John Brown Childs, a UCSC professor emeritus, author, scholar and educator, joined the Teachers for Class War radio show on Free Radio Santa Cruz for an hour of discussion on July 13th. Topics range from Katrina to Obama, UCSC politics to his namesake John Brown, and the civil rights movement of the sixties to contemporary issues facing Santa Cruz.

The Governor and the California General Assembly approved wage reductions for in-home assistance to elderly and disabled as part of an overall budget reduction proposal earlier this year. On June 23rd, activists from "The People's Day of Reckoning" protested those cuts as well as the governor's accusations that state funded In-Home Support Services is "rife with fraud." Seventeen people, many in wheelchairs, were arrested. On July 15th, members of that coalition were joined by labor activists, educators, and students at a larger protest at the same location.

G. Hotta, writes: "From ethnic turmoil in Urumqi, to the prisoners at Guantanamo, the Uyghur people find themselves in the global spotlight. But what remains in the dark are Uyghur history, issues and viewpoints. To give context to events that are still un-folding, the Uyghur experience is traced through the lives to two Uyghurs in exile: mainly Alim Seytoff and Uyghur rights activist Rebiya Kadeer."

The national housing crisis has led to thousands of families losing their homes. The rise in homelessness has contributed to the increase in tent communities across the United States as a grassroots solution to the problem.

A judge has ruled the Sit/Lie unconstitutional but Police Chief Rosie Sizer released a memo stating that all the judge ruled was that Portland should just use disorderly conduct instead of Sit/Lie. That is not what the judge ruled and her vague memo creates NO meaningful distinction between the Sit/Lie and disorderly conduct. This is not how the city should react to the loss of the constitutional legitimacy of the Sit/Lie. Two many good people have worked to hard on this issue for the Police Chief to take such a step without analysis and public input....

On Friday, June 26, the Chicago lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police held a reunion party to commemorate police veterans from the 1968 Democratic National Convention — the police who beat and harrassed Convention protesters, who attacked Puerto Rican activists in a 1966 uprising, and who assassinated two Black Panther organizers in an overnight raid.

In the wake of these shameful actions, and ongoing present-day police brutality and malfeasance by Chicago police, community activists and members of Chicago Copwatch assembled to rally at Chicago's Union Park. They then marched three blocks away to the Fraternal Order of Police lodge where the reunion was held.

The marchers were hemmed in just down the street from the lodge, but that didn't stop activists from starting a second rally, complete with protest picket and with speeches. Right after one speech ended, the rally got a major shot in the arm. Chicago Critical Mass, the once-a-month roving bicycle-theatrical-protest, included the Chicago Copwatch protest in their route, which meant that for nearly 20 minutes, thousands of bicyclists eluded the police blockade and joined in witness to the protest. Watch Video

Additional Coverage: Chicago 68 Demonstration Getting More attention | Links to Corporate Media Coverage of the Chicago Copwatch '68 Reunion Protest

Even the most optimistic Obama supporter should cringe in response to the White House’s recent “bi-partisan immigration talks.” What could Democrats and Republicans possibly have in common over immigration? Quite a lot it turns out. An enormous sell-out is being prepared for the U.S. immigrant population and Latinos especially — who came out in record numbers in many swing states to vote for Obama last year. Attached to these votes are huge expectations.

Three anti-torture activists refuse to pay First Amendment Tax after being arrested in front of the White House, held until Monday, receive trial date. Meanwhile those responsible for systematic torture walk free.

The 20th Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan, taking US citizens and humanitarian aid on a journey of solidarity and goodwill, will arrive in the Rogue Valley on Thursday July 9. Join us in welcoming them at the Bellview Grange, 1050 Tolman Creek Road, Ashland. The schedule is:
6:00--greet the Caravan members
6:30--potluck dinner--share your favorite dish
7:30--program about the Caravan--what it does and why
9:00--close and clean-up

On June 25, opponents of torture marched on the Department of Justice, demanding that a special prosecutor to investigate torture by Bush officials. The DOJ agreed to accept their letter-but refused to send anyone but a public affairs spokeman to meet with activists. Read More & VIDEO | WSQT Broadcast Audio

UPDATE: 5 Arrested during 24-hour vigil held by Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition

Related: Torture Accountability Action Day in Harvard Square

As Portland's Sit/Lie ordinance is deemed as unconstitutional, there is evidence all over Portland of underground actions protesting the law. (Some popped up all over the city before the circuit court decision).
The signs the figures are holding have some of the following statements on them:

* "This city wide ordinance has been deemed unconstitutional by circuit court. Sit/Lie in unity to the supreme court. FREEDOM FOR ALL."

* "SIT LIE LAW IS A GVNMENT CURSE - Homeless Front"

Some that I spotted before the circuit court decision simply stated, "SIT LIE" and appeared to be attached with metal to what they were sitting on.

By Linden Gawboy, MN Coalition for a People’s Bailout

On Thursday, June 25, friends and supporters gathered at the home of Rosemary Williams to plan for action after getting devastating news. That morning, in a conference call, Judge Lloyd Zimmerman sided with finance giant GMAC and against Ms. Williams, who has been engaged in an epic battle to save her home. We were trying to appeal the judge’s earlier ruling which had denied us a trial. Turns out we could appeal, if we came up with a $49,000 ‘bond’ in two days.

$49,000 is clearly an impossible amount for anyone to come up with. We should not have to pay almost as much as the house is worth to get heard in the ‘halls of justice.’ Since we don’t have that kind of money, we will have to act.

Cambridge--Anti-torture protesters gathered in "the pit" in Harvard Square today to demand a stop to torturing prisoners held in Guantanamo and other US facilities. Some wore orange jumpsuits and black hoods to emulate the garb of detainees. Several speakers spoke out against torture by the Bush regime. To see video of the protest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlgA7TSKQM

On June 24, Nearly five months after opening an investigation of University of California sociology professor William I. Robinson for alleged faculty misconduct, university officials abruptly announced that it has dismissed all charges and terminated the case. Robinson has been targeted by the Anti-Defamation League for forwarding images that made a historical comparison to the state violence of the Israeli military actions in Gaza with that of German Nazi Wehrmacht in Warsaw.

On Saturday, June 20, activists gathered at Trader Joe's in Oakland and San Francisco to demand that the company stop carrying Israeli goods. Protesters removed Israeli products from the shelves in order to show customers which products they should not buy. They also met with the store managers and asked them to notify their headquarters that they no longer wanted to carry Israeli herbs, couscous and cheese. Similar actions were held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Seattle, Washington, and Sacramento, California. The activists were inspired by campaigns to deshelve Israeli products in Wales and France.

In the early hours of Monday, June 22, 2009, settlers from the Bat 'Ain settlement set fire and cut down more than 125 grapevines and fruit trees. Israeli soldiers said they saw a fire in the Palestinian agricultural fields some time during the night and went to put it out, though they did nothing to collect the evidence; kerosene canisters and matches were still there the next morning when activists from the Palestine Solidarity Project accompanied the farmer's family to survey the damage.

Incarcerated Native American activist Leonard Peltier has been granted his first full parole hearing in 15 years. The hearing is scheduled for July 27, 2009, at the United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where Peltier is currently imprisoned. Recently, Lakota Chief Leonard Crow Dog spoke to a large crowd on behalf of Peltier at the Native American Student and Community Center at Portland State University. Sponsored by local Peltier supporters and hosted by the Native American Studies Department, the evening also included drumming and singing by the local chapter of the American Indian Movement, flute by Isaac Trimble, and presentations by several other speakers. Paintings and drawings by Peltier and Bob Robideau were on display, provided by Bonnie Kahn's Wild West Gallery on NW 23rd, who represents both artists locally.

[Watch the] Video of Chief Leonard Crow Dog and Delaney Bruce> speaking on May 20th...

BACKGROUND
Peltier, a high-profile member of the American Indian Movement, was convicted in April, 1977, for his alleged role in the 1975 deaths of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He received two life sentences. A model prisoner, over the past 33 years Peltier has become an accomplished painter and, from his prison cell, has spearheaded philanthropic support of Indian communities. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize each of the last six years. Peltier is legitimately eligible for release from prison. But, again, the FBI has launched a smear campaign to influence the parole board against him.

Letters in support of Peltier are needed now more than ever. Sample letters and more information are available at: Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee and Friends of Peltier

WOLA’s main idea is the training of modern professional para-military police and other law enforcement and criminal justice officials, with what appears to be oligarchical oversight. They foresee police academy training and indoctrination, human rights [meaning forcing us to be their slaves], due process, leadership development, more effective patrol structures directed at the communities [like curfews?], internal and external controls, and community-oriented policing. [Don’t forget folks, these people want to be the only game in town. If they get their way, we’ll all be forced to play cops and robbers whether we want to or not. They have a lot of private jails to fill and they’re planning more.] Specialized police units with specific policing techniques and equipment [probably taught by the likes of BlackWater!] Develop detective units and a comprehensive “snitching” system to help police gather evidence to increase conviction rates. Here's the announcement of their upcoming event:

From: "International Action Center"
Contact: action.news@organizerweb.com

The following alert was released on July 19 by the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee.

read more

The Judge **jay bybee watch continues today at high noon. We will again stand in front of the ninth Circuit Court of Appeals at 700 SW 6th Ave. known here in Portland as the Pioneer Courthouse. We stand our watch to wait for the indictment/impeachment/disbarment of a man of horrors. This man wrote the justification for torture; he was in bush/cheney's State Department and was yoo's boss.

Video Report Back: HERE