Public invited to Pioneer Courthouse, 700 SW 6th Avenue, on Monday, December 4 at 9:00 a.m. Ford has been incarcerated since his initial arrest on October 4, 2002.

Patrice Lumumba Ford's 18-year sentence will be reviewed by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on December 4 in Portland, Oregon. Ford received national media attention as part of The Portland Six, who were accused of being a "terrorist cell" in 2002. Ford's new lawyer, Shaun McCrea of Eugene, will argue that the sentencing guidelines for "treason" were erroneously applied in her client's case.

Ford made a trip to China in October 2001 in the company of five other Portland men--mostly African-American converts to Islam. In China, he was denied entry to Pakistan, where he hoped to help at the Afghani refugee camps. After a month abroad, he returned to his home in Portland. One year later, federal agents nabbed Ford and the others who had traveled with him to China. Attorney General John Ashcroft called the group a "terrorist cell." It was never proven that Ford or the others had any connection to Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or any other terrorist organization. The case was expected to be a challenge to the Department of Justice's expanded spying powers under the Patriot Act but, like other "terrorist" cases around the country, it never came to trial.

From the open publishing newswire:

Caracas, Venezuela -- This capital city awoke at 3 am at the "toque de diana" or reveille, exhorting all Venezuelans to get out to vote. In between the highly amplified sound of horns played by jubilant citizens, hundreds of loud firecrackers ensured that no one could miss this crucial moment in Venezuelan history. Saturday night was peaceful by all accounts, leading many here to wonder what election day would bring.

There are suggestions that Manuel Rosales (the opposition candidate and governor of the oil-rich state of Zulia) will go back to Zulia and declare it an independent state. Meanwhile, there are increased reports of Marines and US Navy activity in the island-nations of Curazao and Trinidad & Tobago, where the US has military bases. There is a remote possibility that if the Venezulan army was called in to Zulia to secure the oil fields and facilities, the US military could become involved.

read more >>

Venezuela, country awoken.

To the sound of the reveille and fireworks exploding throughout the city, one awakes and responds, connecting to the media, their community media, and with their neighbors and friends. In the air one can feel a sense of happiness, as the triumphant day, much awaited, finally arrives.

The dense clouds seem lighter. A near full moon can be seen setting towards the west. The freshness of the nearby mountain, Avila, caresses the body, a coolness after the rest interrupted. The blood is felt oxygenating the body.

read more >>

related: [ Chavez Reelected President of Venezuela: 61.4% of Vote | The Propaganda War over Venezuela (in film .. free online) | Venezuela wakes up to Election Day: Rojo Rojito o Rosalito? | HOV Blog on Venezuelan elections | Crying wolf. Elections in Venezuela today. | Community Radio Turns Activist: Venezuela Radio Stations Challenge threat of Fraud | Video of Chavez rally ]

From the open publishing newswire: A "standing room only" crowd witnessed moving testimony from more than 50 people who made the case for the resolution. Those testifying included military families, veterans and Iraqi-Americans, labor and faith group leaders, youth and students and those who work on health care, education, housing, homelessness, environmental justice and other human needs issues. The presenters made a strong case for the many local impacts of the war on the Portland community and why we need to speak up as a city for peace.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this campaign--those who signed the petition, gathered signatures, volunteered, spread the word and showed up for the hearing. This was truly a group effort and it showed!

Portland has spoken: now we have to make sure our federal officials act on behalf of our wishes to bring the troops home from Iraq and to change our policies to reflect Portland's priorities.

From the open publishing newswire: After an initial denial by the Bureau Of Development Services (BDS),Justin Fallon Dollard, in which the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) agreed with BDS's denial, and asked by HLC to come back with revised plans that address the numerous concerns of BDS staff,the HLC and Boise community members.At the 2nd HLC public meeting, the Kurisu Corporation did not get there plans in early enough for the Commission to review them, and they were given another chance, at a 3rd hearing,which just happened, and once again Holst & the Kurisu corporation did not get their development plans in on time. This time the commissioners suggested because of major development alterations that the developers do another presentation to the neighborhood.

THe Kurisu Corporation will be doing a public presentation of their newly designed, proposed 4 story development, which will sit on what was a community park, just north of the corner of N.Shaver & Mississippi.

1. An Information Session on the Kurisu's City Garden Development- Revised Design on Tuesday, December 5 from 6-7pm at AYOS.

From the open publishing newswire: I went to see Star Wars when I was in high school, which seems about the right time to see it. I liked it a lot. I wasn't one of those people who saw it a hundred times or anything. I wasn't that much of a nerd. Besides, I was too busy playing Dungeons and Dragons. I saw it again recently. It's not so good as I remember. In fact it's pretty bad. The characters are flat, the dialog hokey, the acting nondescript. But I still loved the ending, where Luke remembers to "use the force" to blow up the Death Star. For those of you who may have forgotten, the Death Star (according to the official Star Wars website) "was the code name of an unspeakably powerful and horrific weapon developed by the Empire. The immense space station carried a weapon capable of destroying entire planets. The Death Star was to be an instrument of terror, meant to cow treasonous worlds with the threat of annihilation. While the massive station is evidence of the evil that was the Galactic Empire, it was also proof of the New Order's greatest weakness-the belief that technology and terror were superior to the will of oppressed beings fighting for freedom." That's all pretty interesting stuff, and of course applicable to the discussion at hand: civilization as Death Star.

From the open publishing newswire: The Portland Alliance is celebrating 25 years of publishing with an evening of food, music, reminiscences and a sharp jab at the local mainstream press. A silent auction will be offering a number of fascinating items, including a hand-made quilted wall-hanging and other crafts and art. Attendees will enjoy a spaghetti dinner, music by General Strike and a special musical roast of the mainstream press by Melinda Pittman (founder of the Fallen Angel Choir and BroadArts Productions) and her partner Joe Rastetter. Past Alliance editors will be on hand to share stories about the newspaper.

"The Portland Alliance is a rare creature in the media world," states editor Dave Mazza. "At a time when the mainstream press - even some weeklies that call themselves 'alternative' - is more and more beholden to corporate advertisers, the Alliance has stayed true to the idea of a press unfettered by corporate influence. We rely on the support of the local community - individuals and local businesses - to keep us going."

From the open publishing newswire: As my child and I wandered through downtown today, we decided to take a detour through Pioneer Square to look at the Christmas tree there. Yeh, I don't know why either. But something about this time of the year makes me nostalgic for those kinds of things. But you know what? We couldn't even get near it. The entire square is currently under occupation. Rude and imposing chain link fences surrounded the square, hung with tarps and plastic. The obligatory white, plastic tents squatted over the whole affair, hiding something within. All around the perimeter, plastic signs blazoned with corporate logos -- mostly advertisements for Clear Channel stations -- hung imploringly from the chain link fences. Only the top of the tree was visible, poking up through the middle of it all.

As our public spaces shrink and every available surface becomes an ad campaign, I am left to wonder what price we are really paying for the endless "progress" being experienced by businesses in downtown Portland.

From the open publishing newswire: December 4th is the date that the chicago police along with the f.b.i. murdered chicago black panther party chairman FRED HAMPTON while he slept in his bed.
It is also the birthday of STEW ALBERT longtime revolutionary activist who died in portland this year.Stew passed away in his home from cancer on feb 1 this year.
Stew was a POWERFULL force in our and any community he lived in. He was well loved and will be missed by so many. He spoke at red and black cafe in 2001 and the tape of that awesome speech will be played, as well as a reading from his book Who the hell is Stew Albert. In the speech Stew tells his story of working with the black panther party the yippies S.D.S the weatherunderground and how we can learn from the lessons of buried revolutionary history.

From the open publishing newswire:

You can't go anywhere in Caracas, these days, with out seeing banners reading, "Chavez No Se Va!!" Elections are only 2 days away on Sunday, December 3rd. As of Thursday the schools of Venezuela have been closed and have been taken over by election officials in order to make sure elections will run smoothly. However, many Venezuelans believe that the elections will run no where near to smooth.

I'm based out of a one of the most established community radio station titled, "Radio Negro Premiro." This station, along with many others, is currently hard at work planning electoral coverage.

read more >>

photos from pro Chavez rally in Caracas

One week before the Venezuelan presidential elections 2 million Venezuelan citizens from all over the country came to show there support for Hugo Chavez. Apart from the mains stage where Hugo Chavez gave his three hour speech there were over 5 other stages with music and speakers saying Chavez No Se Va.

read more >>

related: [ PDX Unionists Back from Venezuela and Colombia | AUDIO INTERVIEW: Pacific NW Labor Delegation - Part 1 | Situation in Venezuela is again critical ]

From the open publishing newswire: My Thursday brunch with the Gorgon went well. I noticed people are getting a little tense. I was confronted by a guy dressed in a very expensive looking suit, about 35 years old, who yelled, "Do you think Bin Laden had anything to do with the war?" I answered, "Did we get him?" He responded, "Catching Bin Laden has nothing to do with war in Iraq." I said, "You got that right, Bin Laden has nothing to do with the occupation of Iraq." "I agree with you, stay and talk to me."---he left muttering something I could not understand.

Other people smiled at my sign...

I will continue my protest at the World Trade Center each Thursday at 11:45 AM until about 1:00 PM, I want someone to challenge this NeoCon who hides as a Republican Moderate.

From the open publishing newswire: Last weekends Schumacher demonstration really made use of one of our usual chants.
1, 2, 3, 4, this is a fur war. We have a big new sign, and Linda came out and stood in front of it with their 50% off sale banner. This led to a debate, and after a while she went back inside. Later, she came back out along with another employee and went across the street with the security guards. This time they had two signs. The funny thing is that we couldn't read them from across the street. They could take sign making lessons from us.

Our two sides spent about 45 minutes debating back and fourth across the street. During most of this time, our side chanted our usual chants while Linda screamed at Matt. Most of her rants were false accusations and trying to find any weakness in our information.

From the open publishing newswire: On November 6, 2006, a lone man in a "V" mask and clothing visited security checkpoints at the White House, the main Treasury Building, the Department of Justice and the Capitol, to deliver a letter and the Petitions for Redress. A short videotape of the encounters has made its way around the Internet, including links from sites such as MySpace.com.

The letter informed the leaders of the Executive and Legislative branches of the federal government that up to 100 people in "V" masks and clothing would gather in silent vigil at those locations on November 14th to await a response to the Petitions for Redress.

From the open publishing newswire: The term Green Scare refers to the Red Scares of the early twentieth century, made famous by the McCarthy hearings and the House Un-American Activities Committee. The Green Scare demonstrates a similar systematic criminalization of dissent as the U.S. government is using all its tactics (e.g., grand juries, specialized legislation, paid agents provocateurs) to target the radical environmental and animal rights movements, those who publicly support them, and others who struggle for a healthy, diverse eco-system and the rights of animals. On December 7th, 2005, the FBI made their first arrests of "Operation Backfire," a multi-state sweep targeting alleged Earth Liberation and Animal Liberation Front activists with charges of conspiracy and arson threatening them with life in prison. Elsewhere, the government has convicted organizers of the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaign - a campaign that ultimately kept Huntingdon off the stock market and can take credit for the divestment of hundreds of their clients and investors. The SHAC 7 are currently serving up to 6 years for violating the "Animal Enterprise Protection Act" by operating a website. In Sacramento, Eric McDavid, waiting in solitary confinement for trial, faces up to 20 years for alleged thought crime. In 2001, Jeff "Free" Luers was convicted of damaging 3 Sports Utility Vehicles that were later restored and sold. He is currently serving his 6th year of a 22 year sentence. This year, on December 7, people all over the world will be organizing and participating in events to raise awareness about the Green Scare and show solidarity with those targeted by it.

• Sun. Dec 3rd, 8:30pm: Eugene, OR @ Sam Bond's Garage, 407 Blair Blvd - "For our Friends, For the Future," a fundraising evening of speakers Kristian Williams and Lauren Regan, music from Mood Area 52 and Peter Wilde, films and more! This event also honors murdered journalist Bradley Will (1970-2006, see friendsofbradwill.org)
• Wed. Dec 6th, 7pm and 9pm: Portland, OR @ Clinton Street Theater 2522 SE Clinton St - Two screenings of Your Mommy Kills Animals, a new documentary by filmmaker Curt Johnson who will be present at the screening for a Q & A session afterwards. all proceeds go to the SHAC 7
• Thurs. Dec 7th, 7-9pm: Seattle, WA @ Araya's Vegetarian Restaurant, 1121 NE 45th St - Seattle in Solidarity with the Green Scare Targets!. Prisoner Letter-Writing Party, Discussion/Networking, Good Food, & Good Times. Don't let us be silenced!
• Fri. Dec 8th, 8pm: Olympia, WA "Green Scare" Benefit @ Solid Gold, 419 Boulevard Rd SE Performances by Bridget Irish, Leonardo, Myello Onyxoxo, Rachel Diamon, Shizunomargot.
• Sat. Dec 9th, 6-11pm: Portland OR: @ Liberty Hall, 311 N Ivy - "Liberating Dissent: Refusing to be Silenced" - A benefit for Green Scare defendants and Grand Jury Resistance, with presentations by Jeff Hogg and Paul Loney, updates on the Green Scare, SHAC 7, and Grand Jury Resistance, Performances by The Rag and Bone Men, Shickey Gnarowitz, Tandemnation, Drunken Boat, Nux Vomica

Resources: cldc.org | olycivlib.org | http://www.greenisthenewred.com | Portland IMC green scare topic page | Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network | ELP Network USA | Jeff "Free" Luers | greenscare.org

Some Non-cooperating Greenscare defendants who have websites: Briana Waters | Daniel McGowan | Eric McDavid | Josh Wolf | Rod Coronado | SHAC 7

From the open publishing newswire: NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL! STAND UP TO THE MINUTEMEN TOMMORROW!

The minutemen are coming.. This Saturday the 2nd of December, members of "Oregonians For Immigration Reform," and "Oregon Minutemen" will be harassing immigrant day laborers. They'll be at 6th and E. Burnside from 7am till noon.

Along with their usual message of racist fear mongering, they've latched onto the public report back that the PCASC, CBLOC delegation is doing at Carpenters hall Local 247 next Tuesday

(  http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/11/349976.shtml)

and are asking their members to attend. In their statement they cry,"How many American Home builders are struggling because of this Criminal?" Their efforts to capitalize on recent INS charges against a local Labor organizer come across loud and clear. With the same breath that they criminalize and vilify immigrant workers these groups will work to smash our solidarity with labor struggles across the world, and pit our union members against each other.