Nine peacemakers arrested in Wisconsin

What we didn't think would happen during the Obama administration just happened: Peace activists were arrested for opposing war ...

Wisconsin Peacemakers: Janet Parker, (Madison – 2nd from left), Bonnie Urfer, (Luck – center), Joy First (Monona 2nd from right) , and Tom Haebig (not in the photo) crossed the line at Ft. McCoy today – to call for an end to wars, occupation, and militarism. Other anti-war activists crossing the line were Vicki Andrews of Grand Rapids, MN (left to right) , Alice Gerard of NY, Brian Terrell of Iowan, Gerald Paoli of Chicago, and Dylan Parkes, also from Iowa. AUGUST 10, 2009. CONTACT: NUKEWATCH 715-491-3813-or- Wisc. Net for Peace Justice 608-250-9240

NINE ARRESTED AT END OF 3-DAYPEACE WALK TO FORT McCOY
From Nukewatch and Wisc. Net for Peace
TOMAH, Wisconsin – Nine anti-war activists were detained at Mt. McCoy after walking onto the central-Wisconsin base to protest the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the continued U.S. possession of nuclear weapons.Five of the nine were ticketed and released from the site after being permanently banned from entering the base again.Four of the group were taken by U.S. marshals to Madison where they face federal trespass charges in U.S. District Court. The four had previously been banned from the base for earlier protests.All nine were part of a three-day walk for peace that began Aug. 7 near Camp Williams.The walk was also a commemoration of the U.S. atomic attacks bombings of the cities of Hiroshima August 6, and Nagasaki August 9, 1945, and an appeal for a moratorium on the use of armor-piercing shells made from waste uranium-238 known as “depleted uranium” munitions.Walkers carried dozens of placards along highways 12 and 21, principle among them were pleas: to bring all the troops home; to compensate the victims of the U.S. military occupations; to abolish nuclear weapons; and to inform the National Guard troops of all their legal rights.The four activists being held in federal custody in Madison pending arraignment are Brian Terrell, 53, of Maloy, Iowa; Bonnie Urfer, 57, of Luck, Wis.; Alice Gerard, 52, of Grand Island, New York; and Joy first, 55, of Madison, Wisc.The five ticketed and released pending arraignment are Gerald Paoli, 49, of Chicago, IL; Janet Parker 41, of Madison; Dylan Parker, 20, of Davenport, IA; Vicki Andrews, 64, of Grand Rapids, MN; and Tom Haebig, 72, of West Bend, Wisc.

No More Deaths Volunteer facing sentencing

Sentencing Tomorrow for NMD Volunteer

From: No More Deaths, Tucson

This summer is already on par to be one of the deadliest on record, and it will also be one of the busiest on record for No More Deaths. This past week alone, seven bodies were recovered from the deserts of southern Arizona. Despite a reduction in the number of Border Patrol apprehensions, the toll of the U.S.'s deadly border policy continues to grow - demonstrating the need for a strong and continued humanitarian presence.
On Tuesday, volunteer Walt Staton will be sentenced in federal court for his littering ticket. We are hoping for a strong show of support at the hearing, and all are invited to pack Magistrate Jennifer Guerin’s court room at 9:00 am (the courthouse is on the SW corner of Congress and Granada.)
The prosecutor prepared a lengthy memo to the judge asking for a harsh sentence, saying that Staton’s sentence should have a “strong deterrence effect.” They propose a $5,000 fine and five years of probation, including a ban from the wildlife refuge. Staton and his attorney will ask for a suspended sentence with no fine or probation.
Letters of support were delivered to the judge, including two from the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity—both groups asserting that poor US policy, not water jugs, present the biggest threat to the environment along the border.
You can purchase t-shirts and buttons with our new water jug logo from Peace SuppliesNo More Deaths volunteers were joined by other humanitarians from Tucson Samaritans and Humane Borders to show their commitment to providing direct aid to migrants on July 9 when thirteen more volunteers were cited for littering while attempting to leave water along migrant trails. Their action came as a heat wave began in southern Arizona, bringing deadly 110-degree temperatures to the desert along the border.
The next morning, No More Deaths received a phone call from the Department of the Interior asking if we would be able to meet with Secretary Ken Salazar in the near future. Seven people attended a meeting in D.C. with Salazar and his staff on July 19 to begin working towards a solution. (The Tucson Weekly: Meeting with the Secretary)
That meeting paved the way to another meeting with regional Fish and Wildlife staff and Mike Hawkes, the manager of Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge. We presented them with a memorandum of understanding for an agreement where we can continue placing much-needed jugs of water if we also commit to picking up twice as much trash. We hope to reach an agreement later in August.In parallel to our desert activities, we are still working hard at pressing Homeland Security to provide better treatment to people in their custody, specifically to migrants in short-term custody held by Border Patrol. We met with Alan Bersin, the Border Czar, to discuss the findings in our report, Crossing the Line, along with other concerns.
On Capitol Hill, Senators Menendez and Gillibrand introduced a bill on July 30 called the Strong STANDARDS Act that contains requirements for short-term detention. Without the advocacy of No More Deaths, the issue of unregulated conditions in short term detention facilities would not have received this much deserved attention.
No More Deaths is grateful to all the volunteers putting time and energy into this wide array of issues - all with the goal of ending death and suffering in the desert.

Zapatistas, March 9, 2009 (Spanish/Espanol audios)

Listen to Zapatistas March 9, 2009 (Spanish/Espanol)

Photo: Enlace Zapatistas
Enlace Zapatista website: text and audios:
http://enlacezapatista.ezln.org.mx/ezln/1469

Hate speech in the media

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact:
Aurora Grajeda - 415.368.8406 aurora-grajeda@comcast.net
Contact: Miguel Perez - 415.240.1697 nahuelyitomx@yahoo.com.mx

San Francisco Board of Supervisors resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and community groups are holding a press conference on Tuesday, August 11th, at 12 noon at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, in San Francisco, on the Polk Street side steps. They will present a resolution sponsored by Supervisor David Campos and co-sponsored by Supervisors John Avalos, David Chiu, Chris Daly, Bevan Duffy, Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Ross Mirkarimi, "urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media, allowing public participation via public hearings, and asking the NTIA to update it's 1993 report on the Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes." "An investigation on hate speech in the media has the potential of serving the highest interest of free speech, the First Amendment and the security of individuals and groups in their persons and in their living environments. A recent study from Leadership Conference on Civil Rights shows a correlation between hate radio and hate crimes - concerned organizations and individuals have seen how the volume and virulence in the rhetoric in the most virulent Sock Jocks, such as local host Michael Savage, continues to raise.Full information on the resolution may be found at http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/090995.pdf " Meeting starts at 2 PM, the resolution will be discussed at the Board of Supervisors meeting in the Legislative Chamber, Room 250, the resolution is item # 39, public comment is invited.
The City and County of San Francisco prides itself in celebrating diversity in principle, values and practice; the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco, reflects these principles, values and practices.
HATE SPEECH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE SPEECH###

"Hate Speech and Misinformation in The Media, A Threat To The Internal Security of US"-- Hispanic / Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition SF