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local and national features
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Aug 27 2010
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URGENT: No Drinking Water for Recreation |
AZ Snowbowl plans to destroy the northern Arizona environment & deserate sacred sites
On August 30th the Flagstaff City Council will decide whether to allow its original contract to be amended so Arizona Snowbowl (a privately owned business) could use city potable water for snow making on the San Francisco Peaks instead of treated sewage effluent (direct reclaimed water). Because using reclaimed sewage water is proving legally difficult, Snowbowl is looking for an 11 million dollar Federal subsidy to use more expensive and precious potable water.
On August 30th the Flagstaff City Council will decide whether to allow its original contract to be amended so Arizona Snowbowl (a privately owned business) could use city potable water for snow making on the San Francisco Peaks instead of treated sewage effluent (direct reclaimed water). Because using reclaimed sewage water is proving legally difficult, Snowbowl is looking for an 11 million dollar Federal subsidy to use more expensive and precious potable water.
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May 08 2010
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Suns of Anarchy: Phoenix Suns protest SB1070, and State Senator Russell Pearce blankets bill opponents as "anarchists" |
From "Fires Never Extinguished: Journal of the Phoenix Class War Council":
It's that time of year again, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, and we at PCWC are closely following our favorite sports team, the Phoenix Suns, as they battle it out with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western conference semi-finals. Game two was tonight, and it was a fantastic game, and not just because the Suns took down our biggest rivals for two games in a row ("rivals" may be too kind to describe the vitriol Suns fans reserve for the Spurs, "immortal enemies" may be a better fit), but we're pleased for their actions off the hardwood. Yesterday the Suns organization came out against the racist bill SB1070, sponsored by state senator Russell Pearce, signed into law a couple of weeks back by Governor Brewer, and the focus of numerous protests locally, and solidarity demonstrations, rallies, walkouts, boycotts, and direct actions across the US.
It's that time of year again, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, and we at PCWC are closely following our favorite sports team, the Phoenix Suns, as they battle it out with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western conference semi-finals. Game two was tonight, and it was a fantastic game, and not just because the Suns took down our biggest rivals for two games in a row ("rivals" may be too kind to describe the vitriol Suns fans reserve for the Spurs, "immortal enemies" may be a better fit), but we're pleased for their actions off the hardwood. Yesterday the Suns organization came out against the racist bill SB1070, sponsored by state senator Russell Pearce, signed into law a couple of weeks back by Governor Brewer, and the focus of numerous protests locally, and solidarity demonstrations, rallies, walkouts, boycotts, and direct actions across the US.
In an act of solidarity with the state's immigrant and Latino communities, the Suns donned their "Los Suns" jerseys, originally worn as part of the "Noche Latina"promotion, tonight it was an act of defiance to the terror being spread by the reactionary and white supremacist political and social forces at work in Arizona. Suns general manager Steve Kerr made the Suns' case at a press conference yesterday:
"It's hard to imagine in this country that we have to produce papers," Kerr said. "It rings up images of Nazi Germany. We understand that the intentions of the law are not for that to happen, but you have to be very, very careful. . . . It's important that everyone in our state and nation understands this is an issue that needs to be explored. So, we're trying to expose it."... read more>>>
Click here to see video of Suns players discussing the organization's statement on SB1070, and Sen. Russell Pearce's reaction.
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Apr 15 2010
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All-inclusive NHL Hockey in Buffalo |
As much as sports are not something that tends to be covered on IMC sites, the economic inclusiveness of the Buffalo Sabres "Party in the Plaza" is something to be commended. Anyone who frequents Sabres games during the season can tell you that the crowd that is drawn tends to be upper-middle class Buffalonians in their 20s to 40s, those who can afford the fairly pricey tickets, and it's substantially more exclusive during playoffs. In 2007 when the Sabres last made the playoffs, the Sabres started showing the game outside HSBC Arena on a screen for those who couldn't access tickets to the sold-out games. Most of us agreed that it was much more fun outside the arena watching the game with thousands of people who were much more representative of Buffalo than the fans inside who could afford the astronomically-priced playoffs tickets. The pride pouring from Buffalo during the last playoffs run was great for the City and it's wonderful to see that the Sabres are keeping up the FREE playoffs parties outside the arena. Showing pride for Buffalo doesn't need to be limited to those who can afford it.
read more by Jenna Piasecki
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Apr 14 2010
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Police, prosecutors investigate after video of beating surfaces |
County probes police brutality during riot.
Prince George’s County Police and county prosecutors are investigating officers who were caught on videotape beating a student during riots following the Terrapin men’s basketball team’s victory over Duke last month.
The investigation advanced yesterday after a video was turned over to the police department showing officers beating John McKenna, a 21-year-old student, without apparent provocation. The county State Attorney’s Office dropped charges against McKenna and Ben Donat, a 19-year-old sophomore, during the past few days. Video
Prince George’s County Police and county prosecutors are investigating officers who were caught on videotape beating a student during riots following the Terrapin men’s basketball team’s victory over Duke last month.
The investigation advanced yesterday after a video was turned over to the police department showing officers beating John McKenna, a 21-year-old student, without apparent provocation. The county State Attorney’s Office dropped charges against McKenna and Ben Donat, a 19-year-old sophomore, during the past few days. Video
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Mar 06 2010
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"No Olympics on Stolen Native Land!" A Rochester Indymedia Recap of the Anti-Olympic Protests in Vancouver |
On February 9th, two Rochester Indymedia journalists started their journey to Vancouver, unceded and occupied Coast Salish Territory to cover the 2010 anti-Olympic resistance movement. Anti-Olympic organizers called for a convergence of anti-colonial and anti-capitalist forces in Vancouver, February 10-15, 2010, to confront and disrupt the 2010 Olympic Games. These dates were chosen to coincide with the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics (Feb. 12, 2010). The entire Winter Games ran from Feb 12-28, 2010. The slogan under which the convergence coalesced was, "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land!"
Read the full report back replete with video, photos, and links: Click here!
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Feb 14 2010
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Olympics come to Stolen Native Land - Protesters go to Canadian Consulate |
The demo began at 11 am outside of the Chase building at the Canadian embassy on 5847 San Felipe, with two banners, and tons of energy. Protesters enter the consulate building, and requested audience with the consular, and after twenty minutes with inside the office, security was called, and protesters were ejected from the building and banned from returning. The protest then moved to the Chinese embassy, where banners were held and dialogue was carried on. [Read Full Article]
From no2010.com: The 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver-Whistler from February 12-27, 2010, is today a very real threat to Native peoples, the urban poor (many of whom are also Native), and the environment. While cutting social services, healthcare, education, etc., the BC Liberal government is at the same time providing billions of dollars to construction companies & other Olympic-related industries. The capitalists are making millions, while the poor are literally dying in the urban & reservation ghettos.
Indy coverage of protests to the games: 2010 Vancouver Olympic Protest Reporting and Vancouver Media Co-op
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Feb 10 2010
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Chicago journalist and anti-Olympics activist Martin Macias deported from Canada |
From the newswire: "Martin Macias, Jr., a credentialed freelance journalist who contributes to Vocalo.org, the online and new media outlet for Chicago Public Radio, was turned back from the Canadian border late Saturday night. "[Macias] was a lead organizer for No Games Chicago, the all-volunteer citizens group that opposed the Chicago bid for the 2016 Olympics. Martin was part of the No Games delegations that went to the International Olympic Committee's international headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland and then to Copenhagen, Denmark to deliver materials documenting the reasons why Chicago should not have been awarded the games. Martin was an invited guest a conference critical of the 2010 Vancouver games and the Olympic industry."
Quoting Macias: "I was in the passport line in Vancouver and I told them I was a radio journalist and a student a Malcolm X College. The agent put a big circle and x on my ticket. I was pulled out the line and questioned aggressively for two hours. They wanted to know what I was going to do in Vancouver, who i was meeting with, who organized the conference and what they looked like. They took all my contact information and business cards of journalists and other people I was to connect with while in Vancouver." When Macias demanded to know what his rights were, he was told: "You don't have any." Read more
Additional Coverage: Vancouver Media Co-op: Anti-Olympics organizer and journalist denied entry to Canada | No Games Chicago | Portland Indymedia | Democracy Now!: Canada Blocks Olympic Critic from Entering Country | Twin Cities IMC: Suppression of Independent Journalists for Widely Opposed 2010 Olympics | Rochester IMC Volunteer Detained at Canadian Border | All out against the 2010 Winter Olympic Games – Why the resistance? | 2010.mediacoop.ca
Past Indymedia Coverage on No Games Chicago: Chicago Opposition to 2016 Olympics Bid Ramps Up | Chicago Rallies Against 2016 Olympics with IOC Vote Looming | Chicago Public and Community Organizations Relieved by Lost Olympic Bid | From The Trenches coverage of April 2 IOC rally in Chicago | Chicago Independent Television feature on No Games Chicago
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Feb 09 2010
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All out against the 2010 Winter Olympic Games — Why the resistance? |
In 1936 the Nazis introduced the Olympic Torch relay to the world. Since then the Olympics has acted as a fascist Trojan Horse masquerading as a international sporting event, but benefiting the military industrial complex, sucking billions of taxpayers dollars from host cities, displacing the homeless, criminalizing the poor, devastating the environment and stealing indigenous lands. On February 15, 2010 the Olympic spectacle begins.
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Jan 06 2010
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OIympic torch protests: challenging a deceitful tradition |
In December, members of Genesee Valley Earth First! and others from Rochester participated in demonstrations against the Olympic torch relay in Canada. We did so because environmental destruction knows no borders, and the games have a sordid history of displacing the poor while legitimizing colonialism and authoritarianism. The torch relay itself was born in Nazi Germany to spotlight the fascist government’s supremacist propaganda.|
Nov 20 2009
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Coalition Details Hebron Fund's Connections to Extremism before Citi Field Event |
One day before the Hebron Fund's controversial fundraising dinner at the New York Mets' Citi Field, a coalition of civil rights and peace organizations released new details about extremist statements by individuals associated with the Hebron Fund, and about its fundraising for illegal purposes. The statements were made by Yossi Baumol, the Executive Director of the Hebron Fund, Rabbi Dov Lior, the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish settlers in Hebron, and Noam Arnon, an honoree at the upcoming dinner. Other examples of racist, violent and illegal activities supported by the Hebron Fund were included in a November 3rd letter to the Mets.
Related Story from Adalah: New Yorkers Tell Baseball Commish: 'Strike Out Israeli Settlements!'
Related Story from Adalah: New Yorkers Tell Baseball Commish: 'Strike Out Israeli Settlements!'
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Nov 18 2009
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New Yorkers Tell Baseball Commish: 'Strike Out Israeli Settlements!' |
Over fifty human rights advocates gathered outside the office of Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig in midtown Manhattan at lunch time today to demand that he prevent the New York Mets from hosting a Citi Field fundraiser for a Jewish group that supports violence and racism against Palestinians. The protest came two weeks after eleven organizations sent a letter to the Mets and Commissioner Selig asking them to cancel the event for the Hebron Fund at the Caesars Club, which is located directly above the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field. The groups said that the event would “taint” the Mets and Major League Baseball’s commitment to diversity and equality, and insult the memory of Jackie Robinson. Read More & Pics \ Update Nov20: Coalition Details Hebron Fund's Connections to Extremism before Citi Field Event
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Nov 05 2009
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11 Organizations Demand Mets Cancel Citi Field Fundraiser for Israeli Settlers |
Eleven organizations from the US, Palestine and Israel have called on baseball’s New York Mets to cancel a November 21st dinner at the Caesars Club at Citi Field for the Brooklyn-based Hebron Fund. The dinner is a fundraiser for Israeli settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank City of Hebron. In a letter sent to the Mets on November 3rd, the groups said, “The New York Mets will be facilitating activities that directly violate international law and the Obama administration’s call for a freeze in settlement construction, and that actively promote racial discrimination, and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homes in Hebron.” Seven hundred Israeli settlers, living amidst 150,000 Palestinians in Hebron, are expanding their hold on the historic old city by driving out the Palestinian residents.
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Oct 05 2009
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Chicago Public and Community Organizations Relieved by Lost Olympic Bid |
"Throughout the... litany of news coverage on the IOC’s decision [to award the 2016 Olympics to Rio de Janeiro rather than Chicago], little attention has been given to what is arguably the majority sentiment in Chicago. When citizen opposition, polls and community organizing is taken into consideration, today’s decision is not appropriately characterized by “deep sadness.” Community leaders and organizers, as well as citizens, registered far different reactions than what was expressed by politicians and prominently echoed by U.S.-based mainstream media outlets." Read More | Previous Feature: Chicago Rallies Against 2016 Olympics with IOC Vote Looming | Related: South Africa’s Poor Targeted by Evictions, Attacks in Advance of 2010 World Cup
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Oct 04 2009
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Not Our Mascot Rally |
More than 100 people marched across the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to protest the return of its racist mascot, “the Chief,” which was retired by the Board of Trustees in February 2007. For the second year a registered student organization, Students for Chief Illiniwek, has rented Assembly Hall to hold an event called “The Next Dance” for those who wish to see the mascot’s return. The University of Illinois continues to refuse to educate its students about the reason for the mascot’s retirement, or enforce its trademark on the image... Read More | Related: "Chief" Illiniwek Regalia Returned to Ogalala Lakota
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Sep 30 2009
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Chicago Rallies Against 2016 Olympics with IOC Vote Looming |
Oct3 UPDATE Chicago Public and Community Organizations Relieved by Lost Olympic BidOn September 29, hundreds attended a protest outside City Hall in downtown Chicago against Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, and decrying the Olympic bid as a financial boondoggle for the city.[...] The Chicago bid book, which outlines the financial proposal for Chicago's 2016 bid, was written before the recession hit and many of the anticipated funding streams have since dried up. Thus, funding the Olympics could skyrocket into the billions of dollars with the shortfall paid by city residents and from the city's controversial TIF program — an ostensible program to aid development but which has morphed into a mechanism to funnel public funds into unaccountable slush funds controlled by Mayor Daley and approved surrogates.
Activism on the Olympics in Chicago has increased, with No Games Chicago sending delegates to Copenhagen where the final vote will take place on October 2nd. The Chicago 2016 publicity machine, run by the controversial PR group Hill & Knowlton, has deployed an all-star team to sway the International Olympic Committee, including President Obama and even possibly Michael Jordan. Despite this blitz, analysts say that Rio De Janeiro is still a slight favorite to win the 2016 Olympics.
Past IMC coverage: Feature: Chicago Opposition to 2016 Olympics Bid Ramps Up | Video: No Games Chicago Rally in Chicago | Video: Critical Mass Opposes the Olympics in Chicago
Additional coverage: No Games Chicago | NGC Copenhagen Coverage | Chicago Reader's Coverage of the Chicago 2016 Olympics Bid | Chicago 2016 Olympics meets the public: full audio | Truthout: The Invisible Fourth Pillar