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SMUD Vote to Annex Yolo County a Victory for Public Power
, 10.06.2005 04:00
“This is not a hostile takeover, as PG&E claims,” said Susan Patterson, SMUD Board member, in arguing for annexation. “It’s a customer revolt." The move was unanimously supported by 20 elected officials in four jurisdictions, including the cities of Davis, West Sacramento and Woodland and Yolo County. Many of these officials, along with community activists from Yolo and Sacramento counties, spoke in support of annexation. Read the whole story here
6/9/2005: The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Board on May 19 voted to start the annexation process of 70,000 residents of Yolo County, all current customers of PG&E. The vote for public power is very significant at a time when the national trend is the very opposite - towards privatization of electrical power, water and other utilities.
Vigil at Lockheed Martin in Bonny Doon
, 10.06.2005 01:01
Early on the morning of Thursday, June 9, a small group of peace activists assembled in Bonny Doon, CA outside the main gate of Lockheed Martin, the world's largest weapons contractor. Located behind a wrought iron gate and barbed wire fences on 4,400 acres of pristine woodlands in rural Santa Cruz County, sits the sprawling complex of wherehouses, and labortories, which are used to test components and subsystems of the US Navy's Trident II missile. Vinny Lombardo reports.
Audio mp3s: Self-contained report. (2:23) || Vinny speaking with the deputies... || Grant Wilson from SCWIT speaks with the deputies...
Somerville 5 Case: Community Leaders Demand that Charges Against Five African-American Youth be Dropped
, 10.06.2005 01:01
“Are we going backwards?” This was the question asked at a June 5 news conference in Dorchester, Mass., held to publicize the demand that five Somerville African American youths be immediately reinstated as students at Somerville High School near Boston and that trumped-up police charges against them be dropped. The Somerville 5—Calvin Belfon, 17, Cassius Belfon, 15, Earl Guerra, 16, Isiah Anderson, 17, and Marquis Anderson, 16—were victims of racial profiling and a brutal, unprovoked attack by Medford police on April 20. The five have been indefinitely suspended from school. And they face false charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, assault and battery, and disorderly conduct.
Central Valley events in support of Jeff "Free" Luers
, 10.06.2005 00:00
Jeff "Free" Luers, and environmental and community activist from Eugene, was sentenced to 22 years and 8 months in 2001, for his part in starting a fire on a vacant car lot that resulted in $40,000 in damage to three SUV's. Although the SUV's were later resold, Jeff's large sentence was tacked on in part due to the fact that militant eco-defense activists are rarely caught, and Jeff was seen by authorities as "a leader". Jeff is launching an appeal, and his support group has started to hold "days of action" in solidarity with him, in order to raise awareness to the public. In Sacramento, on June 11th, activists will be showing documentary footage on Jeff and his case, as well as "The Fourth World War", a new film detailing anti-capitalist uprisings around the world. In Modesto, on June 10th, "The Jeff Luers Story" will be shown, as well as other films on earth and animal liberation. For more info, go here.
Brooklyn Stadium Protest
, 09.06.2005 23:21
Hundreds of activists marched from Brooklyn to Manhattan to protest Forest City Ratner's proposal for 20 high rises and a sports arena in Prospect Heights Brooklyn. The march started at Brooklyn Borough Hall and concluded with a rally at City Hall. Those opposed to the proposal contend it's simply a sweetheart deal involving $1.6 billion in public subsidies, the use of Eminent Domain for a private developer and a construction plan vastly out of scale with the surrounding community. More Photos from various Brooklyn stadium protests More Info on the FCR proposal and opposition
Open the Cages: A night of Political Prisoner Support Sat June 11th
, 09.06.2005 23:21
Saturday, June 11 7PM-2AM $8-10 donation. sliding scale-no one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit the Jeffrey Luers Legal Fund and Jericho NYC. Contact: freefreenow@mutualaid.org This event is part of the June 10-12 Weekend of Resistance with Political Prisoner Jeff 'Free' Luers.
TONIGHT: Media Makers + Social Justice Organizers Come Together to *make this netWORK* 7-9pm NYC GRASSROOTS MEDIA COALITION
, 09.06.2005 23:21
Dear Independent Media Supporters, In order to continue the conversations, collaborations and partnerships initiated at the 2nd NYC Grassroots Media Conference this past April, the organizers for the NYCGMC (including Paper Tiger) have planned an informal networking event tonight. Please join us tonight to reconnect, kick back and really start to "Make this netWORK." We hope to see you there!
Cancellation of Rock Against Racism Results in Combined Anti-Racist Action Food Not Bombs Event
, 09.06.2005 23:20
#media_3246669;left#Almost as soon as posters went up promoting the Rock Against Racism concert that was scheduled to take place last Saturday, arguments between supporters of the event and “neo-nazis” began to erupt on various On-line message boards. Soon, these arguments escalated into threats of violence from the racists on their “Southern Ontario Skins” live-journal (which has since been deleted); and two days before the concert was set to take place, it was canceled by the venue at the urging of local police. The neo-nazi skinheads claimed the cancellation as their victory, so members of the Toronto Anti-Racist Action chapter and Kitchener-Waterloo Anti-Racist Action chapter decided to make a day trip to Hamilton, to educate locals on how to deal with the growing neo-nazi problem in the downtown core and throughout the city. With them they brought an “UNWANTED” poster that was taped up on posts downtown. The sign identified a “self-proclaimed leader of the neo-nazi gang 'Southern Ontario Skinheads,'” Mike Heroux.
Reportback: Sisters in Action Public Meeting With PPS Superintendent Vicki Phillips
, 09.06.2005 21:21
Last night I arrived at the St. Andrew's Community Centre building expecting to hear Superintendent of Portland Public Schools Vicki Phillips discuss publicly the massive loss in staff that is being slated for schools here in Portland. More then a third of staff at local area public schools will be cut for next year due to lack of funding. 248 licensed staff positions more then likely will be lost, a vast majority of those in North/Northeast Portland.
Most of the students who attended these schools are people of color, and low income working families who seem to be the target time and time again of unfair cuts to their local schools. Recently these cuts have become based on a test score system from the No Child Left Behind Act. Forcing teachers in schools to teach and prepare students for testing, instead of teaching an actual education one can take out into the world and use to make educated decisions. I'd like to also note that almost all schools on the east side of the willamette river are where most poor, working poor, and low income families live. Not to mention where a vast majority of the cuts are.
As I took my seat and the presentation began titled:
Not in Our Name: Students Speak Out Against School Closures, Academic Achievement, and the Attack on Public Education.
Community Activists Gather at Memphis City Council Meeting
, 09.06.2005 21:02
Several community activist groups packed the Memphis City Council Meeting today in opposition of a proposed incinerator for low level radioactive waste. The Memphis City Council decided to delay decision making until it gathered more information from both sides, and to gather information from James Spike, Chairman of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the City Attorney and the Health Department about the proposed plant.
corte en lugano
, 09.06.2005 18:30
Jueves 9 de Junio 2005 | RECHAZAN POLO FARMACÉUTICO
Vecinos de Villa 20 defienden su barrio
corte en lugano
, 09.06.2005 18:20
Jueves 9 de Junio 2005 | RECHAZAN POLO FARMACÉUTICO
Vecinos de Villa 20 defienden su barrio
Chokehold on Hebron; a Letter from Palestine
, 09.06.2005 18:01
A letter from Molly Little, Rhode Island peace activist, who is spending her summer as a witness to the Isreali occupation of Palestine. May 26, 2005- It is midday on the main street of Hebron. Just moments ago we were surrounded by the sounds and smells of the market— coffee and spices, kids on bikes and men pushing carts of produce, people buying groceries. Now, quite suddenly, the place is silent. The stores are boarded up; the streets are deserted. Where once this section, like the rest of Hebron, bustled with the daily life of families, now the only sounds we hear are the footsteps of the six Israeli soldiers who follow us as we walk. Occasionally their rifles click against their belts, but we know better than to turn around, or to appear afraid. It is our Palestinian guide, a small, wizened man whom we met at a hostel in Jerusalem, who ought to be afraid. But he leads the way for us—three Americans who are here to try to understand life under occupation— without looking back.
Rosie O'Donnell says Bush should be tried for war crimes
, 09.06.2005 16:26
While I was doing some chores around the house I saw Sean Hannity on the tv show the view. I don't like him and have stopped watching fox news entirely. I turned up the volume because I noticed Rosie O'Donnell yelling at him. They bickered about the Iraq war and she let him have it. She said things like Iraq was not a threat and that we invaded without just cause and might have been lied to about it. Sean Hannity accused her of demonizing Bush. She said she thought that he should be tried at the Hague in order to prove he wasn't a war criminal. The other hosts just looked on in shock. Rosie also said that was why she didn't have a show anymore because she speaks her mind and people don't like that.
Direito ao Transporte
, 09.06.2005 15:21
Mobilizações em Blumenau exigem Passe Livre Estudantil e não aumento da Tarifa
Reclaim the Future III - Party and Protest
, 09.06.2005 14:00
This Saturday 11 June sees the third edition of the infamous Reclaim The Future benefit parties in a self-organised space in London. RTF III is set to be one of the biggest parties-with-purpose to take place in London for a long time. From eight to eigth 5+ rooms including live stages, bands, djs, chillout, bar, cafe, Indymedia cinema, performance and vjs, will keep the crowd on its toes. Musical flavours will include Punk, Techno, Reggae, Drum & Bass, Breaks, World Music and Cabaret. For location details, on the day call 020 7644 5155 or 07 951 868 252 or check this feature, but we can confirm that the building is in the E1 area. The concept of RTF arose from a meeting of London Reclaim The Streets (RTS) on June 2002. The idea and call went out, and soon many of the people from the groups that RTS had spawned came together. These included Indymedia, Wombles, Rhythms of Resistance samba band, London Rising Tide, LARC, Disarm DSEi and it started to grow and grow. Quoting one of the party organisers she states: For more information about past RTF events see:
"RTF was created as a way to show that the streets are ours and we will not be prevented from partying and protesting by laws which have tried to squash the reclaim the streets movement. RTF is also about working togther for a future that we all want, free from capitalism and freedom from exploitation for all peoples and for a planet free from the destruction and pollution it currently endures."
Injunction Busters Fight The Power
, 09.06.2005 14:00
The campaign to shut down Brighton’s very own bomb factory steps up a gear this week. In response to last weeks escalation of violence by the police, anti-arms trade campaigners are calling for a national demonstration against the arms trade and for freedom of speech and assembly.
Tchernobyl nos nossos pratos ? Não obrigado(a)!!!
, 09.06.2005 10:01
Tchernobyl nos nossos pratos ? Não obrigado(a)!!!
Mountain Justice Summer Activists in Jail; Need Legal Defense Funds
, 09.06.2005 06:02
LEGAL DEFENDS FUNDS NEEDED ASAP; NONVIOLENT ACTIVISTS FACE TRUMPED-UP CHARGES AND LUDICROUS BAIL Three nonviolent activists with Mountain Justice Summer are in jail after protesting National Coal Corporation's first shareholders meeting. They face trumped-up felony charges and outrageous bail, and are in urgent need of legal defense funds. At 10am on Tuesday, June 7th, approximately 45 activists surprised Knoxville-based National Coal Corporation, the most destructive coal company in Tennessee, by showing up at their first-ever shareholders meeting at a Holiday Inn Select meeting room in west Knoxville.
Society for Disability Studies Conference in SF This Week
, 09.06.2005 05:30
The Society for Disability Studies is holding its annual conference at San Francisco State University from June 8th through 11th. The theme of the conference is Conversations & Connections Across Race, Disability & Identity. The conference coincides with activism by people in the Bay Area and on the Easy Coast to start a national organization for and by disabled people of color. There is a registration fee for the conference, but the following events are lower cost:
The photo exhibit Brown Disabled Broken Bodies: A Tour of Police Brutality Cases Against Disabled People of Color will be up on June 10th from 5-7PM in the Nob Hill Room. Photos of people such as May Molina, a diabetic woman who died in Chicago police custody when she was denied access to her medication, will be on display.
On Saturday June 11th from 12:30-2:30pm in the Richmond Room, there will be a panel entitled: Coast to Coast African Americans' Grassroots Incentives. The organizations to be represented are from the East Coast and California dealing with people of color with disabilities, and especially African Americans.
Also on June 11th, from 7:30-9:30pm in the Richmond Room, Black AND Disabled Artists Sharing, or BADAS, will perform Black Disabled Art History 101 with a slide show. Artists include Hip-Hop artist Keith Jones, Jazz poet Charles Curtice Blackwell, Safi wa Nairobi, and Leroy F. Moore.
As part of the conference, there will also be a Color of Disability photo exhibit of the two political conventions focusing on people of color with disabilities by Safi wa Nairobi.
For more information about the exhibit and performance, email Leroy Moore, sfdamo (at) yahoo.com | Society for Disability Studies | Leroy Moore's website
halliburton
, 09.06.2005 05:21
Protesta a Halliburton: 16 personas fueron arrestadas y una docena pisoteada por caballos
Dirty Santa Cruz Secrets: Hanging on Water St. Bridge
, 09.06.2005 01:01
For many of today's youth, the only Santa Cruz they've known is the Santa Cruz of progressivism, surfing and the university. But it wasn't too long ago that Santa Cruz, much like other cities of California, was a hotbed of vigilante violence fueled by vehement racism and encouraged by the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Extreme forms of violence and repression of the indigenous peoples, mestizos, and the local Chinese community were heavily used in creating what we now know as Santa Cruz.
On Sunday, a group of students decided to spend a few hours at the Water St. bridge, where Francisco Arias and Jose Chamales were lynched in 1877. With a RIP sign and plenty of flyers, they made sure the community, at least for a few hours, did not forget its origins.
Mining Holiday in Cape Breton and Paul Wolfowitz
, 09.06.2005 00:30
What striking miners in 1925 Cape Breton and those under the thumb of the World Bank have in common
Shell Judge: "If they are wrong compensation will be paid. Isn't that what compensates everyone?"
, 09.06.2005 00:00
"Scam alert!" sez Wag "Gas stolen from people and if gas blows the people pay the compo" Not so long ago on Indymedia Maura Harrington, a local campaigner implored people to come down to the solidarity gathering in Rossport against the construction of pipe line through the area. She said that “once you see the area you will agree with us that it is not the place for a gas refinery and an unprecedented high pressure up stream pipeline.” How right she was. Last weekend over two hundred people traveled to the back arse of Mayo to take part in a Reclaim The Beach celebration of resistance to Shell in the area and to attend workshops on Shell’s brutality in Nigeria, engage in walking tours of the area led by local campaigners and enter into a dialogue on how best to advance the campaign. Judge - Just because I thought it was right to give an injunction against the landowners doesn't mean I was right. A hearing will determine that. Philbin - I want the Minister for the Marine for 2002 in court to testify whether he signed the original order or not. Judge - You can do that at a hearing - not today. Philbin - The plaintiff argued in seeking the injunction that the Facility was in the national interest. The government has thus facilitated a private company from getting a Compulsory Acquisition order for the company's own private gain. The Irish State will be buying this gas back from Shell at top dollar. How can this be in the national interest? Judge - It might not be in the national interest. If they are wrong compensation will be paid. Isn't that what compensates everyone? Philbin - Money can't fix safety. Not so long ago on Indymedia Ireland - Maura Harrington, a local campaigner implored people to come down to the solidarity gathering in Rossport against the construction of a Shell pipeline through the area. She said that “once you see the area you will agree with us that it is not the place for a gas refinery and an unprecedented high pressure up stream pipeline." How right she was. Last weekend over two hundred people travelled to the back arse of Mayo to take part in a Reclaim The Beach celebration of resistance to Shell in the area and to attend workshops on Shell’s brutality in Nigeria, engage in walking tours of the area led by local campaigners and enter into a dialogue on how best to advance the campaign. (Reclaim the Beach Photo-Essay) Continue reading at the 'Feature Continues" link below for an account of the recent High Court hearing on the Shell pipeline and an Indymedia interview with a couple of the local farmers who are campaigning against Shell's Plans. Yesterday in the high court, several of the local farmers traveled to Dublin outline their opposition in the High Court to the pipe line going ahead and have an injunction against them lifted after they prevented Shell from entering their land without proper consent. From what I could make of it, the judge brushed aside concerns over health and safety, promising merely to turn them into money once an accident occurred as the following extract from the rough court report shows: Judge - It might not be in the national interest. If they are wrong compensation will be paid. Isn't that what compensates everyone? Philbin - Money can't fix safety. What follows is an interview with two of the farmers refusing to grant Shell access to their land and a court report. ----------------------------------------------------------- THE INTERVIEW So Brendan, perhaps to start off you can give us some outline of your opposition to the pipeline? Brendan: We believe that there is more gas out there than they are letting us know. If its done on shore all else will be sacrificed as regard Carrowmore Lake, the water for all Erris, all the rivers, all the roads all the whole of Ireland as regards air pollution and everything else, the hell area is going to be degraded and destroyed because at the moment its fairly pristine as regards the air, the water and the environment, ya know? So all of that hasn’t been taken into account at all as regards this on shore section of pipeline that they propose to build through Rossport. It’s never been done in the world before, because usually this type of development never passes further than half a kilometer or so from the shore line so its de-pressurized like, and the reason it’s so dangerous is you’ve a pressure of 345 bar plus an umbilical, running alongside, plus electrical control and all these other contraptions, you’re talking about five different pipes as well. And you can not get distances away from private houses, and no statutory body will take responsibility for people or the area. Philip: I’m only 70 from the house and it should be a minimum of a quarter of a mile from the house. They won’t recognize other houses because they are not land owners, if the court got injunctions against us we wouldn’t be able to go forty metres either side of the pipe, I’d be confined in my own house, maybe even able to walk to the garden but that’s about it. I couldn’t turn left when I go out the gate, I’d have to turn right! Go four miles out of my way if it came to that. There has already been some accidents with construction hasn’t there? Philip: Well, it’s at a standstill now, it’ll be a week tomorrow since they had the spill in the lake. Brendan: Last week, the bun they made on the site for the terminal and the gas in Ballinaboy, they burst and water got into the streams that lead directly to Carrowmore lake. And the fishery board brought this to the notice of Shell, and they’re stopping the peat haulage now. This is a very serious issue because Carrowmore lake is supplying water to all Erris and further more its one of the most natural and best salmon fisheries in the areas. So all that has to be protected, ya know? Fishing and farming seems to be the main industry in the area? What have the fishers done about the pipe line? Well, the fishermen did object to the land fall pipe out at Broadhaven Bay and there were no baseline studies as regards the fish in Broad haven Bay but there was a study carried out by UCG on mammals, dolphins and whales and I have reason to believe that some of that report was withheld. I have seen that report myself, it’s a very valuable document and the amount of whales, dolphins and fish in the area has led the professor who started the report for Enterprise Energy back in 2001 stated that this area, the small area in Rossport and Broadhaven Bay was so valuable they should go to any length to have it protected because of the amount of different species of whales and dolphins that feed their, the different fish life in abundance, the very large concentration of mammals in this area and none of this has been taken into account. A lot of the stuff you are saying is coming from an environmental angle, but there is another side to this isn’t there? If the pipe goes through how will it affect your ability to farm? If this proposed pipeline goes through, I won’t be able to farm my land, in fact I won’t be able to live in the area because they can’t give us any example of this been done in the world and the latest example would be that it should be no closer than five hundred meters and at that you’re inside the danger levels. We believe there has been no fully independent quantitative risk assessment done on this pipeline and that is one of the things we have been looking for for years. What the minister proposes to do now a very diluted version of the QRA and it’s not acceptable. This is not what the minister granted his original consent in 2001 to Enterprise Energy. At the entrance to the camp site over the weekend there was a sign saying “Thou Shell Not Rape Erris” referring to the exploitation of natural resources to line the pockets of a private corporation, what do you think if that? Brendan: It is that it’s the first time in the history of the state that a private company have been granted a compulsory acquisition order for their own benefit ie the Irish government have no shares in this company and they have to buy back their gas at the full market value from this company. But having said that like, if the company decided and should have the gas cleaned at shore and took the pipe line to store under the Bord Gais standard, we have no problem with it, we are definitely not against the gas coming ashore as we have been accused of. We want the thing to be done right, people to be kept safe and the environment to be kept safe. Philip, you also have a sign up outside your house with a noose hanging off it saying “Nigeria 1995, Rossport 2005” that’s quite a powerful statement, what’s the story with it? Philip: Well, I suppose its only to bring the reality of Nigeria to Rossport we’re in the same situation, but we’re lucky that they haven’t hanging here. If they had we’d be goen now, I wouldn’t be here for this special interview. Rossport is a very isolated area, one bloke I was talking to before said most people make their money from farming and fishing, while he had to travel 20 miles for work. Won’t the pipe line bring jobs? Seemingly it’ll provide 25 jobs from the neck down and two from the neck up as some locals are putting it? Brendan: This is the propaganda that has been put out from Shell that it’ll be of great benefit to the area as regards unemployment. In my estimation you have an asset out there that’s worth billions and if all it can provide is twenty to thirty permanent jobs there’s something wrong somewhere. It’s of no national interest to the area. Erris is the size of Louth and the whole area is going to be sacrificed for one private company, it is a total shame when the statutory bodies don’t stand up for what they’re supposed to stand up for and say “no, if we want to do it, it’ll have to be done right and off shore.” Philip: I was talking to a fella the other day there at the security compound, and I spoke to one French guy there. He said he was foreman of the fitters, and we were talking about safety and that sort of thing, and he says ‘everything is guaranteed 100%.” We know ourselves there isn’t such a guarantee. He also told me they are now working a basic eight hour day and they can’t even survive, he said since they came here four of his laborers have actually gone back to France because they weren’t getting paid at all. On a basic pay they can’t survive here, they’ve no money to send home, they’re on minimum wage. All they get free is a taxi to the airport and a flight. The 27 jobs I believe but they said it was fifty in the beginning, that’s dropped now. The French fella also said they’d be testing the pipe, we believed it’d be 345 bar , he said it’d be 800 bar. That means the can put the gas through at anything up to 800 bar. There was quite a funny mix of people in Rossport last weekend for the Solidarity gathering and the Reclaim The Beach, how can these people support those in the locality standing up to Shell and what did ye make of the gathering? Brendan: Its very important from my point of view that the true facts be put before the people, to contact the locals who are effected and get the true facts of how they are been affected. All we are doing at the end of the day is standing up trying to protect our families and our rights, and as residents and as Irish people under the constitution we deserve the state to defend us. Philip: We were seven on our own, but after that weekend I can see that there is great supprt out their for us. It puts a new life on everything. I’d like to do it again. And I’ll add there wasn’t has many hairy mary’s as I thought…ya know the rough ones, the eco warriors… there was one and sure I look rougher than him! But the way things are looking today, we’ll have to call on them sooner rather than later. Physical support is what we need, and financial support we haven’t gotten bills from the solicitors yet. And the people in Rossport know it’s dangerous, but they say “we’ve signed now let it off!” I was very close myself to signing a long time ago. But I asked a question on the day yer man that came to me, something about safety that I’d read in the paper. That was three years ago, I haven’t heard from him since, and I’m still waiting for an answer. Where do you see all this in a few Weeks? Brendan: Having been in the high court today, before the judge it’s quite apparent that it’s going to be a long slow dragged out process. ---------------------------------------A ROUGH COURT TRANSCRIPT--------------------------------------------- Shell V's McGrath and others. Case for mention in High Court today, Tuesday 7th June, 2005, at 11am. Presiding Judge: President of High Court Justice Finnegan. Plaintiffs represented by Patrick Hanratty S.C. Litigants McGrath & Corduff represented by Michael Ford S.C. while litigants Philbin & McGarry represented themselves. Litigant Muller not represented. Rough transcript from 11:20am on. Judge - Just because I thought it was right to give an injunction Against the landowners doesn't mean I was right. A hearing will determine that. Philbin - I want the Minister for the Marine for 2002 in court to Testify whether he signed the original order or not. Judge - You can do that at a hearing not today. Philbin - The plaintiff argued in seeking the injunction that the Facility was in the national interest. The government has thus facilitated a private company from getting a Compulsory Acquisition order for the companies own private gain. The Irish state will be buying this gas back from Shell at top dollar. How can this be in the national interest? Judge - It might not be in the national interest. If they are wrong compensation will be paid. Isn't that what compensates everyone? Philbin - Money can't fix safety. Judge - It's not my job to determine safety. It's Mr Hanrattys to prove It is safe and yours to prove it is not. Philbin - That's why we are here. If the company had done their Homework they would know they can't put such a pipeline through a residential area. Judge - I have to be satisfied that injunction was correct decision to make and as such want to get to the hearing as quickly as possible. Philbin - Very well. END Mr. Brendan Philbin. START - Ms. Bríd McGarry McGarry - Why is todays hearing not in Mayo. It is most inconvenient for us. Judge - That's not my fault. McGarry - There was a piece in the Times of May 10th written by Lorna Siggins stating that Shell knew then that B.P.A .were part owned by Shell. However they have stated since that they did not know until May 25th. In addition to this I want some other documents made available to me, the original QRA plus some other discoveries. Judge - Mr. Hanratty has assured me that he will get them. McGarry - I want to return to the point about when Shell knew the consultants were part owned by Shell. It goes without saying that the Minister should have known from the start that the British Pipeline Agency were Shell. I have the letter from Eugene Collins which proves that Shell engaged in fraudulent concealment. Shell are thus in contempt. Judge - That is a matter for the hearing. I will not be dealing with that. McGarry - Apart from that there is the matter of affidavits. Judge - Affidavits are water under the bridge now. McGarry - I am a lay litigant. I have not been furnished with 1st, 4th, 5th , 6th , 7th claim/counter claim. Judge - I will sort that out. McGarry - The plaintiff has yet to receive their EPA pollution licence. This is another matter which shows what a fiasco the whole thing is. Lorries are going off the road goodo in Mayo. Judge - I am attempting to get a deadline for the receipt of all outstanding documentation. June 29th. McGarry - Just on another point. Can the plaintiff determine Health & Safety issues before the pipeline is laid? Judge - Safety was not the point of the injunction. If they get it Wrong you get money. That's it. McGarry - Surely as a resident I have rights? Judge - There are conflicting views here. The hearing will decide. McGarry - The difference between me and the company is that the company should not have constitutional rights whereas I should. Judge - There are incidents where rights apply to different parties. McGarry - I want to see all documentation. Judge - For mention again on June 29th. ***An Archive of Indymedia Ireland Features On This Issue Can Be Found Here*** http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/jun2005/dunes_1.jpg
Massive Demonstrations in Bolivia Continue, Demanding Closure of Parliament and Nationalization of Oil and Gas
, 09.06.2005 00:00
Bolivia, 6/8/2005: Into the 4th week of fierce mobilizations and nationwide blockades, the popular social movements of Bolivia have demonstrated a deep distrust of the political structure and unwavering strength of purpose in their demands. President Carlos Mesa resigned on June 6 under heavy pressure to nationalize hydrocarbons. "We will continue working so that we have participation in the government, because otherwise, we are always going to work for others and that must change...someday we must be the government. Neither with the resignation of Mesa nor with elections will the problems be solved," says Abel Mamani, Aymara leader of the El Alto Federation of Neighborhood Committees (FEJUVE). In 2003, the FEJUVE lead the fight to overthrow Gonzalo Sanchez de Losada, who had privatized strategic companies. 
Yesterday's street battles left 12 wounded, with 2 in the operating room of the General Hospital of La Paz. The police seized 1000 dynamite charges. 4 farmers were also wounded. People raised barricades in the streets bordering the San Francisco Plaza while thousands of miners and indigenas faced several hours of intense tear gas from the police. According to journalists, a white cloud covers the bordering avenue and streets from San Francisco Plaza to the Prado (the main avenue) . Evacuations from La Paz are continuing, after Monday's evacuation of 200 Israeli nationals, recent reports are that U.S. Ambassador Greenlee has fled with his family.
Traditional parties are hoping for the presidential succession of Diez Vaca, the "man" of the transnational companies and Santa Cruz oligarchy, where the natural gas resources are located. International solidarity with the fight of the people of Bolivia has been requested. Live radio | Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Read more at Zmag, Counterpunch and Narconews | Photos at Indymedia Bolivia | Video from La Paz by Indymedia Bolivia: |1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Massive Demonstrations in Bolivia Continue, Demanding Closure of Parliament and Nationalization of Oil and Gas
, 08.06.2005 23:00
Bolivia, 6/8/2005: Into the 4th week of fierce mobilizations and nationwide blockades, the popular social movements of Bolivia have demonstrated a deep distrust of the political structure and unwavering strength of purpose in their demands. President Carlos Mesa resigned on June 6 under heavy pressure to nationalize hydrocarbons. "We will continue working so that we have participation in the government, because otherwise, we are always going to work for others and that must change...someday we must be the government. Neither with the resignation of Mesa nor with elections will the problems be solved," says Abel Mamani, Aymara leader of the El Alto Federation of Neighborhood Committees (FEJUVE). In 2003, the FEJUVE lead the fight to overthrow Gonzalo Sanchez de Losada, who had privatized strategic companies. Yesterday's street battles left 12 wounded, with 2 in the operating room of the General Hospital of La Paz. The police seized 1000 dynamite charges. 4 farmers were also wounded. People raised barricades in the streets bordering the San Francisco Plaza. Thousands of miners and indigenas faced several hours of intense tear gas from the police yesterday. From San Francisco Plaza to the Prado (main street) a white cloud covers the bordering avenue and streets, according to journalists.
Traditional parties are hoping for the presidential succession of Diez Vaca, the "man" of the transnational companies and Santa Cruz oligarchy, where the natural gas resources are located. International solidarity with the fight of the people of Bolivia has been requested. Read more at Zmag, Counterpunch and Narconews. Photos at Indymedia Bolivia
Upcoming Hands Off Venezuela Meeting in San Francisco
, 08.06.2005 19:30
The Hands Off Venezuela Campaign has started meeting in San Francisco to try and raise awareness about the inspiring events in Venezuela and to organize against the threats against them from the US government. Two years after the unsuccessful military coup against the democratically elected government of Venezuela, headed by President Hugo Chavez, the US still appears to be threatening Venezuela's sovereignty. Hands Off Venezuela says, "(T)he Chavez government has been shifting the benefits from the country's oil wealth from the rich giant corporations to the vast majority of the population by providing food, housing, health care and education... we believe it is vitally necessary... to affirm Venezuela's right to determine its own destiny by joining forces to forge a resistance to the US government's aggressive aims."
San Francisco Bay Area Hands Off Venezuela will hold its next meeting on Thursday, June 9th, at 7pm in Centro del Pueblo's auditorium, at 474 Valencia St in San Francisco. Read more
Read more on Indybay's Americas News Page
Vigils and Protests Held Statewide to Protest Overturning of Raich Decision
, 08.06.2005 19:30
Update 6/8/05: Compassionate Caregivers closed down voluntarily for the day, not due to a notice from the DEA.
On June 7th, protests and vigils were held in cities all over California to oppose Monday's Supreme Court decision against medical marijuana (MMJ). Medical cannabis patients and advocates gathered in front of the Federal court building in Sacramento to urge Congress to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment to the Justice Appropriations bill. The question of states' rights versus having a strong federal government was clearly on protesters' minds. Photos Protests also were held in Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Francisco-- in the latter two cities, candlelight vigils were held to honor medical cannabis patients’ struggle for safe access to medicine, and to memorialize the people who will die because of the federal government’s refusal to recognize cannabis as medicine.
MMJ supporters are encouraging people to attend noontime demonstrations at U.S. representatives' local offices at noon on Wednesday, June 8th, 50 hours after the announcement of the Court’s decision, to tell Congress to stand up for patients. Demonstrators will be urging the House of Representatives to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, which would bar the DEA from spending any funds to raid, arrest, or prosecute patients using medical marijuana in compliance with state laws. People are also urged to call their representative and urge their support of the Amendment.
Read more on Indybay's Drug War News Page
Sacramento Protests Medical Marijuana Court Ruling
, 08.06.2005 17:02
In response to the Supreme Court decision overturning Raich, medical marijuana patients and advocates gathered in front of the Federal court building in Sacramento to urge congress to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment to the Justice Appropriations bill . The protest was called in response of the 6-3 split decision, as the Supreme Court overturned Raich v. Gonzales, ruling that the federal government may continue to arrest and prosecute patients for using medical marijuana according to their state laws. It is important to note that this ruling in no way affects the state laws that legally protect medical marijuana patients. In their ruling, the Supreme Court acknowledged the preponderance of evidence that marijuana is legitimate medicine. Furthermore, the Court has extended an invitation to Congress to join the 80% of Americans who support medical use of cannabis and reschedule marijuana. More info here, and what you can do to help.
Critical importance of Jury Nullification in fight to save civil rights
, 08.06.2005 16:10
Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country! The Shrub regime and the Supreme Court that appointed it have still not gotten around to eliminating the right of trial by jury. That means jurors still have the option of Jury Nullification. What is Jury Nullification? Only the best hope we all have right now of resisting from within the criminals who've hijacked the government.
'Big Box Stores' Press Case in NYC
, 08.06.2005 15:41
Big Box stories continue to press their case in New York City. Wal-Mart is now eyeing a location in East Harlem, and Ikea has recently completed the purchase of the Erie Basin store site in Red Hook. Background from the Indypendent (from OnNYTurf): Walmart is looking at moving into East Harlem. "We’ve been hearing rumblings that a mega-retail project is being planned for 127th street, between 2nd and 3rd avenues, in East Harlem. The tip, which came from City Council candidate Felipe Luciano, also is that IKEA and Wal-Mart are actively looking at the site." (source: Neighborhood Retail Alliance) [Read More] (from Big Cities, Big Boxes):"The former Todd Shipyard property on Beard St. is now owned by IKEA. The 22-acres were purchased from U.S. Dredging Corporation Thursday morning. Today IKEA released a statement from spokesman Joseph Roth." [Read More]
Mothers On the Move's Annual Meeting
, 08.06.2005 15:41
Mothers On the Move met with HUD project managers in the South Bronx to discuss housing issues on Saturday. Mothers On the Move (MOM) is a grassroots group of parents and community residents who advocate for environmental and housing justice in the South Bronx.
West Side Stadium Plan On Life Support
, 08.06.2005 15:41
Plans to spend at least $600 million dollars of NYC taxpayer money to subsidize a sports stadium for a billionaire collapsed today, along with the New York City Olympic bid. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told reporters he would vote against the stadium plan, calling it "at best, premature." Roundup: Stay Free! || Lefter, Warmer || Onnyturf || Daily Gotham Past Indymedia Coverage: Bread and Circuses (Nov. 2002) || City Council Hearings Begin (Dec. 2002) || Poll: NY Opposes Stadium (Jun. 2004) || Volunteers: Help Stop the Stadium (Dec. 2004) || Olympic Culture Jam (Mar. 2005)
Huayco en los Andes
, 08.06.2005 15:41
(from Narco News) (en): "President Mesa has just announced his resignation in a speech transmitted by the Bolivian media ... ATB news agency has just reported that Bolivian Congressman Evo Morales says that President Carlos Mesa's resignation 'is not enough.'" [Read More] (CMI Bolivia) (es): "Interminables columnas de hombres y mujeres de sectores de trabajadores y comunidades indigenas decidieron no cesar las movilizaciones hasta lograr la nacionalización de los hidrocarburos y conformar un gobierno campesino popular ... La Policia lanza inmensa cantidad de gases sobre los marchistas." [Read More] (El Independiente, NYC) (es): "Lo que cambia hoy es la farsa de los gobernantes, al servicio del capital extranjero, de querer aparecer defendiendo los valores democráticos." [Read More] "Sabemos cómo tumbar gobiernos, pero no cómo tomar el poder" [Read More]. "Después de la tradición: Descubriendo América entre los campesinos del altiplano Boliviano, es una exhibición de Evan Abramson presentada por Art for Change (Arte por un Cambio Social)." [Read More] Photo: Bolivia IMC
Photos from Tompkins Square concert Sunday June 5th
, 08.06.2005 15:40
(from the Open Newswire): Despite the tragic lack of a bandshell, it was a very pre-Ghouliani, pre-Doomberg atmosphere; a noisy oasis from the deathly silence of botoxed yuppies slowly decomposing in their quaint cafes.
Former Camden Yards Worker speaks out on Angelos
, 08.06.2005 14:01
As workers, students, unions, and communities of faith prepare for the United Workers Association's upcoming protest at Camden Yards, Dennis Burns, a former worker at Camden Yards, took time to be interviewed. Dennis is part of the organizing team putting together a protest at Camden Yards for June 17th at 6:30pm. The rally is set to take place at the Eutaw Street entrance.
Students Face Student Loan Interest Rates Hikes
, 08.06.2005 14:01
LEDE: Starting July 1, student loan interest rates will increase by close to 2 percent. In order for student borrowers to recieve low interest rates, Student and consumer groups are urging students, particularly recent graduates, to consolidate their student loans by June 30th. These same groups are also calling on Congress to not support bills that would eliminate the fixed rate option in student loan consolidation altogether. Selina Musuta has more from Capitol Hill.
Protect Our Woodland - Titnore Woods
, 08.06.2005 12:36
CRUNCH day is approaching in the battle to save the last piece of greenfield and ancient woodland in Worthing, West Sussex. After years of delay and massive public opposition, Worthing Borough Council is preparing to give the go-ahead to the plans for a 900-home estate on land at Titnore Woods.
Parasites on Poverty Campaign Launched
, 08.06.2005 10:21
Last night GPJA launched its “Parasites on Poverty” Campaign. The campaign targets Loan Sharks and Pokie machines – these are the “Parasites on Poverty” to which the campaign name refers – and it will be launched at the regular monthly forum of GPJA – 7.30pm at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. (Speakers at the Forum are John Stansfield of the Problem Gambling Foundation and John Minto – GPJA spokesperson – who will outline the campaign) The campaign is in response to the financial crisis which exists in low income communities when families try to bridge the gap between low wages/low income and the money needed to keep a family above the poverty line. The problem exists throughout New Zealand but is at its most acute in low income communities.