Midwest_feeds

Workers in a food production plant in Argentina have called for solidarity efforts against the Illinois-based multinational food corporation Kraft in the wake of the firings of more than 150 Kraft workers in Argentina.

A food factory in Buenos Aires owned by the Argentina-based company Terrabusi was bought out by Kraft in 2004. Since then, the company has markedly reduced hygiene efforts at the factory to cut costs. But a July 2009 outbreak of H1N1 flu struck the plant, and workers (many of whom were working mothers) were forced to strike simply to take sick leave to avoid the unhygenic surroundings. In the wake of the strike, Kraft "selectively fired" some 150 workers, including many union leaders and union delegates.

The Kraft workers have taken to repeated protest, including a street blockade in Buenos Aires. Workers have demanded the rehiring of the 150 fired workers by Kraft, and called for solidarity efforts in the United States, and particularly in the Chicago area since Kraft is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Glenview. Illinois Kraft officers have been caught using the internet to follow the activism of the workers in Argentina, but the workers have responded in kind by using internet social media to raise awareness and rally support.

Related Resources: Letter: Say No To Kraft | Video: Say No To Kraft | Sept. 17: Solidarity Picket at Kraft Plants in Chicago and Champaign | Champaign Activists Say “NO!” to Kraft

From SnitchWire

Tips have lead us to believe that notorious criminal and FBI informant Timothy Patrick White has been in Denver within the last two weeks and may still be. White is ruthless, working within corrupt State organizations for profit. The following is from a journalist that has been subject to White's harassment:

Timothy White is a stool pigeon/snitch and government stooge who made a deal with corrupt law enforcement/FBI agents to get out of jail in 2002, after a felony conviction for drug trafficking.   Though he is now hiding out in Canada, a fugitive from justice, for years previous, White traveled the country, engaging in criminal harassment and stalking of designated targets, including journalists, government whistleblowers, survivors of black operations, former law enforcement/intelligence personnel --anyone who exposed truthful, factual information about government crimes and corruption.

SnitchWire would encourage all readers to avoid all contact with Timothy White. This man is extremely dangerous for activists, radicals, journalists, and anyone else the State could pick out for attack. Send ALL TIPS and info concerning White and other snitches to snitchwire [at] gmail [dot] com.

 

EDIT 2009/09/30: Updated correct picture. -- COIMC Editors

While much of the country's attention is focused on the domestic health-care debate, one Denver coalition will be protesting the escalating conflict in Afghanistan. The "March for Real Change" will take place of Oct. 7th, on the eight year anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan. "Change your hope into action, stop Obama's wars," will be the focus of the demonstration, says local activist, Mark Cohen. "Though he promised change, Obama is leading the country deeper into a quagmire in Afghanistan with no end in sight."

Cohen and other Denver-area activists have come together and formed the group, the Denver Anti-War Network. Along with a street protest against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Denver Anti-War Network is planning an after event, the Justice and Peace Jamboree. It will be a free event featuring free food, music, poetry and speakers from ongoing radical and social justice-oriented projects. "We want to bring people together, present them opportunities to plug into the social justice organizing that is happening and open a space where constructive dialogue can take place, leading to a more active and vibrant anti-war left."

The "March for Real Change" begins at 4pm at the Federal Courthouse on 19th and Stout in downtown Denver. The Justice and Peace Jamboree begins at 7pm at Quixote's (2637 Welton St.). The Denver Anti-War Network can be reached by contacting Mark Cohen at denverantiwarnet@gmail.com.

Coloado Springs, Colorado

Friday, September 11th, 2009

 

The sun was warm and a strong wind blew on 9/11/09, as a group of about seven “9/11truthers” held home-made signs and passed-out dvds at the corner of E. Bijou and Tejon St. in downtown Colorado Springs. Similar actions took place around the country today, including at the intersection of 16th and Wynkoop in Denver. These were part of an organized campaign, this one in particular run by a fairly decentralized group called “We Are Change,” based out of New York. It was an unusual site to see in a city known for its extreme conservatism. However, as some of you might well-suspect, “We Are Change” is an ironic misnomer. Further inquiry revealed that the group responsible for the event is neither radical nor reformist; but represents a new and growing form of reactionary right-libertarianism.

 

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confluence books will reopen friday september 11th at 742 rood ave suite A.  we will be celebrating at five pm. a month long reopening sale will take place with 20% off new books!

we carry zines, new radical and alternative books, a good selection of used books at great prices, stickers, pins, patches and more!   come check us out and keep your eye out for the new website!   confluence books 749 rood ave. suite A   245-4442 confluencebooks@riseup.net   tues.-sat.: 12-6pm.   party 9/11/09 at 5pm

 

 

Long-time radical activist and manarchist Jacob Richards shows his soft side while visiting a dear friend's new baby in the hospital last fall.  Richards was even seen with a teary eye as he held the newborn, gazing into her brand new eyes and envisioning all the wonderful things he wishes he had become.  Just goes to show you there's a sensitive side behind that scruffy beard and hardy stank.

On Wednesday, September 2, Jesse Masengale returned to city court for two tickets given to him by Champaign police this summer. A member of the Safe Haven community, Jesse was present when Champaign police showed up on June 8 to videotape the “tent city” that had been set up on the property of the Catholic Worker House. He was subsequently given two tickets for obstructing and assaulting a police officer.

A Champaign city attorney has offered Jesse a plea bargain, a tacit acknowledgement that at least half of these charges are bogus. The assault charge will be dropped if he pleads guilty to the obstructing charge and agrees to three months of court supervision and 100 hours of community service.

Witnesses say that Jesse had tossed his cell phone to a friend to take pictures when the police began to detain him. This was interpreted by police as an attempt to hit officer Gregory Manzana in the head―assault with a cell phone.

The second charge of obstructing justice was for Jesse’s insistence that police stop their videotaping.

Once again, racial profiling numbers were released by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with no coverage in the local media. When I notified a journalist for the News-Gazette of the latest figures, he told me they covered the story several years ago. Racial profiling is apparently no longer an issue. Yet it became national news this summer when African American professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was arrested for breaking into his own home. Locally, a young medical student, “Toto” Kaiyewu, was racially profiled by a police officer in nearby Villa Grove, followed, and led on a police chase that ended with police fatally shooting him on I-74.

Link:  http://nyc.indymedia.org/or/2009/08/107063.html

Ojore was released from New Jersey State Prison at 4pm on August 26th and is currently in Philadelphia getting reoriented to being on the streets. He will eventually be moving to New Jersey once he finds a space.

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denverabc.wordpress.com/political-prisoners-database/

Denver ABC has added a political prisoner database to its regularly updated blog.  The list features 68 political prisoners and prisoners of war.

We have combed through all of the United States political prisoner we could find to compile the most comprehensive single list of political prisoners we know of.  We have also taken the time to verify each prisoner's contact information to ensure that everything is up to date.  We encourage folks who put out publications, websites and other forms of media to use this list as a resource because we were finding that many of the lists still being disseminated are outdated- listing prisoners who have been released or with outdated prison information.

As with many lists, this information will continue to change and unfortunately new people are always being targeted by the state.  We will continue to be updating the list as we track state repression as well as provide better information on the prisoners already listed.  If you notice someone missing from our list or information that is incorrect, please contact us at denverabc@rocketmail.com

Love and Solidarity,
Denver ABC

Link:  http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2009/08/393744.shtml

Four organizers with Tenant Rights Project used their alloted 3 minute time slots at this week's Wednesday morning Portland City Council meeting to criticize a local slumlord housing corporation and housing commissioner Nick Fish. The council objected to the "harsh rhetoric" of tenants.

Tenant Rights Project started organizing CCC tenants in the fall of 2008.

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Ariel Attack, a Denver anarchist, has been arrested and charged with Felony Criminal Mischief (F4) for allegedly smashing 11 windows of the Democratic National Party headquaters at 8th and Santa Fe in Denver.

Ariel will be arraigned tomorrow (Wed 26) at the Denver County Courthouse (14th and Bannock) at 10am in courtroom 12T.  Whoever can show up and support Ariel in person will be much appreciated.

ARIEL IS IN NEED OF BAIL MONEY!!!  Areil's bail hasn't been set yet, but we are trying to get ahead of the ball.  We have been told to expect, because of the high profile of the case, $10000 bond!  This means that we need to raise $1000 to be able to go to a bondsperson.  So far, we have raised $300.   If you are able to donate, please call Ben at 9-7-0/6-2-3/5-6-2-9 to arrange donating to the ARIEL ATTACK BAIL AND LEGAL FUND!!!

***UPDATE- 8/27*** Ariel has been released on $5000 bail, and we are not posting new stories until the media hullabaloo has died down. Ariel is doing well and is tremendously grateful for all of your support. Because we aren't making any statements at this time, please email friendsofariel@riseup.net for updates. Thanks for everything!!!

Mr. Michael Rapino

President and Chief Executive Officer

Live Nation, Inc.
9348 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, California, 90210

 

Dear Mr. Rapino: 

Hopefully you are aware that Live Nation/House of Blues has booked Buju Banton for a nationwide tour, including a Chicago stop on October 1, 2009.  Buju Banton is one of a handful of performers whose output has been labeled "murder music" for openly advocating the murder of Lesbians and Gays in the lyrics of their music.

House of Blues has faced protests before against its sponsorship of anti-gay "murder music"; yet it apparently persists in thinking that LGBT people should "tolerate" those who call for murdering us.

House of Blues/Live Nation would never book Buju Banton or any performer who advocated killing African Americans or Jews, and rightfully so.  Why, then, is it okay for House of Blues to hire a musician who calls for murdering Lesbians and Gays?  Why the double standard?

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The following article was written for and directed towards members of the “Liberty Movement,” participants in the Tea Parties and Town Hall meeting protests. It was originally intended to be handed out at Colorado gun shows, where anarchists have done counter-recruitment against the Minutemen:

Of Tea-Parties and Patriots: Liberty for who?

From the Institute for Anarchist Studies, by Dave Strano

As town hall meetings on health care become the targets for disruptive protest and a growing “pro-liberty” movement gains traction and headlines, a full analysis of the situations we are facing as white working class people and an analysis of the strategies of the new “pro-liberty” movement is necessary.

I am authoring this piece as a white working class male that comes from a military family background, and identifies to some extent as being a libertarian. This description of myself is important as it helps color the perspective I am writing from, as any differences in my background, race, or socio-economic status would ultimately change the entire nature of this essay.

This piece is also mainly directed at white working class people that are active within this new movement. The reasons for this are many, as will become obvious as this piece progresses.

On race…

The Liberty Movement resembles the broader Libertarian Movement in a myriad of ways. One of these ways is in racial composition. To be plain and up front, the U.S. Right is mostly comprised of white people. These giant Tea Parties, our demonstrations and meetings are seas of white faces, with small sprinklings of nonwhite faces.

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According to the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LP-DOC) the United States Parole Commission has denied parole to the 64-year old indigenous human rights activist and artist serving two consecutive life terms after being convicted on faulty testimony and flawed evidence in 1977, Leonard Peltier. He has been in prison for most of his adult life and is not due to receive another parole hearing until he is 79 years old in 2024. 

A popular documentary film was produced in 1992 by Robert Redford called "Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story" that explores the case in detail. 

The July 28 parole hearing left supporters and activists in limbo for three weeks as they anticipated with hope as Leonard had worked very hard, along with his supporters, to present a good case for well-earned parole.

Peltier's original case is over the deaths of two Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agents, Ronald Williams and Jack Coler, on June 26, 1975, after they followed a vehicle onto the Jumping Bull ranch. The person driving the vehicle, at the time, was allegedly a resident of Pine Ridge who was wanted for the theft of a pair of boots.

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It all started this morning.  With a declaration of war between two collective houses:

"....We expect to meet you in a splashing good fight. Be Ye There, or Be Ye Square."

It ended in a pitched battle in the roundabout at 7th and Main, that stop traffic, reclaimed our streets for something other then just the same old consumption and capitalism.  A bus-driver stopped his bus in the roundabout and demanded a balloon and threw it into the melee. Traveling kids, collective members and some not-so innocent by-standers, all liberated the stuffy through-fare of commerce for a bit of fun, and some much needed cooling down on this 100 degree day.

The Fun Liberation Front, is everywhere, is no where, is everyone, no one, and any one. Take up this name and liberate your day from wage-slavery, traffic cops, consumption, and boredom. See you in the streets.

 ACLU News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 20, 2009

CONTACT:   John Culver, ACLU Cooperating Attorney, 303-716-0254

Mark Silverstein, ACLU Legal Director, 303-777-5482 ext 114

 Denver sued for indiscriminate mass arrest during DNC; class action claim also alleges Denver illegally denied arrestees access to attorneys

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Join Mercy For Animals for a delicious free vegan dinner and screening of a gripping new HBO documentary Death on a Factory Farm about the laws, politics, and production of pork in Ohio.

This eye-opening exposé reveals that nothing is as it seems in the halls of justice, or down on the farm.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

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UPDATE: The UCIMC will be hiring a part-time AmeriCorps Program Director to oversee the AmeriCorps program. Please see: (http://ucimc.org/content/call-applications-americorps-program-director-ucimc-0).  Applications are due by September 15th.  Please submit them to Nicole@ucimc.org.

 

The UCIMC has been awarded 8 State AmeriCorps starting in Fall of 2009!  We will be hiring for the following positions (click to view position description, or download them using links at the bottom of this article).  To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to nicole@ucimc.org by the date indicated below:

Positions: