Grand Jury's Hold on San Diego Activists Loosens
SDIMC volunteer,

David Agranoff Released October 12, 2005
A federal judge Wednesday morning ordered the release of an animal rights activist she had jailed after he refused to testify before a grand jury investigating a massive arson fire two years ago. David Agranoff is the second activist ordered released within a week from federal custody in San Diego. He is expected to be discharged from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown San Diego this afternoon.
Read more...

Danae Kelley Released October 6, 2005
Danae Kelley, 21, who has spent 74 days in jail since U.S. District Chief Judge Irma Gonzalez ruled she was in contempt of court for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury investigation, was released Thursday afternoon.
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Learn More About What You Can Do:
Copwatch Conference OCTOBER 22ND 2005
Get The Details

Let Your Voice Be Heard:
SUPPORT THE GRAND JURY THREE!
OCTOBER 21ST 2005 – 4:00-5:30PM
VIGIL AT THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
AT FRONT AND BROADWAY, DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO

Minuteman Attacks Protester - Video
sd indymedia,

Here's a perfectly clear video of the Scottish Rite Center protest where a volunteer with the Minutemen tackles protester. Later, he tells the police that he was assaulted and the police handcuff and detain this protester for an hour. As always, the police defend the violent racists.

While the violence at the border, with over 3,500 murdered by Operation Gatekeeper, 4 shootings, two fatal, in the area of the Minutemen patrols, and perpetual violence from the Border Patrol, continues on a daily basis, the racist vigilantes are contributing to make the situation even more grave for migrant people. The Minutemen continually lie to the corporate media and to the public about their true intentions, claiming that they are only a "neighborhood watch" when in fact they are a paramilitary group with guns, shooting ranges and violent intentions.

Click Read More for more photos and video.

Another account of anti-minutemen actions in Laguna Beach:
 http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/10/111361.shtml

Anti-Fascist Action in Greece:
 http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/10/111399.shtml
Read more >>

Indigenous People's Day Broadcast on radioActive sanDiego
radioActive sanDiego,

October 10th is Indigenous People's Day. Some people consider it Columbus Day, but as that is widely considered a celebration of 500 years of genocide, many have reclaimed the day as Indigenous People's Day.

In honor of this day, we will be playing audio recordings of the recent Zapatista Encuentros, brought back from Chiapas Mexico by a member of our collective. The Zapatistas are currently planning a new campaign called La Otra Campaña, or The Other Campaign. At a recent Encuentro, called the First Plenary, members of anti-capitalist organizations from all over Mexico and all over the world gathered to talk about La Otra Campaña.

Updates about La Otra Campaña at Chiapas Indymedia | Official EZLN Website | Radio Insurgente, Mondays at Noon and Tuesdays at 7pm on radioActive sanDiego | Read more at Revista Rebeldía | Statue of Columbus toppled in Caracas, Venezuela, 2004
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Borders, Vigilantes, Deaths: Audio and Other Updates
compiled by sdimc,

Here is a compilation of some recent postings to the newswire concerning some of our three favorite topics here in San Diego: Borders, Vigilantes, and Death.

Audio: Llorona Post 9-11 || Minutejerks go North || The Minute KKKlan || Jen Discusses Resistance to Border Vigilantes

Stories: Record number of border deaths || Hundreds charge Spanish Border || Why We Oppose Borders ||
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Independent Media from Houston and New Orleans after the Hurricane
~Bradley c/o Santa Cruz IMC,

On September 9th, Vinny and I arrived in Houston, Texas along with Blank from Portland, Oregon to provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The three of us headed to Houston to help with with independent media, including a low power fm radio station which was being organized for the Astrodome. Upon our arrival in Houston, we learned that the Astrodome emergency radio station was again being blocked from broadcasting information to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

We went to the Astrodome and spoke with people who were willing to speak with us. We listened to their experiences in the past and at the Astrodome. Please visit the following links for audio, photos and written reports published by Vinny, Blank and I.

Audio: Criticism of Red Cross Relief Efforts at Astrodome || Katrina Survivor Recounts Experiences || Another Katrina Survivor Recounts Experiences || "One Day at a Time" || Katrina Survivors Organize for Better Conditions || Interview from 'Dome City' with Joseph Bijou of New Orleans || Activists Organize to Free Frances Newton

Photos: The Surreal Scene of Dome City || More Scenes from 'Dome City'

Words: The Houston Astrodome: Do You Know What Is Really Happening?

While in Houston, we were asked if we could go down to the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana to help set up an emergency low power fm radio station. We were welcomed into the Algiers community by Malik Rahim and Common Ground, a community-run organization offering temporary assistance and mutual aid to the citizens of New Orleans and the surrounding areas.

Words: Algiers New Orleans: Where Common Ground Is Found

Photos: Creativity, Solidarity and Mutual Aid in Algiers, New Orleans || Community Support in Algiers, New Orleans || Common Ground Wellness Center in Algiers, New Orleans || Finding Common Ground in New Orleans

Audio: Interview with Noah, a volunteer medic || Algiers residents starting to return || Leenie Halbert interview || FSRN: Grassroots Groups Offer Assistance in Algiers

We returned to Houston on September 16th. Blank traveled back to Portland and Vinny and I stayed in Houston. We continued trying to find out what was happening with the people at the shelters; human souls that we are referring to as "Katrina survivors."

Audio: Struggles for Katrina Survivors at George R. Brown Convention Center || Interview from 'Dome City' with Josh from New Orleans || Houston Ends Katrina Shelter Operations || Struggling for a Home After Hurricane Katrina

Photos: No Compassion at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston || Scenes from the Reliant Arena || Exit Only at the George R. Brown in Houston || Struggling for a Home After Hurricane Katrina

more resources: Houston Indymedia || Common Ground Relief || New Orleans Indymedia || Real Reports of Katrina Relief || Katrina Indymedia || Portland Indymedia's katrina aftermath page || Indybay's poverty page || Infoshops's Hurricane Katrina Mutual Aid Relief || Food Not Bombs || Grassroots/Low-income/People of Color-led Hurricane Katrina Relief || Common Ground: How You Can Help

Live radio from Algiers, New Orleans!: Listen to MP3 stream. In New Orleans, tune in at 88.7FM or call in at 303-572-4390
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Reports from Rebel Territory
lotu5, for sd indymedia, w/input from adriana,

Today I start heading home. I'm writing these words for a few reasons. One is to share a bit of the reality of the revolution going on here in Chiapas with you. Another is so that I can remember it all well. Another is to encourage you to come to Chiapas if you think it is for you.

These are some of the words of a San Diego Indymedia journalist who has recently been in Chiapas, Mexico. Traveling, working, and learning about Zapatismo and indigenous autonomy in southern Mexico, you can read his reports and see his photos below.

Photos | 1st report | 2nd report | 3rd report | 4th report | Final Report

For more information: The Other Campaign |Radio Insurgente |Chiapas Indymedia | Schools for Chiapas |EZLN
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FBI raids homes of SD Grand Jury Resister
Michael Schramm, Ph.D.,

30 September 2005 - 9:50AM PST

The FBI raided two homes this morning in search of computers and correspondence from Ms. Danae Kelley. Danae is currently in Federal custody in San Diego, after being found in contempt of court for refusing to co-operate with a Federal grand jury that has been convened to disrupt peaceful & legal animal rights and environmental activist groups in southern California.

Two homes were raided this morning at approximately 6:30am. Justin Hand and Danae Kelly's residence was searched for computers, and currently Justin is overseeing the raid at his home. Morgan Roberts, a friend of Danae and Justin also had his family's house raided this morning. Several computers and letters from Ms. Kelly were confiscated, using a warrant to collect information on Ms. Kelley.

It is becoming increasingly clear to me that the FBI and Federal prosecutors are only interested in harassing Ms. Kelley’s friends in an attempt to coerce her into testifying. The government has already offered her full immunity from prosecution---meaning they do not suspect her of any illegal activity.

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2 de octubre en la linea internacional TJ-SY
radikando,

El CCD Zapata Vive del FZLN invita este domingo 2 de octubre a unirse a una parada cultural y política en el puente peatonal de la Línea Internacional (Tijuana-San Ysidro)

La reunion es a partir de las 11:00 a.m. para promover el rechazo a los cazamigrantes. A las 12:00 habrá una reunión para organizar y difundir el Boicot Hoy No Cruces.

Para mayores informes contactarse al correo-e:  bajacalifornia2@fzln.org.mx


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PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TAKE TO THE STREETS IN OPPOSITION TO OCCUPATION
sdimc with help from indybay,

September 24th: Hundreds of thousands of people protested the US war in Iraq and the lack of funding of people's needs such as disaster preparedness today. The protests took place on the same day as Hurricane Rita hit the state of Texas, bringing rains and strong winds to homes, oil rigs, and businesses. Indymedia radio stations came together for the monthly Critical Mass Radio Network broadcast. Radio stations conducted interviews about the protests, the war, and the two recent hurricane/evacuation disasters. They switched back and forth, carrying feeds from such locations as Michigan, Portland, New York, and San Francisco.

A firsthand account of the September 24th demonstration in downtown San Diego and in Balboa Park says, "There was quite a turnout of activists for today's demonstration against the war in Iraq and corporate hegemony. Compared to the massive protests in DC, it may be small, but it was one of the largest I've seen around here since the Second Anniversary protests on March 19th of this year." Read More here

More photos of San Diego's march and rally:1 | 2

Another SD article

And some poetry too!

Some 50,000 people rallied and marched in San Francisco. An Anti-Capitalist Convergence gathered at 16th and Mission and then marched along the sidewalks to Dolores Park, where it joined the main march. There was a rally at Dolores Park, which turned into a 12pm march and arrived at Jefferson Square Park for a 2pm rally. At the park, the windows of a corporate media van were smashed, and "Fuck the Corporate Media" was written on the van. (Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Video: 1 | 2 | 3 )

Crowd sizes at protests around the country were larger than expected. 300,000 people surrounded the White House in Washington, DC. (Video) 50,000 people protested in Los Angeles. Twice as many people as were expected protested in Salinas, California. The anti-war movement has grown in the last two months as Cindy Sheehan has gotten national corporate media coverage of her attempt to talk with President Bush about why he went to war. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, polls have shown that for the first time since George Bush invaded Iraq in March of 2003, a majority of people in the United States now call for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from that country.

Breaking news reports as heard on Enemy Combatant Radio or reported to Indybay editors
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Breaking Border Paradigms
Bob Alba w/sdimc,

Calexico had many successes Saturday and early Sunday morning. According to the public and most major news sources, the human rights protestors have effectively shut down or delayed the Friends of the Border Patrol (FBP) from inaugurating their fall vigilante watch. Here are some pictures from one of the insipiring parts of the day as we broke down Border paradigms.

Morning confrontation: Account | Video | Photos | Audio

Resistance in Houston | Resistance in NY | Resistance in Tucson

Past Stories: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Read more >>

Minutemen Training Disrupted
lotu5,

A group of around 50 demonstrators showed up at the Scottish Masonic Rite Center this morning to interrupt and stop the Friends of the Border Patrol training session. During almost half an hour of intense confrontations, activists tore down the table and flag where registration was happening and entered the hall chanting "No Borders, No Racists, No Borders, No Nations" and "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us". For a time the activists also blocked off the entrance to the hall.

After a while, the police showed up. Immediately, they assisted the racists by handcuffing and detaining anyone who they pointed out and made accusations about. The police told the group they had to move to the sidewalk or be arrested. After a while of chanting at the training attendees coupled with "Let Them Go", the two people detained were released. The white activist was released after only giving his name, while the person of color detained was cited with a misdemeanor charge.

The protests to date have been so effective that the Friends of the Border Patrol have been sent basically into hiding. They did not have any identifying signs at the Scottish Rites Center. They apparently had a special arrangement with the ownership to be identified as a bird watching group. Still, minutemen volunteers had on t-shirts saying "Undocumented Border Patrol" and were very violent towards protesters. One person with the Minutemen literally tackled and jumped on a demonstrator and was quickly pulled off and pushed back.

Legal trainings are taking place now at the convergence space, Voz Alta. At 2pm, the caravan meets at Chicano Park to drive out to Calexico.

4 interviews by people who were at the morning protest, 37MB around half an hour:
 http://radio.indymedia.org/news/2005/09/6780.php

Complete schedule of events here:
 http://deletetheborder.org/?q=node/196

Tune in after 5pm PST for live coverage from radioActive sanDiego at  http://radioActiveradio.org



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Stop the Minutemen, Actions and No Border Camp, Sept 16-18
the o.r.g.a.n.i.c. collective,

We call on people everywhere to converge on the San Diego/Tijuana region and the Mexicali/Calexico region of the Mexico/US border in order to stop the vigilante operation being planned there by the Friends of the Border Patrol, beginning on September 16th. We also call on those who cannot travel to these areas to organize solidarity actions in their home towns rejecting the Minutemen, Borders and the racist ideologies that Borders are built on.

En Español Aqui

Our goal for Sep. 16th-18th is to take action and directly shut down the Minutemen operations. [Complete Calendar of Events, Housing and Ride Information]

Other Minutemen actions and stories: Stop the Minutemen in Campo, Sept 11th | From a Buenas Noches Brigade... A Call for Autonomous Direct Action to Smash the Rise of Fascism and Racism In Our Communities | Phone Jam the Minutemen in New York | Human Rights Coalition of California Campaign Against the Minutemen
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Homeland Security Signs Order to Finish Triple Border Fence and Bulldoze Endangered Species Preserve
San Diego Indymedia,

From NBCSanDiego.com: The Bush administration said Wednesday that it will fortify the westernmost stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border over the objections of environmentalists and California regulators, who feared the project would harm a refuge for endangered birds. [Full NBC Story | Other corporate reports]

The Triple Fence will require bulldozing major portions of the Tijuana Estuary, including a preserve for endangered plant and animal species. The No Border Camp and mobilization to stop the Minutemen this weekend will include protests and actions at Border Field State Park, the proposed construction site for the rest of the Triple Fence.

Such a move was made possible by the REAL ID act, which contained a small section in it which allows the Department of Homeland Security to waive all laws when building fences along the border.

Report on Border Ecosystem from Maryknoll | Previous REAL ID act coverage

Meanwhile, 2005 has become the deadliest year on record, with 385 recorded deaths to date – surpassing the previous record of 383 set in 2000. Over 3,300 people have died trying to cross the Mexico/US border. Tens of thousands have been incapacitated trying to cross. Millions of migrant people live their entire lives in hiding in the US.
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Interview with Bill Siegel, Weather Underground
small WORLD Podcast,

Interview with Bill Siegel, co-director and co-producer of The Weather Underground, the Oscar-nominated 2002 feature-length documentary that explores the rise and fall of this radical movement as former members speak candidly about the idealistic passion that drove them to "bring the war home" and the trajectory that placed them on the F.B.I.'s most wanted list.

Listen online here:
 http://www.smallworldpodcast.com/mp3/smallworld091305.mp3

small WORLD Podcast web site
 http://www.smallworldpodcast.com

small WORLD Podcast subscription
 http://feeds.feedburner.com/smallworld
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Grand Jury Grinds On
lotu5,

After over 40 days in jail for refusing to cooperate with an investigation into a public forum, San Diego activists are now, and will continue to stand by their beliefs. They need your support in the form of letters, donations and books more than ever.

The following statement from David Agranoff was recently posted to San Diego Indymedia: In the wake of Recent Events I wanted to issue a statement for all of MY SUPPORTERS here in SAN DIEGO, Nationally and Yes WORLDWIDE. Many of you have sent wonderful letters, money and books. Locally you have carried signs and SHOWN UP faithfully to court dates and fundraisers. I can honestly say that it TOUCHES ME DEEPLY.

Since our Dago Activist Community came under attack there have been ups and downs in terms of betrayals and solidarity. MOST of you have stood strong to resist this GRAND JURY REPRESSION. At this point I have already SPENT 40 DAYS IN PRISON TO DEFEND the ACTIVIST COMMUNITY. Some of you were at Rod's Lecture or maybe just friends were there. I am doing OK living in this PRISON the system CAN NOT break me.

ALL I ASK, you don't have to protest, you don't have to write a letter, ALL I ASK is you READ this essay from beginning to end. I am not asking for much. [Complete Call for Solidarity]

Update from Free Speech Defense | Account of Court Hearing | Another statement of Solidarity | Peter Young's Statement on SD Grand Jury | Stop Grand Juries.com | Free Speech Defense.net | FBI Witchhunt.com
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Genocide americano en New Orleans
kirsten anderberg, updates by New Orleans Indymedia c/o SD Indymedia,

UPDATE: 9/5: Ongoing coverage of refugee situation at Houston Indymedia

9/4: Commentary: The Potential of the Gulf Coast Crisis - Now is the Time!

9/4: Grassroots/Low-income/People of Color-led/Anarchist Hurricane Katrina Relief

9/4 3:52PM CDT: Unmarked police vehicles (cadillacs) are driving through the neighborhood with SWAT team police armed with 'big black machine guns' telling people through bullhorns they are under orders to evacuate and must leave the city now. He reports helicopters all over the place of all kinds - everything from large Army helicopters with guns to Red Cross helicopters - they are swooping down low in the neighborhood and 'buzzing' houses - he said one just flew low enough over him to blow shingles off the roof. He is starting to see National Guardsmen marching through the streets with guns to make sure people obey evacuation orders.

9/3 7:09AM CDT: Troops Begin Combat Operations in New Orleans: "This place is going to look like Little Somalia” -- Brig. General

9/2 5:18PM - Interview with Malik Rahim in New Orleans

I was seriously hoping that I would not have to write this article. But it has been too long now, and I have to say something. Regardless of whether the deaths en masse of poor black folks in New Orleans is due to neglect or maliciousness, the end result is constructively a genocide on poor blacks in America, right now, in 2005. The lack of aid to New Orleans at this late hour (7 pm, Sept. 1) is not explicable. I have only one explanation that I can muster up. And that explanation is classism and racism.

English version


Audio from radioActive sanDiego

//

Esperaba seriamente que no tendría que escribir este artículo. Pero ha sido demasiado largo ahora, y tengo que decir algo. Sin importar debido a si el masse del en de las muertes de la gente negra pobre en New Orleans es la negligencia o maliciousness, el resultado final es constructivo un genocide en negros pobres en América, ahora, en 2005. La carencia de la ayuda a New Orleans en esta última hora (7 P.M., sept. 1) no es explicables. Tengo solamente una explicación que pueda reunir para arriba. Y esa explicación es classism y racismo.
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The Cindy Spark: Mainstream America Stirs
Lynn Gonzalez,

Something amazing happened this month when Cindy Sheehan decided to confront Bush at his ranch in Crawford - whether it was the timing, the national mood, or the idea of a grieving mother being snubbed by the world's most powerful man, Cindy's camp-out has ignited those who oppose the war but have, until now, been silent.

More Photos | 2 | 3
Read more >>

New San Diego Indymedia Editorial Policy
San Diego Indymedia,

Today we are releasing our new editorial policy, written by the San Diego Indymedia Editorial Collective. This editorial policy is inspired by our mission statement, the Chicago Indymedia Editorial Policy and the Global Indymedia Principles of Unity.

Please give us your comments and feedback about this policy. As our mission statement says, we are committed to using media production and distribution as a tool for promoting social and economic justice in San Diego County. It is our goal to give voice to those people under-represented in the mainstream media. We hope to hear back from the broader San Diego community that is working for social justice and to know what you think of our editorial policy and our editorial work up to now.

Also, if you would like to join Indymedia to help create the media revolution to make revolution a reality, check out our how to participate page.
Read more >>

An Encuentro Against All Borders
sd indymedia,

The No Border Encuentro took place on August 27-28th at the Sherman Heights Community Center in San Diego/Aztlan. Two days of events including a maquiladora tour, a benefit concert and a day of forums, panels and encounters took place with over 100 people from San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Orange County, Eugene, Portland, Tijuana, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia participating. On the walls hung photos of recent actions to stop the Minutemen, a poster of the PGA Hallmarks, and maps of Calexico, where the No Border Camp will be in September. [Complete Summary, another account]

Radio coverage was done all weekend by Blast Furnace Radio, due to some technical difficultues at radioActive sanDiego.

Audio: Beats Against Borders with Dias Tristes, Boomerang Politick and Entartete Kunst | Encuentro Opening and Border History Panel | History of the Border Part 2 | Closing presentation by Ashanti Alston | Migration and Indigenous Nations 1 | 2

Photos: Maquiladora Tour | More | Beats Against Borders | Encuentro

This is only part of a large movement against the MinuteMen, La Migra and the Border itself. Thursday night before the conference, La Raza Rights Coalition held a community forum to present their demands around these issues to legislators. Next weekend, Sept 2-4, BorderHack 2005 will be taking place in Tijuana. Also that weekend, on the 3rd, is a forum against the Minutemen in Chula Vista.

The Encuentro was planned as a space to strategize about how to create a world without borders, how to effectively challenge racism and how to put an end to the Minuteman Project. These strategies will be put into action from September 16-18th in a series of actions and a No Border Camp in Calexico.
Read more >>

Protest Bush in San Diego
sd indymedia,

Two events are planned for Bush's visit to San Diego:

Candlelight Vigil: President Bush, Our loved ones are dying in an unjust war. WHY?
Monday Evening, August 29, 2005 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: On Coronado Island along Ocean Blvd. Near Flora Ave and Rh Dana Place. (Directions: Take Coronado Bridge to Orange Ave. Left on Orange Ave. to Rh Dana Place. Right on Rh Dana Place - becomes Ocean Blvd.. Vigil will be on Ocean Blvd. along the beach.) No parking will be permitted along Ocean Blvd. on Monday and Tuesday. Carpool if you can and park as near the Hotel Del as you can.

Demonstration at NAS NORTH ISLAND MAIN GATE on Alameda. Main Gate on Alameda, Coronado, Tuesday, August 30, 6 a.m. Gates will open at 6:00 a.m. for the 10,000 "invited guests" and the ceremony will take place at 8:00 a.m. True to form, this will be a harbor-side event so protestors can be kept far from this location. However, the road leading to North Island in Coronado would be a good protest location. Since parking in Coronado is scarce and parking laws are enforced, the North County Coalition for Peace and Justice will be using public transportation to get there. Directions from North County are below; San Diego people should check with the bus company to figure out best route for themselves to arrive at demonstration location: NAS NORTH ISLAND MAIN GATE on Alameda.
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