San Diego Activist Community Stumbles
rocky neptun,

In light of the recent jailing of two activists for standing up for their constitutional rights, some in San Diego question whether we have a movement here or just fragmented groups.
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Campo - 150 March in Support of Human Rights
Jonathan / Onto,

This just in from Campo... About 150 people traveled to the desert from all parts of California to support the human rights of immigrants. The group gathered in Campo this weekend to let the Border Patrol Auxiliary know that most Californians are against their vigilantly patrols of the border.

The Border Patrol Auxiliary is a spin off of the Minute Men. They had planned to meet at the VFW today to plan their vigilante actions. When the marchers reached the VFW the Minute Men were nowhere to be found. Apparently they met elsewhere to avoid being faced with how people feel about their actions.

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Call for Vigils to Honor Steve McWilliams
sdimc (repost from indybay),

Americans for Safe Access reports that July 19th vigils are being planned in 16 or more cities.

Steve McWilliams committed suicide by overdose this week. He had been fighting federal charges for growing a small garden for the Shelter from the Storm Collective, in San Diego, was saddened over the Supreme Court decision in the Raich v. Ashcroft case. He was in a lot of pain, since he had been denied access to medical marijuana since his arrest in 2002. He had had to take powerful pharmaceutical opiates, anti-nausea, anti-migraine, etc. drugs in far higher amounts than when he had been able to medicate with marijuana. Apparently these medications were used in the overdose.
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Stop the Border Vigilantes in Campo, July 15-19th
san diego indymedia volunteers,

UPDATES: July 17, 2005

10:00 am - Anti-Racists Disrupt Border Vigilante Patrols

July 16, 2005
5:45 pm - Anti-racist camp update - confrontation
5:30 pm - Anti-racist camp update - brush fire
5:12 pm - Audio reports from anti-racist border rally
3:30 pm - Physical Borders, psychological divisions
3:22 pm - Anti-Racist Desert Rally, Photos from Campo
3:15 pm - 2 snipers over looking the protest.
2:30 pm - 150 March in Campo for Human Rights - Desert Media Center set up.
10:00 am - Gente Unida Press Conference Friday

Just east of San Diego, the border vigilantes are already camping out. The local version of the Arizona Minutemen, this group, calling themselves California Border Watch will be met with a campout of opposition. Gente Unida is organizing a strategy campout from July 15-19 in Campo, California. Campo is about an hour from San Diego and is on the border. A rally is scheduled on July 16th at noon. Carpools leave at 10am, Saturday July 16th from Chicano Park OR meet us there. Directions: I-8 to Buckman Springs Road, South to 94, Right to Campo, South to Forest Gate, Look for signs/people at the VFW or Border Patrol buildings.

The o.r.g.a.n.i.c. collective has made a call out to Disrupt the MinuteMen, Campo, July 16-19th for all those who "oppose racist violence to come to Campo, California, one hour east of San Diego, from July 16th to 19th and disrupt, interfere with and stop the activities of the MinuteMen."

Also, SwarmTheMinuteMen.com and Electronic Disturbance Theater put a call out to join their Virtual Sit-In Against Anti-Immigrant Websites, from Tuesday July 20th -Thursday, July 22nd

If you don't remember the Minutemen from before, please check out the Minutemen Wrap Up story that sdimc did in May.

Recent News:
ACLU says NO to the Minutemen | Campo Minutemen backpedal on threat to shoot | Gente Unida Flyer | Human Rights workers arrested were arrested in Arizona

Links for border justice:
SWARMtheminutemen | Border Matters | Global Issues | AFSC | Migration Policy Institute | Just Coffee | The Samaritans | Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice | Free Trade of the Americas newswire | La Jornada Sin Fronteras | Sonoran Samaritans | Indymedia Chiapas | Indymedia Arizona | Humane Borders | BorderLinks | Derechos Humanos | Delete The Border | noborder network

The Minutemen sites:
Minutemen Project | California Border Watch | camp details |

The Border Action Network published an overview of border vigilantes in 2002 called Hate or Heroism: Vigilantes on the Arizona-Mexico Border

Environmental Activists Jailed For Contempt
link,

Environmental Activists Jailed For Contempt Of Court - 10 News repost from Common Dreams.
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FSRN: Grand Jury Targets San Diego Activists
Vinny Lombardo,

Recently, three seperate federal grand juries have been convened in N. & S. California, targeting animal rights & environmental justice activists. In San Diego, yesterday, two people were jailed for contempt of court after refusing to answer any of the grand jury's questions. FSRN's Vinny Lombardo examines how the grand jury process threatens legitimate political dissent.


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Sorry, don't understand.
Mark E. Smith,

3 subpoenaed, 2 testify, 2 in custody. WTF?
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From Jail Solidarity Rally for David & Danae
Jonathan,

July 12, 2005 - Many activists came out for a jail solidarity rally organized after David and Danae were taken into federal custody for not cooperating with the grand jury.
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Photos of todays Grand Jury Press Conference
aymara c/o onto,

Photos from 8am, July 12th Press Conference concerning the three community organizers who were subpoenaed to the Federal Grand Jury. Two are going to jail for refusing to testify and will be held indefinitely at the MCC without bail; one testified and has been dismissed. He expressed that he does not feel that he shared any information that wasn't already publicly available or already known to the prosecutors.
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5 PM UPDATE from the Federal Courthouse
~Bradley,

SAN DIEGO, CA - 5pm (PST) - Michael Cardenas answered questions in front of the Grand Jury and was not taken into federal custody. Most of the questions were about a videotape of a Rod Coronado speech.

The Grand Jury in San Diego will convene until December 31, 2005. The Grand Jury may then reconvene for another 6 months in 2006.

Danae Kelley and David Agranoff are being held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center, a U.S. federal prison in San Diego. Danae and David will be provided foods for a vegan diet. MCC San Diego is said to be the largest detention center for "illegal immigrants" facing deportion from the U.S.
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California Minutemen come to Campo
anonymous,

California Minutemen change gears, come to Campo early. Border Watch leader Jim Chase defends fellow Minuteman Clifford Alford who infiltrated the ACLU.
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Two San Diego Organizers Jailed for Resisting the Grand Jury
~Bradley w/help from sdimc,

8pm(PST) - A rally and vigil for David and Danae started at the Federal courthouse at 8pm, and soon after moved to the Federal Prison down the street. With chants of "Civil Rights are under attack, what do we do? Act Up, Fight Back!" and "Freedom Now!" the 35 demonstrators got responses both from the prisonsers inside (who banged on the windows) and the guards outside (who threatened to arrest anyone on Federal Property). Photos from the Rally

5pm (PST) - Michael Cardenas has finished testifying and has been dismissed. He expressed that he does not feel that he shared any information that wasn't already publicly available or already known to the prosecutors. Detailed account

3pm (PST) - Danae Kelley and David Agranoff have been taken into federal custody.

Photos from todays Press Conference

Audio from today: Grand Jury Targets 5pm Update | Grand Jury Targets San Diego | Audio from rally for danae, michael and david | Interview with Michael Cardenas | Interview with Katya Komisurak on Grand Juries
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Rockin' the Boat: Grand Jury Targets San Dieg
V-Man,

This morning, at 9 AM, three San Diego activists appearred before a federal grand jury. Danae Kelley, David Agranoff, and Michael Cardenas, all respected and well-known activists in San Diego, have refused to cooperate with the proceedings. They could face imprisonment for standing up for their rights. I spoke to Cardenas by phone moments before the hearing. TRT: 10 min
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Community Organizers Could Face Jail Time for Standing up for the First Amendment
rich,

IMPORTANT MEETING TONIGHT: Activist San Diego presents: "Know Your Rights - Our legal protection from harrassment" with National Lawyers Guild attorney Alex Landon - 7PM, 4246 Wightman, City Heights

Three San Diego Activists Face Jail for Refusal to Cooperate in Federal Grand Jury Inquisition:

8AM, JULY 12TH RALLY/PRESS CONFERENCE

is scheduled at the steps of the Federal Courthouse on Front and Broadway, Tuesday July 12th. Michael, Danae, and David will be speaking at the press conference and we need all of you, with your signs and outrage to come support them. If they are thrown in jail there will be an 8pm vigil and rally at the jail, and jail support will be necessary.

Past stories on Grand Juries in San Diego:
1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6

"Noche de Conciencia" Youth Rock/SKA Concert!
EL Cucui,

"Noche de Conciencia" Youth Rock/Ska Concert in Sherman Heights!!
The Sherman Youth Leadership Center presents: "Night of Conciousness" Fundraiser with Rock/SKA bands and Street Theatre:

* Mata Moska
* Skapatistas
* Erotomania
* Qaelum
* Terry Matsouka
* MCD(Mad Cow Disease)
* Street Theatre by P.I.N.Ch.E(Project of Institutionalized Nationalist
Chicana Entertainers)
$6 cover
All Ages
Proceeds go to fund activities at the Sherman Heights Youth Leadership Center.
Be there or Be Square!

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San Ysidro Says No to the Minutemen!
Jonathan,

Saturday protesters gathered in the streets of San Ysidro to raise their voices against the minutemen and groups like the minutemen. Protesters shouted in support of the rights of all people. These people came to the streets to let everyone - from bystanders, to Schwarzenegger - know that our state and county won't be taken over by a vigilante group.

Another report
Photos 1, 2, 3
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Help the Sun Set on the Patriot Act
Brent Mesick,

Many sections of the Patriot Act are set to expire or "sunset" this year. Let's see that they do.
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Gov't Use of Legal System to Suppress Dissent
Santa Cruz Indy Media,

From racist attacks targeting Lodi, California’s Muslim community, to attempts to silence and imprison political activists in San Francisco and San Diego, dissent and freedom of speech are under attack. As government repression in general increases, so does the use of the federal grand jury to intimidate, incarcerate and render impotent activists across social movements. In recent years, pressure on the animal rights, environmental justice, anti-war and anarchist movements has increased exponentially. Government officials seem anxious to pin the label “terrorist” on anyone that is effectively campaigning against injustice. At a recent hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, John E. Lewis, Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI, testified that, “Investigating and preventing animal rights extremism and eco-terrorism is one of the FBI’s highest domestic terrorism priorities.”
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The Future Today, Corporate Owned Police
rocky neptun,

Corporate Owned Police Surround Trolley, Conduct Military Style Operations in San Ysidro.
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Grand Jury – Interview with Danae
Jonathan,

Today a press conference was given by some of the San Diego activists served with subpoenas by the Federal Grand Jury. The activists liken the grand jury to a witch-hunt where no actual crime is being investigated, but people are targeted for their beliefs and associations. In this case those subpoenaed believe they are being forced to testify in front of the grand jury simply for attending a public meeting in August of 2003. The secretive nature of a grand jury makes it very difficult for anyone to learn what is the subject of the investigation. People who are served subpoenas must testify and may have no lawyer present during the questioning.
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Grand Jury – Activists Give Press Conf. audio
Jonathan,

Today a press conference was given by some of the San Diego activists served with subpoenas by the Federal Grand Jury. The activists liken the grand jury to a witch-hunt where no actual crime is being investigated, but people are targeted for their beliefs and associations. In this case those subpoenaed believe they are being forced to testify in front of the grand jury simply for attending a public meeting in August of 2003. The secretive nature of a grand jury makes it very difficult for anyone to learn what is the subject of the investigation. People who are served subpoenas must testify and may have no lawyer present during the questioning.
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Grand Jury – Activists Give Press Conf. photo
Jonathan,

Today a press conference was given by some of the San Diego activists served with subpoenas by the Federal Grand Jury. The activists liken the grand jury to a witch-hunt where no actual crime is being investigated, but people are targeted for their beliefs and associations. In this case those subpoenaed believe they are being forced to testify in front of the grand jury simply for attending a public meeting in August of 2003. The secretive nature of a grand jury makes it very difficult for anyone to learn what is the subject of the investigation. People who are served subpoenas must testify and may have no lawyer present during the questioning.
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Judge to Hear First Amendment Objections
Michael Cardenas,

Today, myself, Danae and David Agranoff went into the Grand Jury room and refused to answer questions based on our First Amendment rights to free association and right to privacy.

We were then sent to see Judge Gonzalez at 4:15pm. The prosecution made the request that the hearings be sealed, so only one witness at a time spoke to the judge. In the courtroom were the two prosecutors, our lawyers, Danae, myself and David, and about 10 FBI agents. Myself, Danae and our lawyers were asked to leave while the judge heard Jeremy Warren's motions.

Photos:
 http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/06/109488.shtml
 http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/06/109504.shtml

Audio of Press Conference:
 http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/06/109498.shtml

Audio of Interview with Danae:
 http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/06/109500.shtml
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Permaculture and Peak Oil
Maria Larson,

Peak Oil and Permaculture explains the dynamics of the impending peak in global oil production and the implications for Australian society. Declining energy availability will spell the end of global economic growth and the consumerist culture it supports.

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Queer Demos Discuss Religion and Politics
Mark Gabrish Conlan.Zenger’s Newsmagazine,

The July 23 meeting of the predominantly Queer San Diego Democratic Club featured Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal of San Marcos and self-styled “progressive Catholic” activist Ronni Friedman Barone, along with a Queer Muslim representative who requested anonymity, discussing the dynamite topic of religion and its influence on American politics. Rosenthal argued that the church should stay out of politics rather than take stands that polarize practitioners, while Barone said that like it or not, Americans overwhelmingly believe in God and expect their politicians to profess strong faith, and only people who come from strong faith backgrounds themselves can reach out to voters inclined to the religious Right.
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“For Reasons That Remain Unclear”
Mark Gabrish Conlan/Zenger’s Newsmagazine,

Playwright Mart Crowley is known almost exclusively for his pioneering Gay play, “The Boys in the Band,” from 1968, but he’s written better works since, including “For Reasons That Remain Unclear,” playing through July 24 at 6th @ Penn Theatre, 3704 Sixth Avenue in Hillcrest. A tightly knit 90-minute drama about two Americans who meet in Rome and explore each other’s sordid pasts, “Reasons” contains a surprise twist and builds to an intense climax, and the well-acted 6th @ Penn production makes an excellent case for Crowley’s script.
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Mayor’s Race: To 9 or Not to 9?
Mark Gabrish Conlan/Zenger’s Newsmagazine,

To 9 or not to 9 — as in Chapter 9, the part of the federal bankruptcy code that covers local governments — was the big topic at a forum for San Diego mayoral candidates June 17. Though the forum's location was the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center in Hillcrest and the sponsors were Queer organizations — the Community Leadership Forum and the Gay & Lesbian Times — Queer issues barely came up in a forum that focused mostly on the city's pension crisis and whether or not to “9.”
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Chicken Little vs. Social Security
Mark Gabrish Conlan/Zenger's Newsmagazine,

“Nobody wants you to know how thin the projections [of Social Security’s future] are and how much guesswork has been wrong in the past,” said Michael A. Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times “Golden State” business columnist and author of the new book “The Plot Against Social Security,” at the First Unitarian-Universalist Church in Hillcrest June 13. According to Hiltzik, the scare statistics we’ve all heard about how the Social Security system is going to be broke by 2030 or 2041 or whenever are based on very little actual information and are being manipulated as propaganda by the Bush administration and the political heirs of the program's original opponents in 1935.
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Statement by 2 subpoenaed in San Diego
Elise Casby,

This is a statement and an invitation from two of the activists from San Diego who were subpoenaed by the FBI, and who already went before the Grand Jury. The invitation is to an Open Forum about Grand Juries and activist's experiences in front of them. An angle is considered in this article about the lack of interest by the FBI in other persons.
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SD Grand Jury Update and Action Alert
San Diego Defense Committee,

Hey folks. Thanks for all of the support we have received already. This
is a very important time. As others have already said, our response to
this assault on our friends and fellow activists will determine if we
are a movement or if we will be isolated and crushed. A plan of action
is outlined below.
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