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Mon Aug 5 2013 (Updated 08/06/13)
Anniversary of Fire at Chevron's Richmond Refinery Marked with Huge Protest at Gates
On August 3, over 2,000 people marched from the Richmond BART station to Chevron's Richmond refinery. Over 200 people were arrested at a sit-in at the gate and released on the scene. There will be a protest on the one-year anniversary of the explosion on August 6 at Richmond Civic Center Plaza. On August 17, the coalition that organized the action will meet at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists.
Read more on Indybay's Environment & Forest Defense page
Sat Jul 27 2013 (Updated 08/04/13)
Oakland Surveillance Center Approved in City Vote Amid Debate on Privacy & Data Collection
UPDATE: Oakland City Council voted 6-0 to continue development of city-wide surveillance program.
The Domain Awareness Center started as a nationwide initiative to secure ports by networking sensors and cameras in and around the facilities. The Oakland DAC has ballooned into a surveillance program for the entire city. As planned, the center would integrate computer dispatch systems, gunshot detection microphones, license-plate readers, crime mapping software, stationary video cameras, private alarm detection programs, Twitter feeds, news feeds, other alerts, and eventually it could feature facial recognition. Civil liberties advocates intend to make a stand against the program at the Oakland City Council meeting on July 30. Read more on Indybay's Police State and Prisons page
Sun Jul 28 2013 (Updated 07/29/13)
Groups Say Billions to be Spent on Peripheral Tunnels Serve Only to Pad Corporate Pockets
Governor Brown has proposed building two massive $50 billion water tunnels to divert the Sacramento River to corporate interests in the Central Valley. Fracking opponents say the peripheral tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta could play a role in increasing fracking in California, so that oil companies and huge agribusinesses can make even more profits.
Sun Jul 28 2013 (Updated 07/29/13)
Israeli Military Tears Down Palestinian Protest Village, Arrests Nonviolent Demonstrators
On July 27, the Canaan protest village was built for the fifth time on annexed Palestinian land in the middle of the illegal Gosh Ezion Colonial block next to the illegal settler colony of Migdal Oz. The nonviolent protesters stayed in the tent on their land for around an hour and a half before the Israeli occupation soldiers tore it down, violently repressing the demonstration. The tent village was built to remember the right of Palestinians to their land and to express solidarity with hunger strikers imprisoned for fighting for the Palestinian struggle.
Sat Jul 27 2013 (Updated 07/29/13)
Hollywoood Movie Billboard in SF Spoofed to "Honor" U.S. National Security Agency
Following the unauthorized release of information by Edward Snowden on June 7, the NSA has faced an unprecedented wave of public scrutiny. On July 23, the California Department of Corrections (CDC) "apprehended, rehabilitated and discharged" a billboard in San Francisco, one day before a U.S. House of Representatives vote that would have curtailed the NSA's surveillance inside the United States. On July 24th, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on an amendment to a military appropriations bill that would have eliminated funding for the agency’s vast phone data collection. The amendment was narrowly defeated by a margin of 205 to 217
Sat Jul 27 2013 (Updated 07/29/13)
Public Safety Task Force Member Steve Schlicht Displays Insensitivity to Addiction
Steve Schlicht, a member of the City of Santa Cruz's Public Safety Task Force and the director of marketing communications and information technology for Take Back Santa Cruz, posted on Facebook that he is "fine with junkies dying somewhere else. Outside the county is fine by me." The City's website describes the task force: "The Santa Cruz City Council created the Public Safety Citizen Task Force to provide a platform for the community to come together to better understand our current public safety concerns and recommend actions we take to improve the quality of life in Santa Cruz."
Read more on Indybay's Health, Housing, and Public Services, Government & Elections or Santa Cruz Indymedia pages
Fri Jul 26 2013 (Updated 07/28/13)
Community Groups Push to Save Berkley Post Office from Being Sold to a Commercial Business
The Berkeley Post Office is being sold off as one of the first steps in the privatization of the Postal Service. Despite what seems to be the end of the road in terms of administrative challenges, a three-pronged local attack is being launched by various Berkeley community groups, Save The Berkeley Post Office and Strike Debt Bay Area. The first is a medium term threat of a lawsuit to block the sale. Secondly, a direct defense of the Berkeley Post Office begins on Saturday, July 27th. The third is an attempt to rezone the space the Berkeley Post Office sits on so that it cannot be used for private, commercial enterprise.
Fri Jul 26 2013 (Updated 07/29/13)
Santa Cruz NAACP Asks Community to Stand Up, Speak Out Against Racism
On July 21, the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held a march and rally for Justice for Trayvon Martin and other citizens subjected to racial profiling, and Shoot First and Stand Your Ground laws. On Pacific Avenue, marchers sang "We Shall Not Be Moved," and later chanted, "Stop Racial Profiling." At the Town Clock, the group chanted "Justice for Trayvon," and circled up and held hands.
Tue Jul 23 2013 (Updated 07/26/13)
Immigrant Youth, Students, & Workers Protest Napalitano Appointment at UC Regents Meeting
At the UC Regents meeting on July 18 at the UCSF Mission Bay Campus, students and workers protested the appointment of U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napaolitano as the president of the UC education system because of her role in targeting immigrant youth and immigrant workers.
Fri Jul 19 2013 (Updated 07/28/13)
Nationwide Call to End Racial Profiling, Prosecute Zimmerman for Civil Rights Violations
Following the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's killer, George Zimmerman, on July 13, hundreds took to the streets in Napa, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francsisco, San Jose, and Santa Cruz. At rallies, candle light vigils, and marches, community members have called for justice for Trayvon and an end to the racial profiling and police abuses that occur on a day-to-day basis across the country. Demonstrations for justice continue locally and nationally.
A small group of homeless people, living on a canal bank near West and Ashlan avenues in Fresno, had their property taken on July 17 by crews from the Fresno Irrigation District. Structures were pulled out of the shrubbery, a bulldozer picked up people's property and put it in a dump truck, and several dogs were also removed by the SPCA.
Thu Jul 18 2013 (Updated 07/19/13)
Environmental Impact from 'Huff and Puff' Oil Extraction Threatens California Condor
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit on July 10 challenging San Benito County’s approval of a major new oil development in the Salinas Valley watershed. The 15 new oil wells approved by the county last month will use cyclic steam injection, a dangerous and polluting form of oil extraction that targets heavy crude. The new wells would be located in an area used by California condors, which are critically endangered, along with other wildlife.
Sat Jul 13 2013 (Updated 07/19/13)
Demonstrators Say Privately Run AACJC Should Lose Accreditation, Not City College
On July 9, thousands marched down Market Street in San Francisco to the Department of Education to protest the privately run Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges' (ACCJC) revelation that they aim to terminate City College of San Francisco’s accreditation. Thousands of students could be cut off from this educational resource by 2014.
Fri Jul 12 2013 (Updated 07/18/13)
Guards Conduct Walk-throughs and Watch Community Members for Extended Periods of Time
Community members targeted by security guards paid by the City of Santa Cruz to patrol San Lorenzo Park say their free use of the area has been inhibited due to profiling. For years now, guards employed by First Alarm Security Services have been 'identifying,' and watching closely, individuals they perceive to be on probation or more generally, individuals they perceive to be undesirable for a variety of other reasons.
The Gill Tract in Albany has been a battleground in recent years as the University of California's development plans have met repeated resistance from Occupy the Farm and others fighting for land sovereignty. The tract was first occupied and farmed in 2012, providing hundreds of pounds of free produce to local communities. This year, in the space of nine days in May, occupiers broke ground, establishing a new urban farm, and replanted the field twice. Each time the UC police ploughed over the seedlings. Currently, Occupy the Farm is launching a pressure campaign against Sprouts Farmers Market, a supermarket chain looking to build on the land.
Fri Jul 12 2013 (Updated 07/18/13)
Activist Says Property Seizure is Designed To Harass Homeless Out of Santa Cruz
On July 3, an activist served representatives of the Santa Cruz County government with a written notice stating that the Sheriff department's policy of seizing the property of pre-trial homeless detainees violates federal code and the United States Constitution. The notice was accepted, and the activist believes that if a lawsuit is brought against the county, the authorities can not assert that they were unaware of the dangers they subject the homeless to.
Tue Jul 9 2013 (Updated 07/28/13)
Report from Anonymous Details Demise of Publicly-Traded Prison Operator
Faced with empty beds, demand concerns, and a bleak outlook, a report released by Anonymous on July 9 details why the hactivist group expects Corrections Corporation of America’s earnings to get smacked under the weight of current and future contract losses. CCA is a publicly-traded prison operator with a history of horrendous prison conditions and human rights abuses.
Read more on Indybay's Police State and Prisons, Global Justice and Anti-Capitalism or California pages
Tue Jul 9 2013 (Updated 07/11/13)
On Independence Day, Santa Cruzans Show Support for Whistleblowers Manning and Snowden
At this year's Fourth of July anti-war demonstration in Santa Cruz, community members called for the release of all political prisoners, including Bradley Manning, Lynne Stewart, and Edward Snowden. The event is held annually at the corner of Ocean and Water Street, and the throng of holiday traffic rolling by slowly, bumper to bumper, was greeted this year with protest signs bearing messages of opposition to the expansion of security culture in the United Sates.
Tue Jul 9 2013 (Updated 07/11/13)
Chemical Use in Klamath River Violates Clean Water Act and California Law
A plan by Warren Buffett’s PacifiCorp to apply chemicals to kill toxic blue-green algae on the Klamath River for the second year in a row has ignited opposition by North Coast Indian Tribes and river users. The Hoopa Valley Tribe and river users cite studies from 2012 that show killing the algae actually releases the algae toxin, microcystin, at a time of year when people are swimming, wading, rafting and fishing in the Klamath River.
Tue Jul 9 2013 (Updated 07/11/13)
Demonstrators Say: Social Security is Our Right, We Will Not Give Up This Fight!
Hundreds gathered at the Federal Building in San Francisco on July 2 to protest the proposed Chained CPI, and to send a strong message to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi “Do Not Mess with Our Social Security, and Expand Medicare for All!” After surrounding the Federal Building, demonstrators covered blocks as they marched to Post & Market Street. In 50 cities around the country, similar demonstrations took place and fired up the fight.
Read more on Indybay's Health, Housing, and Public Services page
Tue Jul 9 2013 (Updated 07/11/13)
Activists Demonstrate for Right to Freedom of Movement and Worship in Jerusalem
On the morning of June 22, Palestinian, international and Israeli activists marched to the Israeli occupation military checkpoint blocking the West Bank from Jerusalem. There they were stopped by soldiers who violently prevented them from passing through. In reaction, the Palestinian activists prayed at the checkpoint, demonstrating their right to both freedom of movement within their own land and freedom to worship in Jerusalem.
Sun Jul 7 2013 (Updated 07/09/13)
Oakland Noise Demo Raises Ruckus Outside of Alameda County Jail for Hunger Strikers in SHU
On July 4th, about 100 people marched from Oscar Grant Plaza to the Glenn Dyer Alameda County Jail. Marchers were acting in solidarity with hunger strikers in the SHU (Special Housing Units), "prisons within prisons," where inmates are kept in solitary confinement for years and even decades.On July 8th, California prisoners will begin a hunger strike and work stoppage in order to insist upon five core demands that the governor and the Department of Corrections have refused to implement since negotiations surrounding the previous hunger strikes of 2011. Solidarity events took place in Oakland and at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City on July 8th, and a statewide mobilization and march to Corcoran State Prison is planned for July 13.
Since early November 2012, foreclosure defense activists have worked to protect Jodie Randolph from being evicted by Morgan-Stanley, keeping Jodie in her Alameda house by maintaining a vigil on the premises and demonstrating at Morgan-Stanley's San Francisco offices. The Occupy Oakland Foreclosure Defense Group writes: Our member and friend, Jodie Randolph has won one battle and lost another. As many of you know, Jodie was not only fighting for her home but fighting against cancer. Early Saturday morning that fight ended when Jodie passed away... But in these last months, she knew though that together we had won the fight for her home.
Read more on Indybay's Health, Housing, and Public Services or Global Justice and Anti-Capitalism pages
Sat Jul 6 2013 (Updated 07/08/13)
NLG Obtains $1.17M and OPD Reforms for Injured Occupy Oakland Protesters and Journalists
Twelve people injured by the Oakland police department during Occupy Oakland demonstrations have settled a federal civil rights lawsuit with the city of Oakland for a total of $1.17 million. The injuries came as a result of OPD's violent response to Occupy Oakland on October 25 and November 2, 2011. Injured plaintiffs include long-time Indybay journalist David Morse. OPD has agreed to allow the federal court to enforce its compliance with its own crowd control policy, which prohibits police from shooting "less lethal" impact munitions or tossing explosive teargas grenades into crowds, and prohibits mass arrests without warning or opportunity to disperse.
Read more on Indybay's Global Justice and Anti-Capitalism page
Sat Jun 29 2013 (Updated 07/06/13)
BART Workers Strike, Speak Out at Rallies
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) workers began to strike on July 1. They have been joined by other transit workers and supporters across the Bay Area to protest the attacks on their wages and health care and pension benefits forced on them by management after previous concessions, which already included a five year wage freeze. UPDATE: BART workers agreed to return to work on July 5 under their current contract for a 30-day negotiating period. Another strike remains possible.
Thu Jul 4 2013 (Updated 07/06/13)
Gay Pride Parade's Bradley Manning Contingent Blocks Military Recruiters
US Supreme Court decisions making gay marriage legal in California and striking down the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act came just days before Pride weekend in San Francisco. On June 28th, anarchists participating in the annual Trans March hoisted a banner with the slogan "No Pride in Assimilation/No Future in Capitalism". Two days later a Bradley Manning contingent marched at Pride Sunday then encircled a National Guard booth in protest of military recruiting.
Read more on Indybay's LGBTI / Queer page
Wed Jun 26 2013 (Updated 07/23/13)
Earth Firster Occupies Wick Drain Stitcher to Save Little Lake Valley from Willits Bypass
June 25 marked the sixth day in which Will Parrish has been occupying a wick drain stitcher in the Willits Bypass construction area. He is currently out of food and water but is staying strong. Resupplies have been attempted but with no results, as he is being guarded by two CHP officers at all times. Parrish has managed to stop Caltrans from working for six days and plans to be up there until they stop the project. Earth First! Humboldt reports that the community is very strong in Willits but needs more support from those who are able and willing to help.
Tue Jul 2 2013 (Updated 07/18/13)
State Park Management Plan Threatens to Trash Tree-nesting Seabirds' Future
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit on June 19 against the California Department of Parks and Recreation for its failure to protect an endangered seabird, the Marbled Murrelet, under the new management plan for Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. The suit, filed in California Superior Court in Santa Cruz county, challenges the department’s plans to expand visitor facilities in or near essential nesting habitat.
Thu Jun 27 2013 (Updated 07/03/13)
Right-wing, Anti-National Park Interests Misled Sonoma City Council Resolution
The Point Reyes National Seashore’s ecological heart, Drakes Estero, has been designated as the West Coast’s first marine wilderness area. In June, supporters of the Interior Department’s decision to protect Drakes Estero charged that opponents of the Obama administration’s decision presented “inaccurate and misleading” information to the Sonoma City Council to win approval of a resolution riddled with factual inaccuracies that run counter to established state and federal law.
Tue Jul 2 2013 (Updated 07/04/13)
Pride Contingent in Santa Cruz Supports Whistle-Blowing Political Prisoner
On Sunday, June 2, thousands of people lined Pacific Avenue for the 39th annual Santa Cruz Pride parade and festival presented by The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz. A wide range of organizations participated in the parade, including a contingent raising awareness and support for political prisoner Bradley Manning. Manning is openly gay and has participated in Pride marches and campaigned against the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” restrictions on gay military personnel.
08/05/13 Anniversary of Fire at Chevron's Richmond Refinery Marked with Huge Protest at Gates environment 07/30/13 Community Education in Solidarity with Prisoners' Hunger Strike police | santacruz 07/28/13 Groups Say Billions to be Spent on Peripheral Tunnels Serve Only to Pad Corporate Pockets environment | centralvalley | california 07/28/13 Israeli Military Tears Down Palestinian Protest Village, Arrests Nonviolent Demonstrators antiwar | international | palestine 07/27/13 Oakland Surveillance Center Approved in City Vote Amid Debate on Privacy & Data Collection police 07/27/13 Hollywoood Movie Billboard in SF Spoofed to "Honor" U.S. National Security Agency police | antiwar | arts 07/27/13 Public Safety Task Force Member Steve Schlicht Displays Insensitivity to Addiction poverty | government | santacruz 07/26/13 Community Groups Push to Save Berkley Post Office from Being Sold to a Commercial Business poverty | government 07/26/13 Santa Cruz NAACP Asks Community to Stand Up, Speak Out Against Racism police | race | santacruz 07/23/13 Immigrant Youth, Students, & Workers Protest Napalitano Appointment at UC Regents Meeting education | california | immigrant 07/19/13 Nationwide Call to End Racial Profiling, Prosecute Zimmerman for Civil Rights Violations race | southbay |
Brown Administration Releases Deceptive Economic Impact Report of Delta Export Scheme
Monday Aug 5th 7:11 PM
STAY AWAY FOREVER: Solidarity Needed as Squat is Under Immediate Threat of Eviction.
Monday Aug 5th 1:33 PM
Unionists Join Rally In Richmond To Protect Environment & March To Chevron Refinery
Sunday Aug 4th 10:41 AM
Supporting California and Santa Cruz Prison Hunger Strikers at 'Hunger for Justice'
Friday Aug 2nd 5:54 PM
Found: A homeless encampment that the City of Fresno does not intend to destroy
More Local News...
Friday Aug 2nd 4:14 PM
Groups Will Fight Industry Lawsuit Seeking to Eliminate Sea Otters From Southern CA
Monday Aug 5th 4:09 AM
Filipinos in LA join global protest vs China’s aggression in West Philippine Sea
Sunday Aug 4th 6:06 AM
Summer 2013 National Immigrant Solidarity Network Monthly News Digest and News Alert!
Sunday Aug 4th 1:22 AM
California Black Agriculture Working Group ~ Salutes National Farmers Market Week 2013
More Global News...
Saturday Aug 3rd 7:06 AM
Lights In Tunnels, Deaths On The Job, Health and Safety and BART Management & The Board
Tuesday Aug 6th 2:21 PM
Brown's Pick Of Callahan To BART Inquiry Is Corrupt /Supported Union Busting-Discriminatio
Open Newswire...
Tuesday Aug 6th 1:14 PM |