From the open publishing newswire: On Wednesday, April 18, at approximately 16:00 Eastern Time, U.S. Federal authorities removed a server from a colocation facility shared by Riseup Networks and May First/People Link in New York City. The seized server was operated by the European Counter Network ("ECN"), the oldest independent internet service provider in Europe, who, among many other things, provided an anonymous remailer service, Mixmaster, that was the target of an FBI investigation into the bomb threats against the University of Pittsburgh.

"The company running the facility has confirmed that the server was removed in conjunction with a search warrant issued at the request of the FBI," said May First/People Link director Jamie McClelland. "The server seizure is not only an attack against us, but an attack against all users of the Internet who depend on anonymous communication." "The FBI is using a sledgehammer approach, shutting down service to hundreds of users due to the actions of one anonymous person," said Devin Theriot-Orr, a spokesperson for Riseup. "This is particularly misguided because there is unlikely to be any information on the server regarding the source of the threatening emails.""Furthermore, the network of anonymous remailers that exists is not harmed by taking this machine. So we cannot help but wonder why such drastic action was taken when authorities knew that the server contained no useful information that would help in their investigation."

The FBI purportedly seized the server because it was hosting an anonymous remailer called Mixmaster. Anonymous remailers are used to send email anonymously, or pseudonymously.

Riseup Birds explanation for riseup users - "Server Siezure (Don't panic)"

From the open publishing newswire: [...] Returning to the streets on March 25th though it came ready with its own reinforced banners, militant tactics and folks blocked up chanting things [...] The crowd of Occupiers who I'd seen only a few weeks previously so passionately protesting Anarchist Co-option and Militant Street tactics were now they themselves sympathetic, if not ardent participants. But there were those nostalgic elements of Occupy that don't always fit in with the Anarchist praxis that were successful and shouldn't be overlooked: older folks with their kids whom coordinated the march from the sidewalk, aesthetically welcoming signs to those with bourgeois mentalities and creative puppets or costumes which make the pigs think twice before breaking a march and 99% - 1% rhetoric.

I don't think it's useful to argue against Occupiers. They are stubbornly Liberal until we show by example, how we ought to March and act. Until they feel Police oppression, they won't become radical. Until they see firsthand the corruption of elected representatives they won't become radical. But I suspect they are coming around and this action is testament to the positive role radicals can play in escalating tactics and ideology within the movement.

homepage: homepage:  link to autonomousworkers.wordpress.com

From the open publishing newswire: Join us at the St Francis Dining Hall at SE 10th and Oak this Friday starting at 8 PM

B Media Collective's 5th Variety Show "Occupation Nation" slams the new era of global uprising into a 1/2 hour episode of political remix videos and documentary shorts that plays Jung to the mycelia mind of the Occupy Movement.

Remixing interviews with the anti-leader of the Occupy Wall Street movement, David Graeber, with the historical perspective of Darryl Mitchell and the Black Revolutionary Auto Workers, it ties together national actions like #F29 with the Eros effect, Obama in Disney World, music videos, and a special guest appearance with Corporal Savage that is hotter than mace in your face.

Check out the trailer here:  http://youtu.be/edxCPbIL2Qo
Homepage:  http://www.bmediacollective.org
Phone: 503-662-2185

From the open publishing newswire: SANTA CRUZ, CA: District Attorney Bob Lee has embarked on a full frontal assault against independent media in Santa Cruz by including four regular contributors to the independent news website Indybay.org amongst the eleven people charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors after the occupation of a vacant bank building on November 30th, 2011. District Attorney Lee apparently believes it is his duty to dictate how events such as the occupation of the vacant bank at 75 River Street should be reported on by the media, and if he does not approve of the coverage, then journalists risk the DA bringing charges against them.

Bradley Stuart Allen and Alex Darocy are Indybay photojournalists and Indybay editors who were reporting on the occupation. No charges nor arrests were made at the time, but warrants were issued over two months later on February 8th, 2012, for Bradley, Alex, and nine other individuals. Alex was arrested at his home before he could submit to the surprise warrant. Bradley and Alex were originally charged with felony vandalism, felony conspiracy, and two counts of misdemeanor trespass, but after a three-day preliminary hearing starting March 13th the felony vandalism charge against both was dropped. Alex and Bradley remain out of police custody on their own recognizance. [...]

Conspiracy to Make Media

As for the most serious remaining charge, felony conspiracy, District Attorney Lee has offered absolutely no supporting evidence of a criminal collusion. The DA has not argued that Alex and Bradley had prior knowledge that the building would be occupied. The DA simply asserts that the mere act of newsgathering at an announced demonstration, which turned into an unannounced building occupation, constitutes felony conspiracy to promote trespass and vandalism. In the same preliminary hearing supplemental brief referenced above, the DA wrote: "The defendants' presence and postings... aided and abetted the organization's occupation of the property." From this, District Attorney Lee takes another leap by claiming that Bradley and Alex "effectively serv[ed] as the media arm of the organization; the group's propagandists." The "conspiracy" is nothing more than reporting on a newsworthy event.

From the open publishing newswire: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An offensive division of eviction defense league is investigating the arrest of 5 squatters at vacant homes in Portland, OR on Feb 10th and 13th, 2012.

This counter-investigation has concluded the homes evicted were occupied in an effort to secure safer shelter. In the words of the evicted, the homes were "a better chance of survival." Evidence to the contrary does not support a claim that the homes were occupied to "victimize" the property owner, as stated by the Portland Police Bureau's weak investigation. The police make an injurious leap when referring to occupying as a form "victimizing" of the property owner. The elitist investigation was written to the advantage of capital, and victimizes and criminalizes the squatting. This mis-information would blame all those affected by the accumulation of capital, assisting the interests of property-owners at the expense of the houseless. Shelter is necessary for survival and needs no permission. Yet survival, unpermitted, is called the victimization of the rich. That is the downside-up perspective of Portland Police Bureau.

The counter-investigation has also noted that the motivation to "victimize" a property owner is highly unlikely and poorly constructed. [...]

From the open publishing newswire: The main issue of discussion is the Union struggle against the business practices of EGT at the port at Longview Washington. After acquiring port facilities at this location, this multinational corporation, a subsidary of Bungee, broke contracts with the union specifying that they would continue hiring local union labor.
Interview with Occupy Portland EGT Working Group
[Video 57 Minutes]

Besides this discussion, other topics include recent moves by the coal industry to bring coal to Oregon ports for export to Asia. Recently, Port of St. Helens Commissioners approved agreements with two companies wanting to export coal. Also discussed are predatory practices by many multinational corporations who convince or force underdeveloped countries to adopt single crop agriculture for export, forcing the importation of many food items previously supplied by local agriculture. This destitutes the people, while creating large profits for the corporations.

To learn more or to participate in this struggle.

Related PIMC Posts:
ALERT: " tentative settlement " with Longshore workers & EGT
Last minute settlement averts clash at Washington's Port of Longview
ILWU, EGT reach tentative deal in Longview labor dispute
Bullshit "Tentative Settlement" in Longview

From the open publishing newswire: On Wednesday, January 4th,2012, the Portland Alliance for Democracy and Move to Amend Portland chapter and their allies rallied outside City Hall in Portland Oregon to support and strengthen the proposed city resolution supporting a federal constitutional amendment to End Corporate Personhood.
Rally to End Corporate Personhood

On January 12th at 2 PM, the city council has scheduled the official hearing on the resolution and will likely take a vote. So plan on being at this city council meeting, to offer support and/or to testify in favor of an improved resolution and to support allowing us all to vote by referring language to the ballot.

An excellent write up on this campaign

From the open publishing newswire: A music video compilation from Occupy Portland 2011.
This is a montage of video and pictures from just some of the protesting at Occupy Portland last year.

WE ARE THE 99% music video

This is a 4 minute Music-Video from the Occupy Portland 2011 protests. The music is by File Transfer Protocol.

Scenes from Eviction night, Chase Bank protest, Bridge Crossing, The camp in the park, The streets and the police and protesters from various places in PDX.

From the open publishing newswire: Early this morning I recieved a call from "US GOVERNMENT" which I recieved and was one of those chosen to attend a live town-hall teleconference with Congressman Earl Blumenauer. This live session was part of a move by congress to gather public perspective of decisions that are being made behind closed doors in Congress.

Here in this video podcast, I confront him on the issue of Occupy Wall Street and the local Occupy movement and stress the similarities of Blumenauers' ideology of taxing the 1% and the views of the 99%.

VIDEO:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQZTfYngVEA&feature=colike

From the open publishing newswire: November 30th is the 12th anniversary of the week long World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle. Attended by tens of thousands of people from all over the world, this event began the process of putting a face on the 1% seeking to control the trade, the economies, the food, the energy sources of the planet. Not from the streets of Seattle, but a similar protest here in Portland.

Here's a couple videos I edited of my experiences in the streets of Seattle, taken from a six part series produced through Portland Public Access stations soon after the event. Watching the videos now, I could easily mistake the action for current nationwide Occupation events. Though perhaps some of the names have changed, it is the same resistance, with the same desire for a true Democracy, being met with the same brutal response by corporate power, law enforcement and governments.

And nothing has changed in the demands of the people of this planet: PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS.

Each is about 7 minutes in length......
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V86yfGCeqdM
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyCuDGVRFcg

From the open publishing newswire: Poets from around the world have been sending poems to the People's Library in an effort to create a living/breathing poetry anthology in solidarity with the Occupy Wall St. movement. All poems are accepted into the anthology. The anthology is updated on a weekly basis. If you'd like a poem added to the anthology email stephenjboyer@gmail(dot)com and please include "occupy poetry" in the subject.

All poems are welcome to be added to the anthology.

pdf of entire anthololgy

From the open publishing newswire: A collection of videos taken from the multi-day event "Earth At Risk" - Occupy Oakland and UC Berkeley, November 2011.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX4UL1HzD5Q

 http://vimeo.com/32273547

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIu0IC7TvHM

I believe that Chris Hedges (part of the team of reporters at The New York Times awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 2002) was also interviewed at the UC Berkeley event. If anyone can find a link to a video of this, or other videos from the same event series, please post in the comments section. Thank you.

From the open publishing newswire: When the Occupy Portland encampment began on October 8th, we at KBOO knew that we would be very involved in reporting on the movement - the issues, the constituency involved, the bottom-up civic activism displayed by the camp's ad-hoc organizers all spoke directly to KBOO's long-established values of peace, justice, democracy, human rights, multiculturalism, freedom of expression and social change.

But I don't think any of us realized at the time just how entrenched our reporting would become.

 http://www.kboo.fm/occupyportland