[^ top]
North CoastCentral ValleyNorth BayEast BaySouth BaySan FranciscoPeninsulaSanta Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay AreaNorth CoastCentral ValleyNorth BayEast BaySouth BaySan FranciscoPeninsulaSanta Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay AreaCaliforniaUnited StatesInternationalAmericasHaitiIraqPalestineAfghanistan
West Coast IMCs: Portland, Santa Cruz, San Diego and L.A.
On April 3, members of Watsonville Brown Berets (WBB) traveled to Salinas to attend the annual Cesar Chavez March and Rally presented by United Farm Workers (UFW). WBB were joined by members of Familias Unidas por la Justicia (FUJ), an independent farmworker union in Burlington, Washington fighting for a union contract, and initiators of the boycott against Driscoll's. Although advocating for farmworkers' rights seems like it would be warmly welcomed by UFW, that was not the experience for WBB and FUJ members.
On Monday, April 11, 2016, around 800 State of Mexico riot police at the service of Grupo Higa laid siege to the Otomí community of San Francisco Xochicuautla, destroyed the camp set up in defense of the forest, used heavy machinery to illegally tear down the house of Dr. Armando García Salazar, and violently dragged out at least 25 men, women and children who were inside the house, including 64-year-old Isabel Hernández, a member of the Supreme Indigenous Council of Xochicuautla.
Tue Apr 12 2016 (Updated 04/18/16)
Housing State of Emergency Declared in Oakland
Oakland renters have been facing nearly 1,000 evictions per month. Rents have skyrocketed and the median rent is currently $3,000 per month. Housing activists have been pushing for a temporary freeze on evictions and rent hikes to protect tenants from the massive upheaval. On April 6, the Oakland City Council responded by voting unanimously to support a 90-day moratorium on rent increases, but failed to pass a temporary freeze on evictions.
Sun Apr 10 2016 (Updated 04/18/16)
San Francisco Police Execute Homeless Man
On April 7, a homeless man, Jose Luis Gongora, allegedly brandishing a knife, was executed by SFPD. Surveillance camera video shows police cars rolling up, cops getting out and approaching Jose Luis off-camera. Police claimed they attempted to deescalate the situation, but the video shows two cops approaching Jose Luis with a shotgun pointed at him and shouting at him. The cop with the shotgun can be heard firing four "less lethal" bean-bag rounds at Jose Luis before at least one of the cops shoots and kills him. On April 9, SFPD raided a nearby tent encampment on Shotwell Street, knocking over objects with sticks, including several memorial candles that lined the front of Jose Luis' tent which is still at the scene.
Fri Apr 8 2016 (Updated 04/20/16)
26 Arrested at Drone War Base in Nevada
On April 1, at Creech AFB in Indian Springs, Nevada, morning traffic was diverted by dozens of peace and justice activists attempting to shut down the armed drone attack program through nonviolent civil resistance. Twelve peaceful resisters were arrested at the two main gates of Creech. Another six were arrested at the main East Gate while blocking the entrance with "crime scene" tape, referring to the criminal activity of weaponized drone terrorism conducted at Creech, killing thousands of non-combatants and civilians over the past decade.
The spirit of resistance has captured the imagination of a new generation in France, as youth-led opposition to neoliberal labour “reforms” has spiraled into full-on rejection of the whole capitalist system on the street and squares. The situation took on a new dimension after the general strike and day of action on March 31. There was a call for people not to go home afterwards but to stay on the streets, beginning a wave of overnight “Nuit Debout” occupations that has spread from Paris across France and into the Iberian peninsular, Belgium and Germany.
Community activists working independently on separate ballot measures have come together under the umbrella of the Oakland Justice Coalition. Together, the three measures they propose would radically transform police accountability, renters' protections, and the minimum wage in Oakland. On March 24, Oakland Justice Coalition members made a formal announcement of their intentions in front of Oakland City Hall. The canvassing kickoff will be held on April 2.
A bulldozer rumbled into the Beach Flats Community Garden early Thursday morning, March 24, tearing out mature fruit trees and nopales plants that city staff had earlier promised would not be touched, and damaging an already strained relationship between the City and community. Despite the loss of land, fruit trees, and nopales, the Beach Flats Gardeners are committed to making the best of the 2016 planting season.
The California Apartment Association (CAA) has been meddling in the affairs of city after city in Northern California in an effort to stop any and all renter protections being promoted by renters, tenant activists, and their supporters. The same day that Oakland tenant activists filed a ballot initiative to strengthen renter protections called the Renters Upgrade, the CAA announced that they were keeping an eye on things, and are coming up with their own plan to counter the tenants' movement efforts.
On March 23, the family of Freddy Centeno filed a lawsuit against the Fresno Police department alleging that officers Zebulon Price and Felipe Miguel Lucero acted beyond the limits of their authority when they shot Freddy seven times on September 3, 2015. Freddy was unarmed, carrying a spray nozzle to a garden hose. The officers opened fire less than six seconds after they exited their cruiser. The shooting left Freddy in a coma for twenty-three days before he passed away.
Familias Unidas por la Justicia (FUJ) has embarked on an historic 28-day tour of the West Coast to organize a major offensive on the world’s largest berry distributor, Driscoll’s Berries. The local independent farmworker union, based in Burlington, WA, is touring the coast at a crucial moment in their campaign for a union contract at Driscoll's supplier Sakuma Brothers Farms. Driscoll’s and Sakuma are feeling pressure from a growing amount of boycott activity. On Thursday, March 31, there was a major action at Driscoll’s headquarters in Watsonville.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation released the results of annual pesticide use reporting – the only reporting like it in the country – offering a glimpse into what potentially hazardous pesticides are being used in the state. Despite fewer plantings and crop loss due to the drought across the state, hazardous pesticide use increased in some counties. From 2013 to 2014, in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, such pesticide use increased 10.0% and 9.4%, respectively.
Tue Mar 22 2016 (Updated 04/18/16)
Oakland Real Estate & Business Conference Shut Down
Before 8am on March 18, over a hundred housing activists caught the Oakland Chamber of Commerce off guard at their "Oakland is open for business" breakfast for real estate developers. Protesters were able to completely shut down the 2016 Economic Development Summit at the Kaiser Building on Lake Merritt before Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf could even give her opening remarks.
Wed Mar 23 2016 (Updated 04/21/16)
Chemicals Used in Acidization Threaten Water Supplies
Oil companies use dozens of extremely hazardous chemicals to acidize wells in California, raising water contamination and public-safety concerns, according to a new study in the Journal of Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry. The University of California-Los Angeles study, which has national significance because it seems to be the first ever to examine the toxicity of acidization chemicals, finds that almost 200 different chemicals have been used in the process.
On March 15, the Oakland City Council approved moving forward with the latest iteration of luxury housing at the E12th Street parcel, public land that was created when the roads and bridges around the south end of Lake Merritt were recently reconfigured. Housing activists showed up at City Hall and successfully shut down the meeting, but the council then held their discussion and vote privately in Mayor Libby Schaaf's office. Critics vow to keep the fight alive for "public land for public good." A final vote on the proposed sale to UrbanCore will happen later this year.
Students at UC Davis have been occupying Chancellor Linda Katehi's office and holding tight since Friday, March 11, demanding that Katehi resign or be fired. Administrators escalated their response with threats of suspension and even expulsion if occupiers do not vacate the building. Demonstrators are also calling for the hiring process to be redesigned "so that UC Davis students and workers are not only a part of this process, but a major deciding body in the selection and confirmation of a new Chancellor."
On February 23, Protect Monterey County gathered at the steps of the old court house in Salinas to announce the delivery of their notice of intent to circulate the petition: "Protect Our Water: Ban Fracking and Limit Risky Oil Operations Initiative." The group is now seeking signature gathering help to put the anti-fracking Initiative on the ballot in Monterey County for November 2016.
A recently released United States Department of Agriculture inspection report from January 2016 discloses that Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (SCBT), one of the world’s largest producers of animal-derived research antibodies, has eliminated its entire inventory of goats and rabbits. An inspection conducted by the USDA just six months prior revealed an inventory of 3,202 goats and 2,471 rabbits. The disappearance raises questions about the facility's future.
Terrie Best of San Diego Americans for Safe Access writes: On March 1, the prosecution began its case against John Mazula, who was being charged with manufacturing medical cannabis concentrates. The case came down to whether the process John used to extract cannabis concentrate made use of butane gas or not. Without hesitation each juror at the table one-by-one pronounced John not guilty. Then they discussed why. The jurors blamed the police. They knew the case was poorly put together with no evidence to convict John.
On February 26, demonstrators gathered at Whole Foods Market in Santa Cruz to protest Driscoll's, the largest berry distributor in the world with a history unjust labor practices and repression of union organizing. Founded in the Pajaro Valley in 1904, Driscoll's is a privately held company with headquarters in Watsonville. Production of Driscoll’s berries extends into 22 countries.
Sun Feb 28 2016 (Updated 04/18/16)
Saving Midtown: San Francisco Renters on Strike
Since August 2015 the residents of Midtown Park apartments in the Fillmore district have been on a rent strike. Theirs is the largest rent strike in San Francisco since 1978. The residents are fighting the city who claims to own the property, they are fighting the non-profit Mercy Housing California who manages the property, and they are fighting the larger forces of displacement that have left only 5.8% black population in the city.
Sat Feb 27 2016 (Updated 03/01/16)
Protesters Face Off with FBI in Digital Privacy Battle
On February 16, a US District Court in California, responding to an FBI request, ordered Apple to write an entirely new operating system for its iPhone, one that would give Federal authorities full access to encrypted private information on those phones. Protesters in the Bay Area cities of San Francisco and Palo Alto organized demonstrations saying the FBI demand would set a dangerous precedent and threaten the safety and security of millions of iPhone users worldwide.
The California Police Bill of Rights as it is known today could be on its way out if California SB1286 becomes law, shining increased light on police misconduct in the state. Police "unions" and lobbyists like the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) are expected to fight to maintain the secrecy that currently shields their bad behavior — and legislators historically tend to kowtow to their wishes. The public, however, clearly wants greater access to police records.
Sun Feb 21 2016 (Updated 04/18/16)
Anti-BDS Bills Introduced in California Legislature
Israel’s defenders in the U.S. have intensified their efforts to stifle criticism of Israeli government policies with new bills and laws seeking to censor or punish advocacy in support of Palestinian rights. In California, two anti-BDS bills were introduced by Assembly member Travis Allen. AB 1551, the “California Israel Commerce Protection Act”, would prohibit the state from investing in businesses and institutions that comply with boycotts against Israel or Israeli-controlled territories. AB 1552 would prohibit the state from contracting with entities that engage in what he calls “boycotts due to discrimination and bigotry.”
The Garden and the Freeway via Micah Posner Saturday Apr 23rd 11:40 PM
Water rates will increase to pay for Delta Tunnels Dan Bacher Saturday Apr 23rd 2:27 PM
Humpback whale successfully disentangled by California Whale Rescue network via California Whale Rescue Friday Apr 22nd 11:36 PM
For-profit affordable housing developers target the Bay Area Lynda Ccarson Friday Apr 22nd 8:11 PM
AFT 2121 (City College strike) Allan Fisher Friday Apr 22nd 10:23 AM
Pacific Avenue: Freedom Of Press At Its Finest via Joff Lee Jones (3 comments) Thursday Apr 21st 9:49 PM
Nice Pick Justice turnout at court in Fresno via Pick Justice Thursday Apr 21st 5:51 PM
Judge again says ALRB and UFW colluded on litigation strategy via Pick Justice Thursday Apr 21st 5:36 PM
Oakland double-crosses tenant and affordable housing activists Lynda Carson Wednesday Apr 20th 2:17 AM
San José is in a housing crisis and needs your help!!! Lynda Carson Monday Apr 18th 2:33 AM
More Local News...
[ X close ]
This Week in Palestine, April 22nd, 2015 IMEMC Friday Apr 22nd 10:59 PM
UFW wins election to represent 240 farm workers at Ventura County companies via United Farm Workers Thursday Apr 21st 4:35 PM
Argentina Returns to Bond Market after Debt Settlement Oscar Polanco Reynoso Thursday Apr 21st 8:41 AM
Police evicts No Border Camp in Greece No Border Camp (2 comments) Wednesday Apr 20th 5:13 AM
Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte’s One-Man Revolution and the CPP Chanco CJ (2 comments) Tuesday Apr 19th 12:45 AM
SPLC survey: Presidential campaign leading to widespread fear, bullying in schools via Southern Poverty Law Center Sunday Apr 17th 3:00 AM
Education Opportunities for Incarcerated Persons - Bridging the Gap WTUL News and Views Saturday Apr 16th 1:38 PM
This Week in Palestine, April 15th, 2015 IMEMC Friday Apr 15th 10:23 PM
RNs Welcome Bill to Step Up Public Safety for Patients in Hospital ‘Observation' via California Nurses Association Friday Apr 15th 3:58 PM
West Coast Fisher Denied Endangered Species Act Protection in Bow to Timber Industry Center for Biological Diversity Thursday Apr 14th 3:32 PM
More Global News...
[ X close ]
The Socialist Equality Party Announces 2016 Candidates Announcement Repost (2 comments) Friday Apr 22nd 12:09 AM
We Can Phase Out Fossil Fuels Within a Decade, Study Says Daniel Oberhaus Wednesday Apr 20th 10:32 AM
Former FBI Agent Pens Novel Based on Fictional Experiences in the Animal Rights Movement Animal Liberation Press Office Tuesday Apr 19th 10:58 PM
When it's so dirty itself? Ted Rudow III, MA Tuesday Apr 19th 4:14 PM
Death Row calling...4-19-16 Mouse Report DJ Mouse Tuesday Apr 19th 1:45 PM
The Steep Cost of Tax Dodging Jasmine Tucker (1 comment) Tuesday Apr 19th 6:52 AM
Whole or in part by children Ted Rudow III, MA Monday Apr 18th 1:32 PM
Do your homework on Clinton reader Monday Apr 18th 9:03 AM
One human being is equal to a hundred animals? Varun Kumar Monday Apr 18th 2:42 AM
Kevin Cooper call from death row DJ Mouse Sunday Apr 17th 5:24 AM
The Shortwave Report 04/15/16 Listen Globally! Dan Roberts Thursday Apr 14th 5:37 PM
UC Davis spent thousands to scrub pepper-spray references from Internet Repost from Sac Bee Thursday Apr 14th 12:17 PM
Open Newswire...
[ X close ]