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Police brutality, harassment, invasion, spying, selective enforcement, legal support, jail issues.

police / legal 27-Apr-2008 05:36

Queens, NY: Rebellion over Sean Bell verdict

From the open publishing newswire: Rebellion in Jamaica, Queens last night.

Breakaway march of hundreds of mostly Black youth took to the streets after the official march dispersed. At the invitation of local organizers, a good number of anarchists stayed on to support all the way. People from the community marched through the "40 Projects" and on to the 103rd Precinct. Street battles broke out along the way. Local youth fighting back with rocks, bottles, and impromptu barricades along Jamaica Avenue. Many arrests.

Full report and photos to come later.

We are all Sean Bell, NYPD go to hell.

 http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20080426095015291

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police / legal 02-Apr-2008 21:34

Candlelight Vigil honoring Jordan Case, dead at 19

From the open publishing newswire: Invitation to peaceful candelight vigil for Jordan Case. Help us stand up for our rights so others may have what he was denied. Friday, April 4th, Terry Schrunk Plaza.

Before he died on Oct. 22, 2006, the unarmed aspiring physicist was Tasered 12 times, hit with nine beanbag rounds and shot four times. In a federal lawsuit to be filed April 3, Case's parents claim their son's death was totally unnecessary.

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police / legal 30-Mar-2008 11:54

KBOO interviews Joe Anybody about camera taken by police

The Roadblock From the open publishing newswire: "Independent Media Under Attack" ... is the audio from KBOO 90.7 community radio and video from the event that caused police to take camera from me ... an Independent Videographer here in portland. This interview with KBOO 90.7fm is in my own words, the video is my own tape I share this with my community in hopes of raising awareness and in gaining support As I push for peace and justice and a free press that is not intimidated in our city.

[ Read More | Walk Out part 10 "The Roadblock" | Video Journalist Joe Anybody Has Camera Taken By Police | http://www.joe-anybody.com/id1.html ]

actions & protests | police / legal 18-Mar-2008 07:05

Anarchist group claims responsibility for torched police cars

montreal cop cars torched From the open publishing newswire: A group calling itself Collectif Ton Pere has claimed responsibility for torching six Montreal Police cruisers in Hochelaga Maisonneuve early last Friday. Hours after the cars were set on fire at Station 23 on Hochelaga St., the group sent a message to Indymedia-Qu?bec, an alternative news outlet on the Internet, claiming they were behind the attack.

"This was an action against increasing oppression in the neighbourhood and everywhere else exploitation exists," the message wrote. It also urged people to torch not only police cars, but the "homes and hotels of capitalists." The arson attack occurred a day before a protest against police brutality where 47 people were arrested.

According to the message sent to Indymedia-Quebec, the group was also acting in "solidarity with aboriginals who are fighting for their freedom and autonomy."

original post at infoshop.org | Commentary and another infoshop report | more thoughtful commentary

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actions & protests | police / legal 16-Mar-2008 14:36

Portland Police and the radicals 3/15

Already Surrounded From the open publishing newswire: The Portland Police Bureau wasted no time in singling out the "black bloc." (Which was really just a group of people, mostly dressed in black, as the black bloc is a tactic, not a group.) They did this by having officers stand on all sides of the gathering that did not lead into the tent/tabling area, which had a foot patrol circling it. It bears mentioning that the radicals numbered about 15 to 20, as did the number of police assigned to watch them.

When the march began, the radical contingent joined in near, but not at the front of the parade. They were quickly flanked by bicycle cops, who seemed to favor the right side of the march. A group with a banner tried to take to the sidewalk. The police, using their bikes as a weapons, forced them back to the sidewalk. Around the next corner the police created a hostile situation by aggressively removing a single individual from the sidewalk, which according to city ordinance. is a part of the parade route. However, calmer heads prevailed, and the cops did not get the fight they were looking for. The rest of the parade went without altercation, though at least one group was followed by police as they were leaving.

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bikes/transportation | police / legal 12-Mar-2008 08:08

Police admit fault in killing 2 California cyclists, no drug test, no answers given yet

From the open publishing newswire: Police in California report that an officer accidentally crossed the median and killed 2 cyclists Sunday March 9, 2008. A 3rd cyclist was seriously injured. An initial news report stating the "The group collided with the deputy's car" has been corrected. Despite this one correction the news media are not reporting if the officer was given a medical/blood test.

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bikes/transportation | police / legal 12-Mar-2008 08:06

Eugene Police Randomly Assult Naked Bike Ride of 100

From the open publishing newswire: During a mass Naked Bike Ride at 7:30 PM Saturday in Eugene officers harrased the procession and "attempted to arrest" some of the participants. Early evening event "protesting oil dependency and celebrating human body" was assulted Saturday. The local newspaper reports that as cyclists wended, "...down Charnelton, one officer stopped his car in the middle of the intersection, got out and ordered the cyclists to stop and women to put their tops on."

Several additional police and police vehicals showed up to act as voyeurs. "Most of the riders kept going, but when an officer grabbed one of hem, an angry group of naked bicyclists surrounded the officer, shouting and chanting for him to let the biker go." The officer released the cyclist free, but then, "grabbed the rear rack of another rider's bike." A policeman tackled Cassandra Hurd, a 21 year old Eugene student wearing only panties, to the ground. "Another officer trained his Taser on a naked man, who approached the scene.

The other cyclists chanted, "Leave her alone! Leave her alone!" After the brief assult, the policeman released her, without charge, and the riders continued. "We attempted to make arrests but the crowd turned on the two officers... they elected to disengage before someone got hurt." Eugene police Lt. Rich Stronach told the press later, covering the department's rear.

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police / legal 07-Mar-2008 11:40

Liberals swoon as window is broken on Times Square

From the open publishing newswire: At about 3:43 AM yesterday a bomb went off doing minor damage to the historic recruitment office on the Times Square island.

Trigger a mob response at Four AM? Incite violence, I am reminded very strongly of the pepper spraying of Anarchist by "peace keeping" reformist to prevent vandalism to a bank. Violence involves physical pain, injury or death to a living creature, not the destruction of a glass window even if it does have Uncle Sam's picture on it. A few year's back American's were pondering why American's were hated in the third world? Could it be because we value the property of American's before the life of third world citizens? That the façade of an orderly peace loving society govern by reason is more important to middle class self-esteem that any substantial effort to create such a society. These are the reasons why the American dream, a mere illusion of democracy, is the nightmare of the rest of the world. As the false hearted Liberal movement commit themselves to denoucning the braking of a pain of glass, the Bush Administration lays the ground work for a proxi war in Latin America. A war Obama and Hillary are as likely to initiate as Bush himself. American's need to go beyond their meaningless self-delusions of being a peace loving people and address the reality that the US is easily the most aggressive militaristic state of our century. To turn our nation away from this path we need to stop acting like children and look at violence as it really effects are world.

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education | environment | police / legal 07-Mar-2008 11:32

Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene, MARCH 6-9TH 2008

From the open publishing newswire: Taking Place at the U of O Law School in Eugene, the four-day Conference includes over 125 panels, workshops, and multi-media presentations addressing a broad spectrum of environmental law and advocacy. Topics include: forest protection and ecological restoration, grazing and mining reform, labor and human rights, air and water pollution, Native American treaty rights, globalization and "free" trade, environmental justice, corporate responsibility, marine wilderness, international environmental law, water rights and dam removal, oil and gas litigation, genetic engineering, and urban growth.

EARLY AFTERNOON PANELS FRIDAY • 2:15 - 3:30 P.M.
Indigenous Sacred Estates: Protecting the Climate at Home
Land Use, Energy Depletion, and Climate Change: Opportunities for Action.
Solving the Energy Crisis: Are We Making the Right Policy Decisions?
Pacific Northwest Old Growth Protection and Forest Restoration Legislation
Bends in the River: New Developments in Clean Water Act Policy and Litigation

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police / legal | prisons & prisoners 05-Mar-2008 23:38

Support the Evergreen 5

From the open publishing newswire: On the morning March 5th, 2008, five individuals were arrested by the Thurston County Sheriffs office on charges related to the incident following the Dead Prez show at the Evergreen State College. After much media hype about the events that occurred in the morning of February 15th, the police are finally taking action to ensure the blame be put on the community they attacked. Video taken after the concert clearly shows that police officers attacked a peaceful crowd of people without issuing an order to disperse or giving any warning. The so-called riot that ensued was a direct result of police violence, and an indirect result of racism on the part of the police. Both the incident itself and the response demonstrate a systematic abuse of police power, as officers from Washington State, Thurston County, Evergreen, Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater were all involved and have yet to be held accountable.

The Valentines Day incident began when an unmarked 'security' person pointed out an individual who he accused of starting a fight with him over smoking a joint. At this time Evergreen police arrested Kaylen Williams, who maintains that he only tried to break up a fight that security started with another person in the crowd. Protests to free Williams after the concert were entirely non-violent until the Olympia Police Department responded to the scene. When OPD arrived they began clubbing and pepper spraying the crowd. Many of the concertgoers suffered chemical burns and one young man was hospitalized with internal bleeding.

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green scare | police / legal | prisons & prisoners 03-Mar-2008 16:53

Tre Arrow Trial Date Set for May 6

From the open publishing newswire: Judge Hubel scheduled Arrow's trial for May 6th. Arrow is to be held as a flight risk and potential danger pending the trial. Arrow is currently being held in Multnomah County. Because of security concerns it is not yet known where he will be moved to. Tre faces fourteen counts with the charges of arson and conspiracy alone possibly resulting in life sentences.

Greeted by press outside the courthouse after the arraignment, (attorney) Loney stated that Tre felt that the time was right to return to Oregon to set the record. "His spirit is great," said Loney. "We are very happy that U.S. marshals will meet his raw vegan diet. He is a strong, centered and spiritual individual. This is what has carried him through."

Also speaking to press was Tre's sister Shawna Scarpetti. "Over the past four years we've had the time to discuss about how unjust and unfair what he is facing is. He absolutely believes that his attorneys will secure his freedom."

Statement From Tre Arrow|

Free Tre Arrow|

Audio and Photog Report Back from Tre Arrow Arraignment

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actions & protests | imperialism & war | police / legal 03-Mar-2008 12:58

World Can't Wait Arrestees Win!

From the open publishing newswire: On 5 October 2006, 10 responsible citizens were arrested in the World Can't Wait protest. That day they protested against the war and against Bush in a world that soon would no longer be dominated by republicans. In December '06, Ryan Dunn won his jury trial with Leah Greenwald providing the legal heroics. Civil disobedience protesters often win their jury trials in this county because the community does not support police behavior, and DA prosecution, of civil disobedience protesters.

Today was the first day of trial for most of the remaining group of 9 arrestees. The state told the court it had enough witnesses for this trial to last 3 WEEKS! But this morning, Spencer Hahn argued on behalf of all arrestees that the court and the State of Oregon had denied all defendants their Speedy Trial rights. Judge Philbrook heard all argument from the DA against the motion, heard arguments from other defense lawyers supporting it, and carefully considered all evidence relevant to the speedy trial motion. After carefully considering all the evidence, J. Philbrook ruled that the cases against the defendants should be dismissed!!!!

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actions & protests | police / legal | prisons & prisoners 01-Mar-2008 19:41

Mon. Noon Rally for Tre Arrow

From the open publishing newswire: We welcome the public and supporters of grassroots activist Tre Arrow to join us for a rally.

There will be a rally held for our brother Tre Arrow at the Federal Courthouse,1000 S.W. 3rd ave., at noon on Monday March 3rd. We wish to give him a warm welcome back and send him much love and light. Tre is feeling strong and sends his love to all.

Please dress for court if you are attending the 1:30 hearing, and keep in mind there will be high security. THERE WILL BE DESIGNATED SPOKES PERSONS FOR TRE THERE AS WELL.

Tre Arrow asks that we stand with him; 2000 Audio File

www.trearrow.org

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