In the pre-dawn hours Monday Nov. 28, two women put their bodies on the line for the ancient redwoods by locking themselves to gates and trucks entering the access roads leading to a controversial logging plan in Nanning Creek watershed outside Scotia, Calif., in Humboldt County. The women and supporters unfurled banners reading "Stop Maxxamum Greed/Save Nanning Grove," "Save Nanning Creek Ancient Forest," "Extinction is Forever" and "Save Scotia/Kick Maxxam Out." read more >>

A grove of ancient redwood trees, habitat to the endangered marbled murrelets, continues to be logged in Northern California near the town of Scotia. Wednesday, protesters attempted to block the gates at Maxxam corporation's Pacific Lumber Company when logging trucks were entering the site early in the morning. Unlike on Monday when logging trucks were turned away and loggers did not reach the grove, the effort was not successful due to lack of people power. read more >>

CFD/Native Forest Council film screening in Eugene | Giant Trees Are Falling As Court Ponders Appeal | Last Largest Unprotected Ancient Redwood Forest In the World Now Being Logged | PL starts cut in ancient redwoods and endangered species habitat | Down with Hurwitz, Maxxam Etc.

from Indybay: Pacific Lumber Begins Logging Old-Growth Redwood Grove  

In (Re)living Democracy, artists Scott Berzofsky, Lasse Lau, Nicholas Petr, and Nicholas Wisniewski have collaborated with East Baltimore organizers to turn the Contemporary Museum into a platform for participation in a critical dialogue concerning the reisidents of East Baltimore's struggle against urban renewal. The exhibition is accompanied by public programs addressing these issues. The program on November 5th featured David Harvey, author of The Limits to Capital, The Urban Experience, and The Spaces of Hope, and Marisela Gomez, Director of Save Middle East Action Committee. Harvey and Gomez addressed urban economic and political problems of Baltimore through the lens of gentrification on the eastside and Johns Hopkins University projects. (Thanks to the Megaphone Project for access to technology for transcription, which is based on detailed notes from videotapes done by Lasse Lau; it's almost, but not entirely, word-for-word).

Joining with the South Central Farmers in this city’s infamous, quickly growing, and newest developing tenant revolt, a group of low-income LA renters are now calling on residents across LA to join with them starting on Friday Dec 2, at 8 a.m. --in erecting a emergency ongoing tent city on the lawn in front of LA’s Downtown City Hall --to help save their own landmark LA homes, and to save themselves from immediate homelessness.

Among the 60 evictees, two third of the people are either seniors –and or the disabled.

“We can’t afford to move anyway --so now it looks like, as we’re evicted, we’re all going to be living in tents,” says one of this newest protest’s organizers, Erin Grayson.

She states, “We going to be at the LA City Hall with our tents starting Friday, and from here on out; and we really hope people will come on down, and will support --and even join with us.” The renters’ homes, The Lincoln Place Apartments in Venice, after a more than 18-year struggle to save Lincoln Place, two weeks ago, was declared a State “historical district.” Nevertheless, and in an amazing act of retaliation, the property's owner, the publicly-traded, Denver-based, AIMCO Corporation, is planning high profits on condo conversions, and seeking city “emergency” waivers --and for the developer, one of the nation's largest --to increase demolitions and household density without any public review: and in a new tack in the struggle, has also now served eviction papers to every single one of the property’s tenants.

Full report: Dec. 2 Activists Vow Downtown “Tent City” Will Now Battle Against LA’s Newest Evictions By David Busch / /
LINKS: Lincoln Place Apartment, Venice, California / / South Central Farmers

Over two months have past since the destruction unleashed by Hurricane Katrina devestated the lives of thousands in Gulf Region, and ever since the Common Ground Collective has been on the ground with food, supplies, and restoring hope to those who are struggling to return to their homes.

During the Thanksgiving week, the Common Ground Collective organized The Roadtrip for Relief, and asked for volunteers to come to New Orleans with their skills, supplies and support to the communities of The Big Easy.

The week was dedicated to helping restore housing to those who lost most everything in the 9th Ward, an area neglected by federal, state and local officials. During the roadtrip, hundred of volunteers from all over the country came to "return, restore and rebuild," the 9th Ward community.

In the 9th Ward, Common Ground volunteers cleaned out 30 homes, made 5 roof repairs, gutted and cleaned a community center, started a women's center and created a mutli-media center, including a free internet lab made out of salvaged machines. In Houma, a largely indigenous community southwest of New Orleans, volunteers helped to create a new community distribution center, power washed a cemetery, gutted houses, cleaned up trash and debris, and provided outreach with a mobile distribution unit to the local community.

During the week, Common Ground Collective also hosted Playback Theatre Group of New York, a group of improv actors that performed for the volunteers as well as residents of New Orleans. Visiting volunteers also completed a 22 minute documentary, Solidarity Not Charity, about the state of New Orleans and the work of Common Ground Collective.

Stay tuned to New Orleans Indymedia for updates on the Common Ground Collective, future Roadtrips for Relief, and other organizations providing disaster relief.

[ New Orleans, Two Reports | The Peoples’ Relief Caravan: journal #2 | Katrina Indymedia ]

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center recently moved into their new home -- in Urbana's historic downtown post office. The opening, which featured the "barnraising" of a new low power FM radio station located in the building, highlighted the eclectic and engaged organizing tactics of this highly-successful IMC.

Over 500 people participated in the "Rosa Parks National Day of Absence Against Poverty, Racism and War" march that began on Dudley Street in Jamaica Plain and went all the way to City Hall in Boston flanked by two rows of police on bikes and motorcycles. The march had an impressive concurrence from the black community and was well received by people who waved, hand-gestured for peace, and honked their cars on the streets. The highlight of the day was when marchers reached Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and exchanged calls of solidarity with dozens of students hanging from windows, shouting "Rosa Parks! Rosa Parks!" but were not allowed to join the crowd. Inspirational speakers for the day included Chuck Turner, Charles Yancey, Felix Arroyo, Rev. Franklin Hobbs, Minister Rodney Muhammad, and local activists.

On Oct. 26, the Boston City Council passed a 13-0 resolution in tribute to the 50th anniversary of Rosa Parks' defiance to segregation in the US, and encouraged businesses and schools to close for the day of December 1st. Activists in New York, Baltimore and Detroit also organized events and hope to get a similar resolution passed in their cities.

more coverage on: Indybay and Rochester IMC

For 11 weeks, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal's supporters, members of the In Defense of Animals group, Liberation Collective goers, and local community activists around the world have been waging a vigorous campaign against retailer J.Crew formerly known as J.Cruel during the Anti-Fur Campaign, which included a website domain named "jcruel.com", which has now been deactivated, and by capturing headlines and attention throughout the nation and also demanding that the chain stop selling fur clothing, fur trim, and fur accessories. This pressure, along with a tremendous outcry from J.Crew's own customers, who were shocked to see that the retailer was supporting the violent and bloody fur industry, paid off on November 30, 2005, when J.Crew confirmed that it will no longer sell fur.

One Local Community Organizer surveyed the local downtown Portland, Oregon, store and when asked if he needed any help, he replied, that he was having trouble finding a fur hat pictured in the catalog. The store worker which turned out later to be the local P.R. Person according to local media representatives, then said, "I know your a protestor." To which the organizer responded with a small chuckle and then some kind words of thanks for the retail chain deciding to do the right thing, and for their promptness in removing the fur from the store's public area.

read more >>

Mike D, activist detained again | Fur Free Friday Rally & March | Victory! -- J. Crew Promises "No More Fur!" | report back from Fur Free Friday and Nov 26 fur protests | Dec 3 protest at Shumacher furs

The Follwoing is an Overview of Utica's First Social Forum. On a cold Saturday morning, a devoted group of activists trekked to Utica, NY for the first Social Forum. The Forum was held at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. Presentations addressed concerns about the Patriot Act, Gay Pride, The plight of the Oneida Tribe, Cop Watch, Democracy in Haiti, Racism and many others.

Hundreds of supporters of Stan Tookie Williams, a Nobel-nominated activist and author working to end gang violence and counsel troubled youth, rallied Saturday, December 3rd, 2005 in South Los Angeles' Leimert Park. Mr. Williams is a death row inmate at San Quentin who is scheduled to be executed on December 13th, just ten days from the date of the rally, unless Governor Schwarzenegger intervenes to commute his sentence to life without parole.

Speakers included a broad array of youth workers, former gang members, ministers of local churches, anti-death penalty activists and others. The mood was positive but urgent.

Speaker after speaker placed the onus of Mr. WIlliams' life or death squarely upon the shoulders of Governor Schwarzenegger, who is meeting with Mr. WIlliams' representatives this December 8tth, a mere 5 days prior to his scheduled date of execution. Schwarzenegger has not revealed anything regarding his present thinking on the subject, stating only that he takes it seriously and plans to consider it carefully.

It is indeed the case that the Governor now holds the power of life or death over Mr. Williams, and the consequences of his decision will be laid squarely at his feet, whatever he decides. Attendees were urged to keep up the pressure on the Governor, whos phone number is 916-445-4633 (apparently only actually answered by humans during business hours), and whose email address is governor@governor.ca.gov (available 24 horurs). Full contact incormation can be found at http://www.toookie.com and also at http://www.savetookie.org.

Full report with photos: Rally to Save Tookie Williams by Carl
From the Newswire: AUDIO: The Rev. James Lawson speaks at the save Tookie Rally Today || Rally: Stop the Execution of Tookie || Photos: RALLY FOR CLEMENCY FOR TOOKIE || VIDEO: Rally to Save Tookie Williams

More Coverage: Amy Goodman Interviews Tookie | "Tookie: From Chaos to Consciousness" by Mumia Abu-Jamal | Indybay features: 1 | 2 | 3 | Los Angeles | Santa Cruz | Santa Barbara | Portland

A Look at the St. Louis Coal Company’s Destruction in Arizona and Appalachia.

Peabody Energy is the largest coal company in the United States. It is based in St. Louis and is an honored member of the city’s corporate community. It claims to be a responsible corporate citizen, boasting on its website about the distinctions it has received for land reclamation, environmental stewardship, and safety standards. However, if one visits the coal fields of Arizona or Appalachia a different story is told. A story which gives an image of Peabody the company would rather not brag about; an image of an irresponsible coal corporation that seeks profit at the undeniable expense of the land and its people.

Resistance Groups [Illinois Can Do Better - Conservation | Black Mesa Trust | Black Mesa Indigenous Support]

Only moments after hearing closing arguments in a two-day bench trial, U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman issued a 41-page opinion on Friday December 2nd ruling that random, suspicionless subway searches are constitutional. One of the plaintiffs in the case was carrying a copy of “It Can’t Happen Here,” on the day he was searched but the irony was lost on Judge Berman.

A record number of migrants died in southern Arizona this past year while crossing the U.S. / Mexico border. As the U.S. Border Patrol continues a strategy of militarization along the border, 282 bodies were recovered of workers who have no legal channel with which to migrate north.

Since 1994 it is estimated that more than 3,000 people have died attempting to cross the border, with the death toll growing every year as a result of law enforcement policies that push migration out of accessible, urban areas and into remote desert.

It is significant that each of the "immigration reform and border security" bills currently before congress seeks to increase border militarization, a failed policy of applying para-military logic, technology and manpower to resolve a civilian crisis. After ten years of pursuing such a strategy, violence and organized crime have only increased - as has undocumented immigration - partly as a result.

The impact is felt most in border communities, where both ranchers and city residents are affected by hyped-up law enforcement, racial profiling and police abuse, caught in the cross-fire of a low-intensity conflict that has been created around them. These impacts are now beginning to expand across the state, as border vigilante groups have begun harassing workers at day labor centers in Phoenix and the U.S. Border Patrol engages in illegal sweeps of workers in Tucson.

In the midst of the suffering and death created by U.S. border policy, the government is continuing its prosecution of two humanitarian workers arrested July 9th while trying to evacuate three critically ill migrants to medical care in Tucson. In response, the No More Deaths coalition has launched a campaign "Humanitarian Aid is Never a Crime". The trial is scheduled to begin on December 20th.

December 6 will go down as a Day of Infamy in Venice. Today, like Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, a sneak attack was launched on tenants at Lincoln Place by corporate owner, AIMCO, in collusion with the L.A. Sheriffs Dept.

Sheriffs and Marshals knocked on 52 doors, beginning at 8am, and gave residents only two minutes to get out of their apartments. New locks were placed on doors and windows were screwed down. Some elderly tenants forgot their medications, including one who left her insulin shots behind.

AIMCO and the Sheriffs used the roof top parking lot of neighboring Staples as their command center. The Staples manager denied any knowledge of their presences until informed by a Beachhead reporter.

Tenants and supporters gathered at Elkgrove Avenue and Lake Street with picket signs. L.A. City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl visited the gathering, but was unable to do anything to reverse the evictions. Some vowed a 24-hour vigil until the evictions are lifted.

A tent city for those unable to find a place to stay has been set up at California & Frederick. MAP

PHOTOS: Tent City, Lincoln Place / / Pot Luck for Evicted Tenants Tonight at 7:00 pm / / AUDIO 2: Interview with a Tenant Evicted from Lincoln Place AUDIO: Lincoln Place Evictions. An interview with tenant’s rights activist, Jim Smith / / FULL REPORT: Lincoln Place residents evicted with two-minutes warning by Jim Smith / / PHOTOS: Eviction / / LINKS: Lincoln Place / / Free Venice

Three members of Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action were arrested on Sunday at a peaceful demonstration in support of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender rights and reproductive freedom in Phoenixville, PA.

Breaking News: Agents Raid The Catalyst Wednesday 

Arraignment Update from Flagstaff Thurs, 1:15pm

More than a dozen FBI agents, along with Joint Terrorism Taskforce and local police spent Wednesday afternoon and evening raiding The Catalyst Infoshop in Prescott. Agents detained Bill Rogers, of the Catalyst's founders, who is expected to be arraigned in Flagstaff at 10:00 am Thursday at the federal building, 200 N. San Francisco. Rogers was allegedly arrested in connection with an arson investigation which began in Portland on Wednesday.

As of 8:00 pm Wednesday night, the The Catalyst was still sealed off and full of federal agents. A lot of materials have been seized. The extent of the damage and seizures is not yet known. Collective members plan to open the space again as soon as possible.
FBI agents also arrested Sarah Harvey in Flagstaff and an activist in New York. (Full list of names and charges from AP)

Support will be needed for the arrestees and this important community center.

Resources:
If an agent knocks... [pdf]
Portland Indymedia
New York City Indymedia

12/08 | On Wednesday, in New York City, a 30 year old member of the Friends of Jeffrey Luers prisoner support group was arrested while at school. His apartment was also raided.

According to the weblog "Bombs and Shields," this Wednesday, in New York City, a 30 year old member of the Friends of Jeffrey Luers prisoner support group was arrested while at school. His apartment was also raided and computer and personal affects seized.

On the same day, In Portland, two longtime activists were served with papers ordering them to be a witness for a federal Grand Jury, and were also advised that they are both a target of the Grand Jury's investigation. And in In Arizona, more than a dozen FBI agents, along with Joint Terrorism Taskforce and local police spent Wednesday afternoon and evening raiding The Catalyst Infoshop in Prescott. [Bombs and Shields || Portland Indymedia || Arizona Indymedia]

Gang Taskforce Raids Coconino High School, Intimidates Youth

On Wednesday, December 7, Flagstaff Police (under the banner of "Gang Taskforce") pulled students involved in the group Youth of the Peaks out of their classes and interrogated them. Youth of the Peaks is part of the Save The Peaks! coalition, which has been organizing to stop the expansion of the Snow Bowl ski resort located in the San Francisco Peaks. Police officers barged into the high school, tearing down all the Save the Peaks fliers that had been posted in the halls. This week was the Youth Mobilization Week, with an action summit planned for this weekend.

On Thursday, Youth of the Peaks held a press conference in response to the raid. Police were out in force during the press confrence. One officer uninvolved with the raid yet present at the press conference said that "Youth are a gang."

New information will be posted as it come in.

12/09 | Raids in four states hit home with arrest of local "RNC Not Welcome" activist

UPDATE: Bail has been denied in the case of Daniel McGowan, and each of the other arrestees around the country. McGowan will be held pending his extradition to Eugene, Ore. and his arraignment.

According to spectators at Friday's hearing, prosecutors read through posts on the NYC Indymedia newswire (including this article) and mentioned them as part of the bail hearing. They made mention of other electronic communications on Thursday, and undoubtedly their attentions are ranging far and wide.

Please refrain from speculation and innuendo on Indymedia posts related to this case.

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Federal marshals arrested six environmental activists in a series of coordinated raids in four states yesterday, Dec. 8, in apparent response to a string of arsons in Oregon and Washington attributed to the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), including simultaneous attacks in 2001 at the University of Washington's Urban Horticulture Center and the Jefferson Poplar Farms in Clatskanie, Oregon. Daniel McGowan, 31 was arrested in New York City. Authorities have also stated that there will be more arrests, with at least one indictment immediately outstanding.

About 600-1000 unionist, anti-WTO/FTAA, imagrants-rights, and kids, mothers, anarchists, environmentalists, brothers, daughters, liberals, families, anti-capitalists, farm workers, and cops came to downtown Portland to oppose the WTO, support opposition in Hong Kong, march for union rights, decry the capitalist state and the republican federal government, sing, chant, shuffle, and charge a down-town office building. Some organizers read off of large report cards describing the voting record of state representatives to the US congress on issues of right to organize, immigration, the environment, and fair trade. read more >>

Speakers and Photogs from Human Rights Day March and Rally
Today, December 10, 2005, Human Rights Day, the Portland community took to the streets, demonstrating an immense solidarity with labor, the environment and human rights. The message was a resounding NO to the World Trade Organization, who will be meeting next week in Hong Kong, and YES to the rights of workers to organize. he crowd, which, in my estimation eventually topped 1000, gathered at the World Trade Center at SW First and Salmon in downtown Portland, enthusiastically listened to some brief speeches and then marched to various predetermined places in the city for more remarks from labor, environment and social justice speakers. read more >>

Brief Report, Photos from Today's March
In what may have been the largest labor or global justice protests in Portland in decades, nearly 3,000 people took to the streets today to say No to the WTO and YES to the right to organize! The day started with a brief rally denouncing the WTO and the corporate trade agenda at Gordon Smith's office, with speeches from PCUN's Ramon Ramirez and others. Despite the cold weather, thousands of people gathered for the rally, then the large crowd took to the streets. The march stopped outside the National Labor Relations Board office, where Stewart Acuff, organizing director of the national AFL-CIO, gave a rowsing speech, urging the crowd to support the right to organize unions. read more >>

PLDN Updates: [ PLDN one arrest 5th and Clay/ Dec 10th demo | PLDN Permitted march for dec 10th over PROTEST HAS MOVED 2 more arrests | PLDN, 20 in front of Justice Center, 1 more arrest, woman assaulted by police | Update from Portland Legal Defense Network | Update from Portland Legal Defense Network ]

related stories: [ Local "news?" | Mesomorphic Pigs Attack Women, Men, and Children in the Name of Profit | New Content on PDX IMC Web Radio | Seattle Residents March for Human Rights, Against Imperialist Militarism | Police Riot at Schumachers ]

Supporters of Pennsylvania death row inmate and independent journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal celebrated on December 6th as the Third Circuit Court of Appeals granted two "certificates of appealabilty" to Jamal for alleged violations of constitutional rights in his 1982 trial and his 1985 state appeal. The court also called for a brief on a third point that had been previously certified for appeal. | Coverage by David Lindorff | Analysis by Jeff Mackler | Media Commentary by Linnn Washington |

Audio: Rockin' the Boat: Jeff Mackler on Mumia

The breaking story about the U.S. military’s planting of prepackaged stories in foreign media – a “scoop” attributed to the L.A.. Times – has overlooked one critical factor: the Independent Media Center of Greater Binghamton, and not the L.A. Times, was the first media outlet across the globe to report on this propaganda-production endeavor, the brainchild of the U.S. Special Operations Command.

Binghamton-IMC story 6/05
LA Times 11/05

Twenty-five U.S. citizens, calling themselves Witness Against Torture, are presently demonstrating, fasting and praying at the gates of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay. For the last five days, they've marched across Cuba to get to the prison. One of them is my husband, Danny Burns.

Rallies and Marches Across Arizona

Recent events have highlighted the border crisis in Arizona communities. In response to the ongoing criminalization and persecution of immigrant communities, the upcoming trial of humanitarian volunteers, a a mounting death toll caused by failed border policies, and the introduction of dangerous legislation designed to perpetuate and worsen this crisis, human rights and border groups across the state have begun to organize and mobilize.

On Saturday, December 10th the Border Action Network – along with numerous other local organizations – sponsored marches in Douglas, Nogales and Tucson – where more than 200 people marched to the federal courthouse. Some of their demands include a humane and just immigration reform, pathways to legalization and permanent residency, an end to abuse, persecution and death of immigrants, an end to the militarization of border communities, respect of workers’ rights, and policies that encourage fair trade – not free trade. photos 1 2

In Phoenix, people continue to organize in protest of vigilante mobilization in their communities.

Upcoming events include a 12 noon rally and press conference on Wednesday, December 14th at Southside Presbyterian Church (23rd St. and 9th Ave - Tucson) – followed by a caravan to the courtroom as judge Bernardo Velasco considers a motion to dismiss the charges against two No More Deaths volunteers.

In addition, a number of groups - including No More Deaths, Tonatierra and Inmigrantes Sin Fronteras - have organized a March for Justice on December 17th in Phoenix.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please meet the new Deputy Mayor of the City of Binghamton.

Yes, it's IMC-Binghamton's own Tarik Abdelazim!

Watch Tarik's acceptance speech (RealMedia)

Tarik comments, "Please know that my achievements are to be understood as what's possible with cooperation, courage, and conviction. Above all, cooperation. You all have inspired more than you think, and I look forward to bringing to the Mayor's Office some of the ideals that motivate and ground Indymedia: a commitment to informed debate and inclusive dialogues. Let us narrate our story together, debate our differences respectfully, and share the rewards that come from a more engaged citizenry and a more just society."

Today, Monday December 12th, federal agents raided thirteen medical cannabis dispensaries in San Diego with the help of the local police and sheriff.

We are asking all local medical cannabis supporters to rally in opposition to these raids at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13th in front of the San Diego federal building, 880 Front Street, San Diego. ASA activists are also holding an emergency meeting tonight at 9:00p.m. at Twiggs Coffee House, 4590 Park Blvd., San Diego.

Oxygen Collective Arrives in New Orleans

12/8/05 - After a long trek across the country, covering 2600 miles in three days, the Oxygen Collective bus finally arrived in New Orleans on Wednesday. We made our way to the Common Ground Media Center, where we connected with our dear friend Kerul who has been hard at work here for over 2 months. From there, we took a short tour of the heavily damaged 9th Ward. It is hard to describe what we are witnessing. After more than 3 months since the storms hit, it is shocking to see the state of this neighborhood. Trash and debris are piled everywhere. There is no electricity on most streets. With residents discouraged from returning home by military blockades, curfews, and the perception that everything is destroyed, It feels a ghost town.

We made our way to our home for now, at the Common Ground Collective 9th Ward Community Center. This space is one of many operated by Common Ground across New Orleans. Less than 2 weeks ago, the Community Center was a flood damaged church center filled with black mold. Now it is an ever evolving Community Center housing and feeded the volunteers who have come to New Orleans to help out.

12/10/05 - I am in a surreal and deeply inspiring hell- New Orleans is a post apocalyptic wonderland where utter devastation is everywhere and all relationships of culture, race, society and politics are richly counter-intuitive, nuanced and have gone from backward before to upsidedown now. I am floored. No account of what is occurring here can be given without a brief review of the stunning reality on the ground. The scale and scope of the destruction is really not possible to grasp if you have not driven the streets here. There are over a hundred thousand cars that will never drive again that have yet to be moved- they are in all manner of disarray- on curbs, upside down, in front lawns and perhaps most eerily- parked right where they were left when their drivers suddenly fled more than 3 months ago. There are currently 1.3 million households from the Gulf Coast still residing elsewhere. Bodies are still found every day. Vast areas sit festering, powerlines strewn across streets, trees sliced right through houses, two story homes crushed to the height of their front door. Tens of thousands of homes are filled with rotting furniture, warped floors and swollen drywall.

12/12/05 - I just wrote yesterday but each day here feels like a week of life experience. Today we joined with the People's Hurricane Relief Network, Common Ground and a number of black power groups for a march on City Hall- or what's left of it anyway. We gathered first in Congo Square- a park with ancient live oaks who were already mature trees when slavery was in effect here and this was the only place in the city where slaves were allowed to gather freely and play their drums. Today, a rocking drum circle like none I've ever seen accompanied a vibrant consortium of black leaders as they gave stirring speeches to a crowd that reached thousands by the time we took the streets towards City Hall.

The march was in support of the Right to Return of the scattered residents of New Orleans, who are overwhelmingly poor and black and who are soon to be kicked out of the temporary housing FEMA has thus far provided. It is clear that were this California destroyed by an earthquake, or New York by another 9-11, there would be no protracted debate about whether or not to rebuild, it would just be done and it would be done quickly with massive federal aid. The cost of a day of war in Iraq would be enough to retrofit all New Orleans levees to withstand a category 5 storm. The people of this richly historic city are rightfully outraged and today they raised strong and eloquent voice to their demands for equality.

Antiguo Pandillero Rehabilitado, pero Igualmente Asesinado

13/12/2005: Stanley Tookie Williams III fue ejecutado temprano esta mañana por una inyección letal administrada por el estado de California. Williams, quien estaba a semanas de su cumpleaños numero 52, era el co-fundador de la pandilla Crips en Los Angeles. En 1981, fue convicto por los asesinatos de cuatro personas el año 1979 en el área de Los Angeles. Luego de 6.5 años en confinamiento solitario en Death Row (la fila de la muerte) en San Quentin, renuncio a su pasado pandillero. Escribió varios libros y comenzó varios programas para desalentar a que los jóvenes se incorporen a pandillas. Una película protagonizada por Jamie Foxx, titulada "Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story" (Rescate: La historia de Stan Tookie Williams), fue hecha para contar su historia. Williams nunca admitió haber cometido los asesinatos por los que fue convicto. Esto fue una de las razones por las que el Gobernador Arnold Schwarzenegger escribió la cita denegando su clemencia. Los partidarios de Williams intentaron enviar varios pedidos con la esperanza que se le considera el perdón. Si se le hubiera dado un plazo de perdón de 60 días, podría haber dado tiempo para que la corte examinara las diferentes dudas legales que aun quedaban en el caso. También hubiera dado tiempo al cuerpo legislativo de California a votar en AB 1121, la “California Moratorium on Executions Act” (Moratoria de California para parar las ejecuciones). Leer mas (en ingles)
Miles de manifestantes se mantuvieron en vigilia en frente a San Quentin mientras Williams era asesinado. Fotos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Cobertura de la People's Clemency Hearing (Audiencia de Clemencia Popular) y protestas del 12/12
Leer mas sobre Tookie en las paginas de Indybay Estado Policial y Noticias de California

Tuesday afternoon the jury found Earth First! activists Rod Coronado and Matt Crozier guilty of all 3 charges in the Sabino Canyon mountain lion trial. The prosecution immediately made a motion to take Coronado into custody, claiming he was a flight risk. Judge David C. Bury sustained the objection of Coronado's attorney that he had not violated his pre-trial release agreement in the year and a half since his arrest. Coronado and Crozier will face sentencing on March 9, 2006.

Coronado was arrested March 24, 2004 along with Esquire writer John H. Richardson in Sabino Canyon during an Arizona Game and Fish operation to remove mountain lions from the recreation area. Crozier was arrested by FBI agents 9 months later allegedly for also being in the canyon. Crozier and Coronado were each charged with one count of felony conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, one count of misdemeanor inteference with or injury of a federal officer, and one count of misdemeanor depredation of federal property. Richardson, who was working on a story about Coronado, is being tried separately on just the misdemeanor interference charge.

During the week-long trial, the prosecution called 15 witnesses, including a wildlife biologist, a school cafeteria cashier, 3 FBI agents, a helicopter pilot, the government hunter, and several officers of the Forest Service and Arizona Game and Fish. Defense attorney Antonio Felix argued that much of the prosecution's case relied on emotional appeals to the jury about the danger of mountain lions. "Prosecution led a campaign to get the jury to say 'Arizona Game and Fish did a good job'," he said in his closing arguments.

Another key to the government's case was John Richardson's audio notes, which Assistant U.S. District Attorney Wallce Kleindienst called a "smoking gun." The hour long excerpt of the reporter's recordings was introduced as evidence afterheated debate about its admissibility. The judge agreed with Kleindienst's contention that the tape should be considered "the utterances of a co-conspirator," and that using the media to sway public opinion was part of Earth First!'s criminal strategy.

Coronado and Crozier could face 6 years in prison for the felony conviction. Assistant prosecution attorney Bev Anderson said after the trial "I know he wasn't tried here for being a violent anarchist. This trial wasn't about Rod Coronado being a terrorist, but he is one." An Earth First! spokesperson stated "while we may be reassessing our specific strategy in light of this conviction, our commitment to defending Arizona's wildlife with effective direct action will not change."

• For further details, see our previous story and our daily coverage of the trial:
• Pre-trial case summary from last week.
  
• Update: Day One of Trial, Wednesday December 7
• Update: Day Two of Trial, Thursday December 8
  
• Update:Morning of Day Three of Trial, Friday, December 9
  
• Update:Afternoon of Day Three of Trial, Friday, December 9
  
• Day Four of Trial (including closing arguments)
  

Also see Earth First!'s website for further information.

Over the past several decades students and faculty of the University of California, often in tandem with nuclear disarmament NGOs in California and New Mexico, have conducted a series of campaigns to end the UC's involvement in nuclear weapons research, design, testing, and production at the Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore laboratories. These campaigns represent an important contribution to the global nuclear abolition movement, which historian Lawrence Wittner has described as "the largest, most dynamic international citizens' movement of modern times."

A new, comprehensive resource for information on the University of California's role in the design, research, testing, and production -- every nuclear weapon in the US arsenal was designed by a UC employee! -- is now online. The Web site, ucnuclearfree.org, is intended to give students, faculty, staff, and community members a clearinghouse of information to strengthen their efforts in trying to sever university involvement in the production and maintenance of weapons of mass destruction.

The issue of UC weapons lab management has become especially timely in recent months. Within the next two weeks, the Department of Energy is expected to select a new contractor to "manage" the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the legendary facility responsible for 80 percent of the nuclear weapons designs in the US arsenal. Once managed exclusively by the University of California, the LANL management contract was put up for a competitive bid this past May.

Two conglomerates are vying for the contract, one led by the University of California and Bechtel Corporation; the other, by the University of Texas and Lockheed Martin.

The other weapons lab managed by the UC, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will remain under the UC's auspices until at least 2007.

[ A People's History of UC Weapons Lab Mangement ]

see also: DeNuke UC! -- UCSC Students Rally Against Bechtel and Nuclear Proliferation

SANTA CRUZ, CA – According to a document obtained by NBC News, the Pentagon has been spying on 1,500 “suspicious incidents,” including anti-war and counter-recruitment meetings and actions throughout the nation over the past 10-month period. Among the first pages of more than 400 released, 10 college anti-war protests were listed, including UC Santa Cruz Students Against War (SAW)’s counter-recruitment protest of April 5, 2005, which was the only one to be labeled both credible and a “threat.”

Despite having dealt with both undercover police and university agents involved in the acts of surveillance and repression, the news came as a little shock to many SAW members, reaffirming long-held beliefs about the nature of the U.S. military. 3rd year student Jen Low noted the hypocrisy of the government’s messaging, reminding us that, "the notion of the Pentagon spying on peaceful protesters is a major threat to the freedoms that they claim to protect."

While the Department of Defense has not commented on the allegations, student activists assert that the rising unpopularity of the Iraq War and the inability of military recruiters to meet their quotas make the counter-recruitment movement a strong candidate for repression by a “homeland security” apparatus run amok.

[ Original MSNBC story ] [ DoD Database of domestic 'threats' (.pdf) ]

Audio: Rockin' the Boat: DoD Spying on Counter-Recruitment Organizers

see also: Pentagon spying at UCSC: Standards for our Country, Standards for Ourselves

from Pittsburgh IMC: POG returns to Oakland Recruiting Station

previous coverage: Wanted - information about under-cop || Rally, Queer Kiss-in Greet Military Recruiters at UCSC || UCSC Students Kick Military Recruiters Off Campus

la-imc coverage: The Pentagon Spied on Anti-war Protest in Hollywood.

sd-imc coverage: We Will Not Be Intimidated By Pentagon Spying | more

Negotiations over a new contract between the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Transport Workers Union Local 100 have been tense. The MTA has entrenched around demands for givebacks, while the TWU have stood militant against them.

So far, the most contentious of these giveback demands have been those regarding the benefits of new workers, with new hires having a raised retirement age and assuming a greater burden for healthcare and pensions. The TWU's president, Roger Toussaint, has declared that such a deal is unacceptable and compared it to "sacrificing the young.

Update: DEA agents return after dark, ransack HopeNet dispensary
Dec 20th, 2005: At 6:30 AM, DEA agents raided the house of the directors of HopeNet, one of San Francisco's most respected medical marijuana dispensaries. 122 plants were confiscated but there were no arrests. Later in the morning DEA vans parked in front of the dispensary itself, awaiting a search warrant. As the DEA waited, over 75 patients rallied in front of HopeNet. A press conference was held at 1:00pm. Sup. Chris Daly addressed the crowd, remarking that HopeNet was one of the most highly regarded dispensaries in the city.  Photos | Report
Read More On Indybay's Drug War and San Francisco Pages

Chelsea Gerlach was arraigned on new charges today following indictments by the Federal Grand Jury in Eugene last week. Numerous charges have been added related to an arson at Childer's Meat Company in Eugene on May 19, 1999 and another at Jefferson Poplar Farm in Clatskanie on May 21, 2001. I didn't catch the number of charges related to the Childer's fire, but she has been charged with 14 counts related to the Clatskanie fire.

The US attorney gleefully announced that Chelsea was facing 290 years in federal detention if convicted, when Chelsea's lawyer asked for another detention hearing to have Chelsea released on bail pending trial... Her lawyer asserted that the only evidence the Government has brought forth appears to be the testimony of confidential informants.

read more >>

Court Report: Kevin Tubbs Arraigned on Romania Checrolet Charges

In Federal Magistrate Thomas Coffin's courtroom today, Kevin Tubbs was arraigned on 36 new charges related to the March 30th, 2001, arson at Romania Chevrolet in Eugene. He is being charged separately for each of the 35 vehicles destroyed, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence for each vehicle of 5 years, with the maximum penalty being 20 years PER VEHICLE. In addition, he is being charged with an Enhancement for the use of an "incendiary bomb" which carries a mandatory minimum sentence under Oregon's Measure 11 sentencing rules of 30 years.

There will be a detention hearing for Kevin on January 3rd at 1:30 in the Federal Courthouse. Kevin's attorney will argue for his release pending trial.

read more >>

Over the coming days, NYC Indymedia will be providing complete coverage of the TWU Local 100 transit strike. Please share your stories with us.

Photos: Mob Scene at Penn Station || New Yorkers Live Without Public Transit || Photo Essay: NYC Transit Strike

Audio (and Video!): Building Bridges Radio Special || Wakeupcall || Democracy Now: Stanley Aronowitz vs the Manhattan Institute

Features: Transit Workers Take Control (12/22) || Beyond the Nickel and Dime, Transit Strike Is Our Strike (12/21) ||A Real "People's Strike"? (12/21) || In 1918, a Scab Motorman Caused Worst Wreck in Subway History (12/21) || STRIKE! (12/20) || TWU Workers Make Last Stand at Pataki's Office (12/19) || Talks At a Standstill (12/17) || My Day With The TWU (12/14)

From the Newswire: TWU: Blame the Mayor and the Pataki (12/22) || Anti-War Movement Meets the Strike: Troops Out Now Calls a Rally (12/22) || A Strike For Dignity (12/22) || RTW Strike Bulletin #2 (12/22) || New Strike Logistics List (12/22) || Put The Hammer Down on Spitzer (12/22) || General Strike? (12/22) || Petition (12/22)

December 22nd: There have been a number of developments in the cases of the eco-defense defendants who were arrested earlier this month and who face the holidays in prison cells. Daniel Mc Gowan was denied bail based on a conversation that was recorded without his consent. The co-defendant in the charges that he faces is apparently an informant. Bill Rodgers was found dead in an apparent suicide in his cell in Arizona, in spite of the strong support that he had received from his community. A former Animal Liberation Front prisoner has received a subpoena for a grand jury hearing.

Read more on Indybay's Environment and Forest Defense, Police and Prisons, and US News Pages

Kim Singh, the Executive Director of the Asian American Public Policy Institute, says, "I bring this to you after being in INS detention for 2 months. I was detained by INS (now called the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement) for no specific reason and was slated for deportation to India. While in INS custody I met with other detainees who have been in INS detention for period ranging from a few years to one Sikh detainee who has been in INS limbo for 9 years being shunted form one INS facility to another.... I managed to get released, because I am reasonably articulate and know my rights. I was raising hell when in illegal detention!"

Read more on Indybay's Immigrant Rights News Page

American leaders are now debating and defending torture during this season of “Peace on Earth, Good Will towards Men” – I mean it’s all so ghastly. And the most ironic aspect in all of this argument is that those who defend this abusive policy the loudest are the very same who are fired up over the alleged “war on Christmas.”

see also: 'Twas the Day Before Christmas || A Christmas Story- Devotees Arrested for Chanting Hare Krishna || Happy Holidays... to Everyone || Buy Nothing Christmas || A Christmas Greeting to Bush/Cheney and Sen. Smith || Why I Don't Really Care For Christmas

A man known to the neighborhood around Felicity and St. Charles as a harmless but friendly mentally-disabled individual was shot Monday afternoon by Sixth District New Orleans Police. Witnesses reported at least ten bullet casings on the ground after police opened fire on the man. Although the police spokesman said that the man lunged at a police officer with a [three inch] knife before he was shot, witnesses all say that the man was backing up when he was shot numerous times by police. Staff at the Burger King nearby say that the victim was a daily customer there, and never hurt or threatened anyone. Onlookers expressed anger at the police for responding with excessive force to the situation, and for taking this man's life unnecessarily. One shouted at police after the incident, "Are your officers not trained to disarm a man with a knife without using lethal force?"

Sixth District officers are already under fire for their excessive behavior in several incidents, including harassment of relief volunteers and unlawful search of peoples' homes. This incident calls into question the legitimacy of a police force known both historically and recently for corruption and brutality.
Pictures from the murder scene

Other incidents of police violence:
Police beating of a relief volunteer |  Common Ground Press Conference on Police Accountability after volunteer Greg Griffith was arrested |  Update from Friends and Families of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children

[permalink] Chicago, Dec 28 (TNS) - The Chicago Transit Authority is refusing an opportunity to alleviate commuting costs for hundreds of thousands in the Windy City's low-income neighborhoods. Instead of accepting deeply discounted fuel from the Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum Corporation, the city is insteadraising fares to solve budget shortfalls.

In an October meeting with representatives from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the city's Department of Energy and other city officials, Citgo unveiled a plan to provide the Chicago with low-cost diesel fuel. The company's stipulation, at the bidding of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was that the CTA, in turn, pass those savings on to poor residents in the form of free or discounted fare cards.

But two months later, despite claims of a looming budget crisis, the CTA president "has no intent or plan to accept the offer," according to CTA spokesperson Ibis Antongiorgi. She gave no explanation. Read More

Related Links: The New Standard
Related Stories: Venezuela Begins Low-Cost Heating Oil Program in New York

Media Activists Organizing to Bring Air America to Nashville On Friday, December 30th local media activists, inspired by the recent successes of Radio Free Nashville, "Liberadio" on WRVU, and "The Truth" on WVOL, media activists have begun organizing to bring Air America to Nashville. Nashville, a poor media market for progressive talk radio and community media, has recently begun seeing a transformation in its market, beginning with the success of Radio Free Nashville this spring, which was the first community radio station to be formed in middle Tennessee in recent years and the first radio station to regularly host programs such as "Democracy NOW" by Amy Goodman and Free Speech Radio News.