From the open publishing newswire: Severe torture being used for the hell of it. Not even to get information, just to see people suffer. It's very reminiscent of the torture used on International Workers of the World unionists and Anarchists in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Reports I've heard so far(there is sure to be more as people are released):

From the open publishing newswire: As of tonight, dozens of journalists have been arrested while observing street action this week in downtown St. Paul, host city of the RNC. Some were arrested pre-emptively and still sit in jail. Along with the most showcased arrests, that of Amy Goodman and two DN! producers, are those of reporters with community news sites and independent media of all stripes.

New journalists must not only be the eyes and ears for the public, sometimes they must also protect the public, as was the situation over and over again in St. Paul.

Here's just one example: [...]

From the open publishing newswire: Weds, Sep. 3rd, 2008: In between explosions of concussion grenades and teargas clouds in Minneapolis-St. Paul, volunteer Street Medics from all over the country who have assembled there are continuing to provide much needed first aid and medical care to injured and frightened people everywhere in the city where lawful and peaceful assemblies, passersby, journalists and bystanders are getting attacked indiscriminately and without provocation by Police, National Guard and teams of unidentified Federal Agencies without badges or numbers.

Starting at dawn on Tuesday, Portland Street Medics who were arrested while treating injured people at the RNC were being released one by one by the illegitimate authorities who had seized them. One of our colleagues is still in jail and has not yet been charged with anything. All of the arrests of Portland Street Medics are entirely illegal.

Independent journalist caught in the middle of panic and mayhem during an attack with concussion grenades and teargas against a peaceful march: | Rubber bullets fired directly into a small crowd of peaceful people; Street Medics attacked: | Richard, Well Known Activist From Portland, Released From Jail | Ramsey County's Contempt For Justice: Tell Them To Stop The Torture

RNC Breaking News Archives #1, #2

From the open publishing newswire: A number of Street Medics from Portland were arrested on Monday afternoon (Sep 1st) while tending to injured protesters. All of them belong to one affinity group which has been participating in the actions as a unit of Street Medics acting together.

About half were released by evening, while a few individuals among them are still being held. They have been singled out for "special procedures". Legal support and lawyers are trying to help out with their case as it seems to be a unique situation wherein the Street Medics might be charged with unusual (and outrageous) offenses.

If you have any funds to help with bail money and related expenses for the Street Medics, please email us at: street.medix@portland-or.net Everything you give will go toward enabling us to continue doing much needed Movement work and providing essential community service.

Related:Please Support RNC Arrestees! | Amy Goodman arrested at RNC (she's out now)

From the open publishing newswire: Nearly a year has passed since Portland anti-racists successfully shut down the main venue for the "Hammerfest" gathering of the white supremacist Hammerskin Nation, which was held in Sherwood, Oregon. The main hosts of the "Hammerfest" gathering were members of the Portland-based Volksfront International, a group that originated from Oregon and which is by far the most significant neo-Nazi organization in our state. Now Volksfront are on the move once again and we are called to respond.

Volksfront have small chapters nationally and internationally. This Labor Day weekend they are holding their annual organizational gathering, the "Althing," in Missouri. A clear and consistent message must be sent that Portland doesn't tolerate the maneuverings of violent racists, and we will continue to expose these hate-mongers as long as they continue to organize under the banner of white nationalism. We actively oppose them even when they have their events in other states.

Related: Aug 25, '08 Berlin - Protest against neo-nazi demonstration | Aug 3, '08 UK - fascist website hacked| Oct '07 Portland OR - Nazis Not Welcome rally (video)

From the open publishing newswire: press statement from rnc welcoming committee after sheriff and sppd raid of convergence space

FRIDAY AUGUST : Assitant Police Chief Bostrom has talked about the St. Paul Standard, and on the anniversary of last years' critical mass police riot, we saw its true face. The ramsey county sheriff's dept and the SPPD raided the RNC convergence space and detained over 50 people in an attempt to preempt planned protests of the rnc on Monday.

Looking for items found in any twin cities house like jars, paint, and rags, this attempt to portray us as criminals and destroy our credibility has already backfired as evidenced by the masses who have come to support us. Children and elderly people were inside the convergence center when the police violently busted down the doors. The police may claim that the raid was executed according to protocol - however, the violence inherent in this action may only be a hint of the violence to be expected on Monday and beyond, and is only a hint at the violence perpetrated daily by the police. The convergence center is simply a gathering place and is not used for illegal actions - it is a place for workshops and trainings. Tonight we were watching films and sharing food.

This action will not deter us from our plans to protest the RNC on September 1st. We want to invite all people who oppose this police oppression to join us on Septemeber 1st. See you in the streets.
[ Read More ]

Ongoing Coverage at: twincities indymedia

Anarchists Attack Bank in Pittsburgh

The Greater Pittsburgh Anarchist Collective received this anonymous communique and were asked to post it. ------ Late Tuesday night the National City Bank branch on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh was attacked with iron bars. We damaged the front windows, smashed out the side windows, and destroyed the ATM. The reason we chose this target is obvious. It was an attack on a symbol of the entire capitalist system of exploitation. Primarily, however, we chose to carry out this attack as an act of solidarity with our friends and comrades who are fighting in Denver and the Twin Cities against the conventions. For those of us who cannot be there, this is the least we can do to stand in solidarity with you. We hope that this action inspires you and lets you know that you are not alone. We know that comrades all over the country are carrying out actions like this in solidarity, and we know that there will be many more. Fight your hardest, and we'll do the same.
[ Read More ]

Second Night of Anarchist Attacks In Pittsburgh

From the open publishing newswire: Spoke with a friend in Denver on Sunday afternoon who said that people had been peppersprayed and that things were getting a little more intense. I searched and searched mainstream media and alternative media that day to find news of this... never found a goddamned thing anywhwere... But there is now some coverage of Monday's events at comeuptodenver.org - click on the button that says "new" next to "NEWS" at the top of the site.

Here is their latest press release ... including a somewhat interesting bias against anarchist protesters' right to free assembly and speech here... Also Colorado Indymedia is providing coverage - this press release was reposted to that site as well, - so if anyone wants to comment on this press release, that might be a good place to do so, where it will get more attention. [ Full Press Release ]

Eyewitness Audio Interview on KHOW.com | Democracy Now DNC Coverage 8-26-08 | SDS ongoing coverage

Asheville, NC: Democratic Party Headquarters Trashed in Opposition to Oil Drilling and War

Last night, on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, we trashed the Democratic Party Headquarters in Asheville, NC. We dumped several gallons of used motor oil onto their front porch and painted, "No war, No warming, No Drilling" on their walls.

We took this action to express our outrage at the Democrats pandering to the oil companies. Instead of looking for real solutions to global warming, the Democratic party, including the head honcho himself, Barack Obama, is pushing to open up more of our fragile coastal ecosystems to oil drilling. If this plan is allowed to go forward thousands of miles of coastline could be devastated by this toxic industry. All the while, greenhouse gas emissions will escalate, and our Earth's climate will teeter closer to the tipping point.

Meanwhile the Democrats continue to fully support the war on terror. While making half hearted gestures about ending the Iraq war, they have remained unabashed supporter of the war in Afghanistan. One recent highlight of this "just" war was the massacre of over 90 civilians at a wedding last week. Democrats, may the ghost of these innocents haunt you for the rest of your lives.

This action was taken in solidarity with all those in the streets of Denver, and people around the world who refuse to be silent.
[ Read More ]

From the open publishing newswire: This is a response to the article by Dante Armos titled "Student Activism Doesn't Make The Grade" ( http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/07/377275.shtml). Though I valued its attack on pretention and intellectual elitism, I have a few counter-points in defense of higher education, student organizations, and required community service.


Higher education in America is bullshit. Earning a college degree has become synomymous with earning a key into the middle class and (who knows, this is America, right!) beyond. Too often, education serves to elaborate on the tactics available to enter into and thus maintain systems and games of dominance.

From the open publishing newswire: Representatives of our corrupt two-party system intend to host self-congratulatory celebrations this summer at the Democratic National Convention in Denver and the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. We support demonstrating opposition to their parties by crashing and shutting them down, while having a little fun ourselves.

In alliance with thousands of others nationwide who are collaborating to swarm the RNC on day one, September 1st --
Bay Area Santa Cruz, and other Northern California radicals have banded together as "Unconventional Action (UA) in the Bay" and collectively chosen to adopt SECTOR 4 in downtown St. Paul.

www.noRNC.org

From the open publishing newswire: Caravan, carpool, get to denver and protest at the DNC convention!

Only you -not your government- can bring any of this to a halt. The only realistic course is for the people of the U.S. to taking meaningful and independent political action to resist the machinery of war and the fascist direction that has emerged. Come to Denver for a week of protest that includes marching to stand with immigrants under assault and counter-protests to the week of anti-abortion actions of the Christian right. Join in contingents, film showings, street protests, strategy sessions, and more.
Why Go to Denver?

 http://worldcantwait.org

From the open publishing newswire: After Raymond James decided that £7 million shares in HLS blood money were not for them, or their subsidary Eagle Assset Management. H Partners also made a quick escape from the campaign against HLS and sold all £11.2 million LSR shares in mid July.
The sale was confirmed this week by Win Animal Rights in the USA.

* H Partners Management - LSR Shares: 459,539 - Value: $12,454,000
* H Partners Capital - LSR Shares: 368,933 - Value: $9,998,000
* Combined asset of $22,452,000 / £11,258,085.54

ALL GONE! Thats the 2 largest institutional investments of HLS (LSR) shares gone in less than a month!

From the open publishing newswire: ELP has just received the following e-mail from the EWOK (Earth Warriors are OK) prisoner support group. As you can see it contains more information about the indictment against Bryan Rivera aka Bryan Lefey and his co-accused Katherine Christianson and Aaron Ellringer. The indictment also names Oregon Trial prisoner Daniel McGowan.

In their e-mail EWOK also mentions that they have learnt that Katherine Christianson and Aaron Ellringer are due to be arraigned in Madison on Tuesday the 29th of July. As soon as any further information is known about this case we will let you know.

From the open publishing newswire: Friends, On Monday, July 14, Daniel appeared in federal court in the Western District of Wisconsin (Madison) before Judge Barbara Crabb and was found in civil contempt for his refusal to answer questions before a grand jury.

Since he is already in custody for his existing prison sentence, this means that his clock of time being served has stopped. An appeal has been filed by his lawyer to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as a motion for bail (in his case since he wouldn't be released, to start his federal time moving forward again). Right now, until the grand jury is dismissed or other agreements are made within that case and things are resolved, his time will not count as time served. It is unknown whether he will remain in county jail for the full extension of this period.

So, for now, please continue to write to Daniel with positive thoughts, funny stories, and well wishes, as this has been a particularly stressful and difficult time. Letters are key to time passing quickly inside.

 http://www.supportdaniel.org/