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Syndicated Articles From Local Imc's for December 2007
January 2008 >> << November 2007
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Dec 01 2007
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CONSERVATION GROUPS CHALLENGE DHS WAIVER POWER AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL |
Border Wall Construction Continues on the San Pedro River Despite Federal Injunction and Impact on Communities and the Environment
On November 1 several environmental organizations with offices in Arizona filed an amended complaint in U.S. district court which challenges as unconstitutional the Bush administration’s power to single-handedly waive any and all United States laws to continue construction of border wall segments in environmentally sensitive areas.... Read More>>
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Dec 01 2007
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Man with 'bomb' takes hostages in Hillary Clinton's Rochester office |
At 1pm today, Nov. 30, a man entered Clinton's campaign office claiming to have a bomb and took two of the campaign volunteers hostage. As of 3pm, both hostages have been released.
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Dec 01 2007
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Santa Barbara Hosts Another Really Really Free Market |
This 7th Really Really Free Market in Santa Barbara included not only free items and dinner from Food Not Bombs, but also an array of workshops and demonstrations, ranging from free guitar lessons to how to live off the grid through bike power. The Market was visited by the Ginger Ninjas, a group of traveling bikers who generate both the power for their own personal needs and for running sound systems completely independant of the grid! After running all the power needed for a music show at the Bicicentro the night before, they graciously volunteered to give an in-depth workshop on how to build a system of converting the energy from the spinning of the tires into volts which can be stored or used at the time to power electronics such as recharging laptop batteries and sound systems. This was certainly the main attraction of the day! Full article & pics from the newswire: Santa Barbara Hosts Another Really Really Free Market by Ang
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Dec 02 2007
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Massachusetts Immigration Summit |
The first MIRA Summit is coming up on Saturday, December 8th. The summit will be an unprecedented opportunity for immigrant rights organizations from all across Massachusetts to unite around common goals and coordinate efforts across the state. MIRA members, partners, and allies will network, learn, and strategize about the issues affecting our communities. DECEMBER 8th 9 am- 3:30pm Clark University, Tilton Hall 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610
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Dec 02 2007
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Dec 13th: Mural or Menace? The Mural Kings |
"TATS CRU: THE MURAL KINGS", is a feature length documentary, that details the story of the world famous TATS CRU; a group of Bronx-based professional muralists whose work in aerosol has changed the perception of Graffiti as art.
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Dec 02 2007
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What did Leeland Eisenberg want to talk to her about? |
It's very disturbing to me that the corporate media will not release Leeland Eisenberg's intentions even though he specifically called CNN and spoke with their staff.
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Dec 02 2007
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HUNDREDS PACK ADOT PUBLIC MEETING TO OPPOSE I-10 BYPASS |
New Highway Would Cut Through Communities, Conservation Areas Concerned Arizona residents, ecologists and academics turned out in force on the night of Wednesday, November 29 to oppose the Arizona Department of Transportation's (ADOT's) plans to construct an Interstate 10 highway bypass intended to allow heavy trucking traffic to avoid the area between Phoenix and Tucson. Much of the opposition centered around the fact that all proposed routes would pass through critical ecological areas, including the San Pedro Riparian Corridor, Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness or Saguaro National Park. In the hour allotted for public comment after the ADOT presentation, approximately 40 people spoke out passionately against the bypass plan, with only one voice in favor... Read More>>
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Dec 02 2007
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Stop the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 |
There will be a meeting focused on how to stop this act from passing into law and how to confront this climate of fear on Tuesday December 4th at 7:30 p.m. at Stone Soup. For more info Contact Anne anne@riseup.net To Sign a petition against this piece of Legislation go to http://www.petitiononline.com/S1959/petition.html You can read the version of the bill that the House of Reps passed here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h1955/show Read the proposed Senate version here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-s1959/show
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Dec 02 2007
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48 arrested in White House AIDS protest |
On Nov 30, 48 people (by NBC's count) were arrested protesting George Bush's deadly "abstinance-only" excuses for AIDS programs. Surrounding themselves with red tape, they essentially demanded that Bush and the GOP get out of the way. Audio 6 min 8 sec: http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/13/aids_day_cd.mp3
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Dec 02 2007
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Denver Takes Chipotle's "Food With Integrity" to Task |
On December 1st students, local faith leaders and other community leaders rallied in downtown Denver to protest Chipotle's continued support for exploitation in the fields their tomatoes are picked.
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Dec 02 2007
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U.S. Companies Behind Anti-Reform Propaganda in Venezuela |
Article 115 protects new forms of social and collective property.
Thousands of Venezuelans, many of them Chavez supporters, have bought the exaggerations and lies about Venezuela's Constitutional Reform that have been circulating across the country for months. Just a few weeks ago, however, the disinformation campaign ratcheted up various notches as opposition groups and anti-reform coalitions placed large ads in major Venezuelan papers.
Last week, after a barrage of illegal propaganda on the part of both the pro and anti reform camps, Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) began to crack down, following through with their promise to regulate the propaganda. Although published as an anonymous article, Lucena announced that according to the official tax number (RIF) published with the article, the advertisement was actually placed by the Cámara de Industriales del estado Carabobo (The Carabobo State Chamber of Industry).The CIEC is a 71 year-old organization, headquartered in the Carabobo state capital of Valencia, which groups together more than 250 businesses in the region. Among those are dozens of subsidiaries which compose literally a who's who list of some of the largest and most powerful US corporations, including (among others): Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Bridgestone Firestone, Goodyear, Alcoa, Shell, Pfizer, Dupont, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Kraft, Novartis, Unilever, Heinz, Johnson & Johnson, Citibank, Colgate Palmolive, DHL and Owens Illinois.
It makes sense why US corporations based in Venezuela would be against the reform. Various articles, if applied, could potentially cut in on potential profits, such as the reform of article 301.
Thousands of Venezuelans, many of them Chavez supporters, have bought the exaggerations and lies about Venezuela's Constitutional Reform that have been circulating across the country for months. Just a few weeks ago, however, the disinformation campaign ratcheted up various notches as opposition groups and anti-reform coalitions placed large ads in major Venezuelan papers.
Last week, after a barrage of illegal propaganda on the part of both the pro and anti reform camps, Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) began to crack down, following through with their promise to regulate the propaganda. Although published as an anonymous article, Lucena announced that according to the official tax number (RIF) published with the article, the advertisement was actually placed by the Cámara de Industriales del estado Carabobo (The Carabobo State Chamber of Industry).The CIEC is a 71 year-old organization, headquartered in the Carabobo state capital of Valencia, which groups together more than 250 businesses in the region. Among those are dozens of subsidiaries which compose literally a who's who list of some of the largest and most powerful US corporations, including (among others): Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Bridgestone Firestone, Goodyear, Alcoa, Shell, Pfizer, Dupont, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Kraft, Novartis, Unilever, Heinz, Johnson & Johnson, Citibank, Colgate Palmolive, DHL and Owens Illinois.
It makes sense why US corporations based in Venezuela would be against the reform. Various articles, if applied, could potentially cut in on potential profits, such as the reform of article 301.
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Dec 02 2007
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US "Diplomacy" from Annapolis to Pakistan: Do as You're Told, or We'll Kill You |
Of course, that's not how the argument starts, but tends to be where it ends up. No one involved in the recent so-called "Peace" Summit in Annapolis even pretended that it might achieve a substantive agreement on the issues. Instead, as NPR recently reported, "the Israelis and Palestinians are… expected to recommit themselves through confidence-building measures that they agreed to four years ago as part of the so-called roadmap to peace."
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Dec 03 2007
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Farmworkers, allies march on Burger King! |
More than 1,500 farmworkers from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their allies took to the streets of Miami yesterday on a 9-mile march to Burger King headquarters to deliver a message from the fields.......
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Dec 03 2007
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International Human Rights Day - Join us for a vigil! |
Escuela Tlatelolco Invites All Community to support International Human Rights Day
December 11th, 2007
CandleLight Vigil at Viking Park
5:30 to 6:30 PM
December 11th, 2007
CandleLight Vigil at Viking Park
5:30 to 6:30 PM
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Dec 03 2007
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Black activist has rights violated and is attacked in home by Denver Police |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Larry Hales
720-979-9491, denverwwp@yahoo.com
Melissa Kleinman
303-594-8020, kmanbug@hotmail.com
Shareef Aleem
720-436-7606
Black activist has rights violated and is attacked in home by Denver Police
Press conference set for Monday, Dec. 3rd 7pm @ Denver Police Headquarters 1331 Cherokee St. Denver, CO 80204 720-913-2000.
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Dec 03 2007
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Notes from DNC Vision/Critique Session |
Unconventional Denver, a faction of the anarchist/anti-authoritarian network Unconventional Action (UA), hosted a discussion open to Denver community members involved in protesting the DNC to hear their ideas, concerns and other thoughts about what the DNC protests hold for our work for justice.
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Dec 03 2007
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Council of Churches Supports Casino Free Mass Coalition |
The National Gambling Impact Study, created and funded by Congress, found that the rate of problem and addicted gamblers doubles within a 50-mile radius of a new casino. All interested clergy, lay leaders and local citizens are invited to a community forum. Casinos in Massachusetts will affect all of us, even those who don't gamble. Come to learn more about the issue and why casinos hurt families, hurt jobs and don't solve states' budget problems. Mass. Council of Churches staff and members of the state-wide citizens coalition Casino Free Mass will discuss the status of the governor's casinos proposal, strategies for education in the churches and opportunities for collaboration with local casino-free initiatives.
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Dec 03 2007
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Action Alert - Vote Solar |
Don’t Let Congress Pull the Plug on Solar Energy, Jobs and Economic Growth.
Local Renewable Energy creates three times more jobs than fossil fuel or energy imported from other regions.
Keep Our Country strong Like a Rock.
The final 2007 Energy Bill is taking shape right now in Washington, with House and Senate negotiators determining what will stay in the final package. Your help is critically needed to ensure important solar provisions stay in this legislation.
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Dec 03 2007
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UPDATE CALL TO ACTION! Pledge of resistance in defense of the right to housing in New Orleans |
December 10th is Human Rights Day. Come to New Orleans December 10th and join the Stop the Demolition Coalition as we mount a campaign to stop the demolition of public housing. Read More...
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Dec 03 2007
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Demonstrators denied access to Miami’s Fisher Island, SEIU plans lawsuit |
On Sunday morning, December 2nd, Farmworkers and supporters from around the country demonstrated against the discrimination Fisher Island workers are subjected to on the island and on the ferry that takes them to the island. Demonstrators were denied access to the ferry to reach the public beach on the island for a noon picnic with performances by live bands. So, the picnic and a rally were held at the the Fisher Island ferry entrance.
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Dec 03 2007
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The Bike Farm - New PDX Bike Co-op |
The Bicycle Farm is a non-profit learning space run by volunteers who believe that bicycles are an ideal (and fun!) mode of transportation. Our mission is to promote the bicycle as a fun, safe, and accessible form of transportation, to foster healthy urban communities, and to provide a welcoming space to learn about building maintaining, and riding bicycles.
The Bike Farm is entirely volunteer-based, with core members and volunteers, both of whom can earn privileges based on time and commitment.
The Bike Farm is entirely volunteer-based, with core members and volunteers, both of whom can earn privileges based on time and commitment.
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Dec 03 2007
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PRESS CONFERENCE: Was P.O. Daniel Faulkner really "Murdered By Mumia"? |
Journalists and activists will present evidence of Mumia's innocence and an unfair trial at NOON, Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at The A-Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave. Come see a slide-show presentation of newly discovered crime scene photos, as well as presentations by local journalists David A. Love and Dave Lindorff, and Pam Africa of The International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Coverage of "Murdered By Mumia" began in Sunday's Inquirer, and will continue with the Dec.6 Today Show, and beyond. Please contact the media, urging them to attend our press conference, so "the other side of the story," can be fairly presented (download press release).
While waiting for an official reponse from NBC's The Today Show, ICFFMAJ urges supporters to continue emailing NBC, and to publicize the Dec.6 NYC picket and Dec.8 protest at Philadelphia City Hall (download "MURDERED BY MUMIA?" flyer).
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Dec 03 2007
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Labor Abuse and Dishonest Development in Rochester's 19th Ward |
Members of the Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters Union, Local 85, picketed outside of the Brooks Landing Project at the corner of Genesee St and Brooks Ave in the 19th ward because of the unrealistically low labor cost projections offered by Christenson Construction Management, which lead to exploitative hiring practices as well as failure to provide living wages for workers, according to a report filed by Jon Chiarella on R-IMC.
Friday, November 30th, brought, "…giant inflated rats, representing the practices by the construction project's management—who, in a Local 85 member's words, “…just sit in that trailer and rip people off.”
During the same week, City Newspaper reported that residents from the Plymouth Exchange Neighborhood Association (PLEX) were outraged by the construction of a "dramatically different" Riverview Apartments development from what they were shown last February at a community forum. The new apartments, slated to house 400 University of Rochester students being built by Matrix Development Corporation, will look more like a "prison" or "gated community," where the, "…'haves' are separated from the 'have-nots,' if it is built according to current plans."
Friday, November 30th, brought, "…giant inflated rats, representing the practices by the construction project's management—who, in a Local 85 member's words, “…just sit in that trailer and rip people off.”
During the same week, City Newspaper reported that residents from the Plymouth Exchange Neighborhood Association (PLEX) were outraged by the construction of a "dramatically different" Riverview Apartments development from what they were shown last February at a community forum. The new apartments, slated to house 400 University of Rochester students being built by Matrix Development Corporation, will look more like a "prison" or "gated community," where the, "…'haves' are separated from the 'have-nots,' if it is built according to current plans."
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Dec 03 2007
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Berkeley Memorial Grove Tree-Sit Anniversary |
On December 2, dozens of supporters marked the one-year anniversary of the tree sits at the Memorial Grove in Berkeley. Bands played, Circus Pandemonium performed, free food was served and protesters marched. On November 20th, UC Berkeley completed the construction of a second barbed-wire fence around the Memorial Oak Grove. The fencing was built to enclose approximately ten tree-sitters inside and has cost an estimated $115,000. The University has announced it can fine or arrest anyone acting "in concert" with the tree-sitters.
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Dec 03 2007
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EarthVision Environmental Film Festival - Director's Pick 2007 |
EarthVision International Environmental Film Festival highlights films about crucial ecological issues, provides a venue for independent filmmakers from around the world and inspires people to get involved in creating positive change for the planet. EarthVision and the Sustainability Club of Cabrillo College will screen the EarthVision 2007 - Director's Pick at the Cabrillo College Cafeteria on Wednesday, December 5th from 5-8pm.
The following award winning films will be screened at the event: Repercussions, Global Focus III, Linear Progression, Ahmed and the Return of the Arab Phoenix, and Garden Insects. Read More
EarthVision 2008 will be held March 3rd-8th, 2008 with a special screening on Earth Day. Award winning films will be screened at the Mello Center in Watsonville and at the Rio Theatre and the Veteran's Memorial Hall in Santa Cruz. EarthVision will culminate with a celebration honoring the filmmakers and people on the front lines of the environmental movement.
The following award winning films will be screened at the event: Repercussions, Global Focus III, Linear Progression, Ahmed and the Return of the Arab Phoenix, and Garden Insects. Read More
EarthVision 2008 will be held March 3rd-8th, 2008 with a special screening on Earth Day. Award winning films will be screened at the Mello Center in Watsonville and at the Rio Theatre and the Veteran's Memorial Hall in Santa Cruz. EarthVision will culminate with a celebration honoring the filmmakers and people on the front lines of the environmental movement.
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Dec 03 2007
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Another Fox Tower, But No Due Process |
Moyer Tower, bigger than Fox Tower and only a block away, is getting no due process from the Design Commission.
The Moyer Tower project was presented to the public from the get-go, not as a project proposal in process, but as a fait accompli. The message to the public: "This is a done deal. Stay away."
This proposed 35-story immensity, bulkier than Fox Tower and just a block away, has huge impacts and issues that deserve an honest process. One developer, who has already stamped a footprint upon midtown like no one else, wants to use dubious FAR-transfer stratagems to grab another four million cubic feet of midtown airspace. He, and a submissive Commission, want to do this with only a restricted and perfunctory affectation of a real due-process. His so-called land-use review is held as an afterthought, following a design review. That's doing the process backwards.
Mr. Moyer, there is a civic dimension to all of this that you ignore. You think you are so magnanimous for donating Block 5 to the city for a park, but we notice that you have built a profitable six-level parking lot under it, that you have tried to put a big upscale restaurant on the surface of it, and that now you want to steal the air space over it in order to erect another oppressive skyscraper next to it.
Next Land-use hearing: December 6,
Be there and protest!
1900 SW 4th, 1:30 PM
The Moyer Tower project was presented to the public from the get-go, not as a project proposal in process, but as a fait accompli. The message to the public: "This is a done deal. Stay away."
This proposed 35-story immensity, bulkier than Fox Tower and just a block away, has huge impacts and issues that deserve an honest process. One developer, who has already stamped a footprint upon midtown like no one else, wants to use dubious FAR-transfer stratagems to grab another four million cubic feet of midtown airspace. He, and a submissive Commission, want to do this with only a restricted and perfunctory affectation of a real due-process. His so-called land-use review is held as an afterthought, following a design review. That's doing the process backwards.
Mr. Moyer, there is a civic dimension to all of this that you ignore. You think you are so magnanimous for donating Block 5 to the city for a park, but we notice that you have built a profitable six-level parking lot under it, that you have tried to put a big upscale restaurant on the surface of it, and that now you want to steal the air space over it in order to erect another oppressive skyscraper next to it.
Next Land-use hearing: December 6,
Be there and protest!
1900 SW 4th, 1:30 PM
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Dec 03 2007
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Empty Buildings, Crowded Shelters |
On November 26th, Picture the Homeless and the Charles H. Revson Fellowship co-sponsored a panel at Columbia University entitled "Empty Buildings, Crowded Shelters." A packed house came to hear about the intersections of homelessness, housing policy, and vacant property.
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Dec 04 2007
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Last Night DIY Celebration Returns for Third Year |
Last Night DIY writes, "New Year's 2007, the Last Night DIY Parade and Street Party will take over the streets. This year the do-it-yourself, grassroots celebration returns [to Santa Cruz] with even more ambitions plans that include a parade, street party, entertainment, and performers well into the night. Organizers hope to attract musicians, street theater performers, puppet shows, square dancers, and circus acts to take over downtown for a whole evening of DIY adventure and entertainment."
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Dec 04 2007
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Free Trade: Do Smith & Wyden support Oregon workers? |
Peru Free Trade Agreement threatens jobs
The U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement, if passed in the Senate, would offshore even more Oregon jobs while accelerating poverty in Peru. One might call the Peru Trade Agreement a lose-lose for American and Peruvian workers.
We have seen Congressman Walden vote against Oregon worker interests and soon we will see where Senators Smith and Wyden stand. Perhaps readers have an opinion for the senators (Smith, 503-326-3386; Wyden, 503-326-7525).
The U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement, if passed in the Senate, would offshore even more Oregon jobs while accelerating poverty in Peru. One might call the Peru Trade Agreement a lose-lose for American and Peruvian workers.
We have seen Congressman Walden vote against Oregon worker interests and soon we will see where Senators Smith and Wyden stand. Perhaps readers have an opinion for the senators (Smith, 503-326-3386; Wyden, 503-326-7525).
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Dec 04 2007
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Chavistas Lose Referendum in a 'Photo Finish' |
By a margin of 1.4 percent, the forces of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez lost a December 2 vote on a referendum of social programs that also would have lifted term limits for the presidency. The United States reportedly spent $8 million dollars to sway the vote, and a CIA document uncovered by the Chavistas spelled out a thorough program of psy-ops and destabilization.
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Dec 04 2007
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Oakland Rally Before City Council to Demand Safe Access to Reproductive Health Services |
Anti-choice protesters have reportedly been harassing, intimidating, threatening, and blocking patients, friends, family, and staff of reproductive health clinics in Oakland for years. The City of Oakland and East Bay clinics are uniting to support and ordinance protecting safe and unresticted access to clinics. On Tuesday, December 4th, Oakland's City Council will consider an ordinance that would define penalties for those who try to interfere with access to clinics. Supporters will gather outside of City Hall for a 5pm rally.
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Dec 04 2007
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Residents protest casino approvals |
Residents were angered by news of two separate decisions announced yesterday that make the construction of both the SugarHouse and Foxwoods Casinos much more likely. Read More>> | Photo from Hallwatch.Related: Council of Churches Supports Casino Free Mass Coalition
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Dec 04 2007
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Adalah-NY Responds to Leviev, Plans Additional Protest |
“Leviev claims that we are ignorant of his activities. We know that he is destroying West Bank Palestinian communities like Bil’in and Jayyous with the Israeli settlements his companies are building,” said Ethan Heitner of Adalah-NY. “The five settlements where he has built homes threaten to derail the negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians that started in Annapolis last week. They carve the West Bank into disconnected enclaves, seize valuable resources, and isolate Jerusalem, rendering the creation of a viable Palestinian state impossible. Leviev’s philanthropy in other parts of the world is small compensation for his contribution to inflaming arguably the world’s most important political conflict.”
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Dec 04 2007
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STOP Gordon Smith Rally in Medford, OR, 12/5/07 |
Dear Friends of Citizens for Peace & Justice --
Please join us between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm this Wednesday, Dec. 5th, at the Security Plaza building at 1175 E. Main St. in Medford to hold Gordon Smith accountable. This protest, organized by the Democratic Party of Oregon statewide and by Citizens for Peace & Justice locally, is one of several being held at all of Smith's Oregon field offices.
Citizens for Peace and Justice
http://www.medfordcpj.org
Please join us between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm this Wednesday, Dec. 5th, at the Security Plaza building at 1175 E. Main St. in Medford to hold Gordon Smith accountable. This protest, organized by the Democratic Party of Oregon statewide and by Citizens for Peace & Justice locally, is one of several being held at all of Smith's Oregon field offices.
Citizens for Peace and Justice
http://www.medfordcpj.org
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Dec 04 2007
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Corporate abuse exposing unfair labor practices in violation Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Union Corruption involving Local 435 |
News Tip: Evidence of audio tracks secretly recorded during grievance proceedings at UPS Denver, CO. regarding drivers continuous ongoing-payroll problems, and was accused of an allegation having no merit to these accusations was discriminated, harassed and abused during these proceedings as Teamsters local union 435 stood by and allowed this abusive behavior from the company (UPS) to continue... read more
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Dec 04 2007
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Action Alert - Vote Solar |
Don’t Let Congress Pull the Plug on Solar Energy, Jobs and Economic Growth.
Local Renewable Energy creates three times more jobs than fossil fuel or energy imported from other regions.
Keep Our Country strong Like a Rock.
The final 2007 Energy Bill is taking shape right now in Washington, with House and Senate negotiators determining what will stay in the final package. Your help is critically needed to ensure important solar provisions stay in this legislation.
TAKE ACTION – 4 Easy Steps:
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Dec 04 2007
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ART FOR PEACE'S SAKE in Miami, 12/1-1/30 (600 Foot Peace Mural on Exhibit) |
Peace activist and internationally acclaimed artist Anna Huong is showing her entire 12-year collection for the first time, a spectacular and timely body of work that addresses the worldwide issues of war and peace with a power that lingers in all who experience it. Huong, a Vietnam war refugee and self-taught artist whose autobiographical pieces are haunting in both their beauty and horror, will display her 600-foot-long, interactive Peace Mural and emotionally griping War Pieces exhibit – just blocks away from Art Basel (Dec. 6-9).
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Dec 04 2007
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Pres Carter: BK supports market system that keeps workers in sub-poverty conditions |
Pres Carter: BK supports market system that keeps workers in sub-poverty conditions
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Dec 05 2007
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Why a DC Congestion Charge |
Why a DC Congestion Charge: consider health, air pollution and global warming
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Dec 05 2007
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Fighting for Justice, One Building at a Time |
Movement for Justice in El Barrio has been fighting the effects of neoliberalism in East Harlem. Two years ago they decided to connect their struggles to struggles all over the globe when they became adherents to the Zapatistas' Sixth Declaration. They recently conducted a presentation explaining their own work and their relationship to the Zapatistas.
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Dec 05 2007
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Coos County Makes Recommendations AGAINST LNG! |
In a surprising turn of events, a Coos County hearings officer recommended that the land use application for the Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal be rejected. She previously recommended that a second application for a different part of the project be approved. Her decision could mark a turning of the tide in the fight against LNG in Southern Oregon. Public comment was skewed 10 to 1 in opposition to the project during hearings in September in Coquille. Citizens Against LNG, Umpqua Watersheds, Friends of Living Oregon Waters (FLOW), the Southern Oregon Pipeline Information Project, Oregon Shores, and Sierra Club all worked to persuade the hearings officer that the project was a threat to the public safety, economy, and environment of the Coos Bay Area. Read More>>
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Dec 05 2007
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Indypendent Reader No. 6: "Police, Crime, and Restorative Justice" |
A look at crime, community-based approaches to intervention and mediation, Baltimore police history, 'stop snitching' in historical perspective, civil resistance activism, and a contribution by political prisoner Marshall Eddie Conway….Updates on the struggles of stadium cleaning workers, hotel workers, and residents in East Baltimore. Know your rights!
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Dec 05 2007
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Historical Marker to Sacco and Vanzetti Rededicated in the North End of Boston |
Nearly 40 people braved the Boston cold on Saturday, December 1st. 2007, to unveil and rededicate a historical marker for Sacco and Vanzetti in the North End. The plaque was reinstalled at 256 Hanover Street, the place where the Sacco and Vanzetti Defense Committee functioned from 1925 to 1927.
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Dec 05 2007
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Activists Open 10 Year-Old Roadblock, Again |
Israeli and international solidarity activists from the Palestine Solidarity Project joined Palestinians from Beit Ommar, Surif, Al-Jab’a, and Hebron as they moved the massive interlocking cement blocks and boulders, opening a space for Palestinian vehicles to pass through. PSP has organized actions at this roadblock a number of times in the past year, in defiance of the IOF’s attempts to control Palestinian freedom of movement.
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Dec 05 2007
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Students Take a Stand for Security Guard Rights: Temple Students Meet with Allied-Barton |
Students from Temple University will meet with representatives of Allied-Barton Security Services on Thursday, December 6th, to discuss the working conditions of the university’s campus security officers. The students—members of Temple’s Student Labor Action Project (SLAP)—requested the meeting with Allied-Barton and Temple University administrators to discuss the low wages and lack of paid sick leave that Allied Baton security guards currently receive. Nic Riley, A student at the University of Pennsylvania explained, “In this meeting we intend to get straight answers from Allied and let them know that we will not back down when it comes to the rights of workers on our campuses.”
See the Media Mobilizing Project video on the security guard campaign here
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Dec 05 2007
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White Mob in Pasadena Swarms Black Protesters |
Sunday, Quannell X and his crew were chased around by a rowdy mob for arriving and trying to protest the Nov. 14 murder of two house burglars by a trigger happy Pasadena man named Joe Horn (see video).
Hill had been warned incessantly by a 9-11 operator not to leave his home and kill the men as he planned to do (audio).
you can discuss this incident with others here and read plenty of corporate news coverage here.
Hill had been warned incessantly by a 9-11 operator not to leave his home and kill the men as he planned to do (audio).
you can discuss this incident with others here and read plenty of corporate news coverage here.
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Dec 05 2007
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Ashland Daily Tidings Supports Racism & Hate! |
Rupert Murdoch owned rag goes over the line- Ashland, Oregon's local newspaper supports racism and hate speech. Editor Scot Bolsinger is shameless yet has personal responsibility for the horrible hate which is harbored by this poor example of so-called journalism. The Tidings has stooped to a new low. The paper that has been spiraling downward ever since combining with the only other daily paper in the Rogue Valley, the Medford Mail Tribune. How do you say monopoly? Lack of real news has been replaced with this disgusting cesspool of hate.
Look Hate in the face and see what you think. Examples follow...
Look Hate in the face and see what you think. Examples follow...
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Dec 05 2007
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Event: When Neoliberalism Implodes |
A Discussion with Robert Brenner & Sam Gindin. Moderated by Vivek Chibber
Fiday Dec. 7th at 7:30 pm at the Brecht Forum
Fiday Dec. 7th at 7:30 pm at the Brecht Forum
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Dec 06 2007
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Ex-Italian President: Intel Agencies Know 9/11 An Inside Job |
Former Italian President and the man who revealed the existence of Operation Gladio, Francesco Cossiga has gone public on 9/11, telling Italy's most respected newspaper that the attacks were run by the CIA and Mossad and that this was common knowledge amongst global intelligence agencies.
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Dec 06 2007
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CopWatch Miami holds press conference to condemn police beating of 74 year old man |
CopWatch and other community organizations and concerned individuals held a press conference today, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 to condemn the beating of 74 year old Bernie Dyer by the Miami Beach Police. The press conference was held in front of Bernie's apartment at 1745 Marseille Drive in Miami Beach. The beating takes place shortly after Miami-Dade police killed four (4) unarmed black men in 19 days.
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Dec 06 2007
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The Free Gaza Movement; Setting Sail to Gaza in May 2008 |
George Cadman of Free Radio Santa Cruz 101.1 FM interviewed Dr. Paul Larudee, co-founder of the Free Gaza Movement, on December 4th about plans to set sail from Cyprus to Gaza in May of 2008. The Free Gaza Movement's mission is to break the siege of Gaza. They want to raise international awareness about the prison-like closure of the Gaza Strip and pressure the international community to review its sanctions policy and end its support for continued Israeli occupation.
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Dec 06 2007
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TWO JAILED PENDING BAIL HEARING AT FT. HUACHUCA TORTURE PROTEST |
Detention Hearing for Betsy Lamb and Fr. Jerry to Take Place on December 6th
A Tucson magistrate has jailed an Oregon peace activist and a Franciscan priest from Nevada following their arrest at Fort Huachuca on November 18 for acting against the torture of military detainees... Read More>>
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Dec 06 2007
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December 5th: Anti-gentrification rally in Tacoma |
Luxury high-rises and hotels are going up in Downtown Tacoma and condos are listed for $1 million and up. Developers get millions of our tax-dollars in subsidies to increase these projects' profits. Yet, these projects are also built and serviced on the backs of mostly immigrant workers in poverty-wage non-union jobs. None of these condo projects are affordable for mixed-income workers. This scheme is causing a job and housing crisis in Pierce County, more poverty, environmental damage, an eroded tax base, and a widening gulf between rich and poor. Unfortunately, that's the way most developers and government officials hope to keep it so far.
Join the anti-gentrification rally in Tacoma Wednesday, December 5th. It's not necessarily "radical" but it's something.
Anti-Gentrification rally
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 5:15pm
37th Street and South D St., Tacoma (Pierce County Health Dept)
Join the anti-gentrification rally in Tacoma Wednesday, December 5th. It's not necessarily "radical" but it's something.
Anti-Gentrification rally
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 5:15pm
37th Street and South D St., Tacoma (Pierce County Health Dept)
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Dec 06 2007
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PUBLIC MEETINGS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE MEXICAN GRAY WOLF PROGRAM |
Endangered Population Given Rare Chance at Recovery
The Mexican gray wolf once roamed throughout the Southwest, but by the early 1970s, the lobo had been almost completely exterminated. In 1976, the lobo was listed as an endangered species, and the few remaining wolves were entered into a captive breeding program involving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and more than 40 North American zoos. In March of 1998, the Service reintroduced three family groups of Mexican wolves back into the Apache National Forest in eastern Arizona.
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Dec 06 2007
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Demo Against HR 1955 and S. 1959 |
Monday December 10th
(International Human Right's Day)
12 noon to 1:30 PM
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
780 Third Ave @ 48th Street
New York, NY 10017
Demand she Stop HR 1955 & S.1959
"The Violent Radicalization and
Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act"
(International Human Right's Day)
12 noon to 1:30 PM
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
780 Third Ave @ 48th Street
New York, NY 10017
Demand she Stop HR 1955 & S.1959
"The Violent Radicalization and
Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act"
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Dec 06 2007
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Beloved South Bronx Activist Passes Away |
Hernandez, through the Freedom Community Center, worked on helping residents in the low-income Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. The center focuses on improving housing, helping with substance abusers, job placement and other vital social services.
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Dec 06 2007
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Dec 13th: Mural or Menace? The Mural Kings @ Rice Cinema |
Co-sponsored by Objectif Magazine we will present "Tats Cru: The Mural Kings" as part of the BBoy Hodown hip-hop festival. This film screening will be followed by a panel discussion: Mural or Menace? featuring Houston City Councilors, Artists from Fine Art and Graffiti backgrounds, and some folks who don't like graffiti.
"TATS CRU: THE MURAL KINGS", is a feature length documentary, that details the story of the world famous TATS CRU; a group of Bronx-based professional muralists whose work in aerosol has changed the perception of Graffiti as art.
The film follows the world famous TATS CRU as they produce their mural for The Graffiti Hall of Fame in Harlem and prepare to uphold their title of “The Mural Kings.” Inter-cut with exclusive interviews detailing the journey that started twenty-five years ago, as three Bronx teenagers began their artistic careers by creating subway graffiti.
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Dec 06 2007
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Southern California Anarchist Conference |
Set to begin this month on December 14th this year’s Southern California Anarchist Conference seeks to present creative and positive alternatives to the state, with an emphasis on people of color as well as people from the community during a weekend that will be both fun and educational.
The three day conference is open to both anarchists and non-anarchists who are interested in learning about radical ideas, options, alternatives, and support systems. Not only will alternative ideas be presented but the conference will also focus on what concrete work is being done locally and with anarchist groups in other regions and other countries. From the calendar
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Dec 06 2007
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White Supremacist activism on the rise in Houston |
This past weekend saw white supremacist and nativist protests in Pasadena and Cypress
from the open publishing newswire: This was a very tense scene today. There were about 50 people with us and hundreds with the bikers and the white neighbors. There was a lot of shoving by the racists and horrible shouts of racial epithets during the whole protest. The "N" word was shouted and "Go back to Africa!" and other stupid things. They carried the confederate flag and the American flag.
from the open publishing newswire: This was a very tense scene today. There were about 50 people with us and hundreds with the bikers and the white neighbors. There was a lot of shoving by the racists and horrible shouts of racial epithets during the whole protest. The "N" word was shouted and "Go back to Africa!" and other stupid things. They carried the confederate flag and the American flag.
Vigilante justice seemed to be the theme of the neighbors who shouted at Quannell that if he came on to their property, they'd shoot to kill. It was a scary and sad day for humanity in Houston today! The Klan bookstore may have closed in Pasadena but their relatives are still there. [read full story]
from the open publishing newswire: What just happened in Pasadena is the same we see with the Borderwatch People at the Steubner Airline corner on Saturdays. It is scary to see how each Saturday the Borderwatch people incorporate more para-military equipment to their protests...I use to think they were old, isolated and fearful people...but in this suburb, they have a growing contigent of young people who are joining them. Seeing the confrontation in Pasadena may embolden them and if they ever get organized, all people must fear the strengthening of the hate mongering offensive to attack people's rights.
Racism is entrenched in these neighborhoods among certain sectors without a doubt. Those who stand up to them like Rev Franklin Moore and his wife Tammy have had tires slashed five times and their sons car vandalized. All incidents happen after the Moores are on the corner supporting the day laborers. Calls threatening them are a dime a dozen.
We are living very difficult times in the struggle for equality and justice. Our commitment and resolve has to move unabated and with the conscience that our efforts must prevail in defending the dignity and rights of all. [read the full story]
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Dec 06 2007
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Philadelphia 's Latino Immigrants Take up Video Cameras To Tell Their Life Stories |
On Monday December 3rd, 20 Spanish-speaking immigrants received diplomas for successfully completing the first in a series of workshops in which they were trained in video production and basic web skills. This project, developed by the Media Mobilizing Project and JUNTOS is called, "Our City, Our Voices: Immigrant Newscasts in the Digital Age." The goal of the project is to give Philadelphia’s newest inhabitants the capacity to tell their own stories and document their struggles through short digital videos. At the forefront of the growing wave of community journalism projects, Our City Our Voices is innovative in its goal of creating a community driven journalism project, which connects those most silenced, to new video technologies and Philadelphia’s wireless network.
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Dec 06 2007
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Video: Miami Fisher Island protest on Rosa Parks anniversary |
On the 52nd anniversary of the Rosa Parks' arrest, December 2, 2007, a group of Miami activists lead by Service Employees International Union tried to board a ferry to reach Florida's last segregated beach, Fisher Island, which also happens to be the richest zip code in the United States.
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Dec 06 2007
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MAYOR GORDON BOWS TO RACIST PRESSURE ON IMMIGRATION |
City of Phoenix Announces Review of Immigration Policies
On December 3 Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon announced that he would order a review of the City of Phoenix's longstanding immigration policy with an eye toward directing the police department to enforce immigration laws.
This announcement came on the heals of a lawsuit threatened by Judicial Review, a conservative D.C.-based think tank... Read More>>
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Dec 06 2007
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The Surge Protection Brigade goes to trial on Monday |
Red handprints on the window - or - 1 million innocent Iraqis dead?
Just who are the criminals here??
The Grannies and one Grandpa will be in court on Monday, Dec. 10 starting at 8:30 am in the Multnomah County Courthouse, SW 4th & Salmon.
The trial, for our Good Friday 'Blood & Roses' action at the Military Recruiting Career Center, is expected to last 3 - 4 days. We do not know which courtroom yet, but the clerk on the first floor can direct you to the assigned room. If we find out the court #, we'll post it here.
Please come and support us in our continued struggle against the illegal and immoral Iraq war.
Just who are the criminals here??
The Grannies and one Grandpa will be in court on Monday, Dec. 10 starting at 8:30 am in the Multnomah County Courthouse, SW 4th & Salmon.
The trial, for our Good Friday 'Blood & Roses' action at the Military Recruiting Career Center, is expected to last 3 - 4 days. We do not know which courtroom yet, but the clerk on the first floor can direct you to the assigned room. If we find out the court #, we'll post it here.
Please come and support us in our continued struggle against the illegal and immoral Iraq war.
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Dec 06 2007
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National media interested in local rag's endorsement for McCain |
New Hampshire's answer to The New York Post announces it wants McCain for president, and the national media seems to think NH voters will care.For those people unfamiliar with The Union Leader, Sunday's editorial endorsing Senator McCain may look like a coup for the McCain camp. Despite his lagging support, the senator has won the endorsement of the state's largest paper. But contrary to the importance given to this in the national media, for the many Granite Staters he has merely gained the support of a crank local newspaper known as "The Useless Leader.” Read More>>
Related: IMC announces latest poll results: Paul in stunning defeat
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Dec 07 2007
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Workers International League of Portland: Dissecting the Two-Party System |
It often takes direct experience to better understand one's surroundings; whether it be a toddler's mastering of cause and effect, or for our purposes, realizing the Democratic Party's true nature. This latest life lesson has been taught to us by the Democrats themselves, who, public opinion cast aside, have continued to support the Iraq War, not to mention other collusions with the Republicans on many matters that represent "high crimes and misdemeanors".
Millions who had sincere illusions in the Democrats have been shocked at how rapidly the illusory divide between the two parties has disappeared, especially over the last few years. We must explain the common class interests shared by both parties so that working people can begin the process of building our own political alternative. Otherwise, the current situation of war, inequality, and racism will only continue to intensify.
Millions who had sincere illusions in the Democrats have been shocked at how rapidly the illusory divide between the two parties has disappeared, especially over the last few years. We must explain the common class interests shared by both parties so that working people can begin the process of building our own political alternative. Otherwise, the current situation of war, inequality, and racism will only continue to intensify.
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Dec 07 2007
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Critical Mass Miami Downtown December Ride: Saturday 12/8!!! |
Friends and Fellow Cyclists......As many of you know, Art Basel is this weekend, and to celebrate, Critical Mass will be riding through downtown and Wynwood! We have organized with a German art group F.I.T. who set up several art co-ops in former gas stations. Instead of filling up your gas tank, fill up on creativity! We will be riding by the F.I.T. stations, enjoying art, snacks and music!
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Dec 07 2007
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United States v Winslow Friday: Important Native Case Coming Up December 17th! |
Please read the call for support below in the case of United States v Winslow Friday.
Further info can be read here, shedding light on the Eagle repository issues for Native peoples, and as quoted here, "It is clear to this court," U.S. District Judge William Downes wrote in his ruling, "that the government has no intention of accommodating the religious beliefs of Native Americans except on its own terms and in its own good time.": http://www.constitutioncenter.org/education/TeachingwithCurrentEvents/Co...
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Dec 07 2007
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Lobato Case Victory! Key Claims Against City of Denver Going to Trial! |
From a local community member:
Congratulations to Ken Padilla and the Lobato Family for winning this key victory in the struggle against Police Brutality in Denver. As the article explains below, Judge Babcock ruled that several supervisory claims and lack of training claims survived Summary Judgment. This demonstrates that we're not talking about "one bad apple" (e.g., Office Rajan Ford, the shooter). Rather, the policies, procedures, and culture of the DPD have been indicted.
Go to the RMN article here:
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Dec 07 2007
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IMC announces latest poll results: Paul in stunning defeat |
Vermin Supreme has swept to victory in the latest NH Independent Media Center [NH IMC] presidential poll, garnering the support of 48 percent of respondents. His closest rival, Texas congressman Ron Paul, trailed Vermin Supreme by four percentage points in the hotly contested poll.
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Dec 07 2007
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Oklahoma Hate Actions raise awareness in Oklahoma City |
OKC Faith Leaders Protest Hate Crimes and Support Federal Anti-Hate Crimes Legislation
(S 1105, Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 )
Events planned in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, December 4, will respond to the recent hate murder in the city of Steven Domer, targetted, according to Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, because of his sexual orientation.
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Dec 07 2007
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Fund Drive for OKIMC.org --- Help us pay the hosting bills! |
Hello friends,
Well it's me again with my semi-annual request for donations to help pay the hosting bill for the Oklahoma Independent Media Center (www.okimc.org).
OKIMC.org is a voice for the people, which lets ordinary people not just consume media, but BE the media. It truly is grassroots and has stayed alive thanks to the work of volunteers (most notably Serena who was responsible for the move to better servers this month, and who does most of the editing on the site) and to the donations of folks who believe in the mission of OKIMC.org.
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Dec 07 2007
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Gov. Henry appoints Chris L. Ross new D.A. in Pontotoc County |
Wrongful conviction case in county was subject of bestselling nonfiction book by John Grisham
The top assistant in the Pontotoc County district attorney's office has been named to head the office. Gov. Brad Henry announced the appointment of Chris L. Ross as district attorney for the 22nd District, which encompasses Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.
Ross succeeds William Peterson, who is resigning effective Jan. 1.
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Dec 07 2007
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‘Violent Radicalization and Homegrown’ markets: A follow-up on the bi-partisan attack on our civil liberties. |
‘Violent Radicalization and Homegrown’ markets: A follow-up on the bi-partisan attack on our civil liberties.
By Evan Herzoff
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Dec 07 2007
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"What Would Jesus Buy?" (review) |
Since the late 1990s, activist Reverend Billy has been using his “surreal inventiveness”(1) to raise awareness about the consequences of modern consumerism—including, among other things, the destruction of communities and products made with sweatshop labor.
The Reverend was created shortly after actor Billy witnessed his home, Time Square, being “turned into a mall”(2). “Disney was signing this amazing Manifest Destiny deal to evict small vendors, and police were picking up anybody who didn’t look as if they were in possession of a credit card,” he recalls(3). “And that was happening before my eyes. . . . I had to ask myself: ‘Who’s shouting here? Who’s really getting out there raising their voice a little bit?’ It was the sidewalk preachers”(4).
From the newswire: "What Would Jesus Buy?" (review) by R. Plesset
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Dec 07 2007
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US Conscientious Objectors Denied Asylum in Canada |
On November 15th Canada's Supreme Court ruled that it would not hear an appeal by two US soldiers who had sought refuge in Canada to avoid participation in the war and occupation of Iraq. The ruling means that conscientious objectors Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey, as well as other American soldiers who have filed formal applications for refugee status, could be deported back to the US. Courage to Resist is encouraging people to sign petitions and to write letters to ask that Canadian officials provide sanctuary for the US military resisters.
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Dec 07 2007
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AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT--TRANSFORM COLUMBUS DAY ALLIANCE WAGES BATTLE WITH THE CITY OF DENVER ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 |
COLUMBUS DAY TRIALS BEGIN WITH MOTIONS HEARING. Motions to suppress evidence hearing set for FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2007. 1:30 P.M., Courtroom 117M, City and County Building, Denver. Media are welcome to attend. read more
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Dec 07 2007
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Sending Xmas Cheer to Death Row |
The Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement hosted a card signing event at the SHAPE community center on December 4th to send seasons greetings and solidarity to people incarcerated on Texas Death Row.
I got there too late to see Cythia McKinney, the Green Party Nominee for President, who stopped by before her speaking event at TSU. The amount of cards going from table to table being signed with names, well wishes and occasionally drawings was immense, a stack of 400 christmas cards is a somewhat surreal way to look at the immense number of human beings being warehoused and soon by slaughtered by the state of Texas..
They are planning to hold another signing party this Tuesday (December 11th) starting at 6pm, come on by, it was a great way to gather with other folks trying to spread cheer and human dignity to those whose lives are at the mercy of the state of Texas. [full story with photos]
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Dec 08 2007
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NBC's Today Show Airs New Mumia Abu-Jamal Crime Scene Photos |
Following a weeks-long media-activist campaign (including a Dec. 4 press conference covered by Reuters, Black Commentator, and Media Channel) the Dec. 6 broadcast of NBC's Today Show prominently featured the newly discovered crime scene photos, breaking the mainstream media blackout of the photos, which had only been published by The SF Bay View. A large demonstration of Mumia supporters outside the NBC studio was featured on The Today Show, as well as The NY Post, NY Times, and NBC10. Today Show guests Michael Smerconish and Maureen Faulkner (authors of "Murdered By Mumia"), were reportedly outraged by the show, which entailed several challenging questions from co-host Matt Lauer. Journalists for Mumia responded to Faulkner and Smerconish's statements regarding the new photos. The Dec.8 Free Mumia rally in Philadelphia featured a presentation of the new photos, where Pam Africa and others urged supporters to thank The Today Show (today@msnbc.com) for their fair and balanced report. Read More>> | | View the show's overview and video online.
Related Stories: Dec. 8 demonstration in Bern, Switzerland | | Veronica Jones' letter to The Today Show | | Ed Herman on The Philadelphia Inquirer | | The Mumia case: What is true justice? | | Dec. 6 WBAI show featuring Suzanne Ross, Orie Lumumba, Hans Bennett, Linn Washington Jr., and Pam Africa | | UPRISING RADIO: Journalists Decry Racism in Media Coverage of Mumia | | Opio's Podcast II Dave Lindorff's letter to The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Dec 08 2007
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Hanford State of the Site 2007 Meetings |
The federal Energy Department plans to dump more toxic waste at Hanford in 2008 - AND drastically delay Hanford Clean-Up by more than 20 years!
Drastic Delays Proposed for Hanford Cleanup in Tri-Party Agreement Negotiations! Join us in urging the Washington State Department of Ecology to reject additional concessions to the Department of Energy. In private negotiations the USDOE has proposed an additional 20 year delay in cleaning up the most polluted site in the Western Hemisphere!
You have a chance to make a huge difference of how Hanford will be cleaned up. The Tri-Party Agency's are hosting the State of the Site meetings and want to hear from you about the proposed changes to the cleanup agreement. The key managers of the U..S. Department of Energy, DOE Office of River Protection, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington State Department of Ecology, will be coming to Portland December 11th and Hood River December 12th to hear what you think about these proposed delays.
Drastic Delays Proposed for Hanford Cleanup in Tri-Party Agreement Negotiations! Join us in urging the Washington State Department of Ecology to reject additional concessions to the Department of Energy. In private negotiations the USDOE has proposed an additional 20 year delay in cleaning up the most polluted site in the Western Hemisphere!
You have a chance to make a huge difference of how Hanford will be cleaned up. The Tri-Party Agency's are hosting the State of the Site meetings and want to hear from you about the proposed changes to the cleanup agreement. The key managers of the U..S. Department of Energy, DOE Office of River Protection, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington State Department of Ecology, will be coming to Portland December 11th and Hood River December 12th to hear what you think about these proposed delays.
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Dec 08 2007
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School Privatization Foes Rally, Call Fenty "The Enemy", Demand Recall |
On the morning of Dec 7 — Pearl Harbor Day — opponents of Mayor Fenty's unprovoked attack on DC's neighborhood schools rallied in front of the Wilson Building. Speakers called Fenty "the Enemy" and demanded he be recalled for betraying the citizens who voted for him. Audio 3 min 41 sec
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Dec 08 2007
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Thanks, all who joined the CIW March/Rally on Burger King Hdqs (Photos) |
From Interfaith Action of SW Florida: We want to thank all of you who joined the CIW on Friday for the March and Rally at Burger King Headquarters as well as everyone who helped in so many ways to make the march and rally a success! We truly appreciated your energy and participation--approximately 1,500 people arrived at Burger King Headquarters on Friday afternoon!
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Dec 08 2007
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Petition Opposing HR 1955/ S 1959 (Violent Radicalization & Homegrown Terrorism Act) |
Petition to be sent to the U.S. Senate requesting that they refuse H.R. 1955/ S. 1959, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.
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Dec 08 2007
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Rally Against LNG and LNG Pipelines: Wed. Dec 12th in Portland |
Energy speculators from Texas, New York and California want to use proposed LNG terminals in the Columbia River Estuary to send huge quantities of natural gas to California. Three LNG terminals are proposed in Oregon, and each project would import twice Oregon's total gas demand each day. NW Natural has become an active participant in this scheme by proposing to build the 220-mile long Palomar pipeline that would rip across Oregon from the key salmon habitats of the Columbia Estuary, across the family farms of the Willamette Valley, through the wildlife habitats of the Mt. Hood National Forest and over the Wild and Scenic Deschutes River - all this in order to send gas from the proposed LNG terminals on the Columbia River to a California-bound pipeline near Madras.
Please join a wonderfully diverse coalition of farmers, conservation groups, fisherman, global warming advocates, forestland owners, private property rights advocates, neighborhood activists and many others and take a stand against the largest fossil fuel import project planned for the Northwest in decades.
Rally for Oregon!
Wed. Dec. 12th @ 11:45 a.m.
NW Natural Gas's corporate headquarters -
220 NW Second Ave. Portland (2 blocks north of Burnside)
Please join a wonderfully diverse coalition of farmers, conservation groups, fisherman, global warming advocates, forestland owners, private property rights advocates, neighborhood activists and many others and take a stand against the largest fossil fuel import project planned for the Northwest in decades.
Rally for Oregon!
Wed. Dec. 12th @ 11:45 a.m.
NW Natural Gas's corporate headquarters -
220 NW Second Ave. Portland (2 blocks north of Burnside)
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Dec 08 2007
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SAVE THE PEAKS! |
The San Francisco Peaks are a unique mountain ecosystem which are managed as public lands in Northern Arizona. The Peaks are held Holy by more than 13 Indigenous Nations. A small ski area is threatening expansion and attempting to make fake snow from treated sewage effluent filled with harmful contaminants. A coalition of tribes and environmental groups have unified to prevent the environmental destruction, community health hazards and extreme desecration that would be caused by the proposed development. Although the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the ski area plan, the case will be reheard in Pasadena on December 11th, 2007. See: SAVE THE PEAKS CALL FOR SUPPORT! - Legal Battle to Protect Sacred Site Comes to Pasadena by Indigeneous
Additional coverage: Uprising Radio, Uprising (follow-up, Dec. 7)
From the Calendar: Defending the Land: Indigenous Cultural Survival
Additional coverage: Uprising Radio, Uprising (follow-up, Dec. 7)
From the Calendar: Defending the Land: Indigenous Cultural Survival
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Dec 08 2007
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Please sign petition Al Gore's taking to the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali |
The winner of the 2000 Presidential election (by over 540,000 votes even with the Republican's vote tampering) will speak at the Climate Conference in Bali next week. He will present your signatures to the group.
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Dec 08 2007
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Black Riders held on million dollars bail each |
The state’s cases against T. A. C. O., Aryana and Stress, which T. A. C. O. described as “b. s.” to defense attorney Guillermo Suarez, are based on the testimony of an undercover cop who alleges that he approached the Black Riders, pretending to be Lebanese and connected to freedom fighters in the Middle East. He claims that the three defendants were involved in a plot to take possession of weapons and protective vests that he claimed to be able to provide them.
No weapons were ever involved. These charges are essentially for a “though crime” – allegedly conspiring to attempt to possess weapons.
It is no accident that the arrests took place while several of the Black Riders were up in northern California Building support for the San Francisco 8 political prisoners. Recall that in 1974 a federal court had dropped all charges against the San Francisco 8 because the New Orleans police and the San Francisco police used torture to extract a confession.
It is also no coincidence that the Black Riders were scheduled to appear in court on December 3, the same day as a hearing was scheduled in San Francisco on San Francisco 8.
From the newswire: Black Riders held on million dollars bail each, back in court Wednesday by Repost of Assata Shakur forums
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Dec 09 2007
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Video -- Worker-Affordable Housing and Wages Rally in Tacoma |
A rally in support of worker-affordable housing and sustainable wage and growth raised concerns about the environment and gentrification in downtown Tacoma. City Council member Rick Talbert speaks as a panel member about responsive government. The rally began outside the Pierce County Health Department.
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Dec 09 2007
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Green Scare Protest Calls Out Snitches at FBI Headquarters |
On Dec 8 — 27th Anniversary of the assasination of John Lennon — Potomac Earth First! marched to the J. Edgar Hoover building(FBI) and read out the dishonor roll of snitches against pro-animal and pro-earth movements in the US. The list was not complete, but it is a lesson to those who would consider selling out their compatriots in this or any struggle! Read More>> | Audio via WSQT -- 2 min 59 sec < < Photograph: Friends and Family of Daniel McGowan Mark 2nd Anniversary of Green Scare from NYC-imc || Related: Daniel's blog from Indybay
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Dec 09 2007
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Despite Protest, Dershowitz Funds Occupation. |
New York, NY, Dec. 8 - Wealthy Madison Avenue holiday shoppers were greeted Saturday afternoon by boisterous music and dancing, as 60 New Yorkers protested in a growing campaign to boycott Israeli diamond magnate Lev Leviev over his settlement construction in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Participants performed a joyous dabke, a traditional Palestinian dance, and chanted to music from the eight-piece Rude Mechanical Orchestra. During the protest, Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz entered LEVIEV New York and emerged to jeers as he displayed a LEVIEV shopping bag to the crowd.
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Dec 09 2007
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New Community Server rocus.org Set to Rock Us With Raucus Ruckus |
Rochester Indymedia's new server computer, rocus.org, is up and running. The goal of rocus.org is to help local activist groups and other grassroots organizations take better advantage of the internet. We want to help groups use the internet to communicate better and get the word out about themelves.
If you are part of a group, please consider making use of rocus.org. We currently offer many services and are willing to help you get started using them. We understand that no one wants to spend a bunch of time setting up an email list, so we have worked to make things quick to set up and maintain. We also know that the internet can be a confusing and intimidating place sometimes. We are happy to explain all our services and help you figure out what things are useful for your group.
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Dec 10 2007
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Friends and Family of Daniel McGowan Mark 2nd Anniversary of Green Scare |
Around two-dozen members of Friends and Family of Daniel McGowan and others braved the cold and held a demonstration on Herald Square, at West 34th Street and 6th Ave., marking the two year anniversary of Operation Backfire and the Green Scare. The protest started at 1 pm and lasted till about 2:30 pm, and was held in the middle of a shopping mayhem atmosphere, with hundreds pouring into Macy’s.
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Dec 10 2007
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Toxic Site Exposed |
A community meeting was held Saturday, December 8, 2007, at the Douglass Branch library about Ameren’s toxic site at 5th and Hill Streets in Champaign. The 3.5 acre site is located in the heart of the north end and it is black working class people who have been impacted the most. A former coal-to-gas plant on the site is now gone, but a massive “blob” of coal tar 40 feet underground remains and may be the explanation behind numerous reports of cancer in the neighborhood, including two rare cases of multiple myeloma. read more
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Dec 10 2007
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Oklahoma Weather-Related Road Conditions |
Map and alerts from Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Hit link below to view.
Please don't drive if you don't have to.
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Dec 10 2007
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Suspiciously-Timed Leak Says Police Torture Victims Reach Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement |
Both the Tribune and the Sun-Times reported on Friday, December 7, that four police torture victims under the infamous Jon Burge regime reached a collective $20 million settlement with the city. However, it was also revealed in a subsequent newswire post that "[a]ttorneys for both sides in the four police torture cases were pledged to secrecy about the tentative settlement until it was to be broached before the City's Finance Committee on Monday. But in typical City of Chicago fashion, the story was "accidentally" leaked on Friday afternoon -– apparently by City attorneys — assuring that the news would be caught up in a "dead" news cycle just before the weekend."
Despite the settlement and the "burial" of the settlement story, the Burge controversy rages on. Dozens of unjust police torture cases remain without restitution, and those implicated in such torture remain unprosecuted.
Additional Resources: Police Torture in Chicago: The Chicago Reader's John Conroy Archive | Human Rights at Home: The Chicago Police Torture Archive | Summary of Amnesty International's Concerns on Police Abuse in Chicago
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Dec 10 2007
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Editorial Cartoon: "Hillary Answers the Tough Ones!" |
Another morning-news REM State inspiration classic! Yet another awake-too-early morning finds my wife flipping between early-morning news programs at 6:30am, this time landing on CNN's "American Morning" shitfest which, this particular morning, was running highlights of the previous evening's Donkeycratic Party "debate". Needless to say, of course, I emerged from my REM state just in time to hear some gushy college girl asking Hillary Clinton if she preferred "diamonds or pearls?" to which Her Hillaryship answered — in classic Clintonian fashion, "I like both". As the fog of sleep finally cleared from my brain, and my urge to put my head through the TV screen subsided, I couldn't help wondering: if gender was at least a partial issue here, does anyone honestly think that if, instead, a young guy had been chosen by CNN to ask Hillary a stupid question chosen ahead of time — and CNN did pick the questions asked by the planted "audience members" — would said stupid question still have been "do you prefer diamonds or pearls?"
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Dec 10 2007
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Limited-Edition BORF Print Goes On Sale for Daniel McGowan Fundraiser |
To mark two years since the arrest of environmental activist Daniel McGowan and the U.S. Government's escalation of state repression of environmental and animal liberation activists on December 7, 2005 - the Brian MacKenzie Infoshop, in collaboration with Washington D.C. based graffiti artist BORF; Just Seeds Visual Resistance Artists Cooperative and Friends and Family of Daniel McGowan has coordinated a new fundraising project to benefit Daniel McGowan. Available through justseeds.org
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Dec 10 2007
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San Francisco Protest to Demand Improvements for Medicare System |
A Rally and Press Conference will be held on Thursday, December 13th outside of Nancy Pelosi's office to demand that she and Congress take action to fix the Medicare system, and to guarantee its future funding. Protesters will gather outside of the Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. (on the Polk Street side) at 1:30pm. Organizers of the December 13th protest say that Medicare needs to be improved, and expanded to cover everyone - regardless of their age, health, job status, income, or residency.
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Dec 10 2007
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KPFK election deadline approaches: ongoing coverage |
Passions continue to run high over the KPFK elections, as the deadline for casting votes approaches. All ballots must be received at the KPFK office or Post Office box by midnight on December 11. For more info on voting, see: The 2007 KPFK Local Station Board Elections are now on! The LA IMC editorial collective encourages all candidates and community members to keep posting related news, information, and opinions on our open publishing newswire. Indymedia is an open platform for debate; if you don't like what others have posted here, research and write your own coverage of the controversy. Posts from the newswire: How To Rig a KPFK Election by Leslie Radford, KPFK LSB candidate | | Peter Camejo & Nativo Lopez Support Donna Warren & John Wegner for KPFK Board by Camejo, Lopez, etc | | VOTE FOR WARREN AND WENGER FOR KPFK BOARD by Mike Wyman | | Donna Warren and John Wenger are not recommended by Independents and Grassroots Greens by Jack Lindblad | | KPFK is biased, still, while pretending to be "fair" by sidestepper | | Response to Lila Garrett by Jim Lafferty | | XENOPHOBIA and the KPFK ELECTIONS by R. Salazar | | KPFK Programmer Plugged Assistant Running as Listener Sponsor in LSB election by Miles Copeland | | KPFK and Pacifica Need Good Governance by Grace Aaron | | A Letter from the Interim GM of KPFK by Jim Lafferty | | KPFK: Welcome to the Madhouse by Leslie Radford, KPFK LSB candidate | | (another, smaller) Stolen Election by Leslie Radford
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Dec 10 2007
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Oprah and Obama-mania in Manchester |
I was at the Oprah/Obama event at the Civic Center in Manchester last night. It was a real circus - thousands and thousands of people filling the entire plaza outside waiting to get in. I didn't go in, but gave out yard signs and hundreds of leaflets questioning if Obama is anti-war, urging people to ask Obama to make specific commitments on the War in Iraq. Many of the people there seemed enthusiastically anti-war, some believing Obama is an anti-war candidate. Others said they liked only the first part of the yard sign - "Support the Troops", not the second part - "End the War." Below is the text of the leaflet I gave out.
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Dec 10 2007
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Top Candidates Wrong on Iran |
The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran released earlier this week should come as welcome information to all who support peace and stability in the Middle East. The report has determined with a high degree of confidence that Iran gave up an active nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that Iran does not currently possess nuclear weapons. NIEs are considered to be the intelligence community’s most authoritative statements on issues relating to U.S. security. The presidential candidates need to respond by promoting sound foreign policy positions based on this new intelligence.
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Dec 10 2007
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Rethinking Hanukkah: Jewish Activists Remind Holiday Shoppers of Oppression in Gaza |
BOSTON, MA - Sunday, December 9, 2007 - As the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah draws to a close, Jewish activists and community members working for human rights and justice in Israel/Palestine marked the occasion by creating a giant human menorah in the midst of the holiday season hustle and bustle in Downtown Crossing.
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Dec 11 2007
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Irish Allies of US Stoptorturenow Show: CIA CAN'T KEEP A SECRET |
Pity the poor CIA. What use is a secret service that can't keep a secret? Agents of other secret services should be aware the the loose lips and poor tradecraft of the Americans put the foreigners at risk of arrest and worse.
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Dec 11 2007
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TUCSON JUDGE DENIES BAIL; DECLARES TWO WHO PROTEST TORTURE "...A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY" |
Army prosecutor Evan Seamone warns judge: "their blatant defiance is likely to happen again", gravely predicting that "all kinds of chaos" would ensue at the gate to Fort Huachuca.
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Dec 11 2007
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Video: "Voices of the Venezuelan-American Diaspora" |
Video: "Voices of the Venezuelan-American Diaspora"
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Dec 11 2007
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Feds arrest 4 for “human slavery” in the tomato fields of Immokalee, Fla |
Feds arrest 4 for “human slavery” in the tomato fields of Immokalee, Fla
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Dec 11 2007
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Support the Seriously Pissed Off Grannies: Day 1 in court |
The jury is picked and though it was long day, it was more fun and much more interesting than I thought it would be.
From a pool of 65, we had a full spectrum of viewpoints - three, maybe four pro-war people all the way to the woman who announced that she didn't really care what we did, if we were against the war, she couldn't vote 'guilty'
It was a remarkably diverse group, mostly well educated, anti-war, thoughtful and articulate. The final jury isn't the cream of the pool, but probably okay.
Tomorrow is opening arguements and state's witnesses -
---pretty damn tired, but a good day. Our lawyers give faith that the system might sometimes work.
See ya' in court tomorrow - Room 716
From a pool of 65, we had a full spectrum of viewpoints - three, maybe four pro-war people all the way to the woman who announced that she didn't really care what we did, if we were against the war, she couldn't vote 'guilty'
It was a remarkably diverse group, mostly well educated, anti-war, thoughtful and articulate. The final jury isn't the cream of the pool, but probably okay.
Tomorrow is opening arguements and state's witnesses -
---pretty damn tired, but a good day. Our lawyers give faith that the system might sometimes work.
See ya' in court tomorrow - Room 716
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Dec 11 2007
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Harlem Tenants Fight Yuppie Takeover (Indypendent) |
Built in the late fifties, the Delano Houses have historically been a bastion of affordable housing for the working class of Harlem. The seven buildings of the Delano houses contain 1,800 apartments, spread over the three blocks between 139th and 142nd streets and Fifth Avenue and Malcolm X Boulevard. The famed Savoy Ballroom used to be located here, the jazzera Cotton Club was just around the corner, and King Tim III — whose “Personality Jock” predated “Rapper’s Delight” as the first hip-hop record — grew up there.
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Dec 11 2007
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December 13th: Protest is Support of Public Housing in New Orleans |
HUD in New Orleans is planning the demolition of all four public housing developments.
New Orleans: On Wednesday 12/12 it was discovered that demolition had begun at B.W. Cooper. Actvists and residents gathered followed by media and authorities. Article and pictures on New Orleans Indymedia
Houston: On 12/13, there was a protest of HUD Offices.
Listen: KPFT local News coverage, and read Houston press blog coverage.
Other cities with protests: DC, Oakland.
New Orleans: On Wednesday 12/12 it was discovered that demolition had begun at B.W. Cooper. Actvists and residents gathered followed by media and authorities. Article and pictures on New Orleans Indymedia
Houston: On 12/13, there was a protest of HUD Offices.
Listen: KPFT local News coverage, and read Houston press blog coverage.
Other cities with protests: DC, Oakland.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) are trying to demolish all four major housing developments. Though Katrina is being used as a pretext for these demolitions, some of the units were not flooded at all, and others had only minor floding (1 - 3 inches). Therefore, residents see these demolitions or "downsizings" as part of a plan that has been going on for over ten years.
After demolishing these thousands of apartments, HUD has approved plans to lease the property to private developers for 99 years to build mixed income housing on each of these sites. HUD has approved developers' plans to dramatically downsize each development.
New Orleans Indymedia | Democracy Now! (Dec 12) | Defend New Orleans Public Houston.org
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Dec 11 2007
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Human Rights March |
On Sunday, December 9, The Philippine-U.S. Solidarity Organization (PUSO) and other human rights groups joined activists in a funeral procession and ceremony for human rights victims worldwide. The event marked the 59th anniversary of the United Nation's passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.This year UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour asked people to use the anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration as "the day to reflect upon our individual and collective failures to stand up against violence, racism, xenophobia, torture, repression of unpopular views and injustices of all sorts." Read More>>
Related: Tucson Judge Denies Bail; Declares Two Who Protest Torture "a Danger to the Community"
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Dec 12 2007
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Democratic National Convention Media Walk Through at the Pepsi Center |
As a representative of Colorado Indy Media, I was waiting to hear more about how to get media access to the Democratic National Convention that will take place in Denver, CO in August 2008. I was at the rim of the Denver Pepsi Center Arena, somewhere around the cotton candy stand, when the corruption began to take hold. The corporate coliseum was teeming with the American Press Corpse (intentional), ambitious politicians, corporate gladiators, moral deformities and billable hours.
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Dec 12 2007
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Antiwar Student Suspended |
Who ever heard of someone being suspended for 9 days for having an Ipod out in class? Last Friday, December 7 one of the students at Foster High School in Tukwila, WA involved in Foster Student Action was given 9 days suspension supposedly for “having an Ipod out in class.” However, the REAL reason she was suspended was because she and other Foster Student Action activists dared to collect petition signatures at lunch period the day before requesting that teachers who allowed the Nov. 16th antiwar student walkout to happen get to keep their jobs.
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Dec 12 2007
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"VIGILANT ONES" NAVAJO GROUP OPPOSES LINE OF CREDIT FOR CASINO |
Ha'a'da'a Sidi Group Files Intent to Sue to Protect Navajo Sovereignty and Assets
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Dec 12 2007
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First Step on Inclusionary Housing Hailed by Advocates |
Philadelphia is one of the only major cities without inclusionary zoning. The practice is a smart way to address the affordable housing shortage here. After years of waiting Council person Clarke has amended legislation that advocates are hailing as a major breakthrough.
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Dec 12 2007
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Unconventional Denver Meeting- Dec. 19th |
Unconventional Denver Meeting
Wed. December 19th 7pm
City O' City
210 E 13th Ave
If you haven't made it out to an Unconventional Denver meeting, this is
the time! We'll be talking about the January Consulta as well as lay down
some exciting proposals to get the dialogue moving here in Denver and
beyond. Oh and we'll also plan some sort of pre-DNC action that will chip
away at the despair and cynicism that is deeply lodged in all of our
winter hearts. ha!
Much Love,
Unconventional Denver
*Unconventional Denver is an autonomous cell of the greater Unconventional
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Dec 12 2007
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NAVAJO AND MOHAWK IN BALI CHALLENGE WORLD BANK CARBON SCAM |
Indigenous Peoples Locked Out From Climate Negotiations
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Dec 12 2007
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Hundreds march demanding fair contract for service workers |
Once again, all the workers who take care of all those ritzy downtown office buildings have to squeeze a new contract out of the owners. This being so, Local 32BJ of the SEIU staged a boisterous march through downtown DC in evening rush hour on Dec 11. Audio 3 min 24 sec: http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/10/seiu_d11.mp3
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Dec 12 2007
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4 Videos: GMO Food Risks Vs. Cuba's "Accidental Revolution" to Organics |
4 Videos: GMO Food Risks Vs. Cuba's "Accidental Revolution" to Organics
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Dec 12 2007
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Worcester Indymedia meeting tonight |
5pm Wednesday, Dec. 12th Stone Soup 4 King St.
Main image
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Dec 12 2007
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Local Coalition Calls Protest Dec. 13 for New Orleans Public Housing Solidarity |
A broad coalition of social justice, housing and peace groups have called for a demonstration in solidarity with the threatened public housing residents of New Orleans; at the Department of Housing and Urban Demolishment on Thursday, December 13, at 11am.
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Dec 12 2007
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We condemn ICE Raid in Milford, Mass., and protest insensitive media reporting about it |
Last Friday, December 7, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents "supported" by the Milford Police Department raided an immigrant community again. They arrested 15 undocumented migrant workers. Reports indicate that most were from Ecuador. The media, uncritical and sympathetic to ICE reported that the workers were charged for violating criminal laws. However, the same article indicated that only one person was charged with violating "criminal laws". The others “will face a federal immigration judge." In other words, the raid was about migrant workers and not about criminal law enforcement.
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Dec 12 2007
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The Big Pour in Fryeburg Maine |
Following the lead of Howard Dearborn, a crowd packed onto a small bridge, and with a countdown overturned their bottles of Poland Spring water. They watched gleefully as it poured into a stream to flow back to where it belonged. In all, about fifty people turned up at Lovewell Pond in Fryeburg, Maine on Saturday in order to draw attention to the impact of large-scale water extraction on the watershed. Folks of all ages, from Fryeburg and the surrounding communities talked about their concerns over the ecosystem and their opposition to Poland Spring's proposed bottling plant in Fryeburg. Two representatives from Poland Spring were also present, in order to present “their side” of the story. Ron Dyer, environmental manager for Poland Spring, claimed “It broke my heart to see water being dumped out.”
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Dec 12 2007
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Savings from tax loophole in Verizon - FairPoint deal would fund high-speed Internet for NH |
A new report shows that Verizon's savings from a tax loophole in FairPoint deal would fund high-speed Internet throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The report was sent to Governor Lynch and every member of the New Hampshire legislature.
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Dec 12 2007
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Hillary: Say No to Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Bill |
A demonstration took place outside of Senator Hillary Clinton’s New York office Dec. 10 to encourage her to vote against the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act (S. 1959) if the bill should make it to the floor of the senate.
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Dec 12 2007
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Middle East Showdown in Union Square (Indypendent) |
Every Saturday afternoon amid shoppers, skaters, tourists and passers-by at Union Square, a small group supporting Palestinian self-determination an even smaller pro-Israel group face off on a small patch of land across from Virgin Megastore on 14th Street.
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Dec 12 2007
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Grannies on Trial Day 2: “Substantial Inconvenience to United States?" |
District Attorney Seth Stuart contends that the defendants intended to "substantially inconvenience" the US military by disrupting recruiting at the Broadway office. Defendant Clyde Chamberlain, a father and grandfather, said "I was not concerned with inconvenience to the US Military. I was concerned by the considerable inconvenience our government and military have caused to the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens who have lost their lives, and to our soldiers who have died fighting an illegal and immoral war."
The defendants pled "not guilty" to charges of criminal mischief in the third degree because they believe their actions constituted a symbolic act of political speech at a government office and resulted in no damage to the property. All three of the defendants heard today said that their intention was to send a political message to our country that "war is wrong." Sara Graham, a 67 year old grandmother, testified that the group wanted to make a statement on Good Friday because that is the day the government killed Jesus Christ, and through the war in Iraq our government is killing innocent civilians." The group carefully planned the event they called "Blood and Roses" to maximize the symbolic statement and minimize any damage. During the silent vigil the group placed fake "blood" made of corn syrup, dishwashing liquid, and red food coloring on the sidewalk and red handprints on the windows of the Army/Marine Recruiting office at 1371 NE Broadway. Ann Huntwork testified "we used red tempera paint to make the handprints because it washes off easily. Every mother knows that."
The defendants pled "not guilty" to charges of criminal mischief in the third degree because they believe their actions constituted a symbolic act of political speech at a government office and resulted in no damage to the property. All three of the defendants heard today said that their intention was to send a political message to our country that "war is wrong." Sara Graham, a 67 year old grandmother, testified that the group wanted to make a statement on Good Friday because that is the day the government killed Jesus Christ, and through the war in Iraq our government is killing innocent civilians." The group carefully planned the event they called "Blood and Roses" to maximize the symbolic statement and minimize any damage. During the silent vigil the group placed fake "blood" made of corn syrup, dishwashing liquid, and red food coloring on the sidewalk and red handprints on the windows of the Army/Marine Recruiting office at 1371 NE Broadway. Ann Huntwork testified "we used red tempera paint to make the handprints because it washes off easily. Every mother knows that."
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Dec 12 2007
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AUDIO FILE: Naomi Klein Speaking in Portland |
Naomi Klein, whose most recent book, "The Shock Doctrine: the Rise of Disaster Capitalism" has become an international best-seller, spoke to an overflowing house in Portland Oregon on Friday, December 7, 2007.
She begins, "it's wonderful to be at the heart of Portland's legendary Progressive community; thank you for all the work you have done over the years in keeping up this fight. It is a revolutionary moment. There are moments when it feels less so, and Portland keeps on keeping' on, which we appreciate."
"We're going to be talking about disaster tonight, we're going to be talking about disaster capitalism, and it seems only appropriate for us to begin this discussion by thinking about these disasters unfolding in this region, in other parts of the country, around the world......Think about when we see these images, when a community is living through these disasters, what our initial human response is. ...."
She begins, "it's wonderful to be at the heart of Portland's legendary Progressive community; thank you for all the work you have done over the years in keeping up this fight. It is a revolutionary moment. There are moments when it feels less so, and Portland keeps on keeping' on, which we appreciate."
"We're going to be talking about disaster tonight, we're going to be talking about disaster capitalism, and it seems only appropriate for us to begin this discussion by thinking about these disasters unfolding in this region, in other parts of the country, around the world......Think about when we see these images, when a community is living through these disasters, what our initial human response is. ...."
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Dec 12 2007
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Regional organizing against the 2008 political conventions grows |
With the failure of the Democratic Congress to meaningfully challenge the Bush administration's agenda painfully apparent, renewed interest in direct action against the spectacular machinations of the political process itself has been growing across the country. Activists in Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul are busy preparing for mass mobilizations against the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions. In the Baltimore area, a few signs expressing support for protest against the RNC have been spotted, including this one at MICA and this banner off I-83, which has stayed up for more than a week. More substantial regional activity against both conventions will be happening on January 26th and 27th in Frederick, MD, during a regional Anti-RNC/DNC consulta. Related news: Unconventional Action publishes free Unconventional Strategies tabloid | Twin Cities Indymedia: TransFolk and Queers to Blockade RNC | Colorado Indymedia: Democratic National Convention Media Walk Through at the Pepsi Center
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Dec 13 2007
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This Is My Home Film Screening- Fundraiser for New Orleans Residents |
Call for National Solidarity:
New Orleans Public Housing is Under Attack!
This is My Home
Tuesday, December 18th 6:30pm
Mercury Cafe
Free- Donations Encouraged
Contact: Luis Manriquez
E-mail: luism@defendneworleanspublichousing.org
Phone: 303-709-5497
This is a fundraiser for Defend New Orleans Housing, a grassroots group of New Orleans community members fighting to save public housing.
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Dec 13 2007
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The Indypendent Issue #113: Ratifying Apartheid, Derailing the Coal Train and Low-Income Housing in New Orleans in Danger of Demolition |
Subscribe to The Indypendent Today! and Help Keep the Indy GOING STRONG!
Get a subscription for your family and friends for the Holidays!
Give the gift of thought and action!
In this issue: Ratifying Appartheid, Derailing the Coal Train, Low-Income Housing in New Orleans in Danger of Demolition and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Ratifying Apartheid: A Palestinian Village Withers ||Israel Runs Out the Clock||Israeli Democracy: Arabs Need Not Apply||Remembering 1948||The Long Road to Annapolis: Historical Timeline of Palestine from 1917-2007||Derailing the Coal Train : New Aussie PM Signs Kyoto, Still Embraces Fossil Fuels||In 'New' New Orleans, Low-Income Housing to Be Leveled||Harlem Tenants Fight Yuppie Takeover||Bodies on the Line: Hundreds Delay Military Shipments in Olympia||
Student Antiwar Walkouts Spark Small Town Backlash||The Theater of the Absurd: Headlines Focus on Candidate Branding While Debate Centers on the Irrelevant||The GOP Debate: A Forensic-Scatological Analysis||Marketing at the Dinner Table: An Interview with Anne Elizabeth Moore||A Woman with a Different Vision||Kara Walker: Shadows of the Past||The Ken Burns Effect||Taking the Streets, French Style||Gift Giving, Indy Style||From the Punk Scene to Acoustic Theory||Middle East Showdown in Union Square
Get a subscription for your family and friends for the Holidays!
Give the gift of thought and action!
In this issue: Ratifying Appartheid, Derailing the Coal Train, Low-Income Housing in New Orleans in Danger of Demolition and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Ratifying Apartheid: A Palestinian Village Withers ||Israel Runs Out the Clock||Israeli Democracy: Arabs Need Not Apply||Remembering 1948||The Long Road to Annapolis: Historical Timeline of Palestine from 1917-2007||Derailing the Coal Train : New Aussie PM Signs Kyoto, Still Embraces Fossil Fuels||In 'New' New Orleans, Low-Income Housing to Be Leveled||Harlem Tenants Fight Yuppie Takeover||Bodies on the Line: Hundreds Delay Military Shipments in Olympia||
Student Antiwar Walkouts Spark Small Town Backlash||The Theater of the Absurd: Headlines Focus on Candidate Branding While Debate Centers on the Irrelevant||The GOP Debate: A Forensic-Scatological Analysis||Marketing at the Dinner Table: An Interview with Anne Elizabeth Moore||A Woman with a Different Vision||Kara Walker: Shadows of the Past||The Ken Burns Effect||Taking the Streets, French Style||Gift Giving, Indy Style||From the Punk Scene to Acoustic Theory||Middle East Showdown in Union Square
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Dec 13 2007
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March on Wall Street Save Our Homes: Photos and Commentary |
Jesse Jackson is a clever stage manager. If the New York City government under its multi-billionaire mayor likes to respond to political rallies by ringing them with heavily armed troops and with metal barricades in order to demoralize their participants, to make them feel small and marginal, then Jesse Jackson knows how to make it work to his advantage. As far as rallies in New York City go, the “March on Wall Street Save Our Homes” wasn’t much, but that, in a way, was entirely the point, David come to Goliath.
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Dec 13 2007
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Nancy Pelosi & Waterboarding |
On December 9th, Washington Post reported that Pelosi was one of four members of Congress who was secretly briefed in 2002 about interrogation techniques that included the torture known as waterboarding-- and Pelosi had not raised objections to it.
On December 10th about twenty CodePink members and other antiwar activists gathered outside of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's local office to conduct an emergency protest.
On December 10th about twenty CodePink members and other antiwar activists gathered outside of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's local office to conduct an emergency protest.
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Dec 13 2007
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SF Gang Injunction Hearing |
On Monday December 10th, Supervisor Chris Daly hosted a hearing on the controversial San Francisco gang injunctions. Community members criticized the proposal calling it racist & ineffective. They called on the city to address the root causes of violence not the symptoms.
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Dec 13 2007
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TC Journalist Report from Venezuela |
From a Twin Cites Activist now living in Venezuela...
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Dec 13 2007
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Police Chief Gives Keynote Address to "Peacemakers" |
Commentary on the choice of St. Paul Police Chief, John Harrington, as the keynote speaker for the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers Annual Meeting.
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Dec 13 2007
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Debate Continues over PA "Mental Health" Assisted Outpatient Treatment Bill |
Time is running out to contact your Pennsylvania State Senator to let them know your opinion on Senate Bill 226, which would allow involuntary commitment to outpatient services.
Debate is hot over Senate Bill 226, which would amend the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976 by adding an article providing for "Assisted Outpatient Treatment". This proposed law would allow for involuntary commitment to outpatient services, sheriff or police authorization to forcibly bring an individual to a physician's office for evaluation, forcible court-ordered medication, regular blood testing to enforce compliance, and a "treatment plan" that is a matter of public court record and submitted to a judge, for any individual deemed "unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision."
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Dec 13 2007
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Holiday Peace Vigil at Military Recruitment Center in Capitola |
On Saturday, December 15th, Santa Cruz County peace activists will gather for a vigil and action in front of the Military Recruiting Center in Capitola. The "Not at Home for the Holidays" protest is cosponsored by nine Santa Cruz County peace groups calling for, "all of our troops to come home immediately, for all military bases that have been built in Iraq to be disbanded, for a complete return of the resources and sovereignty of Iraq to the Iraqi people themselves, and for full reparations for the devastation that has been wrought in our name."
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Dec 13 2007
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The Unconventional Action Paper is Out at Last! |
The Newspaper is Out!
As this is being typed, “Unconventional Strategies” is going to print. In the next week,this eight-page, 11×17, three-color newspaper will be available for free to any and all individuals and groups doing outreach for the protests and direct action at next year’s Democratic and Republican National Conventions.
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Dec 13 2007
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The Big Pour in Fryeburg Maine |
Following the lead of Howard Dearborn, a crowd packed onto a small bridge, and with a countdown overturned their bottles of Poland Spring water. They watched gleefully as it poured into a stream to flow back to where it belonged. In all, about fifty people turned up at Lovewell Pond in Fryeburg, Maine on December 8th in order to draw attention to the impact of large-scale water extraction on the watershed. Folks of all ages, from Fryeburg and the surrounding communities, talked about their concerns over the ecosystem and their opposition to Poland Spring's proposed bottling plant in Fryeburg. Two representatives from Poland Spring were also present, in order to present "their side" of the story. Ron Dyer, environmental manager for Poland Spring, claimed "It broke my heart to see water being dumped out." Read More >> | Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
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Dec 13 2007
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Liquefied Natural Gas Protest in Portland |
Today, December 12, 2007, 200 people gathered at the offices of Northwest Natural Gas in downtown Portland Oregon to protest Liquefied Natural gas facilities proposed for the Columbia River Estuary by Energy speculators from Texas, New York and California.
The turn out was huge and the gathering was high spirited and well informed. Many were from the areas of Oregon which would be affected by the LNG facilities or the pipelines which would funnel the gas down to energy consumers in California. Farmers from Mollala and Gayles Creek, full time fishing guides, commercial fisherman, were just a few of the people who turned out to insist that this project be abandoned and to demand that Oregon Governor Kulongowski weigh in against this project.
The turn out was huge and the gathering was high spirited and well informed. Many were from the areas of Oregon which would be affected by the LNG facilities or the pipelines which would funnel the gas down to energy consumers in California. Farmers from Mollala and Gayles Creek, full time fishing guides, commercial fisherman, were just a few of the people who turned out to insist that this project be abandoned and to demand that Oregon Governor Kulongowski weigh in against this project.
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Dec 13 2007
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Blocking the Strykers: 13 Days of war resistance at the Port of Olympia |
The US military will have to think twice before it ever again tries to use Olympia, WA as a launching point for war.
For 13 unforgettable days in November, people in this small community engaged in a courageous and spirited campaign of resistance to the war in Iraq. Sixty-six arrests were made and untold numbers were assaulted by police during a campaign which made national and international news. Day after day, and night after night, people put their lives on hold and their bodies on the line to prevent movement of military equipment from the Port of Olympia to nearby Fort Lewis.
For 13 unforgettable days in November, people in this small community engaged in a courageous and spirited campaign of resistance to the war in Iraq. Sixty-six arrests were made and untold numbers were assaulted by police during a campaign which made national and international news. Day after day, and night after night, people put their lives on hold and their bodies on the line to prevent movement of military equipment from the Port of Olympia to nearby Fort Lewis.
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Dec 14 2007
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Residents and Allies Delay, Possibly Stop, Demolition of Housing Project |
December 11 -- The city's Housing Conservation District Committee voted to deny the demolition of Lafitte by HUD and HANO, but approved BW Cooper and CJ Peete. HUD and HANO still have 30 days to appeal to the City Council, which has final say on whether Lafitte will be demolished.
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Dec 14 2007
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It's Our Web |
For more information about the campaign to take back the web, visit http://freespeech.org/ourweb. To find an alternative, non-commercial media-sharing and social networking site, visit http://community.freespeech.org
This is a truly crucial time for the Internet, the most powerful and interactive medium humans have ever seen. Recent actions by Facebook to monitor activity on the web and share our private information with our personal contacts and marketers, tells us quite clearly that the new media giants cannot be trusted.
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Dec 14 2007
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Reverend Pinkney’s Fight Against Racism, Gangsterism and Land Stealing |
An outspoken leader in the fight against racial injustice, poverty, corruption and corporate greed, Rev. Pinkney was sentenced to jail by an all White jury for voter fraud. His crime was leading a successful effort to unseat a city powerbroker, and resisting corporate development of his poor Black community.
--Philadelphia lawyer and journalist David A. Love has also recently written Hanging Hate: Backlash against the Jena Six case sparks an epidemic of public nooses, America failing its less fortunate young, The Intelligent Racists Are the Most Dangerous Kind, and reviewed "Less Safe, Less Free: Why America Is Losing the War on Terror," By David Cole & Jules Lobel. Listen to Love's presentation at the Dec.4 Journalists for Mumia press conference, which he covered for The Black Commentator.
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Dec 14 2007
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Homelessness Policy in Fresno - A Kinder and Gentler Plan? |
Fresno policy on homelessness is changing. This article describes what those changes are and looks at the dynamics that are motivating the changes. The article focuses on a meeting that took place on December 7, 2007. This public hearing included the mayor of Fresno, all Fresno City Council members, all but one member of the Board of Supervisors, and the executive director of the Bush administration's Interagency Council on Homelessness, Philip Mangano.
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Dec 14 2007
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Demolitons and Resistance Begin At B.W. Cooper |
UPDATE: Court Agreement Stops Demolitions | | Public Housing Residents, Supporters Tell Mayor Nagin, HUD: “Bring Our People Home Now!”Demolition and resistance began on December 12th at the B.W. Cooper Public Housing Project in Midcity. Coverage: Demolitons and Resistance Begin At B.W. Cooper by Michael Steinberg || Protest Bring Demolition Activity At B.W. Cooper To A Halt by mike howells || Demolition of B.W. Cooper Sets off Protest by Edwin Lopez -- includes pictures || High Noon in New Orleans: Anti-Demolition Protesters Storm Federal Building by Michael Steinberg || DC solidarity action blocks streets around HUD -- with audio by WSQT Guerrilla Radio || Video Montage of December 10, 2007 meeting in City Hall by Edwin Lopez || Stop the Demolitions by Diane Greene Lent || Houstonians Support New Orleans! || No Demolition Means No Demolition by Jay Arena
Past Coverage: Dec. 11--Residents and Allies Delay, Possibly Stop, Demolition of Housing Project
See also: Background Article from the Indypendent || Houston IMC Feature || Summary of Recent Housing Struggle and Updates
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Dec 14 2007
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Statement Against Police Involvement In RNC Protests |
It is unfortunate that we live in a world in which our government makes decisions about what we can say and when and where we can say it. The erosion of personal liberties in this country has monumentally increased since 9/11.
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Dec 14 2007
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PROTEST DECEMBER 16 AGAINST THE SAN PEDRO APARTHEID WALL |
Demonstrators to Gather in Naco, Rally On Both Sides of Border Against Militarization and Environmental Destruction
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Dec 14 2007
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PROTEST DECEMBER 16 AGAINST THE SAN PEDRO APARTHEID WALL |
Demonstrators to Gather in Naco, Rally On Both Sides of Border Against Militarization and Environmental Destruction
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Dec 14 2007
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Coburn blocking 'Emmit Till' legislation |
Senator Tom CoburnOklahoma Republican Senator is blocking a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing investigations into older civil rights era murder, like the one of black teen Emmitt Till in 1957, which has never been solved.
The legislation would authorize $10-million annually over 10 years for the Justice Department to rejuvenate its prosecutions of pre-1970 civil rights murders. It calls for another $3.5-million annually for Justice to provide grants and other help to local law enforcement agencies.
The man most responsible for obstructing the measure is Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican. Coburn says he supports the cause but feels the FBI can pursue the cases with existing resources.
A spending hawk, Coburn has put a hold on the legislation and dozens of other bills that would increase the federal budget without offsetting costs elsewhere.
Coburn has a page of his Senate office web site dedicated to explaining and extolling the legislative hold policy he wields so infamously.
But as that page explains, and some left-leaning bloggers are pointing out, the Senate's Democratic Majority leadership can work around such holds, if they are sufficiently motivated, and in fact they are already planning to do so -- not for any of Coburn's "government expanding" holds, but on civil rights-protective efforts supported by the Democratic base.
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Dec 14 2007
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Writers Guild Picket in San Francisco's Union Square |
On December 14th, striking writers plan to hold a picket in San Francisco's Union Square, demanding fair payment for new media. On December 13th, the Writers Guild has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the AMPTP for its refusal to bargain in good faith.
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Dec 14 2007
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Holy Disruption: Temple Students and Interfaith Alllies Rally outside Board of Trustees Meeting |
On Tuesday December 12, Temple Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) organized a rally and prayer vigil to culminate months of work pressuring Temple University into meeting the simple demand of giving 300 Allied Barton Security Guards 5 days of paid-sick leave. After months of discussion with Temple University Executive staff including William Bergman, VP of Operations and Daniel Pollet, Chair Board of Trustees SLAP decided to bring this issue straight to the Board of Trustees.
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Dec 14 2007
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Homelessness in Baltimore |
While Mayor Sheila Dixon promises to end homelessness in Baltimore over the next ten years, recent events point towards a "solution" of displacement and criminalization. This morning (12/14), the city fire department evicted the tents and shacks along Guilford Ave. near I-83 which had been serving as makeshift homes for dozens of Baltimore residents. Told only the night before that remaining in their homes would be cause for arrest the next morning, today's incident is the latest in a string of similiar incidents in the Baltimore area. In September of this year, the ACLU won a partial victory against the city of Elkton, which had bulldozed, without a warning or warrant, a homeless encampment there. This summer, the ACLU also registered objections against the Baltimore Downtown Partnership, a semi-public agency whose security forces, threatening to throw away their possessions, cleared a group of homeless people from under I83 along Guilford Ave. Many eating at the Our Daily Bread soup kitchen this afternoon felt that Baltimore was indeed trying to clear the homeless from the city rather than offer any permanent solutions, with some deciding to leave the city for Baltimore county.
Meanwhile, advocates for the homeless in Baltimore claim that the city's policies risk criminalizing the homeless rather than helping them. Health Care for the Homeless, which is holding vigil for those who died homeless in 2007 on December 21 at 4:30 PM at the Washington Monument in Mt. Vernon, held a forum on the criminalization of the homeless on Dec. 5th - you can watch the video from the event here. Even more troubling, a September 2007 report by the Abell Foundation details how Baltimore is systematically eliminating the kind of public housing that might actually help get homeless people off the street, with a 42% reduction in available public housing over 15 years, and planning to eliminate another 2400 homes, with no plans for replacement, in the immediate future.
Meanwhile, advocates for the homeless in Baltimore claim that the city's policies risk criminalizing the homeless rather than helping them. Health Care for the Homeless, which is holding vigil for those who died homeless in 2007 on December 21 at 4:30 PM at the Washington Monument in Mt. Vernon, held a forum on the criminalization of the homeless on Dec. 5th - you can watch the video from the event here. Even more troubling, a September 2007 report by the Abell Foundation details how Baltimore is systematically eliminating the kind of public housing that might actually help get homeless people off the street, with a 42% reduction in available public housing over 15 years, and planning to eliminate another 2400 homes, with no plans for replacement, in the immediate future.
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Dec 14 2007
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Support Left Hand Books-Keep Alternative Media Sources Going! |
SUSTAINING LEFT HAND BOOKS
The Problem: LHB is in no immediate danger of closing! However, we have had a cushion -- money that was put into a savings account when our expenses were lower and we had more income from course book sales (in part due to orders from CU profs who have since been fired by the university!). We had about $12,000 in that account, but the money has gradually been used to pay bills, and this Fall dropped to $4,000. Obviously, if we continue in this way the cushion will soon be used up and the existence of the store will be jeopardized.
Solutions:
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Dec 14 2007
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Support TCD defenders |
The first group of Transform Columbus Day defenders--people arrested for taking a moral stand against the racist Columbus Day parade (more accurately called the "caravan of conquest," as it "celebrates" the genocide of indigenous peoples)--will begin trial next week. The schedule is as follows:
Monday, December 17, 8:30 am
Courtroom 151P, five defenders
Tuesday, December 18, 8:30 am
Courtroom 151P, three defenders, Courtroom 117 M, four defenders
Wednesday, December 19, 8:30 am
Courtroom 151P, three defenders
All courtrooms in the City and County Building.
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Dec 14 2007
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Young woman dies in DPD custody --64 seconds "missing" surveillance tape before she died examined by local media |
Many of you in Denver may be familiar with the case of Emily Rice-last February she died in Denver City Jail after her internal injuries from a drunken car wreck weren't caught by medical staff and police....7News launched it's own investigation resulting in these new developments.
Excerpts:
Prior to the gap in the [surveillance] video [24-year-old Emily] Rice is seen leaning against a wall inside the jail.
Immediately following the 64 second gap [in the videotape] she is seen lying on the floor with deputies standing over her.
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Dec 14 2007
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DPD At It Again with Surveillance Cameras |
As reported in the Denver Post, The Denver Police Department plans to install "at least" 20 high-tech video cameras in downtown Denver in preparation for the Democratic National Convention. As Cathryn Hazouri of the American Civil Liberties Union said in the Post, "Cameras do not prevent crime," the apparent justification for this spying. They do, however, create a “chilling effect” and frighten people and deter them from exercising the rights guaranteed them by the First Amendment to participate in the political process.
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Dec 15 2007
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VIDEO-Angry and Worried Constituents Converge on Congressman's Office |
MoveOn members and others converged on the office of Congressman Norm Dicks to deliver thousands of petitions opposing a Bush-led war with Iran. The activists ask Dicks to end the war in Iraq and impeach Bush.
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Dec 15 2007
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Schedule a Food Not Bombs Presentation "Cook for Peace" |
Dear Students and Activists.......Last semester a number of student groups organized the Food Not Bombs Presentation at their schools. The response was huge and helped increase student involvement. They suggested we contact you about organizing a presentation at your school. Our presentation talks about the history, principles and current work of Food Not Bombs including our work providing food and disaster relief after Katrina.
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Dec 15 2007
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Batten Down the Hatches!- City of Denver Already Cracking Down on Dissent in Preparation for DNC |
It wasn't long after the announcement came that Denver would host the 2008 Democratic National Convention that the city began introducing policies to crack down on dissent, sanitizing the streets for delegate, politicians party bureaucrats, corporate media and other convention goers. read more
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Dec 15 2007
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Granny Verdict: Not Guilty! A Victory for Free Speech |
A Multnomah County jury found five grandparents charged with "unlawfully and intentionally causing substantial inconvenience to the United States" not guilty of Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree on Thursday, December 13. Judge Richard Baldwin heard the case which stems from a silent vigil held by the Surge Protection Brigade, also know as the Seriously Pissed Off Grannies, on Good Friday, April 6, at the US Army and Marine recruiting center on NE Broadway. The jury began deliberations Thursday morning at 9:50 and deliberated for about a half an hour. After the decision, one of the jurors referred to the defendants as "heroes." Picture: Grannies, Grandpa and Attorneys, standing with the First Amendment.
Related: "Not Home for the Holidays" Protest at Capitola Military Recruitment Center
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Dec 15 2007
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Clear Cuts Cause (yet another) Landslide |
Earlier in the week, people traveling between Portland and the coast on HWY 30 had a long, long detour. The highway was closed. People who live near Clatskanie were even more inconvenienced... they were evacuated from their homes, and watched helplessly as a tremendous landslide came crashing down from the mountains, surging away with their houses and cars, covering the surrounding valley in mud, boulders, trees, and debris. As the mud and water continued to surge across the highway, everyone wanted to know why.
If you go out past Clatskanie, to where the highway has been closed down, the answer to that question is painfully obvious. The mountainside above the mudslide was clear cut.
Those who live along this highway say they have seen this coming for some time. As they watched private "investors" and the US Forest Service strip the steep, once-forested hills down to bare mud, people out here openly talked about the possibility of watching their homes wash away in the next rains. But the US Forest Service turned a deaf ear. Long time residents report that they had been concerned for some time about the possibility of landslides resulting from the careless logging. "You only have to look," said one resident, who asked not to be identified. "These mountains have had forests on them for ten thousand years. And these guys come along, and strip them away. Look how steep these cuts are," she says, gesturing to the precipitous slopes. "This didn't come out of the blue. This is what happens when people just don't give a shit. All they want is to make a fast buck, and they don't care what they leave behind. This is what they leave behind."
If you go out past Clatskanie, to where the highway has been closed down, the answer to that question is painfully obvious. The mountainside above the mudslide was clear cut.
Those who live along this highway say they have seen this coming for some time. As they watched private "investors" and the US Forest Service strip the steep, once-forested hills down to bare mud, people out here openly talked about the possibility of watching their homes wash away in the next rains. But the US Forest Service turned a deaf ear. Long time residents report that they had been concerned for some time about the possibility of landslides resulting from the careless logging. "You only have to look," said one resident, who asked not to be identified. "These mountains have had forests on them for ten thousand years. And these guys come along, and strip them away. Look how steep these cuts are," she says, gesturing to the precipitous slopes. "This didn't come out of the blue. This is what happens when people just don't give a shit. All they want is to make a fast buck, and they don't care what they leave behind. This is what they leave behind."
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Dec 15 2007
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Tell Albertson's NO to rBGH! |
Albertson's is the last major grocery chain in the NW still allowing the use of recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone. Help Northwest Resistance Against Genetic Engineering in making them
Tell Albertson's NO to rBGH!
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and all 25 EU countries have banned its use due to animal safety and human health concerns. The United Nations main food safety body, the Codex Alimentarius has twice decided that it could not endorse the use of rBGH as safe for human health. Many dairies and food retailers have discontinued their use of rBGH, including Starbucks, Dean Foods, Tillamook, Safeway and California Dairies Inc. due to the concerns expressed by their customers.
Tell Albertson's NO to rBGH!
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and all 25 EU countries have banned its use due to animal safety and human health concerns. The United Nations main food safety body, the Codex Alimentarius has twice decided that it could not endorse the use of rBGH as safe for human health. Many dairies and food retailers have discontinued their use of rBGH, including Starbucks, Dean Foods, Tillamook, Safeway and California Dairies Inc. due to the concerns expressed by their customers.
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Dec 15 2007
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Public Blasts FCC on Media Consolidation |
FCC "Media Ownership" Public Hearing on Rogue Valley Community Television (RVTV)
Rogue Valley Community Television will cablecast the public testimony given in Seattle, WA. 11/9/07 at the FCC regional hearing on "Media Ownership"
RVTV Schedule
Channel 15 at 6:00 PM
Next three Wednesdays
12/19/07, 12/26/07, 01/02/08
Watch and listen to citizen after citizen offer public testimony that opposes FCC's desire to accommodate corporate media and relax restrictions on how many media outlets a single company can own in a market.
Watch this video for the most compelling public testimony you will ever see!!!
Rogue Valley Community Television will cablecast the public testimony given in Seattle, WA. 11/9/07 at the FCC regional hearing on "Media Ownership"
RVTV Schedule
Channel 15 at 6:00 PM
Next three Wednesdays
12/19/07, 12/26/07, 01/02/08
Watch and listen to citizen after citizen offer public testimony that opposes FCC's desire to accommodate corporate media and relax restrictions on how many media outlets a single company can own in a market.
Watch this video for the most compelling public testimony you will ever see!!!
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Dec 15 2007
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Romney & Mormon $ trying to buy election by buying Clear Channel |
The number of stations in the Clear Channel monopoly have varied.. originally they were 1200 stations jamming neocon warmonger propaganda into the ears of Americans.. controlling as many as 7 or 9 stations in 1 media market
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Dec 16 2007
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Ice Storm Raises Issues For State Leaders |
Reposted, with permission, from Okie Funk. It has been a tough week here for sure.
Tragically, 23 deaths have been blamed on the ice storm that stunned Oklahoma this past week. At one point, more than 600,000 homes and businesses were without power, and thousands still remain in the dark.
Some Oklahomans shivered through the storm with blankets and candles while others headed to shelters. The damage to the local tree population here is incalculable. Once the thaw is complete, we will know more, but it appears the state has lost thousands of trees. Meanwhile, the state’s college students trudged through finals week under some of the worst weather conditions possible. Read More>>
Photo from WikiNews
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Dec 16 2007
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Public Housing Residents, Supporters Tell Mayor Nagin, HUD: “Bring Our People Home Now!” |
December 15, 2007 -- Residents and supporters gathered outside the St. Bernard Housing Development today for a potluck and demonstration that was positive and energetic before police arrived in force to clear the street. Three arrests were reported.
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Dec 16 2007
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Students and workers protest U.C.-hired contractor |
People come out to the University of California Santa Barbara campus on December 3rd to support workers who remain unpaid by a contractor hired by U.C.S.B.
Ryan's Painting is a San Diego-based painting company who has failed to pay over a dozen workers for up to seven weeks. The U.C., in conjunction with the general contractor Prowest, allowed this to happen. Prowest recently admitted to some knowledge of falsified documents stating that workers are making over $30 per hour, a figure three times the actual salary of most. Workers who brought the injustices to light were threatened with deportation. Read Full Report by Laura
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Dec 16 2007
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Kids on the Hill TV Dinner, THAWED OUT! |
This Wednesday Dec 19, 7PM @ 2640 (2640 St. Paul St.) Kids on the Hill and the Indypendent Reader are co-sponsoring an event that was recently snowed-out. The evening will benefit the up-coming Civil Rights Trip, a sojourn for youth leaders from Baltimore City. This six day road trip includes meetings with civil rights leaders and visits to Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, Montgomery, Selma and Little Rock to engage and educate young people about civil rights and social change history first-hand. Youth leaders journal throughout the trip, and video tape their experiences to engage other young people on the trip and upon their return to Baltimore.
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Dec 17 2007
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The PPA's got their fingers caught in our goody bag! Rally Monday at 11:30 AM |
Since 2004, the Philadelphia Parking Authority hasn't sent a dime to the public schools despite a commitment to funnel millions to our children. Even though we've got high fines, 10 p.m. meters, booting, towing and red light cameras, the only thing the Parking Authority has found money for is itself. Join parents and citizens to tell the Parking Authority that political pals and an open expense book doesn't get them off the hook for funding our schools.
Join us at the Parking Authority Board meeting; Monday, Dec. 17th, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 3101 Market Street, 2nd flr.
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Dec 17 2007
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Nativist Hatred in Goodwell |
As I was fixing to leave Goodwell Saturday afternoon to run some errands in a neighboring town, I noticed the following two racist signs on adjacent dumpsters at College Corner, a local convenience store. Of course I didn't have my camera handy at the time, so I waited until the evening to get a couple shots of the offending signs. The only identifying information I could find was on one that claimed it was paid for by some entity called "Citizens for Public Awareness." A quick drive around town suggests that College Corner was the only location where these signs were posted. Given that store's location - right across the street from the university campus - I'm guessing the perps were shooting for maximum visibility.
[Editor's Note: There was a similar story posted to OKIMC in April, Racist group strikes in Northeast Oklahoma City]
--continued--
Similar signs have been found in Arizona, as witnessed by my friend Manny, and an ASU student who shot some video footage last year.
I recall that Manny was hoping to research the group behind the signs, so perhaps he'll chime in and offer some insight. From what I've been able to gather, this Citizens for Public Awareness organization doesn't exactly have much presence on the internet. That said, what little info I've been able to dredge up suggests that its founder and president, Nancy Schaefer, has been known to make nativist statements in the past. So, assuming this is the same group, the signs are definitely in character.
I'll likely be making a few phone calls Monday to see who has jurisdiction over dumpsters, and see what it'll take to get the signs removed.
All that aside, there is something fittingly symbolic of racist garbage like the above signs glued to dumpsters.
For those requiring some context, here's a little something on nativism.
Cross-posted from The Mahatma X Files
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Dec 17 2007
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December 17th is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers |
December 17th marks the 5th Annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. The day calls attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers. The Sex Workers Outreach Project conceived of the event as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River murders in Seattle, Washington. This day empowers sex workers and their supporters to come together to organize against discrimination and to remember victims of violence. A press conference on Monday on the steps of San Francisco City Hall (Polk side) at 11:30am will announce that the 5th Annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers will take place in Civic Center Plaza at 6pm.
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Dec 17 2007
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Ron Paul and the Employer/Employee Relationship |
The 2008 Libertarian National Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado over Memorial Day weekend from May 22 to May 26, 2008. One prominent Libertarian is hoping to run for President on the Republican ticket. Should Ron Paul be the candidate of working people? read more
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Dec 17 2007
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December 16, 2007: Portland Tea Party! |
Today, December 16, 2007, is the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, where American Colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest the passage of the Tea Act, "which allowed the East India Company to sell tea to the colonies directly and without 'payment of any customs or duties whatsoever' in Britain, instead paying the much lower American duty.""This tax break allowed the East India Company to sell tea for half the old price and cheaper than the price of tea in England, enabling them to undercut the prices offered by the colonial merchants and smugglers." (Wikipedia) Not so different from today, when government gives wealthy Corporations the rights of living, breathing human beings and puts their profit margins above the interests of the People.
For this reason the tea was dumped into the harbor. And for these same reasons members of Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, Chapter 72, and other supporters of the Constitution, dumped bags of compost symbolizing tea over the side of the Hawthorne bridge soon after reading aloud the U.S. Constitution and a list of current grievances.
For this reason the tea was dumped into the harbor. And for these same reasons members of Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, Chapter 72, and other supporters of the Constitution, dumped bags of compost symbolizing tea over the side of the Hawthorne bridge soon after reading aloud the U.S. Constitution and a list of current grievances.
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Dec 17 2007
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Longest Night: Dec 21 |
We remember those who have died homeless. They are gone, but not forgotten. Memorial Rally: 6pm, Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Speakers include Rep. James McGovern, Steve Freedman, Cha-Cha Connor, and Carlton Watson. Memorial Service: 7pm, the nearby UCC Church.
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Dec 17 2007
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ROD CORONADO TAKES PLEA DEAL IN SAN DIEGO FREE SPEECH CASE |
Agreement Includes One Year in Prison, No Testimony in Other Prosecutions
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Dec 17 2007
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Mexican Guest Workers Pass Through Houston After Being Illegally Fired |
12/17: Today Mexican workers filed complaints at the Department of Labor and the Mexican Embassy after being illegally fired by Bender Shipbuilding, a company that recruited them in Veracruz, MX and got them to invest in over a year's salary there to travel here. The Mexican H2B visa workers charge Bender with civil rights violations, breach of contract, and fraud; File EEOC Discrimination Charge and Call on US Department of Labor to investigate. A quarter of the 32 Mexican welders who were hired to work at Benders Shipbuilding and Repairs and brought to Alabama were upon arrival in Alabama were pushed out of work and out of legal status. "We left our families in Mexico out of economic necessity full of hope based on the promises of work made to us by representatives of Benders Shipbuilding and Repair Co., Inc. We quit our full-time jobs, sold valuables and took out loans to come here with the security that we had been tested, qualified and hired to work in the United States at Benders Shipbuilding for the contract period of our visas."
more coverage from Houston Indymedia and Comments | New Orleans Worker Justice
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Dec 17 2007
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Slavery-sweatshop conditions in Florida tomato fields spark growing press outrage |
Slavery and sweatshop conditions in Florida tomato fields spark growing outrage in the press; Food industry remains silent about the conditions in which its produce is picked... New articles in the Miami Herald, the Nation, The Week, Glamour magazine (yes, Glamour!...), and Forbes (yes, Forbes! ...)
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Dec 18 2007
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Fla Congressman Wexler calls for signatures to impeach VP Cheney (30k sign in 1 day) |
30,000 People Join Congressman Wexler's Call for Hearings in Just 24 Hours Blockbuster First Day for WexlerWantsHearings.com December 15th, 2007. In only the first 24 hours, more than 30,000 people have signed up online to join Congressman Robert Wexler's (D-FL) call for impeachment hearings for Vice President Richard Cheney.
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Dec 18 2007
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Sharon Delgado discusses Faith-led Resistance to Corporate Globalization |
On December 12th, Sharon Delgado read selections from her new book "Shaking the Gates of Hell: Faith led resistance to Corporate Globalization." She is a Reverend of Earth Justice Ministries, a former organizer with the Resource Center for Nonviolence, and a global justice activist. Delgado outlined portions of her book, and some of the ideas and philosophies behind her resistance to corporate globalization.
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Dec 18 2007
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Justice for Gary King Jr. |
On Saturday, December 15th, nearly 100 people held a candle light vigil in front of a new mural designed and painted by local artist Paul Barron and Gary King Sr. at the spot where his son Gary King Jr. was brutally killed by Oakland Police Officer Patrick Gonzalez on September 20. Family and friends had turned the spot of the murder into a shrine with candles, and messages of love and anger that were repeatedly torn down by the City of Oakland. It was only after family and friends launched a struggle that the city approved the permanent mural to be created.
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Dec 18 2007
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Twin Cities Activists Serve Local HUD Office Condemnation Notice |
While people in New Orleans stand down bulldozers menacing public housing, Twin Cities residents served the local HUD office with a "Condemndation Notice". The Director of the HUD office sent a representative to speak with the protesters and agreed to meet with them Monday morning.This action was part of a rising tide of opposition to HUD's demolition plans in New Orleans and elsewhere. Housing advocates across the country and around the world are calling for a halt to HUD’s ongoing campaign to tear down public housing units and force the relocation of public housing tenants against their will. Read More>> | | Related: Oakland Demo against New Orleans home Demolitions
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Dec 18 2007
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Protest Coos Bay LNG Terminal in Coquille, OR (12/19) |
Wednesday, December 19th at 9:00 a.m. - Final Deliberations by the Coos County Commissioners on the Oregon Gateway Marine Terminal for the LNG tanker ships application.
NOTICE OF PROTEST - We would like to have another strong showing at this next and last deliberation meeting when the Commissioners make their final decision. We need the room packed out. PLEASE EVERYONE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO BE THERE - AND BRING A FRIEND. The Meeting will take place at the Coos County Annex in the Planning Dept Meeting Room located at 290 N Central in Coquille.
NOTICE OF PROTEST - We would like to have another strong showing at this next and last deliberation meeting when the Commissioners make their final decision. We need the room packed out. PLEASE EVERYONE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO BE THERE - AND BRING A FRIEND. The Meeting will take place at the Coos County Annex in the Planning Dept Meeting Room located at 290 N Central in Coquille.
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Dec 18 2007
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Asking for help in Colton |
Several months ago, an article was posted here about a road closure in Colton. Most of you have probably never been out there, but I'm fairly certain that you are familiar with official tactics when citizens begin asking questions. The road remains closed and now the man in charge has stopped responding to questions.
What is most interesting is that this road was closed after a mud slide. The slide occurred when the owner of the property clear cut his land. Does that sound familiar?
This is happening all over the Northwest. People who care nothing for the land and the soil, cut trees and walk off with their profits while the rest of us are left to deal with road closures and, more importantly, the loss of precious soils and forests. This damage has been done, but I am hoping that when the county gets emails from the people that they will understand that we are out here watching and we are not clueless.
What is most interesting is that this road was closed after a mud slide. The slide occurred when the owner of the property clear cut his land. Does that sound familiar?
This is happening all over the Northwest. People who care nothing for the land and the soil, cut trees and walk off with their profits while the rest of us are left to deal with road closures and, more importantly, the loss of precious soils and forests. This damage has been done, but I am hoping that when the county gets emails from the people that they will understand that we are out here watching and we are not clueless.
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Dec 18 2007
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VICTORY: Daily Tidings Dumps Hate Speech! |
In a demonstration of community and well being the Ashland Daily Tidings did the unFOXy thing and 86'd the hateful speech that it harbored on it's website. The worst of the hate comments have been taken down, background story here http://rogueimc.org/en/2007/12/9550.shtml This is a Good Thing at the Right Time. The newspaper is for sale. Its not like you drive by the Tidings' offices on Siskiyou Blvd. in Ashland and see another real estate sign planted in the front yard, but be no mistake about it: our local newspaper since 1876 has been put up on the auction block right along with the Mail Tribune ( they dumped the name "Medford" recently) and the Nickel (the rag you look in to buy a used car or washing machine). All three are up for sale now. Rupert Murdoch has declared it.
The Ashland Daily Tidings very likely just improved its standings in the business world, a world that cares first and foremost for the bottom line, that world we live in where news is for sale and is driven so deeply by the payers and players, the advertisers. We know this world where increasingly everything is for sale, we live in it. Victory for the Tidings is for a newspaper that might have a life down the road and continue the long tradition of a community paper that has been here reporting our news since 1876... The other road for the Tidings' future has it being found on a rack at the grocery store, right next to the woman who just gave birth to a 17 pound baby with hair on its lip.
Never mind for just a minute, the economics of selling a local newspaper in the United States. We all have heard that newspapers across America are taking a dive. Lets instead focus on our community and what it means when our Ashland Daily Tidings does the unFOXy thing and dumps hate speech. This is community news that is truly worth reporting.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ASHLAND DAILY TIDINGS, RUPERT MURDOCH BE DAMNED!
http://rogueimc.org/en/2007/12/9550.shtml This is a Good Thing at the Right Time. The newspaper is for sale. Its not like you drive by the Tidings' offices on Siskiyou Blvd. in Ashland and see another real estate sign planted in the front yard, but be no mistake about it: our local newspaper since 1876 has been put up on the auction block right along with the Mail Tribune ( they dumped the name "Medford" recently) and the Nickel (the rag you look in to buy a used car or washing machine). All three are up for sale now. Rupert Murdoch has declared it. The Ashland Daily Tidings very likely just improved its standings in the business world, a world that cares first and foremost for the bottom line, that world we live in where news is for sale and is driven so deeply by the payers and players, the advertisers. We know this world where increasingly everything is for sale, we live in it. Victory for the Tidings is for a newspaper that might have a life down the road and continue the long tradition of a community paper that has been here reporting our news since 1876... The other road for the Tidings' future has it being found on a rack at the grocery store, right next to the woman who just gave birth to a 17 pound baby with hair on its lip.
Never mind for just a minute, the economics of selling a local newspaper in the United States. We all have heard that newspapers across America are taking a dive. Lets instead focus on our community and what it means when our Ashland Daily Tidings does the unFOXy thing and dumps hate speech. This is community news that is truly worth reporting.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ASHLAND DAILY TIDINGS, RUPERT MURDOCH BE DAMNED!
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Dec 18 2007
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Denver trying to get $50 million for security |
Dec 18th Denver Post ....
http://www.politicswest.com/democratic_national_convention/15317/new_sec...
"The House was to consider late Monday an appropriations bill that includes $100 million to be divided between Denver and St. Paul, Minn., which is hosting the Republican National Convention.
Although appropriations requests already exist in both House and Senate bills, the budget process has been stymied in part by the Iraq war funding debate."
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Dec 18 2007
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Reclaim MLK Day! Denver Call to Action |
N.B.P.P. MILE HIGH DENVER CHAPTER
THE REVOLUTION CONTINUES.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day for World Solidarity
“…And I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic, destructive suction tube. So I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. read more
THE REVOLUTION CONTINUES.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day for World Solidarity
“…And I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic, destructive suction tube. So I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. read more
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Dec 19 2007
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Do police read indymedia (and myspace, etc)? |
RT writes, "Myspace, blogs, and online networks are like a dream for police investigators. Where they used to have to go out and interview people, check records, walk the street, now they merely have to go online. Investigation from the convenience of their offices. I took part in a demonstration and was arrested. Afterward, the police contacted my employer to suggest that they check up on me. I got a copy of the police report yesterday and was surprised to find that the police had gone beyond just the basic facts of my arrest.
They had tracked down the website for my band, followed a link to our myspace page, and from there tracked down my personal myspace page. In my profile I had some pretty cheeky anti-authoritarian hyperbole and that was quoted in the report. "Subject says in his myspace profile that he is 'looking for someone to turn over and burn police cars with,'" a dumb comment that had been part of my online profile for many years. There was a print out of my entire myspace profile, band website, etc. All of this info had been passed on to my employer." Read More
see also: CrimethInc Primer on Security Culutre | The ABCs of Fuck MySpace (A Very Rough Draft) | Does what happens in the Facebook stay in the Facebook?
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Dec 19 2007
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Mitt Romney agrees to buy Clear Channel communications |
Looks like this is for real, folks-it's being reported on a Clear Channel press release, Democratic Underground, Randi Rhoad,liveleak, even GOP rival Huckabee's official web site, and not just those racist and conspiracxy theory sites, which of course are going absoluely bonkers with this story.
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Dec 19 2007
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Harold Taylor Faces December 20th Court Date |
The San Francisco 8 continue to speak out about the injustices committed against them in their case, and they have garnered international support in the past several months. In spite of this, those who are out on bail continue to face harassment from law enforcement officials. Harold Taylor faces a hearing that could either increase or revoke his bail, on December 20th at 10:30am at 850 Bryant Street in San Francisco
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Dec 19 2007
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Medical Cannabis Patients Seek Support of SF Mayor |
The DEA has raided over 50 medical cannabis dispensaries in California this year -- more than three times last year's figure. In early December, the San Francisco DEA office "leaked" to the SF Chronicle that they would send forfeiture threat letters to the landlords of all the medical cannabis dispensaries (MCD's) in Northern California. In Southern California, dozens of MCD's closed over the summer after the DEA threatened their landlords with the loss of their property or jail time. Nine San Francisco dispensaries have reported receiving the letters. Local patients and their supporters are asking SF Mayor Gavin Newsom to take a public stand supporting medical cannabis and Representative Conyers's recent statement condemning the landlord letters, and opposing the DEA's intimidation tactics.
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Dec 19 2007
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Winter Break at the UCSC Tree-sit |
December 7th marked the first month of the tree-sit on Science Hill at UC Santa Cruz to protest campus expansion. In that month, discussions about UCSC's Long Range Development Plan, biomedicine, the use of police force and the future of the UCSC campus have been sprouting up all over the place. Connections have been made with off-campus community members, many forums have been held and more are planned, and a campus coalition of students, graduate students, and faculty is forming to plan other forms of resistance outside of the tree-sit.
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Dec 19 2007
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Stop Media Consolidation: Take ACTION TODAY |
The FCC approved new rules yesterday that will unleash a flood of media consolidation across America. The new rules will further consolidate local media markets -- taking away independent, poor and minority voices in cities already woefully short on local news and investigative journalism.
Congress has the power to throw out these rules -- and if 100,000 people demand it, they'll have to listen. Sign the open letter to Congress urging them to stop the FCC and stand with the public interest.
Other Info: Watch video on effects of consolidating media | Get the facts on media consolidation | Find out who owns the media
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Dec 19 2007
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N.O. Housing Organizers Call for All-Out Support As Vote Approaches |
The Coalition to Stop the Demolitions would like to thank all of our allies and supporters throughout the United States and the world who came and stood with us in New Orleans or took action on the streets your city, or who called, emailed, or faxed the New Orleans City Council, Mayor Ray Nagin, Senator Vitter, the Senate Banking Committee members, etc. Your support played a pivotal role in helping us attain the victories we accomplished last week in halting the demolition of three of the four major public housing locations in New Orleans.
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Dec 19 2007
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Police State America - A Look Back and Ahead |
Year end is a good time to look back and reflect on what's ahead. If past is prologue, however, the outlook isn't good, and nothing on the horizon suggests otherwise.
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Dec 19 2007
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This is how we (could) pray: saving the San Francisco Peaks |
On Tuesday December 11, 2007, I joined in a community effort to welcome and support a coalition of Native American Nations and environmental justice groups in their ongoing effort to defend Arizona's San Francisco Peaks from proposed ski area development. The coalition had traveled from Arizona in order to be present for a Federal Appeals Court hearing in which developers would challenge a precedent-setting court victory won by the coalition, which halted plans to expand the skiing business by making fake snow out of sewage waste. This case is viewed as precedent-setting in the realms of religious freedom and public health, and particularly in establishing an interpretation for the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).As a person of faith, what struck me about the gathering is how deeply important the theme of religious freedom was... Full report from newswire: This is how we (could) pray by Amy L. Dalton
Report on the court proceedings: Tribes & Environmental Groups Defend Religious Freedom & Human Health in Federal Court | | Report with photos: March and Vigil to Save the San Francisco Peaks by Self-Hating Caucasian | | More photos: by Raul Roa | | Related: A Native American on How Non-Indigenous People Can Stop Colonialization
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Dec 19 2007
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Video of the Tukwila Six, and a Motion of Solidarity from the Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly |
A short 3 min a/v clip about the Tukwila Six Students and the one "student who was expelled" for anti-war protesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RkiHiR-JR8
The motion that passed our Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly on December 17, 2007:
WHEREAS the Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly is very concerned about the academic freedom and professional future of six fellow educators in the Tukwila School District and the students involved in the November 16th, 2007 anti-war walkout and protest of military recruiting on campus; and
WHEREAS 71 percent of the students of the Tukwila School District is eligible for free and reduced lunch, and military recruiters visit Foster High School frequently at lunch, be it
RESOLVED that the Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly expresses its solidarity with the six Tukwila teachers and with any and all affected students in any ongoing or related disciplinary proceedings, and commits to support the quick and just resolution of said proceedings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RkiHiR-JR8 The motion that passed our Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly on December 17, 2007:
WHEREAS the Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly is very concerned about the academic freedom and professional future of six fellow educators in the Tukwila School District and the students involved in the November 16th, 2007 anti-war walkout and protest of military recruiting on campus; and
WHEREAS 71 percent of the students of the Tukwila School District is eligible for free and reduced lunch, and military recruiters visit Foster High School frequently at lunch, be it
RESOLVED that the Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly expresses its solidarity with the six Tukwila teachers and with any and all affected students in any ongoing or related disciplinary proceedings, and commits to support the quick and just resolution of said proceedings.
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Dec 20 2007
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More Attacks Being Planned Against Wild Buffalo in Montana |
In early December, members of the Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) in Montana met with Yellowstone National Park administrators and also attended the Interagency Bison Management Plan open house. At both meetings the news from the agencies wasn't good. BFC was told that it will likely be a very bad winter for the buffalo.
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Dec 20 2007
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New Orleans: Bork Chained to Bulldozer at B.W. Cooper Homes |
Affordable housing and homeless advocate Jamie "Bork" Loughner has chained herself to a bulldozer this morning at the B.W. Cooper housing complex in New Orleans.
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Dec 20 2007
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Tukwila School Board Meeting Report |
The second Tukwila school board meeting since the Nov. 16th student walkout. Six teachers were subsequently put under disciplinary investigations and one student suspended for 9 days.
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Dec 20 2007
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FCC Relaxes Ownership Rules |
Ignoring the millions who have spoken up against media consolidation, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave big media an early Christmas gift today. Under the direction of chairman, Kevin J. Martin, the FCC loosened a 32-year old cross-ownership restriction that prevented anyone from owning both a newspaper and a television or radio station in the same city.
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Dec 20 2007
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2nd Screening of Videoactivism & Independent Documentaries, Caracas Jan. 08 |
The collective editors of the Venezuelan journal El Libertario and the Organizacion Nelson Garrido, have issued a call out for filmmakers and video activists from all over the world to present their recent autonomous works concerning active social movements in struggle. This will be held in Caracas, Venezuela, between the 21st and the 28th of January 2008.
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Dec 20 2007
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Rod Coronado Takes Plea Deal in San Diego Free Speech Case |
On December 14th, Rod Coronado entered a guilty plea in federal court in San Diego to one count of distribution of information related to the assembly of explosives and weapons of mass destruction. This was the charge that Rod had fought for almost two years and for which he faced approximately five to ten years in prison if found guilty at trial. Rod stated in an open letter that "hopefully this plea agreement will once and for all grant me closure in a well-known campaign of repression against me for my past involvement, association and support for covert campaigns against environmental destroyers and animal abusers..."
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Dec 20 2007
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What do students want for Christmas? Quality teachers. |
Teacher contract negotiations begin in January. The decisions that are made as a result of these negotiations will impact not only teachers, but students as well. We want a voice in the discussions about the process of hiring, teacher distribution, teacher turnover, and seniority. Because we are directly involved in the decisions made in these negotiations, we want to contribute our opinions... Read full report by Mica Root, Media Mobilizing Project<< Pictured: Clarence Williams of the Philadelphia Student Union testifies at the School Reform Commission meeting
Previous Coverage: Oct18: Philadelphia Student Union Outlines Path to Quality Education for All Students
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Dec 20 2007
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DOZENS PROTEST SAN PEDRO BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION |
Federal Judge Denies Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of REAL ID Act, Threats Continue Against San Pedro River
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Dec 20 2007
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BREAKING NEWS: LSSI has to recognize union! |
When Library Systems & Services (LSSI) took over operations of the Jackson County Library System (all 15 libraries), employees lost their right to union representation. The Successorship Doctrine provides an avenue for library employees to keep their union and to bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions.
THIS IS INCREDIBLE NEWS THAT BROKE THIS MORNING ON THE BRAIN LABOR REPORT
Buck Eichler was the guest on the December 20, 2007 edition of this morning radio program that highlights the struggles of ordinary working people
Listen to this radio show, audio file here
http://www.kskq.org/audio-archive/blr/blr20071220.mp3
THIS IS INCREDIBLE NEWS THAT BROKE THIS MORNING ON THE BRAIN LABOR REPORT
Buck Eichler was the guest on the December 20, 2007 edition of this morning radio program that highlights the struggles of ordinary working people
Listen to this radio show, audio file here
http://www.kskq.org/audio-archive/blr/blr20071220.mp3
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Dec 20 2007
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News from housing protests in New Orleans |
Follow the news of the housing protests in New Orleans on the following sites:
http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/
http://www.defendneworleanspublichousing.org/
http://www.justiceforneworleans.org/
Guerrilla news video of 12/18/07 action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhyo9mk_Nxg
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Dec 20 2007
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Oakland Demo against New Orleans home Demolitions |
On December 14th over 200 people gathered in downtown Oakland for a lively lunch time protest against HUD's plans to demolish housing units in New Orleans. On December 20th, there was a hearing in New Orleans on the demolitions, but the police moved in and peppersprayed activists who attended and forced many out of City Hall.
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Dec 20 2007
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Action Alert: Oppose Detention Center (for Immigrants) Expansion! |
Action Alert From Coloradans For Immigrant Rights (CFIR)!!:
As many of you know, the GEO corporation has announced its plans to expand the immigration detention center in Aurora from 400 to 1500 beds. GEO has a poor record on humanitarian treatment in its detention centers across the country and here, in Aurora, CO. Moreover, as we know, most folks held in immigration detention pose no public safety risk, have no criminal record and are being held for civil violations.
Please show your concern about the expansion
by attending a public meeting with The GEO Group: read more
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Dec 20 2007
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Holiday Greetings from Recreate-68 |
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CONVENTION
by RECREATE 68
'Twas the night before the Convention, when all through the land a revolution was stirring, the people were making a stand;
The spy cameras were hung by the police with care,
In the hopes of snaring a protestor and claiming it’s fair;
The homeless were nestled all snug in new beds,
to hide them away from democrat heads;
When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
The police sprang from the station to see what was the matter.
Away to the Pepsi Center they flew like a flash,
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Dec 21 2007
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BW Cooper Demolition Stopped by Activists Chained to Building |
The destruction of buildings at the BW Cooper public housing development ground to a halt today as at least one protester chained herself to a building. Shouting, "no demolitions!" the public housing advocate called from the building for the New Orleans City Council to vote against demolitions tomorrow, Thursday, December 19. Read More...
UPDATE 12:47 Bulldozers reported STOPPED for another day!
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Dec 21 2007
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Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Blood |
Peace activists held a demonstration against military recruitment at a shopping center on west Shaw avenue in Fresno yesterday. The event began with the Raging Grannies singing songs of peace and a delegation going into the military recruiting center to hand out peace cranes and cookies.
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Dec 21 2007
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Editorial Cartoon: This Holiday Season, Remember The Missing! |
And so, another year has gone, and it's fitting, I think, for us to remember The Missing, the MIAs. At every challenge to the Constitution and Liberty, The Missing were…MIA. When the time came to stand and fight for what was right, the MIAs were Missing, but not forgotten. Even today, with Peace and Freedom on attack from all sides, you can count on The Missing to be…MIAs. So, now, let us pause and Remember The Missing.
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Dec 21 2007
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Gov’t publishes nuclear secrets. Then Bush says Iran dangerous if they have those secrets |
Last March 2006, the government set up a web site to make public a vast archive of Iraqi documents captured during the war that included what the New York Times called a "nuclear primer' because it included about a dozen documents in Arabic that contained "charts, diagrams, equations and lengthy narratives about bomb building. The documents, the experts say, constitute a basic guide to building an atom bomb.
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Dec 21 2007
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Lakota Sioux Indian Nation declare independence from U.S. Empire |
The Lakota Indians, who gave the world legendary warriors Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, have withdrawn from treaties with the United States, leaders said Wednesday.
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Dec 21 2007
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Vermont Commons: Vermonters should peaceably secede from the United States Empire |
VERMONT COMMONS is the online voice of Vermont Independence. The organization has been working for some time to establish The Second Vermont Republic which is a peaceful, democratic, grassroots, libertarian populist movement opposed to the tyranny of the U.S. Government, corporate America, and globalization and committed to the return of Vermont to its rightful status as an independent republic, as it was between 1777 and 1791. More of the history of Vermont and the Independence movement can be read at the VT Commons website.
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Dec 21 2007
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After Feb. 8, 2008 you'll need the Government’s permission to fly within the USA |
Beginning in February 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement their ¨Advance Passenger Information System (APIS),¨ the gist of which is that you will need permission from the United States Government to travel on any air or sea vessel that goes to, from or through the U.S. The travel companies will not be able to issue a boarding pass until you are cleared by DHS. This applies to ALL passengers, US citizens and visitors alike. And how do you get said permission to travel? That´s for your government to know and you to never find out.
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Dec 21 2007
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Police Attack Protesters With Mace, Tazers to Keep Them Out of City Hall |
First locked out of their homes for more than 2 years, and now locked out of the very City Council meeting in which the city’s politicians are set to vote for tearing down their homes, residents and activist today were attacked by police to keep them from entering the City Council chambers. Read More... (photo by fraugg)Additional Coverage Tasers, Pepper Gas Greet Protesters At City Hall | | images from city council meeting | | Videos
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Dec 21 2007
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We’re Not Going to Cry Wolf, But We Really Need Your Help |
We’re not going to lie to you. We’re not facing some dramatic crisis where we’re on the verge of closing our doors. We ran a tight ship this year, expanding the paper size, our circulation and our staff and kept within our budget.
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Dec 21 2007
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Stop NYC from Bulldozing Washington Square Park |
City Council Chair Christine Quinn is using her office's discretionary funds to help pay for the chainsawing of at least 32 trees in the Park in the next few weeks, and the razing of much of the Park to suit NYU's corporate desires.
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Dec 21 2007
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Sonny Carson Specter Haunts Speaker Quinn |
Mayoral hopeful, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn's attempts to curry favor among Blacks since her Sonny Carson Avenue debacle that split the City Council down racial lines, have proven catastrophic. Quinn keeps stumbling on Mr. Carson’s legacy.
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Dec 21 2007
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Jailed Benton Harbor Community Activist Retaliates With Hunger Strike |
Reverend Edward Pinkney is a longtime political activist in the nearby Michigan community of Benton Harbor. In an effort to combat waterfront gentrification, Pinkney had successfully led a recall effort against a corrupt Benton Harbor official. But the city fought back by charging Pinkney with voter fraud under an overbroad state law, and placed Pinkney on probation and under house arrest. On December 13, Pinkney was charged again for violating his probation. The reason: he openly criticized the judge who sentenced him on dubious grounds. Pinkney has now been forced into jail, but has now responded back with a hunger strike which has now extended into a week. Full article from The Black Commentator
Additional Resources: BANCO: Black Autonomy Network Community Organization | Chicago Indymedia video: March to St. Joseph (2003) | Coverage from Pan-African Newswire | Coverage from the Black Commentator: May 10 and Dec. 13 | Media Mouse covereage
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Dec 21 2007
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Three Senior Citizens Arrested at Impeachment Vigil |
Three senior citizens were arrested in front of Representative Earl Blumenauer's office building on Thursday, December 20, the twenty-first week in a row that protestors have called for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Sara Graham, Joe Walsh, also known as The Lone Vet and dressed as "Santa" and Marilyn Pike were arrested after police earnestly tried to convince the group to move.
The Lone Vet initiated the protests because he feels that it is the responsibility of American citizens to challenge the illegality of the Bush administration. "George Bush has caused me to be ashamed to be an American; Earl Blumenauer has caused me to be ashamed to be a democrat. We are willing to risk arrest to send a message that Bush is the one who should face a judge."
The Lone Vet initiated the protests because he feels that it is the responsibility of American citizens to challenge the illegality of the Bush administration. "George Bush has caused me to be ashamed to be an American; Earl Blumenauer has caused me to be ashamed to be a democrat. We are willing to risk arrest to send a message that Bush is the one who should face a judge."
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Dec 21 2007
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Multnomah County Jails: Problems go way beyond Bernie, Grand Jury a whitewash. |
Each year, a special grand jury is chosen to "investigate" the Multnomah County jail system. And every year, it turns out to be nothing more than shameless, symbolic politics. This year's report from the grand jury promises to be no different. It's not the fault of the jury, either. It's the system itself.
Today, the Multnomah County grand jury wound up months of work related to a sadly foregone conclusion. Jurors were presented with mountains of documents, and entertained by parades of "experts" to expound on the minute details of obscure financial improprieties. Many of the jurors were completely unaware of just how tightly controlled the whole proceeding was, or just how much information was never presented at all.
Today, the Multnomah County grand jury wound up months of work related to a sadly foregone conclusion. Jurors were presented with mountains of documents, and entertained by parades of "experts" to expound on the minute details of obscure financial improprieties. Many of the jurors were completely unaware of just how tightly controlled the whole proceeding was, or just how much information was never presented at all.
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Dec 21 2007
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Lakota Seceed from USA |
The Lakota Indians, who gave the world legendary warriors Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, have withdrawn from treaties with the United States, leaders said Wednesday.
"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us," long-time Indian rights activist Russell Means told a handful of reporters and a delegation from the Bolivian embassy, gathered in a church in a run-down neighborhood of Washington for a news conference.
A delegation of Lakota leaders delivered a message to the State Department on Monday, announcing they were unilaterally withdrawing from treaties they signed with the federal government of the United States, some of them more than 150 years old.
"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us," long-time Indian rights activist Russell Means told a handful of reporters and a delegation from the Bolivian embassy, gathered in a church in a run-down neighborhood of Washington for a news conference.
A delegation of Lakota leaders delivered a message to the State Department on Monday, announcing they were unilaterally withdrawing from treaties they signed with the federal government of the United States, some of them more than 150 years old.
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Dec 21 2007
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Friends Of Family Farmers listening sessions |
Wed. January 16th, 6:30-8:30pm @ People's Co-op Community Room,3029 SE 21st Ave, 1 block north of SE Powell. The community room is located in the upstairs of People's store with access by stairs or by elevator for anyone with disabilities.
Friends of Family Farmers would like to invite you to participate in an informal meeting with other area farmers and members of the food system. This Listening Session (you talk, we listen) will be a group brainstorm to develop a list of issues and challenges that you, as a family farmer, face while trying to run a socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally friendly business in the state of Oregon.
We will be holding 5 Listening Sessions around the state of Oregon in January and February 2008. Right now, the scheduled locations are:
• The Portland Metro Area-
Wed. January 16th, 6:30-8:30pm @ People's Co-op
• Corvallis/ Eugene- TBA
• Southern Oregon/ Rogue Valley-
Wed. January 30th, 6:00-8:00pm @ OSU Extension
• Pendleton- TBA
• Bend/ John Day- TBA
Friends of Family Farmers would like to invite you to participate in an informal meeting with other area farmers and members of the food system. This Listening Session (you talk, we listen) will be a group brainstorm to develop a list of issues and challenges that you, as a family farmer, face while trying to run a socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally friendly business in the state of Oregon.
We will be holding 5 Listening Sessions around the state of Oregon in January and February 2008. Right now, the scheduled locations are:
• The Portland Metro Area-
Wed. January 16th, 6:30-8:30pm @ People's Co-op
• Corvallis/ Eugene- TBA
• Southern Oregon/ Rogue Valley-
Wed. January 30th, 6:00-8:00pm @ OSU Extension
• Pendleton- TBA
• Bend/ John Day- TBA
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Dec 21 2007
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Boston-Area Students and Raging Grannies Unite to Carol for Peace |
Boston, MA, December 20, 2007—Groups from across the region and generations are joining together this Friday in a timely, creative call to end the American occupation of Iraq. Boston students from schools around the area are uniting their voices with the Boston Raging Grannies to sing a rousing chorus of anti-war, pro-peace holiday carols at 3:30pm on Friday in Downtown Crossing (the corner of Washington St. and Bromfield St.) We encourage all students still in the area and Bostonians to join us to engage in an anti-war action before this New Year!
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Dec 21 2007
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Anarchist Show Shut Down by Police |
". . . They used the Southern California Anarchist show as an excuse to attack the work of the Centro. The Centro de Accion Popular has English classes for the community and does community, educational, and cultural events out of the center. They will not be able to do all that anymore until we are able to make the space 'fire safe' and add another door in the rear. . . ."
Story: Southern California Anarchist Show Shut Down by Police by Joaquin Cienfue
Story: Southern California Anarchist Show Shut Down by Police by Joaquin Cienfue
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Dec 22 2007
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Lakota Declare Sovereign Nation Status |
Threaten Land Liens, Contested Real Estate Over Five State Area in U.S. WestLakota Sioux Indian representatives declared sovereign nation status today in Washington D.C. following Monday’s withdrawal from all previously signed treaties with the United States Government. The withdrawal, hand delivered to Daniel Turner, Deputy Director of Public Liaison at the State Department, immediately and irrevocably ends all agreements between the Lakota Sioux Nation of Indians and the United States Government outlined in the 1851 and 1868 Treaties at Fort Laramie Wyoming.
<< Pictured: Lakota delegates Phyllis Young (foreground) and Russell Means (background) at Wednesday's press event in Washington DC.
Lakota Freedom Delegation | Lakota Withdrawal Letter, December 17, 2007 | Declaration of Continuing Independence (June, 1974)
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Dec 22 2007
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No Coal for Christmas: Tell Bank of America, “Divest from Coal. Invest in Clean Energy.” |
Activists with Blue Ridge Earth First! (BREF)and VCU SDS (VCU Students for a Democratic Society) gathered at noon Tuesday inside the Bank of America branch on the downtown mall in Charlottesville to tell bank management “Divest from Coal. Invest in Clean Energy.” As carolers sang coal-themed versions of Christmas classics such as I’m Having Nightmares of a Coal Christmas to the tune of I’m Dreaming of A White Christmas, Santa delivered a sack of coal to the bank, checking off the naughtiest corporation on his list.
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Dec 22 2007
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Solidarity Runs Deep at People of Color Caucus |
Grassroots activists gathered to share stories and promote solidarity at People of Color Caucus last Saturday.
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Dec 22 2007
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Giant Puppets at SOA |
Activists from VA joined thousands at annual protest against the School Of Americas in Columbus, GA. Members of Little Flower CW in Louisa VA, Jennifer Conner from Charlottes VA & Members of Shannon Farms in Nelson VA participated in the giant puppet show.
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Dec 22 2007
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Citizens of Richmond Seek Justice for Prisoners |
The United States has the largest prison population in the world, with more than 2 million Americans serving time behind bars, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Richmond citizens of all ages and colors gathered in Monroe Park last Saturday afternoon to raise awareness of this fact, and bring attention to the many racial and economic disparities that they say plague the criminal justice system.
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Dec 22 2007
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Blackwater Protest: Protestors Drive Blood-spattered Car onto Blackwater Property |
Seven activists are arrested after driving onto Blackwater's property to protest the military contractor's presence in Iraq. 50 others vigil along road.
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Dec 22 2007
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Iraq Moratorium Mall Walkers Confront Marine Recruiters in San Mateo |
On December 21st, about 30 Mall Walkers for Peace, including members of San Mateo Peace Action, Declaration of Peace, Veterans for Peace, San Mateo Democracy for America and the Raging Grannies, strolled the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo as part of the 4th national Iraq Moratorium event in as many months. The Raging Grannies wore their signature hats and buttons while others sported t-shirts with the words "Troops Home Now!"
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Dec 22 2007
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Vigil against violence against sex workers |
On Monday evening, December 17th, a handful of Philadelphians gathered to show solidarity with sex workers who live at risk of violence and abuse. The candlelight vigil marked International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This annual event, held in dozens of cities around the globe, aims to raise awareness about the rape, assault, battery and murder that is commonly committed against sex workers.
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Dec 22 2007
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Dear Dooda Desert Rock Supporters |
We are greatly honored to invite you to attend two special celebrations at the Dooda (NO) Desert Rock (DDR) Camp at Ram Springs, New Mexico. The DDR Organization Christmas Party will be held on Wednesday, December 26, 2007, and the New Years Celebration will take place from December 31, 2007 to January 1, 2008. Since December 12, 2006, The DDR Deployment has made major news throughout the Navajo Nation and the world. The intrusion of Sithe Global, LLC, Desert Rock Energy Company and Dine Power Authority will not be successful as long as we have your support to continue our DDR Mission. Please bring a friend or family member to join us and help us maintain a solid team effort for the New Year.
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Dec 22 2007
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Tancredo's Campaign Over |
Tom Tancredo has announced that he will no longer be running for president. This shouldn't come as a surprise because he was only getting 6% of the votes in polls, but it should come as a victory. Tancredo's racist, polarizing, anti-immigrant ads have generated controversy and resulted in his ads getting pulled from several TV stations. For a mainstream media article on the announcement, see http://www.immigrantslist.org/page/m/579cdab8593becf9/Yjcgoq/
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Dec 22 2007
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Review of Derrick Jensen's Q&A in Portland |
Walking into the Disjecta, one could not help but feeling somewhat uncomfortable in the dark cold empty warehouse located underneath the Burnside bridge. But given the dire circumstances of the planet and the "times", it was also somewhat appropriate even in the holiday season. Looking out the west windows of the building, you could see the skate park under the bridge and hear the buzz of traffic. Despite asking $15 to $18 a head , a crowd of approximately 100 people filled one side of the warehouse. A representative for Disjecta informed everyone that this would be the last event at the warehouse and that we were really not supposed to be there and were essentially "squatting" on the property.
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Dec 23 2007
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Santa Cruz Sleeping Ban Struggle Persists as Ryan Connerty Becomes Mayor |
The Santa Cruz Sleeping Ban is a local law that defines sleeping at night as "camping" and prescribes a $97 fine for falling asleep outside a house or hotel within City limits. Using one's vehicle as housing is illegal, even though the city provides no alternatives. Since there's shelter space in winter for only 160 of the city's 1500-2000 homeless residents, the law in effect makes it a crime to be homeless at night, unless you stay awake.
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Dec 23 2007
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Our Experience at the Monkeywrench Cafe |
We arrived at the house to find the front entrance closed with a sign pointing to a "secret" entrance through a side door. We were greeted with a "Welcome to the Monkeywrench Cafe," a DIY menu, and the ambiance of glowing candles and flickering from the fire. Two large rooms were quickly filled with people of all ages, from toddlers to elders. We sat near the fire and sipped tea and hot chocolate waiting for the storytelling to begin.
We listened to a wide range of stories from activists of different ages. Some shared serious opinions on tactics and critical perspectives at the movement's evolution. Some shared light hearted stories of pesky bear encounters while tree-sitting. Sometimes the stories were so hilarious and the tellers were enjoying telling so much that you could hardly hear the story through all the laughter. Two speakers were on the bill for the night, but with impromptu storytellers, we heard from half a dozen folks sharing memories and ideas.
We listened to a wide range of stories from activists of different ages. Some shared serious opinions on tactics and critical perspectives at the movement's evolution. Some shared light hearted stories of pesky bear encounters while tree-sitting. Sometimes the stories were so hilarious and the tellers were enjoying telling so much that you could hardly hear the story through all the laughter. Two speakers were on the bill for the night, but with impromptu storytellers, we heard from half a dozen folks sharing memories and ideas.
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Dec 23 2007
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Homeless advocates vigil to remember those who died on the street |
On Dec 21, the longest night of the year, at least 50 people held a candlelight vigil at McPherson Square. The vigil was held to remember all those who have died on DC streets while homeless in recent years.
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Dec 23 2007
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Victory for Tukwila Teachers and Antiwar Students |
After a month-long struggle, the Tukwila solidarity campaign announces a qualified victory.The Tukwila School District administrators finally announced the results of their disciplinary investigations against the Tukwila six teachers who allowed or supported the Nov. 16th walkout of 125 students against the Iraq war and military recruitment at Foster High School—a Letter of Reprimand for Brett Rogers who walked out with students and a Directive Letter for Kjell Rowe who gave students a ride to the student rally.
That no teachers were fired is a tremendous VICTORY for the Foster teachers, their students, and for us all! Read More>>
Past Coverage: Dec19: Tukwila School Board Meeting Report | | Dec19: Video of the Tukwila Six, and a Motion of Solidarity from the Seattle Education Association Representative Assembly | | Dec8: Student Antiwar Walkouts Spark Small Town Backlash | | Nov29: Tukwila Six - Solidarity for Teachers - Student Walkout - Rally | | Nov22: ALERT: Tukwila Teachers Being Fired For Student Counter-recruitment Walkout | | Archive of updates | | Youth Against War & Racism
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Dec 23 2007
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PUBLIC DISRUPTS MEETING ON I-10 BYPASS |
More than 130 Pack State Transportation Meeting to Speak Out Against New Highway
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Dec 23 2007
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NY Human Rights Carolers Debut Songs Protesting Leviev’s Israeli Settlements |
A diverse group of enthusiastic participants sang loud and creative versions of 11 traditional holiday songs. Carolers serenaded upscale Madison Avenue shoppers and New York City police with the debut performance of “I Made a Little Settlement” to the tune of “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel”:
“Apartments for Jews only, Discrimination, sure!
He thinks Palestine's the problem, and Apartheid is the cure!”
“Oh boycott boycott boycott, Don't buy Leviev today
Funds crime with all that profit, Who needs diamonds anyway?”
“Apartments for Jews only, Discrimination, sure!
He thinks Palestine's the problem, and Apartheid is the cure!”
“Oh boycott boycott boycott, Don't buy Leviev today
Funds crime with all that profit, Who needs diamonds anyway?”
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Dec 23 2007
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Gov't message: Bush ok to have boyfriend, but it's not ok for Clinton to have girlfriend |
The Bush White House gay sex scandal heats up, as new revelations show that fake reporter and male prostitute Jeff Gannon "slept over" on numerous occasions at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Gannon had previously advertised his services on the internet as a male prostitute "top" at $1200 per weekend. Since "Jeff Gannon" has given the term "media whore" a whole new definition, the question arises -- could "Jeff Gannon" be President George Bush's Lewinsky albeit in gay apparel?
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Dec 23 2007
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Legislators vote fraud caught on video |
I don’t even know what else to say other than this makes me sick. The elected representatives of the citizens of the state of Texas are caught on film casting votes on one another’s machines and all they can say is “well, we’re very busy”?
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Dec 23 2007
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Fla & Calif Senator speak out-oppose EPA nazi-style experiments on US children |
Bush adminstration supports Program to deliberaretely subject infants and small children to known toxins. Of course they manipulate poor people into subjecting themselves to poison for money.
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Dec 23 2007
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Teenage girl dies so CIGNA execs can get rich |
This is not just a medical issue or a political issue. It is a human rights issue.
A pretty 17-year-old California girl needed a liver transplant, but her insurance company, CIGNA (based right here in Philadelphia), said they would not pay for it. The public caught wind of this, and the public protested. As a group of nurses and other citizens rallied outside CIGNA's office in Glendale, California, on December 20, the company decided to reverse its decision.
But it was too little, too late. Nataline Sarkisyan died just a few hours after CIGNA's reversal, after having spent weeks of her short life in a vegetative state.
--CARTOON by John Jonik
A pretty 17-year-old California girl needed a liver transplant, but her insurance company, CIGNA (based right here in Philadelphia), said they would not pay for it. The public caught wind of this, and the public protested. As a group of nurses and other citizens rallied outside CIGNA's office in Glendale, California, on December 20, the company decided to reverse its decision.
But it was too little, too late. Nataline Sarkisyan died just a few hours after CIGNA's reversal, after having spent weeks of her short life in a vegetative state.
--CARTOON by John Jonik
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Dec 24 2007
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School Poverty Research Positions @ OU |
OU Studies Poverty in Oklahoma Schools: Hiring VISTA Researchers
The University of Oklahoma has announced that it will expand its examination of poverty in Oklahoma schools. The Office of the Vice Provost at the University of Oklahoma plans to hire two VISTA research assistants to study the relationship between schools and community poverty in rural and urban areas of Oklahoma. The research aims to identify Oklahoma schools that are having an impact on poverty. The VISTA researchers will apply state-of-the-art community mapping software and will make use of a variety of state and non-profit resources. The VISTA researchers should have some proficiency in Spanish. Some college experience is needed and a bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Below is a copy of the OU VISTA positions announcement.
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Dec 24 2007
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Can You hear us now Blumenauer? |
Come play, "Can You Hear Us Now Blumenauer" this coming Thursday, 27 of December. We will be there with our red shirts calling for the impeachment of the criminals in the White House. We welcome all who want accountability, impeachment and an end to this horror called the war/occupation and now genocide of Iraq. We want justice!
This action is happening all over the 50 States, we are not alone. The people of the United States want real hearings exposing what happened before, during and after 9/11. We ask, petition, yell and now use direct action to say to our representative, "You are guilty of violating your oath of office."
729 Oregon St.
Portland, Oregon
High noon until 2:00 PM
This action is happening all over the 50 States, we are not alone. The people of the United States want real hearings exposing what happened before, during and after 9/11. We ask, petition, yell and now use direct action to say to our representative, "You are guilty of violating your oath of office."
729 Oregon St.
Portland, Oregon
High noon until 2:00 PM
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Dec 24 2007
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PRESCOTT FOOD NOT BOMBS COMES UNDER ATTACK |
County Attempts Crackdown on Community Foodsharing in the Courthouse Lawn On Sunday December 23 people sharing food with Food Not Bombs, a free community meal, were asked to leave the Prescott Courthouse lawn or sign a permit. No one represents Food Not Bombs, so permits do not apply. Sharing food is not a charity, it's what people do in a healthy society.... Read More>>
UPDATE 1/3/2008: County Apologizes, Backs Down on Community Foodsharing
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Dec 24 2007
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Tre Arrow's latest call out - Dec 21, 2007 |
Tre's words...
I wish everyone a blessed holiday season and sacred solstice.
A tiny limb of spruce needles was given to me this week. Periodically, I pick it up and hold it to my nose. I am instantly filled with the sweet, pungent fragrance of the sacred tree, while simultaneously flooded with countless memories of the magic surrounding this time of year.
Despite the depth of darkness and the widespread consumerism and oppression throughout our culture, there remains a Divine light.
Throughout all I've been through and all the changes that have occurred, when I smell the spruce needles I'm transported to my innocent days of youth. Part of me longs to reclaimthose days before there was knowledge of the darker side of humanity. Nevertheless, I have faith that the light, which we all carry, may come to manifest a world where all beings are happy and free.
I wish everyone a blessed holiday season and sacred solstice.
A tiny limb of spruce needles was given to me this week. Periodically, I pick it up and hold it to my nose. I am instantly filled with the sweet, pungent fragrance of the sacred tree, while simultaneously flooded with countless memories of the magic surrounding this time of year.
Despite the depth of darkness and the widespread consumerism and oppression throughout our culture, there remains a Divine light.
Throughout all I've been through and all the changes that have occurred, when I smell the spruce needles I'm transported to my innocent days of youth. Part of me longs to reclaimthose days before there was knowledge of the darker side of humanity. Nevertheless, I have faith that the light, which we all carry, may come to manifest a world where all beings are happy and free.
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Dec 24 2007
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Call out for black bloc at Thursday action |
It may not be the typical action of anarchists in Portland, but I think the recent discussion and assurances between people here on indy warrants that someone take the first actual step. This is an individual, autonomous action, where people have stated we'd be welcome to show up in black masks and contribute in any way we see fit. Let's start by supporting the ongoing, increasing protests against Blumenauer this week, 12-2 on Thursday at 729 Oregon St.
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Dec 24 2007
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Expanding Settlements in West Bank Cloud Peace Talks. Conditions Worsen In Gaza |
On November 27th, a "Middle East peace conference" was held in Annapolis,Maryland. Leaders of Fatah who rule only over parts of the West Bank attended but Hamas, which now rules over Gaza, did not. During the talks there was no mention of freezing Israeli settlement expansion, of halting construction of the separation/apartheid wall, of the question of Jerusalem, the Palestinian refugees and borders.
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Dec 24 2007
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Destruction Of Torture Tapes |
The Justice Department and the Central Intelligence Agency have launched a joint probe into the CIA's destruction of at least two videotapes documenting prisoner interrogations at a secret CIA prison. One of the tapes may have shown CIA agents waterboarding the Al Qaida operative Abu Zubaydah.
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Dec 25 2007
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Turkey Attacks Iraqi Kurds as US arms Sunni Militias |
On December 23rd, Turkey bombed northern Iraq for the second time in a week, in an apparent attack on suspected bases of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) guerrilla group. Massoud Barzani , the leader of Iraq's northern Kurdish region, has condemned the Turkish air strikes, saying innocents have died. The Turkish ambassador to the United States, Nabi Sensoy, said Wednesday that the US military provided real time intelligence to Turkey and was "very helpful" in allowing Turkey to launch the attacks. Elsewhere in Iraq, the widely reported drop in violence coinciding with the US "surge" has been to some extent a result of the US support for groups openly hostile to the Iraqi central government.
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Dec 25 2007
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A Christmas Cage |
"Shortly before 6 A.M., the speaker in this tiny, barren cell blares a message, said to be from prison superintendent David Owens: 'A Merry Christmas to all inmates of the Philadelphia prison system. It is our hope that this will be the last holiday season you spend with us.' A guard reads Owen's name and the speaker falls silent for a half-hour. I wonder at the words, and ponder my first Christmas in the Hospital wing of the Detention Center. Christmas in a cage."
After recovering from his gunshot wound and surgery, Mumia Abu-Jamal wrote "A Christmas Cage." in "Philadelphia’s Community" newspaper (February 1982). He describes his beatings by police on the day of his Dec. 9, 1981 arrest, continued mistreatment following surgery, and the broader political context of his case. Abu-Jamal is awaiting a ruling from The US Third Circuit Court of Appeals following oral arguments on May 17. Video footage is now available of the Dec.4 "Murdered By Mumia?" press conference organized by Journalists for Mumia (Parts One and Two), as well as the Dec. 8 slide show presentation of the newly discovered crime scene photos that were recently spotlighted by Reuters, NBC’s Today Show, National Public Radio, Indymedia.org, Counterpunch, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Black Commentator, Dissident Voice, Media Channel, Workers World, The Philadelphia Weekly, and Final Call.
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Dec 25 2007
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MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN FACING JAIL TIME FOR ABORTION |
On January 6, 2007 18-year-old Amber Abreu went to the hospital in Lawrence, Massachusetts after trying to terminate a pregnancy by taking a drug, misoprostol, which is an ulcer medication as well as a key component of the abortion pill RU-486. Amber was between 23 and 25 weeks pregnant. The result was a miscarriage. The doctors rushed the 1-1/4 pound expelled fetus to the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston, where it remained alive for four days. The police, meanwhile, went after Amber using an archaic law dating back to the 1840s to charge her with “procuring a miscarriage.” Cops dragged Abreu into court in shackles and then held her in the state’s maximum security prison at Framingham for three nights until friends and relatives could come up with $15,000 bail. The young woman, a recent immigrant from the Dominican Republic, faces up to seven years in jail on this outrageous charge.
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Dec 25 2007
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"The Story of Stuff" |
http://www.storyofstuff.com/ This is not a "bah-humbug" message this holiday season, but one of reflection that I wish to share... We can enjoy the holidays while at the same time considering "The Story of Stuff" I say this with self-reflection because to be perfectly honest I ran over to the Rogue Valley Mall just two days ago looking for "last minute stuff"--wes
What is the Story of Stuff?
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
Watch This Video
http://www.storyofstuff.com/ |
Dec 26 2007
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Anti-war Demonstration Planned for New Year’s Day at Rose Parade. |
Momentum is building for a demonstration against the war on Iraq at this year Rose Parade in Pasadena. Small locally organized protests have been held in past years at the parade, but this year organizers going by the name, The White Rose Coalition, are attempting to mobilize thousands. Details from the calendar | | | From the Newswire: Cindy Sheehan Joins Activists Planning Impeachment/Pro-Peace Protest at New Year's Rose Parade | | | VIDEOS: Impeach The Dark Side - 2007 Rose Parade | 7 Little Letters
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Dec 26 2007
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Anarchist Theory and Action Workshop / Skill Share Series |
Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 at Stone Soup in the Free School room A suggested donation of $5 to $10 per workshop will go to support the Stone Soup Learning Co-op Free School. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay. The Stone Soup Learning Co-op will offer this Skill Share Series beginning January 16th. All are welcome to participate in one or all of these workshops. Each workshop will be participatory and accessible to people of many differing levels of experience with these topics. If you are interested in attending this workshop series please email anne@riseup.net so that you can be added to the list to receive readings and information about the workshops.
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Dec 27 2007
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International Anarchist Conspiracy Communique # 0 |
The International Anarchist Conspiracy (IAC) is a fictitious organization. The IAC does not exist in the real world. The IAC only exists in the virtual world known as the internet. The virtual world of the internet is not the real world. The internet is a part of the spectacle controlled by this system, the spectacle which keeps people detached from reality. If people are detached from reality, they cannot understand it well enough to know how to act in it. The function of the fictitious organization known as the IAC is to reveal the wide variety of control mechanisms keeping people shackled to the illusions spawned by those in power. The fictitious organization known as the IAC has attempted to accomplish this in many ways and for many reasons....
Step away from the computer or the screen or the book or the booze or the job for one second. Realize there is a real world out there. Make yourself remember how to act in that real world as a physical being. And then act. The feeling that will flood into you will be enough to make you see how horribly, ridiculously, depressingly EASY IT ALL IS!
Beyond being extremely EASY, actions can be joyous. Not in the feel-good-about-yourself way, but truly joyous.
Step away from the computer or the screen or the book or the booze or the job for one second. Realize there is a real world out there. Make yourself remember how to act in that real world as a physical being. And then act. The feeling that will flood into you will be enough to make you see how horribly, ridiculously, depressingly EASY IT ALL IS!
Beyond being extremely EASY, actions can be joyous. Not in the feel-good-about-yourself way, but truly joyous.
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Dec 27 2007
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Caught in Ethics Conflict Over the LNG |
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates the LNG industry (or pretends to) is caught in a huge, obvious conflict of interest issue since it has been discovered that the contractor it used to write the Bradwood Environmental Impact Statement is also working for the Palomar pipeline. Essentially, the same contractor is simultaneously writing environmental documents for both FERC and the energy industry - on the same project!!
It is now obvious that FERC's own contractor has a huge financial interest in getting the Bradwood project approved. If Bradwood is approved, then the Palomar project becomes much more viable - and the FERC contractor is also working for Palomar. NRG will make more $$ by writing a shoddy document on Bradwood and giving the FERC commission a rose-tinted view of the Bradwood project. And this is exactly what happened. The Bradwood EIS is outlandishly cursory in its analysis and ignores huge potential negative impacts to fish, public safety, the local economy, and wildlife in the area.
It is now obvious that FERC's own contractor has a huge financial interest in getting the Bradwood project approved. If Bradwood is approved, then the Palomar project becomes much more viable - and the FERC contractor is also working for Palomar. NRG will make more $$ by writing a shoddy document on Bradwood and giving the FERC commission a rose-tinted view of the Bradwood project. And this is exactly what happened. The Bradwood EIS is outlandishly cursory in its analysis and ignores huge potential negative impacts to fish, public safety, the local economy, and wildlife in the area.
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Dec 27 2007
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Picket outside of Dupont Circle Starbucks |
On Friday, December 21st, around a dozen area IWW members, overwhelmingly Starbucks Baristas, gathered outside of 1 of around 4 Dupont Circle Starbucks, braving the harsh winter elements in favor of abolishing the wage system.
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Dec 27 2007
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Youtube: Bork Tasered, hospitalized after leading attempt to storm New Orleans City Hall |
part1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jvhp4iZFd0 part2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b6zGunXBas Former MAYDAY DC (Now MAYDAY NOLA) activist Jamie "Bork" was taken to the hospital on Dec 20,the day after being arrested on bogus felonies for stopping demolition at BW Cooper in New Orleans. She was in the front as a crowd forced open the gates at City Hall in New Orleans, where the council later voted unanimously to approve all the planned demolitions.
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Dec 27 2007
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Seeking a down-payment on PA school funding reform |
Advocates are pressing for Gov. Rendell and legislators to start school funding reform in PA's 2008-09 budget by taking into account recent study that says Philly schools are $1,000,000,000 short. Read the entire article at the Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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Dec 27 2007
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Chomsky's Ron Paul Comments in ZMag Confirmed |
Some Ron Paul supporters have been saying that these comments attributed to Chomsky are fake or a hoax. I think znet is generally regarded as reputable source in this respect, but Chomsky seems to have enough problems with misrepresentation, so I wanted to be absolutely sure. I e-mailed Prof. Chomsky to see if he could officially confirm whether the comments are authentic… (Update: I E-mailed Prof. Chomsky for confirmation. Z magazine is an official source, but some Ron Paul supporters are calling the forum comments a hoax or a fake. View Prof. Chomsky's response here.)
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Dec 27 2007
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Operation FALCON and the looming police state |
Operation FALCON and the looming police state
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Dec 27 2007
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The King Mango Strut is baaack!!! Sunday Dec. 30th in Coconut Grove |
The King Mango Strut is baaack!!! Sunday Dec. 30th in Coconut Grove
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Dec 27 2007
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Olympia Impeachment Party: You're Invited |
Olympia Impeachment Party:
Friday, Dec. 28th 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Woman's Club, 1002 Washington SE, Olympia.
Friday, Dec. 28th 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Woman's Club, 1002 Washington SE, Olympia.
Come when you can. Leave when you must.
Enjoy music and great convesation with kindred spirits.
Four popular bands will perform, including Citizens Band, Bevy (an all-woman Latin jazz band), Street Karaoke Project, and Peace Bandits.
Begin gearing up for Impeachment '08
State Senators Karen Fraser and Eric Oemig will be there.
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Dec 27 2007
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FBI Plans $1 Billion Biometric Database |
The FBI announced that they are spending $1 billion to create the world's largest & most comprehensive biometric database. The database will contain voice samples, fingerprints, DNA samples, data about each individuals unique "body language", iris scans, & detailed information about facial features. This article will discuss this & several other programs and laws in place to violate your privacy and strip you of personal freedoms.
The latest in a long chain of domestic surveillance laws, programs, and "presidential directives" is the recent unveiling of the FBI's new national biometric security database. The federal government is planning to spend over $1 billion to create and maintain a database, accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide, that will contain, amongst other things:
- Fingerprints
- DNA samples
- Iris scans(what your eyes look like -- at a range of up to about 15 feet)
- The unique way your body moves as you walk, talk, sit, etc (useful for identifying people in crowds, from hundreds of yards away on surveillance cameras)
- Detailed information on how your face looks (remember those cameras they use to film protests?)
- Sample recordings of your voice (pulled from their CALEA-compliant recordings of your phone calls)
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Dec 27 2007
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Berlin Commune Fights the Property Developers |
The K?pi in Berlin is famous as one of the last remaining remnants of the city's squat culture from the early 1990s. The building, which is in a desirable location, has now been sold to a property developer -- but the residents aren't giving up without a fight. The K?pi residents are already getting organized ahead of the coming battle. One group is responsible for PR and dealing with the press, another is looking into the mysterious buyer and his backers, and a third manages the professionally designed website.
In 1990, it was one of the first buildings to be occupied by squatters in former East Berlin. Today, it is the most important radical left-wing residential project in the former city of squatters. The building has even been featured on postcards, thanks to a slogan painted in giant white letters on the outside wall: "There are no borders between peoples, only between the top and the bottom."
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Dec 27 2007
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Former Pakistani Leader Benazir Bhutto Assasinated |
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on December 27th. Bhutto was the first woman elected to lead a Muslim state. She was sworn in for the first time as Prime Minister in 1988 but was removed from office after only 20 months on grounds of alleged corruption. In 1993 Bhutto was re-elected but was again removed in 1996 on similar charges. In mid 2007, Bhutto appeared to have arranged a power sharing deal with the US backed dictator Pervez Musharraf, but the deal was scuttled when the Pakistani Supreme Court ruled that Musharraf, could not legally remain President. Musharraf declared emergency rule and replaced the Supreme Court in December. Bhutto publicly denounced Musharraf but refused to boycott elections set for January 2008 that many saw as being rigged by Musharraf.
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Dec 28 2007
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Escalate Peace: The Pissed Off Grannies are Returning to the Recruiting Center on Friday |
The Seriously Pissed Off Grannies will be returning to the recruiting center at NE Broadway and 13th this Friday, December 28th at 10 AM. They were just acquitted of charges stemming from an action at this same location on Good Friday of this year. The message of the action this Friday is "Peace on Earth - Stop the War".
The families of 3,900 fallen soldiers will be observing the holidays with an empty place at the table. The 4 million displaced Iraqi people will find no room at the inn. The 1 million Iraqi civilian casualties are the ghosts of all Christmasses to come. It is a grief that will never end.
Join us to help stop this obscenity. Fri. 10 a.m., 13th & NE Broadway.
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Dec 28 2007
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Bali: A Missed Opportunity |
The gap between the urgent threat of global warming and the collective will to do something about it has never been greater. The recently concluded Conference on Climate Change in Bali was a grand opportunity to act. Instead, it was another missed opportunity. Unfortunately, the United States played a very negative role, standing in the way of consensus at every turn. And unfortunately, the rest of the world thought that seducing the US into a new agreement on climate action was top priority, resulting in a Bali Roadmap that was very sketchy.
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Dec 28 2007
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New Audio/Interviews/Mixes from FreeMix Radio |
VoxUnion Media: New Audio! For full live links, liner notes and much more visit voxunion.com
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Dec 28 2007
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Pacific Power lies in paper about Klamath Dams: The response the Oregonian wouldn't print. |
Pacific Power has is using Oregon's newspapers to lie about the Klamath dams. Numerous reports show that keeping these polluting dams will cost costumers way more money then removing them, and that the dams do not provide for flood control. Science shows that these dams cause one of the worst toxic algae problems in the world while killing salmon. The Oregonian did not print the response of the Klamath Riverkeeper, or the other groups and tribes working to let Oregonians know the truth about why the dams should go. This is what we wrote in response to Pacific Powers lies. Read More>> | klamathriver.org<< Photo: Toxic algae from Pacific Power's reservoirs turned the Klamath green last year
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Dec 28 2007
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KENNEDY-WARREN TENANTS HIT HARD! |
In what amounts to a “Triple Whammy,” tenants at the Kennedy-Warren Apartments have been whacked hard and are now facing acute hardship. For several years the Kennedy-Warren has been rapidly evolving into high-end luxury status. This has created a constant state of turmoil for tenants there. They are fighting back hard, and TENAC supports them all the way.
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Dec 28 2007
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Inky Notes: Satullo’s Christmas Series and More |
On Monday, December 24, 2007, former editor Chris Satullo gave Inky readers the last of his five part “fictional holiday tale.” This has been an Inky tradition for some years, with each of the parts usually absorbing the entire Commentary page space. I find this an irresponsible use of editorial space, and even a violation of editorial principle as the space is supposedly for “commentaries,” not a further addition to the entertainment mode that increasingly dominates the paper.
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Dec 28 2007
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CONFRONTING THE DNC IN DENVER: Movement Building Consulta Schedule |
CONFRONTING THE DNC IN DENVER
Movement Building Consulta
MLK weekend: January 18-21, Denver
Organized by Unconventional Action Denver and Recreate 68
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FRIDAY JANUARY 18
[ Evening ]
• Fun and Games
get-to-know-each-other activities
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SATURDAY JANUARY 19
[ Morning ]
10am-noon at the Four Winds Center (5th & Bannock)
• General Anti-DNC Community Organizing Meeting
Open to all locals interested in organizing demonstrations against the DNC
out-of-towners are welcome to observe
[ Mid Day ]
• Tour of Key DNC Sites in Denver
Pepsi Center, Delegate Hotels, etc.
read more
Movement Building Consulta
MLK weekend: January 18-21, Denver
Organized by Unconventional Action Denver and Recreate 68
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FRIDAY JANUARY 18
[ Evening ]
• Fun and Games
get-to-know-each-other activities
---
SATURDAY JANUARY 19
[ Morning ]
10am-noon at the Four Winds Center (5th & Bannock)
• General Anti-DNC Community Organizing Meeting
Open to all locals interested in organizing demonstrations against the DNC
out-of-towners are welcome to observe
[ Mid Day ]
• Tour of Key DNC Sites in Denver
Pepsi Center, Delegate Hotels, etc.
read more
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Dec 29 2007
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VIDEO FILE: Oregonians Reject Liquefied Natural Gas. |
From local organic farmers to third generation fishermen, from small business owners to loggers, over 200 Oregonians gathered in front of Northwest Natural Gas in Portland Oregon on December 12, 2007 to protest Liquefied Natural gas facilities proposed for the Columbia River Estuary by Energy speculators from Texas, New York and California. Speakers from these, and many more demographics briefly took the bull horn to demand that their Governor, Democrat Ted Kulongoski, weigh in against the establishment of another unsustainable fossil fuel industry. He has not come out against this, and if fact, has been riding the fence on this most important issue.
This concerns all Oregonians, as we could find ourselves investing in another fossil fuel technology with money which could be going to alternative energy research and development. These energy infrastructures situated in Oregon would be used to pipe the natural gas to the lucrative markets in California, who have already refused to situate the facilities in their own state. This technology has already caused much damage in other parts of the world, where the collection and liquefying of the gas is destroying the environment, species, and native subsistence cultures.
VIDEO: Oregonians Reject Liquefied Natural Gas | Audio file of a Russian, Dimitri Lisitsyn, speaking about the damage to Sakhalin Island, Russia: MP3 | Web site of Russian organization dealing with this issue:
This concerns all Oregonians, as we could find ourselves investing in another fossil fuel technology with money which could be going to alternative energy research and development. These energy infrastructures situated in Oregon would be used to pipe the natural gas to the lucrative markets in California, who have already refused to situate the facilities in their own state. This technology has already caused much damage in other parts of the world, where the collection and liquefying of the gas is destroying the environment, species, and native subsistence cultures.
VIDEO: Oregonians Reject Liquefied Natural Gas | Audio file of a Russian, Dimitri Lisitsyn, speaking about the damage to Sakhalin Island, Russia: MP3 | Web site of Russian organization dealing with this issue:
Governor Kulongoski's office number is .
www.PhilosopherSeed.org
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Dec 29 2007
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Message from the Cuban Five |
Dec. 20, 2007 Message from the Cuban Five.
Dear brothers and sisters of the world: As the Christmas and New Year 2008 celebrations approach, we want to send you our congratulations together with all the appreciation and affection, for supporting us in this cause that unites us: solidarity with Cuba and freedom for the Five.
No matter how long this cruelty lasts, victory will be ours. We will continue to struggle alongside you, to put an end to the double standard of the empire, which claims to fight terrorism, yet keeps us imprisoned, denying the history of terrorist attacks against the Cuban people. In every corner of the planet we have heard the voice of justice demanding our freedom. Your letters inform us each day of all these actions, events and displays of solidarity. Many thanks, sisters and brothers, for knowing that we can depend on you always, to put an end to so much injustice that for almost 10 years has separated us from our loved ones and our beloved homeland. For Cubans, the holidays include the one we celebrate, of another anniversary of the Revolution, which returned the dignity and freedom that the peoples of our continent struggle for. Long live the 49th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban people!
Ever onward to victory!
Ramón Labañino Salazar
USP Beaumont, Texas
Ramón is in lockdown since December 11 and for that reason he has not been able to send all the letters and salutations for the new year to his friends around the world...
http://www.freethefive.org/updates/Comuniques/CORamon.htm
Write to the Cuban Five: http://www.freethefive.org/writethefive.htm
http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2007/1217especialinjusticia.htm
Dear brothers and sisters of the world: As the Christmas and New Year 2008 celebrations approach, we want to send you our congratulations together with all the appreciation and affection, for supporting us in this cause that unites us: solidarity with Cuba and freedom for the Five.
No matter how long this cruelty lasts, victory will be ours. We will continue to struggle alongside you, to put an end to the double standard of the empire, which claims to fight terrorism, yet keeps us imprisoned, denying the history of terrorist attacks against the Cuban people. In every corner of the planet we have heard the voice of justice demanding our freedom. Your letters inform us each day of all these actions, events and displays of solidarity. Many thanks, sisters and brothers, for knowing that we can depend on you always, to put an end to so much injustice that for almost 10 years has separated us from our loved ones and our beloved homeland. For Cubans, the holidays include the one we celebrate, of another anniversary of the Revolution, which returned the dignity and freedom that the peoples of our continent struggle for. Long live the 49th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban people!
Ever onward to victory!
Ramón Labañino Salazar
USP Beaumont, Texas
Ramón is in lockdown since December 11 and for that reason he has not been able to send all the letters and salutations for the new year to his friends around the world...
http://www.freethefive.org/updates/Comuniques/CORamon.htm Write to the Cuban Five:
http://www.freethefive.org/writethefive.htm http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2007/1217especialinjusticia.htm
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Dec 29 2007
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New Orleans Women's Health & Justice Initiative |
"Moving from the margins to the center is vital for the health and well being of women of color and poor women. To do so, we must address the control and exploitation of our bodies and the regulation of our reproduction." --Shana griffin
Comrades, Friends, Allies and Concerned People: Below is a call out for an amazing and important health project that hasn't gotten the exposure that Common Ground's clinics have but deserves recogniton and support for their mission and work. Their analysis of intersecting wider reproductive and womens rights issues has largely been missing from many conversations and defense work within and without New Orleans.
Please support their work AND spread the word. All the health care we can be a part of supporting in NOLA helps to create autonomy and self determination in the face of forgetting by bad governments, the corporate media and larger society.
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Dec 29 2007
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YUCCA MOUNTAIN, SACRED TO THE SHOSHONE & MAJOR FAULT ZONE, IN IMMINENT DANGER |
Department of energy moves plans forward to turn Yucca Mountain into nuclear waste repository. Public comment period deadline January 10, 2008
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Dec 29 2007
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Grannies Mark Recruiting Office with Doves and Blood |
On December 28 the Seriously Pissed Off Grannies returned to the Army/Marine recruiting center on NE Broadway in Portland. During the course of their protest simulated bloody hand prints and white peace doves were taped to the windows. Messages were written in washable window paint.
The police arrived about ten minutes later and the grannies waited patiently - not wanting to be charged with fleeing - while the police and marines tried to decide what to do. Officers were overheard mentioning something about a "jury trial." When two grannies said they were ready to go home, but didn't want to be accused of fleeing, an officer asked how they could help them go. It was the appointed time, and quite cold out, so the Grannies asked for the return of their confiscated sign and left their messages on the windows.
The police arrived about ten minutes later and the grannies waited patiently - not wanting to be charged with fleeing - while the police and marines tried to decide what to do. Officers were overheard mentioning something about a "jury trial." When two grannies said they were ready to go home, but didn't want to be accused of fleeing, an officer asked how they could help them go. It was the appointed time, and quite cold out, so the Grannies asked for the return of their confiscated sign and left their messages on the windows.
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Dec 29 2007
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"The Baileys" Lone Vet Report |
When I got to 729 Oregon street it was really raining, not that drizzle stuff but wind driven rain, the kind that makes your bones say get me out of here. I found out the office was closed for the Holidays, very few people were walking about, I thought of my Baileys.
After setting up my picket sign and trying to smoke a cigarette, people started to show up, wow! I was impressed; others got themselves out in the rain and wind and said, "What the hell."
After a while, many of the people whom I have spent the last 22 Thursdays with were walking around with their signs and laughing.
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Dec 29 2007
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Yellow Rose Peace Bus is Coming to New Hampshire |
NH Peace Action and AFSC, in partnership with allies from veterans' peace organizations and military families, will bring a strident anti-war and pro-peace message to the presidential candidates, the media, and voters in the four days before the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, January 8.How? We are bringing the Yellow Rose of Texas Peace Bus to NH on January 4. Read More>>
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Dec 29 2007
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Neo-Nazi "National Socialist Movement" Leaves Minneapolis |
reposted from minnesotamonitor.com
While some of its local sympathizers are likely to stick around, the country's largest remaining neo-Nazi group has officially pulled up stakes in Minnesota: the Hitler-inspired National Socialist Movement (NSM) has left its longtime Minneapolis headquarters and relocated to Michigan, according to a press release dated Dec. 29.
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Dec 29 2007
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508 podcast: The Longest Night |
This week, Buck Paxton, Snow Ghost, and I talk about plush giant squid, homeless people who have died, and crazed conspiracy theorists--all in Worcester! mp3 link
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Dec 30 2007
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Pioneer Square: NOT just for Shoppers! |
Downtown has steadily been becoming more and more a thing of the corporate interests who populate the buildings around Pioneer Square. Ordinances have been passed which have, by inches and degrees, driven out the people of downtown to make things more comfortable for the hordes of consumers who flock there to spend their money on frivolities from stores like Macys. Now, in Portland's living room, free speech expression is under attack as well.
For going on 6 years now, PPRC has met, drummed and marched from the NE corner of Pioneer Square every Friday like clockwork, BUT Last Friday's rally was told in no uncertain terms: if you continue to do what you've been doing for the past six years, you will be issued a citation. What was it that we were doing? Using a megaphone or playing drums. PPRC has been doing both at Pioneer Courthouse Square for over half of this current decade, and with no problems. We've never received a complaint from the city of Portland. We've never received a complaint from any of the downtown businesses. Indeed, the city of Portland's noise control office hadn't received complaints until recent weeks when Pioneer Courthouse Square, Inc. (a corporation created to manage PCS, which is a city park) decided to flex a little muscle.
For going on 6 years now, PPRC has met, drummed and marched from the NE corner of Pioneer Square every Friday like clockwork, BUT Last Friday's rally was told in no uncertain terms: if you continue to do what you've been doing for the past six years, you will be issued a citation. What was it that we were doing? Using a megaphone or playing drums. PPRC has been doing both at Pioneer Courthouse Square for over half of this current decade, and with no problems. We've never received a complaint from the city of Portland. We've never received a complaint from any of the downtown businesses. Indeed, the city of Portland's noise control office hadn't received complaints until recent weeks when Pioneer Courthouse Square, Inc. (a corporation created to manage PCS, which is a city park) decided to flex a little muscle.
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Dec 30 2007
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Retired D.C. Schoolteacher Arrested Again for Speaking Truth to Power |
Local activist Eve Tetaz and a Catholic Worker were both arrested Saturday during a protest at the White House against U.S. warmongering and commemorating 117 years since the Wounded Knee massacre.
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Dec 30 2007
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FBI, DOJ Caught Lying to Defense in Case of Briana Waters |
On Dec. 26th, 2007, attorneys for Briana Waters, a Berkeley mother and violin teacher accused of acting as a lookout during a politically-motivated arson in 2001 at the University of Washington, filed a motion asserting that the Seattle-based prosecutor and FBI agents on the case committed perjury and obstruction of justice, and asked the court to conduct an inquiry into the misconduct. Waters, who could face 35 years in prison if convicted, has steadfastly maintained her innocence.
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Dec 30 2007
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200+ People Attend Olympia Impeachment Party |
It was party time in Olympia on Friday, December 28th. Over 230 people kindred spirits who believe in our Constitution gathered to enjoy great food and music. It was also a time to recognize the courageous work of Washington State Senators Karen Fraser and Eric Oemig in supporting impeachment. The best news: they will put impeaching Dick Cheney on the Legislature's table in 08!
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Dec 30 2007
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National Conference on Immigrant and Refugee Rights |
Believing that 2008 - and beyond -- holds great promise and great peril for those who organize and advocate for an immigration policy based on human rights, dignity and justice, the National Network on Immigrant and Refugee Rights is convening a national conference in Houston Texas on January 18-20, 2008.
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Dec 31 2007
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Federal Grand Jury Target Puerto Rican Independistas in New York |
The FBI continues its attack against the Puerto Rican independence movement, even as the White House continues to admit that Puerto Rico is a colonial territory of the US, something the independence movement has been condemning for decades...
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Dec 31 2007
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Death on the Streets: Homelessness in the Grand Valley |
On December 16th, the Grand Valley Coalition for the Homeless held its annual ceremony for those who died on the streets during the last year. It was bitter-cold despite the bright sun shine, and three inches of snow blanketed the ground. Dozens of men and women gathered early to get into the soup line, The Red Pill was able to sit down with Wild Man a Grand Junction native who has been on the streets for that last year and half. read more
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Dec 31 2007
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ANOTHER DEADLY YEAR ON THE ARIZONA BORDER |
More Than 235 Die in 2007, As Arizona Border Battle Heats Up For the fifth straight year the number of bodies recovered from the Arizona desert surpassed two hundred. While 235 bodies were recovered in calendar year 2007, the number who actually died was likely much higher, their bodies to lie in wake among the thousands of square miles of desert along the migrant trail.
In 2007 the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office had to open a new building in order to cope with the volume of remains being recovered. While the majority of deaths occurred as the result of exposure to the elements, an increasing number resulted from trauma, including gunshot wounds. In spite of this humanitarian crisis, which Arizona human rights groups such as the Coalición de Derechos Humanos and No More Deaths argue is a direct result of the militarization of the U.S. / Mexico border, border militarization and internal enforcement continue to grow. Read More>>
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Dec 31 2007
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DOZENS PROTEST SAN PEDRO BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION |
Federal Judge Denies Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of REAL ID Act, Threats Continue Against San Pedro River
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Dec 31 2007
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Winter AntiMall |
The winter 2007 AntiMall took place in Highland Park at La Culebra community space. (Other locations have included the South Central Farm, the Southern California Library, and the El Sereno Community Garden.) . . . The items on sale came from numerous places from “Chiapas to Afghanistan to Venezuela.” Food from the South Central Farmers was available as well. Live performers included In Lak Ech, Zocalo Zue, and Quincy McCrary, with DJs including Black Shakespeare, Songo Electriko, and Vampiro Fronterizo.
La Culebra has served as a community space for many years for events such as sweat lodges, poetry readings, and women’s circles.
From the newsire: Winter AntiMall (photos/report) by RP| | Winter AntiMall (additional pix) by RP
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Dec 31 2007
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Community Independence Project needs some help from Indy |
Hi folks, We'll be doing a press conference on Jan 1st announcing upcoming goals for 2008. Due to space concerns we don't have the room to just post the location for this conference, but if any folks are interested we don't want to exclude members of the underground press that would like to be involved. Please email to RSVP.
Also, we need some help from the community in two areas.
1. We don't have any video cameras and we would like a recording of the event along with some folks who might be able to edit it.
2. Webwork. Due to Revolt ltd taking some time off, we need to find a new server and host for a website. If anyone knows hookups for webhosting, that would be awesome. Likewise, we need some folks who can do admin/sitebuilding work and are willing to teach.
Please reserve the following dates also: Feb 29th, Mar 1st and 2nd from 7 - 9pm. We will be doing community informational forums around the CIP and its programs those nights in southeast, northeast, and downtown Portland. The news conference on Tuesday is for underground and aboveground members of the press primarily, all interested persons who do not consider themselves journalists should be encouraged to email us for more info, or please participate in the upcoming forums.
Also, we need some help from the community in two areas.
1. We don't have any video cameras and we would like a recording of the event along with some folks who might be able to edit it.
2. Webwork. Due to Revolt ltd taking some time off, we need to find a new server and host for a website. If anyone knows hookups for webhosting, that would be awesome. Likewise, we need some folks who can do admin/sitebuilding work and are willing to teach.
Please reserve the following dates also: Feb 29th, Mar 1st and 2nd from 7 - 9pm. We will be doing community informational forums around the CIP and its programs those nights in southeast, northeast, and downtown Portland. The news conference on Tuesday is for underground and aboveground members of the press primarily, all interested persons who do not consider themselves journalists should be encouraged to email us for more info, or please participate in the upcoming forums.
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Dec 31 2007
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Dozens Rallied for Impeachment, Sunday December 30th in Philadelphia |
Yesterday over thirty people came out to Independence Hall in Old City to extend a warm welcome to John Nirenberg, Marcher for Impeachment. On December 1st, John Nirenberg began his 485 Mile March from Boston to Nancy Pelosi’s Office in Washington D.C.
To learn more: marchinmyname website | See the video of the rally
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Dec 31 2007
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PDX-IMC creates a (s)election 2008 page |
indy geek writes:
The selection 2008 page is for all the articles about 2008 elections, candidates, etc. Because this stuff starts to overwhelm the site, especially now that state primaries/caucuses are close, the selection 2008 page has a unique characteristic from other topic type pages. Articles sent to the selection 2008 page will not also show up on the front page newswire. So if you are interested in that stuff, visit the selection 2008 page. Likewise, if you are posting election related articles, please check the selection 2008 checkbox under actions on the publish page.
The selection 2008 page is for all the articles about 2008 elections, candidates, etc. Because this stuff starts to overwhelm the site, especially now that state primaries/caucuses are close, the selection 2008 page has a unique characteristic from other topic type pages. Articles sent to the selection 2008 page will not also show up on the front page newswire. So if you are interested in that stuff, visit the selection 2008 page. Likewise, if you are posting election related articles, please check the selection 2008 checkbox under actions on the publish page.