In 2001, the the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) produced a three-volume report on global climate change, concluding there is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years can be attributed to human activities, specifically to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases". At the request of the White House, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) appointed a panel of scientists to address the issue and examine the validity of the IPCC report. That panel produced its own report, concluding "there is general agreement that the observed warming is real and particularly strong within the past 20 years" and "the changes observed over the last several decades are likely mostly due to human activities". 2004 produced a number of studies further reconfirming these observations, yet mainstream media and various fossil fuel industry front groups continue to argue global warming is a phenomenon of nature, that it's not a significant problem, and that individuals and groups who claim it's a problem are no more than environmental extremists using fear mongering tactics to scare people. They could be no further from the truth, as scientific study results from 2004 attest.

The Votergate campaign continues as protesters in San Francisco this week will attempt to arouse their local senate member to raise her awareness of "electile dysfunction." There will be a Pro Democracy/Count Every Vote Rally on Monday, January 3rd from 12:00 Noon to 1:30 pm, at U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer's San Francisco Office, 1700 Montgomery St. Petitions signed by thousands of people who want Senator Boxer to challenge the results of the November 2, 2004 presidential election before Congress on January 6th will be presented to Boxer’s deputy at a meeting inside the office. Speakers at the rally will include long-time civil rights activist Dolores Huerta. There will also be a Verifygra Rally on Thursday, January 6th outside of Senator Boxer's San Francisco office, from 12:00 Noon to 1:30 pm. Read more on Indybay's Government and Elections Page

An energetic, diverse crowd of over 200 people turned out Sunday to demand that every vote be counted, in the Mayoral and Presidential elections. One speaker mentioned how he had volunteered for the recount and for ballots containing only an X or a check for Dick Murphy, the votes were counted and filled in by vote counters, while for the 5,547 votes containing the name "Donna Frye" and no bubble, the votes were not counted. Dick Murphy's victory was with a margin of 2,108 votes.

The speakers also talked about how the bubble law is a state law that's being used to override local law, and how the city council has the ability to "become a judge" and count every vote. Also, a petition was passed around for the local election and also to demand that Barbara Boxer be the one Senator to contest the electoral college vote which is to be certified on January 6th. A number of members of the House of Representatives have agreed to help contest the vote, but no Senator has come forward, just as in 2000.

More info at Indybay.org | Contest The Vote.org | VOTERR.org

1/3 5:36pm - A sit-in took place at Barbara Boxer's office today to demand that she be the one Senator to stand up and block the certification of the Electoral College votes on Jan. 6th. This action will continue tomorrow. More on the sit-in here.

1/4 3:28pm - update on the sit-in.

Boston- 04 Jan 2005 A credible source who attended last nights vote fraud rally in Boston reports that ReDefeatBush.com founder,David Lytel announced that Sen. Boxer will "protest the vote" in congress.

"I just got back from the rally in Boston at Faneuil Hall. There were about 400 people there and many fine speakers. Perhaps the most exciting news is that David Lytel, the founder of ReDefeatBush, said that senator Barbara Boxer said she WILL step up to protest the vote. This of course elicited a lot of cheering. You can report that I (and about 400 others) saw and heard David Lytel say this loud and clear. Whether it will actually happen remains to be seen, but he certainly seemed to believe it close to 100%.

Other exciting news is that Jonathan Simon, who has been in front of efforts to analyze and publicize exit poll data, has said that a very telling analysis of the exit poll data conducted by Steven Freeman will be released tomorrow (probably - they are working under great pressure to finish it ASAP) and that it will be provided to congressmen."

(signed by Scott)

Senator Barbara Boxer signed the challenge to certification of Ohio's electoral votes, forcing a two hour debate in both the House of Reps and the Senate. The text of the letter she sent to Ohio Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, obtained from her website (boxer.senate.gov) follows.

On Wednesday, December 29th a group of activists came through Nashville to speak about the construction of Interstate 69. Interstate 69 is a new proposed highway being built that plans to extend from the Canadian border, across the United States, through Tennessee, to end at the Mexican border. This summer, thousands of people plan to converge in Indiana where the construction of the "NAFTA Super Highway" has been contested. Embracing a variety of approaches the activists plan to put a stop to I-69 and deal a crucial blow to the FTAA.

Twice in as many days, dozens of members of a faith-based community of activists breached security at the White House and Pentagon, two of the most heavily guarded buildings in the country, during nonviolent anti-war protests. Several protestors, including Virginian participants, were arrested and given spring court dates. At both sites, passers-by, including Pentagon soldiers, thanked the protesters for being there.

The Portland community responded enthusiastically today, Saturday, January 8, 2005, against white power organizing in the Southwest Portland Gabriel Park neighborhood. One gathering, at the park itself, prepared to directly confront the Tualatin Valley Skins who had announced in December that they would be at the park on this date in order to distribute literature. The white power recruiting drive, failed to materialize. This gathering drew in about 350 people, and finished off with a rally which perservered despite occasional rain and hail showers.

Another group met at the Multnomah Center, about a mile away from Gabriel Park. This Unity Rally, as it was called, drew a crowd in excess of a 1000 people, I would estimate. The Multnomah Center event featured numerous speakers, including the new mayor Tom Potter and County Commissioner Serena Cruz, ministers and members of minority communities, as well as a few musical interludes. Each event provided people the opportunity to protest racism and hate in a manner more in harmony with their own temperament and philosophy. Both sought to defend the neighborhood from invasion and spoke out for diversity of culture, race and religion. Whether in your face, or at a rally celebrating diversity with strong words and music, the community gathered together in their different ways and stood vocal and defiant against racism and hatred.

read the full article...
related articles: [ hate crime websites & statistics I j8-05 Anti-Nazi Rally Breaking News & Reportback I Racist Skinheads Ran Away When They Saw The Large Crowd of Anti-Fascists I Interview @ rally I Opposition Grows Against Tualatin Valley Skins in Southwest Portland ]
photos of Gabriel Park Rally: 1 | 2 | 3

Area Peace Activist fined $102 and his protest sign confiscated by Wausau PD at the regular two-year-old Friday Night Peace Demo.

Up until the morning of the disaster of the tsunami, the people of northern Indonesia in the area of Aceh, have been facing tremendous hardship and violence due to the Jakarta-lead military repression and violence against the Aceh movement for self-determination.
Now, our eyes are turned to this part of the globe.

AUDIO of Teach-In Jan 8 - Part of 1 of 3 parts || AUDIO of Teach-IN Jan 8 - Part 2 of 3 parts || AUDIO of Teach-In Jan 8 - Part 3 Additional Articles and Links: || "How Not to Win.." || ETAN || Human Rights Watch - Documents and articles || WALHI ||

With a little bit more than a week to go until George W. Bush’s inauguration, DC and federal police are meeting daily to finalize security plans that they have been working on for more than 8 months. Anti-Bush protesters are worried that first amendment rights on inauguration day could be trampled. Selina Musuta of the dc radio co-op reports from Washington, DC. Audio

DC Anarchist Resistance/DAWN die-in CD/ANSWER actions

Speak Out: No New Nukes! National Rally against the first new license for a nuclear power plant since Three Mile Island.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is ready for action after streamlining the nuclear power plant licensing process to exclude public participation, reactor safety, and radioactive waste disposal. It's flirting with disaster by proposing to build 2 new nuclear power plants in central Virginia.

If you're coming to DC on J20 to protest Bush's inauguration, support us on J19 in Virginia, just an hour south of DC. We have no doubt that this hearing date was picked in order to keep people from showing up.

We need a major turnout to send a message that we repudiate the U.S. Department of Energy and the heavily-subsidized industry's efforts to license new nuclear power plants despite unresolved safety and waste issues.

North Anna Nuclear Licensing Hearing: January 19, 2005; Mineral, Virginia Louisa County Middle School, 1009 Davis Highway, Mineral, Virginia 23117

[ No New Nukes at North Anna I Public Citizen: Eartly Site Permits I Nuclear Information and Resource Service ]

The Inauguration Media Coalition is providing a media resource center with high speed Internet access and facilities for doing audio, video, print, photo and Web media. Contact: 202-332-4481 * www.inaugurationmedia.org * www.dc.indymedia.org

The space will be open between Saturday, January 15 and Friday, January 21. It will be open from 10 AM-10 PM every day, except for Inauguration Day, when it will be open from 8 AM until 10 PM, and on January 21, when it will be open until 8 PM. The media resource center is located at 624 T St. NW, Washington, DC, at the intersection of T St. and 7th St. NW, near the Shaw/Howard University stop on the green line.

During the Inauguration of President George W. Bush on January 20, 2005, the mainstream media will be buzzing with coverage of parties, parades, and speeches, costing the American people tens of thousands of dollars. This same mainstream media provided almost no coverage of the protests and general dissent surrounding the 2000 Inauguration. The Inauguration Media Coalition is determined that independent messages are heard.

Local activists will start at noon at American Enterprise Institute/Project for a New American Century and march on 8 more Neocon HQs within a few blocks. Bring your signs, props, puppets, noise makers!!

Indymedia around the nation will converge to help cover the counter-inaugural actions in Washington DC this Thursday. Imcista's are preparing to offer supplemental coverage through various web radio streams and breaking news from actions in thier city and in DC.

Indymedias Offering Coverage:
DC IMC: [ web radio I dc imc breaking news backup ]
portland indymedia: [ web radio I action page ]
San Diego IMC: [ web radio ]
San Francisco Indymedia has live streaming video, tune in here!!

Other Coverage:
frsc I ecr I free103point9 I www.indymedia.org for global updates

BREAKING NEWS AROUND THE NATION:

SANTA CRUZ: More than 400 protestors turned out in Santa Cruz for a march and rally. People gathered on the steps of the Santa Cruz County Courthouse and heard musicians and speakers, before collectively taking an oath of office as President Pro-Tem of the United States. Since no bible's were on hand, a copy of Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States" was used. [ Feature ]
PHILADEPHIA: A couple hundred marchers from West & North Philly converged on City Hall to express their opposition to the inauguration and coronation of the self-proclaimed "Commander-in-Chief of the United States," GWBush. [ Photos ]
WESTERN MASS: Amid drumming, songs and lively chants, demonstrators made it abundantly clear to onlookers that they were entirely opposed to "A $40 million dollar pep rally for the second stolen election." [ Article ]
SAN FRANCISCO: 8000 people marched from civic center to the embarcadero. currently, they are amassed at the end of market street where a large fire is provoking riot police. There is a crowd filling Justin Herman Plaza, there are speakers right now. San Francisco IMC I Indybay
PORTLAND: Two people have locked down to two of the gas pumps. The owner has requested that people not smoke cigarettes or have any incediary devices on them. The protesters are occupying the Chevron station at: SW - 710 SW Columbia St, Portland, 97201. The owner seems to be fine with the protesters are there, and it is private property.
LOS ANGELES: Several thousand people in Los Angeles, march about to begin. The location is Westood and Wilshire BLVD. THings are going well, and the caller is very pleased!
AUSTIN: Marchers have left the bridge and are in front of the jail. Food has been brought. Caller is talking about camping at the jail until the arrested are released.
Milwaukee: Small critical mass with about 12 riders. Riders were meeting up with a march. Cops singled out six massers and arrested one. This was a random arrest. There were 80 people marching.
AUSTIN: March was going different directions to dodge police. Now on Congress Ave Bridge sidewalk. One person, about 16, had his foot ran over by police motorcycle, then tazed and arrested. A camera operater has also been arrested for alledgedly striking an officer. They currently own the bridge, about 200 people. They are about to march to the jail.
Milwaukee: 200-300 people on busy streets in Milwaukee, more soon.
TUCSON: 400-500 People marching downtown in front of the Federal Building.
NEW ORLEANS: 1500 protested in New Orleans today. that's well over double the biggest of the previous anti-war demos there
WDC: Seeds of Peace ran out of food! There is a roving band that left Dupont Circle.
AUSTIN: About 50 people on Congress Ave growing. More people coming every minute. THere are many cops around. They are in front of the Texas Capital Building.
WDC: Critical Mass just left Dupont Circle.
ATLANTA: approx. 450 people gathered in downtown atlanta to stand in solidarity with those in d.c and in dozens of other cities across the nation. the battle cry of bush has no mandate is being spoken in mass.
WDC: the non-liberal/black bloc march has just been pepper sprayed at 13th and E checkpoint.
WDC: anti-authoritarian block is about 200 people, chanting "whose streets our streets". they are by people trying to enter the inauguration. police have lots of exoctic 'less lethal' weapons. pepper spray and tazers have been used. now people are running. people are rushing a checkpoint right now. a portable toilet has been turned over, in front of the International Trade Building.
LAS VEGAS: Protest in downtown with about 25 people, and local media coverage. Police are docile! [ photos ]
PORTLAND: subvertical.org protests corporate media! [ article ]
SYRACUSE, NY: 11 trees protested the inauguration in downtown Syracuse. 9 people were there in solidarity. All 11 trees were 'arrested.' [ read more... ]
WDC: 3-400 People in the anti-authoritarian march, "trying to stick together as best they can." Chanting and drumming, festive atmosphere.
WDC: Couple hundred people are at Logan Circle for the anti-authoritarian march. Flags are flying and there is drumming.
WDC: About 600 people have broken away from the DAWN march. We dont know where they are going.
WDC: The DAWN March has just left Malcolm X Park. There are about 3000 people are there.
WDC: It is cold in DC. Snow on the ground. Critical Mass has not been heard from. Seeds of Peace is cooking for 1000 people.

1/22/2004: The San Francisco Board of Supervisors declared that January 22nd, 2005 was "Stand Up for Choice Day" in advance of today's protests. About five thousand people gathered this morning for a Roe v. Wade Anniversary Demonstration that included a rally with speakers on Market Street and a march to the location of an anti-choice rally. After the march, participants lined the Embarcadero as the "pro-lifers" paraded towards the Fisherman's Wharf tourist district. The route of the parade was stopped twice by pro-choice protesters. Police kept the women's rights advocates out of the street as much as possible, divided them up on the sidewalks, and escorted the anti-choice march through Fort Mason, down Marina, to the park area where a post-march anti-choice "Information Faire" was to be held. The pro-choice march was eventually allowed through Fort Mason and headed to the Marina Green.

Breaking news from the march and action in San Francisco

Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 Reports: 1 | 2 Audio: 1 Video: 1

Read more about the Walk for Life and events in SF to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, on Indybay's Women's News Page

[Other Indymedia Reports: Portland | Tennessee | IndyBay]

Trials for the 14 Human Rights activists arrested at Fort Benning Georgia at the School of The Americas Protest began Monday. Five have been sentenced to 3 months in federal prison, and eight others await trial.

[ background ] [ sentencing update ] [ SOA Watch ]

Solidarity: NE Ohioans gather in vigil for those on trial

"Were you at the 2004 Biotech Protest in San Francisco on June 8th? Were you there early in the morning, that is prior to 7:00am? Do you remember the streets, in particular, 4th coming south from Mission down to Howard, being blocked off by the police? And/or do you remember seeing 3rd being blocked going north to Howard? A number of protesters are still facing charges for 'willfully and substantially blocking the free passage' of others when they sat down or stood in the intersections of 4th and Howard and at 3rd and Howard." The legal team for the protesters who were arrested on the morning of June 8th, 2004 at the Reclaim the Commons "Shut Down San Francisco" protest are seeking witnesses for this case whose outcome, they think, will set a precedent on protest in SF.
Read More On Indybay's Globalization Page | Indybay coverage of the protests in the morning of June 8th.

The inaugural confetti has been swept away and with it, the last quarrel over who really won the presidential election. But there is still unfinished business that can't be swept away. After taking
his oath, the president called for a "concerted effort to promote democracy." The president should begin with the United States.

More than 133,000 votes remain uncounted in Ohio, more than George W. Bush's supposed margin of victory. In New Mexico, the uncounted vote totals at least three times the president's plurality -- and so on in other states.

A Statement from Amnesty International USA
January 29, 2005

On Saturday morning, January 29, 2005 at 2 a.m., the State of Connecticut will execute Michael Ross by lethal injection. Our hearts go out to the families of his victims. Our opposition to this execution--or any execution--does not in any way excuse the manner of their deaths or minimize the suffering caused.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases, regardless of the gravity of the crime. Even if the prisoner has dropped his or her appeals, there is no disguising the fact that the state is involved in a premeditated killing. The state is taking to refined, calculated heights what it seeks to condemn--the deliberate taking of human life.

Costumes from a 2004 Halloween party at Virginia Military Institute depicting cadets as Nazis, in blackface, and as “fairies” appeared at Richmond Indymedia on January 25 and sparked a debate over the meaning behind the costumes and disciplinary action against the cadets.

The pictures had been on display on a personal photo-share site, but after contact information for VMI administration was posted at Richmond Indymedia alongside the photos the story mushroomed into a campus controversy and a national media feature. The Associated Press ran the story, prompting local Virginia outlets to carry it and then the Washington Post.

The cause of the sudden interest in the offensive pictures is a direct result of a post on Thursday, January 27 by “CBC” on Richmond Indymedia. This article stimulated an intense debate and a vibrant dialogue on the site; there have been nearly 200 replies to the article. The volume of visitors caused IMC editors and tech support to scramble in an attempt to maintain the availability of Richmond Indymedia. The site also served as a tool to convey the public call for accountability, and emails from RVA IMC users convinced the administration at VMI to call for an investigation into the context and meaning behind such offensive and obscene costumes.

Over the past few days, Richmond Indymedia has been flooded by the high volume of people accessing the article, making the site almost completely inaccessible. While a large number of VMI cadets responded to the article to defend their peers, some students at the school agreed with public criticism, acknowledged the offensive nature of the costumes and told of dissent within the student body against the costumes. Another soldier, with 22 years of service, related the offensive costumes to the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. He stated that "Actions like this, viewed by the world, from an institution that supposedly puts leaders on the battlefield, only fuels their mistrust and pushes them to the insurgency against our efforts... You have to learn about this human sensitivity and to quit labelling it political correctness".

Police Wednesday were unable to state what if any laws were broken by homeless people sleeping downtown (see three videos of cops unable to answer). ACLU attorney Randall Kallinen has stated that the posted no trespassing signs do not constitute a law, and that police have no legal basis for a charge "no trespassing" except on private land. The area under the Pierce elevated is not privately owned.
call City Council 713 247 3555 NOW to reserve a time to speak on: Next Tuesday pack City Hall at 1:30 pm
A Houston Police car came to Main and Pierce Tuesday morning at 8:30am to tell the people living under the bridge that staying under the bridge is tresspassing, and that the police will enforce the law in the future. When asked by an IMC reporter: "It might change to a point where you're actually telling people that they can't be here at all?" an HPD officer answered "that's what it's getting to the point of, it's gone beyond that." The cops described themselves as "only doing their jobs", and placed blame on the city for evicting people into the cold and rain. With activists there, the cops were talkative and restrained, but still threatened "we're gonna leave and come back, but we'll come back a little different." Watch videos: 1, 2

For years Houston Food Not Bombs has served meals to the homeless, currently 4 times a week, and countless other organizations distribute food, clothes, blankets or look for day-workers under Pierce elevated. In recent weeks, several homeless have been beaten by cops, and ticketed for sleeping past 7am. The eviction, first anticipated in December, has possibly been delayed due to pressure from activists, who insist that no actual law is being broken.