Disclaimer: In the following article, neither the hosts of the film screening, the attendees, or I are advocating terrorism, acts of economic sabotage, or violence of any kind. I, as a writer, am reporting on this event and discussing some of the themes in the film.

"We are the burning rage of a dying planet", is a fitting description for the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). Last night (Thursday, July 21), at 420 Connecticut (the future site for "Burning Books Bookstore" an independent, community based, progressive bookstore) the house was packed during the 7:00pm and 9:00pm screenings of "If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front". The 2011 documentary was created to examine the ELF away from the corporate media's branding of the group as terrorists/ eco-terrorists, but in their entirety through the eyes of a few of their members.

Animal Allies of Western New York completed its picket today of Universoul Circus, which ran from July 7th to the 10th. Animal Allies was there to address concerns of animal rights organizations of abuse by Universoul's handlers towards animals.

Recently in 2010, Boston's Northeastern University canceled Universoul Circus' performance after reviewing a formal letter from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to the U.S. Department of Agriculture which states which criticized the circus for providing inadequate veterinary care, ill-maintained transport vehicles, and inadequate medical record. Before that, Universoul Circus has been cited numerous times according to the animal rights organization and public authorities for mistreatment of animals. Nevertheless, it is not Universoul itself but, due to a lack of licensing to keep animals, the circuses who they acquire the animals from are legally liable for the treatment of the animals.

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An NFTA (transit) Police officer threatenedand swore at me while I was making a video of the aftermath of a fight at Thursday at the Square in Buffalo NY.

From the end:
"If you take my picture again I'm gonna F***ing break your face."

"We can either be our own liberators, or we can be apart of our own oppression" stated one participant at the "Know Your Rights" workshop at Canisus College today. The workshop was organized by Animal Allies of WNY, an animal rights organization. The workshop was led by two veteran national environmental activists. This workshop taught activists and community members about direct action, civil disobedience, cooperation, and security culture, all in the face of very real repression of civil liberties.

The workshop began by defining violence vs. non-violence. One reoccurring theme that defined violence vs. non-violence was, harm vs. non-harm in various formations. This was critical in the discussion in order to clarify the validity and the non-violent nature of civil disobedience, versus popular caricatures of civil disobedience and direct action as violent acts carried out by delinquents.

There were few ground rules, one of which was pursuant to an important lesson on "security culture" which we would discuss later on. Our first lessons, in classic form, were designed to create group cohesion and exercise patience within the group. One particularly frustrating but, useful exercise in patience and horizontal discussion was the "15 game", whereas we were charged to count to 15 under three conditions: 1) we couldn't count in any specific pattern; 2) we couldn't count in succession individually; 3) everyone had to participate.

As you know, the salary of an NFTA police officer ranges from $44,806 to $48,054. The job benefits include paid vacation, dental, medical, optical, and life insurance, paid personal and sick leave, and retirement benefits. Compared to the salary of, say, the mayor of Buffalo ($105,000), or compared to your own salary, Ms. Minkel ($170,000) that’s not much at all, is it? But here in Buffalo, where approximately one-third of adults live below the poverty line, an NFTA police officer is rich. Maybe wealth, like anything, is relative. But because NFTA police officers are servants of the public, I guess I’m wondering what we are getting for our money.

On April 8, at an anti-war protest in downtown Buffalo, Nate Buckley was batoned and maced by an NFTA officer. Buckley and two other activists were arrested. They were taken to the Erie County Holding Center and Buckley was charged with eleven counts, including rioting (even though the protest was peaceful until the police arrived).

Thank you everyone for coming and supporting us on Friday!!! We all were read and handed what we were charged with, no charges added no charges dropped. We packed the court room, moved out to circle in front of city hall for a quick talk, and networking about upcoming issues. Our next court date is May 5th at 2 pm in part 6 of Buffalo City court 50 delaware, please come and spread the word. This is not just about this court case, it is about not being stopped by the repression on all issues that people are struggling for locally! So here are upcoming events to support and get involved with. After that is a one page statement I wrote in response to whats is going on, I feel people could appreciate!

Our next court date is May 5th at 2 pm in part 6 of Buffalo City court 50 delaware, please come and spread the word!

May Day Rally Sunday, May 1 · 2:00pm - 6:00pm Gather at Masten Park Best & Masten

No Cuts, No Layoffs, Fight for our Rights! Help strengthen our unity and organized fight to defend the rights of all! From Wisconsin, to Michigan, Ohio and now New York, anti-worker and anti-immigrant bills and budgets are being imposed. In Buffalo we face cuts and layoffs of teachers, healthcare workers and other public workers, closures of hospitals and clinics. We say NO! Keep Mattina Clinic Open! Healthcare is a Right! Fund our schools, hospitals and clinics now! Stop paying the rich and use public tax dollars to fund our rights!
Join fellow workers from Buffalo's unions, anti-war activists, community organizers, prisoners rights activists, and environmentalists, for a march on May 1st- International Workers Day!

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Born to Learn is the first animation in a fascinating series aimed to provide easy-access to the exciting new discoveries constantly being made about how humans learn!