On July 25th, An estimated 4,000 people across Northern California joined thousands of demonstrators across the world to this past weekend to participate in the Day of Action, a globally coordinated event to express solidarity with the Iranian people challenging results of the country's controversial June 12th election. Bay Area residents poured into San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza on Saturday to participate in the demonstration, spearheaded by District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, the first Iranian-American to be elected to San Francisco public office.

On June 23 while hosting Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, President Barack Obama was asked by a Chilean journalist whether he would apologize for Washington's role in that country's 1973 military coup which overthrew the democratically elected government and replaced it with a dictatorship led by General Augusto Pinochet. "I'm interested in going forward, not looking backward," said Obama, who refused to apologize. "I think that the United States has been an enormous force for good in the world." RELATED: The Honduran Coup, the Media and Obama II Honduras: Are We Going to Make Concessions To Those Who Perpetrate Coups? II The Honduran Coup: Fiction and Fact II Dirty Business, Dirty Wars: U.S.-Latin American Relations in the 21st Century II Video Interview: Edward Herman on Latin America & the US

From the open publishing wire: Mayor Rybak and Peter Wagenius testified under oath that Mayor Rybak and Councilman Gordon had made a deal in mid 2008 to help each other and the they would indeed endorse each other. This should be most important to the membership of the Green Party as well as to Councilman Gordon's constituents in Ward Two. You see, Cam Gordon had been asked at the 5th District Green Party endorsing convention on May 9th, 2009 very directly if he in fact supported or endorsed Mayor Rybak. Cam had responded with an emphatic no, that he did not.

Originally published by Michael Cavlan at tcdailyplanet.net/freespeechzone

NOTE: This administrative hearing to ascertain whether Rybak would face criminal charges was recorded. Tune in to KFAI Radio's CATALYST: Politics & Culture, Friday, July 24 at 11am to hear quotes from this hearing and an interview with Michael Cavlan. KFAI is at 90.3fm Minneapolis and 106.7fm St. Paul or live-streaming/archived at http://www.kfai.org/catalyst.

On June 28th, the Honduran military ousted the democratically elected government of Honduras, detaining and then exiling President Manuel Zelaya to Costa Rica. Indybay reported that the crisis began when the military, Congress, and the Honduran Supreme Court rejected an opinion poll that was to be conducted on a new Constitution. General Romeo Orlando Vasquez Velasquez, along with other military leaders, graduated from the infamous School of the Americas (SOA), now called WHINSEC.

The following week, rallies took place in many cities in the United States; on Monday June 29th an emergency rally and press conference took place in San Francisco, while in Los Angeles demonstrators gathered at the Honduran consulate to express their displeasure with the coup d'état against the democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya, and in New York city, an emergency rally was held on at the UN. On July 1st, people gathered in front of the State Department in Washington DC to demand the U.S. cuts off all US aid to Honduras until President Zelaya returns safely to office, and in Chicago a demonstration took place at the Honduran consulate. On July 3rd People from across Texas gathered in Houston to protest at the Honduran Consulate and in Boston, local leaders of the Honduran community paid a visit to Senator John Kerry's office to demand public statements against the coup.

Since the coup, the new Honduran government under Roberto Michelleti has been internationally isolated and so far unrecognized by any country. On July 5, thousands of protesters had gathered at the airport waiting the return of president elect Manuel Zelaya but his plane was prevented from landing in the Honduras capital. The military fired shots and tear gas at the protesters. Two deaths and at least 30 injured people were reported.

LISTEN: Live broadcast from Honduras

More coverage: Rochester IMC | Narco News | Americas Mexico Blog | Honduras Resists | TriniCenter Updates | Hands Off Venezuela | En español: aporrea.org | ALER | Escuche: Radio Progreso

Coverage From Latin American Indymedias: Honduras | Argentina | Colombia | Bolivia | Puerto Rico

[Note: As of 11:15am, Caracas time, President Zelaya is speaking live on Telesur from San Jose, Costa Rica. He has verified the soldiers entered his residence in the early morning hours, firing guns and threatening to kill him and his family if he resisted the coup. He was forced to go with the soldiers who took him to the air base and flew him to Costa Rica. He has requested the U.S. Government make a public statement condemning the coup, otherwise, it will indicate their compliance.] Caracas, Venezuela - The text message that beeped on my cell phone this morning read “Alert, Zelaya has been kidnapped, coup d’etat underway in Honduras, spread the word.” It’s a rude awakening for a Sunday morning, especially for the millions of Hondurans that were preparing to exercise their sacred right to vote today for the first time on a consultative referendum concerning the future convening of a constitutional assembly to reform the constitution. Supposedly at the center of the controversary is today’s scheduled referendum, which is not a binding vote but merely an opinion poll to determine whether or not a majority of Hondurans desire to eventually enter into a process to modify their constitution.

New York City, NY: About 300 people gathered at the UN to show their solidarity for the anti-government protesters in Iran. [...] There were a lot of Mousavi photos with the word "Change", a lot of calls for the UN to speak more forcefully, and a lot of condemnations of the Iranian government. Photos

Boston, MA: More than one hundred declared supporters of democracy, free communication, and peace in Iran gathered at Copley Square in Boston on Saturday afternoon, as widespread protests against the present regime continued one week and one day after an illegitimate election. [...] Organized nationally by Where Is My Vote, which presents itself as a voice for the Iranian diaspora, and locally online with postings on Craigslist, Yelp, and especially a Facebook event page. Read More

Background: Iranians Take to the Streets to Contest Election Results; Protesters Shot by Police | | | Commentary: A Question Over Iran: Can the People Make History or Not? | "Is the Uprising in Tehran a CIA Backed Exercise? Tehran Protesters Address Progressives" | Wake Up Jim Cramer! In Iran It’s Much Ado About Something

Related: US Department of State asks Twitter to suspend its expected service shutdown

More than one hundred declared supporters of democracy, free communication, and peace in Iran gathered at Copley Square in Boston on Saturday afternoon, as widespread protests against the present regime continued one week and one day after an illegitimate election. Read More & Pics

Background: Iranians Take to the Streets to Contest Election Results; Protesters Shot by Police | | | Commentary: A Question Over Iran: Can the People Make History or Not? | "Is the Uprising in Tehran a CIA Backed Exercise? Tehran Protesters Address Progressives"

On the June 15 edition of CNBC's Street Signs, business analyst, Jim Cramer decided to lend his considerable analytical talents to international politics. He described the street protests in Iran following the disputed re-election of incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as, “much ado about nothing.” His proof? The price of oil declined by $1.40 on Monday. What Cramer found most odd was that Iranians might be even slightly upset that their votes had not been counted. After all, in countries like “North Korea and Syria, there are a bunch of people who don’t vote for the right guy,” and they do not complain when the outcome goes against them. “Obviously,” he said incredulously, “you were able to vote against this guy. But the idea that you thought there was going to be a fair count, I mean…” He then shared a chuckle with his co-host at the expense of the protesters.

Iran held presidential election on June 12th. Turnout was high with over 80 percent of the electorate reportedly voting. Demonstrators began calling for the election to be canceled after the Interior Ministry announced that President Ahmadinejad had won over 62 percent of the vote, with only 34 percent going to opposition candidate Mousavi. Clashes broke out between police and groups protesting the election results from early morning on Saturday onward. Police stormed dorms at the University of Tehran on Sunday and there were reports of several deaths and many arrests. On June 15th, hundreds of thousands protested in the streets of Tehran, despite being warned by state officials that any such a rally would be illegal. The demonstration, the largest in Iran's 30-year history, was also Mousavi's first public appearance after the election. Gunshots were reported to have been fired at the rally, and at least one protester was killed.

BEVERLY HILLS, May 27, 2009 – A wide range of groups turned out to protest Obama’s visit to Southern California this Wednesday at a Democratic Party fund raiser. Protests began around 3:00 pm with a contingent of primarily anti-war protesters, who are disappointed with the contradiction between what Obama said on the campaign trail and what he is saying and doing now as commander in chief.

Full report: Hundreds Protest Outside Obama Fundraiser in Beverly Hills by A || Anti-War Protestors Welcome Obama || VIDEO: Anti-war protest at Obama Event

Mayoral Green Party candidate Billy Talen, better known as Reverend Billy, took his gospel of an affordable, neighborhood friendly New York City under ground this past Thursday. That is, in an performance-action entitled “F the Fare Hike,” Talen rode the F train from Broadway-Lafayette Street station to Jamaica Street in Queens to Coney Island, preaching all the while against the recently announced public transportation fare hike, and criticizing the tactics of his mayoral race rival, incumbent Michael Bloomberg.

The Bloomberg blitz on New York City voters has started, with robocalls, commercials, and mailings flooding every corner of the city as Mayor Mike attempts to buy the 2009 mayoral election.

So far, the mayor—the richest person in New York City, by the way—has spent close to $20 million dollars on his re-election campaign, almost twice the amount he had spent by this time in 2005, when he was supposed to be running for a final term (the City Council voted to give Bloomberg and themselves another chance to run the city in November 2008, when they agreed to scrap term limits).

Steven Wishnia writes, “If he’s going to buy the election, let’s at least get a decent price for it. For the $11.5 billion he has added to his fortune since elected mayor in 2001, we’d be willing to cancel the election and crown him mayor for four more years.

Under Bloomberg, the gap between the rich and everyone else has widened so much that if Manhattan were a country, it might beat out Namibia for the title of the most economically polarized in the world. Developers have packed New York’s skyline with luxury condos. Landlords have driven tenants out of their homes all over the city to jack up rents. The symbol of Bloomberg’s New York is city parks where drinking fountains don’t work, but there are plenty of pushcarts peddling pints of bottled water for $2…

So let him put some real money into buying the election. Let him pay for the value he’s getting.

What could $11.5 billion buy for the people of New York? The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s annual deficit is now estimated at almost $2 billion. For $6.5 billion, Bloomberg could avert a fare increase and prevent service cuts for the next four years.

The city has a critical housing shortage. For $3.5 billion, he could pay for 35,000 new apartments of affordable housing. This would create thousands of construction jobs and allow many working families to remain in the city.”

To read the whole article, click on the link to “Bill the Billionaire: If Bloomberg wants to buy the election, let him really pay for it,” below. Also included in the latest issue of the Indypendent: World-renowned sexologist Dr. S. Hite on the “uncelebrated beauty of men’s sexuality”; John Tarleton sheds some light on WBAI’s troubles; Laura Boylan, a practicing neurologist, on the origins of the swine flu; and a beautiful illustrated essay by Isabel MacDonald on Haiti and the “secret trial run of a new humanitarian doctrine.”

Web Exclusive: Moving Mountains with Theatre: An Interview with Playwright Sarah Moon || Web Exclusive: On The Streets: An Interview with Oscar Olivera || Bill the Billionaire: If Bloomberg wants to buy the election, let him really pay for it || Brooklyn Zeroes in on Food || Tenants’ Voice || NYPD Getting Frisky || Sunset Park Sidewalk Clash || Permits Please || Colombia Calling: The Other Wiretap Scandal || Why Pakistan Will Not Become a Theocracy || Reclaiming Einstein: New Book Reveals Famed Scientist as an Opponent of Israel || WBAI Showdown: Power Struggle Escalates as New General Manager Moves to Remake Troubled Community Radio Station || Digging the Heart of Soul || The Uncelebrated Beauty of Men’s Sexuality || North Korean Musical Pushes Boundaries: A Review of Yodok Stories || Web Exclusive: New York is Burning || Web Exclusive: A Review of Lemon Tree || Web Exclusive: A Review of Engaging the Muslim World || For a Woman on the 6 Train || Of Swine and Men || School Bullying is Not Child’s Play || News Analysis: Responsibility to Protect? || Haiti and the Secret Trial Run of a New Humanitarian Doctrine || Indypendent Reporter Joseph Huff-Hannon Honored with 2008 James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism || Community Calendar || Reader Comments

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is trying to buy re-election to a third term. The city’s economic and media power elites have already anointed him.

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. read more

Activists and authors Guerry Hoddersen and Eric Chester will examine President Obama's election and policies from a leftwing perspective at a community forum.
Friday, April 24, 7:30 pm
New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave S., Seattle

Finally, we have change in Washington, D. C. Entering into this year with the words of my father, “Obama is our new president, and we need to give him a chance,” I am trying to do just that. The problem for me, though, is that as much as I would like to believe we are going to get something we can believe in with President Obama, I know Senator Obama’s voting record. So the question on the table is, will we see change we can believe in, or will it be a replay of the Democratic victory of Congress in 2006? That remains to be seen. As we begin the “Obama Era,” are we seeing the changes we were promised?

A New Way of Voting

Is IRV Coming to a Town Near You?

The Jackson County Greens will be hosting a meeting on "Instant Runoff Voting" (IRV) Sunday, March 22nd at the Ashland Public Library. There will be potluck dinner at 6 pm, with the meeting beginning at 7 pm.

The featured speaker will be Pam Vavra. Ms. Vavra is a local political activist who has been working on the legislation (SB29) currently working its way through our state legislature that would give municipalities the option of using Instant Runoff Voting in their local elections. An authority on election reform, Vavra will be available to discuss election reform and answer questions after her presentation.

The meeting and potluck are open to the public.

For further information call: 482-0102

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Interview with Pam Vavra about Instant Runoff Voting  http://www.kskq.org/brainlabor/?p=178

For millions of people, both in America and abroad, the inauguration of a Black person as President of the United States was a moment of transcendent history, one of meaning and significance that suggests real change in a nation that has long labored under its racist history....But for half a dozen men in Pennsylvania's Camp Hill prison, in its SMU (Special Management Unit), the day will be remembered quite differently.

Previous Philly IMC Feature

James Gilligan gives his side of the 3rd Presidential Debate at Hofstra University.

According to a Boston Globe story http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/02/07/obama... Shepard Fairey, whose street art poster for the Obama campaign flooded the internet and local street corners, storefronts, apartment windows and battered bumpers across the nation, was arrested Friday prior to the opening of a major show of his work at the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art. Some accounts say he was arrested for outstanding warrants alleging illegal "tagging" related to the Andre the Giant street art campaign. read more

On January 20th, 2009, George W Bush left the White House and Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. Despite efforts to transform the inauguration into a coronation, the people kept it real and independent media makers were on hand to document it.

From DC-IMC: In freezing weather, over one million, but maybe not 2 mil mostly 20 and 30 something year olds, were packed into the National Mall around the jumbotron screens to watch Obama get inaugurated (There was one big empty space behind the Washington Monument where there was no TV.) When the 43rd Pres, Bush, was introduced to the crowd, there was a very loud boo. And thumping gloved hands for the Obama. Read More | List of Events.

Some groups were welcomed with front row passes, while others that presented more of a challenge to the new regime's message were shuffled to the margins, snubbed or forcibly "migrated". And according to some Israeli officials, the ceasefire with Hamas was declared in part in order to prevent "distracting news stories" from interrupting the day's mood.

Still, activists were out before and after the inauguration, determined to make the most of the coming of this historic era. The day before the ceremony, on Martin Luther King Day, demonstrators called for peace in Gaza in of the slain civil rights leader: [1] [2] [3] [4] And the day afterward, clergy gathered to vigil and pray for immigration reform and anti-war activists assembled to demand that Obama stop the spread of the "war on terror".

More Reporting from DC: 100 Days working to close Guantanamo and end torture | | | 'These Boots Were Made For Launching': Hundreds Show Bush Their Shoes in Grand Send-Off | | | Muslim Inaugural Celebration Speeches and Interviews | | | UC-IMC Dispatches: Day1 | Day2 | Day3 (MLK Day) | Day4 (Inauguration Day) & some thoughts

Reporting from Other Cities: Los Angeles, CA | Northern CA | Portland, OR: Portland, OR | Rogue Valley, OR | Santa Cruz, CA

Commentary: Some Thoughts on Obama and the US Empire

While the AIPAC resolution was moving through the Congress and was overwhelmingly approved, a counter resolution was introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D) Ohio.

It's been three days since we got back to Champaign-Urbana and still I am having a hard time properly putting into words our past weeks experiences in D.C.  I keep going back to using words like amazing, intense, and incredible but twitch inside due to their inadequacy.  These are words I use daily and January 20th 2009 was anything but a daily experience. read more

On January 20th, 2009, George W Bush left the White House and Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. The transition was marked in several ways across Northern California. From San Francisco to Fresno to Santa Cruz to Mountain View to Sacramento, the transfer of power was met with relief, cautious celebration, and determination to keep the fight for social justice alive.

Four years ago, CODEPINK founders spent inauguration night in a miserable jail call, charged with disorderly conduct for unfurling a "Stop the War" banner during the ceremony. This year, instead of handcuffs, we got front row seats--and hugs and kisses from the crowd as we unfurled peace banners, danced the can-can while singing "Yes we can-can end war" and handed out thousands of pink ribbons calling on President Obama to keep his peace promises.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the State Capitol, the 8-month-long Campaign to Keep Oregon's Guard in Oregon held its official "launch event." Campaign organizers delivered the signatures of over 7000 Oregonians to officials along with a demand that our state militia not be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. Read More | Audio of News Conference

Ashland's Siskiyou Pub had an overflow crowd with an exciting buzz from Inauguration Day 2009. Anne Feeney sang some old and some new labor songs and told some stories to a jubilant crowd that was ready to celebrate. The sing-along songs were the biggest hit as a roomful of voices filled the Pub.

A special guest stopped by to partake in the festivities at this Inaugural Ball...Take a look at the photos and see if you can spot him.

This concert and the inaugural party were brought to Southern Oregon by the Southern Oregon Central Labor Council and Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice. Special thanks to Move-On.Org for the support and outreach.