From the open publishing newswire: Ecuadorian police detained five journalists associated with Ecuador Indymedia late Tuesday night. Four of the five were released from custody on Wednesday afternoon. The government says that the four activists were detained because of their relationship with the fifth detainee, Ecuadorian resident and Colombian national Antonio Alcívar.

The government at first refused to issue a statement on the matter or inform the detainees of the reason for their arrests. The Regional Foundation for Assistance in Human Rights (INREDH) noted that this was a violation of the detainees' constitutional right to be clearly informed of the reason for their detention along with the identities of those who ordered and carried out the arrests.

According to Ecuador Indymedia and INREDH, the Judicial Police (PJ) and the Intervention and Rescue Group (GIR) executed the arrests. The journalists were arrested on the street and then taken to their homes where searches were violently carried out. Agents reportedly confiscated computers, documents and hard drives from the journalists' homes. Agents also reportedly confiscated a Che Guevara poster as "evidence."

According to INREDH, the detainees were not permitted to see their lawyer and were forced to undergo interrogation in the presence of a lawyer provided by police.

It is unclear why the Ecuadorian government made the arrests and whether the detentions are related to the recent conflict with Colombia. It seems possible that President Correa, in an effort to counter Colombian allegations, may be attempting to demonstrate the government's resolve to root out guerrilla presence in Ecuador—and intimidate some critics on his left in the process.

From the open publishing newswire: While I didn't make it to the shows, or talks, I had a wonderful time at the olympia anarchist bookfair this past weekend. The atmosphere was the most laid-back and anti-capitalist I've yet witnessed at an anarchist bookfair; while many tables were selling things, there was a 'pay-what-you-can' book distro, plenty of donation-only tables, and several tables dedicated solely to free materials. Most of the workshops seemed well-attended, and there was an excellent turn-out on Saturday despite the small and un-adorned venue. (In fact, my biggest critique is simply that there was no external markings to indicate that one had found the right place.) Despite the late-april heavy snowfall on the drive up, and the hail and cold, it seems as though everyone had a pretty good time. I wish, of course, that the weather had been a bit more accommodating and a bit less apocalyptic, but that can hardly be blamed on the organizers (despite those famed Washington State anarchist witches and wizards.)

I picked up some interesting books and zines, met plenty of interesting people, and sure hope there is a sequel next year. It's wonderful for anarchists to get together for something other than a protest... building our own culture is every bit as important as facilitating the fall of the mainstream culture.

From the open publishing newswire: I am excited to announce today's release of the Journalists for Mumia newspaper, "Abu-Jamal News," published as a special emergency edition responding to the Third Circuit's unjust ruling denying Mumia a new guilt-phase trial, and just in time for the April 19 mass-demonstration here in Philadelphia.

We urgently need funds to pay for these newspapers! The International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal (ICFFMAJ) is strongly supporting this fundraising and Pam Africa (ICFFMAJ Coordinator) is personally making a special request urging supporters to help pay for this emergency issue of the newspaper by donating whatever they can. We need several hundred dollars to pay for the 10,000 newspapers, and we need this money within JUST ONE WEEK!

newspaper PDF | Abu-Jamal-News.com

From the open publishing newswire: April 7th, 2008. Oaxaca, Mexico.

Two indigenous triqui women who worked at the community radio station La Voz que Rompe el Silencio (The Voice that Breaks the Silence), in the autonomous municipality of San Juan Copala (Mixteca region), were shot and murdered while on their way to Oaxaca city to participate in the State Forum for the Defense of the Rights of the Peoples of Oaxaca. Three other people were injured.

According to the State Attorney General, the victims are Teresa Bautista Merino (24 years old) and Felícitas Martínez Sánchez (20 years old).

Francisco Vásquez Martínez (30 years old), his wife Cristina Martínez Flores (22 years old), and their son Jaciel Vásquez Martínez (three years old) were also injured in the attack.

According to prelimary reports, the women had left the station, which is part of the Network of Indigenous Community Radio Stations of the Southeast (Red de Radios Comunitarias Indígenas del Sureste), around 1:00 PM. They were travelling in a truck on their way to Oaxaca city, but were ambushed on the outskirts of the community Llano Juarez.

From the open publishing newswire: music and film for FREE
when : Wednesday March 26 @ 8:00pm
Lorax 1648 Alder St. Eugene, OR

FREE!!!!!!!

showing a documentary about maniac sailors and anarchists castaways and the vogaye of S/V Pestilence plus music from Brenna Sahatjian, Adhamh Rolland and Tin Tree Factory

From the open publishing newswire: This multi-media workshop/presentation is intended to introduce the audience to neolibearlism through the eyes of a popular resistance in Oaxaca, Mexico. The workshop will include scene selections from three films: "El Enemigo Comun" (2005), "El Machete" (2007) and "Paz Sin Justicia" (2008) in order to illustrate neoliberal atrocities and community based resistance to them. The first film documents some paramilitary activity in Oaxaca from , leading up to the arrival of Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, Oaxaca's current governor. The second film has been filmed and edited by indigenous women and youth from communities in Oaxaca, during the winter of 2007, and documents a more profound look at the day to day struggles for land, water, transportation, culture, dignity, justice, liberty, and peace.

"Paz Sin Justicia," a 41 minute film by the Committee in Defense of the Rights of the People - CODEP, examines what Oaxaca looks like today, and what it really means for Oaxaca to return to normal after the 2006 uprising. Corruption, institutionalized repression, and economic slavery are the standard through which, a weak government attempts to hold itself together, and stay in power.

All the while the Oaxacan People's Popular Assembly APPO, along with Oaxacans in general, wait for the next moment to practice what they have already begun: self-determination, autonomy, popular power, and the dignity that comes with rising up from below.

Flowform
Thursday the 27th
7-9pm 5040 se Milwaukie
(corner of SE Mitchell & Milwaukie)

From the open publishing newswire: a film about murdered indymedia journalist brad will
Brazilian filmmaker and media activist Miguel will be on hand
to discuss his documentary tribute to a fallen friend.
(film in portuguese and spanish with english subtitles)

Monday March 24th 7 pm
Liberty Hall
311 N. Ivy St.

From the open publishing newswire: This one-hour interview with Francome and Evans is the most extensive one given yet, and provides background on MOVE, the Philadelphia PD's history of corruption and violence, and more.

The new British documentary about death-row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal just premiered at The Sundance Film Festival. Listen to this radio show, and also check out the articles at The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Huffington Post, and My Space. There are new trailers (1, 2, 3 4), and a previous interview with Francome.

From the open publishing newswire: 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.

From the open publishing newswire: BEYOND THE GREEN ZONE
Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied
Iraq

Dahr Jamail is an independent journalist who has
covered the Middle East for more than four years. He
has reported extensively from inside Iraq and has also
reported from Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

Dahr Jamail's national tour stops in Portland Nov. 2nd! Come and hear this great journalist speak about his experiences at Powell's Books downtown this Friday at 7:30 pm.

From the open publishing newswire: The Portland Grassroots Media Camp (PGMC) [August 24 through 26th, 2007] is a weekend long event of skills trainings and workshops designed to make media creation and,production more accessible to organizers, activists, and all community members. Workshops will take place across Portland at such sites as PCC Cascade Campus, the Musicians Union, St. Francis Church, KBOO, Laughing Horse Books, Liberty Hall, and the Center for Intercultural Organizing

The weekend will be an opportunity for community members, organizers, and activists, especially from immigrant communities in and around Portland, to learn new skills, get connected with local alternative media resources, and network with other immigrant, community, and media organizations. Workshops will two hours long focusing on one specific skill through the use of hands on activities. All skill levels are welcome. All workshops are FREE and open to the general public

The Media Camp Team
bolivarianmedia@gmail.com poster video | Schedule of Classes

From the open publishing newswire: Local videographer Carey Klein, better known as Deva, will file a lawsuit today against Officer Mark Zylawy and the City of Portland for assaulting him while he was filming a World Can't Wait Protest at the Lloyd Center. Deva is well known to the Portland Police. He has been recording police conduct at demonstrations for many years. Some of his videos have been used in past lawsuits against Portland police officers for use of excessive force, including the case of Marbet v. City of Portland in which the City of Portland paid over half a million dollars in damages and legal fees to victims of indiscriminate use of pepper spray at demonstrations.

This lawsuit arises from an incident on January 31, 2006, when he was recording a group of protesters as they exited the Lloyd Center. The protest was organized by World Can't Wait to demand an end to the Bush regime. Because Deva was filming the protest from behind, he was the last person out as the group exited the Lloyd Center. A security guard grabbed him and said, "Time for you to go!" Shortly thereafter, Officer Zylawy pushed Deva from behind, without provocation or warning, causing him to fall on the concrete parking lot. The fall caused injuries to Deva's elbow, shoulder and hip. Deva refuses to let the incident intimidate him or discourage him from monitoring police misconduct, but he takes the incident very seriously. He has chosen to sue the officer and the City of Portland for this assault because he feels that it is essential for police officers to be held accountable when they attack the people who monitor their behavior.

From the open publishing newswire: [this played at Hollywood Theatre may 24] The context of this film is important: Hurricane Katrina and its after math are supposed to be resolved issues now... The mainstream media is more likely to approach New Orleans now as a story of statistics, (how many people have returned), of the allocation of federal relief money and the problems associated with that, of developer's dreams for the city, etc...These are all important issues, but they don't give a continuing, lasting picture of the Dust Bowl-like tragedy of the Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of Katrina.

From what I remember, Katrina was presented as a regional story, and not something that affects all of us in this country. Walidah's film gives the on-the-ground perspective that I, personally, haven't seen on the topic of post-Katrina New Orleans, save for one or two Nation articles, and possibly some other journalists' reports. We all need to sense what it's like to drive (or walk) through a landscape of chaos like that, passing by military vehicles. Far from being a resolved matter, post-Katrina New Orleans is a matter that needs to be continually looked at from new perspectives such as the one that this film brings. Thanks to Walidah and Suncere for presenting the two films and for the after-film discussion.

Comment: I thought the discussion afterwards was very powerful as well. My favorite memory was Walidah's statement to the effect of "A lot of people believe that the US Government blew the levy. It's important to recognize that that is something that people not only in New Orleans, but all over the country are willing to believe very easily, given the daily lived experience of black folks. Whats most important, is that it doesn't really matter whether or not the US Government specifically acted to blow the levvies, fifty years of neglect, knowing that a category five-storm would blow them, the outcome is exactly the same. They just managed to save themselves that certain amount of dynamite or c4 that they can instead drop on Iraq."