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animal rights | green scare 17-Oct-2009 10:23

Update From Local Grand Jury Resister Carrie Feldman

From the open publishing newswire: Today I had my first appearance before the federal grand jury in Davenport, Iowa. I was represented by a federal public defender (although he could not be present in the grand jury with me). After reading a brief statement expressing that I would not testify, I was released with a subpoena to reappear before the grand jury again on the 17th of November at 9:00 A.M. It is likely that at this time I will be held in contempt of court for continuing to remain silent, and could face jail time up to the length of the grand jury (it convenes for 12 months total, which leaves 11 remaining after my November appearance). We are still looking into legal questions regarding how long they could hold me.

Oct 13 press release: "Twin Cities Anarchist Subpoenaed to Federal Grand Jury in Iowa"

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human & civil rights 17-Oct-2009 10:12

VIDEO: Human Rights Commission October Meeting Portland

From the open publishing newswire: This video is from the monthly Portland Human Rights Commissions Meeting
Filmed on the first Wednesday of the month and open to the public

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actions & protests | imperialism & war 17-Oct-2009 10:07

Photographs from Olympia Protest Against War in Afghanistan

How many lives per gallon? | Bombing civilians creates "terrorists." From the open publishing newswire: October 7, Olympia, Washington

About 300 or so people rallied and marched to mark eight years of war in Afghanistan.

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actions & protests | homelessness 17-Oct-2009 10:04

VIDEOS: Homeless Protest at City Hall

homeless protest city hall 10.10.09 From the open publishing newswire: I stopped by the "NO Camping Law" Protest, at Portland City Hall, and not expecting to see anyone I find about 20 people who are "protest/camping" around the building to demand changes regarding sleeping in a safe place without arrest at night in Portland.

The protest and some of the problems are discussed in the four short vidoes. The restroom issue was something I feel needs better attention by the city especially now that they closed the city hall rest room and there seems to be not much available from what I hear.

The protest seems respectable yet poignant in its demands. With winter quickly approaching and with others being criminalized for sleeping outside the city is being pressured to step things up.

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environment 12-Oct-2009 09:25

Pirate Healers Treat Sick Sea Lion Stranded on the Coast

Sadie From the open publishing newswire: While the community was expected to sit back and watch helplessly, a young sea lion lay dying on the coast near Seaside. Authorities were adamant that no treatment would be provided: They decreed that nature should take its course with the animal, and that they felt they needed to "keep humans out of the equation." This might have made more sense, had the sea lion not been sick and malnourished in the first place due to human interference in the ocean ecosystem. And nothing could be more hypocritical than the suggestion that humans must keep their compassion "out of the equation" on the coast while other humans have inserted themselves violently into the equation on the nearby Columbia - by killing sea lions for eating fish.

In Cascadia, though, we like to think for ourselves. We follow our hearts more faithfully than we follow the dictates of people who consider themselves to be "The Authorities." And so the people of Seaside began bringing fresh water to the sea lion dubbed Sadie by the nearby community.

 http://sealiondefensebrigade.org

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environment | human & civil rights | prisons & prisoners 03-Oct-2009 09:55

Jeff Luers is back in prison

From the open publishing newswire: After 6 hours of freedom, Jeff "free" Luers is back behind bars.

In a bizarre turn of unfortunate events, Jeff has been taken back in to custody after having a few moments of freedom.

Apparently this is because of an "error" on behalf the Oregon Department of Corrections. He was "mistakenly" released because they thought he was eligible for early release, but because of - as we understand it at this point - Oregon's Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentencing Jeff did not qualify for this early release.

Please write him letters of support:

Jeffrey Luers # 13797671
CRCI
9111 NE Sunderland Ave
Portland, OR 97211-1708

freejeffluers.org

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environment | human & civil rights | prisons & prisoners 02-Oct-2009 09:48

Jeff "Free" Luers is FREE!!!

Jeff Luers From the open publishing newswire: BREAKING: Jeff was released this morning!!!!!!!

A Lane County Circuit Court Judge has just signed a supplemental judgment granting Jeff an additional 30% reduction in his total incarceration time!!!

This is huge news and could mean that Jeff is released much, much earlier than the expected date of December 16, 2009, and of course 12 years earlier than his original sentence prior to appeal.

In the meantime, the weeks from now to December we had planned to fundraise for education and living expenses for Jeff are now out the window, so please dig deep and send in your donations now.

Donation options are available here, http://freejeffluers.org/donate.html | or you can buy something on Jeff's wishlist here: http://freejeffluers.org/assets/pdfs/WISH_LIST.pdf | http://www.freejeffluers.org

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prisons & prisoners 29-Sep-2009 13:54

Political Prisoner High Concern

From the open publishing newswire: Looking for support for an eco/indigenous warrior getting worst treatment of his lengthy sentence - worst treatment out of 5 fed prisons. Please write or call...

I don't want to use the words 'prisoner emergency' yet but we are rapidly approaching it. Hello, my name is Sumner Gray and I have been writing Oso Blanco aka Byron Chubbuck, for over 5 of the 10 years he's been in the fed. prison system and this is the WORST TREATMENT HE HAS RECEIVED while incarcerated. For full info on Oso visit www.osoblanco.org ('the case' and 'the cause' tabs explain a lot).

There are two main areas of concern. First is my belief that USP Lewisburg is an archaic institution, stuck in time in its interactions with inmates (openly racist and hateful). Oso has been punished for the silliest things and I truly believe that this prison is trying to rack up enough punishment time against him that he will lose all contact with the outside world. In short, they are trying to keep him indefinitely in solitary. Oso has racked up 1.5 years of no phone calls, 1.5 years of no visitation, and 1.5 years of loss of store privileges! He hasn't even been at this facility for 6 months (more details below). Secondly, mail (isn't that always a problem for political prisoners?) has come to a halt in and out for Oso. He has not received any of his three current paid for magazine subscriptions nor any political papers since his transfer to Lewisburg. Oso is an avid writer - often sending two to three letters out a day. All contact has been lost for months except to me off and on.

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forest defense 29-Sep-2009 13:52

John Day RMP Being Completed Using Misleading Information / Public Comments Were Modified

From the open publishing newswire: This involves modifying and tampering with public records, corruption, deceit and unfair treatment of the general public regarding the Bureau Of Land Management's planning process and handling of public comments for the John Day Basin Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement and other matters.

It would serve the public interest best if the John Day Basin Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement was rendered not worthy of further consideration and set aside in the same way as its nasty sister, the Western Oregon Plan Revisions

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homelessness 29-Sep-2009 13:45

A Complaint About Police Harassment in Downtown Portland

From the open publishing newswire: I work downtown. I work in a high rise office building, I have a PhD, I pull in a fairly good salary, and I am very involved with my community. I tell you these things, not because I think you ought to be impressed by them, but because I want to draw you a picture of the two different worlds that I am part of and the perspective that gives me. In one world, I have a five star view of the city from my ivory tower office, where I interact primarily with people in suits. In the other world, I am an advocate for people who are homeless - as I once was - and I am very close to the streets. And so this is where this story begins.

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homelessness 29-Sep-2009 12:55

Homeless people camp and protest once again at City Hall

From the open publishing newswire: BREAKING NEWS: Homeless people camp and protest once again at City Hall

An Organized night time protest is now in effect.

"We are here tonight to show that this is the only campsite that is safe inside the city of Portland and that we really need places that we are able to go for the night and know that we are going to be safe. By safe, we mean that we'll be able to pitch a tent or sleep in a shelter or live in a tent city without harassment from the police."

Read The article in full on Street Roots Website ... the link is below
 http://tinyurl.com/y9l4ppb

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human & civil rights 29-Sep-2009 12:53

VIDEO: Emergency Solidarity Rally for Honduras - Portland 9.24.09

From the open publishing newswire: A dire situtation is at hand in Honduras

This was an emergency rally organized by
Jobs with Justice and PCASC to show support with the
Honduras people and their ousted president Zelaya

A 9 minute video from the rally at Pioneer Square on Sept 24th
As the president Zelaya is trapped in the Brazilian Embassy, a group of 50 meet in Solidarity in Portland...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dm9CdARUhc

homepage:  http://www.joe-anybody.com

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actions & protests | corporate dominance 29-Sep-2009 12:51

Excellent report of Pittsburgh Anti-G20 black bloc protests

From the open publishing newswire: This is on-the-spot reporting just in from the first day of the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, which has seen a great deal of spirited resistance and confrontation—perhaps as much as has occurred at any anarchist mobilization in North America in half a decade. This gushy, hastily composed account presents the context, attempts to convey the spirit of the day, and raises a few preliminary questions.
The basic narrative of the day runs thus: The protesters attempt to reach the summit site, but are brutally forced back by police. They eventually turn around and march through Pittsburgh neighborhoods and shopping districts, where the police pursue and attack them. Property destruction intensifies in response to these attacks, and the conflict culminates in a standoff between police and students during which a black bloc destroys a business district.

Read here: Report linked to videos and pics
 http://www.crimethinc.com/texts/recentfeatures/g20.php

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