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Are explosive Bakken crude oil trains coming through your town? / Actions you can take now!

July 6, 2014 marks the one year anniversary of the first major oil train explosion in Canada which took the lives of 47 people. The week of July 6-13, 2014 is an international week of action to mark this anniversary and make sure these folk’s lives were not lost in vain. Your actions should not be limited to this one week as we are dealing with an entrenched oil and rail industry and don’t settle for anything less than the a complete ban on any oil shipped by DOT 111 and DOT 111a cars.

Actions are being posted on www.stopoiltrains.org

When you organize a protest please contact us at vancouveractionnetwork@gmail.com

We have come up with tactics here in Vancouver, Washington to take this from a defensive to an offensive fight against the oil by rail industry. Please consider using these tactics as they are and will be effective. If you begin using this tactics please contact us so we can help document your work. If you need tech support contact us.
Take care, matt landon with Vancouver Action Network vancouveractionnetwork.blogspot.com

Check out this map to see if oil trains are coming through-- http://priceofoil.org/rail-map/

Oil trains are bad because they have blown up at least 8 times in the last year killing innocent railside residents and polluting the environment. As the US and Canada have increased their oil extraction and production--and as resistance to oil pipelines becomes more effective--the use of trains to transport oil has skyrocketed, leaving communities vulnerable to explosions, oil spills, and unmonitored oil train air emissions. We must take action now to stop this trend!

From:  http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/

Comfrey Jacobs appeared in U.S. federal court today for his first arraignment after being arrested for blocking the road to Yellowstone National Park’s bison trap on March 6.

Jacobs blocked the road before more wild bison could be loaded onto trailers destined for slaughter facilities. Jacobs handcuffed himself to a hunter orange 55-gallon barrel filled with concrete, and wire-mesh webbing spanning the entrance to the roadway. 

Jacobs was charged with three offenses: disorderly conduct, breaking a closure and interfering with a government operation. He was offered a plea bargain: if he plead guilty he would be charged $1,000 in restitution, be placed on unsupervised probation for five year and be banned from Yellowstone National Park for five years.

Jacobs did not accept the plea bargain, as he is awaiting further legal counsel. There will be a continuation of his arraignment on April 2. If Jacobs chooses to go to trial, he will be tried by a judge and not a jury of his peers.

The goal of Comfrey’s decision to block access to Yellowstone’s bison trap was to prevent more of America’s last wild, migratory bison from being shipped to slaughter. Jacobs stalled slaughter operations for more than two hours.

Comfrey’s action demonstrated strong public opposition to the buffalo slaughter and has drawn an incredible amount of media and public attention to the issue. The day following Jacob’s blockade, Yellowstone National Park issued their only press release for this year’s controversial bison operations, announcing that the Stephens Creek bison trap was empty and Yellowstone had no further plans to capture this season.

Yesterday morning, with sub-zero temperatures, the McDonald's resturant at 29th and Baseline in Boulder closed its indoor dining area to keep homeless people out. The reason for the closure was confirmed by a telephone conversation with the manager.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1FxwHw07no&feature=youtu.be

The manager cited customer complaints against the presence of homeless persons as the reason for the closure and several times used wording that indicated he considers “customers” and “homeless” people who buy food there are two separate groups. He declined to say how he could tell if any person was homeless. The manager also stated that the drive-through window remained open and anyone, including homeless customers, could purchase food there. He insisted that the closure is not discrimination against homeless people, nor against people without cars, nor against anyone else, and suggested that even persons without cars could walk up to the drive-through window and purchase food.

The restaurant manager said the dining room might be closed this morning as well. As of this writing, we have not verified whether it is closed. The restaurant is located at 2920 Baseline Road,Boulder, Colorado 80303, and the telephone number is 303-449-1916.

Worldwide, a great many homeless people regularly purchase food at McDonald's restaurants. Also, many employees of various McDonald's restaurants are homeless, due to the inadequate wages paid at these and other fast food restaurants.

Most McDonald's restaurants are independently owned franchises. This particular restaurant is an independently owned franchise. The franchise owner is Aaron Holland, a resident of Denver.

A tradition has started to form in Denver of street demonstrations on the 5th of each month. On January 5th, folks will take to the streets under a united banner declaring “Shit's Fucked Up and Bullshit”, a phrase meant to draw together the wide array of concerns that fuel the anger burning within many across this nation. Austerity, warfare, surveillance, evictions, foreclosures, layoffs, police terror, and many other symptoms of late stage capitalism are wreaking havoc on our lives.

January also marks the 20th anniversary of a massive uprising centered in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico. On January 1st, 1994, armed Mayans and peasants launched an insurrection unlike any in modern history. The Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN or Zapatistas) seized cities, villages, and land that had been stripped away from the indigenous peoples of Chiapas by centuries of colonization and imperialism.

The Zapatista Rebellion, taking inspiration from Mexican anarchist and peasant revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, still thrives today, two decades after they first drove the Mexican military out of their territories. Through two decades of struggle, ranging from armed battles to street demonstrations, land expropriation to prison breaks, the Zapatistas and their revolutionary struggle continue to serve as an inspiration to those struggling against predatory economic, political, and social systems across the world.

Yesterday, fast food workers in sixty cities went on strike--the biggest strike in the fast food industry so far. Backed by labor unions, other social justice organizations, and faith groups, the workers in over a thousand restaurants took off their uniforms and walked out, demanding what most workers took for granted a generation ago. They want the right to a decent, stable life--a living wage and the right to organize without retaliation. They are willing to work for that better life--obviously since they ARE and HAVE BEEN working for it. Today's workers are creating enormous wealth, but they are not benefiting from their wealth creation. The wages they receive and the dearth of benefits keep them in poverty.

When: July 4th @ Noon
Where: Colorado State Capitol

The 1st Amendment is our permit to march. The only rights we have are the ones we fight to keep. All are welcome.

In solidarity with Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning. BRING WHISTLES!

We demand that the surveillance of any person be done with the direct oversight of the international public and that whistleblowers and truth tellers be protected from prosecution!

We demand the full freedom of press and privacy as promised by the U.S. Constitution! We demand all our constitutional rights!

The Patriot Act has accelerated the widespread use of illegal surveillance in violation of the spirit and letter of the 4th Amendment.

We demand the PATRIOT Act be repealed and the National Security Agency be fully investigated on the issue of unwarranted surveillance!

We ask for the involvement of all people in a sign-carrying march at Civic Center Park to HALO camera HQ (13th and cherokee/ police hq) on Independence Day, July 4, at high noon, to demand greater public awareness of surveillance and persecuted whistleblowers!

Meet at the Capitol!

Occupy Denver opposes white supremacy, this march is governed by Occupy Denver's anti-oppression committments.
We support a diversity of tactics when dealing with bigotry in our community.

When: Fridays at 5 p.m.
Where: The Palm, 1672 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80202 (map)

This action seeks to highlight the role of The Palm and the Colorado Restaurant Association in pushing an ordinance through the city council that criminalized the survival act of sleeping by our homeless friends. Wendy Klein, the sales manager at The Palm, testified for the Downtown Denver Partnership in support of the “Urban Camping” Ban. Detailed information on the impact of the “Urban Camping” Ban on the homeless can be found at Denver Homeless Out Loud.

Wendy Klein, sales manager at The Palm, spoke in strong favor of the ordinance criminalizing homelessness at the April 30, 2012 city council public hearing about the “Urban Camping” Ban. She also brought the unanimous vote of the Colorado Restaurant Association in support of the ban to the City Council.

According to Kline who could only refer to the homeless as they or it, “they are lining up outside our doors even as we speak this evening placing their property on our property to save their nights real estate so that they will have a safe, warm place to sleep impeding our guests and even those who are walking back and forth from the restaurant…Now with the warmer weather descending, we are seeing it come back in full force. Our people are asking us what we can do.”

The wealthiest “movers and shakers” in Denver meet to eat, socialize and make deals at Palm Restaurant.

Survey finds law criminalizes activities necessary for homeless survival without providing alternatives.

The Report:
The Denver Camping Ban: A Report from the Street

Press Release:
Camping Ban Proves to be Counterproductive and Cruel

Videos:
Denver Commission on Homelessness and Report Release Events

Denver Homeless Out Loud (DHOL) is a coalition of individuals and organizations working hand-in-hand with and for the homeless on the impact of the “Urban Camping” Ban. The “Urban Camping” Ban authorizes the police to require the homeless go to a shelter or move along whenever they are caught protecting themselves from the elements or face criminal sanctions. The ordinance went into effect on May 28, 2012. DHOL works to insure that Denver’s homeless community has access to public space, adequate services, and a political voice in the City of Denver.

Richard Myers, union activist, writer, labor historian, graphic artist, photojournalist, poet, and proud worker, passed from this world on Thursday evening.  His loss leaves the Denver social justice community stunned and heartbroken.

Richard was born and raised in Nebraska and came to Denver in his youth.  He worked in a factory for 33 years, where he also began a career as a union activist.  Richard served as a steward in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  Later he joined the Industrial Workers of the World, where he played a vital role in making the Wobblies an important player in the Colorado social justice community.  For two years, Richard also served the IWW as Branch Secretary of the Denver General Membership Branch.  He joined the fight for grocery and retail workers, with the United Food and Commercial Workers.

Richard worked passionately for many other causes and could always be found where people were fighting the good fight.  He was one of the founders of Colorado Indymedia and a major participant in our predecessor, Rocky Mountain Indymedia.  His poster art has been an important feature of almost every radical and progressive campaign in the area, for decades.

Coloradans, can you help Mainers fend off a Denver-based Big Gas attack on Penobscot Bay?   Creative actions needed to confront BIg Gas in its home habitat.

LPG gas distributor DCP Midstream LLC, a BIG natural gas port, pipeline & megatank operator, is close to getting its OKs to transform and industrialize our bay's estuary, heart of the Maine lobster ecosystem, by establishing the east coast's biggest Liquified Petroleum Gas terminal in the our bay's brackish waters..

CAN COLORADANS HELP US SHAME DCP AT ITS CORPORATE HQ? 

http://www.timescall.com/news/lo...

Anti-fracking demonstrators disrupt, delay Boulder County oil and gas hearing
Group demands ban or commissioners' resignation
By John Fryar Longmont Times-Call timescall.com
Posted:   12/04/2012 04:50:45 PM MST, Updated:   12/05/2012 02:42:05 PM MST

Neshama Abraham, of Boulder, right, applauds while other anti-fracking supporters silently show their support during public discussion, Dec. 4, 2012, at Boulder County Court House (Matthew Jonas/Times-Call) (Matthew Jonas)

BOULDER -- Anti-fracking activists delayed the start of the Boulder County commissioners' Tuesday afternoon meeting on oil and gas regulations for nearly half an hour, chanting their opposition to that drilling technique and demanding the commissioners resign if they won't ban hydraulic fracturing in unincorporated Boulder County.

Among those reading loudly from prepared scripts was a pair of school children, one of whom said, "We are standing up for our future ... Protect us from the dangers of fracking."

"We deserve a fighting chance," said Zapporah Abraham Paiss, a 13-year-old Centennial Middle School student. "With vibrant water, soil and plants," said Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a 12-year-old Centennial School student. They said afterward that they're members of Earth Guardians.

Commissoners Will Toor, Cindy Domenico and Deb Gardner left their seats and the packed hearing room when the demonstration began and returned only after it had ended.

http://vimeo.com/54985754

Boulder County Commissioners Fracking hearing MIC CHECK

Boulder County Commissioners Fracking hearing MIC CHECK from 23rd Studios on Vimeo.

from 23rd Studios

Domestic workers and family members, in front of the mural wall at El Centro Humanitario. (photo credit: El Centro Humanitario)

The long awaited report on domestic labor in Colorado, entitled ON THE JOB WITH DOMESTIC WORKERS:  Workplace Abuse and Worker Exploitation in Colorado’s Invisible Workforce, by Prof. Tony Robinson, and graduate students Jessie Dryden and Heather Gomez-Duplantis, was formally released on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at El Centro Humanitario.  A pdf of the report can be found here:

http://www.centrohumanitario.org/domestic_worker_study.pdf

It is difficult to read, due to the page layout, but worth the effort, especially for those who have no personal knowledge of this type of work.  The report includes and is based on personal interviews with domestic workers who are and have been employed in Colorado.  Similar research projects have been recently and concurrently undertaken in other parts of the U.S., with an eye to finding ways to combat abuses faced by domestic laborers.  This is the first such study of domestic labor conducted locally, in Colorado.

This report, with its political science focus, illuminates the power relations of domestic labor.  Domestic workers are among the most exploited and abused of all workers.  The research uncovered two sets of reasons for this-- discrimination against the workers because of their sex, race, citizenship status, documentation issues, and language; and employer attitudes about domestic work itself.

Chhttp://www.examiner.com/article/large-turnout-for-lakewood-walmart-strike

Large Turnout for Lakewood Walmart Strike

Black Friday
November 23, 2012
By: Chris Time Steele

The strike at the Lakewood Walmart located at 7455 W Colfax Ave. began at 8 a.m. on Nov. 23, 2012, and had an estimated turnout of 300 plus people. The strike was in regards to Walmart associates being fired and silenced for speaking out against unfair working conditions, lack of healthcare, and low wages.

OURWalmart and Making Change at Walmart, which is composed of Walmart associates, community organizations, and community members urged customers entering the store to sign their petition to support Walmart workers. Making Change at Walmart is supported by the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW), who were in attendance at the protest. Other organizations who came to support the strike were the Industrial Workers of the World, Colorado Wins, National Education Association, Occupy Denver, ACLU, and UFCW Local 7.

Chants during the strike included: "Walmart listen, we want justice"; "They steal your money and your rights"; and "Walmart escucha, estamos en la lucha." At 9:30 a.m. a delegation delivered a message for the manager to give to corporate about allowing Walmart associates to voice their concerns without fear of being fired. Before the strike occurred most of the 36 check-out lanes were open and by the end of the strike six check-out lanes were open. A delegation was delivered to a Walmart in Castle Rock last night at 8 p.m. and more are scheduled to be made throughout Black Friday around the Denver metropolitan area.

Video by Jason Bosch --thanks Jason!

Denver For Gaza 11.15.2012 from Jason Bosch on Vimeo.

 https://vimeo.com/53733939

**********************************************

Also, some excellent pictures by Chris Steele

http://www.examiner.com/article/...

http://occupydenver.org/peaceful...

Sheriffs, SWAT, and Assault Rifles

(Photos by Ambrose Cruz)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?fea...

(Video By Pat Boyle)

The March For A World Without Police and Zombies by Phillip Reynes

It was a beautiful fall night this past Saturday as people gathered for the third anuual March For A World Without Police. The police presence was oppressively heavy which made me wonder at the judgment of our new lair and chief; oh, excuse me I mean Chief of police, who supposedly is a reformer but to anyone here this night seemed to want to provoke trouble. Chief White has a credibility problem with this community ever since the march in February where he at his press confrence fragrently lied about the arest and the reasons for it at the March. COIMC took over 1,1oo pictures on that march and nothing he said about water balloons full of urine or excrement was true!! That was not a good start for Chief White and this march just serves to show that he thinks dissent can be quelled through intimidation.

Come check out the amazing Fly Away Zine Mobile when it comes to the Denver Zine Library! Look through the zines in this mobile collection and join us for a possible impromptu zine reading!

Thursday, October 4 at 7pm
2727 West 27th Avenue, Denver CO

The Fly Away Zine Mobile is a free lending library, self-publishing skill-sharer, and mini reading room that travels around North America, organizing/supporting events around literacy and self-publishing and hosting open library/reading hours. There are currently about 1,500 zines in the collection; current sections include Do-It-Yourself/How-To; Healing and Wellness; Prisons/By Prisoners; Personal/Autobiographical; Comics/Drawings; Cooking/Food; Field Guides/Place-Related; Political; Parenting; Zines by Kids; Poetry; Librarian-Made Zines; and Animal-Related Zines.

http://zinemobile.wordpress.com/

Stop The Empire

Protest the Presidential Debates @ Denver University

Wednesday October 3rd 5:30pm

March Meet up Location: McWilliams Park

@ E. Yale Ave & S. Steele St.

The first of the three Presidential “debates” will take place in Denver, Colorado on October 3rd. We have no doubt that this charade will produce plenty of false promises, lies, empty platitudes and misleading statements. The conversations at these “debates” are designed to divide people into polarized camps, reinforce the illusion that we are dependent on our elected officials, and divert our attention from addressing the root problems this nation is facing. The American Empire, although few outside of academic circles would dare to call it that, is one such problem.

Join the coalition to Stop the Empire as we march to the presidential debate to let the two corporate candidates know we are finished listening to their meaningless conversations that do nothing except maintain the current power structures that are morally and fiscally bankrupting this nation and communities across the world. Democracy or the American Empire? We can’t have both. The only way to avoid the fate of all empires is to admit that America is exactly that, a full-blown Empire; and to start honestly discussing and understanding within our communities why American imperialism, financial colonization and capitalism are creating more terrorism, eviscerating our Constitutional rights here at home, and violating international law abroad.

The 2nd issue of the new Anarchist Journal Modern Slavery - A Liberatory Critique of Civilization is coming out soon.

http://modernslavery.calpress.or... Issue 2 includes: An Introduction to Modern Slavery (Part 2) by Jason McQuinn Curtains of Blood: A Peek behind the Phenomena of the Grand Guignol by Paul Z. Simons p.11 Raoul Vaneigem: The Other Situationist by Jason McQuinn p.25 A Surreal Interview with an Anarchist: Ron Sakolsky Oppositional Currents: Anarchy in the UK: Chapter 2 of The Old World is Behind You by Karen Goaman The Greatness of my Hostility: Chapter 2 of Strangers in an Alien World by Wolfi Landstreicher Slavery & Slack: Part 1 – Slavery by J.T. Winogrond p.104 AND MUCH MORE