURVIVAL CENTER, 5TH & BANNOCK, DENVER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 10 am
FOUR WINDS SURVIVAL CENTER, 5TH & BANNOCK, DENVER
It is now 2008. The Democratic National Convention will be here in eight short months. Thousands of activists will come from around the country. Denver justice and peace groups need to prepare for them, as well as for our own events. read more
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Jan 08 2008
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North Carolina Unconventional Action Weighs in on DNC |
We wish for anarchists and anti-authoritarians organizing against the DNC to maintain autonomous organizing structures, so we can initiate and coordinate our own actions rather than simply reacting to others’ decisions. We should use our power in a way that complements and supports others in their struggles, but retain our own infrastructure and decision making. In previous mass actions, when anarchist and anti-authoritarian efforts have been subsumed into vertically structured organizing, it has neither benefited us nor, in our opinion, the effectiveness of the mass actions in general... read more
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Jan 08 2008
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On-going Protest of Fur Shop Kicks Off on Fur-Free Friday |
On Friday, November 24th, ("Fur-Free Friday") approximately 10 individuals protested the selling of fur at J. Malnick's at 1901 Broadway in Oakland. Protesters educated passers-by about the horrors of the fur industry, including how animals are commonly killed using cruel methods including poisoning, gassing and anal electrocution and how cat and dog fur is often mislabeled as coming from another animal. Further demonstrations have been regularly scheduled.
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Jan 08 2008
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Peace and Freedom Party Candidate Forums |
The Peace and Freedom Party will hold six presidential candidate forums this weekend to inform voters about their choices on the February 5th presidential preference primary ballot. These events will be in Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego, starting with a January 11th forum in Sacramento.
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Jan 08 2008
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Upcoming Events: Immigrant & Refugee Task Force |
On January 9th, the Center for Intercultural Organizing is inviting members of Mayor Tom Potter's Immigrant & Refugee Task force to present their recommendations to the community. The task force built upon the work of hundreds of individuals and dozens of community organizations who, in various ways, participated in a two year-long
effort to make the City of Portland aware of immigrant and refugee community issues, needs, strengths and contributions.
Yet again, City Council needs to hear your voices. Please come to the Immigrant and Refugee Task Force Community Forum and find out how you can ensure that the recommendations are implemented. Together, we can create an environment in which immigrants and refugees are recognized and supported as valued residents of our city.
effort to make the City of Portland aware of immigrant and refugee community issues, needs, strengths and contributions.
Yet again, City Council needs to hear your voices. Please come to the Immigrant and Refugee Task Force Community Forum and find out how you can ensure that the recommendations are implemented. Together, we can create an environment in which immigrants and refugees are recognized and supported as valued residents of our city.
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Jan 08 2008
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COALITION OF INDIGENOUS GROUPS FIGHTS BACK AGAINST HOMELAND SECURITY |
Indigenous Communities Call on DHS to Stop Border Land Grab, Respect Property and Human Rights
On Monday, January 7, a coalition of Native American and border community leaders announced their intent to fight the Department of Homeland Security's threatened seizure of their property along the United States-Mexico border. DHS is attempting to use its powers of eminent domain in order to illegally seize private lands and build the controversial border security wall. The announcement, made during a national telephonic media conference, took place on the same day that DHS 30-day notices expired, leaving Texas landowners along the international boundary terrorized by the possibility of losing ancestral lands.
Last month, DHS Secretary Chertoff stated DHS's intent to seize privately-held property in south Texas if property owners fail to cooperate with government efforts to erect the border wall, approved by Congress last year. DHS has stated that it will seize property even without the consent of landowners if necessary to complete the construction of the border fence.
DHS plans to complete the Texas portions of the fence before the end of the 2008 calendar year. DHS has already built walls along much of the California and Arizona international boundary zone with Mexico despite opposition from the government of Mexico. In Arizona, the wall cuts through Native American ceremonial crossing areas as well as through a national wildlife park. Indigenous communities are calling on the U.S. government to stop this land grab and respect the rights of migrants, Americans and indigenous peoples at the U.S.-Mexico border... read more>>> | See also: "Apaches Rise to Defend Homelands from Homeland Security" and "Attorney to Homeland Security for Apaches: Back off at the Border!"
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Jan 08 2008
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643 Documented Complaints Following Aerial Pesticide Spraying |
As of December 20, 2007 various governmental agencies and public interest groups have received 643 documented complaints from Monterey and Santa Cruz area residents who believe they suffered adverse short-term reactions following the aerial spraying of pesticide pheromones on their cities in September, October, and November 2007. Of the 643 complaints, 509 are reported here for the first time, along with the original 134 complaints of adverse reactions following the aerial spraying of the Monterey area in September which were released to state agencies and the press in October.
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Jan 08 2008
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On the Eve of the NH Primary, in three parts |
In the final hours before the primary that will rock the nation, your faithful editors spent their evening talking to supporters of several candidates in downtown Dover, attending a Dennis Kucinich event, interviewing Viggo Mortensen, going to a John Edwards event that turned out to be cancelled, and being given the brush off by an arrogant Obama campaign worker.
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Jan 08 2008
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WRAN Calls for Moratorium on Cellular Antennas and WiFi in Santa Cruz County |
The Wireless Radiation Alert Network (WRAN) educates Santa Cruz County community members on the adverse health effects related to Electro Magnetic Frequency (EMF) exposure in the extremely-low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) band of the electromagnetic spectrum (1-300GHz). Energies of these frequencies, called non-ionizing, are used in electrical transmission, distribution and electrical use by the public, by radio and tv broadcasts, cellular transmissions, wireless internet access and more. WRAN promote alternatives to wireless communication systems, for example the use of fiber optics and coaxial cables and to preserve existing landline phone networks.
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Jan 08 2008
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Colateral Repair Project Event in Ashland |
Collateral Repair Project: A Report Back on the Iraqi Refugee Crisis in Jordan with Mary Madsen
Monday, January 14th at the Peace House in Ashland
Monday, January 14th at the Peace House in Ashland
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Jan 09 2008
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'Parking Lot Panic Law' Used to Disperse Drummers in Santa Cruz |
On two successive Wednesdays, December 26th and January 2nd, police officers ordered a peaceful drum circle to leave the parking lot on Cedar Street alongside the Santa Cruz Farmers Market. The police are enforcing a new municipal ordinance, which went into effect in mid-November, that activists refer to as the 'Parking Lot Panic Law.' The merchant-backed law prohibits lingering in a parking lot or garage, unless you have a vehicle there (and then only for fifteen minutes).
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Jan 09 2008
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Blumenauer Speech Will Draw Protest to the Bus Project Conference |
Friday, January 11 at 1:30 PM
Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn St.
Individuals for Justice, Veterans for Peace and other groups will join in a protest calling for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. They are calling on all progressives in Portland to join them.
The protest is directed at Representative Earl Blumenauer who has refused to join in calling for articles of impeachment against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Blumenauer will present the keynote speech at the Rebooting Democracy Conference sponsored by the Bus Project.
Demonstrators called upon the Bus Project to find a speaker who is more supportive of holding Bush and Cheney accountable for numerous violations of the U.S. laws. When the Bus Project chose not to replace Blumenauer, protesters decided to demonstrate at the conference.
Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn St.
Individuals for Justice, Veterans for Peace and other groups will join in a protest calling for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. They are calling on all progressives in Portland to join them.
The protest is directed at Representative Earl Blumenauer who has refused to join in calling for articles of impeachment against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Blumenauer will present the keynote speech at the Rebooting Democracy Conference sponsored by the Bus Project.
Demonstrators called upon the Bus Project to find a speaker who is more supportive of holding Bush and Cheney accountable for numerous violations of the U.S. laws. When the Bus Project chose not to replace Blumenauer, protesters decided to demonstrate at the conference.
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Jan 09 2008
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Should You Be On A Government Watch List? |
The words "May pose a suspected threat to National Security" are so vague one can't wonder if that could apply to stopping individuals wanting to fly to an anti-war or environmental protest. Case in point: Currently, International air carriers are responsible for checking passengers against "government watch lists." That will change in 2008.
Subsequently in 2008, under the Federal Government's "Secure Flight Program" the Government will begin not allowing U.S. Citizens on domestic flights until the government has prescreened a passenger's information against "government Watch Lists." The Government states, "Watch Lists" will be used to identify individuals who "may pose" a known or suspected threat to aviation or national security. But what does that mean? "May pose a suspected threat—to national security? U.S. Government officials have called protesters potential terrorists and a threat to national security. The words "May pose a suspected threat... " are so vague one can't help wonder if that could" apply to an individual wanting to fly to an anti-war or environmental protest.
Subsequently in 2008, under the Federal Government's "Secure Flight Program" the Government will begin not allowing U.S. Citizens on domestic flights until the government has prescreened a passenger's information against "government Watch Lists." The Government states, "Watch Lists" will be used to identify individuals who "may pose" a known or suspected threat to aviation or national security. But what does that mean? "May pose a suspected threat—to national security? U.S. Government officials have called protesters potential terrorists and a threat to national security. The words "May pose a suspected threat... " are so vague one can't help wonder if that could" apply to an individual wanting to fly to an anti-war or environmental protest.
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Jan 09 2008
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Italy: Racist attack against 250 gypsies in Rome |
Rome. January 4th, 2008. Last night, at about 10 p.m., a devastating fire broke out inside the two sheds of the former Mira Lanza warehouse (each about 500 mts square) in the Marconi area of the city. 250 Rrom citizens had take shelter in the sheds, living in very harsh conditions. The fire broke out suddenly and spread with unprecedented speed throughout the sheds of the derelict warehouses. Some of the Rroms noticed the flames and gave the alarm, allowing all the families, including 100 children, to make their escape. The fire was obviously a case of arson because it broke out in the same moment in both sheds, which stand many meters apart. It is impossible that the flames spread from one shed to the other. What is more, the speed with which the flames developed and spread and the height of the flames are typical of fires caused by Molotov cocktails.
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Jan 09 2008
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Eric McDavid Update - 1.08.08 |
We just wanted to give you the latest information about Eric's upcoming hearing dates. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the hearing on the motion for a new trial has been moved to January 24, and sentencing has been moved to February 14th. Every time a hearing gets moved it's a frustrating and emotionally trying situation for all of us, as this only prolongs the amount of time that Eric has to spend in Sacramento County Main Jail (which has much worse restrictions and living conditions than a federal facility, for which he is ultimately headed, will have). It also prolongs the wait we have to endure before we can start the appeals process, which can't begin until after sentencing. Please keep writing Eric! Your letters always help him through these difficult times. Information on writing Eric can be found on his website: www.supporteric.org
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Jan 09 2008
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Preparing to Protest the Republican Convention: An Update From the Twin Cities |
SHADES OF RNC 2008? CLUELESS ANTIWAR GROUP CALLS COPS ON CRITICS
From the police riot at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago to the mass arrests at the 2004 party conventions in Boston and New York, and at every convention in between, police have played a terrible role of crushing political dissent and brutalizing those who dare challenge the ruling elites. Naturally, then, with the Republican Convention poised to hit our river banks in summer 2008 and with popular opinion about the direction of this country at an all time low, many are concerned about whether there will be room to exercise our First Amendment rights at all. Actions by the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils and their respective police departments certainly give us no reassurance, especially with their secret meetings, efforts to pass new ordinances restricting protest and refusals to grant permits.
http://www.protestrnc2008.org/
From the police riot at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago to the mass arrests at the 2004 party conventions in Boston and New York, and at every convention in between, police have played a terrible role of crushing political dissent and brutalizing those who dare challenge the ruling elites. Naturally, then, with the Republican Convention poised to hit our river banks in summer 2008 and with popular opinion about the direction of this country at an all time low, many are concerned about whether there will be room to exercise our First Amendment rights at all. Actions by the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils and their respective police departments certainly give us no reassurance, especially with their secret meetings, efforts to pass new ordinances restricting protest and refusals to grant permits.
http://www.protestrnc2008.org/
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Jan 09 2008
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Sherman Heights Resists Border Patrol Violence |
On Saturday, over forty community members in Sherman Heights met in the cold rain and wind to protest the reckless, violent apprehension and beating of a young man by the border patrol the previous day.According to a witness, two border patrol agents, one in a car and one on foot, were chasing three young men in the vicinity of 28th and L Street Friday morning.... "[The border patrol agent] was just racing... He didnt even care if would run over a kid... He just ran into the sidewalk, that's how reckless he was driving. Somebody could have been crossing the street, he was just driving so reckless. That is what made me angry."
At the demonstration, speakers talked about the toll that border patrol and police violence takes on communities and families, the relationship of this violence to the border and regional and global issues, and the need to organize the community for resistance. Read More>> | Video 35 mbytes 9 min 53 sec | Related: Indigenous Communities Call on DHS to Stop Border Land Grab, Respect Property and Human Rights
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Jan 09 2008
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Feds Target Puerto Ricans in New York; Protests In Philadelphia Friday |
Three young Puerto Rican activists in New York City have been subpoenaed to appear before a Federal Grand jury investigating the Puerto Rican Independence Movement in general, and in particular, the Ejercito Popular Boricua (EPB: Popular Boricua Army), also known as the Macheteros. Protests are scheduled throughout the country to oppose the subpoenas.
In Philadelphia, the National Boricua Human Rights Network is sponsoring a protest at 6 p.m. on Friday outside the Federal Building on 6th and Market streets.
More Information: Boricua Human Rights Network | Septermber 23rd Organization
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Jan 09 2008
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Voter destroys Presidential Primary ballot at the polls. |
A Barrington New Hampshire voter, disgusted with the corrupted system, destroys his ballot at the polls in this morning's Primary election.
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Jan 09 2008
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Community Policing |
The Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center and the Worcester Police Department are excited to announce a major step and commitment to community policing in the Pleasant Street/ Piedmont Neighborhood. Since October 2007, Officer Jason Gaumond has been working in the neighborhood, building relationships with local business owners, and getting to know residents and leaders throughout the community.
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Jan 10 2008
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Trimet wants to whittle away Fareless Square |
One of the premier amenities that distinguishes Portland as a uniquely urbane American city is under a new attack. Trimet wants to restrict the hours of Fareless Square to between 7am and 7pm. Voice your opinion at upcoming public hearings on January 16, 2008. The first hearing will take place 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Liberty Center in the Lloyd District; the second hearing will occur from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Portland Building downtown.
Here is a link to more information.
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Jan 10 2008
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Free Speech Victory in Central Park Lawsuit |
The Partnership for Civil Justice has announced today the filing in Court of a landmark settlement agreement with the City of New York that strikes down key provisions of controversial and unconstitutional regulations aimed at restricting access to the Great Lawn of Central Park. The National Council of Arab Americans (NCA) and the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
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Jan 10 2008
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Benning Library Lawsuit: Victory for DC Ward 7 ANC Commissioners |
On December 20, 2007, Superior Court ordered defendants of the Benning Library lawsuit, Fenty et al, to comply with the ANC, and the Real Property Disposition Economic Analysis Amendment Act, in planning a new library for the Benning community. Plaintiffs, which include several ANC Commissioners from Ward 7, have sued because their library was boarded up for over three years, then torn down. Plaintiffs and concerned citizens throughout the city wonder why these libraries were torn down when the city faces one of the worst adult illiteracy and school drop-out problems in the country. Plaintiffs are fighting to expand library and literacy services in their community, amidst growing mistrust in the community that the libraries will ever be restored.
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Jan 10 2008
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Cartoon by Latuff: 60 Years of The Catastroph |
May 15th, 1948, was the Palestinian Al-Nakba (the Catastrophe), or what Israel refers to as the "Day of Independence". To Palestinians, it symbolizes the dispossession, displacement, and uprooting of 800,000 Palestinians from their homes in what then became Israel… High-resolution cartoon for printing purposes here: http://www.fileflyer.com/view/WAt5EBP http://israelsbirthday.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/nakba.jpg
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Jan 10 2008
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Three San Francisco Dispensaries Are Granted Provisional Operating Permits |
On January 9th, three San Francisco Medical Cannabis Dispensaries received provisional permits from the City's Health Department. Divinity Tree, Compassion and Care Center, and Market Street Cooperative (aka Act-Up) have just a few more steps to go through until they will receive their operating permits. Many dispensaries are attempting to complete the permitting process, as San Francisco law requires permits by March 1st, 2008. On Thursday Jan. 10th a land use hearing for CannaMed Care Center (CMC) will be held at 1:30pm in City Hall.
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Jan 10 2008
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Jeff Free Luers resentencing - new hearing date |
We have news on Jeff's hearing date. It has been rescheduled for Tuesday January 15, 2008, in Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene, Oregon.
As we stated before, it is requested that only Jeff's family and close friends attend the hearing. We are also requesting that things are kept low-key -- any protest or similar activity would be acting against the wishes of Jeff and his family. We will keep everyone updated and share information with you all right away. Stay tuned for updates and reports. Thank you!
As we stated before, it is requested that only Jeff's family and close friends attend the hearing. We are also requesting that things are kept low-key -- any protest or similar activity would be acting against the wishes of Jeff and his family. We will keep everyone updated and share information with you all right away. Stay tuned for updates and reports. Thank you!
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Jan 10 2008
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Patrick Thompson returns to court January 14 |
URBANA - Nearly 3 and a half years after felony criminal charges were filed against Patrick Thompson, the founder of Visionaries Educating Youth and Adults (VEYA), the case is scheduled for yet another pre-trial hearing Monday, January 14 in front of Judge Harry Clem in Courtroom A at 2:00 p.m. Read Full Report by Seth Jackson
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Jan 10 2008
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Town Hall Citizen Congress Announced |
A new local group is applying a ‘mixed medley’ approach to civic edification, according to Christine Beems, Chairwoman of The Committee for Honest Law Enforcement in Van Buren County.
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Jan 11 2008
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Films Beyond Borders - January 16th at Rice Cinema |
Houston Indymedia is proud to continue our series of progressive documentary films at Rice Cinema this January the 16th at 8pm, with 5 short films on struggles for human dignity and freedom of movement. From Indiana, California and Texas, the experiences of immigrant youth, anti-border activists and detained migrants tell stories that can break through the systems of exclusion and give a glimpse of our common humanity. The films presented look at the consequences of the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the US; how that impacts the immigrants, the environment, our public institutions, as well as looking at the diverse types of resistance and perseverance of immigrants and their allies.
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Jan 11 2008
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3rd Annual Ghost Bike Ride |
The 3rd annual Ghost Bike memorial ride was held this past Sunday. In 2007 at least 23 bike riders were killed by cars on the streets of New York and on average a pedestrian is killed by a car every other day.
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Jan 11 2008
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Mrs. Plummer vs. Speaker Quinn |
On this frigid January morning, hundreds trekked to the U.S. Southern District Federal Court in Downtown, New York City to witness the civil case of Viola Plummer vs. NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn. They soon filled the courtroom to capacity. The overflow watched via satellite from another room, and more filled the halls. Clearly the Sonny Carson street name saga continues to resonate among Black and progressive New Yorkers.
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Jan 11 2008
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Interview with John David Kwabili of Kenya Indymedia |
While the international media focuses on shocking stories of ethnic violence in Kenya following a disputed presidential election, activists with Kenya Indymedia (Kenya.indymedia.org) are working to create a space where their fellow citizens can “voice their thoughts, fears, tribulations and aspirations” and strive toward restoring peace in their society.
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Jan 11 2008
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Urgent! Transportation Committee hearing this Friday |
Your presence is needed this Friday at a hearing on the proposed legal presence requirement to Oregon driver's licenses.
On December 31st, Oregon Latino leaders presented the DMV with 5,000 signed petitions asking for a delayed implementation date to Governor Kulongoski's Executive Order which requires proof of legal presence to get a new, replacement, or renewal driver's license or ID card. The delay would have provided valuable time necessary to adequately inform the community about the Executive Order. The governor rejected our proposal, and the new rules are scheduled to go into effect on February 4th.
This is the last opportunity to voice our opposition to the Executive Order before it goes into effect! Help make sure that every Oregon driver has the opportunity to take the driving test, be licensed and insured.
Joint hearing of the Senate and House Interim Transportation Committees on proof of legal presence for driver's license applicants
This Friday, January 11th:
Rally at 12 noon, hearing at 1 pm.
Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St NE, Salem
Hearing Room A
www.causaoregon.org
On December 31st, Oregon Latino leaders presented the DMV with 5,000 signed petitions asking for a delayed implementation date to Governor Kulongoski's Executive Order which requires proof of legal presence to get a new, replacement, or renewal driver's license or ID card. The delay would have provided valuable time necessary to adequately inform the community about the Executive Order. The governor rejected our proposal, and the new rules are scheduled to go into effect on February 4th.
This is the last opportunity to voice our opposition to the Executive Order before it goes into effect! Help make sure that every Oregon driver has the opportunity to take the driving test, be licensed and insured.
Joint hearing of the Senate and House Interim Transportation Committees on proof of legal presence for driver's license applicants
This Friday, January 11th:
Rally at 12 noon, hearing at 1 pm.
Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St NE, Salem
Hearing Room A
www.causaoregon.org
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Jan 11 2008
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PPRC Testimony to the City Council: Pioneer Square harassment. |
Statement of PPRC's Brian Greer to Commissioners today at City Hall:
I am speaking today on behalf of Portland Peaceful Response Coalition to inform you of troubling developments in relation to our exercise of free speech, and to request your consideration of the important issues that are raised thereby.
Portland Peaceful Response Coalition was formed on the evening of 9/11. It initiated a weekly series of demonstrations at the corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square that has continued for more than six years. With support of a strong majority of our fellow-citizens, we exercise "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
In recent weeks, PPRC has been approached by employees of Portland Patrol, Incorporated (PPI) objecting to our use of a battery-operated megaphone and to the use of drums. On December 21st, the City of Portland Noise Control Officer, accompanied by a representative of Pioneer Courthouse Square, Inc., and by a member of the Portland Patrol, informed us that, if we use either the megaphone or drums, individuals will be cited.
I am speaking today on behalf of Portland Peaceful Response Coalition to inform you of troubling developments in relation to our exercise of free speech, and to request your consideration of the important issues that are raised thereby.
Portland Peaceful Response Coalition was formed on the evening of 9/11. It initiated a weekly series of demonstrations at the corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square that has continued for more than six years. With support of a strong majority of our fellow-citizens, we exercise "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
In recent weeks, PPRC has been approached by employees of Portland Patrol, Incorporated (PPI) objecting to our use of a battery-operated megaphone and to the use of drums. On December 21st, the City of Portland Noise Control Officer, accompanied by a representative of Pioneer Courthouse Square, Inc., and by a member of the Portland Patrol, informed us that, if we use either the megaphone or drums, individuals will be cited.
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Jan 11 2008
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Clearcutting the Climate: a conference of science and action. January 26, 10-5, UO, Eugene |
Burning fossil fuels - petroleum, coal and natural gas - is not the only cause of global warming. Logging forests also disrupts the climate. Join expert scientists and environmental leaders for a groundbreaking one day conference to bring together citizens concerned about climate change and about forest protection.
-Mark Harmon: Professor and Richardson Chair of Forest Science, OSU
-Olga Krankina: Assistant Professor, Sr. Research, Forest Management, Forrest Ecology, OSU
-Doug Heiken: Conservation and Restoration Coordinator, Oregon Wild
-Tim Hermach: Executive director, Native Forest Council
Afternoon Discussions:
* How the climate and forest protection movements can work together
* Real and false solutions for the climate / forest crises
Saturday, January 26, 2008
10 am - 5 pm
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
Lawrence 177 (School of Architecture)
http://www.forestclimate.org Free admission - donations appreciated!
-Mark Harmon: Professor and Richardson Chair of Forest Science, OSU
-Olga Krankina: Assistant Professor, Sr. Research, Forest Management, Forrest Ecology, OSU
-Doug Heiken: Conservation and Restoration Coordinator, Oregon Wild
-Tim Hermach: Executive director, Native Forest Council
Afternoon Discussions:
* How the climate and forest protection movements can work together
* Real and false solutions for the climate / forest crises
Saturday, January 26, 2008
10 am - 5 pm
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
Lawrence 177 (School of Architecture)
http://www.forestclimate.org Free admission - donations appreciated!
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Jan 11 2008
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Lawsuit against NYPD grows |
The New York Times, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and a group of 21 academics from across the country plan to file briefs in support of the New York Civil Liberties Union’s lawsuit challenging the NYPD’s refusal to disclose an electronic database detailing police stops of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, most of whom were black and Latino.
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Jan 11 2008
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Police Attack Cop Watcher at Science Hill Tree-sit |
a writes, "Last night [January 9th] 2 friends and I were walking from Kresge towards the science buildings when we heard screams...LOUD screams coming from the area of the tree sit. We ran as fast as we could towards them. We saw 2 cop cars, about six officers including 1 bike cop and two security guards. A woman was being dragged toward a squad car. We approached slowly, but were asking the cops to take it easy on her, it sounded like she was being hurt."
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Jan 11 2008
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Sen. Migden Introduces Legislation to Stand Up to DEA Raids |
State Senator Carole Migden has introduced a California Senate Joint Resolution calling on Congress, the President, and federal law enforcement to stop raiding legal medical cannabis collectives and respect California's law. Senator Migden's resolution follows an escalation in Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) attacks on medical cannabis providers and threats against property owners who rent to hundreds of collectives all over California. Senator Midgen represents the 3rd District: Marin County and portions of San Francisco and Sonoma Counties.
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Jan 11 2008
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Protesting Torture in Front of the CIA |
January 10: On Thursday morning activists affiliated with the Washington Peace Center and others held a vigil outside the main gates of the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia. “We are here as citizen witnesses speaking out as reports continue to reveal the role of the CIA in the rendition of people who are clandestinely abducted, held without charge, denied access to lawyers or loved ones, abused, and tortured in places like Guantanamo and Bagram in Afghanistan...” said Malachy Kilbride, Washington Peace Center board president. News reports have divulged that the CIA has covered up its role in the possible use of the torture technique known as water-boarding by destroying video evidence against apparent congressional opposition.
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Jan 11 2008
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Statewide Single-Payer Universal Healthcare Convention: Tomorrow! |
Dr. Walter Tsou, a nationally-known healthcare policy expert, will be the keynote speaker at a free conference this coming Saturday, Jan 12, at The Host in Lancaster, PA. Dr. Tsou, who was appointed Health Commissioner of Philadelphia in April 2000, will lead discussions about Single-Payer Universal Healthcare with in-depth discussions concerning The Pennsylvania Family and Business Healthcare Security Act (House Bill 1660 and Senate Bill 300). Other speakers include Linda Beckman, Chuck Pennacchio, Charlie Crystle, Dr. William R. Davidson Jr. M.D, Allan Jacobs, Kathy Manderino, Bob Mason, Cindy Purvis, Kate Loving Shenk, Barbara McIlvaine Smith, Mike Stout, Gale Thomason and Dr. Scott Tyson.
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Jan 11 2008
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CODEPINK's "Most Wanted" Campaign Targets Luis Posada Carriles for Terrorism |
Call for Notorious Terrorist to be put on FBI Most Wanted List and Arrested
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Jan 11 2008
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From Chile to Guantanamo: A Survivor of Torture Speaks Up |
Today marks the sixth anniversary of the first arrival of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, yet Guantanamo is not the first island known for the unlawful abuse and torture of detainees. Island Dawson on the southern tip of Chile is known for its inhospitable, freezing weather, and for many Chileans is also the location of a concentration camp where Pinochet ordered the detention and torture of hundreds of political prisoners. Sergio Reyes, a Boston resident and activist, was 19 years old when he was abducted from his home in Punta Arenas, faced a mock execution in front of his mother, was regularly beaten, electrocuted, and suffered from simulated drowning. Between 1973 and 1976, he was also a political prisoner in a forced labor camp at the now infamous Island Dawson.
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Jan 11 2008
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Earth Day 2008: DANCE of the DINOSAUR! |
City Repair announces the 2008 Earth Day Celebration: DANCE of the DINOSAUR!
The City Repair Project announces the 9th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Overlook Park in North Portland on April 19, 2008. Each year, the Earth Day Coalition promotes awareness of environmental issues through the sponsorships of local and sustainable organizations and businesses from the Portland metro area.
The 2008 Earth Day theme, DANCE of the DINOSAUR!, focuses on the solutions to living as a sustainable city as energy resources around the world become more scarce. The role of Portland area individuals, organizations, businesses and city agencies in finding these solutions will be highlighted in over 150 booths at this free, outdoor event.
The City Repair Project announces the 9th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Overlook Park in North Portland on April 19, 2008. Each year, the Earth Day Coalition promotes awareness of environmental issues through the sponsorships of local and sustainable organizations and businesses from the Portland metro area.
The 2008 Earth Day theme, DANCE of the DINOSAUR!, focuses on the solutions to living as a sustainable city as energy resources around the world become more scarce. The role of Portland area individuals, organizations, businesses and city agencies in finding these solutions will be highlighted in over 150 booths at this free, outdoor event.
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Jan 12 2008
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February 8th: NW DNC/RNC Resistance Conference (OLY) |
Olympia SDS presents the Northwest DNC/RNC Resistance Conference! On February 9th, 2008, activists from around the Northwest are cordially invited to participate in a day full of workshops, networking, and food! Workshops will focus on topics ranging from street tactics to supporting the protests, even if you aren’t going. Other workshops will include shields, lockboxes, a presentation from street medics, and other tactical and strategic workshops. In the evening, we will have speakers from Recreate 68 (Denver, CO) and RNC Welcoming Committee (Twin Cities, MN) discussing their plans for the conventions.
Workshop details and schedule will be released soon.
Workshop details and schedule will be released soon.
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Jan 12 2008
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January: 19th: Share the Dream |
Honor Martin Luther King's vision by attending Ground Zero's commemoration of his vision and life on Saturday, January 19th. Celebrate King's call to abolish war at the Gates of Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor --which is home to more than 2,300 nuclear weapons, the largest concentration of nuclear weapons in the United States, if not the world.
Exclusive coverage of the New Hampshire primaries, the crisis in Kenya and Pakistan, and much more!
Homeless Face a Cold Fight || Endangered Immigrant Women Find Safe Harbor || Beat the Deep Freeze || Iranian Couple Cycles the World for Peace and Conversation || A Silent Roadside Reminder || Voters Desperate for Solutions Candidates Offer Soaring Rhetoric || Who's Buying Obama? || The Great White Hope || Populists Need Not Apply || A Hunger for Home || Pakistan's Dysfunctional Democracy || Inside Kenya's Explosion and Timeline of an Electoral Disaster || Stagnant UN Mission Unaccomplished || An Agenda For Climate Justice || Hollywood Goes to Afghanistan || Contradictory Feminism || Fishy Business: A Review of the books The Sushi Economy and The End of the Line || Transcendental Misanthropy: A Review of There Will Be Blood
Homeless Face a Cold Fight || Endangered Immigrant Women Find Safe Harbor || Beat the Deep Freeze || Iranian Couple Cycles the World for Peace and Conversation || A Silent Roadside Reminder || Voters Desperate for Solutions Candidates Offer Soaring Rhetoric || Who's Buying Obama? || The Great White Hope || Populists Need Not Apply || A Hunger for Home || Pakistan's Dysfunctional Democracy || Inside Kenya's Explosion and Timeline of an Electoral Disaster || Stagnant UN Mission Unaccomplished || An Agenda For Climate Justice || Hollywood Goes to Afghanistan || Contradictory Feminism || Fishy Business: A Review of the books The Sushi Economy and The End of the Line || Transcendental Misanthropy: A Review of There Will Be Blood
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Jan 12 2008
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Endangered Immigrant Women Find Safe Harbor (Indypendent) |
Safiya Allette, an undocumented Trinidadian immigrant, endured five years of escalating abuse from her husband as she waited for him to file paperwork that would allow her to become a U.S. citizen. He never did.
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Jan 12 2008
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A Silent Roadside Reminder (Indypendent) |
When Kevin Kaplicki stumbled upon the crash scene of Liz Padilla, a 29- year-old lawyer, who was killed while biking on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn Park Slope, he decided that something needed to be done to acknowledge New York City cyclist fatalities.
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Jan 12 2008
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Iranian Couple Cycles the World for Peace and Conversation (Indypendent) |
Modern Iran shows a variety of perplexing faces to the world: hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sophisticated academics, outspoken exiles.
One young Iranian couple, determined not to leave their country’s public relations to others, is bicycling around the globe to spread a message of peace and environmental conservation.
One young Iranian couple, determined not to leave their country’s public relations to others, is bicycling around the globe to spread a message of peace and environmental conservation.
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Jan 12 2008
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Beat the Deep Freeze (Indypendent) |
New York City’s Housing Maintenance Code requires that landlords provide hot water year round and heat from October through May when it’s cold. Not having heat and hot water during the winter can turn deadly for the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Below are helpful tips to getting the heat and hot water turned on:
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Jan 12 2008
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Homeless Face A Cold Fight (Indypendent) |
Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH) intake facility for homeless families in the Bronx was home to the “sleep-out” protest Dec. 13 against the Department of Homeless Services’ policy of denying people emergency shelter. Frigid temperatures did not keep homeless families, community leaders and activist groups from voicing opposition to the Department of Homeless Services (OHS) policy in the form of a candlelight vigil, defiant chants and a press conference.
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Jan 12 2008
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Shut Down Gitmo! First ever protest march on USSOUTHCOM Hdq by Miami activists |
On Friday, January 11th, for the first time ever, activist marched on the United States Southern Command Headquarters of the US military, known as USSOUTHCOM. SOUTHCOM is located right in our own back yard, Doral Florida. It is the military's command and control facility for all of Central and South America as well as the Caribbean (including Guantanamo). Friday January 11th marked the 6th anniversary of the first detainees at GITMO, detainees who have been held with out due process of law and who have been tortured. The protesters message, “It’s time to put an end to the American Gulag and shut it down.”
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Jan 12 2008
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America’s Racism is a Human Rights Violation |
On December 10, 2007, International Human Rights Day, a broad coalition of 200 human rights groups and social justice organizations sounded the alarm on the state of racism and discrimination in America....
America, your record on racism drips with hypocrisy. As the self-proclaimed beacon of human rights, yet a chronically habitual human rights offender and purveyor of wolf tickets, now is the time to clean up your act and practice what you preach. International standards demand no less.
America, your record on racism drips with hypocrisy. As the self-proclaimed beacon of human rights, yet a chronically habitual human rights offender and purveyor of wolf tickets, now is the time to clean up your act and practice what you preach. International standards demand no less.
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Jan 12 2008
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Jim Goodenow's "Yellow Rose" Bus Destroyed by Suspicious Fire |
Jim Goodenow and his bus, the Yellow Rose, both have suffered a terrible tragedy. In recent months, Jim has been providing transportation to Iraq Veterans Against the War for their various tours and other activities. Last night, Jim escaped a fire of suspicious origins that destroyed the bus. Luckily Jim is all right.
This message was passed on by Bill Perry, a vet and anti war activist.
The "Yellow Rose" bus, was totaled by fire, around 9:30 pm, Friday night, 1/11/08
This bus, often mired in controversy since the IVAW "Dirty South" tour that left Philly in June, and had Active Duty BBQ's @ Ft Meade, Ft Jackson, Camp Lejeune, Ft Benning, and other Southern Military Posts ( Including an IVAW benefit by Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine, and AudioSlave, in Virginia ) as well as backdrop for many a Demonstration, and Ft Drum, NY, organizing parties, has finally died.
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Jan 12 2008
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Support Starbucks Union |
What: Local Starbucks Workers Union Pickets in Response to Starbucks’ Denial of Holiday Premium on MLK Day
Where: 1700 Connecticut Ave NW
When: Monday, January 21st, 5pm
“By denying the Union’s reasonable request to treat Martin Luther King Day like other federal holidays, Starbucks has once again proven its commitment to diversity rings hollow. While Starbucks claims to 'embrace diversity’, the company will not pay a time and half holiday premium to baristas who work through Dr. King’s Day.
Where: 1700 Connecticut Ave NW
When: Monday, January 21st, 5pm
“By denying the Union’s reasonable request to treat Martin Luther King Day like other federal holidays, Starbucks has once again proven its commitment to diversity rings hollow. While Starbucks claims to 'embrace diversity’, the company will not pay a time and half holiday premium to baristas who work through Dr. King’s Day.
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Jan 12 2008
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SUDANESE JOURNALIST tortured in prison while hundreds arrested requesting Guantanamo Prison shut-down |
As thousands from around the world were about to take to the streets to call for the shut-down of Guantanamo, for the reinstatement of Habeas Corpus, the U.S. constitution and international covenants for the treatment of prisoners of war, I spoke with and interpreted Mr. A'asim El-Haj, the brother of Sami El-Haj (the Al-Jazeera camera-man held in Gitmo), who describes here what happened to his brother… Read Full Report by Ryme Katkhouda of DC Radio CoopPictured: Protesters block Market Street in San Francisco
More Coverage: Protesting Torture in Front of the CIA from DC-IMC | Candlelight March to Shut Down Guantanamo from Indybay | CodePINK Says Close Gitmo! from LA IMC | Banners Mark Six Years of Guantanamo Prison Camp from Colorado IMC | Trampled Beneath Bush’s Policy of 'Endless War' from Philly IMC | Activists Disrupt Supreme Court Demanding Trials for Guantanamo Detainees from Richmond IMC | “We Will Not Stand Idly By:” Vigil Marks Guantanamo Day of Awareness and Action from New Orleans IMC
Related: From Chile to Guantanamo: A Survivor of Torture Speaks Up from Boston IMC
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Jan 12 2008
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DC: Hotel Workers say there's a rat in Jurys Hotel |
I was walking to work in Dupont Circle today when I saw this truck with a huge inflated rat sitting in it's flatbed. I had seen it almost a month ago it seems, but was too far away to hear or read what the message was being sent to us. Today I find out that it's a hotel workers union local who is boycotting the Jurys Hotel and wants us all not to patronize them.
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Jan 12 2008
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Candlelight March to Shut Down Guantanamo |
Friday January 11th 2008, was the six year anniversary of when the first hooded, shackled men were brought to the U.S. prison at Guantanamo, Cuba. On Friday night, Bay Area activists staged a solemn candlelight march through downtown San Francisco to demand that the U.S. government shut down the detention camp, end indefinite detention, stop waterboarding and all other forms of torture, and repeal the Military Commissions Act of 2006.
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Jan 13 2008
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Jim Goodenow's "Yellow Rose" Bus Destroyed by Suspicious Fire |
Jim Goodenow and his bus, the Yellow Rose, both have suffered a terrible tragedy. In recent months, Jim has been providing transportation to Iraq Veterans Against the War for their various tours and other activities. Last night, Jim escaped a fire of suspicious origins that destroyed the bus. Luckily Jim is all right.
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Jan 13 2008
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The Homeless Census 2007: Mayor and Crew Determined to Rile Boston’s Homeless |
December 18th marked Boston’s 19th annual Homeless Census, a one-night count of people living on the streets or in shelter programs. To conduct the street count, over 300 volunteers gathered at City Hall at 9pm, then split into groups to cover Boston’s neighborhoods searching for the homeless. City officials – Mayor Menino, Jim Greene, Director of the Emergency Shelter Commission, representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Health Human Services, Catholic Charities, the United Way, Greater Boston Food Bank, and other Mayor’s office and police staff – and the press were the first group to lead off, covering Downtown Crossing. [EDITOR's NOte: We reposted this article from Spare Change News, a great local community newspaper that struggles to get the true story of our city's homeless beyond mainstream media.]
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Jan 13 2008
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Jim Goodnow's "Yellow Rose" Bus Destroyed by Suspicious Fire |
Owner hopes good will come of this experienceJim Goodnow and his bus, the Yellow Rose, both have suffered a terrible tragedy. In recent months, Jim has been providing transportation to Iraq Veterans Against the War for their various tours and other activities. Last night, Jim escaped a fire of suspicious origins that destroyed the bus. Luckily Jim is all right... Read More | Photo from Yellow Rose blog
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Jan 13 2008
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Picket line protests repression of striking miners in Cananea, Mexico |
NEW YORK, 12 January -- The attack by over 800 state and federal police and Mexican army soldiers, aimed at dislodging striking miners from Cananea (Sonora state), was answered with a protest picket in New York. In front of the Mexican consulate, some 20 demonstrators proclaimed their solidarity with the mineworkers, who have been on strike since July 30 against terrible safety conditions at the Cananea complex and against government attacks on the workers.
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Jan 13 2008
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Online Radical Botany Skill Share -For January 12th |
I am long-time Cascadian - I was born here in the valley and group up pretty much feral child. As a child, I attended school, but every other moment of my life I spent close to the earth and the plants. I live close to a white Oak forest and learned about the plants from the plants themselves. I loved the animals and birds also. I lived close to the foot of Mary's Peak in the Coast range (Tamanawis- place where the spirit dwells). I ran wild on the slopes of the mountain - especially the North Trail. This is a trail where Kalapuyan children were sent for their vision quests. I had a father who loved the earth and helped me to understand the plants and learn to identify them. He encouraged me to draw them and paint pictures of them as a way of understanding them. He did not know about their healing abilities but sensed that some knowledge had been lost about these plants. My father was an organic gardener from way back and our family raised about 50% of our food from the earth. I learned a great deal about drying, preserving and harvesting from my parents.
In my early teens I was able to attract two great plant teachers to me. "Grandma" who lived not far from me, across a couple of fields and taught me to harvest the tiny purple center of Queen Anne's lace as a natural dye. She was my most important teacher. She told me about the spirit of each plant. I was not taught that a certain plant family always reacted the same for each human dose. I was taught that each human attracted plant healing in different ways. This is upside down from what corporate medicine teaches today.
In my early teens I was able to attract two great plant teachers to me. "Grandma" who lived not far from me, across a couple of fields and taught me to harvest the tiny purple center of Queen Anne's lace as a natural dye. She was my most important teacher. She told me about the spirit of each plant. I was not taught that a certain plant family always reacted the same for each human dose. I was taught that each human attracted plant healing in different ways. This is upside down from what corporate medicine teaches today.
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Jan 13 2008
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Portland Animal Defense League, Computer Security Training for Activists |
PGP/ Computer Security, SSL, HTPS, Proxys Workshop
Monday January 14th
Food Fight! (SE 12th & Stark)
**FREE**
This is a computer security workshop geared towards all activists that use the internet and computers in general. A large portion of this workshop will be going through the step-by-steps of installing and using PGP encryption. It will be given by two experienced computer-security-geeks, who will be available for other questions as well.
Monday January 14th
Food Fight! (SE 12th & Stark)
**FREE**
This is a computer security workshop geared towards all activists that use the internet and computers in general. A large portion of this workshop will be going through the step-by-steps of installing and using PGP encryption. It will be given by two experienced computer-security-geeks, who will be available for other questions as well.
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Jan 13 2008
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Rat Infestation in Dupont Circle Park Becoming Real Threat to Health and Safety |
Despite repeated complaints to Rodent Control Division about the grave infestation of rats in the Dupont Circle Park, there is a worsening situation, i.e., dozens of rats running throughout the park, day and night. Today a Latino mother left her child in a stroller for an instant to discard an empty coffee container into the rubbish barrel nearby. In a split second, a rat, probably smelling the infant formula in the baby’s milk bottle in the bottom of the stroller, promptly jumped into the stroller. Fortunately several eyes were trained on the rat, including yours truly, and our yells and foot stamping scared the rodent.
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Jan 13 2008
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National Archives bars/boots wearers of articles of impeachment |
On Jan 12, members of John Niremberg's impeachment march(which started over a month ago in Boston) were either denied entry to or expelled from the National Archives for wearing clothing printed with the articles of the Constitution concerning impeachment. Audio(interviews with wrapper)6 min 35 sec: http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/10/archives_impeaches_the_constitution_j12.mp3
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Jan 13 2008
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Bus marked "IVAW" mysteriously totaled by FIRE (1/11/08) |
The bus in this photo, was totaled by fire, around 9:30 pm, Friday night, 1/11/08
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Jan 13 2008
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Banners Mark Six Years of Guantanamo Prison Camp |
January 12, 2008--Three Fort Collins activists displayed two banners on an I-25 overpass today. The banners read “Shut Down Guantanamo” and “Stop Torture.” According to one activist, the banners were displayed in response to yesterday’s 6th anniversary of the first people taken as prisoners to the United States prison camp at Guantanamo. Detainees at Guantanamo are imprisoned indefinitely and without charges. Through the passage of the Military Commissions Act, people imprisoned at Guantanamo have been stripped of the right of habeas corpus. The U.S.
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Jan 13 2008
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Action: Jan 16-Call House Judiciary, Demand Impeach Hearings SEE: http://ImpeachCO.com |
For more information SEE:
http://ImpeachCO.com
Jan 16 is a crucial day for holding Cheney and Bush accountable. That date is the day Rep. Wexler will present his Impeach letter/ petition to the House Judiciary Committee.
On Jan 16 we are asking all Colorado Impeach activists to Call the members of the Judiciary Committee and demand the holding of public hearings on Impeachment immediately.
Wexler is a member of that committee. He is very pro impeachment. His website http://WexlerWantsHearings.com
is collecting signatures (185,000+) for the petition.
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Jan 13 2008
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Rally for Roe! |
What: Rally to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade!
When: Tuesday, January 22, 12 - 12:30 p.m.
Where: West steps of the Colorado State Capitol (Lincoln and Colfax)
Who: You and all your pro-choice friends! Also joining us will be Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America and Senator Betty Boyd.
Spread the word about celebrating Roe - forward this email to five of your friends!
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Jan 13 2008
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Direct Action to Stop the War Meeting on January 20th |
Anti-war organizers in the Bay Area have resurrected Direct Action to Stop the War. The next meeting of DASW will be on Sunday, January 20th at 4pm at the La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck (near Ashby BART) in Berkeley. DASW is organizing actions related to convincing presidential candidates to take a stand against the war during the 2008 presidential campaign, and to exposing companies such as Chevron that profit from the US-led war and occupation in Iraq. Several affinity groups have joined in the organizing, and many more are likely to join in the months between now and the anniversary of the beginning of the war.
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Jan 13 2008
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T(A)G Attacks and Vandalizes Tacoma Condos |
In the city of Tacoma, WA, over the span of several days, members of Tacoma Anti-Gentrification have paint-bombed condos, smashed condo windows and disabled the vehicles of condo dwellers.
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Jan 14 2008
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"Rebooting Democracy" Protest, and Earl's Bloody Hands. |
We arrived at our destination in front of the building, which was going to host Rebooting Democracy08 at 1:45 PM. We had been in contact with Ms. Caitlin Baggott, one of the members of the Bus Project and were given permission to hand out our leaflets outside the doors. When we made the turn into the parking lot there were about a dozen or so protesters along the street to greet the Peace Bus. Yes, we arrived with members of Chapter 72, to the cheers of our friends in a 30-foot bus with peace messages and impeachment signs all over the bus.
As we passed the security people standing at the gate, I knew the rules were about to be changed. We came off the bus, and Building Management with their security people looked like someone hit them with a brick---they did not know what to do with us progressives. First, they demanded we get out and off their private property. I explained we had permission to have people by the doors to hand out our leaflets, I called for Caitlin Baggott, "Caitlin come out wherever you are, no Caitlin--I knew this was not good. We talked and explained that we would move the bus, (parked at a yellow lined curb) but would not go away from the front door because we had permission to hand out our leaflets. The usual stand off began, they still did not know what to do except call the cops.
As we passed the security people standing at the gate, I knew the rules were about to be changed. We came off the bus, and Building Management with their security people looked like someone hit them with a brick---they did not know what to do with us progressives. First, they demanded we get out and off their private property. I explained we had permission to have people by the doors to hand out our leaflets, I called for Caitlin Baggott, "Caitlin come out wherever you are, no Caitlin--I knew this was not good. We talked and explained that we would move the bus, (parked at a yellow lined curb) but would not go away from the front door because we had permission to hand out our leaflets. The usual stand off began, they still did not know what to do except call the cops.
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Jan 14 2008
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CONFRONTING DNC IN DENVER: Final Schedule |
CONFRONTING THE DNC IN DENVER
Movement Building Consulta
MLK weekend: January 18-2, Denver
organized by Unconventional Action Denver and Recreate 68
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FRIDAY JANUARY 18
[ 8pm]
• Fun and Games
For location and additional info call- 303.371.8839
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SATURDAY JANUARY 19
[10am]
• 10am-noon Four Winds Center (5th and Bannock)
General Anti-DNC Community Organizing Meeting
Open to all locals interested in organizing demonstrations against the DNC
out-of-towners are welcome to observe
[Noon]
• Tour of Key DNC Sites in Denver: Pepsi Center, Delegate Hotels, etc.read more
Movement Building Consulta
MLK weekend: January 18-2, Denver
organized by Unconventional Action Denver and Recreate 68
---
FRIDAY JANUARY 18
[ 8pm]
• Fun and Games
For location and additional info call- 303.371.8839
---
SATURDAY JANUARY 19
[10am]
• 10am-noon Four Winds Center (5th and Bannock)
General Anti-DNC Community Organizing Meeting
Open to all locals interested in organizing demonstrations against the DNC
out-of-towners are welcome to observe
[Noon]
• Tour of Key DNC Sites in Denver: Pepsi Center, Delegate Hotels, etc.read more
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Jan 14 2008
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Invitation for Denver Locals to Attend the Confronting DNC Consulta |
On August 24 the Democratic national convention is coming to Denver and with it thousands of people who are angry, ready to protest the countless unjust practices of the US government and its Parties. The nation is preparing, the City is preparing, the Denver Police and Federal Agents are preparing, and we, the people of Denver need to prepare, talk, strategize and address the impact this event will have on our communities.
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Jan 14 2008
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Saving Salmon by Killing Sea Lions: Some Numbers |
As reported on this site previously, NW officials are gearing up to "save" salmon by killing sea lions. They claim that the killing of sea lions is necessary because there are an estimated 50 to 100 sea lions each year that hang out near the Bonneville Dam, and those sea lions kill an annual average of 3000 salmon. This, they say, is causing our threatened and endangered salmon to move toward extinction. But a little sleuthing creates some serious questions about this assertion, and about wildlife management policies on the Columbia in general.
According to the ODFW, in the Fall of 2006 alone, the legal, officially counted catch of Chinook salmon by humans on the Columbia river was as follows: By commercial fishers: 26,000 Chinook. By sport fishers: 13,400 Chinook. By Native fishers: 78,082 Chinook.
This is a total of 117,482 Chinook salmon, killed by humans, in only one season of only one year. This does not count all of the other species of fish, including threatened or endangered coho or steelhead. It does not include all of the fish illegally killed and not counted. It does not include fish killed in the ocean, before they could return to the river. And it does not include any of the thousands upon thousands of fish killed each year by the dams.
It appears that humans killed 25% of threatened Chinook salmon in the fall of 2006, while sea lions killed around 3%. (Depends on which source you consult: Some sources have the number of fish killed by sea lions as low as 0.3%, but I will use the highest number, that quoted by the ODFW. That number, again, is 3%.)
According to the ODFW, in the Fall of 2006 alone, the legal, officially counted catch of Chinook salmon by humans on the Columbia river was as follows: By commercial fishers: 26,000 Chinook. By sport fishers: 13,400 Chinook. By Native fishers: 78,082 Chinook.
This is a total of 117,482 Chinook salmon, killed by humans, in only one season of only one year. This does not count all of the other species of fish, including threatened or endangered coho or steelhead. It does not include all of the fish illegally killed and not counted. It does not include fish killed in the ocean, before they could return to the river. And it does not include any of the thousands upon thousands of fish killed each year by the dams.
It appears that humans killed 25% of threatened Chinook salmon in the fall of 2006, while sea lions killed around 3%. (Depends on which source you consult: Some sources have the number of fish killed by sea lions as low as 0.3%, but I will use the highest number, that quoted by the ODFW. That number, again, is 3%.)
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Jan 14 2008
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Eric McDavid - 2 Years and Counting |
Since his arrest, Eric has endured the agonizing pain of betrayal, first as he discovered someone he loved and trusted was actually a government informant, and then later as two people he loved dearly also turned into collaborators with the state. He has endured two separate struggles to secure access to food he can eat, remaining true to the compassionate principles that drive not only his veganism, but the ways in which he lives all aspects of his life. Both times he underwent grueling two- week hunger strikes, and both times he was victorious against the seemingly endless power of the state and his captors.
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Jan 14 2008
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OpEdNews.com: An interview with local indy journalist Rob Kall |
Frustrated with the corporate media, Rob Kall started OpEdNews.com in 2003, “about two weeks before the Iraq War's shock and awe was started,” It has grown into a prominent news website, which provides a valuable news service, and a powerful medium for independent journalists to publish their work.
With OpEdNews, Kall creatively works to connect the growing media democracy movement to the latest Internet resources like Google and Yahoo News, as well as social networks like MySpace. This provides an important platform for independent journalists and activists to self-publish and reach a larger readership, and Kall is actively recruiting new writers for the website.
PHOTO: Philly youth stage militant protest at City Hall in response to the US invasion of Iraq, March 17, 2003. See more anti-war photos in the full article!|
Jan 14 2008
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Japanese Whaling Ships Found and ON THE RUN! |
Shortly after 00 hours on Jan 12, the Greepeace ship Esperenza located the Nisshin Maru and the other 5 Japanese whaling ships near Antarctica. The Japanese immediately stopped killing whales and started running in a foolish attempt to escape. The Sea Shepherds are only a day from contact themselves and closing in fast.
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Jan 14 2008
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The California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act |
The California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act would prohibit some of the most egregious practices in factory farming such as packing egg-laying hens into wire "battery cages" and confining pregnant pigs and baby calves in crates so small that the animals cannot even turn around. Volunteers are currently working to collect 650,000 signatures by the end of February to place the measure on the ballot in the November 2008 general election.
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Jan 15 2008
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January 21st: NY-based Human Rights Activist to Speak at MLK Event |
SEATTLE-- Ninotchka Rosca will speak on “Women, Immigration and War” during the Martin Luther King Day celebration on Jan. 21st, Monday, 9:30 a.m. at the Franklin High School along Rainier Ave. and MLK Way in Seattle. Rosca is an internationally-known activist for human rights. A political prisoner under the Marcos regime in the Philippines, she was forced into exile when threatened with a second arrest. Rosca has participated in numerous world forums and conferences for human rights. She serves on the board of the Survivors Committee, a network of former political prisoners and human rights activists. She has also been in leadership positions with Amnesty International and the PEN American Center.
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Jan 15 2008
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VIDEO: Army of None Olympia - with Visuals |
[Olympia} On Friday, January 11th Chanan Suarez-Diaz and David Solnit presented on the "military recruitment complex" - their term for the researchers and advertisers who profit from military recruitment needs - and how to counter-strategize and shut down the war machine through counter-recruitment actions.
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Jan 15 2008
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Activists Disrupt Supreme Court Demanding Trials for Guantanamo Detainees |
82 people, including three Virginia activists, were arrested on Friday, Jan11th, protesting in and aroud the Supreme court. Over 300 people joined the 2nd annual protest that went from the national Mall to the Spreme Court in Washington, DC
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Jan 15 2008
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Massive Uranium mine planned in Chatham, VA |
Uranium mining has been illegal in Virginia for years, but with growing interest in nuclear power as a phoney alternative to coal, mining companies will try to change that law this year.
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Jan 15 2008
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Eric McDavid - 2 Years and Counting |
Two years ago today our friend, our loved one, our comrade was snatched away from us by the state. They charged him with "conspiracy" (thought crime in the most literal sense) and threw him in total separation (isolation) - where he has remained ever since. Since his arrest, Eric has not had any physical contact with his loved ones. For two years we have been forced to communicate through pen and paper, through telephone wires, through thick plexiglass windows, with only our words and the light in our eyes to offer comfort. But even the cold, lifeless mediums we have been forced to utilize cannot repress or dampen the love we feel in our hearts, the joy and the pain all mixed up in our tears, or the courage and strength that we draw from each other every day. There are still some things they can't take away.
Since his arrest, Eric has endured so much more than the "normal" grief associated with being ripped from one's community and loved ones, stripped of all one's freedoms, and thrown in a cage. He has endured the agonizing pain of betrayal, first as he discovered someone he loved and trusted was actually a government informant, and then later as two people he loved dearly also turned into collaborators with the state. He has endured two years of isolation, deprived of the essential humyn connections derived from the beauty of touch. He has endured two separate struggles to secure access to food he can eat, remaining true to the compassionate principles that drive not only his veganism, but the ways in which he lives all aspects of his life. Both times he underwent grueling two- week hunger strikes, and both times he was victorious against the seemingly endless power of the state and his captors. He has endured two separate bouts of pericarditis - a painful heart condition most likely caused by his total lack of nutrition - and the subsequent complete lack of medical care from the jail. He has endured two years of a concerted effort by the government to vilify and criminalize him, his lifestyle, and all he holds dear. This extended so far beyond the bounds of "government misconduct" - the outright lies and misinformation - that even the jury which ultimately convicted him saw through much of it, and commented to the press afterwards that they were ashamed of the FBI, and described their conduct as "scary." And he endured a trial which, by all rational and legal standards, was fraught with blatantly unjust and erroneous legal rulings.
Now he faces 20 years in prison for a crime that was never committed- for falling prey to government intrusion, infiltration, and entrapment.
Since his arrest, Eric has endured so much more than the "normal" grief associated with being ripped from one's community and loved ones, stripped of all one's freedoms, and thrown in a cage. He has endured the agonizing pain of betrayal, first as he discovered someone he loved and trusted was actually a government informant, and then later as two people he loved dearly also turned into collaborators with the state. He has endured two years of isolation, deprived of the essential humyn connections derived from the beauty of touch. He has endured two separate struggles to secure access to food he can eat, remaining true to the compassionate principles that drive not only his veganism, but the ways in which he lives all aspects of his life. Both times he underwent grueling two- week hunger strikes, and both times he was victorious against the seemingly endless power of the state and his captors. He has endured two separate bouts of pericarditis - a painful heart condition most likely caused by his total lack of nutrition - and the subsequent complete lack of medical care from the jail. He has endured two years of a concerted effort by the government to vilify and criminalize him, his lifestyle, and all he holds dear. This extended so far beyond the bounds of "government misconduct" - the outright lies and misinformation - that even the jury which ultimately convicted him saw through much of it, and commented to the press afterwards that they were ashamed of the FBI, and described their conduct as "scary." And he endured a trial which, by all rational and legal standards, was fraught with blatantly unjust and erroneous legal rulings.
Now he faces 20 years in prison for a crime that was never committed- for falling prey to government intrusion, infiltration, and entrapment.
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Jan 15 2008
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Martin Luther King Jr. Health Care Forum |
Oregon Action would like to invite you to attend our Martin Luther King Jr. Health Care Forum scheduled for Saturday January 19 at 1:00 PM at the Medford Library
Building On The Dream: Equality in Health Care
Honoring Dr. King, Jr. with Action
On Saturday, January 19, 2008, Oregon Action will host a celebration saluting Dr. Martin Luther King’s tireless effort to promote equality for and harmony between, all people.
King once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care, is the most inhumane.” He worked to raise awareness about public health concerns, particularly in the area of issues that disproportionately affect minorities, people of color, and low-income communities.
Building On The Dream: Equality in Health Care
Honoring Dr. King, Jr. with Action
On Saturday, January 19, 2008, Oregon Action will host a celebration saluting Dr. Martin Luther King’s tireless effort to promote equality for and harmony between, all people.
King once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care, is the most inhumane.” He worked to raise awareness about public health concerns, particularly in the area of issues that disproportionately affect minorities, people of color, and low-income communities.
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Jan 15 2008
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Police Officers Pepper Spray People on Science Hill |
On January 12th, two University of California police officers used pepper spray to disperse about 15 people gathered below an occupied redwood tree on Science Hill at UC Santa Cruz. One of the officers proclaimed that the group was trespassing and then both officers began pepper spraying people in their faces.
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Jan 15 2008
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Ballot Access Petition Drive Shows Strong Support for Reform |
Thousands of Signatures Submitted, Campaign Continues
Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform (OBAR) completed its 90-day initiative petition drive today by turning in about 14,000 signatures to the Secretary of State. This was below the 74,117 signatures required, but it demonstrates strong support for expanding the number of choices on the ballot. Oklahoma's restrictive ballot laws resulted in it being the only state limited to just two choices for president in 2004.
“We know Oklahoma voters are ready for more choices. Oklahoma Democrats easily chose from nine presidential candidates in 2004, and Oklahoma Republicans will have eleven choices on Super Tuesday. Because of gerrymandered districts, half of state legislative races had only one candidate in the general election in 2006. Shouldn't Oklahoma voters have at least two or more choices?” said Joni LeViness, OBAR Chair.
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Jan 15 2008
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Lebanon:July War and Beyond |
On January 18, in San Francisco a benefit will be held for Lebanese grassroots independent media at Station 40. A photography exhibition and video screening of the July 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel will be followed by a discussion with Rayan El-Amine from Left Turn magazine. During the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon over 1200 people were killed and 1.2 million cluster bombs were dropped in a little over a month.
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Jan 15 2008
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Impeachment in the WA State Senate! |
Thursday, January 17th, 2008, 3:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR SJM 8016, CALLING FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF BUSH AND CHENEY
Room 2 of the Cherberg Bldg., on the State Capitol Campus in Olympia, 426-14th Ave. SW, Olympia, Washington 98504
PUBLIC HEARING FOR SJM 8016, CALLING FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF BUSH AND CHENEY
Room 2 of the Cherberg Bldg., on the State Capitol Campus in Olympia, 426-14th Ave. SW, Olympia, Washington 98504
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Jan 15 2008
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Power U Miami wins battle to stop Crosswinds Development - County votes to reclaim it |
Power U Miami wins battle to stop Crosswinds Development - County votes to reclaim it
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Jan 15 2008
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Motion for New Trial for Eric McDavid to Be Heard on January 24th |
Eric McDavid's case continues to progress. The hearing on the motion for a new trial has been changed to January 24th, and sentencing has been moved to February 21st. Each time a hearing date is changed, Eric will have to spend more time in Sacramento County Main Jail, where he faces many difficulties that will not present themselves in a federal facility. In addition, the appeals process cannot start until Eric has been sentenced. Eric is now receiving two veggie burgers a night, and has also been getting breakfast items he can eat (such as oatmeal), along with peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. While this is obviously nowhere near a "balanced" vegan diet, supporters say it is a huge improvement over his previous nutritional situation. Read More | Eric McDavid - Two Years and Counting | Indybay's Past Coverage of Eric McDavid's case | Support Eric websiteRelated: Will The Real Eco-Terrorists Please Stand Up? 2nd Prison Dispatch from Jonathan Paul
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Jan 16 2008
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Miami: Terrorists provoke aggression against CODEPINK demanding Posada’s arrest |
Last Saturday January 12th, following an announcement on Radio Mambí by the leader of the Alpha 66 terrorist group and a notice in the press by notorious terrorists, dozens of sympathizers of murderer and torturer Luis Posada Carriles attacked a group of pacifist women (CODEPINK) who were demanding his arrest outside the Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana, Miami.
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Jan 16 2008
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“We Will Not Stand Idly By:” Vigil Marks Guantanamo Day of Awareness and Action |
Protesters gathered for a vigil today in front of the Federal Building in conjunction with actions around the United States and around the globe to demand that the Guantánamo detention facility be closed. read more
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Jan 16 2008
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Call To Action! Show Stelmach what Americans Really think of The TarSands! |
The Boreal forest is one of humanity’s greatest defenses against climate change, but it is being desecrated to fill the pockets of the US and Canadian governments, as well as Big Oil Companies. SAVE the DATE: Wed, January 16th, SAVE the time: 5:45pm Location: Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW
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Jan 16 2008
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Park Service Overrides 1st Amendment to 'Save Grass' on the Mall |
Jan 12: A local news station announced that the National Park service wants to keep protestors off the National Mall in order to "revitalize and restore the green space". Civil liberties law firm, Partnership for Civil Justice, says this is a violation of the 1st Amendment. Partnership won a similar case re attempt to prevent free speech and protests on NYC's Central Park grass. More Park Service Comment Page where you get to vote for alternative places to protest
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Jan 16 2008
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Celebrate One Year of Granny Love and Rage |
For most of 2007, with Handcuffs, Hearts and Hand Prints
The Seriously Pissed Off Grannies/Grandpas/Grandkids
have rocked, biked and testified.
And now it's time to party - and raise some money for fines and appeals.
You know they're radical, but did you know they're fun?!?
January 19, 2008, 7 pm
Peace House, 2116 NE 18th at Tillamook
Entertainment, refreshments, silent auction, and a tribute to the fantastic support of the National Lawyers Guild.
The Seriously Pissed Off Grannies/Grandpas/Grandkids
have rocked, biked and testified.
And now it's time to party - and raise some money for fines and appeals.
You know they're radical, but did you know they're fun?!?
January 19, 2008, 7 pm
Peace House, 2116 NE 18th at Tillamook
Entertainment, refreshments, silent auction, and a tribute to the fantastic support of the National Lawyers Guild.
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Jan 16 2008
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Activists held Hostage by Whalers in Whale Sanctuary |
When the Captain of the Yashin Maru No 2 hunter killer ship refused to respond to any radio communication from the anti-whale activists on board the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin, a decision was made to send two crew members to board the Yashin Maru No2 with a written message to the Captain of the vessel.
As of, 16 January 2008 -- 0500 GMT; Twenty-four hours later, Sea Shepherd crew members Giles Lane from the U.K. and Benjamin Potts from Australia remain hostages on the Yushin Maru No. 2.
As of, 16 January 2008 -- 0500 GMT; Twenty-four hours later, Sea Shepherd crew members Giles Lane from the U.K. and Benjamin Potts from Australia remain hostages on the Yushin Maru No. 2.
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Jan 16 2008
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Oakland Anti-Choice March Accuses Pro-Choice Clinic of Participating in Black Genocide |
On Friday January 18th, anti-choicers are gathering for a "Standing Up For Life" conference and march in Oakland. This particular march will focus on the African American community of the East Bay and cites the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. This march plans to walk past the Women's Choice Clinic, as march organizers accuse the clinic of participating in a racist holocaust. Those who support Oakland as a pro-choice community for all women will gather for direct action at 12pm in Frank Ogawa Plaza at 14th and Broadway. Women's Choice Clinic has a Friday night clinic from 6-8pm, and volunteers may be needed for clinic-defense that night.
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Jan 16 2008
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The Police Commissioner Town Meeting in S. Phila |
Town meeting held in South Philadelphia tonight as the new Police Commissioner Ramsey, listens to the community. The South Philadelphia stakeholders called all of its members today informing us that there would be a town meeting held at south Philadelphia high school and our group was co-hosting the event.
The groups that are on the front line around the city were also hosting the event. Anthony Murphy , Town Watch integrated services emceed the event. Men United for a better Philadelphia, Philadelphia Anti-drug Anti- violence Network, Mothers in Charge, Block captains associations, School District of Philadelphia and many other groups and communities came together to meet and greet the new commissioner.
The groups that are on the front line around the city were also hosting the event. Anthony Murphy , Town Watch integrated services emceed the event. Men United for a better Philadelphia, Philadelphia Anti-drug Anti- violence Network, Mothers in Charge, Block captains associations, School District of Philadelphia and many other groups and communities came together to meet and greet the new commissioner.
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Jan 16 2008
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independent media activists telling their stories in kenya |
This interesting post comes via the Stubblefield LPFM list and is written by Hannah Sassaman. The good work that the Indymedia network does has worldwide reach.
I wanted to point people at Nancy Scola's great post at WorldChanging.com on the power of cell-phones to break the media blackout on the struggles of everyday people in Kenya, post-stolen-election: read more
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Jan 16 2008
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Green Party Presidential Candidates Debate in SF |
On January 13th, candidates whose names will appear on the California Green Party primary ballot on February 5th came together for a debate in San Francisco. Cindy Sheehan was the moderator, and Cynthia McKinney, non-candidate Ralph Nader, Jared Ball, and Kent Mesplay were in attendance. Elaine Brown did not be participate, as she recently resigned from the Green Party.
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Jan 16 2008
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Worcester City Council meetings now online |
Worcester City Council meetings are now available online, thanks to a new effort by Worcester Indymedia to archive them, facilitated by WCCA TV13. Here are links for the January 15, 2008 meeting:
- Audio
- Video (coming soon)
- Notes
- Audio/podcast feed (suitable for iTunes, etc.)
- Video feed (coming soon)
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Jan 16 2008
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Grand Opening: School of the Americas Watch West |
"Word began to spread as we researched the school and discovered what we had here was indeed a school of assassins, a school for dictators. These soldiers came here to learn counter insurgency. Who were the insurgency? They were the poor, the religious leaders, labor leaders, and many others. And then when the torture manuals were discovered in the curriculum, that got a lot of front-page coverage. Word began to spread, and our numbers in the movement grew." -- Father Roy Bourgeois, founder, School of the Americas WatchThe story of the School of the Americas, or School of the Assassins is a disturbing tale of such organized and planned terrorism; one would never believe it was real. Every year in Fort Benning, Georgia the people protest. This year we brought it to LA. Read Reports: by LadyMadonna | by Ross Plesset and Anna Kunkin | more pics by Anna & Ross
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Jan 16 2008
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Help stop schools from supplying student's personal info to the US Military for it’s database |
High School Deceptive "Career Exploration Program" provides military recruiters with leads on 600,000 high school students yearly. Act Now to Protect Privacy of High School Students in Your Community!
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Jan 16 2008
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GP Candidate Cynthia McKinney + film AMERICAN BLACKOUT in Ft. Lauderdale - Jan 19th |
The Green Party of Florida and the American Black Caucus present the Revealing & Politically Charged Documentary AMERICANBLACKOUT featuring former Democratic Congresswoman now Green Party Candidate, Cynthia McKinney. Ian Inaba's intelligent and provocative documentary American Blackout will be presented Saturday, January 19, 7:00pm at Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale. American Blackout chronicles the recurring patterns of voter disenfranchisement from Florida 2000 to Ohio 2004 while following the story of former six-term Democratic Congresswoman from Georgia, Cynthia McKinney.
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Jan 16 2008
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10th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert in Miami - Saturday, Jan 19th |
On Saturday, January 19, 2008 Ploppy Palace Productions and Tobacco Road will be hosting the 10th Annual Medical Marijuana Benefit Concert to raise funds for FL NORML’s (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) medical marijuana campaign and the protection of patients’ rights. As part of this four stage extravaganza, some of South Florida's top bands, spoken word artists and community activists will join together for patients’ and physicians’ right to use medical cannabis.
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Jan 17 2008
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Hoopa Valley Tribe Rejects Klamath River Deal |
Hoopa, Calif. - The Hoopa Valley Tribe of northern California will not endorse the latest draft of the Klamath River Basin Restoration Agreement (KRBRA) released on January 15th because the agreement lacks adequate water assurances for fish. Despite being in the minority among the negotiators, Tribal Chairman Clifford Lyle Marshall said Hoopa would never waive its fishery-based water rights, as demanded by federal and other negotiators, in a deal providing no assurances for fisheries restoration. Read More | Klamath Settlement Group Releases Proposed Restoration Agreement | Klamath Tribes Work with Neighbors to Solve Water Crisis | California Trout & Trout Unlimited: Klamath Agreement Sets Stage for Dam Removal
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Jan 17 2008
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Save Rent Control Convention |
On Saturday, January 19, the San Francisco Tenants Union will be holding a "Save Rent Control Convention" to raise awareness and organize against an anti-rent control ballot measure that recently qualified for the June 2008 elections. The measure, which purports to be about reforming eminent domain, will abolish rent control in California, erode environmental protections, negatively affect local land-use planning, and stop future water projects.
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Jan 17 2008
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Santa Cruz Police Hassle Drummers During Farmers Market |
On January 16th at about 4:30pm, Santa Cruz Police Sgt. Flippo, Officer Aldridge, and three other cops (two as back-up) began writing warnings to folks on the edges of the drum circle in the Cathcart parking lot. The drummers, after ignoring the police for awhile, moved to Pacific Avenue to continue drumming at Soquel and Pacific.
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Jan 17 2008
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Clintons, Your Black Pass is Hereby Revoked |
Hillary and Bill Clinton have a lot of explaining to do. In her quest for the presidency, the U.S. Senator from New York and her husband — known by some as “the first Black president” — have used the race card against rival presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama (D, Ill.). Although Obama was supposedly the intended target, in the end, all African Americans were attacked. The Clintons have attacked blackness as a disqualifying attribute for the office of president, and have managed to insult Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement in the process....
When viewed in totality, the comments from the Clinton camp speak to a pattern of racial insensitivity, disrespect for Black people, and a willingness to use the race card for political gain. Senator Clinton, an establishment Democrat, is employing the tactics associated with race-baiting, Swift-Boating, Southern-strategy Republicans.
RELATED: Watch the videos by Brave New Films: "FOX Attacks Obama" and "FOX Attacks Black America".
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Jan 17 2008
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Want to understand why folks are making a fuss over "Habeas Corpus" these days? |
If you want to understand why some folks are making a fuss over "Habeas Corpus" these days, here's a little primer....... Habeas Corpus is a legal term that defines the basic right of someone to question why they are being held by the government. If the agency holding someone is presented with a "Writ of Habeas Corpus" the agency must either release the prisoner or present a valid justification for their arrest.
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Jan 18 2008
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Will The Real Eco-Terrorists Please Stand Up? 2nd Prison Dispatch from Jonathan Paul |
When I was arrested in early 2006 for the destruction of the Cavel West horse slaughterhouse, the media went into a frenzy with headlines describing me as an "eco-terrorist" or "eco-terror suspect". The local newspaper in my area had a heyday putting out stories fed to them by the federal government. The news media in my area surely enjoyed being the mouthpiece for the corporations and the government. For me it was not the fact that they reported the story of my arrest, but how they reported it.
The government's use of the term "eco-terrorist" works well for their fear-mongering and paranoia inducing plans to terrify the general public into complacency, inaction and silence. After the September 11th attacks, the government proclaimed that anyone who opposed the policies of our government would now be dubbed a "terrorist". This was the perfect opportunity to begin to shred the Constitution and to reign in our civil liberties protected under the Constitution by using fear. By instilling fear in the American public, our government and the corporations that rule the government, began to criminalize the people's right to oppose their practices, therefore ensuring their bottom line - maximum profits for 1% of the population, the super-rich and elite.
As I sit here in prison I see red-tailed hawks flying overhead. I see rabbits running through the fences and razor wire like it isn't there. I see ducks and songbirds fly over me. I see true freedom. I hate being here. I know why I am here. Although I chose many years ago not to use fire as a tactic because of the inherent dangers involved, I know somewhere out in the world a wild foal is born and a herd of horses run free because the Cavel West horse slaughterhouse no longer exists.
The government's use of the term "eco-terrorist" works well for their fear-mongering and paranoia inducing plans to terrify the general public into complacency, inaction and silence. After the September 11th attacks, the government proclaimed that anyone who opposed the policies of our government would now be dubbed a "terrorist". This was the perfect opportunity to begin to shred the Constitution and to reign in our civil liberties protected under the Constitution by using fear. By instilling fear in the American public, our government and the corporations that rule the government, began to criminalize the people's right to oppose their practices, therefore ensuring their bottom line - maximum profits for 1% of the population, the super-rich and elite.
As I sit here in prison I see red-tailed hawks flying overhead. I see rabbits running through the fences and razor wire like it isn't there. I see ducks and songbirds fly over me. I see true freedom. I hate being here. I know why I am here. Although I chose many years ago not to use fire as a tactic because of the inherent dangers involved, I know somewhere out in the world a wild foal is born and a herd of horses run free because the Cavel West horse slaughterhouse no longer exists.
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Jan 18 2008
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uh-oh!...local, so-called "law enforcement" has had a BAD PRESS DAY! |
Did you notice over the past couple of days, how many reports in the local media have highlighted various problems with our so-called "law enforcement" personnel? Today was about as bad a "Bad Press Day" as I've seen in long time. Let's recap, briefly, 7 of the stories making the news:
(1.) Beaverton hires former Portland cop who shot unarmed motorist...this, of course, is a report of a bureaucratic misstep made by the Beaverton officials as they hired former PPB Officer Jason Sery, who became infamous in 2004 for killing an unarmed motorist.
(2.) Portland police officer pleads guilty to official misconduct/Plea follows investigation into sexual relationship with autistic woman...A 10-year Portland Police Bureau veteran, 34-year-old Jason Faulk, resigned from the bureau after pleading guilty Wednesday, Jan. 16, to an official misconduct charge.
3.) State agency's final report: Giusto lied repeatedly...The state agency investigating allegations that Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto lacks the moral fitness to serve in law enforcement, issued its final report today laying out a case that describes the sheriff as repeatedly lying to the public...hmmmm!
(1.) Beaverton hires former Portland cop who shot unarmed motorist...this, of course, is a report of a bureaucratic misstep made by the Beaverton officials as they hired former PPB Officer Jason Sery, who became infamous in 2004 for killing an unarmed motorist.
(2.) Portland police officer pleads guilty to official misconduct/Plea follows investigation into sexual relationship with autistic woman...A 10-year Portland Police Bureau veteran, 34-year-old Jason Faulk, resigned from the bureau after pleading guilty Wednesday, Jan. 16, to an official misconduct charge.
3.) State agency's final report: Giusto lied repeatedly...The state agency investigating allegations that Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto lacks the moral fitness to serve in law enforcement, issued its final report today laying out a case that describes the sheriff as repeatedly lying to the public...hmmmm!
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Jan 18 2008
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Mobile Anti-War Disco this Friday! |
FUNK THE WAR! Dance party against the War! Friday, January 18 Join DC Students for a Democratic Society for an Iraq Moratorium action Lets drop beats (not bombs) and take back the streets for peace. Dance from Dupont Circle to the Military Recruiting Station at 1099 14th Street NW (14th and L St NW) Wear your most outrageous party clothes and be loud! Meet at 4:30pm at Dupont Circle; Disco starts at 5:00pm Email dcsds@riseup.net for more info, or call 818-419-6994 Iraq Moratorium http://www.iraqmoratorium.org Students for a Democratic Society http://www.newsds.org
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Jan 18 2008
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Immigrant Rights Groups Are Calling All Allies! |
On Tuesday, January 22nd, stand by residents of Oregon who are in danger of losing their driving privileges due to executive order 7-22. Immigrant Rights organizations are calling on all of their allies to come to Salem on Tuesday to participate in a rally from noon until 1pm, and to testify at a legislative hearing which will take place from 1pm until 4pm.
Last Friday, a historic protest rally was held, with over 3000 Oregon residents in front of the state capital. Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Capitol, while three rooms were filled to capacity with people watching the hearing on closed circuit TV.
The new license restrictions come from an executive order signed by Governor Kulongoski in November, allowing the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles to limit documents accepted from immigrants. Currently under Oregon law, all residents of Oregon, regardless of legal status, can obtain a driver's license.
Contact CAUSA for more information: 503-984-6816 Need a ride? PCASC and Oregon Oaxaca Solidarity are working on putting a carpool together.
Last Friday, a historic protest rally was held, with over 3000 Oregon residents in front of the state capital. Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Capitol, while three rooms were filled to capacity with people watching the hearing on closed circuit TV.
The new license restrictions come from an executive order signed by Governor Kulongoski in November, allowing the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles to limit documents accepted from immigrants. Currently under Oregon law, all residents of Oregon, regardless of legal status, can obtain a driver's license.
Contact CAUSA for more information: 503-984-6816 Need a ride? PCASC and Oregon Oaxaca Solidarity are working on putting a carpool together.
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Jan 18 2008
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Professor Boatamo Mosupyoe speaks in Santa Cruz |
On January 10th, Boatamo Mosupyoe, Professor of African Studies at CSU Sacramento, spoke at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Cruz. Dr. Mosupyoe is an expert on mediation and interest-based negotiation, conflict resolution and civil society's role in mitigating and resolving conflicts. Mosupyoe addressed Africa's unique contribution to the growing appreciation of mediation and conflict resolution methodologies and ethics in addressing regional and world problems.
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Jan 18 2008
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Obama, race and the African American community |
Harlem Tenants Council organized a forum on Senator Obama, race and politicsAround 75 people gathered at the Ambrose Church on West 130th Street in Harlem for a discussion organized by the Harlem Tenants Council on race, the African American community and Barack Obama. Activists from a variety of causes including police brutality, housing and political prisoners talked about what the candidacy of Obama meant to the black community. Read Full Report by Alex Kane | | | Related: Clintons, Your Black Pass is Hereby Revoked from the Black Commentator | Watch the videos by Brave New Films: "FOX Attacks Obama" and "FOX Attacks Black America"
More Election Coverage: Green Party Presidential Candidates Debate in SF | "Hacking Democracy" - Electronic Voting Documentary | More...
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Jan 18 2008
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Hurley's closing doors, blames protests for lack of bussiness |
Chef Thomas Hurley is closing doors of his posh restaurant and skipping town. In recent years Thomas Hurley has come under fire by animal activists for continuing to carry foie gras on the menu of his upscale restaurant Hurley's. Hurley blames animal rights protests as being one of the main reasons for his restaurants failure.
This is yet more proof that our actions can have an effect. First the Schumachers, now Hurley's. Who's next?
This is yet more proof that our actions can have an effect. First the Schumachers, now Hurley's. Who's next?
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Jan 18 2008
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Man dies after state troopers use stun gun |
Authorities say they used a stun gun on an uncooperative driver who later died.
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Jan 18 2008
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508 podcast #18: An infusion of enthusiasm |
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Jan 18 2008
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Anarchist Video Showing Benefit Tonight! |
The anti-authoritarian RNC Welcoming Committee needs funds, so we're showing a pseudo-historical Korean big-budget action film.
When: Friday Jan 18, 2008 7:00 PM
Where: Laughing Horse Books 12 NE 10th Portland, Oregon 97232
How many $: 3-5 is what we're asking for, but any amount including zero is totally fine.
About the film: (from wikipedia)
In Shanghai, circa 1924, a covert cell of five anarchists attempts to overthrow the Japanese government's occupation of Korea through propaganda of the deed. The story is told from the perspective of the youngest member, Sang-Gu (Kim In-Kwon), years later.
When: Friday Jan 18, 2008 7:00 PM
Where: Laughing Horse Books 12 NE 10th Portland, Oregon 97232
How many $: 3-5 is what we're asking for, but any amount including zero is totally fine.
About the film: (from wikipedia)
In Shanghai, circa 1924, a covert cell of five anarchists attempts to overthrow the Japanese government's occupation of Korea through propaganda of the deed. The story is told from the perspective of the youngest member, Sang-Gu (Kim In-Kwon), years later.
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Jan 18 2008
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January 21st: MLK Workshops, March & Rally |
Seattle has one of the largest annual Martin Luther King Day Celebrations in the U.S. It honors the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for his work toward racial equality and toward economic justice for all people, for his commitment to nonviolence, and for his stand against war and militarism.
The 26th annual region-wide Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration includes Workshops (9:30am-11am), a Rally (11am), and a March (12pm). The theme of this year's event is "Let Freedom Ring: End Racism, Poverty and War".
The 26th annual region-wide Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration includes Workshops (9:30am-11am), a Rally (11am), and a March (12pm). The theme of this year's event is "Let Freedom Ring: End Racism, Poverty and War".
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Jan 18 2008
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January 25th: Briana Waters Pretrial Hearing (Tacoma) |
Briana Waters pretrial conference hearing is on January 25, 2008, at 9am. The Tacoma Federal Courthouse is on 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA. Please come and bear witness. Dress and act appropriate for the court requested.
Briana Waters trial is slated to begin February 11, 2008 in Tacoma.
Briana Waters trial is slated to begin February 11, 2008 in Tacoma.
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Jan 18 2008
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January 20th: "Redeeming the Vision" on MLK Day (Tacoma) |
The second annual “Redeeming the Vision” event in honor of Dr. King will take place from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Urban Grace – The Downtown Church at 902 Market Street in Tacoma from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. This free event is open to the general public. The celebration features music, dance, and spoken word performances.
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Jan 18 2008
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Packed House and Drama: Citizens Call for Impeachment |
Olympia -- Well over 100 people filled Hearing Room 2 and an overflow room in the Cherberg Building January 17th to hear statements in support of Washington State resolution SJM 8016, a request for impeachment investigations into actions by President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Only a handful of people got to speak but those who did spoke eloquently on their desire to see the Constitution restored and the powers abrogated by this Presidency not become a dangerous precedent for our democracy.
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Jan 18 2008
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"Hacking Democracy" - Electronic Voting Documentary |
The cautionary documentary "Hacking Democracy" exposes the vulnerability of computers - which count approximately 80% of America's votes in county, state and federal elections - suggesting that if our votes aren't safe, then our democracy isn't safe either.
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Jan 19 2008
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events |
MLK Day March Against Wage Slavery, IAC March Against Racism, 23rd Annual MLK Day Celebration.
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Jan 19 2008
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Free Skool Spring Quarter Deadline Coming Up |
Free Skool Santa Cruz is a completely grassroots effort, a bunch of individuals deciding to act collectively and autonomously to create a skill-sharing network. Spring Quarter runs March 1st to May 31st. The Free Skool Spring Quarter teacher registration deadline is coming up February 10th.
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Jan 19 2008
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Special Screening of "Spy Files" Documentary Footage |
Come see a special screening of footage from "Extremists," a documentary film in the works about the Denver "Spy Files," by Jacob Crawford.
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Jan 19 2008
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Protest the RNC and DNC! Mid-Atlantic Consulta January 26th and 27th - Schedule of Events |
The Frederick No RNC/DNC consulta is being held at the Frederick Cultural Arts center which is located at 15 W Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701 on January 26th and 27th
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Jan 19 2008
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Hundreds demand climate action, NO ICC in Annapolis |
On Jan 17, under a now-rare winter snow, at least 500 people staged a rally to support the Global Warmings Solutions Act in Annapolis. This bill would commit MD to a drastic hard cap on state CO2 emissions-and is INCOMPATIBLE with construction of the ICC superhighway. Audio broadcast from ICC site
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Jan 19 2008
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Baltimore Algebra Project Organizer Zachariah Hallback shot and killed on Jan 9th |
We mourn the loss of Zachariah Hallback, a wonderful young man who had participated in many Algebra Project events, and who was helping to organize for the action below. Zach was shot Wednesday, Jan. 9 during a robbery while he waited with other Algebra Project youth for a bus across the street from City College High School. He was pronounced dead on Friday, Jan. 11. The students have decided to continue with this action in his memory.
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Jan 19 2008
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MLK events across Philadelphia |
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In an effort to cement the memory Dr. King's legacy, a local organization has launched a 40-day effort to promote nonviolence.The initiative, titled "40 Days of Nonviolence: Building the Beloved Community," is being spearheaded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, along with US congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) and the Rev. Dr. Wilson Goode, former mayor of Philadelphia.
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Jan 19 2008
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The January/February 2008 IndyKids is Out! |
The new issue includes a primer on sneaky housing loans, a full-color spread on global warming, the end of the death penalty in New Jersey, a look at New Year's Celebrations around the world, a review of Dr. Suess' classic, The Lorax, and more! Go to www.indykids.net to download the paper and teacher’s guide, to get copies and subscribe.
The Trouble With Housing || Political Killing In Pakistan || Tribe Declares Its Independence || Guantanamo On Trial || Just What Are the Primaries All About? || New Jersey Gets Rid Of Its Death Penalty || Another Rerun? TV,Movie and Radio Writers Go on Strike || Global Warming: The Heat Is On || Kids Weighing the Fate of the World || Global Weirding Briefs || Students Speak Out To Save School || A Student’s View Of Fifty Years || Fun With Robots! || Siberian Tiger and Boy Killed in San Francisco || Happy New Year! Bonne Annee! Feliz Ano Nuevo! || An Eco-Book Classic From The World Of Dr. Seuss || Two Thumbs Down On Video Violence || IndyKids Cartoon ||
The Trouble With Housing || Political Killing In Pakistan || Tribe Declares Its Independence || Guantanamo On Trial || Just What Are the Primaries All About? || New Jersey Gets Rid Of Its Death Penalty || Another Rerun? TV,Movie and Radio Writers Go on Strike || Global Warming: The Heat Is On || Kids Weighing the Fate of the World || Global Weirding Briefs || Students Speak Out To Save School || A Student’s View Of Fifty Years || Fun With Robots! || Siberian Tiger and Boy Killed in San Francisco || Happy New Year! Bonne Annee! Feliz Ano Nuevo! || An Eco-Book Classic From The World Of Dr. Seuss || Two Thumbs Down On Video Violence || IndyKids Cartoon ||
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Jan 19 2008
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Sea lions: Public comments being accepted now |
The NOAA national marine fisheries service is about to decide whether to begin killing sea lions on the Columbia river. Some say the decision has already been made, and they are simply going through the motions (ala the FCC) of pretending we have a say in the matter. Perhaps. But this is the last chance to make any public comment about whether or not they should be allowed to kill sea lions on the Columbia river. Please take the moment or two that it will take, and make your voice heard. Tell them not to kill the sea lions.
You have only until February 19th to be heard by them before they make a decision. This is the last paragraph of the draft:
"NOAA will consider all substantive comments received by 5 p.m. (PST) on Feb. 19, 2008. You may submit comments by e-mail. See the Federal Register notice, below, for more information; or contact Garth Griffin, 503-231-2005."
The email address is
sea.lion.comments@noaa.gov.
You have only until February 19th to be heard by them before they make a decision. This is the last paragraph of the draft:
"NOAA will consider all substantive comments received by 5 p.m. (PST) on Feb. 19, 2008. You may submit comments by e-mail. See the Federal Register notice, below, for more information; or contact Garth Griffin, 503-231-2005."
The email address is
sea.lion.comments@noaa.gov.
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Jan 20 2008
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Road Kill in BC: New Highway Blocked By Protesting “Raccoons” |
The barricade at the end of the road is decorated with freshly-planted poinsettias in a mound of earth. Yellow plastic sunflowers, two graffitied TV sets and an oversize truck tire line a meter-wide trench just past the pavement's end. They mark the boundary between the city of Langford and a protest camp occupied by feral humans.
The Raccoons are a ragtag mob of irregulars holding back a major highway interchange project designed to service Bear Mountain, a sprawling golf resort in Langford, just west of Victoria. A few dozen dumpster-diving, trash-talking, anti-authoritarians with a passion for undisturbed natural places have built a camp in the path of the new highway. The proposed interchange cuts through a pocket of forest packed with natural and cultural rarities: a sacred First Nations cave, a seasonal pond, garry oak meadows, arbutus bluffs, red-legged frogs and chocolate lilies.
"This is the only example of eco-anarchist action in Canada right now," says Ingmar Lee, a Victoria environmentalist and camp supporter. "This is the grassroots, and it's a totally different kind of protest."
The Raccoons are a ragtag mob of irregulars holding back a major highway interchange project designed to service Bear Mountain, a sprawling golf resort in Langford, just west of Victoria. A few dozen dumpster-diving, trash-talking, anti-authoritarians with a passion for undisturbed natural places have built a camp in the path of the new highway. The proposed interchange cuts through a pocket of forest packed with natural and cultural rarities: a sacred First Nations cave, a seasonal pond, garry oak meadows, arbutus bluffs, red-legged frogs and chocolate lilies.
"This is the only example of eco-anarchist action in Canada right now," says Ingmar Lee, a Victoria environmentalist and camp supporter. "This is the grassroots, and it's a totally different kind of protest."
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Jan 20 2008
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Fresno Spends $1.3 million on Video Surveillance |
After filming a crime with their video surveillance cameras, Fresno mayor Alan Autry and police chief Jerry Dyer held a press conference to celebrate. They spent $1.3 million of taxpayer money for this video and now they want $1.7 million more so they can install more cameras.
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Jan 20 2008
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Defense rests in TCD trial; closing statements Tuesday |
The defense presented its case on Friday in the first trial for TCD defenders. Defenders Glenn Morris, Koreena Montoya and Reverend Julie Todd gave eloquent and moving testimony about their reasons for taking a stand against the "convoy of conquest" last October.
The defense rested at approximately 4:30 pm. After ruling that the defense would have only 20 minutes total to present closing arguments--20 minutes TOTAL to present closing arguments for three defenders each facing three charges--Judge Jordan instructed the jury to return on Tuesday.
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Jan 20 2008
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Lethal Force Against DNC Protesters??? STOP IT NOW! |
**FORWARD WIDELY AND QUICKLY**
Colorado: “Castle Doctrine” Bill to be Heard on Wednesday, February 6!
Friday, January 18, 2008
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Jan 20 2008
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Stop Toxic Imports Campaign |
On January 16, 2008, the National Day of Action on Toxic Trade, the United Steelworkers (USW) took the fight against the importation of toxic toys to 100 members of Congress at Congressional offices in 40 states to protect 100 million children. (From the January 16, 2008 Stop Toxic Toys Campaign Media Advisory)
In Portland, labor, environmental, consumer and fair trade advocates rallied outside the downtown office of Oregon Senator Gordon Smith to urge his support for the Food and Product Responsibility Act. The USW was joined at the event by members of the Oregon AFL-CIO, Working America, Portland Jobs with Justice, the Oregon Environmental Coalition, the Sweat Free Northwest Campaign, the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, the Oregon Public Interest Research Group, the Oregon Center for Environmental Health, and others.
"The Unhealthy cheap goods that are coming into the country means that somewhere in the world, other workers are being exposed to low wages and higher levels of dangerous chemicals and work conditions than in the United States."... "The door to the morality of the multi-national corporations has opened, and as we peer in we begin to understand they do not care about us, or kids, the future of the planet,"
Picket signs at the rally depicted forty different recalled items imported from China. Hazards associated with the recalls included excessive lead content in paint, risk of children swallowing small magnets, choking and strangulation risk, even one which is known to have caused comas in two different children after swallowing several pieces of the product.
All of the recalled products on the signs at the Portland event were issued since September 2007. One of the recalls was issued this month. Many of the recalled items sat on the shelves and in the hands of consumers for months, and in some cases years before the item was recalled for refund or replacement.
After the presentations, Ronald announced that, since Sen. Smith was short staffed, no one from the group could be allowed into the office. Instead, a representative would come down to accept whatever comments or materials were intended for the Senator Numerous citizens have been arrested in 2007 merely for seeking to speak with Smith concerning his continuing support for the Occupation of Iraq.
21 minute audio file of the speakers, who give a good understanding of the issue and what's at stake.:Get the LEAD Out: Stop Toxic Toys, RealPlayer | MP3
www.usw.org for latest news and podcasts.
Examples of products to watch out for:
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Jan 20 2008
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CANANEA: MINERS ATTACKED, CALL FOR EMERGENCY PROTESTS |
Government Declares Five Month Strike Illegal
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Jan 20 2008
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Skill Share: Radical Botany - Week 2- plant/human communities and the White Oak |
Go outside and look out to the horizon if you can, and notice the most prominent plant, possibly a giant White Oak which was plentiful and extremely valuable to human survival for thousands of years in Cascadia. If you live in the forest and cannot see the horizon, look up. You will see the teacher trees, the mother plants. Plants live in communal support of each other. We can learn from the plants.
When I look across the skyline I still see the White Oak. These trees have been here in Cascadia for thousands of years. Where ever you find these trees you will also find a vast ecosystem of food, healing plants and pronounced animal, insect and plant communities. For instance, if you look up into the branches of the White Oak in the fall and winter you will see mistletoe, at its base you will find small herbs, sweet flowered ground covers, and sumac (also known as poison oak).
When I look across the skyline I still see the White Oak. These trees have been here in Cascadia for thousands of years. Where ever you find these trees you will also find a vast ecosystem of food, healing plants and pronounced animal, insect and plant communities. For instance, if you look up into the branches of the White Oak in the fall and winter you will see mistletoe, at its base you will find small herbs, sweet flowered ground covers, and sumac (also known as poison oak).
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Jan 20 2008
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City Council Votes YES To Accept Immigrant and Refugee Task Force Recommendations! |
On Wednesday, January 16, Portland City Council voted to accept all four Immigrant and Refugee Task Force recommendations, including:
1. Create an office of immigrant and refugee affairs, with a multi-ethnic staff, that would serve as a bridge and facilitator between the immigrant and refugee community and City government.
2. Establish a multicultural community center that can house a variety of immigrant and refugee organizations, has space for large meetings and community gatherings,and offers opportunities for people of different ethnicities to mingle.
3. Provide additional resources for immigrant and refugee organizations to train or support their constituents in civic engagement.
4. Conduct a professional evaluation to assess the City's current Human Resources (HR) policies and practices and recommend changes that would result in the recruitment, hiring, and retention of multilingual and multicultural staff to serve Portland's fast-growing immigrant and refugee communities.
1. Create an office of immigrant and refugee affairs, with a multi-ethnic staff, that would serve as a bridge and facilitator between the immigrant and refugee community and City government.
2. Establish a multicultural community center that can house a variety of immigrant and refugee organizations, has space for large meetings and community gatherings,and offers opportunities for people of different ethnicities to mingle.
3. Provide additional resources for immigrant and refugee organizations to train or support their constituents in civic engagement.
4. Conduct a professional evaluation to assess the City's current Human Resources (HR) policies and practices and recommend changes that would result in the recruitment, hiring, and retention of multilingual and multicultural staff to serve Portland's fast-growing immigrant and refugee communities.
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Jan 20 2008
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No Retreat: MoveOn and the Liberal War Party |
"Antiwar groups retreat on funding fight" read the headlines. The story underneath describes a retreat by MoveOn and other liberal elements of the antiwar movement who, after failing to get a withdrawal deadline passed in the US Congress in 2007, are now merely trying to prevent the US and Baghdad governments from signing an agreement that would keep US forces in Iraq until 2018...Read MoreRelated: Photo from Jan18 Protest at a Military Recruitment Center in DC
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Jan 20 2008
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A letter from Guantánamo |
Andy Worthington, author of The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison, tells the story of imprisoned al-Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Haj, and reproduces the text of a recently declassified letter from Guantánamo.
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Jan 20 2008
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Sea Shepherd hostages released, but whalers get away |
The Sea Shepherd hostages held aboard the Yushin Maru whaling ship have been released-but the Australian government cynically used the transfer from the Oceanic Viking back to the Steve Irwin to lead the Sea Shepherds away from the whalers, who thus escaped. Audio(via WSQT radio-includes marine radio messages): http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/11/hostages.mp3
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Jan 20 2008
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Funk the War Hit Military Recruiting Station on 14th St |
Hey! It was a great action here are a few photos. If you want to see more you can check them out here: www.flickr.com/photos/isisdc/
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Jan 20 2008
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State-Sponsored Oppression Along the Southern Border |
While the mainstream media and its pundits keep much of their attention upon the major presidential candidates as they stomp around the country in a bizarre competition to see who can truly be a president that will bring “change” to the country, a grotesque and diabolical drama is unfolding along the U.S./Mexican border.
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Jan 21 2008
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Ten Rivers Food Web Event |
This event will allow us to discuss how we will protect the rivers while raising valuable local food and support sustainable agriculture in Oregon. Our foodshed follows several water sheds: Naming the Ten Rivers — Siletz, Yaquina, Alsea, Luckiamute, Mary's, Long Tom, Willamette, Calapooia, and the North and South Santiam — draws the mind through what is, in essence, our local food shed. This coast-to-Cascades area offers the potential for a rich, varied and healthful diet for all citizens, if we focus on using our resources wisely.
The Ten Rivers Mission:
• Assess what food is available from Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties (1 year; ongoing)
• Assess potential steady local markets for local farmers, beginning with institutions such as schools, county services, churches, plus grocery stores, restaurants, processors. (2 years; ongoing)
• Conduct regular assessments of community food security indicators (e.g. rising energy prices and global climate fluctuations), then be flexible and creative in maximizing current and future food security for all citizens.(On-going)
• Aid in design and implementation of community-owned food-processing and storage facilities. (6 years)
• Educate the public on locally-produced foods in local media (e.g. seasonal diets, designing communities around food, awareness of community food needs & availability, etc.). (3 months; on-going)
Sunday, January 27th
2:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church Meeting Hall
4515 SW West Hills Road Corvallis
The Ten Rivers Mission:
• Assess what food is available from Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties (1 year; ongoing)
• Assess potential steady local markets for local farmers, beginning with institutions such as schools, county services, churches, plus grocery stores, restaurants, processors. (2 years; ongoing)
• Conduct regular assessments of community food security indicators (e.g. rising energy prices and global climate fluctuations), then be flexible and creative in maximizing current and future food security for all citizens.(On-going)
• Aid in design and implementation of community-owned food-processing and storage facilities. (6 years)
• Educate the public on locally-produced foods in local media (e.g. seasonal diets, designing communities around food, awareness of community food needs & availability, etc.). (3 months; on-going)
Sunday, January 27th
2:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church Meeting Hall
4515 SW West Hills Road Corvallis
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Jan 21 2008
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Third Annual Worst of Houston |
Here it is: The 3rd Annual ‘Worst of Houston’ award for the year of 2007. Rather than send smoke our advertiser’s asses or go through the proverbial shoulder rubbing with some sort of ‘best of’, we feel it is incumbent upon us to educate our fellow Houstonian’s as to the most dastardly, devious, deceitful elements of our city. So utilize, enjoy, and be sure to spread rumors far and wide. Awards below are arbitrarily based upon hyperbole, rumors, bull-scheizzer, and sometimes facts.
Worst Statue that Forebodes the New World Order: Elder Bush Memorial - Considering the existing desperate needs of our city, it is preposterous that nearly 2 million dollars were spent on a life -size statue in honor of George Bush the father. I simply cannot think of a more vulgar use of taxpayer funds than to pay tribute to this blood -drinking son of a Nazi sympathizer. No joke, Prescott Bush was indicted under the ‘Trading with the Enemy Act’ for colluding with the Nazis. What short memories we have. However, the good news is that many a prankster have taken to covering the statue with red paint ostensibly to signify the collective blood that is on his hands.
Read full article for: Worst Municipal Politician, Worst Use of Public Funds, Worst Example of Flagrant Greed and Shortsightedness on the Part of a Real Estate Developer, Worst Artworld Power Grab, Worst Restroom, Worst Trend in Bar Names and many more.
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Jan 21 2008
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NYC Indymedia Open House! |
NYC Indymedia Open House This Tuesday at 7pm! Our office is located at 4 W. 43rd St.(btw 5th and 6th Ave.) Suite 311. To find out more, call 212-221-0521
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Jan 21 2008
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National Conference on Immigrant and Refugee Rights brings hundreds to Houston |
The National Conference for Immigrant & Refugee Rights had more than 600 registrations and hundreds of activists from across the country and representing communities across the globe descending on the Hyatt hotel in downtown Houston from January 18th to the 20th. The Conference, which was organized by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, had the theme of "Claiming our Rights, Envisioning our Future: Communities Organizing for Justice", which was reflected in the plenary sessions and dozens of workshops offered throughout the weekend. The conference blended theory, strategy and action for people organizing for immigrant rights. Read More>>Related: State-Sponsored Oppression Along the Southern Border from Arkansas IMC | City Council Votes YES To Accept Immigrant and Refugee Task Force Recommendations! from Portland IMC
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Jan 21 2008
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DEATH AND DARKNESS IN GAZA, PEOPLE ARE DYING, HELP US! (by Latuff) |
Copyleft artwork by Brazilian cartoonist Latuff, on behalf of the brave Palestinian people and their struggle against U.S. backed IsraHell's state terrorism.
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Jan 21 2008
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17 Activists Arrested At MLK Event at Trident Submarine Base |
120 people were present at the demonstration commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the gates of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor on January 19th. After the eleven demonstrators were arrested by Naval Base security, six other demonstrators blocked the highway entrance to the base with a banner which stated, “Abolish Nuclear Weapons.” The six were arrested by Kitsap County Sheriffs.
Demonstrators also hung a large banner over the entrance to the Trident submarine base which stated, "Share the Dream of a World without War."
Demonstrators also hung a large banner over the entrance to the Trident submarine base which stated, "Share the Dream of a World without War."
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Jan 21 2008
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The Myths of Biofuels: A Talk with David Fridley |
On Thursday, January 24th, David Fridley, a research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley Labs, will address facts and hype about biofuels: Can biofuels solve the climate crisis? Is ethanol production good or bad for the environment? What's a sustainable energy future and what role do biofuels play in it? The event, sponsored by Local Solutions to Global Problems and People Power, takes places at the Louden Nelson Center in Santa Cruz at 7pm.
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Jan 21 2008
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Martin Luther King III says Mumia Abu-Jamal and the MOVE 9 are unjustly incarcerated |
My father's words that, "Freedom only comes through persistent agitation, through persistent rising up", were true in 1982 when Mumia Abu Jamal was unjustly convicted for the death of a Philadelphia policeman because he dared to use national air-waves to agitate for the rights of MOVE and for racial and economic justice. They are true today as we continue to fight for his freedom....We live in a society shrouded in hypocrisy, a nation that expects its children to abhor violence but takes every opportunity to promote the "might is right" philosophy....While we promote the notion throughout the world that America's system of justice in colorblind, we live with the reality that racism is inherent in every single facet of our criminal justice system....From the aerial bombing of MOVE to the unjust incarceration of MOVE members, Mumia Abu-Jamal and countless others; to the unjustified and unpunished killings and beatings of people of color; to the "blue mentality" pervading police forces across the country that rewards brutal behavior; to the increasing incidents of police abuse and harassment of even white Americans, we understand the need to continue and remain steadfast in our struggle for freedom. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s journey began in Montgomery with civil rights and ended in Memphis with human rights. SCLC's current support of human rights around the world is consistent with our support of the rights of MOVE. Read More | Related Audio: Linn Washington Jr. on Covering MOVE - 2.9M
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Jan 21 2008
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Miami Pro-Choice Activists celebrate Roe v Wade 35th Anniversary with J22 Honk & Wave |
It's not too late to sign up to be part of the Honk & Wave to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Roe v Wade. Join Miami Clinic Access Project and Planned Parenthood Tuesday, January 22nd at South Dixie Highway (US-1) 4 pm to 5:30 pm, to publicly show community support for reproductive rights. We hope you will come to one, or both.
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Jan 22 2008
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Revive King’s Tradition of Solidarity and Struggle: March Against Racism on Dr. King's Birthday Holiday |
If the true legacy, the leadership and the courage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is to have any real meaning for today as we approach the 40th anniversary of his martyrdom next April 4, then the King birthday holiday on January 21, 2008 must be more than an exercise in platitudes and official declarations from the White House, the State House or City Hall. There is a time for celebrations and there’s a time for fighting. Now is a time that we need to fight. And fight like hell. On this King Holiday we must organize and march against the forces of racism, reaction and war, not just the war abroad but the war raging here at home. To know what’s happening, is to know that nothing is more important than jump starting a multi-racial movement against racism.
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Jan 22 2008
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Peter Young Speaks at the Long Haul |
On January 9th, Peter Young spoke at the Long Haul in Berkeley prior to a screening of "Behind the Mask". Peter says that the film was not intended to entertain, but rather to confront all us us with our own inaction, pulling the mask away from the people in the movie so that we see not them, but ourselves. He emphasized that there are no experts in direct action or animal rights actions and that "every single one of us is an animal liberator."
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Jan 22 2008
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Assassinating the Image and Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. |
January of every year we are encouraged to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King even as such celebration occurs over the assassinated image of an assassinated man. As Vincent Harding noted, quoting a poem by Carl Wendell Himes, Jr., "Dead men make such convenient heroes: They cannot rise to challenge the images we would fashion from their lives." Harding's extension of this to his own work on King, An Inconvenient Hero, summarizes perfectly the position King must hold today. His popularity must be used to testify against his living legacy, his life's struggle, and both the reasoning and people behind his assassination. While his name is evoked each year, and at times of heightened political activity even more so, this reference comes specifically to recast a revolutionary into one comfortable with current and false notions of "progress" or "change." Barak Obama borrows his oratorical flare (attempts at least) with none of his politics and Hillary Clinton misuses his legacy to give undo credit to the executive branch for a movement's struggle for equality while simultaneously suggesting that King himself saw president Johnson's signing of Civil Rights legislation as completion of victory and liberation. He most certainly did not. All this, of course, occurs while electoral political efforts to carry out King's plan (his dream had long since been considered by King himself to be a "nightmare") are summarily ignored by mass media popular and "progressive" alike. Read Full Report from VoxUnion Media | More MLK Day CoveragePhoto from Jan07 MLK Day March in St. Louis, MO
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Jan 22 2008
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Thursday Protests Demand Justice for Gary King, Jr. |
Weekly protests to demand justice for Gary King, Jr. are now held on Thursdays from 4pm to 6pm outside of the District Attorney's Office at 1225 Fallon St. in Oakland, at the corner of 12th St. & Oak St. Gary King Jr, a 20-year-old African-American man, was killed by Oakland police officer Patrick Gonzales on Sept. 20th, 2007. After tasering Gary King Jr., Gonzales then shot him twice in the back. Family, friends, neighbors, and supporters gather at the weekly protests to demand that Gonzales face the consequences of his actions-- "and to demonstrate that vicious police behavior will not be tolerated!"
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Jan 22 2008
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FEMA Trailers & Formaldehyde: Interview with Cristina |
Interview with a mom living in a FEMA trailer about her struggle to cope with illness that may have been caused by formaldehyde outgassing from materials used to fabricate her family's trailer. read more... | Related: Formaldehyde in Your FEMA Trailer?
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Jan 22 2008
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Japan Parliament- Fujita Questions US version of 9-11/ Asks can they arrest Pres. Bush? |
Don’t expect the New York Times or CNN to report on Fujita Yukihisa’s grilling of Japanese PM Fukuda over the official 9/11 fairy tale. Yukihisa is a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet, that is to say the national legislature of Japan, and his questions about the transparent sham that is the official version of events is indeed a big deal — but not as important in America as the travails of Britney. Yukihisa’s presentation was all the more important due to the fact he was the Chief Cabinet Secretary under former PM Junichiro Koizumi in 2001.
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Jan 22 2008
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Emergency protests against the strangulation of Gaza |
Emergency protests across the US against the strangulation of Gaza have been called for Friday January 25th. A San Francisco protest will be on Friday January 25th, at the Israeli Consulate, 456 Montgomery Street, S.F. from 4-5 PM.
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Jan 22 2008
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"NO NAME" warrant gets innocent man shot 5 times; CITIZEN CONGRESS organizes proaction |
It is terrorizing to come into the knowledge of just how deeply ingrained corruption has become in our community so as now to be perceived as justifiable and socially acceptable. But it is profoundly more terrorizing to think about what it must be like to feel so 'under the thumb' of these rogue bastards as to allow the dictatorial rule of barbaric ego-aggrandizement to continue unchallenged. Once a law enforcement official has ‘stated their case’ it seems to become like holy scripture. Yet daily facts prove this paradigm wrong.
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Jan 22 2008
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Have you seen ENOUGH police misconduct? It is time to work with COPWATCH! |
TONIGHT TUES. Portland CopWatch rare orientation event.
This orientation will prepare you to become a volunteer with Portland Copwatch or just inform you about local police accountability issues. You will learn the history of copwatching in Portland and how to file a complaint against the police, among other things. Come find out about issues we've been working on lately such as getting rid of the drug free zones, bringing accountability to Portland Business Alliance's downtown rent-a-cops and justice for James Chasse.
Laughing Horse Books (12 NE 10th Ave). 7pm- 8:30pm
RSVP your spot now if you can, as space is limited.
www.portlandcopwatch.org
This orientation will prepare you to become a volunteer with Portland Copwatch or just inform you about local police accountability issues. You will learn the history of copwatching in Portland and how to file a complaint against the police, among other things. Come find out about issues we've been working on lately such as getting rid of the drug free zones, bringing accountability to Portland Business Alliance's downtown rent-a-cops and justice for James Chasse.
Laughing Horse Books (12 NE 10th Ave). 7pm- 8:30pm
RSVP your spot now if you can, as space is limited.
www.portlandcopwatch.org
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Jan 22 2008
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WA Impeachment: SJM Passes in Committee! |
Wshington State. Senator Oemig's revised petition calling for a full investigation and trial of alleged misdeeds by President Bush and Vice President Cheney passed a vote in the Senate Government and Operations Committee today, Monday 21, 2008.
SJM 8016 2007-08, revised for 2008, calls on Congress to initiate impeachment hearings for the President and Vice President. The bill, first introduced Feb. 15, 2007, was heard before the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on March 31st, 2007 with over 500 pro-impeachment citizens in attendance.
SJM 8016 2007-08, revised for 2008, calls on Congress to initiate impeachment hearings for the President and Vice President. The bill, first introduced Feb. 15, 2007, was heard before the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on March 31st, 2007 with over 500 pro-impeachment citizens in attendance.
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Jan 23 2008
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VIDEO - What Is the Northwest Detention Center? |
The Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, Detention Center is a private immigration prison facility located on the tide flats of Tacoma, Washington. The detention center opened in 2004 under a contract with The US Department of Homeland Security, Though owners have changed over time, the facility is now owned by the GEO Group Which operates prison facilities in Australia, The UK, South Africa, the US and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The video outlines what the Northwest Detention Center is, why it exists, and features video from the Smash ICE protest from November.
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Jan 23 2008
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January 25th: Emergency Protests Called In Response to Israeli Siege of Gaza |
Coalition Calls for Emergency Protests January 25-26
Seattle Demonstration: Friday January 25, 4:00 PM, Westlake (4th and Pine)
Bring Signs and banners.
National emergency actions called to protest the criminal Israeli siege of Gaza. Collective punishment is a war crime. Imposing a blockade on the population in Gaza is undeniably a form of collective punishment. The U.S. government, which gives billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Israel every year, shares the guilt for this war crime.
The A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition has joined with the National Council of Arab Americans, Free Palestine Alliance, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Palestinian American Women’s Association, Al-Awda Palestine Right of Return Coalition and other anti-war and progressive organizations in calling for emergency protests demanding an immediate end to the Israeli blockade and siege of Gaza. Protests will take place on January 25-26 at Israeli embassies, consulates, U.S. federal buildings and other locations.
Seattle Demonstration: Friday January 25, 4:00 PM, Westlake (4th and Pine)
Bring Signs and banners.
National emergency actions called to protest the criminal Israeli siege of Gaza. Collective punishment is a war crime. Imposing a blockade on the population in Gaza is undeniably a form of collective punishment. The U.S. government, which gives billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Israel every year, shares the guilt for this war crime.
The A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition has joined with the National Council of Arab Americans, Free Palestine Alliance, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Palestinian American Women’s Association, Al-Awda Palestine Right of Return Coalition and other anti-war and progressive organizations in calling for emergency protests demanding an immediate end to the Israeli blockade and siege of Gaza. Protests will take place on January 25-26 at Israeli embassies, consulates, U.S. federal buildings and other locations.
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Jan 23 2008
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WA Impeachment: SJM Passes in Committee |
A big step forward. Senator Eric Oemig's bill, SJM 8016, asking Congress to impeach George Bush and Richard Cheney was voted to proceed out of the Senate Gov't and Op's Committee today. It will now proceed to the Senate Rules Committee.
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Jan 23 2008
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Forrest Activists Target NW Natural over the LNG, by Barracading the Front Door with Dead Trees |
Today two activists were arrested at a rally protesting NW Natural's investment in new Liquefied Natural Gas(LNG) related pipelines. Activists converged on the NWNasty office with banners and dozens of trees to demand an end to clear-cuts for over 600 miles of proposed pipelines for new fossil fuel development. ... Piling dozens of trees on NW Natural's downtown office entryway, activists with Stumptown Earth First! and Cascadia Rising Tide, aim to send a message to the LNG-invested gas company: "There's nothing Green about Clear-cuts, No new pipelines." Read More | Related: February 6 Rally in Salem: NO LNG in Oregon!
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Jan 23 2008
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Sammy Galvan Wrongful Death Trial Comes to Fresno |
Sammy Galvan was killed by Modesto police in August 2004. A wrongful death lawsuit will be heard in the federal courtroom in Fresno. This article is about the circumstances of Sammy's death, police accountability, and the struggle for justice.
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Jan 23 2008
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Verizon-FairPoint sale opponents lobby at New Hampshire state house |
The number of NH legislators voicing concern about the sale of Verizon to FairPoint almost doubles after a grassroots lobby day! Union members and community activists opposed to the sale of Verizon's landlines to FairPoint Communications took part in a grassroots lobby day at the State House in Concord on January 16 to talk with their state legislators about the impact of the sale on the future of New Hampshire. About 25 members from IBEW Local 2320 and CWA Local 1400 who work for Verizon participated.
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Jan 23 2008
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Antiwar protest at Lockheed-Martin office in Bethesda |
On the day set aside to celebrate Martin Luther King's life(which is not his actual birthday), peace activists dropped by Lockheed-martin to read out some of his words condemning the Vietnam War in the new context of the Iraq War. Audio: 5 min 44 sec
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Jan 23 2008
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Chuck Rosenthal Should Step Down: Multi-Ethnic Coalition demands resignation |
Chuck Rosenthal has been a prosecutor for Harris County since 1977 and District Attorney since 2001. His tenure has been full with a number of notable landmarks of Texas Justice, including; multiple death sentences (Harris county reached 100 executions last year), the HPD crime lab scandal, refusing to apologize or reimburse falsely convicted Josiah Sutton, and arguing in front of the supreme court that laws against gay sex are constitutional.
The times may be changing in the DA's office with the publication of emails containing racist, misogynist photos and video as well as emails coordinating his re-election campaign, in violation of laws prohibiting use of public resources for electoral campaigns.
Houston community organizations and activists are mobilizing to demand Chuck Rosenthal's resignation. A broad multi-ethnic coalition is calling for a Townhall meeting on January 29th at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church and a protest rally on January 31st in front of the Harris County Criminal Courthouse
[see flyer for full details] Letter from City Councilwoman Jolanda Jones: Case against Rosenthal couldn't be more convincing
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Jan 23 2008
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"Publicizing Truths with Consequence" Independent Media Strategy Summit |
Project Censored, 9/11 Truth and dozens of other media activist organizations are hosting the Truth Emergency Santa Cruz Media Summit on January 25th, 26th and 27th at the UC Convertion Center in Santa Cruz. Conference organizers say the three day gathering "is intended as a strategy session for already active and influential players to coordinate their most revealing messages, forge tactical alliances, introduce new distribution technologies, and mutually enhance each other's strongest work."
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Jan 23 2008
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Closing Our Eyes Won't Make Racial and Ethnic Inequalities Disappear |
Native Americans have been in the United States from the beginning, yet according to health and employment statistics, they, like other people of color, still have not achieved equality. For example, between 1998 and 2000 Native American infants in the United States were 1.7 times more likely to die than white infants in their first year of life.
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Jan 23 2008
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Youth March for the Liberation of Political Prisoners in Oaxaca |
On January 12th and 13th the first APPO (Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca) Youth Encuentro was held in Zaachila, Oaxaca, Mexico. Among the many plans of action agreed upon by the diverse group of young folks, was a march on January 15th for the liberation of political prisoners in Oaxaca, in particular David Venegas Reyes, an APPO council member and member of VOCAL (Oaxacan Voices Constructing Autonomy and Freedom).
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Jan 23 2008
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More City Council meetings archived |
Worcester Indymedia not only archived last night's meeting in record (for us) time, but has linked up random video and audio clips from other meetings: Link To get involved, join the Indymedia e-mail list.
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Jan 23 2008
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Voter fraud: How big an issue? |
The Inky ran an excellent editorial on 12 January about the Supreme Court picking up the case concerning Indiana's solution to the perceived "problem" of voter fraud ...
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Jan 24 2008
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February 6 Rally in Salem: NO LNG in Oregon! |
Why should you care about this?
There are 3 LNG projects proposed for the Oregon coast.If even one should get built, it will increase Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions by millions of tons per year. These projects will cost billions, money that could be spent on clean, renewable energy. The terminals and pipelines linking them to California will endanger communities, cross and condemn hundreds of miles of land, and destroy habitat. LNG is not needed in Oregon; even the Governor admits that most of the gas is going out of state. Ask yourself: Why is Oregon being chosen for an LNG that will go to California?
Statewide Call to Action
No LNG in Oregon"
Wednesday, February 6
11 AM to 2 PM
Capitol Steps, Salem
There are 3 LNG projects proposed for the Oregon coast.If even one should get built, it will increase Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions by millions of tons per year. These projects will cost billions, money that could be spent on clean, renewable energy. The terminals and pipelines linking them to California will endanger communities, cross and condemn hundreds of miles of land, and destroy habitat. LNG is not needed in Oregon; even the Governor admits that most of the gas is going out of state. Ask yourself: Why is Oregon being chosen for an LNG that will go to California?
Statewide Call to Action
No LNG in Oregon"
Wednesday, February 6
11 AM to 2 PM
Capitol Steps, Salem
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Jan 24 2008
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TCD defenders receive mixed verdict |
A verdict was reached on January 22 in the consolidated TCD trial. It was a mixed result. Glenn Morris was found guilty of one charge of disrupting a lawful assembly, and not guilty of obstructing a passage and interference. Koreena Montoya was found guilty of obstructing and resistance, not guilty of disruption and interference. Julie Todd was found guilty of obstructing, not guilty of disrupting and interference.read more | TCD blog Past Coverage: Jan19: Defense rests in TCD trial; closing statements Tuesday | Jan18: TCD Trial: Day 2 | Jan3: Support TCD Defenders | Oct7: Ending the Legacy of Columbus in Denver | More Past Coverage
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Jan 24 2008
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Temple University Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Forcibly Removes Civil Rights Advocates |
In recognition of Martin Luther King, Temple University President Ann Weaver Hart planned a big event in the Student Activities Center on Temple Campus. The one thing she hadn't planned on however, was real civil rights activists showing up at the event. Activists from the community organization Jobs with Justice arrived early at the event and began leafleting and talking with people as they entered the auditorium. That is when the fun began!
Watch Media Mobilizing Project's video detailing the fight and struggle of Penn and Temple security guards: here
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Jan 24 2008
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Stand for Housing not War at City Hall this Friday! |
Join our call on Mayor Nutter and City Council to declare another State of Emergency - this one to guarantee housing for all Philadelphians now - not another dollar for war in Iraq! KWRU will be on the west side of City Hall at 4:30 PM this Friday and then join the regular anti-military recruiting vigil at Broad and Cherry Streets later.
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Jan 24 2008
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Protest the RNC and DNC! Mid-Atlantic Consulta January 26th and 27th - Schedule of Events |
The Frederick No RNC/DNC consulta is being held at the Frederick Cultural Arts center which is located at 15 W Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701 on January 26th and 27th
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Jan 24 2008
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AFSC short video documenting cost of war |
You may have seen the AFSC’s “Cost of War” display during the NH Primary season. The Primary is over; the war isn’t. We are still spending about half a million dollars every minute on the war/occupation.
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Jan 24 2008
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Blockade to Stop Sub-Prime Loan Home Eviction |
Boston, MA - Yesterday, community activists and supporters rallied in front of Melonie Griffiths-Evens Dorchester home to physically block an eviction by US Bank. Like thousands of others in Boston and across the country she is facing foreclosed as a result of sub-prime predatory loans. The eviction was called off because of this protest leaving her and her three children in their house but some 1500 other local families still face a similar situation. The organization City Life/Vida Urbana plans to continue fighting evictions.
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Jan 24 2008
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DNC Deputizing Store Owners |
On Wednesday, February 6 the House Judiciary Committee will consider House Bill 1066, sponsored by State Representative Cory Gardner (R-63). This "Castle Doctrine" legislation would extend self-defense protections beyond the home to include businesses.
The bill would grant civil and criminal immunity to a business owner if the business owner used lethal force against anybody who they had reason to believe would be committing a crime in their store. Take this scenario:
You're peacefully protesting the DNC and you go into a local coffeeshop to get some coffee. Since there are other, more violent protesters in the area, the shopkeeper shoots you and kills you. The shopkeeper gets off scotch free. He can't be sued or put in jail because he had reason to believe you might commit a crime. This is collective punishment. Even if you had planned on shoplifting, should you really be killed for it?
Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and respectively urge them to stop HB1066. The DNC protesters will have enough to risk with the cops, we don't need a vigilante business-owner militia running around and shooting them. The NRA has asked their Colorado members to call in support of this bill; we must stop them.
The bill would grant civil and criminal immunity to a business owner if the business owner used lethal force against anybody who they had reason to believe would be committing a crime in their store. Take this scenario:
You're peacefully protesting the DNC and you go into a local coffeeshop to get some coffee. Since there are other, more violent protesters in the area, the shopkeeper shoots you and kills you. The shopkeeper gets off scotch free. He can't be sued or put in jail because he had reason to believe you might commit a crime. This is collective punishment. Even if you had planned on shoplifting, should you really be killed for it?
Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and respectively urge them to stop HB1066. The DNC protesters will have enough to risk with the cops, we don't need a vigilante business-owner militia running around and shooting them. The NRA has asked their Colorado members to call in support of this bill; we must stop them.
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Jan 24 2008
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People of Color Face Historic Wealth Loss |
The subprime lending debacle should cause massive rethinking among those who have long proclaimed that the route to Black equality is through wealth accumulation. In a report titled, "Foreclosed: State of the Dream 2008," United for a Fair Economy details the catastrophic losses inflicted on Blacks and Latinos in the U.S. at the hands of predatory lenders - "the greatest loss of wealth to people of color in modern U.S. history." With more than half of Blacks in many cities caught in the subprime trap - and with even these usurious financing schemes disappearing in the wake of the bubble-burst - the prospects for Blacks to amass wealth have grown bleaker than at any time in living memory. At the current rate, it will take 5,423 years for Blacks to achieve homeowner parity with whites.
The money-lenders have already sucked the value out of whole communities, urban and suburban. The wealth loss is staggering: People of color have collectively lost between "$164 billion to $213 billion over the past eight years," with Latinos losing slightly more than African Americans. For the average American, wealth is passed on through the value of homes. That dream, as the report concludes, has been largely foreclosed.
The money-lenders have already sucked the value out of whole communities, urban and suburban. The wealth loss is staggering: People of color have collectively lost between "$164 billion to $213 billion over the past eight years," with Latinos losing slightly more than African Americans. For the average American, wealth is passed on through the value of homes. That dream, as the report concludes, has been largely foreclosed.
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Jan 24 2008
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Critical Mass Miami Moonlight Edition Ride through Shark Valley this Friday, January 25th |
This is an extra-curricular ride for all those seeking a fun night time ride through Shark Valley. We will be heading out en masse via carpools and riding under the stars and the moon.
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Jan 25 2008
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January 25th National Day of Support for US War Resisters |
On Friday, January 25th at 12pm, Bay Area religious leaders, military veterans, peace and justice activists, and military families will convene outside the Canadian Consulate in San Francisco (580 California Street) for a vigil and press conference leading up to a 1pm delegation. The delegation will present consulate officials with thousands of letters signed by people in United States in support of sanctuary for U.S. war resisters in Canada as part of Courage to Resist's "Dear Canada: Let Them Stay" campaign. Similar delegations also taking place Friday at consulates in Washington DC, LA, NYC, Dallas, Seattle, and Minneapolis. List of events.
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Jan 25 2008
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NLG: Attorney for Judi Bari to Introduce the Film "Forest Through the Tree's" on Friday Night |
Judi Bari was an Earth First! organizer who was one of the first to place as much importance on the legacy and future of the trees as she did on timber workers' lives and families. But that strategic relationship was too much of a threat. Her car was bombed in 1990, and three hours later, she was arrested as a terrorist--charges that were later dropped. Convinced it was a ploy by the FBI to discredit her and Earth First!, Judi decided to sue. Sadly, Judi died of breast cancer before the litigation ended. She remains an inspiration to generations of activists.
The Forest for the Trees is an intimate, behind-the scenes look at an unlikely team of young activists and old lefties who come together to battle the U.S. government. Filmmaker Bernadine Mellis is the daughter of civil rights lawyer Dennis Cunningham, who started out his career representing the Black Panthers and the Weathermen. Ben Rosenfeld, attorney on the Judi Bari v. FBI legal team will introduce the film and take questions afterwards.
The Forest for the Trees is an intimate, behind-the scenes look at an unlikely team of young activists and old lefties who come together to battle the U.S. government. Filmmaker Bernadine Mellis is the daughter of civil rights lawyer Dennis Cunningham, who started out his career representing the Black Panthers and the Weathermen. Ben Rosenfeld, attorney on the Judi Bari v. FBI legal team will introduce the film and take questions afterwards.
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Jan 25 2008
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Historic Walk on Railroad Corridor |
On Sunday, January 27th, People Power will host a walk along the rail corridor in Santa Cruz in response to recent threats by Union Pacific to fine "trespassers." The walk will include information on the history and future of rail transportation in Santa Cruz and will feature local historian Ross Gibson. It is set to begin at 11am at 402 Ingalls Street on the Westside of Santa Cruz and will go 2 miles on flat open ground to Neary Lagoon Park where there will be a family picnic.
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Jan 25 2008
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Critical Mass! |
Bring your bike, a friend, some love, and your biking legs. Celebrate bikes, or just ride with some friends in a mass, or whatever you'd like CM to be - lets do it!
Jan 25th and Feb 29th
5:30pm - Meet up underneath the Burnside Bridge.
6:00pm - Ride on!
Critical Mass is an event typically held on the last Friday of every month in cities around the world where bicyclists and, less frequently, unicyclists, skateboarders, inline skaters, roller skaters and other self-propelled commuters take to the streets en masse. While the ride was originally founded with the idea of drawing attention to how unfriendly the city was to bicyclists, the leaderless structure of Critical Mass makes it impossible to assign it any one specific goal. In fact, the purpose of Critical Mass is not formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and traveling as a group through city streets.
Jan 25th and Feb 29th
5:30pm - Meet up underneath the Burnside Bridge.
6:00pm - Ride on!
Critical Mass is an event typically held on the last Friday of every month in cities around the world where bicyclists and, less frequently, unicyclists, skateboarders, inline skaters, roller skaters and other self-propelled commuters take to the streets en masse. While the ride was originally founded with the idea of drawing attention to how unfriendly the city was to bicyclists, the leaderless structure of Critical Mass makes it impossible to assign it any one specific goal. In fact, the purpose of Critical Mass is not formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and traveling as a group through city streets.
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Jan 25 2008
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MLK Day in Seattle: Let Freedom Ring |
More than 2,000 people participated in the 28th Annual Martin Luther King Day March on Monday, January 21st. The demonstration was the largest of the Seattle-area events that dominated the three day holiday.Civil Rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,was supporting striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee when he was assassinated by a sniper nearly 40 years ago. Rather than focusing on his tragic death, Monday's event honored his life-long struggle for social justice. Had Dr. King lived, he would have celebrated his 79th birthday on January 15th, 2008. The theme of the event was "Let Freedom Ring: End Poverty, Racism, and War".
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Jan 25 2008
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VIDEO-17 Arrested Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
120 people were present at the demonstration commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the gates of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor on January 19th. 17 demonstrators were arrested at the highway entrance into the base. Watch Video | More Coverage
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Jan 25 2008
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Feb 5th: Court Date in Lawsuit Challenging Seattle's Parade Ordinance |
The Seattle Affiliate of the October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality is pursuing a lawsuit (with representation through the ACLU of Washington) challenging the constitutionality of the City of Seattle's Parade Ordinance as a result of Seattle Police's "on the spot" rescindment of its permit to march in the streets on October 22, 2003.
A ruling in this case will likely have an impact on all groups that organize public demonstrations in Seattle. Some (but not all) groups have been required to show proof of insurance of up to one million dollars to obtain permits for protected-speech events. Oral arguments before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, as part of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the City of Seattle's Parade Ordinance, are scheduled to be heard Tuesday, February 5, 2008 sometime after 9:30am at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1200 6th Ave, 21st Floor (in the Park Place building, between University St & Seneca St in downtown Seattle).
A ruling in this case will likely have an impact on all groups that organize public demonstrations in Seattle. Some (but not all) groups have been required to show proof of insurance of up to one million dollars to obtain permits for protected-speech events. Oral arguments before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, as part of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the City of Seattle's Parade Ordinance, are scheduled to be heard Tuesday, February 5, 2008 sometime after 9:30am at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1200 6th Ave, 21st Floor (in the Park Place building, between University St & Seneca St in downtown Seattle).
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Jan 25 2008
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CA Supreme Court Upholds Right of Employers to Fire Medical Marijuana Users |
On January 24th, the California Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that employers can fire workers for using medical marijuana. The court dismissed a lawsuit brought by Gary Ross under the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) that he had been wrongfully denied employment by RagingWire Telecommunications after he had tested positive for past use of marijuana on a urine test. The court ruled that it did not create a general right to use medical marijuana, but only protected patients from criminal sanction for possession or cultivation of marijuana. The court's decision leaves the door open for discrimination against medical marijuana users via drug urine tests.
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Jan 25 2008
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Labor Council Supports Local Activist |
STANDING UP & SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER The Southern Oregon Central Labor Council defends activist Wes Brain after he was denied a position on the Rogue Valley Workforce Development Council following a false rumor raised by Jackson County Commissioner Jack Walker claiming Brain had burned an American Flag.
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Jan 25 2008
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ICC Photo Recon: Spreading Wounds, Homes Under Siege |
On Jan 23 an Earth First operative carried out this photo reconnaissance mission to gather imagery on the spreading wounds the Inter-County Connector highway project has imposed upon the land. watch slideshow video w/ music and commentaryRelated: From Boston IMC: Blockade to Stop Sub-Prime Loan Home Eviction (audio) | From Philly IMC: Stand for Housing not War at City Hall | From NYC-IMC: Harlem Community Forum Blasts Bloomberg's Gentrification Plan Eviction practices questioned in January 23 hearing | From Miami IMC: : Reclaim + Rename land in Overtown
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Jan 25 2008
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County Board Commits $6.81 million to Courthouse while Justice is Still Compromised Inside |
About 30 people showed up to the County Board Thursday night to provide the County Board with a host of alternative proposals for the $6.81 million dollars the County Board was considering to commit to courthouse and tower renovations. In the end the County Board passed the courthouse proposal 18 to 6.
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Jan 25 2008
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508 podcast #19: Our friend, Kate Toomey |
Mike Benedetti, Brendan Melican, Jeff Barnard, and Anne Lewenberg talk nonsense about Worcester. Topics include EPA, Facebook, anarchism, and avant garde blogging. mp3 link, feed, show notes
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Jan 25 2008
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Villaraigosa and Huizar Renege on Promises to Protect the Southwest Museum |
On January 31st of last year, Councilperson Jose Huizar spoke strongly in favor of keeping the Southwest Museum as a full-functioning museum, not as a truncated exhibit space as envisioned by the Autry National Center (which acquired the museum in 2003 through a merger). “We know that the Autry wants to expand its Griffith [Park] site in order to possibly put more of our resources [there],” said Huizar at a public meeting. “I will be opposed to any move to expand that site until we take care of the commitments [applause] we’ve laid out today. . . . [T]he direction I’m taking is those items that have been expressed by the Coalition.”
He described the museum as “what is arguably the heart and soul of Northeast Los Angeles.”
When Villaraigosa was running for mayor in 2005, he famously said, also in front of a large gathering, that as mayor he would “yank their chain,” to get the Autry to comply with the wishes of the community.
From the newswire: Villaraigosa and Huizar Renege on Promises to Protect the Southwest Museum by Ross Plesset
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Jan 25 2008
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Miami Global Action Day: Reclaim + Rename land in Overtown - Saturday, Jan 26 |
Power U leads Miami’s GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION by reclaiming the controversial land (referred to as Crosswinds) in Overtown. Saturday, January 26th, 1pm on the lot at NW 8th Street and NW 2nd Avenue.
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Jan 26 2008
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WSF Global Day of Action: People Mobilize Locally and Globally for a Better World |
Boston, Mass.—Hundreds of thousands around the world will join forces tomorrow, January 26, 2008, for a historical celebration of social movements and social justice as they take action locally on the Global Day of Action called forth during the World Social Forum (http://wsf2008.net/). People all over the world will hold talks, demonstrations, concerts, vigils, and many other creative ways of resistance to clamor “another world is possible.” In the Greater Boston area, the Global Day of Action launched last weekend with a Winter Soldier event organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War and their supporters, followed today by an immigration rally organized by the Boston May Day Coalition, and a People’s Music Winter Gathering tonight that seeks “to promote progressive ideas and transform ourselves and our communities through music to bring about a better world.” Other activities include an event to challenge the Free Trade Agreement in Colombia, a demonstration in support of Palestinians, and a talk about human rights in Haiti.
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Jan 26 2008
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Harlem Community Forum Blasts Bloomberg's Gentrification Plan |
A “Harlem Community Forum” organized by Nellie Hester Bailey, director of the Harlem Tenants Council, was held on January 23 at the Ambrose Church on West 130th Street. Around 60 people came out to the event, which was billed as a response to the Bloomberg proposal to rezone 125th Street in Central Harlem. The six panelists touched on a diversity of issues including race, gentrification and the connection between this proposal and the Columbia University planned gentrification of West Harlem.
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Jan 26 2008
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Retired Col. Ann Wright Speaks in Santa Cruz |
On January 20th, Retired Army Col. and US diplomat Ann Wright spoke in Santa Cruz to an audience of about 70 people about her new book "Dissent: Voices of Conscience". The book profiles government officials whose loyalty to the Constitution and the American people ultimately transcended partisan politics. The afternoon opened with songs from the Raging Grannies, and an introduction by Santa Cruz County Supervisor Neal Coonerty and Diane Rejman of the GI Rights Hotline.
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Jan 26 2008
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Final nail in Schumacher's coffin |
A federal judge has ordered Schumacher's furriers to pay nearly $97,000 in legal fees to the animal-rights protesters he has accused of destroying his family business. U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman ordered Gregg Schumacher and Schumacher Furs & Outerwear to cover $43,186 in legal fees to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; $34,735 to In Defense of Animals; and $18,950 to protester Kevin Mieras, court records show.
Schumacher and his wife Linda sued animal-rights protesters for a relentless campaign of Saturday protests that the couple maintains stepped over the bounds of free speech into crimes and violations of city ordinances.
But Mosman threw out such claims in a series of rulings last year. This week, he signed an order compelling the Schumachers to pay the protesters' legal fees in the case. In his order, Mosman called the facts of the case "extraordinary" but said the Schumachers had abused the legal process."Although the (Schumachers) may have had meritorious claims against people whose names they did not know, or even against the City of Portland," Mosman wrote, "they sued people against whom they had no evidence for $6.6 million, sought to restrict their First Amendment rights, and disparaged their reputations with accusations of criminal conduct, terrorist affiliations and responsibility for 'shutting down' a business whose financial solvency was questionable before the protesting activities began." Read More
Past Coverage: Oct07 | June07 | May07 | March07 | Feb07 | Jan07 | Dec15_06 | Dec2_06 | Nov28_06 | Nov14_06 | Oct06 | Mar06 | Jan06
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Jan 26 2008
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Santa Cruz Reclaims Peoples' Parking Lot #4 |
The community of Santa Cruz won a victory on January 23rd in Parking Lot #4, the lot at Cathcart and Cedar. There under the two tall trees, the weekly drum circle bounced back from last week's police intimidation. Last week cops with ticketbooks dispersed the drummers, Food Not Bombs, and anyone loafing, loitering, or lingering with warnings of $100+ fines.
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Jan 27 2008
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Margarita Lopez's role reversal and the NYCHA |
Firebrand Margarita Lopez faced off with Rosie Mendez, current councilwoman for the Lower East Side on January 23rd when Mendez held a City Council hearing on the eviction practices of the New York City Housing Authority, on whose Board Lopez now sits. Long-term tenants can be evicted for flimsy reasons without ever seeing a Judge. The law currently only entitles residents to an administrative hearing at which the rule of evidence don’t apply.
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Jan 27 2008
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Student Activist Leaders Challenged by Administration at Leadership High School |
In the week leading up to the January 11th national day of action against torture, student organizers with World Can't Wait and the Bay Area Revolution Club spoke in classes and distributed orange armbands at several Bay Area high schools. Larry Everest was invited by students at Leadership High to give a presentation about the abuses that are taking place at Guantanamo Bay. After the presentation, the Administration sent a letter home to all parents of students who attended the event-- stating the school's intention to teach the "other side" of torture, which one of the teachers described as the "Bush Administration's point of view." In addition, school administrators threatened to take students' orange bandannas. Read More
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Jan 27 2008
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Miami-Dade Police Officers "unprovoked attack" on Jorge Venegas 1/19/08 |
Miami-Dade Police Officers "unprovoked attack" on Jorge Venegas 1/19/08
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Jan 27 2008
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Activists at Canadian Embassy demand NO deportation of GI resisters |
On Jan 25, activists around 6the US descended on Canadian consulates-and the Canadian Embassy here in DC-to demand that Canada halt deportation proceedings against US war resisters in Canada. Audio 5 min 25 sec: http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/1/canada_asylum_action_j25.mp3
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Jan 27 2008
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Hundreds Protest Israeli Siege of Gaza |
Fed up with Israel's attempt to literally starve the people of Gaza into submission-and with US/Egyptian complicity, hundreds of people marched on the Israelis Embassy Jan 25 to demand an end to the seige. Broadcast Audio 5 min 13 sec: http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/11/gaza_demo_j25.mp3 Raw Audio for DC Radio Co-op 13 min 31 sec: http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/7/gaza_demo_j25_raw.mp3
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Jan 27 2008
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Switzerland: Protests against the World Economic Forum (WEF) |
In Bern, thousands demonstrated against the WEF. Police were there to stop the demonstration - and the bourgeois press spoke of a"record-breaking police operation". They used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets, and during the course of the day they arrested 242 people.
The authorization for the demonstration had been taken back two days earlier (January 17). The official reason: the organizers didn't want to distance themselves from violence. In reality there were two reasons: firstly, the authorities wanted to avoid a defeat like on October 6, 2007, as a march by the racist, ringt-wing populist Swiss People's Party (SVP) in Bern was stopped by militant resistance. Secondly, they wanted to let the police practice different repression tactics in the run-up to the European Cup, which will be held in Switzerland and Austria in June.
Police officers were stationed at every corner in the inner city and stopped young people, many of whom were arrested for "attempt to disturb the peace" (!!!). The spokesman of the demonstration committee was taken away by the police in the middle of a press conference. Even journalists were among those arrested. It must be considered a success that so many people followed the call from the "Alliance for Global Resistance" despite the prohibition of the demonstration.
The authorization for the demonstration had been taken back two days earlier (January 17). The official reason: the organizers didn't want to distance themselves from violence. In reality there were two reasons: firstly, the authorities wanted to avoid a defeat like on October 6, 2007, as a march by the racist, ringt-wing populist Swiss People's Party (SVP) in Bern was stopped by militant resistance. Secondly, they wanted to let the police practice different repression tactics in the run-up to the European Cup, which will be held in Switzerland and Austria in June.
Police officers were stationed at every corner in the inner city and stopped young people, many of whom were arrested for "attempt to disturb the peace" (!!!). The spokesman of the demonstration committee was taken away by the police in the middle of a press conference. Even journalists were among those arrested. It must be considered a success that so many people followed the call from the "Alliance for Global Resistance" despite the prohibition of the demonstration.
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Jan 27 2008
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Video: What Is The Northwest Detention Center? |
The Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, Detention Center is a private immigration prison facility located on the tide flats of Tacoma, Washington. The detention center opened in 2004 under a contract with The US Department of Homeland Security, Though owners have changed over time, the facility is now owned by the GEO Group Which operates prison facilities in Australia, The UK, South Africa, the US and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
ICE does not need warrants to make arrests or to conduct raids. Since July 2007, raids have increased the number of detained migrants from 18,000 to 26,000 nationwide. Homeland Security relocates 700 detainees a week in the United States.
A contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, the largest and primary investigative branch of Homeland Security, expanded the Northwest Detention Center and and expanded its housing capacity, making it the largest detention center owned by GEO Group on the West Coast of the United States. The Migrants in the facility are mostly from the Northwest regions of Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Washington. Due to the increase in raids they've recently come from places like New York, Puerto Rico and Guam. ICE agents move the detainees to the facility under the cover of night.
ICE does not need warrants to make arrests or to conduct raids. Since July 2007, raids have increased the number of detained migrants from 18,000 to 26,000 nationwide. Homeland Security relocates 700 detainees a week in the United States.
A contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, the largest and primary investigative branch of Homeland Security, expanded the Northwest Detention Center and and expanded its housing capacity, making it the largest detention center owned by GEO Group on the West Coast of the United States. The Migrants in the facility are mostly from the Northwest regions of Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Washington. Due to the increase in raids they've recently come from places like New York, Puerto Rico and Guam. ICE agents move the detainees to the facility under the cover of night.
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Jan 27 2008
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Screening of Spike Lee's WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE |
Free Screening of Spike Lee's WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE, Monday, January 28, 7:00 PM, Mayday Books, 301 Cedar Avenue South, West Bank, Minneapolis
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Jan 27 2008
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The Experimental College of the Twin Cities |
The Experimental College of the Twin Cities (EXCO) offers the fourth semester of free and open classes.
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Jan 27 2008
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Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights Protests Gaza Blockade |
On Saturday, January 26, a group of Israeli peace activists attempted to deliver food and needed medical supplies through the blockade into Gaza. In Solidarity with this event, demonstrations were held around the world, including right here in Boston--or more precisely, Cambridge. Members of the Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights gathered in Harvard Sq. at noon. They numbered well over 100, and stretched a full city block, from Holyoke St. to Dunster along Mass Ave. They stood there in the cold with banners, flags and placards decrying Israel's blockade of Gaza and the latest humanitarian crisis for Palestinians. LISTEN TO AUDIO REPORT:
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Jan 27 2008
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Fayetteville Low Priority Marijuana Campaign |
Sensible Fayetteville "Low Priority" Marijuana Initiative
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Jan 27 2008
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Gaza Solidarity in the Galleria |
Saturday Afternoon I went to the intersection of Postoak and Westheimer to support the protest called for by Palestinians for Peace and the Irish Unity Committee against the recent siege of Gaza by the Israeli regime. I arrived shortly after one, and had a wee bit of trouble finding parking in the busy shopping environment. When we joined the protest, the turnout was modest, around 20-25 people. I took some photos and held a sign, periodically taking breaks for more photos as more and more folks arrived. When we left there were 100 people. [read full articles with photos]
STOP THE WALL
STOP THE WALL From Electronic Intifada: By now, people watching their news programs around the world would have caught a glimpse of Gaza City in candle-lit darkness. A pretty sight indeed if it were not for the fact that most of the people in the Gaza Strip will have to depend on these candles as their only source of light now that the power plant servicing much of Gaza's population has shut down completely. There is no fuel to keep the plant running because Israel has imposed a complete lock-down of this most densely populated place on earth. That means no movement in or out of the Gaza Strip for people, or any kind of shipments in of vital food, fuel supplies and medicines. It is more than a miserable existence: it is a slow death. [full article]
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Jan 27 2008
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Skill Share: Radical Botany-Learning the Lay of the Land and Oregon Grape |
Radical Botany Week 3- Learning the lay of the land: floods, volcanoes and ocean uplifts - Plant: Oregon Grape
Before you search Cascadia for the great healing plants, you should understand the lay of the land. What formed this amazing place? What kind of soils and geology will you encounter and you hike through the forest, valleys and high deserts. I am going to give the big picture here. I will write more about orienteering and how not to get lost at a later time.
Why should you learn the geology of a place? Why understand the lay of the land?
- You will be able to know where to find the plant communities.
- You will not get lost in the woods or the mountains or the desert. You will be able to find your way from any point on the land.
- You will know how to find food, water and shelter when you need it.
- You will see wonderful things and will not be afraid to wander in paradise. You will remain open to the adventure and encounter unusual plants and their communities.
Where else on earth could you live near a ocean, active volcanoes, conifer rain forests, high desert, marsh lands, sea estuaries, fertile valleys, high mountain glaciers and so much more. Cascadia is a place of earth, water and fire. It is a place whose geology is new, old and ever forming.
Before you search Cascadia for the great healing plants, you should understand the lay of the land. What formed this amazing place? What kind of soils and geology will you encounter and you hike through the forest, valleys and high deserts. I am going to give the big picture here. I will write more about orienteering and how not to get lost at a later time.
Why should you learn the geology of a place? Why understand the lay of the land?
- You will be able to know where to find the plant communities.
- You will not get lost in the woods or the mountains or the desert. You will be able to find your way from any point on the land.
- You will know how to find food, water and shelter when you need it.
- You will see wonderful things and will not be afraid to wander in paradise. You will remain open to the adventure and encounter unusual plants and their communities.
Where else on earth could you live near a ocean, active volcanoes, conifer rain forests, high desert, marsh lands, sea estuaries, fertile valleys, high mountain glaciers and so much more. Cascadia is a place of earth, water and fire. It is a place whose geology is new, old and ever forming.
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Jan 27 2008
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The Verdict: Portland's system of ensuring police accountability is desperately flawed |
Earlier this week, a long-awaited report came out regarding the performance of the Independent Police Review division (IPR) including the Citizen Review Committee (CRC). The release of this document concludes a 6 month study by consultants into the competence, effectiveness, and behavior of the IPR, and by extension, the Portland police. And the report is scathing.
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Jan 28 2008
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Protest Against ICE Raids, An Act of Love in the Freezing Cold of Boston |
Boston, Mass--The Boston May Day Coalition called for a "speak-out against ICE raids on undocumented migrant workers", in the context of a week of transnational action ending January 26. The International Council of the World Social Forum decided that instead of convening its eighth World Forum this year (2008), it would conduct a global week of action. Considering the USA’s war against immigrant workers and particularly “undocumented” workers, The Boston May Day Coalition chose to respond to the vicious character of recent raids in the state of Massachusetts. The first massive raid was conducted almost a year ago (in March 2007) by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Bedford. More desolation and raids in the cities of Nantucket, Chelsea, East Boston, Revere, Somerville and most recently Milford followed this initial raid. The Boston May Day Coalition denounces what appears to be a media strategy to justify ICE raids as a search for “criminals”. The Boston May Day Coalition denounces and condemns all ICE raids against immigrants and calls upon people not to be deceived by this strategy.
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Jan 28 2008
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Bicycle-based Urban Farming event, Jan. 30th |
As Peak-Oil and economic change begin to affect the growing and distribution of food, new approaches that are more sustainable and locally-based seem likely to emerge.
Some readers of this site might know me from when I worked at People's Co-op, or was an Indymedia activist. These days I've become what I guess you'd call an "urban farmer". I garden a set of plots around the City of Roses, mostly in Southeast. Lacking both a driver's license and a desire to drive, I do most traveling, harvesting, hauling, etc., by bicycle. Occasionally, I'll get help from a friend with a truck to move a tiller or something, but that's not too common. I am supporting myself this way by using the CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) model. So far I've been in no danger of becoming money-rich, and I've really been enjoying the endeavor!
I will be having an event about the urban farming I've been doing. Attendees will be treated to a slide show of bounty and be made privy to the details of running a business like this, from property-acquisition to planning & planting, financial budgeting and harvesting & processing.
Wed., Jan. 30th, 7-9 pm
People's Food Co-op
3029 SE 21st Ave. (1 block north of Powell)
Some readers of this site might know me from when I worked at People's Co-op, or was an Indymedia activist. These days I've become what I guess you'd call an "urban farmer". I garden a set of plots around the City of Roses, mostly in Southeast. Lacking both a driver's license and a desire to drive, I do most traveling, harvesting, hauling, etc., by bicycle. Occasionally, I'll get help from a friend with a truck to move a tiller or something, but that's not too common. I am supporting myself this way by using the CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) model. So far I've been in no danger of becoming money-rich, and I've really been enjoying the endeavor!
I will be having an event about the urban farming I've been doing. Attendees will be treated to a slide show of bounty and be made privy to the details of running a business like this, from property-acquisition to planning & planting, financial budgeting and harvesting & processing.
Wed., Jan. 30th, 7-9 pm
People's Food Co-op
3029 SE 21st Ave. (1 block north of Powell)
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Jan 28 2008
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FYI Colorado Thought Crime Statutes ban Anarchism |
I found this little gem in the colorado criminal code. The wording is vague enough to give me pause, but then again I think that it infringes on free speech to an extent that it wouldn't hold up on appeal.
18-11-203. Membership in anarchistic and seditious associations.
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Jan 28 2008
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The Red Pill Vol. 6 No 1 |
In This Issue:
Women in the Struggle: Report-back from the First Encuentro of Indigenous Zapatista Women with Women from Around the World by: Victoria Law
Death on the Streets: Homelessness in the Grand Valley
An Iraq War New Years Resolution
Toxic Mold: A Public Health Battle Ground
Re-Declaration of Independence by the Lakota Nation: A Red Pill Interview with Duane Martin Sr. (Canupa Gluha Mani)
My Mother Wears Combat Boots: A Parenting Guide For the Rest of Us --Book Review--
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Jan 28 2008
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BIKE the Movie: February 22nd 8pm |
Driven by anti-materialism and a belief that the impending apocalypse will render cars useless and leave bicycles in power, Black Label Bike Club (BLBC) battles mainstream consumer culture and rival gangs for its vision of a better tomorrow. Pulling threads from Critical Mass and the wider bike counterculture, B.I.K.E. explores such themes as radical politics, personal artistic vision, global responsibility, relationships, group formation, and perhaps most prominently, pain and love.
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Jan 28 2008
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Meeting Resistance: February 18th 7pm |
Presented in Collaboration with Artist Rescue Mission, Rice for Peace and Justice, and Houston Palestine Film Festival
MEETING RESISTANCE raises the veil of anonymity surrounding the Iraqi insurgency by meeting face to face with individuals who are passionately engaged in the struggle, and documenting for the very first time, the sentiments experienced and actions taken by a nation's citizens when their homeland is occupied. Voices that have previously not been heard, male and female, speak candidly about their motivations, hopes and goals, revealing a kaleidoscope of human perspectives.
MEETING RESISTANCE raises the veil of anonymity surrounding the Iraqi insurgency by meeting face to face with individuals who are passionately engaged in the struggle, and documenting for the very first time, the sentiments experienced and actions taken by a nation's citizens when their homeland is occupied. Voices that have previously not been heard, male and female, speak candidly about their motivations, hopes and goals, revealing a kaleidoscope of human perspectives.
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Jan 28 2008
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TUCSON SAYS "NO" TO SHERIFF JOE |
Protesters Tell Maricopa County Sheriff He's Not Welcome in Pima County
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, known for his hardball tactics targeting undocumented migrants and wholesale violations of civil rights in Maricopa County, visted Tucson Friday, January 25, invited to speak at a luncheon of the Pima County Republican Women's Club. He was met by approximately 50 protesters from local immigrant rights groups and other organizations. Read More>>>
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, known for his hardball tactics targeting undocumented migrants and wholesale violations of civil rights in Maricopa County, visted Tucson Friday, January 25, invited to speak at a luncheon of the Pima County Republican Women's Club. He was met by approximately 50 protesters from local immigrant rights groups and other organizations. Read More>>>
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Jan 29 2008
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Attention: Please Urge Your Representative to Attend January 29th ADA Restoration Hearing |
This coming Tuesday, January 29th at 9:30am, the full House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing on the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Restoration Act (H.R. 3195). "S. 1881 and H.R. 3195 would reestablish Congress’ original intent in passing the ADA and restore the Act to its place as one of our country’s great civil rights laws." Read the testimonies of Cheryl Sensenbrenner and Chai R. Feldblum Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties of the Committee on the Judiciary United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. October 4, 2007 and the statement by the Washington Legislative Office of the ACLU Read More>>
Related: Disabled with Only 30 Minutes to Spare from Santa Cruz IMC
Related: Disabled with Only 30 Minutes to Spare from Santa Cruz IMC
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Jan 29 2008
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Gabriela León: Sunday Walk to the Zócalo of Oaxaca |
The exhibition "Sunday Walk to the Zócalo of Oaxaca" is a multi-media artistic response to the popular revolt and resistance that unfolded in Oaxaca in 2006 and the first traveling solo exhibition outside of Mexico for artist Gabriela León. Some of the elements of the exhibition consist of a "barricade dress" made of barbed-wire, tire treads and mattress springs found amidst the detritus; a video projection of the artist wearing the dress walking among protestors and police; a sound installation that evokes the voices of the crowds; and tarps inspired by the temporary living structures during the lengthy protest. The exhibit is at UC Santa Cruz until March 8th, with an opening reception on Tuesday, January 29th.
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Jan 29 2008
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Berkeley City Council to Vote on Sanctuary City Measure |
On Tuesday, January 29th, the Berkeley City Council will be considering a medical cannabis-related resolution that has been co-sponsored by Kriss Worthington and Darryl Moore. This item would: declare Berkeley a "sanctuary city" for medical cannabis, call on the local and state officials to not cooperate with the DEA as it undermines state and local medical cannabis laws; urge Governor Schwarzenegger to stand with the state's over 200,000 medical cannabis; and encourage the City to plan for continued safe access in Berkeley in the event of a DEA raid on any local dispensaries. The City Council meeting on Tuesday night will start at 7:00pm at 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. A "mini-rally" will be held on the steps at 6:45.
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Jan 29 2008
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Bay Area Residents Demand Justice in New Orleans |
On Saturday January 26th, Bay Area activists protested at Senator Feinstien's home to commemorate the World Social Forum's Day of Action by demanding the Human Right to Housing in New Orleans. Demonstrators targeted Senator Feinstein due to her ambivalence on Senate Bill 1668, the "Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007," which would allocate funding for housing in New Orleans and guarantee one for one replacement of any destroyed public housing units.
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Jan 29 2008
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Disabled with Only 30 Minutes to Spare |
The Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.64 concerns the use of public parking lots and garages and was later amended to apply to all downtown public lots, and went into affect in mid-November, 2007. The law prohibits any person from staying in a parking garage or lot for more than 15 minutes and then only if you're parking or retrieving your car or bike. If you're disabled and can prove it, you have 30 minutes.
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Jan 29 2008
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Fayetteville Parks to residents: Keep Out |
Pedestrian access to parks not a priority; trails for cyclists are.
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Jan 29 2008
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WA State Democrat Central Committe Supports Impeachment |
The Washington State Democratic Central Committee voted on January 26, 2008 to support SJM 8016 and HJM 4027,the two memorials in the state legislature calling for impeachment investigation of Bush and Cheney.
The resolution quotes the text of SJM 8016 : "WHEREAS, America has only until January 20th, 2009 to signal to history that America will not sanction torture, America will not sanction unprovoked war, and America will not sanction illegal spying, including on its citizens" ... Read More
The resolution quotes the text of SJM 8016 : "WHEREAS, America has only until January 20th, 2009 to signal to history that America will not sanction torture, America will not sanction unprovoked war, and America will not sanction illegal spying, including on its citizens" ... Read More
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Jan 29 2008
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Ft. Lewis Demo for GI RIGHTS on 5th Anniversary of War—Saturday, March 22 |
5th Anniversary of the War coming. A coalition of organizations including veterans and peace activists are calling for a demo supporting GI Rights at the gates of Ft. Lewis on Saturday, March 22nd.
This coalition proposes that March 22nd be a regional mobilization.
This coalition proposes that March 22nd be a regional mobilization.
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Jan 29 2008
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The Cascadia Streaking Brigade in Olympia |
Olympia, January 22nd, The Cascadia Steaking Brigade strikes for the first time as they crash the anti-choice party.
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Jan 29 2008
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Let Them Stay |
At the end of 2007, the Canadian Parliament's Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration adopted a motion that would halt all deportation proceedings and allow war resisters to immigrate to Canada. On Friday, Seattle activists held a vigil in support of war resisters in Canada, asking the Canadian government to immediately implement a program allowing war resisters and their families to stay in Canada.
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Jan 29 2008
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School of the Americas Watch Teach-In & Report Back |
Many Americans don't know about the school's existence, much less the infamous and dark shadow it has cast through its short history. Come hear from a variety of angles: how U.S. foreign policy has effected Latin American social movements, and stories about those personally affected by the implementation of what continues to be taught at the school. You'll hear from a prisoner of conscience who spent 6 months in a penitentiary for participating in non-violent action against these atrocities, and there will also be a few students and SOA Watch members sharing from their time at the yearly protest and vigil in Ft. Benning Georgia this last November.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 7pm
Concordia University, 2811 NE Holman St Portland, OR 97211
Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 7pm
Concordia University, 2811 NE Holman St Portland, OR 97211
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Jan 30 2008
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Two Day, Climate Change Teach-In at Clark University |
FOCUS THE NATION – 2 day event JANUARY 30th & 31st This week, Clark University will be participating in a nationwide event focused on Climate Change, FOCUS THE NATION – a national teach-in on global warming solutions for America that aims to create dialogue at over 1000 colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools, places of worship, civic organizations and businesses, to directly engage millions of students and citizens with the nation’s decision-makers. (http://focusthenatio n.org/)
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Jan 30 2008
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Activism Right There Festival at UC Berkeley |
On Friday, February 1st, UC Berkeley's "Activism Right There" festival will culminate with an event that aims to catalyze a student community dedicated to cross-cultural organizing, political engagement and service. The festival will involve over thirty different student organizations and communities, as well as youth and community organizations from throughout the Bay Area.
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Jan 30 2008
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State’s Attorney Rietz Participates In Cover-up Of Police Brutality |
Some may remember an incident on March 30, 2007 when Champaign police sent 17 year-old Brian Chesley to the hospital after an incident in Douglass Park. The claims of police brutality were dismissed by local officials, and quickly dropped by the mainstream media, but the case remains in court.
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Jan 30 2008
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VIDEO FILE: Stop Nicotine Research On Animals!. |
Their purpose was to inform the public and workers at the Oregon Health Science University offices at that location about nicotine research performed by Eliot Spindel at the OHSU Primate Center.
For over 20 years Spindel has been receiving tax dollars to conduct nicotine experiments on monkeys, experiments which have devastating effects on these animals. Since 1992 the National Institute of Health (NIH) has given him $7.6 million for his research, money which will continue until 2012.
For over 20 years Spindel has been receiving tax dollars to conduct nicotine experiments on monkeys, experiments which have devastating effects on these animals. Since 1992 the National Institute of Health (NIH) has given him $7.6 million for his research, money which will continue until 2012.
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Jan 30 2008
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Director of Obscure Police Agency Assassinated in Oaxaca City |
This morning (January 30th) Alejandro Barrita Ortiz, director of the Auxiliary, Industrial, Banking and Commercial Police, was assassinated in Oaxaca City at "El Tequio" sports park near the international airport. Barrita had been identified as a key player in police operations during and immediately after the 2006 Oaxacan popular uprising. Police operations are underway throughout the city, and the military has cordoned off the area of the assassination.
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Jan 31 2008
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Unconventional Action: February 5th National Day of Action Against the Elections |
**CALL TO ACTION**
On Super Tuesday, We Vote No!
Called by Unconventional Denver
On Super Tuesday, February 5th 24 states will be holding their primaries or caucuses to choose Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. While the state insists that change comes from us handing over our dreams and passions to the political elite, Unconventional Denver will be sending a clear message to the city of Denver, the Democrats and the country that We Vote No. We vote no to the candidates on the slate, the Democratic Party and to the corporate two-party system itself. read more
On Super Tuesday, We Vote No!
Called by Unconventional Denver
On Super Tuesday, February 5th 24 states will be holding their primaries or caucuses to choose Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. While the state insists that change comes from us handing over our dreams and passions to the political elite, Unconventional Denver will be sending a clear message to the city of Denver, the Democrats and the country that We Vote No. We vote no to the candidates on the slate, the Democratic Party and to the corporate two-party system itself. read more
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Jan 31 2008
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SLIDESHOW IN BOULDER: Tales from a traveling organizer: grassroots social and ecological change in the "movement of movements" |
Monday, February 4th, 7:00 p.m at the Boulder Meadows Community Room (19th and Violet)
Please join Portlander Jenny Leis in an evening of celebrating grassroots changemaking! After six years of organizing sustainable community in Portland, Oregon, Jenny took on the role of “full time cross-pollinator” among the movement of movements for social justice and ecological change.
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Jan 31 2008
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Fighters for Freedom Event in Support of Mumia Abu-Jamal |
On Sunday, February 3rd, the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal will present Fighters for Freedom, an event in support of Mumia, who is a political prisoner and death row journalist. The event will take place at 2:00pm at the ILWU Local 34 Hall, 4 Berry Street, San Francisco. Speakers at the event will include Dennis Bernstein, Lynne Stewart, Michael Franti, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Barbara Lubin, and Aundre Herron. The recent video about Mumia's case that was broadcast on NBC's Today Show will also be shown. A court decision about if Mumia will be granted a new trial is imminent, and emergency demonstrations in response to the outcome have already been scheduled.
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Jan 31 2008
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Salmon Crisis: "Unprecedented Collapse" |
Yesterday, an internal memo leaked out of the offices of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and into the hands of the press. The story outlined in that memo is horrific: The Chinook salmon of California's central valley, and indeed the salmon populations all up and down the west coast, are crashing. They are in "precipitous decline." Since the salmon crisis on our own Columbia river is being blamed upon sea lions at Bonneville dam, sea lions who are being threatened with assassination this spring due to the dwindling salmon, it is important that we look at the real scope, depth, and breadth of this problem... Read More>>
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Jan 31 2008
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NO LNG Pipeline in Oregon |
Statewide Call to Action
"No LNG in Oregon" Wednesday, February 6 11 AM to 2 PM Capitol Steps, Salem
STOP multi-national corporate submitted plans to build a hazardous liquefied natural gas import terminal on the North Spit of Coos Bay, and a 223-mile pipeline through Southern Oregon's neighborhoods, rivers, streams and public lands. The main intent is to sell gas to the lucrative California market.
"No LNG in Oregon" Wednesday, February 6 11 AM to 2 PM Capitol Steps, Salem
STOP multi-national corporate submitted plans to build a hazardous liquefied natural gas import terminal on the North Spit of Coos Bay, and a 223-mile pipeline through Southern Oregon's neighborhoods, rivers, streams and public lands. The main intent is to sell gas to the lucrative California market.
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Jan 31 2008
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February 13th Speak-Out and Eat-In For A Fair and Healthy Farm Bill |
On Wednesday, February 14th, the California Food and Justice Coalition will hold a 12pm "Speak-Out and Eat-In For A Fair and Healthy Farm Bill" at the UN Plaza Farmers Market (1182 Market Street), near Nancy Pelosi's office. Participatnts will urge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to "have a heart" and support a Fair and Healthy Food and Farm Bill, one that "stops subsidizing corporate agribusiness at the expense of public health and instead invests our tax dollars into creating a sustainable, healthy, community-driven and just food system." After the speakout, participants will walk to Nancy Pelosi's office to deliver their message.
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Jan 31 2008
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The Black Holocaust- a Day of Remembrance |
The Black Holocaust, A Day of Remembrance is a moment in time for us to stop and honor over 40,000,000 Black women and men, boys and girls and the remnants of a strong race of people that sacrificed their all. There are more than 220,000,000 Blacks that have been affected by the Black Holocaust and even today is depressing over one half of the two billion Blacks on six continents.
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Jan 31 2008
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Students Walk Out, Beseige Chancellor Rhee's Office, Force Meeting |
On the last day of January, some students stayed out of school while others arrived at 825 N Capitol St on an official field trip from their school-all demanding to meet with Chancellor Rhee about the school closing plans. Radio coverage via WSQT-FM 87.9
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Jan 31 2008
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Leonard Weinglass on the Case of the Cuba 5 |
Legendary civil rights attorney Leonard Weinglass, in a forum at the New America Foundation, presents the current status and historical background concerning the case of the "Cuba 5". Streaming Video
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Jan 31 2008
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Feb 6: Baltimore Indymedia Presents: Brad, One More Night at the Barricades |
7PM @ 2640 St. Paul St. Join us for the first of a monthly series of public media interventions brought to you by Indymedia Baltimore. We'll be joined this month by Brazillian filmmaker and media activist Miguel, who is touring the US with his recently completed documentary tribute to Brad Will , the American anarchist and Indymedia filmmaker who was shot dead by paramilitaries in the employ of the state while documenting the popular revolt in Oaxaca in 2006.
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Feb 01 2008
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Bank Pressured to Call Off House Eviction: Negotiations Planned |
In response to the new eviction order against Melonie Griffiths-Evans and her 3 children, City Life and the Bank Tenant Association again began to organize an “eviction blockade”, where the crowd would surround the building to stop the eviction. Last week a crowd of about 75 protesters caused the bank to back off from the planned eviction. Activists had hoped for negotiations and were disappointed when Melonie received another notice from the constable that a new eviction attempt would be made tomorrow, Friday, February 1. As the new blockade organizing went on and press advisories were issued, city councilors Chuck Turner and Sam Yoon were also reaching out to Ocwen Financial Corporation, urging a solution. These combined efforts bore fruit when Ocwen decided to call off the eviction. Ocwen further agreed to set up some discussions with Melonie Griffiths-Evans involving a non-profit mortgage counseling group known as ESAC, based in Jamaica Plain. Read More>> | Past Coverage: Blockade to Stop Sub-Prime Loan Home Eviction
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Feb 01 2008
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"Economic Justice is Our Cause": John Edwards Brings Campaign to Close in NOLA |
Speaking from Habitat for Humanity's "Musician's Village," John Edwards suspended his campaign for the presidency in a ten-minute address to assembled supporters. read more...
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Feb 01 2008
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United Nations Representative Speaks in Gentilly |
Walter Kalin, the United Nations representative on Internally Displaced Persons, spoke in front of over 100 people in Gentilly's Tulane Memorial Baptist Church as part of his visit to the Gulf Coast, which New Orleans-based nonprofit Advocates for Environmental Human Rights sponsored.
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Feb 01 2008
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Hundreds Brave Chicago Blizzard To Protest For Palestine |
Despite bitter cold and blizzard conditions, hundreds of concerned citizens rallied on January 29 in front of the Lakefront Theater on Chicago's Broadway Avenue to protest a benefit for Friends of the Israel Defense Force.
The protest — which included many Chicago-area Palestinian, Arab-American, and progressive Jews — considerably outnumbered the meager IDF turnout and counter-demonstration.
The protesters called an end to the latest Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip, which forced more than 500,000 Palestinians beyond the border into Egypt desperate for food and supplies, and has been referred to as "the biggest prison break in history."
Read more | Additional photos
The protest — which included many Chicago-area Palestinian, Arab-American, and progressive Jews — considerably outnumbered the meager IDF turnout and counter-demonstration.
The protesters called an end to the latest Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip, which forced more than 500,000 Palestinians beyond the border into Egypt desperate for food and supplies, and has been referred to as "the biggest prison break in history."
Read more | Additional photos